A Year of Change

Today’s the big game, let’s hope it’s a good one (as they usually aren’t) and that the 9’rs win. We have a ton of food, 6 pounds of chicken wings, buffalo and beef hamburgers, jalapeno cheddar bratwurst and regular cheese and beef hotdogs (for the kids) along with con queso cheese dip, guacamole and chips. Should be a good feast.

Yesterday started early with the oldest and I going to the gym at 6am where we lifted some weights, played some basketball, did the elliptical, the stair master and the rowing machine. He had to try everything! Next up after a shower was a trip to the motorcycle dealer where we met the owner who knew the oldest guys grandpa (my dad) really well as he’d been banking with him for decades. Should we ever decide to get a dirt bike or ATV, we’re definitely hooked up! Then we came home and I ran to the mall to return a sweater and get some groceries for the big game. I made it home around 11am and I grabbed the oldest and we headed for the batting cages. He had 128 pitches from the pitching machine and hit or made contact with at least 75% of them. This is great as we watched some other kids on teams that weren’t doing as well! Then we came home and the youngest was at Jump Street (the trampoline place) with his friend so I took the oldest to the aquarium where he’d been begging Mom to take him for weeks. Throw in a stop to the sporting goods store for a couple boxes of rifle ammo (you have to buy it when you can find it these days) and it was a busy day. On top of that we went outside and played catch for an hour or so getting ready for todays baseball tryouts.

Tryouts are at 11am so we’ll leave around 10am. We should be home by noon and then the pre-game festivities will begin. Both dogs with all their dirt from outside in tow, are in right now and the misses is trying to teach them some manners. We slept in until a little after 6 which is good as we’ve all been burning the candle at both ends as they say. The oldest wanted to go to the gym again but with tryouts I said no as we want him fresh and rested. I’m a little sore from all the new activities yesterday but he seems no worse for wear.

Hope everyone has fun plans for the game. I’ll be making the misses put on her cheerleader outfit so she can entertain us during the game! She’s upstairs stretching now and trust me, she looks pretty good. I guess that stripper pole in the bedroom she got for Christmas keeps her in shape!

Ok, time to go, lots to do, have a great day and go 9’rs!

Today we have a big day today before the Super Bowl tomorrow. First here’s a comment from Aunt Robi,

Last night we all went out to dinner for my Mom’s birthday. The restaurant she chose I normally am not that big on but the food was surprisingly good. Everyone had a great time and afterwards we all headed to Grandma’s house to open some presents and have some chocolate cake. Soon it was after 9 and we headed home to get the boys and ourselves in bed.

Earlier in the day we ran over to Sports Authority for some baseball gear for the oldest. Baseball isn’t cheap as after finding a bat, a batting helmet and some batting gloves, we were out $189! We got off cheap (as they say) as most bats are $200 to $300. The misses found last years model that was $370 on sale for $99. We still need cleats and with him wearing an adult size 9 1/2 those will be at least $50. And on it goes. We’re getting a refund from Wheat Ridge Baseball as they didn’t have a coach and we’ve now found a league where they want and need him. He’s super excited to play so we’ll be at the batting cages practicing this weekend.

Today the misses has physical therapy and whatever they did on Monday she’ll be sure to tell them not to do again. This has been the worst week in a long while for her head. They must have manipulated it too much or something as it’s been killing her all week long. I have to run to the distributor and pick up some samples and then drop some off at an account in Arvada.

It’s supposed to warm up this weekend for the big game. We’re excited and all cheering for the 49’rs. Hard to believe it’s already February 1st, it’ll be spring and then summer before you know it. As soon as we get one warm day around here, the misses and I are ready to throw in the towel on winter and are ready for the warm weather. The mountains have been getting snow all week long which is good news. We were headed up to Steamboat to ride and see some horses but there’s too much snow this week.

I need to go gas up the misses car and wash it this morning before she goes to therapy. Not much else going on except my mouth was numb all day long from the dentist. He says I have really good teeth so I guess I should be thankful. We need to plan our menu for the big game and start getting things ready tomorrow. We’re big on jalapeno’s wrapped in bacon with cream cheese. Everything’s good with bacon!

Gas is up 30 cents this week and the economy contracted for the first time last quarter since 2009. The Pres disbanded his often touted jobs council yesterday after meeting only 4 times in two years. A lot of good that did huh. The guy is just in over his head. Those of you that voted for him are going to get what you asked for and then some. In fact, you have no idea all your going to get in new taxes, less freedom and rising prices on everything from food to gas to anything you buy. You see the guy is more focused on pandering to the left on things like immigration and gun control than fixing the economy. A famous politician once said and it’s true, “it’s the economy stupid”. Too bad for all of us he’s more worried about pushing his own socialist agenda.

Oh well, take care and God Bless. Stay safe and have a great weekend.

Whoo hoo, today’s the day, I think I’m more excited than my Mom is although deep down I’ll bet she’s excited too! 80 years old is quite an accomplishment, especially when you look like you’re in your 60’s like my Mom. I hope she has a great day. I remember Grandma Dixie’s 80th birthday and the big party but as I said a few days ago, my Mom wants nothing to do with a big party. So tonight at 6pm the family is all going out to dinner at one of her favorite local restaurants. Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday was another busy day for everyone. The misses was downtown negotiating her new position and salary as Social Media Director for our friends up and coming all natural skin care line while I was here and there and on a couple of calls with Italy. The boys were out of school at noon and the youngest had a friend come home with him. Meanwhile the oldest and I ran some errands like the bank and a store or two and then went to lunch. For a while now he’s been wanting to go to a restaurant called Twin Peaks. It’s named that as the girls are all dressed in short khaki shorts and red and black (like a lumberjack) sort of halter tops that accentuate their “twin peaks”. I called his mother before going to make sure she was on board and she said go ahead so we stopped in for lunch. It was sort of a right of passage. Yes our oldest has discovered girls and was quite pleased with the sights. Lots of the girls came up and talked to him and by the time we left he had an autographed calendar under his arm. The misses and I had to laugh as all the girls were quite respectful with their writings but one of them said “call me when you’re 18!”.

Now we don’t want anyone teasing him or commenting about him going here. He handled himself well and was very polite. He wanted a few more girls autographs so I told him if he wanted them to go ask for them. So, on his own, he got up, walked over to a few of the girls and asked them to sign his calendar, which they happily did. In many cases he was as tall as the girls were and one cute girl said we had to get a picture which he gladly had me take with my phone. Maybe Mom can put it in the blog. He’ll be dating before you know it. Upon arriving at home, the youngest said how come he didn’t get to go and could we go back for dinner! Mom said absolutely no, not until he too was 11.

At 4:45 we were all off to the youngest guys basketball game which lasted until 6:30. He’s in a league that’s made up of 3rd and 4th graders but both teams we’ve played have been all 4th graders while his team is all 3rd graders. There’s a big difference in skill level at that age but they don’t care and all seem to have fun which is what it’s all about. Turns out our guy is a real force on defense. No one he was guarding scored a single point the entire game. His offense is coming along too but at this age, no one seems to want to pass the ball.

This morning I have a dentist appointment at 8:20 to have a couple of cavities filled, super. They say they’re shallow and are using synthetic fillings and I should be out of there in 30 minutes. I need to run to the gym first so time to go. Hope everyone is well, take care, have a great day and God Bless.

Tomorrow’s my Mom’s b-day and then Friday is February 1st! It’s almost Spring!

Yesterday I was everywhere and so was the misses. She had quite a successful day as an art consultant. She’s been working with a gallery and a medical office redecorating their entire office and was in charge or choosing the art and staging it for the client. Turns out she made a good bit of money doing so, (in the 4 figures) and has formed a new partnership with the gallery who says, and I quote, “you have quite an eye for this”. Today she’ll switch hats as she trains in her new proposed role as office manager and director of a natural skin care line for one of the top plastic surgeons in the country. Things are really looking up for her and all the hard work she’s been putting in is starting to pay off. On top of this, she’s done it all with a headache! Our girls quite special but then again, we already knew that. Just don’t tell her, we don’t want it going to her head! I sure am proud of her.

Meanwhile I was in Boulder once and Frederick twice handling a few transactions that were time sensitive. The oldest guy had a queazy belly so we kept him home meaning he had to go with me in the afternoon. Our friends picked up the youngest from school and the oldest and I grabbed him around 3:30. Mom made it home a bit after 4 so we all settled in around 4:30 for some leftovers for dinner.

The oldest has inter-murals today so we need to get him up at 6 which is a few minutes from now. The kids have early release today at noon (seems like they’re off every week for something) and the misses will be downtown at 2 so we have a busy busy day.

We’re plugging along getting through each day with all our bills but have lots and lots of good things going like those above. We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and God willing, we’ll get there.

Time to run, hope all’s well, take care and God Bless.

I was beginning to think we lived in Southern California with the lack of moisture we’ve had this year but last night we finally received some snow. It’s not a whole lot, maybe a few inches, but we need it. Before I go any further, here’s a comment from Grandma Annette, our most loyal contributor.

Well my Mom has a big birthday this week, number 80 to be precise. She doesn’t want anything special, especially a surprise party, she’s made that very clear to me! The big day is Thursday and so far we have no plans. She’s super hard to shop for and doesn’t really want or need anything which makes it that much harder. We’re thinking of getting her a goat or a llama, she’ll never see that coming!

Today the youngest has d.i. and basketball practice after school. We’re also supposed to get some snow. Yesterday morning I ran a few errands including a stop at the gun show. Boy was it was packed! I told the wife that the crowd was very diverse. There were lots of older folks, let’s say from 60 to 80, lots of people my age or middle age meaning in their 40’s and 50’s and tons of young family’s with children in tow. There were lots of guns, and every single one required a background check at tables set up all around the show, despite what the liberal news tells you. The shocking thing was the high prices, guns that used to sell for $1000 were now $3000 and cases of ammo that were $400 are now $900! Those in the industry say the President is the best salesman they’ve ever had. People are scared that they’re going to lose their rights to purchase whatever they want so they are out buying and boy are they buying. The high prices are there because people are willing to pay it. The industry has had a years worth of sales in the past 6 weeks, all because of the fear that government is going to ban certain kinds of guns.

No matter what you think, banning guns is not the answer. Just look at Chicago, 7 murders again yesterday and 13 shot in total and over 500 murders last year! This is from a city with the strictest gun control laws in the country. Everything is illegal there yet the criminals still have guns and continue to kill people. In fact, Illinois, New York and California have the highest rate of gun crimes in the country and all three have the strictest laws, hmmmm. You don’t see a lot of gun crime in Montana, Oklahoma, Texas or Wyoming where they have the highest rate of legal gun ownership now do you. Oh well, laws are not based on fact these days but rather emotion. As Rham Emanual famously said, “you can’t let a good crisis go to waste”.

After the gun show I stopped into the western store as we had a pair of boots we bought the oldest in September of last year that sat in his closet and he never wore them. They were a size 8 and he’s now a 9 which means he can wear Grandpas old boots! I know the girls down there pretty well as I bring them a bottle of wine or two when I stop in for jeans. They gladly took them back, gave me full credit and with everything on sale, I walked out with two pair of boots for me and a pair of jeans! HAPPY DAY.  Cowboy boots  are the most comfortable thing to wear for me these days. I think I’m turning into my dad who wore them all his life. The misses always reminds me of all the boots I have whenever she wants a new pair of shoes as it is true, I probably have more boots than she does shoes. To each their own.

I picked up the oldest from his sleepover on the way home and as soon as we arrived home the misses said Jen called and wanted to know if he wanted to go swimming. Of course he said yes so off he went. Meanwhile I took the youngest to Target with some of his birthday money for a new PS3 remote and a game. His friend Ben came along and we stopped at Subway for some lunch on the way home. The boys headed straight upstairs to play but we made them take breaks and go out and play basketball every half hour or so.

The rest of the day was spent doing laundry and relaxing. After an early dinner we settled in for a little tv and then it was off to bed. The oldest has inter-murals this morning so I need to get him up at 6. Mom has physical therapy at 10 so I’ll run her downtown. She says she can drive herself, which she can but she hates it so I’ll take her. The lawyers and doctors, on the other side, are screwing with us big time trying to get out of paying anything more for her neck. We received a copy of the report from the appointment last week and the doctor is clearly biased towards the attorney who sent us there, surprise surprise. Now they want her to go to another doctor of there choosing and if we don’t go they just cut us off so I guess we’re going. What a rigged system, all we want is for the misses to not have a headache.

“All of us need to be reminded that the Federal government did not create the States, the States created the Federal Government.” – Ronald Wilson Reagan, January 20, 1981

Time to run, have a great week and God Bless.

Hello all, sorry for the late post…but the website was down until now.

Yesterday we met our friends and their kids at the Stock Show around 12:30.  Our friends  left for the event at 10:00 and the oldest originally planned to go with them.  After discussing the possibility of an allergy attack with us he decided to go with us in order to ensure he would be there for the entire Rodeo.

First we walked around the livestock.  I haven’t been to a Stock Show for a few years and I don’t remember the cows being groomed.  When I say groomed, I mean shampooed, brushed and blow dried!  The cows were adorable with their hair all shiny and fluffed and they seemed to enjoy the process of a spa experience for livestock.

The youngest decided the animal for him is a mule….Hogan was his name and he was huge and handsome.  The oldest didn’t have a favorite animal..he liked them all.  While we were enjoying the smells of hay and eau d’livestock, our friends called to let us know they were in line for the kids to ride the mechanical bull.  We made our way to them and their kids were just finishing up bull riding.  Our guys got in the line and the Mr. and I went browsing horse trailers.  We returned just in time to see our not so little cowboys show us their stuff. They were really cute and all smiles.

After the bull rides we wandered around some and made our way to the Rodeo arena.  Our seats were great! Row 11, seats 1,2,3,and 4. We sat down…the boys with their giant lemonade, cotton candy and smoked turkey legs and waited just a few minutes for the opening ceremonies to begin.  Wow, I don’t remember the Rodeo being so “4th of July”.  It started with the lights going off the music(good music)starting and indoor fire works.  Then the Westernaires came riding out in the blackness with glow in the dark costumes with lights and glow in the dark flags.  The kids were all bopping to the music, standing and dancing…too cute!  Next up were the Bucking Broncos…man can those ponies kick. The Mr. and I noticed that every cowboy was limping after their ride. Some guys stayed on the entire 8 seconds…amazing. There was roping, barrel racing, calf wrestling, sheep riding and finally, bull riding.  Those cowboys are nuts! Don’t get me wrong…they are incredibly fun to watch, but just nuts to put their bodies through that trauma.  In between events there was a “Kiss Cam” up on the jumbo t.v. screens and you guessed it, The Mr. and I were up there on the screen.  The Mr. noticed and leaned over and planed a long passionate kiss on me and the youngest leaned in front of us and waved.  The MC said, “and that is how they got him”…meaning of course our enthusiastic kiddo.  We tried to find a photo of it on 9 news..no luck.  Too bad I think you all would have enjoyed a laugh or two.

The closing ceremonies were very special.  The MC announced four generations of rodeo supporters that were in attendance and introduced the grandmother…out she came..a beautiful chestnut, bucking mare.  Next was her daughter another bucking  mare.  Then came her daughter, and finally a sweet little colt.  They all nuzzled one another out there in the spotlight.  A very special end to a very special rodeo.

We came home so the oldest could shower…he did have to have one dose of benedryl during the show.  After his shower he was off to a sleepover at his buddy’s.  The Mr. the youngest and I watched a movie and settled in for the night.

Oh yeah, the oldest did get a picture with Miss Colorado. He spotted her and asked if he could get a picture. She was very nice, cute and accommodating. When we left after the photo, Dad said thanks but the youngest thought he said, “call me” to her! Too funny. Anyhow it was a great time that everyone enjoyed. We have to make a point of going again next year.

Hope you enjoyed the post today, sorry again for the technical difficulties…we would love to hear some of your rodeo memories.

God Bless

That’s right, yesterday was post 750, quite a milestone if you think about it. 750 days of what happened in our lives. We’re feeling pretty good about things these days and I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that our Family Makeover, even though it will always evolve, will be right where we wanted it to be when we started, by post number 1000. We still have some short term challenges (like the next 2 months) but long term, meaning by the end of the year, we’re looking pretty good. I won’t bore you with the details but things are shaping up as planned for our family of four. Let’s hope they continue to stay that way!

It’s 5:30am and I went to bed about 8:30. I feel like I’ve been jet lagged since the 9th of January when I left for Italy. The one day turn around to Seattle this week didn’t help as I was up early and up late. Hopefully tonight will be the turning point where I can get my sleep back to normal. It’s not getting up early as I always do that but rather the quality of sleep I get.

Today we’re all headed to the stock show. Our friends buy something like 30 tickets every year and have 4 for us. The oldest will leave at 10am with their family while the youngest, the misses and I will head down a bit after lunch. Then we’ll all meet up for the Grand Rodeo at 3:30 this afternoon. We love it, seeing all the animals and checking out all the farm and ranch equipment and then watching all the events of the rodeo. Supposedly the seats are really really good.

After school yesterday the boys had chess club and Jen went with them as her Mom asked if we could take her home with us which we did. I was in and out all day from downtown to Boulder while the misses cleaned the house from top to bottom. I don’t know how she functions with her headache, she’s just flat out tough, she should be in the rodeo!

Both dogs are at my feet and Lacey seems no worse for wear after her little fall. I guess Grandma Dix and Pa Don are in Vancouver Washington at Larry’s for a brief visit. It’s great that they still travel like they do!

Time for me to run as I’m headed to the you know what, (the gym) and then should make it home before everyone gets up. It’s really my only addiction if I think about it. I’m pretty much through with alcohol, thanks to the misses quitting on Nov 21st, and I don’t really have any other vices or things I can’t live without, except my wife and the boys. I’m glad I started working out when I was 20 or so as it’d probably be hard to start in your 50’s. I still feel like I’m in my late 20’s or 30’s and am actually stronger physically now than I was then. I love it and have to go, it’s just my thing, so, see you tomorrow.

Take care and God Bless.

Good morning, the sky is dark and the sun is just beginning to create a glow on the horizon.  The youngest was the first person awake this morning and the oldest just made his way down the stairs.

The mister arrived home around 11p.m. and was wide awake when he climbed into bed. His meetings went well and except for the downpour of rain he had a nice time in Seattle.

The boys stayed after school for their creative writing class and I ran to the art gallery and the dermatologist office to look at the chairs and the paint before I picked up the kiddos.  Both boys got their homework done…. the oldest just sat right down and got his homework finished and the youngest…well that is a different story.  Finally after a couple of hours and a few consequences the youngest finished up with his work. Both kiddos played with friends while I cleaned bathrooms.

Today the Mr. is going to Boulder for a meeting and he has to be down south at the distributer between 8 and 8:30 to pick up samples for his meeting.  Our friend Peter called…he is the man that runs/own the organic farm that we get all of our lettuces and veggies from during the summer.  Peter is doing a green house here in Denver and the Mr. is going to see him sometime today….Hopefully, the Mr. will be coming home with arugula, lettuces and tomatoes this afternoon.  Yum!

I took the dogs for a short walk yesterday…just around the big loop  maybe a mile.  Boy were they excited.  I’ll make walking our four legged family members a priority.  The lab takes herself on her own mini walks whenever she gets a chance..not such a subtle hint.  Lacey followed me down into the basement last night and I was coming up ahead of her when I noticed she was having difficulty getting back up the stairs(there is no carpet for her to grip) I turned and was making my way down to her when she tried one more stair.  That was it…she slipped right in front of me and I couldn’t catch her. She rolled, flipped three times before landing on the concrete floor below.  It was awful to see it happen and not be able to get to her in time.  I got to the bottom of the stairs just seconds after her.  I gave her comfort and checked her out before helping her up each stair.  She is a bit stiff this morning, but no broken bones.  Lucky Lacey is my new name for her…lucky me too.