A Year of Change

Jag and Lori were down at the house all day long. Today we start moving things even though the house isn’t all the way finished. The basement floor needs to be painted, the master tub faucet needs to be fixed, the bbq needs to be installed, the fireplace hearth isn’t built yet, the fire pit isn’t a fire pit yet and so on. Then we have our punch list of cosmetic things to be repaired. Do not despair though as this really isn’t all that much and most all will be fixed over the next week or two. We’re focusing on moving. What we don’t want to do is move anything we don’t want to keep!

With all this going on, Harley comes home today at 3:30. Everyone is excited including Mojo who somehow knows. Marty, James and I finalized out elk hunt for the year. We’re headed to Idaho at the end of September. It’ll be a great trip as we’ll be close to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons too and hit the park on our way up.

We had a good rain last night. Any moisture is good. I was talking to a buddy in Texas who said they hadn’t seen a rain drop in six months. Ty is going to Lake Powell at the end of the month with his buddy and some friends and their family. Lori is working on a new job and oh yea, Dixie went to the ER last night. She checked out fine thankfully and is now home.

Our tv’s will be hooked up and activated today. They come between 8 and noon so we need to get moving.

I’ve stayed away from politics but have you seen what the Dems want to do? They want to basically open all the borders, give undocumented people the same rights or more as citizens, roll back all tax reductions and more. So forget the man, look at the policies. I don’t know how anyone could vote for Biden. On top if it, the guy is senile. I’ve lived with it with Dad and it’s so easy to see. They (his handlers) won’t let him answer any questions that aren’t staged, won’t let him do a public event, won’t let him meet with reporters, and yet he still manages to fuck things up, wow. Don’t be fooled. They have no message except telling you not to like Trump the man. I don’t know about you but I care about the policies, not the man. What a shit show. Hold on as we have 112 days until the election.

Time to go, be well, be safe and God Bless.

Today is the new April 15th. Most people think taxes fall on the 15th but the IRS automatically withdrawals payments the night of the 14th. On top of that, the amount due was about double what was expected, ugh. I wouldn’t mind paying taxes if I actually could find something, anything I get for it. Sadly we don’t. I’m off to Denver in 20 minutes or so and still need to shower so I have to get moving. I need to get to the distributor between 8 and 8:30. Lori is picking out the stone for the hearth this morning. We’re still missing or waiting on a few things to arrive like handles for drawers in the kitchen and toilet paper holders. Building a new house is a chore for sure.

We’re trying to decide where Ty will go to school. He now wants to go to Battle Mountain but we need to see if school will be in person or not. That will probably be the deciding factor. The news just said High School will follow a hybrid model meaning half in person, half on line. We’ll need to see just what that means. Jag finds out which dorm he’s in this Friday. He’s been communicating with other new students from as far away as Saudi Arabia. That’s cool.

Time to move, 6:08 and I should be driving by 6:30. God Bless.

Lots going on. Work, the house, no work (for Lori), taxes, school (Jag and Ty), and Dixie, (she doing ok?), the virus, civil unrest, and of course money, all contribute to stress. All you can do is tackle things one at a time. But gee, what a bunch of crap going on. On top of that, it’ll be mid-September in 60 days! Wow, hard to believe. Time flies.

Last night Marty, James and I planned out our hunting trip. Looks like we’ll head to Idaho at the end of September. We can’t wait. Lori made fajita’s which were unbelievably good. I told her she would piss off all the Mexican women in town if word got out.

This morning Jag and I are headed to Denver to pick up a piece of steel for the front door while Lori will head down to the house as the couch and dining room table arrive today. There was a micro burst or mini storm in Eagle last night as a tree blew down over the freeway in the late afternoon. It was posted on Facebook.

Harley comes home Wednesday, whoo hoo! Hope she’s trained like we expect. That’s it, time to go, God Bless.

Last night Jagger cooked salmon for us and the Franks. He did an amazing job and it was at their house! We made it home a little before 10. Before that we went to the house and then to Frisco to pick up a mirror. Earlier in the day we picked up rug samples that we took down to the house trying to see what looks best.

Today the boys, (and us) are cleaning around here. Our boys just are not very good cleaners.

Looks like, in my opinion, this mess will be with us until at least 2022. That a sober thought but after analyzing all the medical data I can find, I don’t see this ending anytime soon. My thoughts are based on historical data showing how long it took similar pandemics to run their course. What I haven’t been able to get my arms around is the civil disobedience. There are things going on behind the scenes that are stoking the fires of division for political and economical reasons. Without knowing the details it’s hard to tell what the end game is here. One thing is for sure, there are many people that are easy and willing pawns for people in power to use to continue to try to divide us. The internet and social media is directly responsible for tons of misinformation and stirring up people with false facts and encouraging them to act. Half of what you see and read on the internet and most of what you see and hear on tv, is flat out false. Knowing what I know and more importantly what I don’t know, I would again encourage you to prepare for just that, the unknown. Stay stocked up on the essentials, food, water, medicines and other things you need and use daily. Don’t know on if you’ve been in a Home Depot type store lately but many of the shelves are empty. Everything from cleaning supplies to plywood to duct tape are hard to find. Keep a little cash on hand, always keep your gas tank at least half full and be aware at all times when out in public. Keep your head on a swivel. Unprovoked indiscriminate violence is becoming common, especially in the cities. Avoiding large crowds by now should go unsaid. Hopefully then you’ll ride this mess out. By the way, I think masks will be here long enough that I’ve gone to using silk bandana’s from the cowboy store to use as a mask instead of the flimsy annoying paper ones that end up getting dirty and thrown away. You can always wash your bandana. So there you have it. My take as of 7/12/20.

Ty’s ankle is getting better. Mine is a little swollen from having a spot burned off at the dermatologist. We’re waiting to see what award we can get from Vail Christian for Ty. My main concern is with the way things are going we’re not sure if school will be in person in a little over a month. Jag and I were talking and while we believe CU will start in some fashion, we think he could be sent home earlier than Thanksgiving if things continue to progress. Hard to tell here too.

So we’re living in a time of unknown. Anyone that says this is the new normal is only talking about where they are on that day as things seem to change as fast as the wind does. Don’t count on anyone, especially the government to save you. That’s it, be well and God Bless.

Looks like Lori is officially done working for Dr. C. as of yesterday. She cleaned out her office and they’re cashing out her remaining PTO which she’ll receive at the end of the month. She does get to keep her phone number as I guessed we raised enough of a stink that they gave in. One of the I.T. guys tried to say he told Lori 5 years ago that she’d lose her number. Anyone with any common sense understands if someone told them they’d lose their cell number of over 20 years, that that person would just say, give me a different number. To close things out she also had the opportunity to tell Dr. C.’s wife that she thought the way this whole thing went down was shitty and that she knew what they did. Kim tried to deny it for a few minutes until Lori pointed out things Kim didn’t know she knew and then basically just shut her mouth. So finally we have some closure, yea! Now we can move on.

Last night we went to Marty and Mel’s for tacos until about 10. Our boys sure are tall. When we go somewhere as a family, this sure stands out. We took a rug down to the house yesterday but it was too small. There are a few things that need fixing or fine tuning at the house. I imagine it’ll be at least another week before things are really livable. I’d like to find a rug today. Then all we need is our bed to arrive. Over the next few months we’ll be looking for a coffee table, some night stands and other smaller pieces to fill out the house. It’s a lot to do but fun.

Looks like the virus is picking up in some places. I think on top of everyone wearing mask, if everyone would just stay home, (and I don’t mean not go to the store or anything), and not travel from their home in Denver to here or Texas to California, we wouldn’t see this increase in cases. I don’t know why everyone is flocking to the beaches in some States. Thinking about it, maybe I do, people are just over staying at home and doing nothing. Guess we’ll soon see how the whole herd immunity thing works. As for us, we’re still basically staying away from anyone we don’t know that hasn’t been social distancing and for sure we’re staying away from any crowds.

It’s hot and dry and we could use some rain. Thankfully we don’t have many fires. That’d be all we need. If you read the bible you might think we’re getting close the the End of Times. Plague, drought, civil unrest, division and more are all outlined and eerily alike what’s going on worldwide. Everyone has their own relationship with God in one way or another. All I’ll say on this is if you don’t, you should probably pick up a bible and check it out.

Time to go to the gym. Not sure what we’ll do after that. We should clean but we’re kind of waiting until we can move stuff to the house as then things will go one of two places, to the house or to the trash. I guess they’ll be a third option which would be a donation pile. That’s it, be well, be safe and God Bless.

Lori was at the house until probably 6 last night and then Mojo woke us up at 1 or so. Lori told me to sleep and said she’d go down this time. I guess he had to go pee. I think he also peed in the house again but mostly on a pad Tom and Ali gave us the other day. I don’t know what we’re going to do in a week or so when we move. He might be sleeping in the garage at the new house. Work is crazy and we’re racking our brains right now figuring out how to change things to capitalize on how people now buy and sell wine. It’s like you need to forget everything you ever knew and start from scratch. More here later.

I was on the phone most of the day while Jag slept until about noon and Ty was at Sonny’s until the same time. Today we have the dining room table, couch, a couple chairs and four barstools being delivered. There are a bunch of things we’ll add to the punch list which need to be fixed. This is common and will be fixed over the next few weeks. The sod went in yesterday and the landscaping looks great. You can’t have over a certain amount of grass so we planted a bunch of native grass by seed as well.

Internet and one phone line are in but tv hookup’s come next Wednesday. Still lots going on. Time to go now so I can get to the gym and then we can try to see if we can pick up a cheap rug locally before the afternoon deliveries. God Bless.

Lots happening at the house. Yesterday a couple beds were delivered and the phone guys were there. More happening today. I have a financial call at 10 so Lori will be going down before me. Today we have a rug and some furniture being delivered and they are supposedly going to install our internet.

Yesterday Jag and I were at Libby’s by 8:45 to have a bump froze off my ankle. Then it was off for haircuts before stopping to see Dave, our gold and silver guy (gold is testing it’s all time high!) and then we headed to see Art to have my watch band fixed. Then a quick stop at the grocery store and we were off to Tom and Ali’s for a visit before going home. They’re doing fine and it was good to see them. The boys sure like going over there. Ty was bummed he didn’t go as he didn’t know we were stopping there.

We were home around 2 and then Lori and Jag headed to the house while I did some work. Then at 5 pm I headed to James to meet up with him and Marty for our weekly guy hang. We’re trying to figure out where we can go hunting as the border with Canada is closed and our outfitter up there just cancelled all his moose hunts. Lucky moose.

Ty went to town and spent the night at Sonny’s. We’re still working on getting him into Vail Christian High School. It’s beautiful up here, not too hot, mid 80’s, perfect.

While driving in Denver we drove past numerous homeless camps. Tents lined the streets surrounded by garbage. Not sure where all these people came from or what their plan is. It’s clear this is organized by some group trying to continue the protests and divide us as people. It wasn’t a pretty site.

That’s it, have to get moving. Make it a great day and God Bless.

Today, in about 45 minutes, Jag, Ty and I are headed to Denver. I have to go to the dermatologist and the boys are getting haircuts. Lori will be down at the house as our bed is getting delivered today. Not sure when the mattress comes but at least we’ll have a bed frame. It’s the first time since we’ve been married that we’ve had an actual bed. About time, right?

We did walk the stone yard yesterday with Chris picking out a 7 foot piece of stone for our fireplace hearth. It’s one of the finishing touches you need to decide on. It’ll take a few weeks to get put in but that’s ok. I don’t think we’ll be using the fireplace anytime soon.

Dinner was great last night with our friends. It was really good to catch up. We made it home around 10:30. It’s hot in Denver, really hot. It’s super nice up here but was in the 90’s down at the house. It’s 6 am now and the boys need to get moving so I need to run. Be well, be safe and God Bless.

Lots going on. Denver tomorrow and dinner tonight at Marci and Jerry’s. Lori cleaned out her office last night and opted out of doing any medical legal work on commission. She’s doing the right thing as if Dr. C. wants her to work, he needs to pay her. Cheap idiot. The news of the day is Dr. Gill is not coming to Vail to take over for Dr. C. I don’t know how much Lori had to do with this but I’m sure her being candid gave him a clearer picture of what’s going on. For him, it’s the right decision. For the people still working with Don, it’s a bummer. They now face a future of unemployment when Don retires next May. Hmm, karma anyone? I’m sure they’ll find another doctor to take over but it might not be too soon.

Lori still needs to get on her computer at work and go through her files. She spent about 2 hours going through mounds of papers that were client files. She feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders as the place has turned into a toxic mess since she’s been gone.

We need to get down to the house today and get a few things done. I think we get to start moving things in this weekend. We won’t be sleeping there for another week or so but I have lots in the garage that we can start taking down. They clean tomorrow and I think the grass goes in then too. I know the couch and dining room table gets delivered Friday. Internet and phone go in Thursday.

Lori is headed to the dentist in about 30 minutes to get her crown put on. I think I’ll go do the treadmill at the gym while she gets this done. So time to go.

Last but not least, today is Aunt Ali’s birthday! Happy Birthday Ali! Hope you have a great day. We’ll see you soon. God Bless.

Looks like temps in the upper 90’s in Denver all week long. That means upper 80’s up here which is fine, but still hot. 3 more shootings in Denver last night. When it’s hot out, shootings and violence go up. 3 were shot on Saturday night too. Luckily it doesn’t look like any fires started from all the illegal fireworks over the weekend.

Lots going on this week at the house. Each day starting tomorrow, things, (mostly furniture) is getting delivered. We figure a week from this weekend we should be officially moving in. We’ll move stuff starting at the end of this week but won’t be sleeping there for another 10 or 12 days most likely. Then we’ll start cleaning and fixing things up around here and hopefully by the end of the month at the latest have this place on the market.

Work is a shit show for me as I probably will need to furlough some people this week. I’m racking my brain trying to figure out new sales channels that work around people’s new habits. The trick right now is getting direct to the consumer. Meanwhile Lori is looking for opportunities. James thinks she has to move forward with her ice cream business as it’s that good. More to come on this soon.

I think Jag is headed to Denver today to get some things and see a buddy. Lori and I have a few things to do for the house. Mojo is losing control of his bladder, ugh. We need to find some kind of diaper for him or something as there’s not much else we can do. We’ll have to set up a new area in the garage of the new house. It’s basically part of the house though, heated and all with direct access to a huge outdoor area with a new dog house and all. That reminds me, I need to get on finding a dog house!

That’s it, only a couple hundred new cases of Covid in Colorado which is really low. Surrounding States like Arizona and California are slammed though. We stayed away from the crowds all weekend and hopefully all the visitors have gone back to Denver or wherever they came from. Be well, be safe and keep preparing for the Fall and Winter. I don’t see the economy getting much better anytime soon and there will be food shortages. Now is the time to stock up a bit, God Bless.