Really cold outside

It’s a surprising 18 degrees outside. It’s been so warm so this was a shocker. Yesterday was a long day for me and the misses. As you know I was up at 3 and on a plane at 6am. We landed in Chicago around 7:45 Denver time and after a successful meeting, I was back on a plane at 2:45 and landing in Denver by 5. The misses got off work at 5:30 and beat me to Uncle T and Aunt B’s to pick up the boys as traffic was horrible.

Before I go any further, we have to say what a big help Uncle T and Aunt B have been to us and the boys. This year they have done more for us than we could have imagined and saved out butts numerous times. The misses for sure would have had to quit her job without their help. I just thought it was time to publicly recognize them for all their help, even though every once in awhile (as good Aunts and Uncles do) they spoil the boys with a bit too much sugar. The boys love it and love them very much and we’re glad that they’ve become a larger part of their lives.

Now to today, the misses works and I have a ton of errands and work to do around here. Not sure what all went on yesterday as I was gone. I’ve had a bad stomach ache, maybe an ulcer, for about 4 days now. It seemed to be getting better until I had a glass of diet coke on the plane. I don’t know what I was thinking as I never drink pop but boy was my stomach killing me as soon as I drank it. Hopefully I’ll be better today as this is getting real old. I’ve also been really bloated, hows that for too much information!

I was in a super cool grocery store yesterday. It was so cool it makes me want to open a version of it here. It was in Chicago, actually Hinesdale which is sort of an upscale suburb but not the big or old money. You walked in and in the fashion of all these new stores, you have to follow a route through the store that passes every department to get out. They had a wine section (where they sell my wines) with all these great cheeses in a separate nook of the store giving it the feeling of its own store even though it was totally connected. The bake every thing they sell in their bakery right in the store and had glass walls so you could see it all. Prices were a bit high but it’s a known fact that people are willing to pay more these days for quality local food. Most if not all the produce was local and the beef and chicken was too. The seafood was obviously flown in (Chicago’s not near the ocean) but was all responsibly farmed or harvested. The had their own restaurant where the 3 of us had lunch and while our bento bowl (brown rice, chicken and veggies) was $10 each, there was a long line. The had servers walking around taking care of you and bringing you complimentary in house baked goods for dessert. I had the Congo Bar which was like a brownie but not all chocolate as it also had coconut and some nuts. It was so good I went back to the bakery and bought a few to take home for the boys. I also picked up some cheese that I’ve only seen in Italy for the misses. We also ordered a winter squash soup which was heavenly. So all in all this might have been the coolest full service grocery store I’ve been in. It made Whole Foods look like a Safeway, definitely the next level up. And get this, they take no cash! There’s a sign when you come in telling you they only take credit cards! I’ve never seen this but how’s that for a way to pre qualify your customers. I don’t think any homeless people or people on food stamps will be shopping there. So get ready Uncle T, I’ve found your calling. And yes, it was packed.

With all the food borne illnesses going around like listeria and e-coli, it’s no surprise that people are willing to pay more and more for top quality food. I think this trend is going to continue as the big food machine in this country is only going to get worse. People are wising up to the fact that they have to know where their food comes from and how it was raised or farmed. Mark my words, this is an emerging industry that will not suffer no matter what the economy does.

Good to see Obama down under in Australia committing U.S. troops to them to help against a threat of a growing military force in China. WHAT, are you freakin kidding me, Australia? Let me get this straight, we’re stretched so thin all around the world, our economy is in the tanks, we’re cutting defense spending and he’s sending troops to Australia? Does anyone really think the Chinese are going to invade Australia, what the fu$k is going on? (excuse my language) How about him canceling a deal with Canada that would have brought 50,000 to 250,000 jobs to the U.S. on a pipeline deal after we had agreed to it. Canada is now going to China with their oil and jobs. It seems a bunch of environment groups formed a ring around the White House threatening to not support him in 2012, so they bowed to pressure and canceled it. Now this is not all bad news as the Unions are up in arms and threatening not to support him so he loses either way. I guess the Obama re-election team is figuring the Unions will come back as they won’t vote republican ever but the greenies might. Point is, America loses, jobs , energy and money all in the name of Obama trying to stay in office. It’s just sad, really really sad.

Ok ok, enough politics for the day, time to get moving as it’s 5:39 am. The news just said 28% of the people in Colorado don’t have health insurance, how’s that for Obama care. Our deductible is now $6000 and prescriptions are no longer covered. The misses and I both stopped buying our two regular monthly prescriptions as they now cost us $180 per month, thanks a lot Mr. President. Oh wait, I was stopping, sorry it was on the news.

Time to run, hope all’s well, take care and we’ll see you tomorrow. God Bless,