Well, I survived 2008 and it is now 2009. 2008 was a very interesting year for me. It certainly began with a huge blessing in my life… Braelyn Grace was born on January 9th. It is hard to believe that in just a week she will be one year old! Rebecca is planning a “Princess Party” for her. Invitations went out a few days ago, though we don’t expect a huge turn out since a lot of the recipients are out of towners. In 2009, it is my hope that Braelyn will get a younger brother or sister. Rebecca and I would like to have another kid. I would certainly love to have a boy to go with my precious little girl. We’ll see what we can slip past the goalie.
From a work perspective, it was definitely a surprising year. I had no idea until a week before it happened that Gabe was leaving Aplus. He decided to do other stuff with his time. It is the first time in 9 years that I haven’t worked for Gabe. I guess, in 6 months from now, I will have officially lived in the KC area for 10 years. Very hard to believe. I am quite content here, though I often let my mind wander as I think about the places I would love to live. While I want an ocean and sun, the choices for that aren’t really that appealing to me. California is one of the bluest states in the country, and is very expensive to live. Florida… well, it is further from my family, I don’t speak the right languages, and I wouldn’t want to have to board up my house every year hoping the hurricanes don’t take it away. At least here in Kansas, you don’t have a week of prep time and departure every time a tornado is coming! I do know that I could easily live back in Colorado, either in Fort Collins or the Denver area. But with the surprising move of owner Pat Bowlen a few days ago, I don’t know how much longer I will be a Broncos fan! Anyway, I don’t see it in the cards for 2009 to move anywhere, so I guess I should spend my time being more productive instead of thinking about these things. Oh, Christmas Eve proved to me that Casper won’t be my domicile… I can not stand the wind there. I do not miss that in the least bit!
Back to work… I am still the Chief Operating Officer at Aplus.net. I love the company and the people there. But we, just like every other business, are getting hit by the economy a bit. We’ll hope that the new savior Obama gets everything on track like he promised… I won’t be holding my breath!
In 2009, I have a few goals, or resolutions, if you will. The first is to be more fiscally responsible. I have been very fortunate in my life to hold good jobs and make great money. But I started spoiling myself (and now my family) a bit too much. Gonna cut it back a bit and start cutting my debt and trying to plan for the future better. I’m going to attempt to quit buying everything I want, when I want it. May even cut back on the travel… well, we’ll see about that. Dave Matthews Band is still touring, and that calls for me to travel! Plus, it’s always great to get away to Maui, New York, etc etc etc. Another of my 2009 resolutions is to get healthier. I don’t think I am going to join a gym again, but eating better and getting some exercise is definitely on the list to do. The vet said Hoover needs to lose 10 pounds. Well, so do I. I guess he and I will have to get to the dog park or out on walks a bit more. I have a feeling he will lose his 10 before I do… we have cut him back a bit on his meals. That will save us some money, too!
I also want to keep reconnecting with friends from the past. Every since Angie Noonan died, I have been making much more of an effort to reacquaint myself with past connections. I have been pretty successful at it. Facebook.com went from something I never touched to something I spend time on almost daily. And every week, I find at least another friend from the past. Have to keep reconnecting since my 20th high school reunion comes up in 2010. Wow, I am getting old.
I am thankful that in 2008, my family remained in tact! Didn’t lose anyone, which is always a good thing. Grandpa digressed with his Alzheimer’s, and that sucks the big one. He seemed pretty good at Christmas… he loved kissing on Braelyn. I pray they come up with something to cure that hideous disease sometime soon. Grandma is doing well, but always in pain from her arthritis… she’s in her 90′s. I wish I could see her more… I know she loves spending time with people. If she could have it her way, people would be over there all the time. Dad and Stephanie take care of her and help her out with everything, but I know she’s lonely. Mom, dad, sisters, brother-in-laws, nephews and nieces are all good. Big B hopefully had his last surgery, and it went real well. I am so impressed with his strength… he is an idol/role model of mine for sure.
I was thinking about getting back into coaching baseball this year, but I think as long as I have a boat and enjoy going to the lake so much, that will remain on the back burner. Coaching and officiating basketball are definitely two passions of mine which I haven’t had the time to get back into. Someday I will… someday. I also have been thinking about refreshing my pilot’s license. I think it would be awesome to fly down to the lake a time or two, and also to rent a plane next time I am in Maui and do some aerial sight seeing. Definitely would be fun, but doesn’t play into being more fiscally responsible.
Well, I am probably gonna wrap this up for now. I have done absolutely nothing today, aside from play Saints Row 2 on the XBOX 360, and play a bit with Braelyn. She has a cold, poor little girl. She did 3 steps on several occasions today, and she sure does like to talk. Too bad she only knows a couple of words. I swear she’s getting close to saying “love da da” though… still haven’t got her to say ma ma yet. It will come, we keep working on it.
Rebecca just passed out (tired, not drunk!) next to me in bed. We had a pretty good night last night bringing in 2009 at The Melting Pot. Great meal and great company!
Hope you all have a blessed, safe and successful 2009. Happy New Year.
-RE
