A Year of Change

We were up and out the door at 6:20 arriving in Boulder at 10:10. We love our new airline and will now do anything to avoid going to DIA. It’s essentially flying private without the huge cost. You can bring your dog too so there were a couple with us yesterday. After landing, we went to Whole Foods in Boulder where along with Jagger, did some grocery shopping. After we finished, we went our separate ways with Jag heading home and us up the mountain. We made it home by 2.

Once home, we cleaned up a bit, unpacked, started laundry and watered the plants inside and out. Harley was thrilled to see us, of course. We went to bed pretty early, sometime around 9 and woke up around 6:30.

James flew home a few hours after us and Lori is getting him into a specialist tomorrow to make sure his vocal cords are not damaged. He feels super bad for not getting together with us and not being able to do the second show last night. It’s rescheduled for this coming Saturday, assuming he’s better. We’ll know more tomorrow.

It was a fun time and seemed like we were gone for a week or more, even though it was only 4 nights. Great to have Jagger with us. Too bad Ty couldn’t come. He’s in Denver and we’ll get him Thursday when we pick up Lori’s new Porsche.

Lori is doing pretty well. Every now and then a wave of emotion or something will pop into her head and she’ll break down. But overall, she’s doing pretty well. That’s it, we’re heading to the gym and getting back on our regular routine. Have a great holiday and God Bless.

Check out our plane, the only way to fly!

What a day. It started with James texting at 7am saying he felt like shit and was sick. We decided to change our flight and get out of town any how so we’re wheels up at 7:45am this morning. Should be in Denver by 10am.

In the morning we watched an epic performance by Coach Prime and the CU Football team as they beat the 17th ranked TCU Horned Frogs. What a game! I was texting back and forth with Tommy the entire game as we couldn’t believe what we were witnessing.

When the game was over, we ran back to the mall as I wanted to return some shoes that didn’t really fit. We ended up getting Jag a pair of tennis shoes and then picked up sushi on the way home for lunch. On the way home from the grocery store, we stopped at our favorite jewelry store and said hi to Patrick and Glen. Once home we hung out until the party at 8:30pm.

In the afternoon the news went public that James had Covid. The show today is now rescheduled to the 9th which is next Saturday. Hope he gets better soon. Being sick, he obviously didn’t come to the party, but they wanted us all to go as the band had already paid for everything. It was at a great steak house and the food was great. About 50 of us hung out and had fun until around 10:30 when we left. Ray, James’s assistant and Bobby, his PT guy showed up and we hung out having a good time. At one point, we all sang happy birthday on video for James. Too bad he didn’t make it.

That’s about it, time to run as it’s 11:39pm and I’m writing this before I go to sleep as I need to get up at 5:30 today (Sunday). Hope everyone is well, take care, stay safe and God Bless.

Wasn’t sure just what to expect, but the show last night exceeded all expectations. Now we don’t know all the songs, like most everyone else there, but that didn’t matter.

We left here around 5:30 and after our driver took us up Hwy 51 and down the 101, (which took 45 minutes) we arrived right next to the arena. We walked right in Gate 2 with no line and headed down to the floor to the Friends and Family lounge to hang out with all our friends, new and old. Pantera was playing and after they wrapped up, we headed out and moved into the Snake Pit which is the center of this massive round stage that’s like nothing you’ve ever seen. The anticipation grew and soon AC/DC’s Long Way to the Top (if you want to rock and roll) began playing. Then the lights went out and it was game on.

It’s hard to put into words just how electric the whole thing was, especially being less than a few feet from the guys. One of the notes in our ticket pack said “don’t touch the band members”! Lori and I stayed down in the Snake Pit for most of the show and finally went up to our suite. Jag stayed down in the pit the whole time. Up in the suite was a whole different perspective too which was cool.

James was like a God, and I don’t say that lightly. The crowd worshiped his every move, and he could have told them to do anything and they would have done it. The band expanded so much energy and I remember when James wore a Fit Bit last Spring, and it showed him walking 4.9 miles during the show. So strange to see him in that light as even though we know who he is as a rock star, we didn’t really grasp the reality of it until we saw it live. What a show.

Earlier in the day we ran up to the 4 Seasons to meet Ray for our tickets. He needed to go to Walgreens, so we took him up and drove him back. We ran into Bobby, who is James’s PT guy for 30 years that travels with the band who I’ve known for a number of years. We then headed back to the house to pick up Jagger and run to the mall.

Jag just got some assignment due Tuesday from his class Friday, (which he missed) so now, for the 3rd time, we changed our flight and are flying home tomorrow am, ha.

So, that’s it. Great time and a good diversion for Lori with all going on. Wish Ty could have made it. CU football is on today, I think at 9am here. Then we have the big birthday bash tonight! Should be fun. Won’t get much sleep but we’ll sleep when we get home. Take care, God Bless and remember, Nothing Else Matters!

Here’s a few pics,

What a night. It started about 8pm as we were on the roof of a restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale. At first it was a little wind and then within minutes a haboob or dust storm rolled in with winds that blew everything everywhere all enclosed in a cloud of brown dust. It was like we were in some Arabian movie like Lawrence of Arabia! You couldn’t see as the dust was in your eyes, hair and everywhere else. We took off and headed home and drove through sideways rain and wind for the short drive. It’s 63 outside right now and feels good.

Earlier in the day Lori and I went to Fashion Square Mall or should I say, Neiman Marcus. We went for tank tops for Lori but of course found other things too. After a day of shopping, we headed home to wait for Jagger to arrive. He rolled in around 5:15 and ten minutes later we jumped in the car to go to Voila, our favorite French restaurant. Shultz and Jane took an Uber to meet us there as we were running late. Dinner was great and after we headed to Old Town to meet up with our group who are here for the concert tonight. That’s when the dust storm rolled in.

I need to run up to the Four Seasons this morning to meet James’s assistant Ray, to grab our tickets. Most people are in a VIP Friends and Family lounge and the Snake Pit, which is in the center of the round stage. Lori and I and Jag are in a suite that hold about ten of us. Adriana asked me who to put in the suite and we worked that out the other day. Jag will of course go down to the Snake Pit to be in the thick of the action, should be fun.

7:30 am now. We hope to see Robin and Robert for lunch. We’re now headed home Monday am so we can go to the second show Sunday night. We did make it to the gym yesterday morning as we bought day passes at the huge gym a couple blocks away. Seems like we’ve been here a week already! Three nights of action coming up! Have a great weekend, God Bless.

We arrived in Arizona at 11:30am after a short one hour and twenty-minute flight from Boulder. The whole flight experience was great! We’ll always fly JSX now if we can. It’s essentially flying private but the best part is no TSA, no long lines, easy parking and more. Upon arrival we walked in to our private terminal and our rental car guys were right there and in less than 2 minutes, we were in our car.

We dropped our friends at Andaz and headed around the corner to AJ’s for groceries before heading to the house. Can’t tell you how many times I went to that store for mom and dad over the years. Brings back memories. The house is fantastic and is right off Tatum and Shea. The backyard is huge with a pool, hot tub, pickle ball court, putt putt golf, boce ball and more. The inside is just as spectacular with everything perfect.

We headed out around 4:30 to pick up Shultz and Jane and went to STK Steak House in Old Town. We were treated like kings and queens as Shultz and Jane know the owner really well.

It is hot. It was 110 and even 96 at 9pm when we headed home. Looks like a mini cool down today or tomorrow, nice. It is already 90 outside right now though at 6am. I think a little rain comes in tomorrow.

Lori is doing well but has moments which is understandable. Today we’ll do a little shopping and Jag arrives at 5. Hope to see Robin and Robert for lunch tomorrow.

That’s about it right now. Think we’ll go skinny dipping in our pool, no need for suits here! Have a great day, God Bless.

What a day. Of course it started at 2:30am with Dixie passing away, but just seemed to all run together after that. We met the funeral home man at 6am and handled all the business. From there, Lori went home and I headed straight to Denver to pick up Ty. Lori decided to go into work for a while, (not sure why, maybe as a distraction) while I went to get Ty. She wanted to get a jump on things with us leaving today for Arizona. I was in Denver by 8am and had Ty and was headed back up the hill 15 minutes later. I had to tell both boys on the phone and they took it pretty well. We were home by 10:30 in the morning. A few minutes after we arrived, Lori called in tears to say she was overwhelmed, couldn’t focus and was heading home. I knew it was only a matter of time before it would hit her.

She made it home 30 minutes later and was fine. Just part of the process. We had Ty hang out and wait for UPS who was bringing James’s birthday present from our leather belt maker in Cody Wyoming. Lori and I headed down to clean out Dixie’s place. It went pretty fast as when we moved in it was mostly furnished. We also gave a ton of stuff to some of the workers there who were thrilled. The new manager, who is a dick, told us there’s a 30-day notice required and that we’d need to pay for another month. Now this didn’t sound right to me as how do you give 30 days’ notice that you’re going to die? We headed back upstairs and kept packing and purging. An hour later he came up and said he was wrong, and we didn’t owe as long as we got EVERYTHING out today! If anything was left, anything at all, we’d get charged by the day. So Lori and I looked at each other and said “let’s do it”. By 3, we were done. Jessie the manager came back up and said “what about all this furniture”? We happily told him, it was all his and was there when we moved in. He said, “it’s going to cost a lot to remove all this stuff” and we said “yup, probably so” and that was it.

Thes rest of the day was spent on paperwork with the funeral home, which was another rip off. They charged $1100 to fill out the death certificate. We of course had no choice as they picked Dixie up at 6 in the morning. After a bunch of other add on fee’s, the bill was about $3K. I told Lori, forget about it, water under the bridge and let’s move on. Lori talked with a bunch of people throughout the day and we spent the early evening packing for our flight this morning. We’re off at 7 for Boulder and take off at 11. Marty and Melanie are now not coming as something came up at work, so we basically have this killer house to ourselves until Jag arrives tomorrow night.

That’s about it, time to get going. By the time we went to bed last night, it had felt like it had been three days or more. Funny how in 12 hours from Dixie passing, we had everything moved out and gone erasing any trace of Dix at her home for the last 2 1/2 years. Lori looked at me and said, “wow, I guess that’s it, 12 hours and you’re pretty much gone”. I reminded her Dixie was gone as soon as she passed, and she’ll live on in the memories of all those who she touched and who loved her. That made her feel better as she knew that was right. So off we go, more tomorrow, God Bless.

Well, in the middle of the night, of course, right, Dixie peacefully passed away. Her body just gave out. We got the call around 2 something and headed right down. It’s 4:20am right now. While expected, it’s always tough, especially for Lori. Yesterday I went down to see her a couple times and took her a milkshake. I had to go to three places as a lot of places are closed on Monday. She was as feisty and fun as ever. Lori decided around 9 last night, just out of the blue, to go down and visit with her mom for a few hours. God works wonders as Lori is so glad she decided to randomly get up and go hang out last night. We had a good visit, but I could tell she was tired. Lori is doing ok right now but it’s always tough. We’ll shower and head back over as the coroner arrives about 6:30. I’m then heading to Denver to get Ty.

Not sure if we’re going to Arizona or not. I think Lori still wants to go but we’ll see how the day goes.

Dixie was an amazing person. She had a great life, and we were remembering how our friend, who is the cardiologist up here, said she’d last two weeks if she moved out here from California. Well, he didn’t know Dixie! I called her the Energizer Bunny as she just kept on going. We’re thankful for the past two plus years we had with her and she with us out here. She loved the boys so much and the black dog with the yellow ball, (that’s how she remembered Harley) and loved hanging out up here even if she wouldn’t remember she was here an hour later. She was tough farm stock and lasted years longer than everyone, doctors included, predicted. She was loved by many and touched so many people’s lives who we don’t even know. We’ll miss her dearly. May she rest in peace and may God watch over and bless her.

Yesterday most of the day was spent with Dixie. She’s taken to laying down on the floor now and then when she gets tired of walking. Sometimes we can’t find her as if she’s on the floor we can’t see her through the cameras, ha. One of the nurses that we hired outside of her place, showed up to check on her and wrap her arm well, where it is all bruised from her fall the other day when she rolled out of bed. She’s feisty as ever and loves joking around with me. The main issue is she’s just losing all her strength as she’s getting so skinny. She’s eating lots of cookies and candy and eating well but just can’t keep the weight on. All part of getting old. Good news is she’s not in pain and is happy, which is great.

We’re leaving Wednesday morning and now Ty is staying home with Harley and working. It’s like $1500 he’d lose by being gone and work can really use him over Labor Day weekend, so he asked if we’d mind if he stays and works. Chandler, his manager at work, changed Sammie’s schedule so Ty and her work the same day, and she’s going to give him a ride to and from work every day. Good news is we don’t have to board Harley now. It’d be fun to have him there, but we understand and admire him wanting to work. Jag is flying in Thursday night as he starts school today.

Lori is working in Vail today. Ty took the bus to Denver last night and I’ll get him tomorrow and then we drive down Wednesday morning for our 11am flight. Robi says it’ll be cooler than it’s been which will be good, but it’ll still be 95 to 100 I think. Costco had Christmas stuff everywhere yesterday when we went to buy Dixie some more of her favorite cookies.

Love my new truck! Wow have they come a long way in just two years as far as technology goes. The Bronco’s looked good winning 41 to 0! The weather is nice, mid 70’s today and everyone is doing fine. So here we go to September. Hard to believe we’re already heading into Fall. Have a good week and stay safe. God Bless.

Man we were tired. We made it home around 4 yesterday, after a long day, or should I say a long week. 3 days until we go to Arizona. Time to get some rest and recoup before the trip.

We dropped Ty at 7 and headed to Denver. We arrived at the BMW dealer and drove a couple cars but nothing excited Lori. In fact, she really didn’t like the cars, hmmm. I told her there’s no pressure and we’re no way buying something she didn’t like so suggested we wait and think about it. She then asked “why don’t we get another Porsche”? I love Porsche’s but her car just doesn’t have enough legroom for me. In any case, I said, “ok, let’s drive down the street as we’re only a few minutes away”. So off to the Porsche shop we went.

I called our guy who was on the way in and went in to see my buddy Lance who is the sales manager. Ezzy, our sales guy, told us he just got back from training on the 24 Cayenne and explained how it is a totally redesigned car. I was skeptical but said, do you have any? Turns out they’re just coming in but they had three. Once I saw one, I knew this was the way to go. It’s wider with more power, more room, and upgraded technology. The first one we saw had a light brown interior we just couldn’t live with. Then we walked back to the backyard where trucks drop off new vehicles and found a new Artic Grey one with a black interior. We instantly knew we wanted this car. A couple hours later we were done. It needs to be “unpacked” as it just arrived, and then needs to have the ceramic coating put on and tinting done on the windows and a few other things, so we’ll get it September 7th. The best thing is Lori is thrilled with it and that’s all that counts. So off we went with her current car as a loaner until we pick up the new one.

On the way home we stopped at Vin48 as I left my Amex card there the night before as we were in a rush for dinner and the show. Turns out they had 7 credit cards people left as I guess it’s common for people to leave their cards. Hearing that I didn’t feel so stupid, ha.

We were so tired when we made it home that we had a quick dinner, watched some football and fell asleep at 9. Lori went to her mom’s to hang out for a few hours while I watched football, as the night before she rolled out of bed. Now we just got a call that there’s blood on her sheets, ugh, probably from her arm, so Lori is headed there right now. What a morning, here we go. At least the next two days we can sleep in. Never stops, ugh, God Bless.

Last night we went to the concert after a quick dinner at Vin 48. Turns out my buddy, Davey Gorsuch was the promoter. Think this was his first show. The singer, who was amazing, was KT Tunstall. She had a huge hit in I think the 80’s. Her big song was Suddenly I See. She’s from Scotland and was masterful and engaging with the crowd. We had a blast and made it home around 10:30. Marci smoked too much pot and was really stoned. She had a little dab pen and apparently took too big of a hit. Funny.

I picked up my truck around 8:30 and was home by 11. It’s amazing how far they’ve come with technology. Today Ty works at 7 and we might run back down to Denver to swap Lori’s car. She’s on with Dixie now who I think rolled out of bed at 4:30. I have Ty’s shirts in the dryer and we need to get out of here in 45 minutes.

Hope Tom’s party was great. I’m sure it was. No big rain up here. Thought they forecasted a big storm. 5:50 now so we have 40 minutes to shower and get on the road. Have a great day and God Bless.