Roller Coaster Weekend

Over the past week our family has seen great sorrow and great joy. Suffering the loss of an unexpected death (Michael) in the family makes you question your faith, and on the other hand the marriage of two people (Chuck and Heather) helps to reinforce it. I guess why its called Faith!

Bah humbug!

First before I get to deep into this topic I need to state for the record that Alastair Sim was the best Scrooge (1951). Now to the topic at hand...bah humbug!

Is what Scrooge was saying all that bad? Perhaps some clarification is needed....was he directing his disgust toward people's general happiness to the holiday, or possibly the over indulgence or commercialization of Christmas? As a Christmas Carol devotee (viewed 50+ times) I think the message is simply to enjoy the holiday and cherish the relationships of those in your life. This is most apparent at the end of the story as Scrooge reaches out to Bob Cratchit and his family, specifically Tiny Tim.

True, Christmas has been capitalized on and the true meaning has been a little lost. So throughout this month I will create posts regarding symbolic references to Christmas. Stay tuned!

Cadillac Desert

My return to the Cadillac Desert (Arizona) this past weekend wasn't a trip done for some R & R, instead it was a 48 hour working binge!

To take you through the roller coaster of emotions here is what happened...
Our condo, and former home, was reported trashed and unfit for anyone to move into. So after receiving this disappointing news on Thursday morning, we quickly bought 2 flights to AZ leaving that same night. We landed about 8pm, and drove straight to the condo to assess the situation. It definitely wasn't fit to move in, but was far better than I had imagined. We painted, cleaned, fixed, and got it in tip-top shape just in time for our new tenant!

As we reflected on our trip we came to a few conclusions;

• Damn was that expensive
• Wow, I really miss the winters in Arizona
• It is tough being away from the kids
• Our family is amazing*

*I need to explain how amazing our family is...First, Grandma and Grandpa took the kids cancelling whatever else they had planned. Next, we arrived to open arms (and a very tasty Pumpkin Brew) for which the Brew Master and his wife (Tia) provided room, board, a car, supplies to fix the home, and always great conversation. Finally, we enjoyed a perfect meal; from conversation, to the people we were with, and yes the food too! This potentially disastrous trip was actually rather amazing, and I don't think I could have said that had it not been for our family. So in a weird twist of events and despite the expenses accrued, I am actually happy this all happened the way it did.

Thank you!

Aged to Perfection

Thrity-one years ago today marks the day of my birth into this big exciting world. Thank you mom and dad!

Weekend Refuge

What does a perfect weekend look like? Here's a start:

Agenda: Nothing
Destination: Up North on a lake somewhere
Supplies: Golf clubs, guitars, fishing poles
Food: Eggs, sausage, hash browns , 2 large pizzas, 3 cases of beer, and a bottle of vodka (green olives too)

Although that was pretty much what the list consisted of, it really came down to the four other people I was with...my dad and 3 brothers that made this trip the beginning of many more to come!



Our journey began with a simple idea...start a family "man's" tradition! Little did we know this idea landed the 5 of us at this beautiful cabin (thanks to the Jon and Michele)


We took in a peaceful game of golf (for the record I think Dad won)...

...and then moved to the campfire for many more hours,








but not before a dusk kayak around the placid Lake Mary.


Although this trip came and went quickly, the tradition we have started has served as the catalyst for trips to come. Our agenda was "nothing", but for good reason. For some of us it was a time to reflect, reconnect, release, or just relax. Whatever the reason was for each of us, it only left one question in my mind as I sit here today; "where is next year's location going to be?"