A Year of Change

Lots of ski traffic headed up to see us! Traffic is at a standstill on the news. Ty worked a long day yesterday and is still sleeping. Today, or tonight, he’s working a private party from 4pm until 1am! The kid is putting in the hours. I think he’s worked every day this week.

Says it’s 2 degrees outside but who knows. I’m still fine in gym shorts. I must be conditioned to it. It is sunny with blue sky and beautiful.

The paid protestors are showing up in lots of cities. If you go to social media, there are even posts of protesters admitting they’re being paid. The paid actors incite others who don’t think for themselves. if you really look at the video, the shooting in Minnesota was justified. I’m sure none of these people had ever stood in front of a vehicle that drove towards them. Again, FAFO.

Football today! Finally. We have three days of games, as the NFL wants to milk it as long as they can. We will know by tomorrow night who we play next weekend. Not sure if we’re going to play on Saturday or Sunday. We could get some snow! Wouldn’t that be fun!

That’s about it, 8am now as we slept in. Not sure if we’re going to the gym or not. I need to see how Lori is feeling. Have a great Saturday and God Bless.

Had some snow last night, not a lot at the house, maybe an inch, but it is snow. Good news is, there’s more higher up on the mountains which is good. I’ve already shoveled the driveway and cleaned off the cars. It’ll probably all be melted by noon.

The Dems are at it again. Radical leftists are assaulting and impeding law enforcement operations in blue cities and when they end up shot and sometimes killed, they blame law enforcement. Paid Marxist organizations are on the streets within hours with professional signs that have been made for the usually angry middle aged white women and older men who are getting paid $50 an hour to protest. The only problem is if you look at social media, Facebook, X, Tik Tok and others, the people are overwhelmingly in support of law enforcement. We were scammed once with the George Floyd thing and aren’t falling for it again. For any radical domestic terrorist that gets shot or killed, well, fuck around and find out. That’s what the title of today’s post is! I don’t have much sympathy, (really don’t have any), as I was raised to respect law enforcement and follow the law. If you have a problem with anything, you take it up with the system meaning in court. No one I know would ever think of not following orders from the police, I mean, think about it, they have guns and can arrest you! Enough said.

My work calls are going well. I start up again at 9am and then have a break until noon until 2. Lori had her first PT appointment yesterday. She’s a little sore but it helped.

Iran has cut off the internet in the Country to the World as the people are rising up. That’s going to get ugly (already is), as there are protests in 31 cities and the government is already killing the people, men, women and children. This could be it for the regime. Trump has said we’ll go in and save the people if they start killing them. There’s one thing you know about Trump, he will do what he says he’ll do. That seems to be a shock to some people, here and around the World. You’d think by now, they’d believe him, I would.

6:30am, time to get to the gym. We’re doing well. I’m on day 9 or so without any sugar and gluten. I’m feeling really good. Think I’m in a groove now. Have a great day, God Bless.

I think I have 3 or 4 one-hour calls scheduled each of the next two days. I’m presenting everyone on the Team their 2026 goals. I’ll probably get some push back, but the job is the job. If someone feels they can’t hit the numbers, better to know now and part ways. That’s pretty harsh as most everyone has been here for 20 years, but it is what it is. Sadly, I can’t afford to keep anyone that can’t do the job that’s needed for the Company to succeed. Things are different these days, as we all know.

Ty’s off to work and Lori is home today. She does have PT at noon. I’m working out with my trainer at 8. It’s leg day! Tommy picked up a new hat yesterday along with some shirts at the western store. I just happen to call him when he was there. My friend Tiffany helped him out. Good for him.

Looks like snow in Denver today and tomorrow. Lori was thinking of going down to see Jagger on Saturday, but we’ll need to see how the weather is.

Shooting outside a church in Utah yesterday, they think is was a targeted attack. An ICE agent shot a woman in Minnesota when she was driving her car towards agents. Some people say she was just driving away. No matter what, and even if the ICE agent involved was in the wrong, this doesn’t make every single ICE agent in the Country a criminal. That’s what the Dems will have you believe, don’t fall for it.

Kristin, Lori’s pseudo sister, was at a protest against Gavin Newsom yesterday! This is huge as she’s a die-hard Dem. She lost her home in the Palisades fire. Typically, that was a big deal with all the Dems talking big on tv on how they were going to help the people and rebuild, but just like everything else, when the cameras went away, so did the Democrats. They even had a concert that raised over $100 million dollars, but Kristin and her neighbors didn’t see one cent. A lot went to diversity though! That helped all those people whose house was burned to the ground, right? (sarcasm in case you’re not sure) I told Kristin the day after the fire, to sell her lot, move and rebuild, but she was sure that Newsom and the Dems were going to take care of her. That was a year and a day ago, and no help has arrived. I’m shocked that she and her neighbors are shocked at this outcome. Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s happening right in front of you when you’re right in the middle of it. We feel really bad for her and wish she’d just leave, but we don’t think she will. I get it as that’s where her life is. At least she now knows, the government isn’t coming to save her. They never do, anywhere.

Time to get rolling. I need to leave for the gym in 45 minutes. Have a great Thursday and God Bless.

We’re all back in the full swing of things. I have a couple calls with France this morning and then a bunch of work the rest of the day before calls Thursday and Friday. It’s kind of exciting as I’ve changed just about the way we do every thing at work. Hope it works, ha! Just kidding, it’s already working and for sure will as it’s all based on facts, math and analytics.

I had a hearing test yesterday. They put you in a little booth with and play all kinds of situations from being in a crowd to static sounds, and lots of beeps and different pitches and then you either have to repeat the words or press a button when you hear a beep. I thought I did well, but apparently I have hearing loss. Of course, I knew that, just didn’t know to what extent. The doctor says I need hearing aids as when you lose hearing it affects a nerve that goes to your brain and if that nerve gets damaged, it’s easier to get dementia! What the fuck? So, looks like I’ll be getting some. She told me she only needs six hours a day of me wearing them, which is doable as I’m up at 5. James has them too and this is the same doc he saw. He said they’re great and to for sure get them. You can hear music through them, talk on your phone through them and even your computer. Think of them as a monitor that musicians or secret service guys use. They’re super high tech. Hell, I might have got them even if I didn’t have hearing loss! My buddy, who is six or seven years younger than me, says I’m going to love them too as he’s had them for 15 years! I was shocked as I never noticed he wore them. They’re so small now and have an AI chip and you don’t even see them. It’s a small fiber optic wire not much thicker than a needle. Only bad thing is they’re $7300 a pair and insurance doesn’t cover them, ugh. I should get them at the end of the month. She told me it has nothing to do with getting old but rather exposure to firearms and loud music my whole life. As if that’s supposed to make me feel better, ha. Well, it could be worse, I’ll embrace and own it as no one wants dementia. Lori can’t hear out of one ear so she needs to go in too. The doctor did say the covid shot gave a lot of people tinnitus, no doubt about it. Lori has it (ringing in both ears) ever since she got the shot. Mine is from hunting.

Ty’s getting ready for work. Lori too and I’m off to the gym in 30 minutes. I’m on a roll with the no sugar thing and I’m doing four sets of 100 reps of ab exercises every day, and it seems to be working. It’s only been seven days so I’m excited to see where I’ll be at the end of the month.

Snow in Denver Thursday night and Friday morning. Of course the Stock Show starts Saturday. We’ll get a few inches here at the house but not too much, according to the news. No big, we need it and we’re already on the back side of winter.

That’s it, time to get moving. Have a great day, God Bless.

The roads to Vail were super slick and icy yesterday morning. I think it took Lori almost 2 hours to make the 40-minute drive. By noon, the roads were fine. We did have a dusting of snow last night, which I’ve already shoveled. Think a little more is headed our way Thursday or Friday. Bring it on.

I have a hearing test today at 12:15. My buddy, who is the ENT doctor, told me to go get one. I know I can’t hear well out of either ear, but don’t really want a hearing aid. Most crap said by people these days isn’t much worth hearing anyhow. Still, I’ll go as he told me to.

Ty’s off to work and Lori is getting ready. Day six for me with no sugar. I really don’t miss it. In a few minutes, I’m headed back to the gym as I do every day. 6:30am now and still dark, but the days are getting longer. Should be February before we know it. The Stock Show starts on the 10th. We need to get some tickets! Robi, come on up! We’ll go to the rodeo!

Have a great day, God Bless.

Broncos won. It wasn’t real pretty, but at this point of the season, all you care about is winning. We now have two weeks to get it together to play whoever comes out of the games next weekend. The boys and Ava had fun.

Davy and Mark came over to watch the game with me. The night game was wild. Two missed kicks late in the game, and Pittsburgh and Aaron Rodgers are in the playoffs.

One of my guys at work, Jody, who has been with me for around 20 years (hard to believe), ended up in the hospital as his heart rate jumped to 227 for 5 hours! He had a previous heart issue but was doing well. He’s home now resting and should be ok.

Lorenzo, my long-time friend who started the wine company with us, some 25 years ago, had his mom pass away the other day. Her name was Franca and we loved her. I remember her holding Jagger when he was 4 months old on his first trip to Italy. We had lots of dinner parties here in the States and in Italy. I know how hard it is when your mom dies, and we feel so sorry for him. His dad has had health problems too and will for sure have a tough time with his wife of some 50 years gone. So sad.

Not really talking much about New Years resolutions, but today is day 5 with zero sugar. It’s been easier than I thought as it’s more of a mental thing than a physical thing. I think I’m almost past the mental craving part, but sugar is the worst drug there is. Can’t let my guard down, ha.

Ty stayed in Denver at Caden’s last night after the game. Good for him as he shouldn’t drive after having a few pops at the game. He’ll drive up this morning.

It’s sort of the first real workday of the new year. Not much happened on Friday as most people at the larger companies we’re off work. Lots going on for me.

6:20 am now. Lori is in the shower, and I’ll head out to the gym soon for a couple miles on the treadmill and a bunch of ab exercises. Have a great first Monday of 2026! Spring will be here soon! That’s wild to say, right! God Bless.

Looks like some cooler temps will come in next week, but not today. It’ll be almost 70 for the Bronco game today! Every home game this year has been 60 degrees or above! Crazy.

Yesterday after the gym, we went to Costco and then hung around the house. I met Mark and Clark to watch some of the first football game in the afternoon. It was a good game. The night game was crappy. I turned it off at halftime as it was boring. The NFC doesn’t scare me as much as Seattle who is the #1 seed, could only score 13 points against the 49rs, that gave up 38 last week. Of course, first we need to make it to the Super Bowl before we’d play any NFC team.

Lori is meeting some girls at Hovey at 11 for coffee. I’ll be watching football and maybe cleaning out my office a little bit. I think we’ll walk the 2 mile loop this morning instead of going to the gym. Lori needs to take a break and let her neck calm down.

Ty headed down to Denver last night after work. He stopped at Tommy’s and then stayed at some girl’s house, oh to be 21! He’ll head to the stadium around 10 as he’s my die-hard tailgater kid. He has his tent, BBQ and stuff in the back of his truck. Jagger and Ava will probably go over around noon to meet up with him. We should win today, but you never know, hope so. Go Broncos!

Davy brought us some more beef yesterday. He gives us burger and steaks whenever we run out. As I mentioned yesterday, Marty and I are splitting a quarter of a cow just to support him, but he gives me way more than that!

Lori made wild rice yesterday. I get it from the Sioux Indian reservation in South Dakota. Wild rice is really good for you and Lori make a mirepoix that she mixes with it that makes it so good. We roasted a chicken to go with it.

8am now. that’s it for today. Have a great day in the warm sunny weather and God Bless and GO BRONCOS!

No snow here. Not even cold temps, considering it’s the first of January. I know we need the water, but damn, it’s nice outside. I’m sure we’ll get snow in the next 90 days. The Stock Show starts next week so it’ll probably cool down then. Think we’re going down to check things out.

Seems like a Monday after having the past two days off. Nice to have two more days off. It’s trash day today and I need to put the neighbors out as they’re in California.

Davy is having a steer butchered today and Marty and I are splitting a quarter. It’s $12 bucks a pound and we get rib eyes, tenderloins and steak burger. Best thing is I know where the cow comes from and what it eats, and it’s 100% all-natural beef. It is literally the best hamburger you’ve ever had as he uses the other cuts of steak, like round and new yorks, and mixes that into the hamburger. That’s why it’s steak burger! Tom, if you and Holly want any, let me know as it’s better than Edwards and we Cryovac all ours. For what we spent on Christmas dinner, prime rib and crab, we’ll get 60 pounds of beef!

Ty’s out the door to work. He thought he was getting a cold but thinks he’s kicking it now. He might go to Denver tonight and stay with his buddy before the game tomorrow. Jagger and Ava are going too. We were going to go, but the boys love it so much, I wanted them to enjoy it. We are going to the playoff game though. Good games today, especially tonight.

I’m loving my new truck and really loving the tax benefit. You have to take advantage of any and every little thing you can do with as much as the govt. takes from you these days. Something has to give. I think the communist that was elected as Mayor of New York will help wake people up to socialism and democratic policies and turn the tide. People will realize, they don’t want that in their town.

The U.S. arrested the dictator of Venezuela last night. He and his wife are probably in jail in the U.S. by now and will face numerous charges. I’m sure the Democrats will bash Trump and side with Maduro who is an illegitimate President who murdered his own people, stole their money and took over in a coup. They should be celebrating as the people of Venezuela will now be free once again. But of course, anything Trump does is bad. You know, Orange Man bad is their motto. The guy could cure cancer, and they’d still hate him. Don’t get me wrong, Trump is hard to like with some of the things he says, but his policies and what he’s doing is making the Country better. No one can argue with that.

Time to go, need to get the trash out and head to the gym. Tom, I was picking Lori up conditioner yesterday and walked into a store an a lady said, “Wow, Doug Fugate”. I looked at her and didn’t know her and she said, “I went to school with Tom, how is he”? It was Elizabeth Sullivan. I still don’t remember her, but I guess her brother Mike was in Robin’s or my class. Anyhow, she said to tell you hi. Let me know if you remember her. She lived by Stober I guess.

Have a great first weekend of 2026 and Go Broncos and God Bless.

As we sit here on Friday January 2nd, things are different. I don’t think it’s because it’s a new year, but because we’re experiencing some sort of mind shift from a culmination of thoughts of thinking about changing things up. Maybe it’s because it’s the Year of the Fire Horse, ha. Anyhow, Lori and I are definitely questioning anything that is routine. Our philosophy is routines are basically ruts. Of course there are some good routines, like going to the gym. But most are due to laziness or unwillingness to, or fear of change. Funny that it takes until you’re in the back half of life to realize this. We’re all conditioned that life and how we live it, is supposed to go a specific way, and until your old, you rarely question it. Maybe it’s because when you’re older, you realize how important time is. It’s a sick joke that people see things more clearly when most are too old to enjoy it. Oh well, this is why it’s so important not to waste a single moment, especially on useless or bad juju that doesn’t bring you happiness or joy. Just my two cents.

Ty’s off to work. We all caught up on some much-needed rest and sleep yesterday. I watched a lot of football. We did zero cleaning. No dishes, laundry, purging or anything, as century old customs say not to clean at all as you’ll wash away the good luck for the coming year. Technically you shouldn’t even take a shower, but we’re not that crazy. I started the laundry when I woke up and Lori is filling the dishwasher right now.

Yesterday we learned Colorado is in the top five of States that people are leaving. No surprise there. Not sure when, maybe next year, maybe 20 years, but there will be a change. People will evolve and grow up someday, the big question is when. The political left (especially the left) and right, are using people to further their agenda. Neither side really cares about you or me. They only care about their own power. It’s so obvious yet the people, or sheeple, follow them hook, line and sinker down the road towards mutual destruction. It really says something about the ability or lack of, people in general, to think for themselves. In many ways, society has gone backwards. Fyi, more than half of the stuff online is fake and from bots, not real people! For the kids’ sake, we hope people come to their senses. The hate and vitriol has to stop. We’re all the same. In the meantime, people will migrate to States where residents and political views, match their own. So sad, as Colorado was such a great State.

Today, after the gym, we’ll hang out and probably get organized for Monday, which feels like the official start of the new year. Good football this weekend. Almost 7am now, time to get moving. Have a great day, be well, God Bless and please, think for yourself!

Life in 2026 is beyond surreal. It’s frankly incomprehensible. It’s down right crazy. Think about it.

On top of that, it’s the Year of the Fire Horse. 2026 promises to be energetic and forward-moving. It’s a year that favors action over hesitation, momentum over stillness, and optimism over caution. According to the 2026 year of the Chinese zodiac, this cycle begins on February 17, 2026, and ends on February 7, 2027. In the 2026 Chinese zodiac, the Horse represents energy, freedom, confidence, and strong forward movement. Combined with the Fire element, this year brings powerful motivation, passion, and ambition, encouraging people to take bold decisions, embrace change, and move ahead with independence. Overall, Chinese Horoscope 2026 is a dynamic year focused on action, personal growth, and new beginnings. Sounds good to me, let’s go!

Last night, we made it to the party a little after 7:30. There were already a lot of people there and a steady stream of more people kept coming for the next 30 or 45 minutes. Then the place was packed. We visited with some people from Idaho for 30 minutes or so and then about half a dozen of us went outside for a cigar. After that, close to 9:45, Lori and I decided to head out and beat the rush on the roads, and head home. It was fun, but no way are we staying out and up, until midnight. That’s for the boys generation.

Looks a little cloudy out right now. We might get a few inches of snow tomorrow, we’ll see. The ski areas should get more up on top of the mountains. It’s been a historic year for low snowfall.

Ty stayed at a friends house in town and is home showering and headed to the mountain to go boarding. They couldn’t get in to the bars last night as they all had an expensive cover. He had a few beers and that was it. Jag and Ava, I think walked up the street to some friends house as a bunch of them all live close.

Think we’ll head to the gym now. It’s 9am so time to get moving. Lori needs to take it easy on her neck. She did a lot taking the Christmas decorations down. Then we have lots of football today.

Hope everyone has a healthy, prosperous, and peaceful year. Live in the moment, be the horse! Take care, be well, God Bless and Go Broncos!