I found myself...

...at the hospital again this evening. I wish that it would have been for the same reason that prompted my visit last night but it wasn't.

Today my grandfather who is 87, took a tumble at his nursing home and broke his hip and leg in a few places. His body is slowly failing him but his mind is sharp as can be. He is scheduled for surgery at 8:30 tomorrow morning. They are going to put some pins and screws in his bones and then just go on from there. I really hate to see this. Last Thursday I was fortunate enough to be at the same table sharing a Thanksgiving dinner with him. Up until today he could walk, even though it may have been wobbly and required the assistance of a cane.

I hate to look towards his future and how it will be considering the circumstances. I just have to hope for the best and be thankful that I have had the opportunity to know him. I was not so fortunate with his wife. My grandmother passed away 2 days after my 5th birthday. I have vague memories of her but they are cherished ones.

I pray that his spirit not be lost with this injury. I also am very worried at how this is affecting my father. He is showing strength but I know inside he is very emotionally affected with these events. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

I was wrong

It actually did end up snowing last night. Just enough to cover things and was gone fairly early today. I did manage to capture some photo's last night of the white stuff before I headed off to dreamland.
My truck
The J's car
Front yard
At noon today

Close but.....

Well today it got close to snowing but the high winds came and blew the clouds away. There are a few broken clouds hanging out but I am doubtful that we will receive the inch on snow that they are predicting for overnight.

On another note, my friend and riding partner Al, may have had a heart attack this morning at work. He is in the hospital for an overnight stay. With his active lifestyle and symptoms, the doctor is skeptical that it was a heart attack. So they have more tests scheduled for the morning and will make a decision on what they want to do then. I visited him for a short while and he is in good spirits but wants to make sure all is well. I hope so also, so that we can start hitting the road and get some riding in.

It was another blessed day at work. Luckily Diana is gone for the rest of the week, so I will have more of an opportunity to go drop off resumes and fill out applications. Thank's to Linz and Trish for keeping me occupied with emails about various things. Also to Mary for talking to me while she could when the Admiral was not taking up her time.

Here are some of the clouds that got my hopes up and then smashed them as they departed without leaving any snow.

Back to it.

Well it's Monday again and I am at the job. It sure has been slow as of lately. So I can't really call it work. I almost wish that I had something to do, rather than sit here browsing web sites for the latest news on whatever catches my eye.

I didn't win this week but in a way I did. I entered VeloNews' photo contest and I at least got my photo in the spread. I am happy with that! I have a few other's that I am going to send in.

At least I have my book with me and hopefully I can finish it today. It's almost lunch time, hopefully things remain on the down low when I return. The weather here has been pretty decent. Sunny skies and temps into the 70's. I enjoy it but again I don't. The reason for that is because it is mid November for crying out loud!! The mountains have gotten some decent snow from what I hear. However "Purg" didn't open on Thanksgiving but is slated for this coming Sunday.

I hope that you guy's are enjoying the return back to your daily lives and are welcoming the holiday season. Have a good week and thanks for stopping by!

This weekend

With it being Thanksgiving weekend and having four day's off of work, I occupied my time like most of the country did. Eating in abundance, watching football, and of course shopping.

I have had a great time being away from the job and definitley am not looking forward to returning. Especially if they are slow as they have been in days past. Such is life, I suppose.

Today was a wonderful one. Nice temps and blue skies. Went out shooting with my dad and enjoyed time together, as we seldom have these days.

I hope that each of you had a wonderful holiday weekend and your joy continues to grow as Christmas nears.
This guy was sure happy with his treat from Petco.

Cereal

Wow! I came across this and I had to share. Hopefully after reading, you sit back and think about the important and simple things in life and how we often take them for granted. I sure did!

fluxvapor.blogspot.com/2006/11/death-day.html

personal.psu.edu/sfj102/cereal.html

Finally

Well I have finally got off of my tail and started the hunt. The job hunt that is.With some help from my friend Lorita, the english major who has made her home on the east coast. She was great and helped edit and give tips on the resume. I cannot say how much I appreciate her help!!!

Today I got out 3 applications/resumes. More to follow tomorrow. The time I did spend at work was a battle the whole way to stay awake and enjoy my book as I got paid for it. I am hoping to hear something by the end of the year. There are alot of company's here that are getting into a hiring frenzy. Hopefully that works to my advantage.

I also finally got my watch into the jeweler today. It is a Citizen Eco-Drive, so it has to be sent back to Citizen to have the battery replaced due to the special seal that makes it water proof and keeps the warranty in check. I am hoping that it returns sooner rather than later.

I will catch you guys again very soon. (Before Thursday) Thanks for stopping by!!

I have not met her.....

Yet, I want to wish her a happy birthday just the same. That is Ms. Maya in San Diego. The child of my friends Shawn and Tara. She is already 2, and she is a busy one. I always hear her yappin' away when I talk to Shawn on the phone. I hope that she enjoys her bike!

Wednesday

Happy Birthday to my sister Amanda! I hope she has a great one and many more to follow. I cannot believe that she is 25!!! It's amazing how time flies!

I also have to wish Tom a happy birthday as well. He turns 51 today. Talked to him earlier and just as always it was good to catch up with an old friend. He is the same happy guy.

Thanks for stopping by.

Shriver Cross/Colorado State Championships

Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching a great cyclocross race in Durango at the Ft. Lewis campus.

The womens race did not have many contestants but was action packed. A girl named Sara wrecked at the beginning of the 45 minute battle. She lost serious time with the wreck and pitting. She never gave up though, and managed to finish 3rd.

The men's race had some heavy hitters who call Durango home. National Champ Todd Wells along with his brother U23 National Champ Troy Wells. Former Collegiate National Champ Matt Shriver. The Real Joey Thompson and Ned Overend just to name a few. The Wells brothers along with Shriver and Thompson took off from the start and never looked back. Although Grant Berry and Ned Overend were not far behind.

Shriver and Todd Wells gapped the other 2 and rode away. Wells had trouble and had to switch bikes, dropping him to 4th. He managed to chase back to 2nd but the damage had been done and Shriver soloed in for the win. It was an exciting race and the crowd showed great support.
Here are some photo's, enjoy.

Sara chasing back

The men fixing to start.

Ned Overend before the start
Random Pic's throughout the race.

And your winner....Matt Shriver
Last but not least, Nacho was on hand to pump up the crowd.

Thank you Veterans!

I'm proud and happy to be Veteran!!! Don't forget to thank the one's you know.
On a final note:
In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said:
"A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in...And how many want out."
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American Military Men & Women
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM.

Work......

Uhh yeah, if that's what you want to call it. This was about how my whole day ended up being like. I can't complain to much, I was getting paid at least to read my book and reading what Maigh had to say. Thanks to Linz and Mary for keeping me occupied with emails and phone calls.

Oh and I hope Trish get's over her stomach bug or whatever it is, so she came come back to her wonderful job that she loves so much!! HAHA! Sha Right!

Saturday

I returned to a place I had not been since graduating from high school. This place was usually visited on Friday and or Saturday nights. Needless to say, I think the bonfires, loud music and large number of kids can give you the answer as to why we were there. That area brought back alot of memories that had been lost over the years and brought a smile to my face remembering, "the good times".

However Saturday did not place me there to relive some old times but rather to help my brother prepare for winter. We were cutting and gathering firewood.




Here are some pic's of the lake and area that brought a lot of enjoyment. (It's actually a reservoir)

The river below the dam.

Need I say anything more.....

This is one of the first sixteen bottles to be released to the public!! Thank's to the gracious folks at
Boulder Brewing and my Uncle Pat. You don't have to and may not believe me, but I have no reason to lie! Anyways, it is 10 p.m. here, and they just started selling them in Boulder at 8 p.m. Also Boulder is close to a 7 hour drive from here, so do the math and explain that!!! Enjoy, I know I will!!!