2010 - BRING IT ON!!

January 1, 2010

As I sit here today with a slight pounding in my head, my clothes from last night wreaking of the champagne that I apparently took a shower in and has left this horrible taste in my mouth, no matter how many times I have brushed my teeth, I can't help but think about what the year, and the decade ahead hold for me.

See the last ten years have been me living through my thirties. My Mother once told me that for her, the thirties sucked, but the forties were great. Well I have to tell you that if the last ten years were supposed to have "sucked" in the words of my Mom, I can't wait for my forties, because my thirties have been one hell of a ride.

My late twenties were probably one of the worst times of my life for me. Kym and I had packed up everything that we owned, left our families and friends behind in Ft Collins, and moved to California to run a restaurant. The restaurant burned to the ground (with help from some nice person the fire investigator told us), and I returned to Ft Collins with more debt than I could ever imagine. If that wasn't bad enough, less than two years later, my house burned down thanks to some morons who refinishing the roof using propane torches to remove the old tar, and had removed the vent pipes at the same time. Pretty much everything was lost. That is how my twenties ended. Thank God for all my family and friends who helped me through this time in my life.

When I turned thirty I promised myself that things were going to get better. Could they really get any worse.

So much has happened to me in the last ten years. Most good, some great, and a little bad.

I have experienced highs and lows, good times and down times, met new friends, lost friends and family and reconnected with old friends, added one more child to my family and finally had the great pleasure of getting to be an uncle a with the addition of Madisen to my brother Steve's family.

I was fired for the dumbest reason ever from a job that I thought was a great job and dedicated way too much time to, often sacrificing time with my family for it. That was the worst day, and best day all rolled into one. Thanks Jerk, for firing me like that after 13 years. After all was said and done, I landed on my feet, in a much better job with a company that really does know what it means to take care of their employees. The job at Hooters has prepared me for life with teenage daughters - God help me. It has also provided me with some great friendships that I know will last a long time.

My children have grown so much. It is hard for me to believe that my oldest is going to be a senior next year. They all have so much going on in their lives it is hard to keep up with. As hectic as it is, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Kym went back to school and will be finished in two weeks. Now time to get a job. Just kidding. I am so thankful that Kym was able to be a stay home Mom for my kids until they all were old enough to go to school. I always complain about my job, but I couldn't do that job every day for 16 years.

My brother Les left Ft Collins for the west coast, only to return to good ol' Fort Fun. It is so good to have him back.

And me personally - I have gained so many great friends, learned a greater appreciation for how short life really is, and the meaning of giving to others through volunteering and helping out those who need it. While I don't have everything - I realize that I have it a lot better than many people and truly appreciate what I do have.

All in all - life has been pretty damn good for the last ten years. I have no complaints, and very few, if any regrets.

With that said - farewell 2009 and my thirties, Hello 2010 and my forties. Bring it on, I am ready for you.

The question is: Are you ready for me?