Goodbye 2015

I always think it's interesting when someone says 'those are good problems to have'. Luckily all problems have a solution, sometimes they just aren't apparent when you are looking.

2015 started off bad and didn't let up often. There were some amazing highlights but looking back in it's totality, we are happy to see 2015 roll into a new year and give us a fresh start. It's all mental but creating a magic 'from this point forward' line really helps.

We don't have huge plans for the coming year, we both just want things to continue to level out. We are hoping to head to Mexico for some scuba diving in the spring. I'm heading to Texas in a few weeks for a little adventure and we will both head down there in February. I know I'll be in Vegas for work stuff a few times and even Texas for work later in the year. The cars will have some mileage added to them this year for sure (since flying ruins an entire day, 12 hours of driving will be much better for the closer trips).

Preparedness will continue but we are going to hold off on doing some extensive work at the cabin until 2017 so we don't use cash reserves and don't have to get a loan. Things will get done but on a smaller scale. We need to do a few things here in the city but they aren't too major (water heater, tear out the bedroom drywall and add new insulation).

So long 2015. You tried to break us but made us stronger (so thanks?).

Chili, because.

We had a nice holiday with Father in-law and some neighbors (of ours) that he invited. We don't dislike said neighbors but the only thing they have in common with FIL is religion. As soon as they showed up he wanted to dance with her. I quickly shot him in the ass with a nerf gun but no damage was done. It's really uncomfortable for everyone because he is trying to get away by being the 'innocent old man' but we really know whats going on and you can tell when others don't feel comfortable. We already had the 'can't date anyone we work with' talk so we are just seeing how things play out.

I continued the nerf war for about 4 hours (it's what happens when we pick out the toys to give a nephew) and then we moved to lego's. Somebody picked up a troop transport and tie fighter but couldn't find the falcon anywhere locally. I always wanted one but he had to settle but it didn't matter they were all dumped in a pile and scooped into a box for another time.

We wanted to spend Christmas in the mountains but the rest of the family didn't. I had to be at work on Saturday so it was for the best. Here is what the drive down looked like on Saturday afternoon:

Some winds but otherwise it was sunny until this spot almost halfway.

As expected because it's December.

Solid ice. The town is around the bend and straight on.

Fresh snow and Rabies the cat is surviving on her own just fine.

X marks the spot that Rock made.

The high yesterday was 20 and it was a little breezy to make it negative 9. I decided that would be a no workout day (3 in a row, somebody help me) and Rock didn't get many hikes because the ice was forming on his paws. We can't do the booties unless we muzzle him so he gets to sit around more in the winter and be bored.

I did run this afternoon, it was about 9 degrees with wind chill but the sky was blue and I felt sloth-full and needed to do something. Long sleeve shirt, running wind-proof jacket, gloves, ear muff thing and shorts. I was super overheated, should have known better but wanted to prevent frostbite in case the wind picked up. My legs are always fine, it's my fingers and ears that get bitchy.

I like my stew and chili very chunky with just enough juice to soak into the crackers. Kidney beans, white beans, ground beef, onion, tomato dices, jalapeños (they don't carry Serrano peppers here), cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, tomato paste. It wasn't very spicy so it was more like hamburger stew but we managed to eat 5 bowls.

We saw Star Wars but have to see it again because some parents brought their 2 and 3 year old kids and let them run around and play in the isle. Just like off leash dogs, it's not the dogs fault (or kids in this case) but there really isn't anything you can do because the parents obviously don't care.

I hope your holiday was bright and you got a little more freedom and liberty under the tree! We donated to some great dog organizations and helped 2 friends get their first firearms. The year is coming to a close so it's time for reflection and goal setting. Can't be sure of what the next year will bring but it's going to be wild for sure.

The winds howl

Life at the base of a mountain range has many challenges, but the biggest issue I always seem to notice is the wind. If you go one direction and have a headwind, when you turn around how is it still a headwind? I see all these houses and ranches in the wide open and just don't understand how they manage.
Sustained winds of 45+ mph were incredible to witness and feel. Even out in the sunshine, with the thermometer reading 40 it felt like frostbite was going to set in fast. It howled all night long, Rock wasn't pleased with the sounds and I just knew my plans to run were being demolished. I don't mind the wind but at some point you have to throw the towel in.

Heading to the cabin it was very calm and beautiful.

We spent the weekend hanging out reading, adding our latest food storage purchases to the inventory list and doing some relaxing. I have to admit I was bored out of my mind and thought about buying a treadmill but realized that's more boring than anything else. Unfortunately with getting 15+ hours a week of running, lifting and MMA, I find myself unable to sit still for very long.

We knew it would be windy when we purchased in the area and that's why we got a place in the tree's. Being wind trapped for the first time ever was just an odd experience. It can be -20 and 2 feet of snow and I'll be out playing in it but these winds this weekend were a 'no go zone'.

Work is really slow for me as expected but the business overall is booming. We should be up about 20% year over year and I should end with my best year ever (financially). I should enjoy the downtime but it's just so damn hard.

Rock doesn't enjoy winter so much, more inside time than he likes. He expects us to just keep the front door open... our silly little polar bear.

Hopefully I'll get another post in before Friday but if not, Merry Christmas everyone!

Harder and harder to get out of bed

Work has been mentally taxing on the both of us for the last 2 months. I always imagined myself as a happiness over money person but when you really start to weigh things out it's odd how much the scale leans towards the money. It's probably a good thing, prevents people from making decisions based on emotion. It also lets you ride the wave in the storm to the beach (or the rocks, depending).
Good news is we have seen the beach and the sand looks good. I decided to get rid of my last old vehicle but did need to replace it so... SURPRISE, happy early birthday, late anniversary and early christmas...

Nothing we've owned has had a trunk, they are really handy for storing things out of sight. A great invention.

I've stepped up my working out, again. I've picked up a real boxing coach and take classes after my regular sessions and running. This will put me at about 9 workouts a week. Getting out of bed is becoming a real bitch, especially at 2AM when Rock needs to be let out. I sort of get up and lean on the wall and zombie shuffle as my ankles decide if they want to be flexible or my hips want to pivot. It's a lot of discomfort and work but anytime I think it's not worth it I remember I've gotten some of my best boxing pointers from a vet who has a below knee amputation on one leg and works hard at the gym.

I'm the leanest I've been as far back as I can remember (high school perhaps and that was just skinny). I'm thinking of hammer out a 50k next year, that should be a good goal to work towards and destroy.

Rock is enjoying the relatively warm December. We didn't rake the leaves up this year so they can break down and make some healthier soil. We also can hear what side of the yard he is on as he crashes through the piles the wind has made. I think the only downside is sometimes you can't find the shoes and socks he leaves under the bushes.

We took all of our firearms and drove to Texas and sold them for cash. The guy didn't even want a receipt and there are no background checks for private sales. I figured it was time to get rid of them before they automatically assaulted anything.

or did we....