A Year of Change

Today we get to say goodbye to 2013. In some ways it was a good year, the Broncos and 49’rs are doing great, Lori’s surgery went well, work is going well, but in many other ways, it just seemed kind of off. Lots of us had some sort of health issue, some we’re still dealing with, the headway we made as a family on bills hit the wall and in some cases, even reversed, and many other little things like stuff breaking around the house and medical costs and taxes going up. Throw in many of our rights as being eroded and it was at best a toss up year. The good thing about time is tomorrow is always a fresh start, and tomorrow is the quintessential fresh start for all of us that comes once a year!

Most of us don’t measure time in hours or weeks or days but rather by events or things we remember. Things like Jag making a double play in baseball or Ty standing up for some kids that were getting bullied at school or a vacation or even small things like us going to the Stock Show rodeo last January, or a holiday, party or bbq and on and on. The point is to get up and get out there and do something you’ll remember!

Most people also set some sort of New Years resolution. It might be quitting smoking or losing weight (two of the most popular) or in our case, our never ending quest of eliminating debt. But this year I want to challenge everyone to set a resolution or goal that’s a little different. Think of doing something you always wanted to do and set a goal to do it. Uncle T was a great example of this last year when he decided he was going to learn piano, and boy, he did. Granda Dixie and I were talking yesterday and she was saying how much she misses Oklahoma, well Dix, you need to go! Sure they’ll be challenges like Pa Don making the trip but like they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way! My sister Robin and I were talking saying this year no one should buy anyone any presents for Christmas and we should all go to Hawaii instead. Our challenge was how to convince our Mom to get on a plane. So, I think you get my point, think about it today and decide what you’d like to do, learn a language, take a trip, learn a new skill, anything, but make a point of setting yourself a goal of something you really would like to do but never thought you could. I’ll bet you’ll surprise yourself as like my Mom, (whose pretty darn smart), used to always say, you can do anything you want to do, if you want it bad enough.

We’re super excited for 2014, mostly because we get to leave 2013 and all it’s troubles behind. Plus there’s just something about the year “13” that never quite sounded right. Hope you are too!

Yesterday we had some sort of snafu with Kristin’s flight. It was somehow changed by a computer glitch and we had to scramble to get her on a 6pm flight. In the end, all was well and she made it home. Before she left, Lori, her and the boys went to see the new Hobbit movie which I’m told was really good. It was really nice to have her here and she had a great time too. Her and Lori are working on Lori’s big 50th birthday plans as it’s coming up this year! Mark it down now (May 4th) as it should be quite the party!

Lacey our poor lab is really struggling. Her legs are giving out on her so we have to lift her up from time to time to get her on her feet. We’re trying to get her into the vet to see what we can do. I’ve stopped getting upset about getting up in the middle of the night and just do it, as does Lori, as she’s our dog. Hopefully she’ll be ok for a while. We’ve been giving her ibuprofen and Benedryl which seems to help. Mojo of course is his usual playful self.

This evening we’ll just be staying home, laying low. As I said before, we never go out on New Years. I’ll call my Mom and see if she wants me to get her some herring as she always eats some on New Years. Anyone else have any traditions? If so, let’s hear them. Well that’s about it for me, we hope everyone is well and remember there’s always tomorrow, so let’s all cowboy up and hit the new year with vigor and gusto head on! The other option is to just limp on in which I wouldn’t recommend!

Take care and God Bless.

It’s 7:29pm Sunday night and Lori and Kristin are watching a movie and I’m watching my computer hoping my team hangs on for the second half of the Philadelphia Dallas game tonight as then I’ll be the Super Bowl Champion in my ESPN Fantasy Football League.

Lori made chicken enchilada’s and a pineapple upside down cake today for dinner. She and Kristin also took the boys sledding over at the school while I watched some football. I cleaned up the house and did a bunch of laundry in between games and when you throw in a convincing Bronco victory over the Raiders, it was a great day. On top of that, the Green Bay Packers also won in the last minute which makes my Mom happy happy happy!

Thanks for the birthday wishes from all of you by phone and for your comments. Hard to believe it’s almost 2014! I have a quick conference call in the morning and then Kristin’s flight back to Los Angeles is at 3:30. We’ll be laying low and cleaning up around here for the next few days getting ready for the New Year.

Hope everyone is doing well, I’ll update the post first thing in the morning before I go to the gym (haven’t been in 3 or 4 days as I’ve had a cold) to let you know if I won as I know you all can’t wait to hear!

Oh yea, San Francisco won too, also in the last minute!

News Flash, I’m the 2013 ESPN Fantasy Football Champion!

Take care and God Bless.

Last night Lori, Kristin and our friend Rollie and I went to Elways for a quick dinner. It started to lightly snow on the way there and by the time we were through, it was snowing and blowing in full force. With my back sore, we didn’t go to Vail which was a good thing as the roads were packed and bad and the snow was piling up. I have a few texts on my phone from friends wondering where I was.

While we were at dinner, Gracie (Kristin’s little rescue dog) took a nip at Ty and barked at Lacey who was too close to her crate and dog cookies. Ty is fine but Gracie was in time out for the rest of the evening. I went to upstairs to lay in bed around 9 to help calm the boys down and Lori and Kristin stayed up until after 11!

Today we will take it easy and watch the Bronco game. It’s my birthday today so hopefully they’ll win. The girls did get their nails done yesterday so maybe they can get massages or something today. Our friend Tina who owns the spa has been gone as her dad passed away on Christmas Day, we all feel bad for her.

Lacey woke Lori and I around 5 and my sweet wife got up since it was my birthday but as soon as she fed her and came back to bed, I knew Lacey would be barking again, so I got up and came down. Lori needs to take it easy on her neck as once again, she’s doing too much. We or she, took down our little tree in the tv room along with the rest of the decorations only in that room. I bought a couple of chickens yesterday so we’ll lay low and cook at home today. Hope everyone is well. We’re trying to plan out a trip to California in the New Year and will keep you posted. I know I’m in New York mid January but after that might be a good time to try to drive out. Of course I’ll need to work around any Bronco playoff games and the Super Bowl!

Take care and God Bless.

We headed to the airport to pick up Kristin and Grace (her rescue dog) about 8:45am. Lori ran into baggage claim and it didn’t take long for her to find them. We made it home a bit after 10 in the morning and settled in. The girls decided to go for a pedicure at 12:30 so Gracie (the little dog) stayed with the me and the boys and soon fell asleep under a table. Lacey could care less about our 4 legged house guest but we think Mojo would just as soon eat her as look at her. I had him in and he sniffed and they both growled a bit but then put him out with a treat. No point in taking any chances with my bad back.

We’re skipping the drive to the party in Vail tonight as it’d kill my back. It’s too bad as it’ll be a fun one. The three of us and the Harris’s are going to dinner instead. I keep losing track of what day it is, not the date, but the day as it seems out of whack having Christmas on a Wednesday. Lacey finally slept in until 6am when I woke up or I just didn’t hear her, not sure which one.

Today the girls are going to get a manicure. Lori has a gift card from our friends spa so it’s free but I think they just like getting out to chat, good for them. Kristin says to tell everyone hi. Hope you are all doing well, take care and God Bless.

Here we go, Kristin’s flight was cancelled last night so she’ll now arrive at 9:10am, someone gave me a cold and on top of that, and I threw my back out cleaning up the house yesterday. We’re supposed to go to Vail for a party tomorrow but I’m not so sure. In any case, we’ll have fun with Kristin here.

Yesterday Lori was at the office for most of the day. Meanwhile the boys and I were home and at a few stores returning a few items and exchanging others. The mall was not all that crowded at 10am which surprised us since it opened at 8am. After a quick stop at the grocery store for much needed staples including milk and eggs, we were home by 11.

It’s 7:21 and Lori thankfully got up with the dog a couple of times as I couldn’t do it with my back. The boys are still sleeping and we, or she, needs to leave for the airport in an hour. I just don’t think I can ride in the car for an hour but we’ll see.

Hope everyone is well and is looking forward to New Years. We always stay home and go to sleep early but love the New Year as it’s a new beginning. To us, its amateur night and nothing really good happens on the streets. Lori just reminded me that its trash day so we both hauled out giant bags of trash to the curb which didn’t help my back.

Time to run, have a great day and God Bless

What a big day, it comes so fast and then poof, it’s over. You had a taste of our day in yesterday’s post before we went to Grandma’s. After festivities here, Jag and I washed and fueled up the car before loading up Ty and Lori for the 30 second trip. We arrived and had a quick bite to eat before opening some gifts. A couple hours later we were all done. I took our gifts home before heading back to pick up Aunt Shelly and her gifts to give her a ride home downtown.

Jag came with me and when we arrived a shady looking guy ran out from her government subsidised building and begged to help carry something in exchange for some money. I thought Shelly knew him from the building where he too lived but she didn’t. Anyhow, he carried one small package talking all the time about how he needed some money. I gave him a buck and sent him on his way. Jagger didn’t like the building at all. It smelled like cigarette smoke, there were destitute people, some intoxicated, sitting in the lobby, and Shelly’s room, kitchen, bathroom and all, is not much larger than Jag’s room. It is basically a welfare building where you have to be at a certain income (or lack of) level to qualify to live there. It was good for him to see something different from everyone living their idilic life in the suburbs. I told him this is why he needs to work so hard in school. Basically the work he puts in over the next 10 years will determine how the next 75 years of his life will play out. We’ve said to work hard in school and why before but I think this little trip really hit home!

The rest of the day was spent cleaning up a bit while the boys played with all their new toys and games. Today we’ll clean up some more as Auntie Kristin arrives tonight. Lori and I are a little tired as Lacey woke us up at 11:00, 1:37, 3:15, 5:00 and then at 7am! Each time she wanted to go out or have some food. She’s old and I get that but this will stop! We are not feeding her all night on command or letting her out every other hour. She might end up in a crate in the mud room or garage if I can’t figure anything else out. I’m trying the citrus collar but not sure that’ll do much, anyhow if it wasn’t Christmas, she might be in a kennel somewhere other than here.

Oh well, it’s only sleep right, takes care and God Bless.

The boys slept in until just before 7 which is pretty darn good. I woke up, courtesy of Lacey the Lab, at 5 but managed to get back to sleep. Christmas is in full swing but first to last night.

I picked up our meal yesterday morning and ran a bunch of other errands and by the time it was through I had drove 150 miles! Fast forward to 5pm and Grandma was already here. She, uncharacteristically, was 10 to 15 minutes early. Uncle T and Aunt Ali showed up right at 5. Our goose which was already cooked, supposedly only needed to be warmed up. This didn’t work to well and I eventually de-boned the bird to warm up the meat. Finally we had the food plated and I thought it was good. I think my Mom enjoyed it but Aunt Ali not so much. Of course her and Uncle T were still getting over the crud. Soon Aunt Ali left to get some more rest for today and Uncle T was gracious enough to follow my Mom home to make sure she was in her house ok. We then settled down and were all asleep my 9 or so.

Christmas morning, the boys came down and Jag had a brand new guitar sitting on the couch! He has wanted to take lessons but needed a guitar so Santa must have known. It’s a nice one too! Not the kids type guitar but a real one he can learn on. Mr Ty found a giant Lego, one of many he had asked for. That’s where we’re at now, more to come. Oh wait, Auntie Kristin sent packages that arrived yesterday for both boys that had Dr Dre Beats headphones and I Tunes cards, what a gift, she’s always so good to the boys. We’re looking forward to her arrival tomorrow.

Ok, round 1 is over, meaning our house. Soon we’ll be up at Grandma’s. The boys received Lego’s, some dreaded underwear, Ty got a Casio G Shock watch, and Jag some new slippers and both some PS3 games. Lori opened some new sunglasses, pajama’s, a coat and a brush for washing her face. I too got some headphones and new iron rifle sights I really really wanted. All in all we had a wonderful Christmas. Of course tomorrow we’ll hit the stores to exchange things for the right sizes and return anything anyone is not 100% happy happy happy with. Money is too tight to keep something unless you really love it!

In closing, let’s remember though what Christmas is all about. You see it has nothing to do with gifts but rather with the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s a time to reflect on all the blessings we have in life, like Lori being headache free, yea!! Like all of us being healthy, like all of us having a roof over our heads and on and on. So from all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas, and know we love you all very much and wish we could be with each and every one of you on this glorious day, God Bless.

Well it’s here, the night before Christmas, and all through the house, whoa, sorry, I got carried away there! Today I’m sure will go by in a flash, let’s get back to reality. I’ll be across town at the distributor by 8am and then downtown picking up our roast goose by 9 and then home by 10. After a quick pit stop I’ll be back out on the road to Arvada and then back downtown. I’m not sure if Lori has to go to work today or not but I should be home by noon, hopefully!

Meanwhile Lori will somehow have to figure out how to get some presents wrapped for the boys. Tonight we will eat around 5pm. We hope Uncle T and Aunt Ali are well enough to join us as they’ve been really sick for 3 or 4 days now. If not, it’ll be my Mom, Lori and I and the boys.

Both boys desperately need haircuts but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen anytime soon. We do need to get one last gift (slippers) for Mr. Ty. The kids really are not getting all that much, maybe 5 things each which include the dreaded kid gift, socks and underwear! No kid wants one of his or her gifts to be socks and or underwear, they consider it a big waste of space in what could be a nice new toy or video game!

I hope everyone is doing well and has fun plans tonight and tomorrow. For those of you that haven’t received packages from us as of yet, be watching for the delivery man today! We wish we could be together with all of you but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. We’ll certainly be calling tonight or tomorrow and coming to California sometime soon.

So take care, God Bless and as they say in England, get ready for Father Christmas!

Not long now, the kids are getting excited, and so are we, especially for them! Today Lori has to go to work and I’ll have the boys. I’ll have a quick conference call at 9am to thank all my employees for a great job this year. Even with the bumps along the way, we had our best year ever and are poised for more greatness in 2014. But first, let’s celebrate the holidays.

Yesterday the Broncos won! What more could I ask for, being able to go to a playoff game here in Denver! Our friends Ty and Amie and their 5 year old daughter Tinsley, came over and watched most of the game. The boys played with Tinsley and had a great time.

Tomorrow I have some last minute errands including getting our meal around 9am. I think we’re eating around 5 or so. It should be good if the paella was any indication as it’s from the same restaurant.

Time to run, lots to do and daylights burning. Take care and God Bless.

Yesterday we mandated that Lori stay on the couch all day long and wear her collar. Not only did she comply with the instructions, we also had her go to bed before 6pm. She slept until a bit after 7am and is feeling good. On top of that, she ate really well yesterday. She had oatmeal, cookies, ice cream, paella and some other goodies. Hopefully she gained a pound or two! I also ate just about everything in sight as that’s what you do the day after a big party, plus I wanted to support my wife!

Late afternoon is started to snow outside. It’s so cold that it was a nice powdery snow that I used a broom on this morning to sweep off the sidewalk. The boys played a bunch and then Ben’s mom took them all to lunch. Today I need to get the boys a few things so I think I’ll run and try to get to the mall before the rest of the hordes do.

Not much time left, better get your house in order. Be watching for deliveries from Santa or the delivery person. A quick health update, Uncle T is now sick along with Aunt Ali so who knows, it might just be my Mom and us for dinner. Take care, God Bless and Merry Christmas.