A Year of Change

That’s right, today we’re half way through the 7th month of the year. For those of you math wizards, that means we have 170 days left until January 1st 2015!

Yesterday after shipping 27 boxes of wine, I took the boys to the pool for some much needed exercise. They had lots of fun and we all made it home a little after 5pm. I need to ship another 6 or so boxes today but first the car goes into the shop. Then I have a few conference calls for employee reviews and lots of other paperwork as well.

I did receive one comment from Annette yesterday, thanks. I think she is closest to my way of thinking as far as how we see our Country and the obstacles we face. I know most of ya’ll in Colorado think the same too but am not so sure about the rest of you in California. I’m reading an interesting book that you all should read. Go out and get James Howard Kunstler’s book, The Long Emergency and read it, it’s not really political (so no one will be offended) but rather talks about the end of fossil fuel and how our country will look in the future. He points out that in all other countries but ours, small towns and cities are still alive and how our technological advancements have resulted in the massive growth of suburbia (and death of rural America) which will eventually end up as ghost towns once fossil fuels dry up. And believe me, they will dry up! It’s quite an interesting read from a universally respected historian/economist that everyone should read.

Time to get moving, lots to do and it’s almost 7am. They say we’re in for severe weather today and tomorrow. Hope it misses us. Take care and God Bless.

We made it home around noon after stopping by Billie’s and picking up a bunch of leftover food including shrimp and grits, ham, and truffled deviled eggs. The traffic wasn’t too bad as we left Aspen by 9am. Both boys tend to take a cat nap on the way home whenever we leave probably because they usually stay up a bit too late partying when we’re up there. We arrived home to an accident Mojo had up in Ty’s room. We’re not sure how or why he was upstairs and will have to ask Jimmy who watches him for us when we’re gone.

It’s much cooler and just nicer in general up in Aspen. It’s good to be home but we could easily see ourselves living up there. Today we’re back at it, Lori off to work and me on my computer and driving to Fed Ex. At the misses urging, I got a jump on my week by boxing up 25 boxes of wine yesterday afternoon that need to fly out to various states today. I think I have 25 or so more that need to go tomorrow or Wednesday. Then I have another 70 cases or so arriving here in Denver hopefully later this week for me to distribute to sales representatives here in Colorado.

I need to find something fun for the boys to do today. We’re supposed to get rain this afternoon but maybe we can get to the pool before it begins. They were very well behaved for the most part for the entire trip. Sure there’s the occasional brotherly spat but other than that, they were super helpful and very polite. At the brunch, Mr. Ty decided to tip the bartender on his own at then end of the event. He walked up to her (she was nice and probably 30 or so) and said, thank you for taking care of me and handed her 5 quarters. She was so touched she almost cried and gave him a big hug. He also gave a pack of Pokemon cards to Briana, (the bride) for her wedding present. She too was very touched and said she’d save them forever, which she probably will. Meanwhile Jagger was greeting everyone as they arrived and taking their drink orders and then having the bartender make them so he could deliver them. They were both so polite and helpful. Diane was very impressed and thankful for their help.

That’s about it, I have lots to do before my conference call at 9 so time to get moving. I think Lori has all the laundry wrapped up. There’s one load of jeans in the dryer now but that’s it except for what needs to go to the dry cleaner. Hope everyone is well. We’re home for a week and then back up there for some business I think the next two weeks after that. Then we’re in Steamboat and then 2 weeks later school starts. Harry called last night and said our 40th high school reunion is August 2nd. I’ll need to see if I can rearrange my schedule to make it as it should be fun. Another chance to show off my beautiful wife!

Now before we all start our day, please read this below, then I’ll leave it alone.

God Bless.

Ok, the brunch was great, especially the food, and the rest of the day was fun as well. The boys were super helpful and it was good to see many new friends we met at the wedding on Friday. Finally we made it back to our hotel away from home by around 9:30. Everyone was really tired, Mom and Dad more than the boys, and we settled in for the night. The slippers by our bed and complimentary treats (hot chocolate and cookies for the boys and water and dark chocolate for us) were a welcome sight. The St Regis is the number one rated luxury hotel chain in the World and if you ever stay here, it’s easy to see why.

This morning before we head back home we’re heading back over to Billie and Greg’s for breakfast as there was so much food leftover we decided to eat up before hitting the road. We’ll probably even take some home with us, especially the shrimp and grits.

We did go by Jack Nicholson’s place with Billie and Greg as it’s two blocks from their house. It’s undergoing some renovations right now but was something else. Frankly many other homes around the neighborhood were much nicer.

We’ll tell you more about the trip on the phone, I’m just too tired to write anymore. I made some good business connections in and out of the wine business. We’ll see where that goes with time. That’s it, take care, God Bless.

OMG stands for Oh My God for you older folks. Well that’s what the wedding was, the most fabulous event you ever went to. The day started out with us going to the Rec Center which was the best you’ve ever seen. The pool was so clear you would have thought you were in the Bahamas’. They had a 3 story tall water slide which the boys and little Sadie just loved. She is only 3 1/2 though so she made Jagger or Ty take her up the stairs. At first she came walking down the stairs as the slide was too dangerous looking. Once she finally did go though, there was no stopping her, she kept saying “again and again”. They also have a full size hockey rink and the kids were practicing. Aspen always has one of the top hockey teams in the state. We left the Rec Center at 11:30 to get ready for the wedding. By 1:30 we were at the base 0f the gondola to go to the top of the mountain only to have to wait with the entire wedding party as it was closed due to lightening.

Finally we all made it up for the ceremony and it was breathtaking. 3 of the grooms cousins from Finland sang a latin song and it was like the Sound of Music as you were surrounded by dozens of 14,000 foot peaks. After the ceremony we all took the ride back down the gondola to town. We then rested and ordered the boys up a pizza which Jag and I walked to get. Lori and I then drove over to the Little Nell (a famous hotel) to find Greg as Billie called and asked if we could pick him up. When we arrived it took us at least 30 minutes to find him. Finally we got him in the car and headed to the Jerome (another famous hotel) for the reception. Diane had them make a signature cocktail which we discovered at one of our wine parties at Food and Wine 3 weeks ago. Of course they also featured all of our wines (a red, a white and Bocelli Prosecco) that everyone loved.

Then it was time for dinner. We all shuffled into a beautiful room with a 9 piece band playing everyones favorite Motown hits. On one trip to the bathroom, the best man told me to hang out a bit. He was from Finland and with another guy from the wedding party and said there was something special in the bathroom stall. Now this seemed kind of funny to me as what could be in the bathroom stall that I’d want to be part of. I was thinking it was marijuana or even worse cocaine as these were young kids and after all, we were in Aspen. Turns out it was a special Finnish whisky vodka blend that was from the 1940’s called Jala something. The best man had flown it over from Finland when he came and put it in the stall in a silver toilet paper holder for the wedding. We all tried some and it was really really good. He said to tell my friends and have them enjoy also so when I went back to my table I told the 3 guys I was with and we all went to try it again. Upon leaving the bathroom a bunch of bridesmaids asked what we were all doing in the bathroom together? I said what do you mean and they said, “well us girls all go the the bathroom together but what are you boys doing going all together?” We didn’t have a good answer for that one.

The food was amazing, steak and lobster and it was cooked perfectly. I’ve never been to any large event with such great food. Lori and I must have danced to no less than 20 songs as the band was fun. Now don’t take this the wrong way but we are really good dancers! But the best part was the best man and maid of honor’s toast. We wish you could have heard it as it was wonderful, full of love, sincerity and best of all, humor.

Meanwhile Jag and Ty went to play Put Put Golf, watched a couple of movies and probably single handily demolished two mini bars! I can’t wait to see the bill for that one!

We finally made it home by 10:30. Today we’re going to go help Diane at 9 to get ready for the post wedding brunch at 11:30 and Peggy is going to take the boys in her Ferrari for a milkshake. After that we’re heading down valley 20 minutes or so to see our friends art show. We’re also going to Butch’s Lobster Shack which is a trailer with fresh Maine lobster that he sells really cheap. There are no tables except for picnic tables outside as it’s just this old wooden shack made from a trailer. We can’t wait as we love lobster.

So that’s it, we’ll post some pictures of everyone dressed up. We had a full fun day and will remember it forever. Oh by the way, Lori is headache free, last night and this morning! Hope everyone is well and the rain in Denver wasn’t too bad, take care and God Bless.

We made it to Aspen by a little after 10 in the morning after a beautiful drive. Our first stop was Greg and Billie’s where we dropped off a few things before heading to the hotel. Then it was off to fantasy land. We arrived at the St Regis and checked into one room but the other adjoining room was still occupied. This didn’t bother anyone as they boys were in their swim suits before we could hang up our clothes. We were then off to the pool which was like a scene out of the movie Home Alone. There were lots of what appeared to be wealthy and kind of stuffy people decked out in thousands of dollars worth of swim wear and accessories. Our boys, not noticing or caring, jumped right in and took part of the refreshing water while we ordered them some food from the chef at the grill.

Next it was off to lunch to meet our good friend of 13 years who we’ve never met in person! Sarah is now a famous artist who has an exhibition near here tonight. We’ve been like pen pals friends, or more, that have never met. She had her mother, his beau (she’s from the south) and her 3 1/2 year old daughter Sadie, who apparently was really shy. We met and decided to walk across the street for lunch and let the kids play at the park and in the fountains that rise from the sidewalk. Sadie of course, took right to the boys and was talking non stop. We had a great 2 hour plus lunch while the kids played. Then we walked back to our hotel as we brought her some wine to take home so I put it in her rental car. Today Sarah has to prepare for the exhibition opening tonight but I think we’re going down to see it this morning before the wedding. Greg and Billie want to buy some after we showed them paintings on line. Meanwhile the boys, Sadie and Sarah’s mother Glee (yes that’s her given name) will be playing at ARC, which is the Aspen Rec Center. It was so much fun to finally meet in person.

Then it was time to get ready for the rehearsal dinner at the T Lazy 7 Ranch. We picked up Billie and Greg and headed out at 6. Peggy’s family used to own this and all the surrounding land until the 70’s when they sold it to the owner of Aspen Skiing Company. She too was there and we had a blast with a great country band, good bbq, fire pits outside with s’mores and all the young kids (30 year olds) in the wedding party. Lori made me go dance with Diane (the mother of the bride) as she wanted to get everyone dancing and needed a partner. So there I was in the middle of the dance floor, just us two,  two stepping or country waltzing with the mother of the bride. Thankfully once we started, others joined in. I think I almost stepped on her feet a few times in my size 12 cowboy boots but she was very thankful.

Around 10 pm we went back to the hotel and the manager had dropped off some great gifts in our rooms as we had a little mishap here last year. We finally got the boys to sleep around 10:30 which was a miracle considering all the desserts, s’mores and strawberry shortcake they each had. It’s a bit after 7 now and we’ll let them sleep for another hour or so. Whoops Mr. Ty is up and in here now. We were very proud of the boys as everyone they met from the bride and groom to their parents, they looked straight in the eye and shook their hand. Glee’s beau commented on what great parents we were and how well mannered the boys were. They’re good kids.

The wedding is at 2:30 on top of the mountain so we take the gondola up around 1:30 as it takes 30 minutes to ride up. The weather held yesterday meaning no rain until the evening so we’re hoping it does so again today. My little bride just woke up so time to run. I ran down for our free coffee but we’ll go somewhere else for breakfast as it’d be $100 to eat here! Hope everyone is well and if you’re now reading Deb Rubin, Hi! (my Mom said she gave you the log in)

God Bless

Alright, I know we have a wedding and other things to do but I’ve honestly gone to Europe for a week and taken less clothes! We have no less than 3 suitcases, 3 hang up bags, a duffle bag full of shoes and then Lori’s make up bag (a suit case in itself) along with assorted coats, a few cases of wine, some food for the road and an orchid plant for our friends that Lori was going to take last week. Lucky Mojo isn’t coming along as there’s no room for him!

Yesterday was a blur but we did manage to get everything done, we think. At the end of the day I cleaned out the refrigerator and Lori had her hair colored after her work. The boys and I handled everything else. I did leave them at home for some of my errands as they’re old enough and it’s sometimes easier. They bugged me all day to play FIFA World Cup Soccer on the PS3. Now they’re both masters at any video game but it was fun. The graphics alone are amazing. Anyhow I lasted 10 or 15 minutes but had fun.

It’s 5:40 and we’d like to get on the road by 6:30. I suspect it’ll be closer to 7 but there shouldn’t be any traffic like the holiday weekend. Time to run, more to come, take care and God Bless.

Check this out,
The odds of winning the Florida lottery are 1 in 22,957,480.

The odds of winning the Powerball is 1 in 175,223,510.

The odds of winning Mega Millions is 1 in 258,890,850.

The odds of a disk drive failing in any given month are roughly one in 36. The odds of two different drives failing in the same month are roughly one in 36 squared, or 1 in about 1,300. The odds of three drives failing in the same month is 36 cubed or 1 in 46,656.

The odds of seven different drives failing in the same month (like what happened at the IRS when they received a letter asking about emails targeting conservative and pro Israeli groups) is 37 to the 7th power = 1 in 78,664,164,096. (that’s over 78 Billion) In other words, the odds are greater that you will win the Florida Lottery 342 times than having those seven IRS hard drives crashing in the same month.

hmmmmm

Yesterday was the usual day full of work, errands and cleaning but around 5pm we went to Cherry Creek to meet the misses for a quick bite to eat and to try on a dress or two at the 65% off sale at Neimans. By the time we made it downtown (traffic was brutal) we agreed to just go eat. When we were done we felt like we should at least stop in as our friend had pulled a few things for Lori.

We knew Nicole (our friend) was leaving at 5pm so she told us to ask for Linda. Well, long story short, Linda turned out to be Linda Smaldone. She is one of the 4 girls that lived 2 houses from us when we grew up! Apparently she has been working there for 9 years but we have never seen her. Her younger sister Paula and I hung out a lot when we were kids and I even went to Linda’s wedding! Now their family was THE mafia family of Denver back in the day. Her dad, who’s 84 and living close and doing fine, even wrote a book about it. Anyhow we caught up on the past 40 years and agreed that we’d all get together, what a small World.

Ok, today we have the Pres in town for a speech, what fun, (that’s sarcasm). The Governor, our Senator and another guy running for Senate will all not be going to his speech as they say they all have previous commitments. Hmmm, I think it’s because they don’t want to be seen with Obummer as he’s not really that popular here. I mean what a coincidence that all three of our top politicians are too busy the same day the Pres comes to town, hmmmm.

For us we’ll be packing all day getting ready to hit the road in the morning. Lori will of course be working all day with a pounding head. Her head has been really really bad the past few days. We just can’t figure it out. If we get to Aspen and her head is all better again, we’ll know for sure it has something to do with the allergies down here and then have to decide what to do about it. All I know is we’re not going to go through another 3 years of headaches if we can help it.

All three of us boys went for haircuts yesterday and mine is the shortest, then Jag’s and Ty managed to keep the most hair! That’s about it, time to get moving as I need to get to the gym and back by 8. Take care, have a great day and God Bless.

Last night we bopped down to Ali’s as it was her birthday. I’m not going to tell her age but can say she’s older than me, ha ha. Happy Birthday Ali!

Lori had a normal day at work as did I. It started with a 2 hour conference call for me and then after some more work, I dropped Ty at Vinny’s and Jag and I ran a couple of errands. Before we knew it, it was about 2 in the afternoon. It was hot all day, between 95 and 100 degrees. Thankfully we have A/C. Of course Mojo wants inside all day, can’t really blame him.

Today the boys and I are headed to the distributor at 7:30am and then we’re off to Cherry Creek to get haircuts at 9am. I think Lori is going to get her hair done after work meaning she’ll be home around 9pm, but at least she’ll look all pretty, which of course she always does.

In 48 hours we’ll be back on the road to Aspen. I arranged for all the wine today for our friend whose daughter is getting married. This is going to be one big fun 3 day party. Lori and I are going to abstain from drinking I think as there’s no way we can party for 3 days and nights straight. We’re staying at the incredible St Regis Hotel. We had been given a suite for free but they were unavailable so they gave us two adjoining rooms, one for the boys and one for the misses and I. This is actually better as we have a door to separate them from us! They stay up way too late and order much too much ice cream!

The St Regis is over the top and right in the heart of town. We’ve stayed there before and they really do a good job from food to service. The boys are fine going to the pool themselves and getting all around. They’re quite grown up for 10 and 12 years old.

Tomorrow will be a mad dash to get everything ready and pack up all we need to attend a black tie wedding, a couple dinners, a brunch, some lunches, some mountain biking, swimming, hiking and possibly a horseback ride or two. Thankfully we have a big car.

Hope all’s well, don’t let anyone drop a bunch of illegals off in your town! God Bless.

Today we pretty much got things in shape for the coming week, a trip to a few stores, Lori had her nails done and we finished up the laundry. Then Robin, my sister, and Robert, her boyfriend, partner, soon to be husband (next year) stopped by. We all then went up to my Mom’s for a nice visit. My Mom likes it when all three of us kids are together which isn’t all that often.

Robi looks good and is as fun as ever. Too bad it’s such a short visit. Today Lori’s back at work and I need to make a list as I have so much to do to get ready to be gone for 2 days. We’re super excited to go but have a lot to get done, both of us. Hope I don’t forget anything!

That’s about it, hope everyone is doing well, take care and God Bless.

After strolling through town and the farmers market, we all had some lunch and then hit the road around 2:45 in the afternoon. We missed most of the traffic (it’ll be really bad today) but did get stuck by Idaho Springs in a crawl for 30 minutes or so. We decided to drive right on past the house and go to La Loma for dinner. This put us home a little before 7:30.

Lori had no headache at all in Aspen. It has to be something with the pollen or allergies or environment down here. Now all we have to do is figure out how to live up there in the clean fresh air so she’s headache free.

Today we’ll see Aunt Robi and Robert. We briefly saw them last night and the boys went down to Tommy’s for a bit to visit. We were too busy unpacking and cleaning up so we’ll see them more today.

I guess it was hot like in the mid 90’s yesterday and the day before and will be so again today. The 80 degree temps in the mountains is just about perfect. Our grass is already getting a little brown so I have the sprinklers on now.

We only have a three day week as we’re leaving again Thursday morning for the big wedding. We can’t wait as it’ll be lots of fun. That’s about it from down here in the flat land. Hope everyone is well and had a great day, we’ll try to get some pictures up, God Bless.