A Year of Change

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!

About 17 hours to go until 2026. There’s a great Steve Martin, Jack Black, Owen Wilson movie called The Big Year. It’s about three bird watchers whose goal is to do anything to see as many different kinds of birds as possible in the year. They’ll do anything in pursuit of their goal. It’s way more of a commitment than any New Years resolution. So, any resolution you make is nothing in comparison to doing a Big Year. If you really want to make a change in your life, they say pick small changes which are easier to achieve and then you won’t be disappointed. We always joke at the gym as the first ten days to maybe two weeks, are going to be crowded. Usually by mid January, most all the new people are gone as they’ve given up on their resolution.

In an hour I’m headed to Denver to pick up the new truck. I’ll pick it up at noon and should be back by 2:30, unless I stop at the grocery store. Ty’s off to work as it’s 7am now. We took down the tree and all the decorations inside yesterday. If you remember, I like to have things down and ready to go before the new year starts. Lori thought the cleaners were coming today so that’s another reason we knocked it out. Turns out, our cleaner is in Mexico as her mom is not doing well, so they’ll come next week instead. She texted last night after we were done.

We’re going to Jen and Gary’s tonight. We’ll leave at 10 after the clock strikes midnight in New York to beat the crowds on the road.

The Stock Show is coming up in about ten days. We’re going to get tickets this year to the rodeo. Time to hit the shower so I can get on the road. I am going to stop and see Jagger this morning. Have a great last day of 2025 and get ready for 2026. Mom used to always have pickled herring as it was her custom to have a bite of it at midnight. It’s some sort of Scandinavian thing.

That’s it for 2025. Take care, be well, stay safe, especially if you go out, and God Bless.

What fun. Thankfully Gary and Jennifer showed up so I wasn’t the oldest person at the party! Lori’s food was awesome as usual. She made her Basque Cheesecake and German Chocolate Cake! Everyone stayed until around 10 and then headed home. Tomorrow night Gary and Jen are having their annual (4th year in a row maybe), New Years Party, or as they call it, open house. We usually leave at 10 after the ball drops in New York. That way we’re off the road before the drunks and aren’t too tired on the 1st.

Ty’s off to work already. Not sure if we’re headed down today or tomorrow for my new truck. Hopefully the leveling kit arrives this morning and they get it installed today. If it does, I’ll run down around noon. If not, I’ll go tomorrow. I do need to get it by tomorrow for the tax deduction. Gary just bought a Lamborghini Urus. That’s their $300k sort of SUV. He bought it for the same reason, the deduction.

It’s colder than it’s been but no snow. We’re just fine with the weather. The snow will come, it always does.

6:45am now, time to get moving so we can get to the gym. Have a great second to last day of the year. God Bless.

Not so many years ago, I looked forward to my birthday. Now, not so much, ha. We are having a party tonight which will be fun, as it’s always good to get together with everyone. The only downside is realizing you’re another year older. Being an eternal optimist though, I have no choice but to embrace it and use it to try to make things in my life better. So, there you have it.

Ty was on the snow until probably 8pm last night. Keystone has night skiing, so he and his buddies stayed and crushed it. He and eight other guys were on the mountain all day. He works at 9 this morning.

My neck is a little sore from the gym. We’ll probably try to go after my call at 10. Then I have some computer work to make sure things are set up for 2026.

That’s about it besides getting ready for the party tonight at 6. Lori is making German Chocolate Cake and did Italian for the party with pasta, lasagna and other Italian stuff. We’ll have about 20 people over.

It was great Christmas with the family. We’re all truly blessed. We’re determined to make 2026 a great year and lots of fun. Have a great day! Get ready for New Years Wednesday night! We’re supposed to go to a party, ugh, ha. God Bless.