A Year of Change

Well here comes another busy day. Jag is off to Rifle and we’re all off to Denver. We’ll all meet up around 5 or 6 tonight and then hopefully have a nice relaxing evening at home. Lori managed to get out of the office by 5:30 yesterday which is sort of a record seeing as it was 2 days in a row she left before 6. We’re trying to create some balance in her life but one of the reasons she’s so good at her job is that she cares so much. She actually treats every patient as if they were part of our family. I told her the other day, after she was telling me why she was late, there’s always going to be something, every single day. She knows this, she just has a great work ethic, must have got that from me, ha. Seriously though, she’s always been a hard, diligent worker, who really cares.

The boys are well, it was warm up here and the snow is melting fast. Lori said the hospital was packed as the snow is really hard and basically solid ice from all the warm weather during the day and then the freezing temperatures at night. Apparently lots of people are really getting hurt as when they fall, it’s like falling on concrete. Ty wants to go boarding tomorrow but Lori is unsure as it’s that bad. We’ll see. Time to run as it’s 5:52 and I need to take Jag to the bus at 7:30, GB

Make sure to wear green today! If not, you might get pinched! I’m sure lots of people will be partying today. We were going to go to Aspen for some fundraiser with Lindsey Vonn but don’t feel like making the trek. Jag has baseball practice after school and not sure what Ty has going on. The Quarter ended yesterday and both boys are doing well. Ty had to work hard to catch up in a few classes from not having a computer for a couple weeks, but he did it, whew.

Today I have to run down to Denver as Jag needs some white baseball pants before his two games tomorrow. It’s a long way to go for pants but it is what it is. Lori came home at 5:45 last night which is a good step towards working a little less. We’re all tired and again need a break but I don’t think we’re getting one anytime soon.

We’re excited to go see Grandma Dixie in about a month. We’re going to fly in and out of San Francisco as we figured out that it’s about a quarter of what it costs to fly into Sacramento. We’ll have to drive a few hours but to save over $2000, it’s well worth it. We’ll be there over Easter and back the following week. I’ll need to get tickets soon.

Not sure what’s up this weekend except some big school projects due next week. Jag will be gone all day tomorrow in Rifle and Lori, Ty and I will be in Denver getting her hair done. We’re going to drop Ty at a friends house to play for 4 hours or so and I’ll hit a few stores to pick up some things that we need that we can’t get up here. It’s supposed to be warm down there which will be nice.

Guess I’ll run as it’s 6:35 and we all need to get moving as usual. Hope everyone has a good weekend, GB

Yesterday Lori and I ran down to Denver to pick up my truck. When we arrived, she took off right away back up the hill for work and I headed off to my two meetings. She made it to the office around 10:30 and I was home about 3 hours later. As I said, Jag skipped baseball as he had a couple tests to make up as the Quarter ends today. Ty stayed after school finishing up an assignment too. I took Jag home around 3:30 and went back to get Ty an hour later. I swear I’m a taxi service!

Today Lori and I are headed to the gym at 6am (it’s 5:22 now). Jag has baseball practice tonight and tomorrow before a double header (two games) this Saturday in Rifle. We haven’t had any home games yet which I think is because we still have snow or the other places are warmer. Ty wants to play Lacrosse but we’re not sure as there’s 5 away games, all on Monday’s, and all in Denver. They’re against schools like Graland, Kent, and Cherry Creek Academy and the other private schools in Denver. Our main concern is him missing 5 Monday’s before the end of the year as that’s a lot of school for him to miss. With all of them being away games, the kids will be gone all day.

It has been nice and warm up here. Lori and I and Ty will be coming down to Denver for haircuts on Saturday while Jag is in Rifle. It’s almost 5:30 so I’d better get Lori moving. I’m on this new lean out diet from my trainer and I”m down to 212 pounds this morning! That’s about the least I’ve weighed in 20 years or more, yet I’m still strong. I still have a way to go, but since Lori and I quit all alcohol and sugar, and white flour, we’ve both lost a lot of weight. She of course, looks really good! Oh well, my main concern or goal, is better all around strength and balance so I’ve been doing a lot of glute (butt) and leg exercises. Anyhow, we like it and it keeps us motivated to workout every day, which is good. Take care and God Bless.

Ok, you’re not going to believe this one, it’s actually so stupid I probably shouldn’t mention it, but since we’re all family, here goes. Monday, while rushing from here to there, I stopped at the gas station in my truck and was on the phone. I pulled up in a hurry and started to gas up the truck. The problem was I put regular gas in my diesel truck! I noticed this right away but 7 gallons had already gone into the tank. I quickly drove to another gas station (this one was out of diesel) and put in 18 gallons of diesel. I then went into the gym but when I came out, it wouldn’t start. After calling my buddy at the Chevy dealer, he told me the fuel filter was screwed and it’d have to be flushed. So we arranged to tow it to Denver and yesterday they fixed it. Today, for $1532, we’ll pick it up. Now in my defense, the handle on the regular gas pump was green for diesel as they had switched them temporarily. So, Lori and I both will have to drive down and then she’ll drive up to work in the truck while I go to my meetings in town. Can’t believe I did that! Can’t believe I’m telling you, ha!

Yesterday I drove down to Denver and then made it back up to see Jag play a little ball. He was hit by a pitch while I was there and scored. Today they have a double header but we’re skipping it as he’d get home around 10:30 tonight and he has too  much school work. Ty is working really hard to make up some school work from the week when he didn’t have a computer. Lori is swamped too as am I.

That’s about it, time to get everyone moving and start the day. It was 67 degrees in Eagle for the game yesterday which was really nice. We’re over winter up here and ready for Spring or better yet, summer. Take care and have a great day, God Bless.

Last night we were up until after midnight working on Ty’s homework. We woke up at 5:30, or at least I did, and was then followed by Lori at 5:45 and Ty at 6:05. We still have an English essay to finish before we leave for school in 1 hour and 20 minutes. This means we have like 30 minutes to finish it up.

I’ve stepped up my workouts and diet. No dairy, no white flour and especially, as the trainer calls it, no Sugar Dragon! On top of that, first thing when I wake up is a glass of water with a half of lemon and a pinch of salt. Before that though, and this is a great idea for everyone, you’re supposed to thing of one thing you’re thankful for. Then throughout the day, whenever you get stressed out, you’re supposed to think back to that thought and get back to your happy place! Sounds simple right? Anyhow, time to go as we need to wrap this up, stay strong (I’m talking to myself, ha) GB

Daylight Savings time is not treating us well. We are all super tired and having a hard time adjusting to losing an hour. Good news is it looks like we are getting some dvd’s of Ty’s play. Should be fun.

One of Lori’s girls at work, boyfriends Mom, (did you follow that?) died unexpectedly yesterday. This of course means she’ll be down one girl at least all week. So, Lori will not only be doing her job but also scheduling surgeries all week. I told her she needs to pace herself and not work 12 hours a day.

Yesterday she went with 4 or 5 girls (ladies) to a champagne brunch from 10 until 2. I’m so glad she went as she never has much girl time. One lady owns a magazine called Snow and apparently they’re going to use Jagger for some modeling or something. We’re supposed to go to some event in Aspen this Friday.

Speaking of Jag, he has baseball today, tomorrow, Wednesday and Saturday. He’ll miss a bunch of school this week to play ball but he can handle it. It’s supposed to be super warm this week, especially in Denver. Ty meanwhile has a bunch of tests and homework this week as he has some stuff to make up before the Quarter ends this Thursday.

Here’s Ty taking an encore after the show along with today’s sunrise at 6:45 (that’s actually the moon!). Time to run as it’s 7:17 and we all need to leave in 30 minutes! GB

Last night, in the final performance, the kids, all 6th, 7th and 8th graders did a great job. You wouldn’t believe how some of these kids can sing and act for being in Middle School. As you can see, Ty is dressed as Cameron, Ferris’s best friend. The show finished up around 8:45 and then all the kids went to a cast party until 11:45 pm. I picked Ty up at Becks’ (who played Ferris) house around midnight and with the clocks being moved forward for Daylight Savings time, he’s still sleeping. It’s 8 am now and Lori is going to brunch with some of the Mom’s from school.

Jag had basketball tryouts and I rescued him at noon. When walking out of the gym, we recognized some parents from Lakewood who were up here for a soccer game, small World. Ty’s friend Jack, from Denver and his Mom also came by as Maddie (who is in Jagger’s grade) was playing in the soccer game up here. They said nothing much has changed in Lakewood and they are so over it and want to move up here too. Who knows, they might move up this summer.

We’re not sure what we’re doing today. It has to be our first “day off” in a long time, meaning a day when we really don’t have any plans. Ty has some homework as does Jag and I need to finish hooking up our new computer the office sent me. We’ll have to get a hike in with Mojo too. Here’s a couple of pictures of Ty on stage for the encore, and as I said, all those kids are in 56th, 7th or 8th grade! God Bless.

Today Jag has basketball tryouts for Club which runs for the next three months. There is some overlap with baseball as for example, Jag is supposed to be in Carbondale this morning for a game but will be playing basketball from 9am until 3pm. Meanwhile Ty will be doing a bunch of homework and then getting ready for his last performance tonight. After the play, the kids have a wrap party from 9 until 11:30! That makes for a late night.

Speaking of late night, last night Warner arrived around 10:45. I was already sleeping but Lori was up with the boys. I was really tired from getting up early and rushing down to Denver and back and then driving the boys here and there for what seemed like hours. I’ll bet I drove 250 miles yesterday. It’s a little cooler outside but not snowing. I did buy a new printer yesterday and need to hook up our new computer, printer and set up today.

Lori had a long day at work but did go to Ty’s 2nd performance last night. We’ll all go tonight. She said the kids had even more energy last night as they were more comfortable with their roles. It’s a really good play, I wish you all could see it. I think someone is taking video of the show as I said we’d take 4 discs. If we get them, we’ll send you all one.

Everyone was tired and a bit snappy with each other yesterday. The things that can come out of 13 and 15 year old kids mouths are unbelievable. It then doesn’t help when we as parents react. I told Lori the great thing about life is everyday you wake up you get a fresh start or a do over! So, we all have good days and not so good days, but everyday is thankfully a new day!

In May I’m off to France, Slovenia and Italy. We’re taking the whole sales force which is like 14 of us. We fly into Marseille France, spend a few days there and then go to Slovenia, and then into Italy before flying home. All in all, I’m gone like 9 days including the 3 travel days. I was trying to upgrade to Business but they couldn’t guarantee me a seat so after working all the magic and angles I could, I ended up just buying my Business seat for around $4000, which is actually pretty darn cheap. A Coach ticket was a bit over $2000, and it would have been $2800 and 40,000 miles to get on the waitlist to upgrade. The best thing is my return, after I get from Florence to Munich, is a non-stop straight into Denver. It’s a 10 hour flight on Lufthansa but it sure will be nice not having to change planes once I get into the U.S.

Before then, I have a trip to Miami and probably one to Texas once again. Might end up in Arizona for a 3 or 4 day work/play weekend too. Then I think I’m here until the first of June when we have the Kapalua Wine Festival on Maui. I might end up back in Italy in September and also maybe Chile and Argentina, but won’t know for a few months.

Time to get Jag up for basketball as we need to leave in an hour. Hope everyone is doing well. I saw my Mom yesterday for a few minutes and she seems to be doing fine. I heard Grandma Dixie on the phone with Lori too and she sounds good. I hope Annette that you’re doing well also. Enjoy the weekend and God Bless.

The first performance of three was last night from 6:30 until about 8:45. The name of the play is Dear John as it’s comprised of a bunch of John Hugh’s movies. He was the Director for such famous movies as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, Vacation and a few more. It was all centered around Ferris Bueller and Ty plays Cameron, Ferris’s best friend. The kids all sang and danced and acted their way through the whole play which was written by our school theater teacher. It was really really good. We hope to have dvd’s of the performance we can send you all.

Meanwhile Jag left at 11am and was home at 10pm. They lost 10 to 2 but it was the first game of the season. Saturday is another game but Jag has Club basketball tryouts so he’ll have to skip this upcoming game.

I’m off to Denver around 7am this morning and hope to be back up by 1. I have a meeting at 9 and 9:45. Warner, Ty’s friend who moved to Washington D.C., arrives tonight around 11pm and is staying till Sunday. He and his Mom are flying out for the play. Warner is staying with us and his Mom somewhere else. So, we’re busy, we also need to clean as the house cleaners come this morning, and we’re totally not ready! GB

I finally did the blog around dinner yesterday, sorry I forgot. The main points were Jag made Varsity baseball and Ty’s play starts tonight. You can click on the top left of the page to go back a day.

Jag has his first game today and the team leaves for Mead at 11am. I think they’ll be home around 8pm tonight. Quite the road trip. Ty’s play starts tonight but first he has two tests today. Both Lori and I didn’t sleep well and our necks hurt. Must be from working out. Speaking of which, after working out twice yesterday, I have a scheduled workout at 9:30 this morning but will need to leave a bit early to pick up Jag and get him to Battle Mountain to catch the bus.

Oh I almost forgot, yesterday Jag went to the orthodontist and he’ll have the clear type braces in a few weeks. We could have bought a nice used car for what that costs! Something has to give or else we need to both get second jobs. Time to go as it’s 5:30 and I think Lori wants to go to the gym. God Bless.