A Year of Change

Thank a veteran this weekend. Freedom isn’t free!

The kids are in the air landing in Taipei in about 90 minutes. They then have a couple of hours to get to their next flight which is 12 hours long over the Pacific. They’ll land in Los Angeles around 9pm tonight. Julie, Ava’s mom, got them a hotel by the airport so they can get some sleep before their 9am Sunday morning flight to Denver. I guess there wasn’t a late-night flight from LA to Denver available, but she handled the flights so I’m not sure.

Today I’m cooking a pork shoulder in the smoker. The big job of the day is we’re tackling Ty’s room! This will take all day to get done. I think Lori is making a coconut cake too!

I love my truck without the topper on. It’s like I have a new truck! Lori talked with Nate yesterday about running his practice. Not sure if she’ll make the move or not.

Marty and Mel are on a flight to Salt Lake this morning to look at a 30 foot long 2023 Airstream trailer. They’ll put it up on their lot in Montana until they can get something built and then turn it into a guest cabin. This was my idea of course. After they check it out, they’ll fly up to Canada to see the new grandbaby. They’ll be back end of next week. I’m jealous as I’ve wanted an Airstream my whole life! They’re so iconic. Lori shut that idea down years ago, ha. She had her fill of trailer time growing up. Besides, after the kids’ trip, we now have over 1 million Marriott points meaning we can go and stay anywhere in the World for free. We’re deciding where to go as a family. Bali is definitely in the running but so are places like Portugal or the French Rivera. We have around 800,000 United miles too so we’re sitting pretty good.

Nice and sunny outside with blue sky. I talked with Tom and Robi yesterday. Guess it was overcast in Denver. Toms’ estate sale is going well and Robi made Mom’s famous macaroni, tuna and pea summer salad. Sound funky but it’s so so good. Plus, it brings back memories of when we were kids. We didn’t have a lot of money, but Mom always provided. Another staple was chip beef on toast, or her famous goulash! Those good times seem like yesterday, hmm.

6:30am now. Time to go. Have a great day and Memorial Day weekend. God Bless.

It’s Friday night in Bali and the kids will soon hit the hay and rest up for their 3 flights to get home. They’ll leave for the airport around 11:30 Bali time Saturday morning, which is around 9:30 pm tonight here. They’ve had an incredible time and could stay longer! Good for them.

Yesterday I had my topper taken off the truck as I’m selling it to my landscaper. It’s like I have a new truck! I love it.

Nate, our neighbor and former colleague of Lori’s, is trying to recruit her to go work for him at the Steadman Clinic. Lori told Dr. B, and even Nate told Lori to use this as leverage to get more money if she doesn’t want to make the move. Lori is at least listening as it means around $50K or more a year than she makes now. She loves where she’s at, but you never know.

We need to run now so she can get back and meet with Nate. Happy Friday, time to go, God Bless.

Yesterday the kids took a boat out to a small island off the coast of Bali and went swimming with manta rays. Pictures below from the top of the island where they hiked up to. Really beautiful. It’s Thursday night there and they have Friday before flying home Saturday. Meanwhile, Marty and I went to Grand Junction. Matt gave me a bunch of tools that I picked out and he sold Marty a bunch. I’ve done a lot for him over the years, and he feels like he’s in debt to me for life. I would have been happy to pay his cost, but he wouldn’t hear of it. I didn’t realize the difference between tools you buy at Home Depot and the ones professional’s use. These are so nice, and all precision made. They’re almost like works of art. Fun time as you know how I like anything that’s made well and is high quality. Most of the tools are made in Germany. After going through all Matt’s boxes, we went over to Randy’s and hung out for a while. He has the farm you’ve read about, and I helped him out a bind a few years ago and now get anything, anytime, for life, for free. We both left with a few gallons of fresh strawberries, and some other stuff that they picked that morning. I cleaned the berries when we made it home and had fresh strawberry shortcake last night! Marty says I’m like the Godfather in the movies as everyone he meets that I know, owes me in some way and now does favors for me. I’ve just always tried to help friends out, guess it’s good karma coming back to me.

Memorial Day weekend coming up. We’re just hanging out at home. I was thinking about driving down Sunday morning to pick the kids up at the airport to see them, and save them the Uber ride, but that’s a long drive. We’ll see how we feel then.

Nice and green outside. Everything is in bloom. Metallica just announced two months of shows in Europe from the first of May until July 5th next year. Make it while you can! Seems like they’ve been on the road for 3 or 4 years. I’d personally get tired of it. James leaves this morning for Philadelphia.

Here’s pictures of the island, pretty amazing. What a cute couple Jag and Ava are. Glad they took this trip alone instead of us four parents going which was the original plan. Enjoy, have a great day and God Bless.

Headed west this morning with Marty to go see what tools Matt has left over from when he was in the tool business. I don’t need anything, but Marty wants to buy some. I’ll go see Randy, who has the farm next door, and load up on some strawberries if nothing else. We’re leaving at 8 so we should be back early afternoon.

Wednesday night in Bali meaning the kids have two more days before they fly home on Saturday. They have to spend the night in LA on Saturday, so they’ll land in Denver Sunday morning. It’s been an epic trip. What an experience for them.

Yesterday I boxed up some wine and shipped it off to Illinois and Nevada. I also did some chores around the house. The house across the gully, which is 500 square feet smaller than ours, just sold for $3 million. That’s good news, especially with the market soft right now. Should put us around $3.5. With luck we could be close to $4 million next year.

Ty’s working today. We’re in the slow season for another week or so. We get a bump for Memorial Day weekend and then around the first week of June, summer kicks in with tourists here until after Labor Day.

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

Ok, we think yesterday’s little snowstorm was it for the year. Up here though, you never know. Lori is impatiently waiting for the temps to rise so she can plant her plants. I’ll pull the baskets out of the garage today. She has sheets over others outside.

The kids are continuing to have an amazing time on their trip. We talk to them pretty much daily, and they text pics of their adventures and the amazing food. It’s 8pm there right now so by tonight here, it’ll be Wednesday morning there.

Lori works in Edwards today and tomorrow in Vail. I have a bunch of calls and computer work to finalize our price increases. Tomorrow Marty and I are going to Grand Junction as he wants to buy some more tools from Matt that has a bunch left from his venture in the tool business.

Denver was fine. I was in and out in 90 minutes and home by 1. I’m headed to the gym this morning and then will go see Ty for breakfast. Four of us were going down to Denver today but James was delayed in getting back from Arizona. He leaves Thursday as they have a show in Philly this weekend. We won’t see him again until the end of June here in Denver. Back on the road. I might grab a cigar with him today or tomorrow before he leaves, just to hang.

Sunny outside right now. That’s it. Have a great Tuesday. It’s almost June! God Bless.

Quick trip this morning to trade a watch for another watch and pick up a Rolex for my buddy in South Dakota. He bought one from my buddy, who runs the Rolex shop, for his nephew for graduation from college. I should be back by 1 or so at the latest.

Looks like snow up high on the peaks. Lori is working from home today. Ty is off too. Should be warming up starting tomorrow. Next weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Not sure what we’re doing, if anything.

Nuggets lost. Just couldn’t get it going with Aaron Gordon hurt. Plus, one of the refs in the game, is horrible. That’s about it, we’ll be better next year.

6am now, time to go. Here are some pics from the kids. God Bless.

Here’s dinner, $24! Fresh whole Red Snapper! Fresh fried calamari and more. Here, the beer alone would be $24!

Big basketball game today, whoever wins moves on and the loser is done for the year. Hope we win.

Think some weather is coming in today, but so far, nothing. Yesterday we were pretty much around the house. We picked up some eggs from Kellie and then Lori bought a few flowers on the way home. I did get my haircut yesterday afternoon too.

The kids are living their best life. Good for them to be able to have such great experiences at such a young age. They still have like 5 more days as they won’t fly home until next Saturday. Can’t wait to see them and hear more stories. Seems like they’ve been gone for two weeks already, and it’s only been 5 days.

We’ll probably head out to the gym in a bit and then do some stuff around the house. Think I’m selling the topper on my truck and the Decked System to our landscaper. The topper is cool but it’s hard to fill your truck bed when you have it on. That means things like trips to the dump or moving furniture are hard. Craig will buy it basically for what I paid for it as they take forever to come in if you order one. We’ll see.

Our storage unit is officially empty. Lori and I went over after the gym and cleaned up the last little bit of trash. Super happy to have that and all that stuff out of our lives. Next up is the garage.

That’s it, have a great Sunday, be well, stay safe and God Bless.

Today the kids went up to Ubud where the 4 Seasons, a bunch of temples and rice terraces are. The pics and videos are amazing. We have a group chat on What’s App and Ty told his brother to bring him home a monkey. Ah, that’s a big no.

Yesterday we met some people at the storage unit to get the rest of the stuff out. Turns out, one of the guys was at the same New Years Party as Lori, Addy, James and I. He bought the little store and cabins out at State Bridge which is on the Colorado River on the way to Steamboat. The cabins are historic and rafters and people rent them mostly during the summer. Half of our stuff is going in this lady’s house on a ranch for her and her daughter and the rest in these historic cabins. Lori is thrilled as all the antiques aren’t going to the dump and will actually be used and loved. Mom would be happy too. I’m happy as I now save $510 a month!

Marty, Mark and I got together for a cigar yesterday afternoon. In the morning, we dropped my truck to get it detailed and it looks like a brand-new vehicle, inside and out, all for $297. Best $300 I’ve spent in a long time. I’m booking Lori’s car and Ty’s truck to be detailed too.

Looks like some moisture coming in the next few days. Bring it on, we need it. My next project is the garage. I did a little preliminary staging yesterday by moving some stuff around and throwing a few things away. Much larger project as I have a ton of stuff and Ty stuffed the garage with Beanie Babies. The basement of course, is stuffed with sports memorabilia.

I’m in Denver Mondy and then back down Tuesday, but tomorrow we have the Nuggets game. I’m thinking we’re going to win. One of our main guys pulled a hamstring, so we’ll see.

Jagger just called on What’s App so I’m going to go. Have a great Saturday, God Bless.

Here’s a pic of the kids with a monkey. The guide told them don’t make eye contact with the monkeys! They’ll steal your stuff, ha. Below that is some of the rice fields and then the kids crispy duck for lunch. Enjoy.

And last pic here is a bobcat Lori just spotted in our backyard!

Big win by the Nuggets last night. Game 7 is Sunday. Today at 8am, I’m dropping my truck to get it detailed. At 10, we’re meeting a lady who is taking all the antiques we have left in storage. This saves us $510 a month! So that’s two big wins in 24 hours!

Last night, seven of us got together for cigars at James place. Good to see him and he’s glad to be home for a week. Next show up is Philadelphia next weekend. We’ll see him then in Denver around the end of June.

Kids are having a blast in Bali. Good for them. Ty is coming home today for the weekend, as Madi is going to L.A.

As of today, we’re halfway through May. Summer will be here soon, but we did have snow in Vail on Wednesday. That’s about it, here’s some pics, enjoy. God Bless.

Check out Jag in Ava’s glasses, funny. They look like celebrities. The pool picture is their own private pool, unbelievable. Then pretty Ava, and last, some of the great food there. Fun times!

We’re headed to the gym in 30 minutes to workout. Then home for a busy Thursday. Tomorrow we’re meeting a lady who is picking up all our antiques that are left in storage. We’ve had them in storage since 2017. Tomorrow my truck also gets detailed inside and out from 8am until noon. That means I need to clean it out today.

I’m finally back to my fighting weight of 200 pounds. It took me this long to recover from my poor food choices at graduation, ha. The kids are having a blast. We’re thinking of taking the whole family back there for Christmas. Even though it’s in the 90’s down there, it is their winter. That just means a few more warm rain showers. Yesterday was some pool time and surfing. Check it out. I told them, so far life after college doesn’t suck, right?

It was a little cool last night, but our flowers didn’t freeze, thank God. James is back a few days early so we’ll get together for cigars and fellowship tonight. I’m lucky that I have such a good group of men to hang with up here. Wish they had a group like that for Lori. She should start one!

My new showerhead arrived yesterday. It’s called Eskiin and I have to tell you, it’s a game changer! It has a a filter in it that must soften the water as my skin and hair have never felt so good. I can’t explain it and it took me a while to figure out why my fingers felt so smooth. I can’t wait for Lori to shower this morning to see if it’s just me.

Time to go. Have a great day, be well, stay safe and God Bless.