A Year of Change

I’m taking Lori to Frisco to work this morning and then will pick her up late this afternoon to go to dinner in Denver. We were going to spend the night down there but will drive back this evening.

We had a good sort of lazy day yesterday. It was snowy in the morning when I drove Lori to Vail. We picked her up at 2 and went to lunch and then Jag and I drove to Glenwood to pick up his car. Lori made a pineapple upside down cake for my birthday. It was good.

Robi told me how comments don’t show up on the blog these days. I’ll try to get that fixed. Not sure what’s going on. I see that in L.A. officials are asking Hollywood to suspend activity but it says they’re not sure if they will comply. Does anyone see the irony here? They’re asking? Seems to me they “told” everyone else and then fined small independent businesses that didn’t 100% comply, wtf, unbelievable. I’m telling you, politicians are out of control. All they know how to do is put things in place that restrict you, not them. People won’t stand for this much longer. It’s so clear they don’t have anymore of a clue than you or I. I also read where big tech wants vaccine passports for anyone who wants to fly. Hope everyone just says no. Spain is keeping a registry of those who refuse to get the vaccine. Think about that. Troubled times ahead.

Ty had Sonny and Jack stay here last night. Ty and Sonny drove down to Denver yesterday afternoon to pick him up. I think Jack is with us until New Year’s Day. We’re going to Marty and Melanie’s tomorrow for an early dinner. Lots happening at work. We’re grabbing 2021 by the throat and taking charge both in business and personally. Time to cowboy up and stop reacting to things and start being proactive. More to come later. Happy New Year’s Eve Eve. God Bless.

We moved my birthday dinner from tonight to tomorrow night in Denver due to the incoming snow. Good decision. Ty thinks he’s going to Denver today with Sonny to pick up Jack but that’s not going to happen. Lori works in Vail today and Frisco tomorrow. I’ll driver her. Then we’ll head down in the afternoon tomorrow for Denver. I think today we’ll get started taking down some Christmas lights outside.

So today is my birthday. Lori keeps asking me what I want and I keep telling her nothing, save the money. Still she’s persistent. She did just bring me coffee. That’ll do. Hard to believe 2021 is hours away. Lot’s going on at work as you can imagine.

That’s it, guess I’ll get moving as there’s some snow to shovel. Be well, stay safe and God Bless.

Yesterday we hit Costco and bought a box of Alaskan King Crab. We thawed out about a third of it for dinner and Lori made Crab Louie salads complete with homemade Thousand Island dressing, yum.

Today Ty wants to ride to Denver with Sonny to pick up Jack but with the snow coming that’s probably going to be a big no. Lori and I are headed to the gym and then working from home. Tomorrow I need to get to Glenwood to get Jag’s car and then am supposed to go to Denver for my birthday. We’ll have to see how much snow we get.

We still have our tree and decorations up which is late for me. I usually take things down on the 26th to get a jump on things. Instead I’m working on identifying trends for 2021 to get started for next year. At the same time in the next three days I need to close the year.

Hope everyone is well. Time to take charge of your life and situation. No one else can help you. You are all you have! Don’t leave your future to others, be bold and move forward! That’s it, God Bless.

Yesterday I knocked out most of the returns we needed to take back to the stores. This year not much of anything fit anyone. When driving down to Denver with about 4 bags of clothes and things I bought Lori and the boys, Tom called and said none of his presents fit either, ugh. When I arrived at his place he gave me Ali’s sweater too saying she said “it isn’t going to work”. I pretty much struck out this year. Oh well, I tried. It’s all good though as Mom always said money is too hard to come by so speak up if you don’t like something. I 100% agree and would rather have people get something they want. I’m not alone either in getting the wrong things as when I made it home from Denver around 1, I found out from Lori and the boys that some stuff from Tom and Ali didn’t fit either. They just don’t make clothes to fit like they used too or we all are way out of shape body wise, ha! I’ll have to get the stuff that didn’t fit back to Tom so he can play return guy too! When I made it back home, Lori, Jag and I decided to suck it up and head to Aspen to return the rest of the presents I bought. I had a shirt we gave Tom and a few things I bought Lori. We headed right out leaving Ty with his broken ankle and the dogs. By 3 we were in Aspen returning more clothes. Jag did find a ring he really wanted and ordered his size which will arrive in a week. Lori exchanged a pair of jeans and found a long cashmere sweater dress on sale. We had bought the boys some David Yurman rings we thought they wanted too which also went back to Denver so that’s why the ring for Jag. Ty still has a bunch of credit with us to get what he wants. I could go on and suppose it would have been easier to list the things that did fit and that we did keep and then this would have been a shorter story, ha. Oh well, Jag, Lori and I stopped at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Basalt for dinner and had a nice time. Lots of driving though, about 7 hours in the car for me returning stuff. I think next year we’ll just put money in boxes and wrap them up or get specific lists from everyone and I’ll only buy things on people’s lists to save me a bunch of driving. Money is too hard to come by so we decided yesterday that the days of frivolous or useless gifts are over.

This morning Lori and I are going to try to go to the gym. We haven’t been in a week with our backs. Ty went to Preston’s and we’ll pick him up around 9:30. Then I’m not going anywhere all day, no more driving! Snow tomorrow and Tuesday. We’re supposed to go to Tina and Jeff’s in Denver for my birthday dinner and spend the night so hope the snow isn’t too bad. I need to flip the switch in my brain and change my diet back to healthy Doug rather than the guy whose been eating all that bad/good (depending on how you look at it!) Christmas stuff like cookies, fudge (at Tommy’s, yum) and more. I don’t know who that guy is but sometimes he show’s up and binges on sweets. Good news about making any change as every morning you wake up is a new day and an opportunity for a fresh start.

That’s it for December 27th! Be well, stay safe, stay positive and God Bless.

December 26th, also known as Boxing Day in the U.K. and Canada as today is the day you box stuff up and return it. Well same here. Around 7 am this morning, Jag, Ty and I are off for the mall to return and exchange a bunch of things. Some stuff without receipts we’ll donate to homeless people we see on street corners. They’re always thrilled.

We had a good morning and then loaded up around 11 am for the drive to Tom and Ali’s. We arrived around 12:45 and were there for a couple hours. We gorged ourselves on cookies, fudge, chips and dip and sandwiches. It was nice to be with them. By 4:30 we were home and the dogs were glad to see us. Hopefully today we’ll be home by 2. Lori will stay here as her back is too sore to make the drive two days in a row.

Hope you all had a good Christmas. Remember it’s not about presents or things but about the day. 2021 is fast approaching. I know we’re all looking forward to it even though it’s unknown. Take care, rest up, clear your head and put things in perspective. As always, may God watch over you and bless you.

It’s here! Christmas! Wow. 6:30am and the boys are still sleeping. My back is now killing me from driving all week long. Ty left a note and some snacks for Santa asking for a Mazda RX7 which is an old car from the 1990’s, ha.

Yesterday was just about perfect. Dinner turned out great and we hung out together and had fun. Ty and I were down on the couch, yes his ankle is broken, while Jag and Lori cooked and cleaned. Earlier Jag and I drove around the neighborhood and dropped off a bottle of Prosecco to each neighbor. I sent Jag up to each door as my back was sore and I wasn’t going to get in and out of the car ten times. We knew most of the neighbors but some we’d never met. They were all thrilled as no one expected it. Our last stop was Cousin Lee and Margret’s where we dropped a couple bottles. Earlier while we were gone they dropped some Christmas cookies at our door.

Today we’ll head down to Tommy’s after our Christmas. Hope the drive doesn’t kill our backs!

Yesterday my close friend, partner and essentially brother from another mother, Antonio from Italy, sent an email to all of us in the Company. I’m stealing a little bit of it as it’s so profound and sums up what many of us are feeling. Read this from Antonio…

In the complete “block-lockdown” that we have today in the World and which, unfortunately, many like us are experiencing, I am finding today the moral strength, more than the time, to write.

I waited few days to communicate with you , probably too long. It seems impossible to offer help because each of us are battling the same war individually and are isolated from the necessary things we need to support one another.

In the drama that is going through the World, where everything falters and where we feel vulnerable, my thoughts often go to you, who have believed in what we have planned, built, managed and supported together, with enthusiasm and friendship. The world of wine is our life, the sum of our values, our family , of our friends of which you are part.

We belong to a wonderful world that transmits emotions, history, friendship, family and unity. Unity will be the key to return to life because, even when the “gates will reopen” and we will be all reinjected into the World, we will not forget this time, in which we have been close, we have made company and we have lived for each other.

Pretty strong words from his heart.

We feel for him as he’s stuck all alone in Italy but the point here is we’re all in this together and it will end. I pray he’s right soon! I know everyone else does too. For now let’s be thankful for what we do have, family, health, food, and the basics we used to take for granted. Sure we all love to travel, buy things we don’t really need, you know the luxury purchases we wear or use once that then sit in the closet, but now is the time to take stock and be thankful for what we have. We, Lori, Jag, Ty and I, are thankful for each and every one of you and you are a bigger part of our lives and mean more to us than you’ll ever know. We love you very much and cannot imagine life without each of you in it. You’re part of us. My 10 year journey of this blog, yes it’ll be 10 years December 31st, documents this and in a way, enhances that. In the New Year I am going to print the first 10 years (hope to do 10 more) and bind them in a book and send a copy to each of you. Hopefully this journal of the past 10 years of our lives, with all of you in it and all the ups and downs, will help each of us relive and remember a bit of our lives.

For now, enjoy the day, take a moment to remember what it’s all about, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and celebrate life. Merry Christmas and God Bless.

Well what a day. Not even sure where to start. Guess I’ll start at the beginning. I woke to some weather but managed to get out the door a little after 10 am. I dropped Ty at the mountain telling him have fun and don’t get hurt. Then it was over over two snowy and windy passes to Denver. First stop was the meat market for our Prime Rib. Upon arrival I noticed no parking available and then saw why. There was a line of 50 mask clad people standing out in the cold waiting to get in. I decided I’d leave and head up north and come back later. So off to the western store to pick up a pair of insoles for some of my boots. Then up north before heading back to the meat market. When I got back nothing had changed, still no parking and a long line so in true form, I left.

I headed downtown towards Whole Foods and a couple of specialty grocery stores. While driving Ty called. Apparently a skier ran into him and took off and he hurt his ankle. Lori’s plane was about to take off so I told him to send me a picture. Check it out,

That sums up my reaction. Now with Lori taking off we had about 30 seconds to talk while she was on the runway. I managed to call her new office and Dr. Braxton called me back. He was so great as when Ty arrived they took him right in, got him an x-ray and put him in a boot with crutches and made an appointment for 10:30 this morning with the foot and ankle doc. He does think it’s broken though. Now Ty was with Sonny who was driving him home so they headed back to Sonny’s to get some stuff so Sonny could drive Ty home and then sleep over. Around 5 when they headed to the house, they had a blowout on I-70! They called Sonny’s dad who called AAA as they had no jack. Turns out it’d take 3 hours to get the car fixed so Lori and I decided we would just pick them up.

Now back to us. We were driving in snowy and windy weather and it took us about 4 hours to get to Vail. Lori’s back was killing her the whole way as it’s hard to sit. Oh I forgot, after two more long lines at grocery stores in Denver, (which I passed), I ended up getting into Whole Foods and found a Prime Rib for tonight’s dinner. Meanwhile Jag caught a ride to Vail to go hang with friends and make Christmas cookies so we had to pick him up on the way home too. Mojo had been outside the whole time as Jag anticipated Ty getting home at 4:30. Harley was in her crate. At 9:30 pm they were both thrilled to see us!

So that was our day. Lori joked “oh well, what do you expect, it’s 2020”. Pretty much sums it up. Merry Christmas Eve to you all. I’ll try to get Ty’s ski pass refunded today, $429, but not sure they’ll do it. We’ll watch Christmas movies and hang out later today trying to get in the spirit. Other than that, we’re all fine. Hope you are too, God Bless. Looking forward to 2021.

Before I go, check this out as there’s been so much misinformation about the virus. You can’t believe the news or supposed experts on tv anymore as they change their stories almost daily. Here are a bunch of really smart people and their take on things, check it out.

Great Barrington Declaration (gbdeclaration.org)

This afternoon around 5 pm Lori will land at DIA. I’ll head down around 9 or 10 as I’m waiting for the snow and wind to let up a bit. It was snowing and blowing sideways last night but we only have an inch or so here. Last night you would have thought we’d be getting a foot!

Today is the busiest travel day of the year, so they say. Jag and I went to Aspen yesterday and knocked out most of the rest of our shopping. We’re going lighter this year and focusing more on essentials rather than luxury items. Don’t tell the boys (they don’t read this) but they’re getting mostly clothes.

I’m picking up a bone in Prime Rib roast in Wheat Ridge today for our dinner tomorrow. Jag and I stopped at Whole Foods in Basalt on the way home from Aspen for the rest of our food. The store was full of Gucci and Chanel clad women from somewhere shopping for their food for their vacation in Aspen. Man some of the money the super rich spend on every item they wear is astonishing. The rest of the crowd shopping was those like me in jeans and cowboy boots. There was a clear division of the two types of people, sort of like a movie. Glad I’m in the jeans and cowboy boot crowd as the other looked frankly, silly. We won’t tell them though as their money helps our economy.

Lori’s trip was good. Seems like she’s been gone two weeks but it’s only been two days. We’re glad she’s coming in tonight rather than tomorrow night. She probably shouldn’t have gone but then there’s that need for Dixie to have her come. Hard choices. She said she’d get a rapid covid test when she arrives tonight but I told her no need as what would we do if she’s positive? Leave her at the airport? I don’t think so. Hopefully she’ll be fine.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve! This year has been a shit show and it’s been hard to get in the spirit. Tomorrow we’re watching Christmas movies, playing games and trying to focus on the season rather than the outside crap going on. Hope you can do the same.

Merry Christmas and God Bless.

Lori made it California and I made it home. I did do some shopping a bit before leaving Denver. Today Jag and I are off to Aspen and Ty will stay with the dogs. Jag had a good call with his pre-law advisor who is some 70 year old former lawyer who works for the school. We’ll see where that goes. Mojo keeps breaking out of his crate in the garage and chewing on cardboard boxes, ugh. Lori comes home tomorrow. I’ll wait until noon or so when the snow stops before heading down to get her.

Lots going on as usual. Need to make some extra money. Everyone needs a side gig these days. Getting tired of having all our money tied up in houses. Minturn needs to sell, enough already. That’s it, God Bless everyone. Merry Christmas.

Four more nights until Christmas, wow. This morning though it’s off to Denver to get Lori to the airport and do a bunch of shopping. I-70 has huge delays so I need to time things just right.

Sarah left last night around 7 for Boulder and Preston and Gabe showed up and spent the night with Ty. Tonight the Christmas Star will be visible for the first time in over 800 years. Check your local conditions to see how to see it. Maybe it’s a sign from God that things are getting better.

Lori will be gone 48 hours or so and needs to get there to help her Mom. As my Mom always said, getting old is hell. Seems like a curse but is part of life.

Time to get moving, be well, safe and God Bless.