Interesting and Good News

Okay, I told all of you earlier that Tiffany contacted me on Christmas night. Since then we have talked a few more times. I have to admit that I am really enjoying getting to know her again. She really is the most amazing and wonderful woman that I have ever met. I long have felt horrible about how the way things ended between us. I know it was all me and I did the damage and I am just thankful that she contacted me and is giving me a chance once again. I know I don't deserve it. I know this time I am going to do whatever I have to to keep her friendship and to have it grow. I don't know where things will go from here, only time will tell. I have missed her.

Update on my mom will come tomorrow. Her MRI on her knee is tomorrow and then we will know more. All I know right now is that she has at minimum a broken knee. They drained 60 cc's of fluid off her knee on Tuesday and we will see what happens. She is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. Well, this is where my life stands right now. I will definitely keep you all up to date on where things stand.

Wild and Interesting Holiday Memories

It is late on this Christmas night and things this weekend have been one to remember. Wow is about all I can say. I am not the most festive of people and my usual Holiday chat is Bah Hum Bugg. I love giving, but the whole scene just annoys me. This year has had some really interesting moments. To start off, we have to back up to Saturday. My oldest sister and her husband and their dog (Melissa, Stephen, and Tonka) were suppose to fly in on Saturday. Since they didn't check their flights anytime before, they didn't know that American Airlines moved up their flight by 2 hours. They missed it and their connecting flight out of Dallas. So, what happens now? Well, they drive from Abilene to Amarillo, where my Aunt and Uncle live, and I drive down to pick them up. That's right, I left Gunnison around 9 and drove to Amarillo and then back. We got in about 12:30 on Sunday morning. During this trip, a cat came in my parents house and both the dogs (Thor and Domino) decided to try and kill the little cat. My parents stopped it, but in the process my mom got knocked down and got hurt. She has to make an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow to have her knee checked out and probably have surgery to repair it. The cat did live. Yesterday was pretty much an uneventful day, which we are thankful for. Today Michelle, Tucker, Aubrey (my niece), and my Grandmother flew in. Their flight was delayed because the crew decided they didn't want to work their flight. They found another crew to work it and they got in about an hour late. Thor has been good, but he doesn't know what to think and he doesn't like Tonka. He wants to kill and eat him, I believe but my word is law to him and he obeys me to a flaw.

So, about 4 I had had enough so I decided to take a nap. Here it gets interesting for me. Tiffany called today. Yes, my ex-girlfriend calls for the first time in about a year to see how I am doing. I missed the call, but she left a message. I called her back and we talked for at least 45 minutes. It was a great talk and things are better between us and I am thankful. Honestly, there isn't a day goes by that I don't think about her. Most times I regret giving her up. I know that is sad and pathetic on my part, but it is the truth. She truly is a special and wonderful woman, but I digress.

Everything got started again around 6:30 when some friends of ours came over and we did the whole commercialized Christmas again with them. That lasted till well past 9 and now I am finally back into my own bed. All in all, it has been a wonderful time. I do get the pleasure of taking Melissa, Stephen, and Tonka to Denver on Wednesday to catch a flight into Amarillo. They could fly out of DIA for around $200/person and save me about 6 hours. I am grateful that they are willing to do that. Saturday was a long day and a long drive. Wednesday won't be too bad. Well, I hope all your Christmas memories were pleasant and wonderful. This is definitely a Christmas to remember, or forget. I don't know yet.

Christmas

I know everyone loves Christmas and for different reasons. I am not so much a Christmas fan. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it but it is also a sad and depressing time for me in some strange ways. Nothing has ever happened this time of year to bring a dark cloud over the holiday season. Here is one reason it bothers me. All the commercial pressure and undue stress it places on people. I am fortunate (I thank GOD all the time) enough that I don't feel the pressure and have the financial constraints. I do what I want to do for everyone I want to do it for. I spend a decent amount of money on friends and family and I gladly do it. That is the only part that brings me real joy. I don't like getting things, except cards that help me keep in touch with friends. I need nothing, and if I did need something I usually buy it. It rips my heart out seeing and hearing about kids who get nothing. I make it my goal to help out families I don't even know, but need help, so they can have a decent Christmas. It has become a tradition for my mom and I, actually. My mom and I get a list from the Church and we buy presents for every single kid on that list. We also buy food and drop it at the Church so they can have a nice Christmas meal. I am not telling you this for praise or to pat myself on the back, but maybe to inspire you to do the same. It does my heart more good doing this than anything. It is the best pick me up and brings the largest smile to my face. I just can't help but smiling knowing I helped someone out.

Next.

My oldest sister, her husband, and Tonka (their mini shitzu) get here on Saturday and I can't wait. I love them all. My other sister, her husband, my niece, and my Grandmother fly in on Monday. It will be a good time, but it does get a little sad for me. I love them all and enjoy their company, but they make me long for a similar life. I get lonely and long for someone to share the moments with and not be the odd man out. It starts to suck after a while. It isn't so bad until everyone gets here and I only have to deal with it for 2 days. I can handle it. I only get Christmas day off, which actually makes things easier because I have an out which lets me deal with people and get away. I am wondering how Thor will treat Tonka. They know each other, but Thor can be a pain in the butt to other male dogs at times.

Anyway, I want to wish all a Merry Christmas. I hope all is well and great for you. GOD bless.

Snow

As all of you know by now, Colorado got hit with a decent winter storm the last couple of days. The funny thing is that the front range (Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder, Colorado Spring, etc) got hit worse the the Western Slope. This is odd because it is usually us over here that get all the snow and cold weather. Here in Gunnison, we only got about 4 to 6 inches of snow. Not bad for us. It will finally turn into winter here, though. We have had about the warmest (so nice) December that any of us can remember. Those days are probably over and the bitter cold is about to start for a couple of months. The way it usually works is once we have a decent amount of snow cover on the ground, the bottom falls out of our temperature. My guess for the low tonight will be between -10 and -20. Yes, 20 below zero. That won't be too bad if it only goes that low. Last year we had over 30 days where it was -25 to -40 at night. That sucked, even I hated last winter and I love the cold. It definitely now looks like we will have a white Christmas, but I am still holding out hope and praying for a brown one. This warmer weather has spoiled all of us. I am liking highs in the mid to upper 30's. Today is only suppose to get to 29 or 30, which isn't bad. It is actually nice and sunny here right now. Yesterday I removed snow from 4:45 till around 9. Oh what fun, but at least it is gone and off of my lot. I really hate snow. I do know that I am going to retire in a place where they don't know what snow is.

Why, Why, Why?

I am pissed to put it nicely. This week has been horrible for me. I was looking forward to the weekend because I thought it might be an up-swing. It doesn't look like this will be the case. One thing that really annoys me is that the gym is going to be closed this weekend because the owner is too lazy to open it up. Doesn't he realize that his patrons have a routine that we strive to stick to because once it is screwed up and messed with it is so hard to get it back. Next, where I order Thor's dog bones from told me today that they forgot to order his bones and can't order them this week because they don't have enough to order. This really isn't that big of a deal, but it adds to my week. Last night I pulled up to the gym and clouds of steam started pouring out from underneath the hood of my Jeep. I got out of the vehicle and it sounded like someone was taking a shower under the hood (I bet the owner of the gym isn't too happy about that mess!!). I did my workout and called my dad and asked him to bring me my truck and the trailer for the Jeep. He did, after the explanation, and then I loaded up the Jeep and dropped it off at the shop. The wonderful little Jeep only has 2650 miles on it. I don't know what is wrong with it, but the shop just put a new engine block heater on it a couple weeks ago and I think there the problem lays. Today I got my favorite magazine and as I was reading it I noticed that this is the last issue. I love my PlayStation Magazine and now I am going to have to do without. That is actually the only magazine I get anymore and now I won't even get it. They did say that they transferred the remainder of my subscription to another magazine, but I really don't want it. Oh well, it is close to Christmas and that means that it is another day closer to Christmas music being off of the radio. I know I am a Scrooge and I don't care. I can go on and on and on about this week. My last hope is that my mutual funds end on an upswing and earn me money instead of losing it. I won't hold my breath!!

Messed Up I Am!!

I really don't know why I do this but I have noticed I have a serious problem. There a certain qualities and attributes that I am looking for and want in a woman. That is a good thing. The bad thing is that lately I have been attracted to the exact opposite, almost. Not only am I attracted, but I almost go as far as to pursue them and it is starting to make me become concerned about my judgment and choices. I will be the first to admit that I have become one of those sad people that once I get interested, I pursue with all my might. I have one friend that I know nothing will ever happen with, but that doesn't stop me from pulling out all the stops. Maybe I do this because I know nothing can or ever will come out of it. I hope that is why. My other problem is that it takes a lot to get me interested in a woman. Looks really don't do that much for me these days. It is odd because I am more attracted to an intelligent and humorous person than one that is so focused on her outward appearance. I know a few knockout women that are single and available, but are dumber than rocks and I am not interested. They bore me and I move on. This is causing me to wonder more and more about my extremely odd self. Any ideas? The older I get, the odder I get even to myself.

Side note, I am so stinking sore these days. My workouts are killing me, but I progress on. I think they are getting a little easier, so it must be time to up the intensity and toughness again. I will admit that I push myself hard and I pay the price. I do believe it is worth it, in the end. I think I am addicted to Advil Liquid Gels and Gatorade Rain, the Berry flavor. I have started taking a new supplement, Frequent Sea, I think is the name of it. My parents take it for their health and it was highly recommended. I will let you know what I think and if it helps. It can't hurt my ugly butt.

Overdone

Well, I feel stupid because I tried not to do this but ended up doing it anyway. I way over did my first day back to the workout and the gym. I have been so sore today that I wanted to go get pain killers. Right now, I am typing because my muscles won't relax enough to let me go to sleep. I didn't go to the gym on Saturday mainly because I felt so sore. It doesn't help that I shovelled snow for the majority of the day. Actually, I think that helped me. I have decided that my best course of action would be to start off going every other day until I am back in the swing of things. Hopefully that will only be 1 to 2 weeks. I have a lot of work to do and a ton of ground to make back up. I am up to the challenge. What else do I have to do. Not like there are any women in my life or on my horizon that I can see. I just keep on plodding along. That is my lot in this life. I know one thing, when I retire I am moving somewhere where people don't know what snow is, but that is another topic for another time.

Snow Days

This morning was a fun morning which spilled over into an all day affair. I hate shovelling snow, but this time of year it seams like it is all I do. I only have to go till March. After about March, it is getting warm enough to melt whatever crap falls from the ski. They say this year is suppose to be a milder year and I hope they are correct. The forecast for Gunnison until Thursday is SNOW. I took a couple pictures this morning and I will try to take a few more on days we get hammered. Enjoy.

I have started back

Yes, it is true. I started back running and hitting the gym on Friday. I decided to start on Friday instead of Saturday mainly due to the fact that I have no life. I never have any plans or social activities so I decided to go ahead and start. It wasn't like I was going to miss out on anything but my lazy butt on the couch. I only ran 2 miles and did it at a slower than normal pace but I thought that best since it has been between 1 and 2 month since I have been able to enjoy the gym and the treadmill. Too bad there aren't any hotties that actually go and workout the same time I do. My loss and my life.

Since today was "Black Friday" I thought it only fitting to finish my Christmas shopping. That's right, I am done. I usually spend anywhere between $1500 and $2000 on Christmas. This year I might have out done myself and made a few people upset with me. Oh well, it is better to give and I truly enjoy giving more than receiving. I know I am messed up and as Michelle (a good friend of mine here in CO) says, I am a weirdo. Alas, I know that to be true and all you know it is true also. Now if I could just get the Christmas music off the radio till December 23rd, I would be set. I don't see that happening. I am thinking about setting my answer tone to "You're a Mean One, Mister Grinch"!! I already have it as a ring tone.

Normality

Well, it is almost finally here. My life goes back to its normal pace. Back to the nice 65 to 70 hour work week from the 110 to 120 hour junk. I survived and am thankful it is over. Now I get to get re-acquainted with friends, family, and pets. Probably the worst thing about the insane amount I spend at work during October and November would be the lack of routine. I am ready to go back to my routine of work, working out, and then a little down time. Actually, I can't wait to get back to running. I think that is what I have missed more than anything. I know it will be hard, but I am going to start back on Saturday. I don't know where or how far I will be able to go, but I am going to push hard.

Just so you know, my plans for Thanksgiving are simple. Especially simple since my sisters, their husbands, and my niece won't be here. I get the joy of seeing them at Christmas. Melissa is bringing Tonka (her mini shitszu (I know I didn't spell that right)) and I hope Thor remembers him and doesn't try to eat him. Anyway, since Thanksgiving is one of the two days the business is closed, I am going to sleep till 2, have a buffalo burger and some Kraft dinner. Then I will watch a movie (recommendations would be appreciated) and then go right back to bed. Not going to do much of the family scene. My parents are going over to some friends of ours (we all have been invited but I don't think I will make it). Anyway, that is my plan. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Where do we finish?

There is that old saying that "Nice people always finish last". Why is this? I know it is true because I have seen it in friends and other people. To admit it, most people tell me that I fit into that category also. This may be true and there is proof to back it up. I was out last night with some friends that are also co-workers and a mutual friend was there also. We were bowling and they were drinking. The odd part about this is that she came up to me later that evening and told me what a nice guy I was. Not that I was interesting in this girl, but it struck me odd that she would come up to me and say that.

Examining things and aspects of my life I do notice that I usually finish close to last. I put people, friends, family, and just about anyone I care slightly about ahead of myself. I would prefer to see them happy and to see them doing well before I even think about myself. Some people say that we are just being un-selfish, but I am starting to wonder if this isn't a marker to show that there is something wrong with us. I have always been a behind the scenes type of person and I have no desire for the spotlight. I do what I do because I care about the people who are involved and running the show. Their success matters more to me than my own. I know that I am loyal to a fault to the people I truly care about. Some people don't understand this and I can't explain it to them. I even have friends that don't understand it and can't except or relate to it. More often than not, I offer a helping hand and it is taken poorly or in the wrong manner. I don't understand it. I also realize that part of it is my problem and there are issues with me. I know I can come across in a completely different manner than I intend. Some of my friends that are female take my helping and generous nature as me trying to change their lives and insert me in a more formal nature. This isn't the case. All I try to do is help them out and be there for them and sometimes I lose their friendship, but in most cases they realize that I am there as a helping hand after they spend more time around me.

I know this has been more of a random and rambling post and I apologize for that. These thoughts are just things I wanted to get off my chest and I welcome any thoughts. Here is a saying I enjoy and try to practice: "A Wise Man Changes His Mind, Where A Fool Never Does". I may be a fool because I still feel it better to put others first and worry about me later.

Next for the Jeep

Okay, I have finally decided which winch to put on the Jeep. I have been trying to figure it out and since the Jeep is completely paid off and mine, I actually got serious and figured out which one to go with. Obviously, it was going to be a WARN winch. Best in the business. This version is a 12000 lb. winch with an air compressor attached. Here is a link to the website: http://www.warn.com/powerplant_hd.shtml . For kicks, here is a picture.

Quick Thoughts

I know I said it would be a month or so before I am able to post anything, but I had a little bit of free time so I decided to make use of it this way. I can't believe I am posting instead of something that would be helpful, time saving, and beneficial to me down the line, but oh well. You few and far between people that actually read this thing must be worth it. I really don't know how few or many people actually look at this blog and that is fine with me. I don't need or have to know everything. Sometimes being in the dark is better than having all the information. I believe that to be true on almost everything. I don't think we as the general public need or should be informed on every little thing going on. The media needs to be put in check and realize that some of what they report gets people hurt and worse, killed. I guess I am not for freedom of the press, but I am also not for being pumped with information that only the government wants us to know. I think there needs to be a balance and we need to learn a little personal responsibility. Accountability is a great thing that has been lost in this country. We need to get it back and definitely teach it to our youth.

Enough of that, the real reason I am posting tonight is because I thought I would pass along the info that has about absolutely no use or relevance to anything. I paid off my 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon this week. That is right, I mailed the last payment on that bad boy. Now it is time to do some serious off-roading. For whatever reason, I couldn't bring myself to do any thing too adventurous with it while I was still paying for it. Call me crazy, but since the payoff went to GMAC if it was wrecked, I just didn't feel right going crazy with it. Now I do. I am about to add a wench to it (WARN) and maybe jack it up a bit. The lift will be later on, probably late spring. I have to put new tires on my truck and the tires I want for it are about $250 a tire. I need to change from stock on the truck because they suck up here during the winter. I went through that last year with them and I won't do that again.

Well, I gotta get back to work. Yeah, I am still at work and should be here till about midnight tonight. It SUCKS, but we all know why I can't bring myself to leave the job I hate. Truly I only hate my job 9 weeks or so out of the year. The other 43 weeks are great. Anyway, have a great rest of the week.

Final Thoughts for a While

Yes, it is true. This will be my last post for a while. Things in my life are getting insanely busy and I am am to the point in my year that I barely have enough time to sleep. We are talking 4 to 5 hours a day for 5 or so weeks. Yeah, it sucks but such is life.

I have been working on this post for a while, mainly trying to decide whether or not to actually post it. The thing is, I have been examining myself and my life. I come up short in most areas, but some I have found that I am doing better than my previous examination. The last time I did this was in January (right after I broke things off with Tiffany). I did look at things before then also and figured out which road to travel down. One thing I know about myself is the fact that I need to grow up. I have been working on it and I am getting there. You can only stay a stupid and immature kid so long. There are still things I want to change, can change, and then there are things that no matter what I do, can't be changed.

Here are the major two things in my life that I would like to change. The first one is something I have been working on, but I don't know if it will ever change. Simply put, I am tired of being alone. I know the single life has its perks, but I am ready to let it go and move on. The second change will probably never happen because I am loyal to a fault to those I love and care about. I am tired of my job and I want out. The only problem is that I do too much and have too many responsibilities and I can't abandon the family business. I know it sounds arrogant, but I am needed too much and there is no one that can do my job. If only you could see what I do day in and day out. Friends of ours have said for years now that I run the business and my dad is just there for PR. It is sad, but true.

Here is another random tidbit. I look at old friend's blogs and am filled with emotions. First it is excitement and joy and then that shifts to sadness and a slight bit of depression. I am happy for everyone and see that they are living great lives and moving forward. I am saddened because I look at where I am and it seems that I am standing still or digressing. I truly have no direction and I don't know where things will go from here in my life. All I can do is trust in GOD and follow the path HE has laid out for me.

Side note, the weather up here sucks. One day it is mid 60's and the next it is in the mid 40's. We have had more rain than I can ever remember. I am tired of our weather and wish it would turn nice for a bit. It has been a much cooler year than I can ever recall. We are suppose to get snow and rain mix most of the week. Oh what fun, not really. They are predicting above normal precipitation for the whole winter. That means a ton of early mornings headed to work to shovel snow (4:30 or 5 to get it done before we open). I appreciate everyone who reads this blog and I will do my best to post as soon as I can. Until then, have a wonderful time.

Busy

Tuesday was my last day off till Thanksgiving, and I am actually ready for our busiest time of the year to get here and get gone. Once it is over, I plan to continue what I started and take Tuesdays off. It is really quite nice to have a day to do nothing but what I want. Today I only ran 3 miles and man did it kick my butt. For whatever reason my calves tightened up and killed me the whole run. Then, my feet started to hurt during the 5 mile bike ride. Days like today make me wonder why I do it. Oh well, I will be forced into taking a month or so off because I won't have the time. I hardly have the time to sleep, let alone workout. For the next month, it is balls to the walls. Fast and furious and then nothing. Almost there, to the slower time. Granted it has already become colder here. I think our high was 54 today.

Interesting Decisions

Decisions, Decisions, and more Decisions. Mine are actually pretty small and stupid these days. The biggest decision I have to make most days is what to have for lunch. But I have another decision that I am trying to figure out. I can't decide whether or not to customize my 05 truck or Jeep. The Jeep would be the cheaper way to go, but oh how I love the look of a jacked up truck. I lifted my other truck, the 01 Silverado, and put bigger tires on it. 2 years later, I traded it off. I am looking at raising my Sierra 6 inches, changing wheel size from 16 to 18's and putting 35's on it. While I am there, I want to put the super charger on it, chip it, and redo the exhaust system. I got an estimate and it will only cost me 10k to do all that to the truck. Let me know what you think and which way I should go. I do know that the next thing I am adding to the Jeep is an extreme WARN winch. I already have it picked out.

Some New and Kind of Interesting Info

I almost forgot, I actually have some info that is interesting and doesn't include my past time of baseball. We have a good and busy business (I know since I do the accounting). We have gotten so busy that we might be expanding our work staff. The best part about this is that I might get help running the daily store operations. This means I get a "helper" and I would get to choose that person. There is a girl that I know that has contacted us about working for us. I am lobbying for her to get to help me out. This girl is a friend of mine, and I really like her and get along with her real well. I don't know what exactly is going to happen yet, but maybe real soon I get to work with someone I enjoy and really like being around. Yes, I have thought about asking her out, but now I don't know if I will. It might be a little inappropriate now, since I will be her boss. Feel free to give me any advise or tips. I know I can always use them and they are greatly appreciated.

Sad, But True

All of you know that I am a huge baseball fan and a die hard Yankee fan. Well, my enjoyment of the rest of the playoffs will again be diminished since those damn Yankees lost to Detroit and I won't get the pleasure of watching them long into October. I almost shed a tear today, but I noticed and realized a few things. First, Detroit deserved to win. They played harder and seemed to want to win more. For whatever reason, the Yankees just didn't seem to care and played like they deserved to win no matter what they did. Second, I am kind of happy for the Tigers since they haven't been there in so long. I think their manager is one of the best in the business. Truly, second only to Joe Torre (that might be my loyalty talking). Third, it is only baseball and it isn't like I know anyone playing or have any real money riding on it. As much as I like baseball, I can't really say how much more I will watch. Probably most games, just depends on how busy our fall gets. Now all I have to look forward to are some drastic changes to the Yankees staff, hopefully. I would love for someone in the organization to ask me my thoughts on what I would do in the off season. I have plenty of ideas and I will share them in another post.

Questions I am always asked.

Almost every day I have people ask me why I am not married and all kinds of questions about my dating life. I don't know why everyone I talk to think they need to know everything about my personal life. In a way it is flattering and at the same time it is annoying. I even have girls at the gym I go to asking me my age and why I haven't settled down. I usually say something to the affect of the right girl hasn't come into my life. The truth of the matter is that I haven't really found many girls here that I would even bother with. Most women up here want to party and a guy to pay for all their habits (not good habits). Since I don't drink, smoke, or do any kind of drugs I just don't fit into this single life that abounds here. I have had girls ask me out to the bar to go drinking numerous times and each time I turn them down and try to explain to them that that isn't my life style. It doesn't sink in though. There is actually one girl that asks me to the bar every Thursday or Friday........depending on which day I see her at the gym. All this brings me to one question: Where have all the decent women gone? Oh well, my loss. Anyway, my life is the same. No women in my life and my dating life, well it has dried up and blown away.

I Still Have Faith

As all of you know, I am a die hard Yankee fan. After Thursday's loss and a horrific performance by A-Rod, I am just left with a couple questions. When are they going to get rid of him and should the all wise Joe Torre bench him for his pathetic performance? I already know the answers to these questions. We are never going to free ourselves from this horrible situation and Torre would be sitting the highest paid pro baseball player and that isn't going to happen either. It makes me sick. I hated the trade for this guy and I told everyone in ear shot that the Yankees wouldn't win a World Series until he was gone. So far, I am correct. This isn't a happy thing for me. I would prefer to be wrong on this one. Oh well, we still have 3 games left. We shall see what happens from here. For A-Rod, it can't get much worse. I guess the same goes for us fans.

I live for this

Oh, how excited I am. I can't wait till 6:00 tonight. It is the time I have waited all year for. Baseball playoffs start tonight and my beloved Yankees are playing the Tigers. Yankees have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I feel and hope that this year will end the 6 year championship drought. I can guaranty you that my 65 inch HD TV will be tuned to Fox tonight for game one. I really like the Yanks chances tonight after studying both pitchers. It is going to be a fun and great time tonight for me. GO YANKEES!!!

My Second Day off since X-Mas 05

Well, I am taking another day off today. This is actually pretty cool and I am really starting to like not working everyday, but it looks like I will only have one more Tuesday off before our incredibly insanely busy time starts. Guess I had better take advantage of it as much as I can. Today is filled with odd chores. I have to go and check on some property that I am responsible for. Then I am going to try and figure out whether or not I can install this remote starter for my Jeep or if I am going to have to take it to someone more qualified. My guess is the latter. Other than that, I don't have anything going on. You know something, I didn't even get my lazy butt out of bed till 10:45 this morning. It was a nice refreshing change. I did have to let Thor out about 7:30, but that didn't stop me from going right back to sleep. It is kind of nice that the biggest decision I have to make today is what to eat for lunch and whether or not to go to the gym. The choice on going to the gym depends on how much work I have to do out at the property.

30 Doesn't SCARE or Bother ME!!

This has struck me as odd, and I have noticed it in myself also which annoys and disturbs me. I have been playing catch up and checking out friends blogs and I noticed on more than one the focus on getting back into shape before we turn 30. It is odd to me, but I understand it. I have never been the model of health or the physically fit. It is true that I spend anywhere from 1 to 2 hours in the gym everyday. I run 3 to 6 miles everyday, walk another 2 at increasing speed and 15% grade, ride the bike for 22 minutes and then hit the weights. This all being said and done, I still am not impressed or satisfied with me. My problem is that my love of food is too great. I love to cook and to eat. This being said, my goal is to break my eating habits and make my desire to eat submit to my goal of being in better shape. That is where I have to start. My dear friend Blair turns 30 in January and he is starting 3 months before, so I guess I will start now and give myself 6 months to get the job done. I am going to need all the time because as all of you know, I am a stubborn and hard headed person. I don't look like I did at ACU. I have lost 30 or so pounds and dropped to a size 36 waist since my days in Abilene. That is all well and good, but I have plenty to go and lose. I am still adding strength to my frame also. I was talking to Kenny Henry the other day and he wanted to know what my max bench was. That I can't answer. All I do these days is a ton of reps. I know I can do 225 lbs, 2o times on the bench press. That is all I try to do because my lifting program has shifted dynamics. No longer size and mass, now it is about strength and tone. Enough for now, headed out to run.

Old Friends

Sadly, I have to admit that I have lost track and communication with so many wonderful people and friends. I wish this wasn't true but it is a fact and I only have myself to blame. I have noticed that I don't exactly keep track of time. I look up and years have gone by and I don't have a clue where friends are, what they are doing, and how their lives are going. This being said, I am trying to enlist some help. I would appreciate the help of anyone who reads this blog. I am asking, no............begging for your help. I have decided to take my quest to this blog. In doing so, I think it best to start off trying to find one person at a time. This is where I need your help. If you know any information, have friends that might know info that you could ask, or have any other idea of how I can re-connect to any of these friends that I have lost track of, I would appreciate you commenting. This is a trial run and I will do a few of these to see how it works before I give up.

The first person was a co-worker of mine at ACU in the Bookstore and a wonderful friend. I can't believe (and still kick myself) that I lost track of her. JILL GREEN. Any info any of you could pass along to me would be wonderful. Thank you and I appreciate you humoring me.

Off Day

Well, Tuesday September 26, 2006 was the first day I took off of work since Christmas 05. Yeah, I know how bad that is. The worst part is that I got called back into work that afternoon because I had some financial crap to take care of. And sadly, I am the person to take care of those issues. I am planning on taking Tuesday October 3rd off as well. It was nice yesterday to sleep till 11 and not be up at my usual 7:30. I have to be at work at 8 every day and since I live 2 minutes from work, that lets me sleep a little longer than most people.

Well, the sad fact is that there isn't much new going on in my life. I only have 1 payment left on my Jeep and then I can go wreck it. Not really, on the wrecking part. That thing is awesome. So much fun to drive. Even Thor loves it. I did finally break down and put the top on it back during the last week of August. We are having odd weather. Looks like winter is going to be early and long. Oh well, I love the cold so it really doesn't bother me. The only problem I have is that I hate wearing pants and people give me a ton of crap for wearing shorts when it is 35 degrees below zero.

Anyway, all I know is that I need to change a few things in my life and hopefully I will get that done soon. Nothing really serious, but I am trying to get some money together to buy a house and that kind of thing. One main issue is Thor and his size. I gotta have plenty of yard room for him.

As many of you know, summer is one of the busiest times for our business. It isn't as crazy as fall for us, but it is still busy when you add all the fun things going on. Thankfully, I still only work around 70 hours a week. The scary thing is that it doesn't bother me anymore. I am use to it and what is worse, I don't know what to do with free time if I had it. I think about taking a day off, but since I can't think of anything productive to do, I don't. It is finally nice here. Highs in the mid to low 70's. Sunday I took the top off of the Jeep and Monday I took the doors off. OH WHAT FUN!! I am serious. The Jeep was a blast to drive before and now driving it puts me in a permanent GREAT mood. I don't know what it is about it, but I am really lovin it. I will also post a picture of the toy now. Just so you know, Thor loves it also. I can't keep the dog out of the Jeep if I park it at home and drive the truck (which I haven't done in a week or so).







All in all, that is about all that is going on in my life. I haven't been on one and haven't even tried to go on any dates. I don't really have the desire to. I talk and flirt with some of the girls at the gym I go to, but I don't try to take it any further. Mainly because when I talk to them and get to know them, I have no desire to go any further. Way too many party girls up here that are, for lack of a better term, golddiggers. But, I am having fun and keeping my butt in shape. I cut my everyday runs back to 4.5 miles, then I hit the bike for 20 minutes, and then the weights for about an hour. I get to talk to quite a few people and my gym time has become a necessity and something I long to do. I need to get back to taking Thor for his hour walks and I will just have to make time to do it.

Anyway, to all who read this, I hope you have a great day. I am well and having a great time. I hope and pray all are good.

Time I look forward to ALL YEAR!!

As anyone who knows me can tell, today marks a day that I await for all year. Technically, the day was yesterday but for all real purposes it really is today. To clear up what I am talking about, today is Opening Day for Major League Baseball. I love baseball and I am a die-hard New York Yankee fan. Tonight is suppose to be their first game of the year and I can't wait. The real reason I have a my 65 inch HD tv and HD receiver is for Yankee baseball. The game is in Oakland and there is a possibility that it will be rained out. That will suck, but if that happens they will play a double-header tomorrow. I am so excited. I always look forward to this day after the season ends. For whatever reason, baseball is my life blood and what keeps me excited and going most days. I have been a Yankee fan since I was 8 and hopefully this year will end our championship drought. We are the best championship team and the best legacy sports has. Who else has won 26 championship rings? No other team can boast that feat. My XM radio is already programmed for the station that the Yankees are broadcast the majority of the time on. I have to admit that I don't like all of the players on the team. Some are too absorbed in themselves and don't understand that it is a team effort and there has to be the team aspect if we want to win our 27th championship. Oh well, we shall see where we are when the dust settles in October. The first game is still on tap for now and starts around 10 pm eastern. That is where I will be and have the tv tuned to. Excited I AM!!

New Toy!!

Well, for us here in the mountains it is spring. Spring to us is winter to most everyone else. Our highs close to 50 most days and our lows are still in the teens. Oh well, I am loving it. I thought I would add a picture and show all of you out there my new toy. I bought a used Jeep Wrangler earlier this year. Slightly used would be more accurate. It is a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. I went with the Unlimited mainly because of Thor. The dog has to have a place and has the right to play!!



I still have my truck and this is just a toy to play around in. I can't wait till summer when I can lose the top and the doors. Oh what fun.

My life, My Insanity, and My Routine

To all of those who actually care and enjoy my thoughts and my posts, I thought it time to give you what you desire and crave for. You all know that I am not the type of person who cares about the spotlight or the glory of things. I like to live my life in the shadows and behind the scenes making sure things go smoothly for everyone else. Also, I don't like to talk about myself or just talk to hear myself talk. This blog here is kind of strange to me. I really doubt that anyone besides Blair reads it and or cares what is going on. Blair is the one that got me to sign up for this thing. There are so many people in the world blabbing off and speaking their mind about everything and that drives me nuts. I really wish that most people would keep their minds engaged, stay focused on real and important issues, and more importantly shut up. I don't offer advice to people because my life is mine and I will live it how I see fit. We all have that right and I am tired of hearing people who don't know anything or me give me advice. This may sound like I am not in my right mind right now, but you can rest easy and know that it is just opposite of that. I am fine and in great spirits. GOD blesses me daily and is showing me incredible things. I now know why I am still here in Colorado. All is well with my family, but there are some things that I have to do now with the business that would mean me moving back here if I had of moved away. I can't and won't explain it, but I now see a bigger picture.

Someone asked me what my routine is these days. It is simple. I go to work, leave and go to the gym, and then go home, watch about 1.5 hours of TV, and then go to bed. Awake and do it all over again. Sundays and Wednesdays being the only exceptions. At the gym, I run 3.25 miles and then spend an hour to an hour and a half killing myself with light weight and 40 to 50 reps. I feel great and I only wish my iPod would work. I have two of them and both of them stop working during my run. That really pisses me off. Oh well, time to send them both back to Apple for the third time, unless any of you have any ideas on how to solve this problem without stopping running. Thor, has the easy life. He sleeps 18 to 20 hours of the day and is so happy when I get home. Right now he is taking up 2/3's of the couch and is out cold. Man, what a life.

All of you know that I love trucks and I own a 2005 GMC 2500HD 4X4. Well, it looks like I am adding a vehicle to my driveway. My plans are to buy a Jeep Unlimited Rubicon. Actually, it looks like next month I am going to be buying a white 2005 with about 300 miles for a pretty good deal. Jeep knows what they are doing and the Rubicon edition needs no modification to play around in the mountains. I am going with the extra room of the Unlimited for the dog. My truck is crew cab, because of Thor. Gotta have room for man's best friend. Anyway, I am adding this vehicle, not replacing my truck. My mother told me that she sees me more in a Jeep than she does in the 45K truck that I drive. I think my dad wants to put a snow plow on it and make it a work vehicle. That is fine by me if he wants to pay for the plow, installation, and half of the Jeep. Otherwise, I told him to get his own.

Well, I have to get to laundry now. I know, I know, what an exciting life I lead. Someone has to. Nice thing is that I really like small town life and the slow pace it brings. I don't know how people live in the big rat race of the big city. To me it is crazy. I just can't imagine living in and around so many people the majority of which you don't know and don't want to know. Nice thing about a small town is that you know most everyone and you don't have to worry about what is going on or what might happen. Sure, every now and then it can get on your nerves because everyone knows everything about you, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I would appreciate it if GOD would warm us up a little. Majority of the US has had the mildest winter on record, except the lovely Gunnison Valley. We have had one of our coldest on record. Just last night it was -24 degrees and Sunday we had a high of 10. Nice. One last thing to remember: If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me. We will get along great.

What's new, exciting, and shaking

To be honest there is a bit new in my life now and a ton of the same old stuff. The last bit of time has been hard and a real struggle to me. To explain, I will start off by telling all of you this. I am no longer moving to Tennessee. Tiffany and I are still in contact with each other, but the nature of our realitonship has changed. For all of you who thought you heard wedding bells, you probably did but they are for someone besides me. Tiffany is a wonderful woman and I still care deeply for her. This was all my doing. All I can do now is look to GOD more and pray for both of us. I have a ton of things to get done and I have to pick up my life and go on. Oh well, live and learn. Pain in life is a good thing, it lets you know you are alive. I know that this has already taught me a great deal and soon I should be able to move forward. It is time to figure out a plan and to move on. I hope all is well with everyone and I would love to hear from you.

Andy