A Year of Change

Here we go. December is a great month. It’s full of holiday cheer, good times and good friends and lots of birthdays in our family. Then when it’s over, comes January which is a fresh start, a rebirth and a chance to change things for the next year. Buckle up cowboys and cowgirls, the ride begins today.

Yesterday we ended up with maybe 2 inches of snow. Nothing to write home about, but it sure is pretty. Hard to believe that it took until the first of December for us to have our first measurable snowfall. I think tomorrow night into Wednesday we could get some more. All good, bring it on. It’s like we had a two-month delay to the start of winter which means only 4 months of snow at most, which is definitely manageable.

Big win last night. The Broncos just keep figuring out how to win. On a weekend where lots of favorites lost, we won again. It’d be nice if the Patriots lose tonight. Ty and I had fun watching the game together. He might go to Denver today after snowboarding, weather permitting. He’s seeing a new girl down there.

Lori is heading into work. This is her first day back since her surgery. She’ll probably only work a half a day but needs to go in to get things back on track. I have a big week and month at work. Lots going on. Time to get some more Christmas shopping done too. I’m waiting on a bunch of things I ordered a couple weeks ago. Companies don’t ship as fast as they used to.

7:15am now, time to break out the shovel! It’s my first official shovel day of the year, whoo hoo! God Bless.

Last day of the holiday weekend, and the last day of November. Things are going to start moving pretty fast now. I made it to Aspen and back by 12:30. The town wasn’t as packed as it should be, but there were a fair amount of people. With little to no snow, most visitors were shopping and walking around town. When I arrived, it was 46 degrees but there was a chill in the air. Not your typical end of November weather.

After I made it home, I did a few things around the house and then texted my doctor through the Patient Portal as I’ve had a clogged-up ear or ear infection for a couple weeks. I was trying to get an appointment for Monday. 30 minutes later, Eric, the PA, called me and said they were in Vail today at Urgent Care, if I wanted to run down. So, I decided to head out and get it out of the way. Turns out I have a bunch of fluid behind my ear drum so I’m on antibiotics and nasal spray now. I’ll call Dr. Seibert tomorrow (our ENT doctor friend) and see if he can see me. Might need to have it drained. Always something.

Ty is planning on going down to Denver today. Not sure he’ll make it, if we get the snow they say we’re going to get. Oh well, you can’t talk a 21 year old out of much, once they make up their mind.

6:30 now, time to go. Have a great Sunday and Go Broncos! On to December 2025! God Bless.

Happy Birthday, Annette!
Wishing you a beautiful day filled with love and joy. We’re so grateful for you and all the light you bring. May your birthday be as wonderful as you are, and may the year ahead be full of happiness, health, and amazing moments.

No snow in the backyard this morning, and just a dusting out front. I’m running over to Aspen to a store this morning. I should be back around 12:30. Ty works and is getting ready now at 5;50am. He needs to stop texting Mom at 5:30 asking if she’ll bring him some clothes!

Grace, Ava’s cousin, heads back to Chicago today. Yesterday I called Jag and had him go to the little liquor store next to his place and grab us a case of champagne. We had it with Thanksgiving and had bought us and the kids a bottle a few weeks ago. It was priced really well, and really good. We’ll throw it down in the basement. Always good to have good champagne on hand.

Ten days from today is Dad’s birthday, 18 days until Jag’s birthday, 20 until Tommy’s birthday and a month until mine. Hard to believe it’ll soon be 2026! If you think about it, that’s crazy!

James landed in Doha Quatar yesterday. He was on the second longest flight there is which was 17 hours! I’m sure the plane had its own little cubicle with tons of room. But still, 17 hours on a plane, ugh. I guess the airport there is rated the best in the World. Think he’s out of there in about a week. He’s on one of the Sunday morning talk shows tomorrow doing some sort of interview.

Lori, who of course we all know doesn’t listen, climbed on the roof yesterday, and strung Christmas lights along the front of the house. When I left to go to Edwards, I told her not to hang the big ornaments we bought in the morning, and she said she wouldn’t. When I got home and saw the lights up, she replied that I didn’t say anything about lights and that she didn’t hang the ornaments! Naughty girl. It does look nice though.

A week from today is our annual Fellowship Christmas Party. Lori wants to have another party on my birthday, but we’ll see how it goes. She’s already getting ready for the party next Saturday.

Time to move and groove. I need to put the neighbors’ trash out along with ours this morning as they’re down in Castle Rock (by Denver) for the weekend. With their four kids, I’m sure they have a ton. They always do!

Nice day yesterday, 55 degrees, but it did cool down in the afternoon. Looks like more snow down by Lookout Mountain than up here. Doesn’t seem like the big storm they predicted, so far.

6:15 am now, have a great Saturday. It’s Small Business Saturday, so go support a small business. Big Bronco game tomorrow night. God Bless.

What a nice day. The food was great, good football and a fun time. Ty, Lori and I had lots of laughs and hung out all day. He and I watched all three football games and they all turned out the way we wanted them to. The only thing we need now is a Bronco win and a Charger loss!

Ty’s off to work. Snow coming in tomorrow. Not sure how much as most of it should be above 9000 feet. Cold temperatures will roll in no matter where you are. I’ll warm the house up later today to season it for the incoming cold snap.

Jagger cooked all day, and their duck looked amazing. Both boys are really good chefs! Lori and Ty had champagne yesterday with our dinner and little Lori was in bed before the third game started at 6pm! I think she slept almost 12 hours, which is good. She needed it. It’s been a tough three weeks since her surgery. Thank God it was a resounding success.

Sadly, the Country is still fighting with each other. I wish that the Dems would spend more time trying to talk to the Republicans instead of literally trying to kill them. There are countless stories of people on the left who didn’t spend Thanksgiving with their families because they supported Trump. I couldn’t find any stories, and I looked, of anyone on the right, who wouldn’t go spend time with their family as they were on the left or hated Trump. That should tell you all you need to know right there. How could you disown your family over who they voted for? I feel bad for these people as they’re so consumed with hate and rage that its become the main focus of their lives. Politics should not be anyone’s priority in life. A congresswoman who recently resigned, noted how both parties are using the people and pitting them against each other. Yet, people, especially on the left, are too stupid to realize it. Politician’s rhetoric influences these misguided people, yet when something bad happens, the politicians, decry the violence which they themselves advocated for with their own words. Take the poor 20-year-old female National Guardsman who just died after being shot in Washington D.C. by a 29-year-old Afghan that was let in during the Biden administration and wasn’t properly vetted. He shot two people yelling Allah Akbar. For months the Dems have blasted the National Guard whose only job has been to stop crime in cities, calling their actions illegal and saying they themselves are criminals and telling the left to resist and protest and even saying violence can be justified, which directly incites violence against them. Then when this happens, and someone dies, they all say there’s no place for violence and to pray for their families. What hypocrites. Someday they will be judged. Then you have all the old school 80-year-old Dems, who pandered to the far-left progressives with their lunatic ideas like men in women’s sports, drag shows in kindergartens, and so on, trying to save their jobs and their power, who are now getting forced out by the progressives anyhow. None of them care about you or the people, they only care about their position, money and power. One day, the people will wake up and realize this. Sadly, for those on the far left, who have been indoctrinated with years of manipulation, this will take some time, and some will never come back. We all need to turn off our computers, phones and tv’s when politics are on! Oh well, all you can do is trust in God and hope he has a plan. The Bible says good people will be persecuted before evil will fail. You see this already with actors in Hollywood that stood up for what’s right and didn’t succumb the left’s talking points. Many were ostracized and lost jobs due to standing up for what’s right. This is a good sign. People standing on principal above self-preservation is necessary. In other words, at some point, you need to stand up for what’s right and say so. That’s all for my rant today. I’ll try to stay away from politics as I too am turning off all social media and news when crap pops up. Still, it’s everywhere and that’s part of the problem. Trust in God to save us.

Now to the important stuff, I’m up 5 pounds from yesterday’s meal! Time to head out to the gym. I need to get to Costco today too. We have a football game at 1 and then the Nuggets are on tonight. Hope everyone had a great day and a good three-day weekend, God Bless.

The turkey is ready to go! It’s cooling down in the fridge after Lori hand rubbed her mixture of herbs all over it. She’ll start cooking it around 10:30 or 11. That way, it should be done by 2:30 to 3:30.

Ty went to pick Sonny up at the Eagle Airport around 8:30 last night as he flew in from Bozeman for the weekend. Then he, Sonny and Will were going into Vail last night. Around 3am, my phone rang, which always worries me thinking something happened. Turns out it was Ty needing me to unlock the door from the garage to the house. I thought he was staying at Sonny’s as they were going to the bars last night, so I locked the garage door, but he didn’t drink and decided to come home. I asked what happened and he said he ran into Madi (his ex) at the bar last night and didn’t feel like drinking. They broke up a little over a week ago after 3 years or so.

Glad he made it home safe but waking me at 3am was no bueno. I couldn’t get back to sleep for at least an hour, maybe more, ugh.

Earlier in the day, after some calls, I went to Edwards to pick up the dry cleaning and ran a few other errands, including the post office and florist to pick up Lori a centerpiece for her table today. She decided to clean some more of the basement, (bad idea) and was, you guessed it, sore again last night. Who doesn’t listen? Lori doesn’t listen! She’s better this morning but won’t be doing much today.

Snow is coming! Should arrive along with cold temps by Saturday. It’ll last through Monday and then warm up a bit next week. Jag goes to Chicago next Thursday and is back Friday. He and Ava and her cousin Grace, from Chicago, who flew in last night, are celebrating Thanksgiving together down in Denver today. They’re cooking duck I think, yum. Jag cooks a good duck. Last night, Ava went to pick her up at 9, as Jagger had some stock on the stove that was cooking.

I’ll work a bit tomorrow but be getting ready for the cold and snow too. Davy and Abbey and the kids get back from Florida early tomorrow morning. Her dad fell, so they went down Monday. Marty and Mel get back from Hawaii on Tuesday.

Hard to believe it’s almost December. It’ll be 2026 before we know it. We’re planning a two-week family trip to Europe, I think for next June. Think we’re going to go to southwest France, staying at the Monastery, going to Biarritz on the ocean, and hitting San Sebastin Spain, that has the most Michelin Star restaurants in the World. Probably should do a few days in Paris too as long as we’re there so the kids can experience some of the sights and museums. I’m trying to find five business class tickets at a good deal, but it looks like $30K no matter when we go. It’ll be a great trip. These days, especially with flights, you need to plan way ahead.

Today, we all have lots to be thankful for. The way I look at it is, if you’re alive, you should be thankful! Funny how age changes your priorities. Enjoy the day, count your blessings and may God bless and watch over you! God Bless the Broncos too!

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Lots to be thankful for of course, but more on that tomorrow. Yesterday I picked up our turkey, and it came in a bit larger than we ordered. It’s 19 pounds! Reminds me of the size Grandma would cook when we were little kids. My guy brined it for us in salt, sugar, juniper berries, rosemary, peppercorn and water for two days! Should be good.

This morning I’ll get some gravy from Ty’s work for our mashed potatoes and stuffing. No snow up here but the mountain did get some. I think Saturday through Monday is when we get hit. I’m not anticipating a lot at the house but have my shovel ready.

It’s 17 degrees in Denver. I think it’s a little warmer up here, but I haven’t gone out yet. Whatever it is, it’s certainly Thanksgiving or end of November weather.

Lori cleaned up the basement yesterday washing the couch cushions that are always covered with hair, as that’s where Harley goes to hang out when she’s alone. We need a baby gate or something to keep her out of the basement.

Hovey made a bunch of fresh pies. They sell for, get this, $45 a pie, and they can’t make them fast enough. Talk about inflation. I’ll stick with the $5.99 pumpkin pie from Costco.

As I said yesterday, the Dems are already bashing any peace deal for Ukraine. What kind of world is it where Americans bash other Americans for trying to reach a peace deal in any part of the World? Then there’s the six politicians who posted a video telling the military to ignore orders, with the caveat, “if they’re illegal orders”, yet none of them can name a single illegal order from the President. Then when the President says sedition is punishable by death, which according to the Constitution, is true, they say he threatened them with death. Now any person with a brain would know that what he said is “sedition is punishable by death”, so are they actually admitting to sedition? If not, he didn’t threaten them. You can’t have it both ways. But in usual Dem fashion, now they’re playing the victim. Luckily all but the far left with Trump Derangement Syndrome, see through this. Man, I miss the 70’s.

Oh well, at least we have football all day tomorrow. Ty’s off to work and I need to get moving too. Have a great day and God Bless.

The news said Trump just ended the war in Ukraine. If true, the Dems will have a hard time spinning this one. I’m sure they’ll give it a try though.

Meanwhile, in Denver, there’s a shelter in place order as two suspects are on the loose for, I think a home invasion. Nice, gotta love the blue run cities.

Ty is off to work. I’ll head out soon for the gym. I took Lori into her office at the hospital yesterday after my 3-hour call so she could give the girls some wine and check on things.

Today I’ll pick up our turkeys. Lori is scheming on how best to cook it. We’ll see. She did a great job last time.

Looks like it’s snowing on Vail Pass a bit. This weekend I think we’ll get a little more. About time.

I have lots of work to do before the end of the year and need to map out each project. Today I’m tackling pricing which needs to go out next week so it can go into effect January 1st.

6:38am now. I have a call at 9 this morning so no time to waste. Time to get moving, have a great day and God Bless.

Big conference call today. I’m presenting my plan for reshaping the company structure and compensation this morning to the Team, for 2026. I might lose a person or two, but sobeit if I do. I’m tired of paying people for not performing. All my life, if I didn’t perform, I didn’t get paid. The gravy train is over.

Ty went boarding yesterday and then went to Denver. He stopped at Tommy’s to watch some football and visit with him. Good for him. He’ll be driving up this morning.

Lori’s traps are still sore, which Dr. B said is normal. I’m headed back to the gym to continue working my way back to full power.

I might run down to the doctor today as my right ear is plugged up. They suck wax or whatever out with this little sucker thingy. I’ll see how my day goes. Think I have water stuck in there. I do need to go get our turkeys today. I ordered two small ones that are fresh and supposedly the best you can get. Our butcher only got 30 for the whole valley. Too bad nobody else likes turkey but me! I’ll have a lot of leftovers for sandwiches.

Might get a dusting of snow tomorrow. This coming weekend, we should see measurable snow.

Time to go, 6:44am now. Have a great last Monday of November. Four more Mondays until Christmas and 5 left in the year! Time to get busy! God Bless.

I was in Denver at Cherry Creek Mall right at 10. After shopping for a bit over an hour, I headed over to Cigars on 6th to meet my buddy Shultz. He showed up and brought me a special cigar he bought through a connection while in Spain. It’s called a Behike, and is one of the best, if not the best, Cuban cigar you can buy, if you know someone. He bought four for $860 so they’re $215 each. It was really nice of him to give one of them to me, but that’s the kind of buddy he is. I saved it and brought it home and it’s in the humidor now.

He and I hung out and had a different cigar waiting for Jag and Ava to show up. They came by to pick up this snowman that is the same as we had when the kids were little living in Lakewood. Lori found one, new in the box, on Ebay. It was made in the 70’s by Hallmark and is about 12 or 15 inches tall, is covered in snowy flocked like stuff and lights up and changes colors. We always had it at the top of the stairs in our house in Lakewood when the kids were really young. The kids hung out with us for a while and then I bought them a sandwich next door before they headed out for a football game in a park by their house with all their friends from their Friendsgiving dinner the night before.

Around 1, I headed home. I did stop at Whole Foods in Frisco, which was really crowded with tourists and locals getting ready for Thanksgiving. The town is less crowded than usual as we still have no snow. Bad for the economy but we’re fine with it. I promise, the snow will come.

Think I’ll go to the gym. Ty is off today and had a sore throat last night. He works again on Tuesday. He’s doing well. Time to get moving, 6:30 now. Have a great Sunday and God Bless.

What did I say the other day? Lori doesn’t listen. Yesterday she did too much, and by the end of the day, she was sore. This morning I’m running back down to Denver to do some Christmas shopping, (for Lori, don’t tell her) and Lori is staying home. She’s under strict instructions not to do anything. We’ll see how that goes.

Yesterday I had a bunch of calls and finally wrapped up that deal I’ve been working on since June. It’ll bring on a new partner who will focus on social media and our new spirits division, along with a couple million dollars. I should receive the wire transfer Monday, or Tuesday at the latest. Good stuff.

Ty worked all day yesterday and is back at it today. We had cooler temps, but no snow except way up high. The weather looks good today.

CU is on at 6 tonight. It’d be nice to get a win. No Bronco game tomorrow but still some good football. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. Then it’s all downhill.

Time to mount up. Have a great Saturday, stay safe and God Bless.