A Year of Change

That’s right, we have to be downtown at 8 am for the State Championships for the youngest guys team. God help us if they win and are selected to go to the Nationals in Tennessee as we won’t be going. No way we can afford a family trip out there for this. Oh well, we’ll let you know.

Yesterday the misses went to get her hair done which took 3 or 4 hours. The oldest went home with Jen to her Grandma’s house and then later in the evening went to see 42, the new movie with them before arriving home around 9:30. The youngest had a friend come home from school to play and Mom made some enchiladas for the family whose son passed away a few weeks ago from cancer. I asked her what she was doing as she did this last week and it turns out she dropped the food off at the wrong house! When she delivered this batch to the right house she stopped by the “wrong” house only to find some lady open the door with a mouth full of her enchiladas! The lady said she didn’t know where the food came from and took it and the bottle of wine from a neighbor last week. The misses said she looked like she really needed the food so all she did was ask her to call tomorrow so we could get our pan back. Apparently when the neighbors said where did this food come from, this lady said she knew where it came from and it was for her! This of course was a lie but we figure she must have really needed the meal. I’m still laughing that the misses dropped the food at the wrong house.

I’m still juggling ships and containers and ocean vessel schedules to try to get everything shipped this month. I think we’re going to get it done, say a prayer.

We’re supposed to get more snow and rain Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday which is too bad as we have baseball games scheduled two of those three days. Hopefully it wont be raining tomorrow night. I did wash both cars yesterday though so it’ll probably rain.

Time to run, lots to do and we need to leave in an hour. Take care and God Bless. In closing did you see the Obama’s are paying 18% in taxes, a little less than the Romney’s paid even though both are in the same tax bracket. I remember Obama blasting Romney last year for paying so little when all he did was legally pay what the tax code said he had to. But now Obama when asked why he’s only paying 18% instead of the top rate of 39%, doing the same thing, says the same thing, “all our deductions are legal under the current tax code”.  I guess it’s somehow different when he says it rather than when Mitt says it, hmmmmm.

Here’ a quote of the day, think about it.

“Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.” ~George Washington

Today I’m officially dubbing the day Black Friday as it’s the friday before tax day which is Monday April 15th. Do you know it takes something like 6 months of you working each year before you start making money for yourself? I don’t know the exact “break even” day but we’re not there yet. They say the gov will take in a record 2.7 trillion dollars and yet, the Pres says we all still need to pay more. The point here is that whatever they get will never be enough. When you spend money you don’t have, you always need more money, in other words, they’ll never catch up. I can see a day in our kids future when taxes will be 75 or 80% or more until sooner or later it all implodes. The gov just doesn’t get it, and it all starts with the politicians who can’t even grasp the money they’re spending. Hold on to your hats.

Yesterday the misses and I headed downtown after we both ran separate errands earlier in the morning. We stopped for mexican food that wasn’t very good at all (the misses found a hair in her salad and we had to send it back) and then headed home. Jen came home with us again as her Mom was working late and the youngest stayed after school for student council. After that the oldest had baseball and the youngest had his last D.I. practice before the State Championships this Saturday. Then Sunday, Monday and Tuesday we have baseball games. Busy busy busy, what’s new.

It’s 5:20am and I need to get the youngest and Mom up in 10 minutes as she said she’d get him up to help with his homework which he didn’t get a chance to do last night. It’s still muddy outside but warmed up a little bit yesterday. It’s also still down to the wire for me at work. It’s almost out of my control now as to whether or not everything ships. If it doesn’t, I’ll need to lay a person or two off, it is what it is. If we make it, everyone is happy and life is good. Not much I can do now except pray.

That’s it, take care, have a great weekend and God Bless.

I’m not sure why I had a headache all night, maybe it is allergies as I’m pretty stuffed up. Anyhow I didn’t get much sleep, super.

Yesterday was busy busy. First the misses was off to the dermatologist and I had to run across town to a financial manager friends office. We met back at the house around noon and then were off to the Ritz Carlton downtown for a couple meetings. We started with a quick lunch as we were both starving. We then met up with the young girl who is handling my Bocelli tasting on the afternoon of June 5th at Elways restaurant inside the Ritz. Then we met with Shannon and Jenni who are our two contacts for the misses plastic surgery practice and skin care project who work for the hotel. The misses is putting together a package for patients on the plastic surgery side of things to re-coup at the Ritz. She’s also working on a deal so the spa starts using the skin care products and guests in high end rooms will receive complimentary “discovery paks” which are basically small samples for them to try out. The misses, having been out of the work force for a few years, did a fantastic job. All the girls bonded and things are moving forward. The one thing about the misses is she has a very good work ethic, she goes above and beyond what she’s supposed to do and is all in. Nothing replaces a good work ethic. There’s lots of people out there who are not as smart as others who just work harder. The misses has both, she’s not only smart but works harder than most people.

Meanwhile June was on her way home from the “you know what” home. Mom headed down there after the kids came home from school to help get her settled. As I said yesterday, June treats her like her daughter sometimes and I think, expects too much from her. I told her to stop worrying about her and help when you can but it’s not your job or responsibility to wait on or help her every moment of the day. On top of this, her son is here who also seems to be deferring to the misses when it comes to decisions, it’s kind of weird.

The boys were boys. They once again played hard. Jennifer (the oldest guys life long friend) came home with us after school and I think does so again today. The youngest played hard as usual and I think has a play date set up today after school.

This morning the misses has a 10am meeting with a rep from some company that sells the practice botox, juvederm and other things I can’t remember. I will be busy trying to secure the last few hold out purchase orders and make sure everything gets shipped this month. Most people think once you sell the wine, the job is done, however it’s often more difficult to manage the packing, scheduling and sailing of twenty different containers on 20 different ships from Italy to the U.S. Anyhow I’ll get it done.

It’s cold and muddy outside as the snow melted a little yesterday before freezing temperatures came back last night. I’m not sure if enough will melt in time for baseball practice tonight. I almost forgot, last night was the parent meeting for “growing and changing” at school which the oldest and every other 5th grader will soon be taught in school. Turns out some parents apparently never took the class as there were some unbelievable comments coming out of some parents mouths. They were pretty stupid and graphic so I’ll leave it to the misses to see of she wants to include any examples. More snow next Tuesday which will be April 16th, wow, wish it would end as we’re already for Spring.

No politics today, I would but it doesn’t seem to help anyway. We’re now in the mode where we’re letting it all go and are going to just keep our thoughts to ourselves and prepare for what we think is coming down the pike to take care of our family. (I’m sure I’ll be back soon with some rant as soon as someone does something really stupid)

Take care, have a great day and God Bless.

It’s cold out but feels real good. Cold weather lets you know you’re alive. You know how when you breathe in you can feel the cold fill your lungs? That’s how it is outside right now.

Yesterday the misses was dealing with June and her son all day long. From being asked to make decisions about her care to meeting the contractors and designers she found to install a shower in her house and just generally talking to her trying to help her decide what’s best for her, pretty much consumed the day. It’s like she’s June’s daughter or something. Ray, (Junes son) treats the misses like she’s his sister when it comes to making decisions for his Mom. The misses isn’t to happy about it and is kind of getting fed up as she has plenty going on that she needs to get done on her own. June is supposed to come home today at 11am. Thankfully we have an appointment at the Ritz a little after noon so she doesn’t have to go!

The boys were all in our face all freakin day yesterday. We still don’t know why it was a snow day as the roads were dry and the snow light. Maybe the teachers wanted a day off. Both boys played, one here and one at a friends. We all hooked back up around 5 for dinner and then the wind down to bedtime.

Here’s a comment from Dix,

Last night the phone rang around 8pm and an automated voice said all schools were closed today due to the coming storm. Now this morning we do have a little snow, maybe 4 or 5 inches, but certainly not enough to close school. Several times this season we’ve had twice as much with no such closure. So today we’ll be saddled with the two boys here at home.

Before I go any further, here’s some comments from three of the four grandma’s out there.

1. Dixie and Don says:

   April 8, 2013 at 3:55 pm

   Thank you for the many favorable comments–a girl likes to be complimented–even Kamela Harris. Wasn’t all that fervor over our President’s remark just the silliest thing that has come down the pike. The news people must have very little to do these days. We can hope and pray that North Korea doesn’t give them something catastrophic to write about. I can just imagine how Jag felt holding that kite, because I can remember how I felt (the few times that I had the opportunity to do so). You two have a good life, and I’m proud of all of you. I will have a very happy birthday just knowing what a wonderful family I have in Colorado. Love Grandma Dixie

   Reply
2. Annette says:

   April 8, 2013 at 7:34 pm

   Flying kites is always fun on a windy day, however we are having 40 to 50 mile an hour gusts today. I hate the wind when it’s like this. It makes me very very crabby! Happy Birthday Dixie! It would be nice to have a little farm but I would have to be a vegetarian. I couldn’t kill my animals and eat them.

   Reply
   • Eleanor Tafoya says:

     April 9, 2013 at 12:40 am

     Happy birthday Dixie ! Bob and I wish you good health and long life. As I told you on the phone I turned 80 March 19th, the party in Bakersfield turned out to be a big success , everyone had a great time.

     Well ok, nice comments ladies. I do have to say though I’m quite surprised that Grandma Dixie chose to mention politics. I too agree though that it was nuts for the news to pick up on the fact that Obama mentioned how attractive California’s attorney general is. Who freakin cares? That’s news? Here we have our rights and freedoms taken away almost daily and the media doesn’t even mention it and then he makes one small comment saying a woman is attractive and bam, there’s a big brew ha ha. Give me a break. I also second your thoughts on North Korea. It’s difficult to tell what’s going as their leadership is so unstable. The actions they are taking are standard operating procedure for them meaning this is what they always do. They threaten and threaten to do something and then the west comes running with food and money or other aid to get them to stop. The difference this time is that we (the western powers, specifically the U.S.) are not running to them with peace offerings of aid. This inaction is basically forcing North Korea into a corner. We’re telling them we don’t believe them anymore and hopefully they’re not crazy enough to escalate the situation to prove a point. It’s like we’re daring them to take action. Not good foreign policy if you ask me. They’re like little kids, you have to talk to them on their level so they understand and also give them an out so they can save face on the World stage. Many impartial observers think Obama wants a conflict. No matter how you feel about war, it solidify’s the country, (we all come together against the enemy) and is actually good for the economy. Yes prolonged confrontations are costly but early on they provide an economic boost. Our country is on alert, whether you know it or not. Many bases, especially those on the west coast, are on high alert and have stepped up readiness and made all civilian workers leave. One big concern is that North Korea launched a supposedly weather satellite last December with an unknown payload. The military is worried about a nuclear payload that could be exploded above the U.S. atmosphere causing an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) which would fry our electric grid. We have told Japan to shoot down any missile, even if it’s only a test. Let’s all hope cooler heads prevail but I’m not so sure they will. Hope you have some extra food and stuff!

     Yesterday I had to go pick up the youngest at school around noon as his foot was hurting and he didn’t take his crutches. Mom took him to the doctor at 4pm for $500 worth of x-rays (super) to find out that he has a bad sprain. You have to go through as what if it was broken. The oldest and I went to baseball only to have it cancelled 5 minutes after we arrived due to 50 mile an hour winds. The boys wanted chinese food and since Mom had been at the doctor and I was at baseball, I gave in and picked up food to go.

     The boys then settled in with a movie while Mom and I had some alone time downstairs. They were both asleep by 8pm and Mom and I soon followed. That’s about it. Sorry we missed Eleanor’s birthday but that’s when the misses still had a headache. By the way, it’s killing her this morning as it’s been on and off, but at least it’s off some of the time.

     Take care and God Bless.

Today is Grandma Dixie’s 82nd birthday, let’s all wish her a great day. To start things off, here’s a comment she posted yesterday.

Tomorrow I think is Grandma’s 82nd birthday, wow, to be 82 and still be as sharp as she is mentally (except when it comes to politics, ha ha) and physically, is just fantastic. We wish we could be with her on her special day.

Yesterday the youngest sprained his ankle playing “kick the frozen cabbage”. That’s right, the boys got ahold of a frozen cabbage from the neighbors and were kicking it around the yard and the youngest kicked it head on and hurt his foot. I have him bandaged in an ace wrap this morning as he says it hurts to walk on it. It doesn’t appear to be broken but is a little swollen. Earlier in the day the boys rode their bikes, played in and outside and finished off the evening at the neighbors who have a fire pit, roasting peeps, the dreaded easter candy.

The oldest and I ran some errands to my buddy’s gold and silver shop (he needed some wine), the sporting goods store and Target (for new socks and underwear for both boys), and the grocery store. Mom took the youngest on a bike ride and later in the evening I went to the Park n Ride to pick up June’s son who flew in from Seattle. I think today we’re going to bust her out of that old folks (rehab center) home.

Tomorrow it’s going to rain hard later in the day and then Tuesday we’re supposed to get up to a foot of snow! It’ll be that wet spring snow so I’ll have to go out and knock it off the trees every few hours. We also had the yard aerated yesterday which mens I had to go pick up all the dog poop. I purposely stayed in bed until 6:30 so it was light out before letting the great hunter out. He had another snake cornered yesterday that the misses picked up and threw over the fence. When I was picking up the poop, I found a dead one he apparently got earlier in the day.

The misses is making breakfast so time to run. I’ll give everyone a break today from politics but boy do I have some juicy new stuff that shows just how freakin stupid the people (dems) that are trying to regulate guns, really are. It happened here in Denver but made all the national news channels. In short, the people who have been trying to make laws regarding the 2nd Amendment for years, know nothing about guns or what they’re trying to regulate or how they work. More on this tomorrow, I promise you a good laugh.

Take care and God Bless, have a great day.

We had an eventful morning… My what big teeth you have!

First, Lacey woke us at 4:45 and the Mr. got up and went downstairs to tell her “No,” as not to wake the whole house yelling “NO LACEY” from the bed.

Second, after falling back to sleep I abruptly  woke to quite unfamiliar primal screams.  I bolted out of bed, down the stairs and out the back door in 3 or 4 steps.  I was like a Ninja!

The Mr. and I were trying to call the big dog in and away from his house. He was definitely engaged with an other animal out by the dog house in the southeast corner of the backyard.  I tiptoed  through the land mines(dog poop) in the dawn darkness and made my way to the big dog.  He had some very scared, mad and unhappy animal cornered in the dog house.  I was cautiously trying to pull him away from his prey, but he would break loose and stick his head back in the house.  I couldn’t tell by the hissing and other unidentifiable sounds if it was a raccoon, a cat of a fox.  Whatever it was Mojo seemed to think it was his.  He would look back at me almost smiling with excitement and lunge back into the dog house.  Finally, shrouded in darkness I grabbed a 5 foot long 2by4 and leveraged it in between Mojo and the mysterious animal and the Mr. pulled Mojo by the tail until he could grab his collar and hand him off to the Mr.  I watched as the terrified…raccoon emerged to make its escape.  Sadly, the raccoon barely had enough strength to climb the fence.  He or perhaps she waddled,  slipped and hung on with one paw…pulled herself (she waddled like a pregnant woman)up and made her way into the darkness of the neighbors fence.

The big dog has only a couple of scratches on his nose and chin.  He is really lucky that he did not loose an eye. He’s still jubilant with excitement.  Mojo being a predator of the canine species is really proud that he had his prey cornered…me…I’m not so happy…I feel terrible for that poor, unsuspecting animal that made a wrong turn into Mojo’s backyard. Oh well, the sun is coming up now and hopefully the raccoon has made his or her way home to mend her wounds.

I’ll be calling the Vet today to make sure we are current on our vaccines.  The big dog is lying here licking his front leg, so I’m wondering if he doesn’t have a bite or a scratch under all of that fur.

The youngest is sitting next to me.  He just mentioned that he was starting to cry in bed because he thought maybe it was a wolf outside with Mojo.  He thought maybe the wolf mistook Mojo for another wolf and wanted to have a fight to be leader of the pack.

We had a lovely dinner at Elway’s, downtown last night. The oldest new exactly what he wanted…a wedge salad, mac & cheese, fresh fruit and lamb chop fondue.  Do you think a growing spurt is on our horizon?  I had a lobster cocktail for an appetizer and shared with the oldest.  Apparently, he has developed an allergy to shellfish.  He said to me, “Mom, my lips feel like they are swelling up.” They were swelling up, alright…his lips were what every woman that comes into Dr. Rodgers office are looking for…Angelina Jolie.  I asked our waiter if they had benadryl and he quickly returned with a pack.  The oldest took a pill and said he hoped not to fall asleep before his lamb arrived.  The swelling stopped and a trip to the ER was averted.  The youngest had a side of bacon for his appetizer and a bacon cheese smash-burger for dinner.  The food was really good and the boys manners were impeccable.

When the Sommelier came over to introduce himself to the Mr. the boys shook hands with him, said they were doing “Well” and that it was nice to meet him.  Hurray! Not to mention they both looked very handsome.

We were going to Vail today, but the trip would just be too rushed.  I have to figure out how to create an ad for 5280 magazine for Dr. Rodgers, as she is not happy with anything the designers have done so far.  Hopefully I can figure out “Photo shop” and come up with something clever that she likes.

The Mr. and the oldest have some Man errands to run and I’m sure the youngest will want to play with one or two of his friends.

2 days until Grandma Dixie’s birthday.

God Bless

I can’t believe it’s Friday, man does time fly. First up, here’s a comment from Grandma Dixie,

Today our day starts with the oldest going to school at 7, then the youngest at 8, then a conference call at 9, then I have an appointment up north at 10:30, then the misses needs to be down at the office at 11 (until probably 5) , then I need to show up at her office for a meeting with the Ritz Carlton at 2pm. I’m not sure who is picking up the kids but it won’t be me. Then the oldest has baseball from 5 to 7:15 and the youngest has D.I. rehearsal from 6:15 until 8. Now what are you all doing?

Yesterday it warmed up meaning the house was full of mud. I was here and there and on the phone, the usual. Meanwhile Mom was working the computer and phones too.

The boys had a good day and both hit the front yard to play once they arrived home. We had dinner outside on the front patio since it was so nice.

That’s about it, time to run, the Big Loser (Obummer) was here yesterday hiding at the police academy giving a speech saying all of Colorado supports his gun control agenda while Sheriffs from all over the State were outside with thousands of people protesting him and his policy’s. I guess “all of Colorado” doesn’t support him after all, but hey, him saying things that aren’t true isn’t news these days. Remember the sequester a few weeks ago when all the airports were going to have 3 hour delays, thousands of teachers were going to be fired, all our food would no longer be safe, the border would be over run with criminals and on and on? Well yesterday his spokesman said to ignore the sequester and when confronted by reporters with his actual quotes from less than 30 day ago, had no answers. Of course he gave his speech at a place where the public could not show up as he knew he’d get booo’d. What a loser, I’m through even giving him the time of day to talk about him.

Take care and God Bless.