Working on the todo list

I have gotten some miles in just about every day while I have been off.  It has been great, didn't go more than 3 miles in a day, but still got out or hit the treadmill.

Colorado weather, On Wednesday it was 60 and on Thursday it was 20, with rain/snow.  How quickly things change.  Pebbles and I got out in the snow on Friday.   Pebbles had a blast jumping out in the weeds and snow.  Looked liked she was doing the hurtles.

I am sure you have all heard about the shootings we had on Black Friday.  It was a terrible and senseless  event.  My regards and prayers go to the families of the victims.  This is just another reason why I carry when I go out.  You just don't know what sicko crazy son of bitch you may come across.  Sorry for the families and that this is the reason Colorado Springs get's it 30 seconds of fame.

I had to move my table out of the dinning room and into the workout room.   We wanted to eat in the dining room for Thanksgiving, so needed to clean up.   The top is finished and sprayed with urethane.  Once it warms up, I will dig it back out and finish it up.  Most likely after Christmas or in the new year.  I have to paint the checker box around it and that is going to take some work.

So since the dinning room was clean, on Saturday I dug out our shell box from our last trip to Sanibel island.   Went over to Hobby lobby and  picked up a straw wreath wrapped in plastic.  I used the same on the last wreath I made and it has worked great.   for this wreath, I used up all the conch shells we had collected on our last trip.   I did a reverse patter each time I went around.  I used the hot glue gun to attache them to the wreath. It came out really nice, super sweet, very happy with this one.

Today I ran over to Home Depot and picked up a plant hanger.  I need to cut it down and paint it, then I will be able to hang this wreath in the dinning room.

This afternoon I am watching Harry Potter, not sure which one and going through email and setting my tasks for the coming week.  I have a lot going on and then travel to Austin for a company Christmas party.

Happy Thanksgiving 2015

It has been so nice to have a few extra days off.  I started on Wednesday, which was an awesome day here in Colorado Springs.  The temperature was in the 60’s.  That was on Wednesday.  On Thursday the roads were covered with ice and then it started snowing.  I think the high today is 17.

I hope that you and your family had a great Thanksgiving.  We had a blast for ours.  Nothing major, but all the food came out awesome and then we played a couple of games afterwards.  We had both the boys and their girlfriends join us for dinner.  Everyone hung out and we played a new game for me.  I think the kids had played it before.  It is called “Cards against Humanity”.   I laughed my ass off.  It was a lot of fun.  It is a game for the adults and not the younger crowd.  The boys got a long with each other so we didn’t have any of that bull to put up with.

Candy did a great job with the dinner.   We actually prepared most of what we could the night before.  The Turkey was great, not dry.  She cooked it in a cooking bag.  We had all the fixings to go with it.  I was in some serious pain last night, thought I was going to pop.  So good!

So far I have gotten some miles in starting on Wednesday.  I told myself I was going to walk/hike every day that I was off.  Today is day three and so far so good.  Two of the days have been on the treadmill because of the weather.  Feels good, I feel good and just need to keep it up.

The following are some pictures I have taken since Wednesday.

In the Hood

I got to work early this morning as I had a ton of shit to catch up on.  As I pulled into the parking lot I saw a guy sitting against the building and I could of sworn he had a gun under his chin, like he was going to blow his head off.   I must have been wrong so I did a u-turn and went and looked again and yes he did have a gun under his chin.

I made another u-turn and headed back to my office and called 911.  Reported what I had seen.  Several minutes later the 5-0 comes cruising through the parking lot.  I waved them down and pointed out where this person was and what I saw.

Next think I know we have five cop cars, swat and they are all yelling for him to lay on his stomach.  He did, they approached with guns drawn.  Cuffed him and threw him in the back of a squad car.  Little did all them know I was also packing and was ready to get down and dirty if I had to.  Bring it bitches.

Just another day in the wild west known as Colorado Springs.  People wonder why I carry and now you know.

Busy

Busy day today.  I got up and took Pebbles for a walk through the meadow.  We had an electrician out as we were having some power issues in the kitchen.  Once he was done, we headed over to the shop as I had a couple of fence panels that had blown down.  Fixed those, then had to go get the Ranger from the mechanic.  Had to replace the alternator and battery.  Joy, Joy!.

Ran by the grocery store and then came home and cooked some chicken on the grill.  Frozen bag of vegetables and some toast. It's whats for dinner.

I spent some time on my quilt table and just about have the top finished.  A few more area's to touch up, but it looks pretty good.   More to come as I still have a lot to do.

Needs a title

As of late I have been watching way to much news.  Seems everything is see is ISIS and the threats that are happening all over the world.  I was traveling this morning and reading the news alerts. Another attack in Africa, tonight Brussels is on it's highest alert.  It get's me all worked up.  I had some extra time this morning while waiting on a flight and I started writing a poem or a song, I don't know.  Here is my first draft.

Somewhere at the end of all this hate

Theirs light that shines through all this evil

There intention is to kill and they will, they will

Until they drink the wine, they will, they will

I will stand strong with the light and Christ in my life

I pledged with hand over heart and freedom at my side

I am not afraid, I wont burn out in this place

My intention is to fade and I will, I will

They will try to breakdown your beliefs

With there bullets and there bombs

Children are taught to die and they will, they will

Until they drink the wine, they will, they will

I will stand strong with the light and Christ in my life

I pledged with hand over heart and freedom at my side

I am not afraid, I wont burn out in this place

my intention is to fade and I will, I will

Databases

News about databases and the collection of information has been in the news recently in regards the Syrian refugees.  Donald Trump stated “I would certainly implement that. Absolutely,” Trump told NBC between town hall appearances in Iowa. “There should be a lot of systems, beyond databases,” he added. “We should have a lot of systems. And today you can do it.”

Republican presidential candidates swiftly condemned Donald Trump’s call for requiring Muslims in the United States to register in a national database, drawing a sharp distinction Friday with the GOP front-runner.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush called Trump’s proposal “abhorrent.” Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Trump was trying to “divide people.” And Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who has largely avoided criticizing Trump throughout the 2016 campaign, said that while he was a fan of the billionaire businessman, “I’m not a fan of government registries of American citizens.”

In another article I found this “The United States has resettled more than 3 million refugees since the mid-1970s, and the screening system in the post-9/11 era includes multiple background checks, screenings against FBI and other databases and an in-person interview. “

So really if Donald would have taken a little time, the issue is not the database aka registries, but really the information we are going to be able to collect from these refugees.  From the day you are born in U.S. you are in the database.  We give our information away everyday on Facebook, blogging.  Hell when you sign up for a credit card, create an account with your favorite retailer, book a flight, get a driver’s license, get arrested, pay your taxes, the list goes on. You are in a database.

No matter what happens these people are going to be in a database. That my two cents.  Another fine example of our politicians who don’t have a clue.

One step over the line

I had the best of intentions to get out and walk to work today, but that didn't happen.  Did manage to come home after work and got directly on the treadmill.  Only did 2/miles but that was two more than I had 35 minutes ago.  So there!

I have been religious about updating my tracking spread sheet.  I didn't weigh this morning but did this evening.  It's funny how much your body fluctuates in a day.

Up to just over 11/miles for the last three days.  Need to catch up tomorrow.

Candy cooked up an awesome dinner this evening.  Thanks Babe!

Some Days

Fall

I have a love hate relationship with Fall.   I enjoy the temperatures and the changing of the colors, but I hate the yard work that comes along with it.   I spent a good three hours working in the yard today picking up leaves.   I used the lawn mower and bagged.   I could take two swipes and then have to empty the bag.  I ended up with eight large trash bags.  The yard looks great now, but in a day or two, I will have everyone else's leaves back in my yard and driveway.

I didn't get out on the trails as far as I would have liked to today.  Had Candy and dogs with me.   Candy and Pebbles do great, but old Mable has a hard time.  She sure tries, I will give her that.  She doesn't hear or see so great, so if we get to far ahead she gets a little confused.  She walks into things on the trail as well.  But again, she gives it hell.

We just did a little loop around the park.  It was nice out today and I was surprised that we didn't see anyone. 

Over the weekend I have been working on my quilt table.  I have made some good progress but have a long way to go.  Candy says I need to have it done and moved before Thanksgiving so we can use the dining room.

Out on the trails.....

Pebbles and I got up and took off for a little hike this morning.  It was a little cool out, but I was dressed for it.  Pebbles didn't seem to mind as far as I could tell.   We did just about 5/miles and she was off the leash for the most part.  She does really good except for when we come across other pooches. 

My fitbit blew craps and isn't working any more.   So I am back to using my Garmin GPS.  I actually think I will prefer using my GPS as I can route it out on Google Maps.  It will also allow me to track my elevation.

I started a new spreadsheet to track my distance and my meals.  If I can just get in the habit of using it daily I will be off to a good start.

Pebbles took some time to check out the creek this morning.  She was all wound up after getting in.

Gotta Keep A Runnin

I was talking with my mom and my sister on the phone.  Conference us all together, that was a first.  Need to get us all setup with video, it would be more fun.   It was great to catch up and I get to see my sister next week.   Really looking forward to hanging with her and the family.

Work is super busy, but that’s not new.  I have some serious travel coming up through the rest of the year.  Looking forward to it as it will give me a chance to spend some time with our awesome team members.  I need to do it more, but it is tough.

I was perusing through my older post and I what I learned is that I need to get out and take some pictures.  I used to be so good about it when I was hiking all the time.  I need to get back start doing both again.  If I would get my ass out and hike, I am sure I would find something to take a picture of.

I started a new project this last week.  This has been a challenge but fun and worth the effort.  Back in the day, talking 20+ years ago, my parents gave us an oak dining room table.  I think they had it while I was growing up, so it’s at least 40 years old.  We used it for years; I even sanded it all down and re-stained it at one point.  Well long story short it was time for something new .

About six months ago we got a new table and chairs and the old table has been down on the garage taking up space.  I couldn’t get rid of it.  We have had it so long and I knew I could do something with it or give it to one of the boys. 

As luck would have it, Candy turned me on to barn quilts.  Google it and check it out.  So I figured I could use this table to make a barn quilt table.  Yes I am so original.   So this is my adaptation of the Lemoyne star quilt block.  I drew out a couple of ideas on paper so I could figure out my placement and colors.  

I will say working with a larger medium is a bit more of a challenge.  

First thing I did was to take the table over to the shop and take it all apart.  I pulled the top off the base.   This table used to expand and you could add two leafs to it.  I glued it together so now it will just be a round table.  I then took my sander with some 80 grit sand paper and sanded the top and all around to remove any stain.  Once that was done I blew it all off and then wiped it down with a cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining dust or dirt.

I used a string, stick pin and pencil to draw out the outer edge. Then used a tape measure, yard stick and a long piece of trim wood to draw out the lines.

I applied white paint that we already had in the garage.  This is the paint that we used to pain the kitchen walls.  It was still good and I have enough so why not.  I painted table with two coats of the white and let it dry.  Then I brought the table home and placed it on our dining room table.

I drew out my design using my tape measure and pencil.  This project requires a little math so be ready.   Once it was all drawn out, I started adding my colors.  This project goes a little slow as you have to tape off each area and apply several coats.  This only allows me to get one or maybe two squares done  a night.  Now I know where the term “waiting for paint to dry” came from.