A Year of Change

Today is Ty’s 10th birthday and he’s not wasting a minute of it as we are all up at 5:30! Lacey had me up at 11pm and twice at 4am, super. Happy Birthday Ty!

After school yesterday, we picked him up and headed over to the bike store where Lori and I had taken a trip earlier in the day to see what we could work out. You see I took in a couple of old bikes to sell and have a couple more in the garage and wanted to somehow figure out how to fund a couple of new rides with little to no cash. The boys grow so fast that his brother also needed a new bike (almost got Jag one for Christmas) and Ty, being a kind brother, wanted Jag to have one too. So getting rid of 4 older bikes along with last years bikes now on sale as its January, throw in a little wine and going to the shop (Wheat Ridge Cycles) to rekindle a friendship with the owner who I knew from when he was bike racing 40 years ago, (he was in the Tour de France) and we ended up walking out with two new mountain bikes for pretty much nothing. Luckily I had known Ron (the owner) when I was younger. When I was a senior in high school I used to run The Denver Spoke which was the top bike racing shop in Denver. I also worked at a shop in Golden called the Pack and Peddle when bike racing in Denver and Boulder was at its peak. Nowadays Ron and his family owned the best shop around, (starred in 1973 by his dad) and it was still, thankfully, 100% family owned. It was like when my dad ran his banks, people and relationships meant something. You can’t do that with big corporate chain stores these days. After learning about Lori’s neck surgery and us selling our road bikes per her doctors instructions as she can’t bend over, they want to give us a screaming trade for a couple of last years mountain bikes for Lori and I as well. It’s nice to know that in this day and age, some people still do business with people.

Today we’ll have a party after school but the boys have Chess Club first. Grandma had me buy Ty a new helmet from her, which he needed bad, so he’s all set to go. Today Lori will make a cake and I think we’re going out to dinner.

We’re happy and proud of both Ty and Jagger, both boys are pretty darn good kids. Days like this make you feel good about life and being a parent and make you forget about all the pressures like bills and stuff. Both boys are playing away sitting next to me on the couch and while some days this would bug the hell out of me, today it’s enjoyable! As Lori said the other day, it won’t be long until they’re all grown up and gone so we’re trying to embrace and enjoy every minute that we can. I’m sure some of you know exactly what I mean!

Hope everyone is well, wish you were all here, I’m sure we’ll talk later today, take care and God Bless.

As Lori said yesterday, I managed to grab the 5:28pm flight out of La Guardia which landed in Denver at 7:50pm. Glad I got out as I would have had to wake up at 2:30am Denver time if I took the flight this morning.

It was a successful trip as all of mine are and I wrapped up all my business as planned. Today and tomorrow I have lots to do and of course tomorrow is Mr Ty’s birthday! Lacey woke both Lori and I up a little before 6 and we came down to find that she peed all over the rug by the door. I just picked it up and threw it outside, not sure how to wash a thick floor rug.

Lori’s neck is hurting her but not really her head, so she says. I think she has had pain for so long it’s hard for her to tell. It’s windy and cool here this morning but supposed to get to 47 the news says. Funny as it was 47 when I was driving home at 8:30 last night, hmmm.

Time to run, hope everyone is well, God Bless. Thought I’d share our amazing sunset last night…L

Good morning! Lacey slept in until 5:50 and then shared her “Whisper Bark” while lying at the bottom of the stairs. The whisper bark is so much nicer than the loud shrill bark of her younger years.

Jagger stayed at school for a Student Council meeting yesterday and Ty went to Homework Club. Homework Club is a club for the kiddos to stay after school for 30 minutes and complete as much homework as they can. It is so nice that the teachers are willing to stay late. The teachers alternate, so each teacher has 1 day that they volunteer their time for Homework Club.

I went to school at 3:15 to take photos for the Yearbook…one of the Committees at school I volunteer for, so I can make sure my kids pictures are all over in  the yearbook..Ha! I took photos and then brought the boys home at 4. We were a plus one…Jack came over to play with the youngest. Imagine that…another playdate. It’s no wonder I cannot keep a clean house, two very big, very hairy dogs, two very active, very messy boys, a “Plus 1” on most days and myself a body of walking clutter.

Oh well, someday the house will be clean, the boys will be in College, the dogs will be in heaven and the Mr. and I will wish for days of mess, clutter and loud voices echoing through the hall.  I’ll try to live in the moment and the mess and enjoy everyday.

The Mr. had great meetings in New York followed by a 3 or 5 course dinner with wine pairings for each course. Yum! He took his client to Jean George…the restaurant that Laura(Master Sommelier that used to work for Doug)runs in New York. I think there is a 3 month wait to get in, so lots of fancy people. He has more meetings today and then may try to jump on a plane to come home tonight.

The kiddos are at school and I have some work and a Yearbook working session in a few minutes. Love to all and here are two pictures from snowboarding.

Are you kidding me? The middle of the month is tomorrow, hard to believe but it’ll be spring and then summer before you know it. Around here you can measure the year in different ways. The kids of course do it by school events but I do by when homeowner taxes are due, (id Feb) when the fee for the pool is due (mid March) and then when income taxes are due, April 15th. Throw in a couple of annual work deadlines and there you have it. You see my life is broken up into pretty much 2 week pressures. I won’t go into it but I just don’t ever really get a break. Lucky I can handle pressure.

Yesterday Lori and Ali took Lacey to the vet where they charged us some cash and I don’t think did anything for her. I think we’re using some medicine Annette sent us. Mr Ty was home with a slight fever but I think just needed a break. He was upset he couldn’t go to basketball last night but I told him if he stayed home from school, he stays home from basketball.

I’m off to New York in a few hours, back in 48 hours. I have a dinner meeting tonight, a meeting tomorrow morning and then a lunch meeting. If I can, I’ll try to jump on a plane tomorrow night and get home, but looking at the flights, it’ll probably be the next morning. Thankfully my status usually gets me first class most of the time.

It’s 4:40 am now and I need to jump in the shower pretty quick. Big football games this weekend. Both the Broncos and the 49r’s play. Looks like the Broncos play first at 1pm so we’ll be able to get home and watch at least the second half of the 49’r game. Sure hope both win!

I think we might try to get to the National Western Stock Show this weekend too. It’s the annual western show in Denver that features, well, stock. This means horses, cows, sheep, goats and any other animal you’d find on a farm or ranch. Of course there’s also rodeo’s every day and all kinds of booths and the kids favorite, bbq turkey legs! We’re going to try top take my Mom if she’ll go. We also have Mr Ty’s birthday on Friday so it’s a big week.

Guess I’ll run, time to get moving, hope everyone is doing well and get ready as the misses will be posting (hopefully) the next couple days. Take care and God Bless.

Well we won but boy was it cold and windy. It didn’t bother me but Lori, Aime and Ty were all cold. I guess I was jumping up and down too much. We held the Chargers to 79 total yards until the start of the 4th quarter when we had a few guys go out with injuries but still won 24 to 17. The 49’rs also won so everyone is happy. If I was a betting man I should have put some money down as I picked Seattle, New England, San Francisco and Denver as the four winners on Friday and they all came through. This of course sets up Peyton Manning against Tom Brady but it’ll really come down to our defense against theirs. Of course this doesn’t make good tv though so all we’ll hear all week is about the two quarterbacks.

We made it home by 6:30 or so and then had some chili to warm up. Jag spent the day with Tom and Ali and had a good time but did have a soda which he regretted when he got home. He really doesn’t drink pop because of the sugar but it’s hard when someone is offering it to you. Meanwhile Ty went to D.I. and then Ben’s but didn’t have much fun.

It’s now 5:47 and I have a bunch of work to do so time to run. Hope all’s well and God Bless you all and God Bless the Denver Broncos!

Today is the big Bronco game, and right before that is the 49er game, sure hope they both win. Notice I didn’t even mention the other teams names!

Yesterday was a busy day for a Saturday. I left at 8:30 but managed to get most of my work done before the games started at 2:30. One of my chores was to shovel all the snow off the back patio and while I was doing this Mojo was running around the yard. All of a sudden he let out a cry and came limping up to the house. I think he caught his right front leg on the fence where he jumps up to bark at the little neighbor dog. Anyhow he’s been limping since so I’m sure he’ll be going in maybe tomorrow for $500 worth of x-rays and check ups. Not to be out done, Lacey’s bladder gave out in the middle of the night as we came down to what looked like a stream of pee about 8 feet long down the hallway. Lori was then letting her outside and she had another accident of the other kind where she couldn’t hold it in either. I’m sorry to say she probably won’t be around that much longer. Lori doesn’t want her to go to the vet tomorrow and I’m out of town Tuesday until Thursday morning so hopefully she won’t get any worse before I get back. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain and still gets up and still gets excited for her food, we’ll see what the vet says.

Jag and I are going to the gym, Ty had Ben spend the night as his parents went to a party, and all three played well for most of the night. Finally three was a crowd and Jag came down to join Lori and I to watch the rest of the Patriot game.

Time for me to get moving, Lori is up with all of us (the dogs and I) now and it’s 6:10. Hope you all are doing well, cheer for the Bronco’s and 49r’s, that’d be some Super Bowl!

God Bless.

Ok, most of you have not responded to what you’d like to do this year if you could do anything. Uncle T, Aunt Ali, Dixie and Don, my Mom and anyone else besides Annette, Robi, Eleanor and Bob, need to chime in. Do you mean to tell me all of you have not a wish or dream in the World? Come on Uncle T, how about going to the Super Bowl!

Anyhow yesterday I was wrapped up all day long on the phone and then in meetings finally getting home around 6pm. Lori was at the office and the kiddos of course were in school.

The big game is tomorrow and the whole town is excited. The Stock Show also starts today. The weather today and tomorrow is supposed to be cool and windy. The wind makes it feel much colder than it really is but what I’m worried about is how it’ll affect our quarterback throwing the ball. I guess it’ll be the same for both teams so it is what it is.

Lori is on and off with a slight headache, I’m trying to keep her calmed down and not looking way up or down. Looks like I’ll be taking down some Christmas lights today.

Both pups are in, Lacey’s legs are getting weak as she just can’t get up sometimes. Other times she seems fine. Mr Ty’s birthday is next Friday, should be a big celebration.

That’s it, time to run, lots to do as each day goes fast. No time to waste, take care and God Bless.

It was a long day, for both of us parents. I left around 8am after Jag and I went to the gym and Lori was gone by 10. The difference is that I was home by 3 but Lori was working until 6:30. She then had to go to book club and made it home a bit after 9pm.

The kids are fine but really need haircuts. I have a meeting at 2 across town and then another at a restaurant in Boulder at 4:30 so they might not get sheared today. I might take the whole family for dinner but we’ll see.

Lots of big pressure around here, in our family and for the Bronco’s. Hope we both pull it out. Guess I’ll run now as Jag wants up at 6. He wants to go to the gym again but needs to skip a day so his muscles get a chance to recuperate.

Hope everyone is well, take care and God Bless.

Well we made it to Vail to see one of Lori’s doctors yesterday and he said that her head is sore from nerve memory meaning hopefully we are just having a temporary setback. She does need to take it easier than she has been as she’s been living like she never had any surgery at all. I think, hope, that she’ll listen as Eric (the doctor) said there are no more magic fixes if she inflames her nerves this time. By the way, we also found out his uncle is Jerry Springer, the trash tv host, too funny. He told us all kinds of hilarious stories, I guess Jerry was mayor of Cincinnati when he was 32, and told us if we ever wanted to go to a show in NY, to let him know.

We made it home by 3pm and then had to go to the grocery store. The boys were great yesterday as we started a new list of responsibilities that they adhered to without complaint. Today Lori is off to the office and I have several appointments.

Here’s a comment from Aunt Robi, it seems we’re making some progress on getting some of you to chime in.

Here we go, back to school today. Yesterday we did get in some snowboarding which was a blast. Both boys did really really well. We were home by 1:15 and then ran to Cherry Creek for a couple errands and then had dinner at True Food which is Dr Andrew Weil’s restaurant of only healthy food. It was fun and we made it home around 7pm.

We all slept in this morning although Lacey woke Lori and I up at 5:30 for food. This morning we’re off to Vail and praying her neck is ok from the chair collapsing. She has a little bit of a headache which she’s had for days but not as bad. I think its another layer of discs but we’ll see after the x-rays.

Both boys are taking showers now and Mom’s making fence toast and everyone is getting ready for the new year.

Here’s two comments from yesterday, thanks for participating!

1. Eleanor Tafoya says:

   January 7, 2014 at 4:33 pm

   Grand-pa Bob would like to go to Alaska on Pastor Stanley’s cruise. And Grand-Ma Eleanor would like to go to the Black Oak Casino in Sonora using her new g.p.s. That is our desires for the new year 2014 .

   Reply
2. Annette says:

   January 7, 2014 at 6:00 pm

   I want a house at the ocean on the CA coast. I don’t care where!

   Now those seem possible if you really think about it! I’m sure there’s a way to get Bob on the cruise and going to the casino seems easy with some planning.

   As for Annette, this too should be able to be accomplished. Can you move that big boat up to some quiet little sleepy bay or inlet up north?

   As for the rest of you, what are your dreams? Uncle T, Ali, Robi, Dixie and Don, my Mom? Let’s hear from you.

   Lots going on so time to run. Hope everyone is well, take care and God Bless.