I’m selling 1012, I’m not sure if I posted about this before but I’m finally parting ways with that property. The proceeds will pay off 712 and when I turn 50, I’ll owe nothing. The house, paid for. The Xterra, paid for. The RV, paid for. The truck, paid for…

I’m sad to see the place go but what used to be a nice little place in the suburbs is going through pre-gentrification. That’s where all the old people that used to care about their places died and the block goes to hell. At least it’s going to a family instead of becoming a rental, I went through pains for that and I hope it’s helped someone start building a life.

What’s really sad to see is how hard it’s become for the younger folks to buy a house, close to impossible around here. This is going to have long term ramifications because buying a house allows you to build passive wealth. Had I not bought 1012 15 years ago there’s no possible way I could be thinking about retirement.

We had our company Christmas party today, it was online so it wasn’t all that bad. Still feel that I’m terribly lacking in social skills but that’s just me. Some really gut-punch news in that one of my co-workers has a cancer diagnosis. The last time that happened was Nancy at PDS lord rest her soul. I’ll keep good thoughts and hope for the best for her. What else can I do.

So a new year is only a couple of weeks away, I’ve got a lot to be thankful for and more things I want to change. One of those is to write more. So my new year’s resolution is to blog daily, even if it’s just something simple. Hopefully, that’ll get me in the place to update my blog.

Well preseason anyways. The Cowboys are playing this afternoon and there isn’t much to cheer about. The curse is real and they won’t go anywhere again this year. So that it’s in writing, I believe that because we’re looking at a 17 game season they won’t be 8 and 8! But I believe this doesn’t bode well for the boys and will result in a more pathetic than usual 7 and 10 season. They’re due a pretty big pummeling in the opener with Tampa Bay and that will set the tone for the rest of the season.

But beyond how badly they’ll be playing I’ll be hoping I’m wrong and they win. It’s also nice to have football back on. Once you get past the whinny people complaining that someone is taking a knee or what anthem is playing, it’s good to see physical competition in the goofy American ritual called football. It signals the start of school and the promise of cooler weather coming.

Life is good but life is short, enjoy the things that make you smile!

I don’t think it’s been a year yet since an old high school classmate committed suicide and we’ve lost another member of the class of 90. Mike Wassink passed. I didn’t know him, I knew I went to school with him but that’s about it. Great guy from what I understand, we just never ran in the same circles.

For some reason I started looking up folks from the past, one of them used to be my boss when I drove a truck, Ralph Paglia. Good guy, evidently was one of the founders of auto sales marketing at the dawn of the internet. Passed due to Covid late last year. His Facebook, and linked-in are still sitting there, an algorithm someplace keeps track of the days since last log in. I wonder how long it will count before something is done.

It’s sad even if it is part of life. It is the final and unavoidable end to life, all life and as much as we try to comfort ourselves with religion and thoughts of an afterlife where we share eternity with loved ones, it’s hard to believe it’s real. At least it is for me.

If you live in Texas you’ll know that the summer is hot, you’ll also know this year we’ve dodged a bullet because it was only yesterday we got our first 100 degree day. We’ve been blessed but nothing last forever and we’re sitting at 102 with a ‘feels like’ of 108. I took about 10 minutes and mowed half of the backyard. The mower is self propelled so it’s more like taking a walk than anything else but still pretty hot. I know, why do yard mowing now in the heat of the afternoon. While I don’t believe in doing actual work in this heat I think it’s bad not to embrace it just a bit. Yeah it’s hot but it just means you have to take the extra precautions, limit exposure and stay hydrated. All part of the summer in the south.

So since the last time I posted, I’ve been to Arkansas and Missouri camping, finished a class, and have made great strides on the organizational changes at the house and am weathering a concerning work environment that we’re watching closely.

And I guess I didn’t have anything to say about it. Ugh, I’m such a procrastinator. Oh well the future is in front of us and we can’t do anything about the past. I’ll work on doing better.

To that end it’s Monday morning at 0749 and I’ve been awake since 4:30ish, drank a 20oz red bull and walked 4300 steps. Already two emails from work taken care of which unfortunately may be the extent of my work day. But I’m going to keep things moving forward as best I can and be thankful for where I’m at and what I’ve got. I’m blessed, just need to get it through my thick skull:)

So federal taxes are due tomorrow, well for the rest of the US anyways. Here in Texas we have an extra month so when H&R Block asked me for a code sent to my cell phone, I just closed the browser. Jackasses expect me to get up and walk to my cell phone? I could have got it from my watch but didn’t think about that.

It did get me thinking though. Why is it that I have to file taxes? I’m not talking about paying taxes, you’ll never get out of that but why do I (every year) need to figure out which of the myriad of software packages to use, round up my and my spouses W4’s and band statements on interest… Doesn’t the IRS already have this?

Evidently I’m not the only one thinking about this, here’s a group that’s thinking about the same thing. But nothing is going to change as long as the tax preparation software companies are lining the pockets of elected officials.

Rocky and Sammy turn 3 today!!! I sang them happy birthday and enjoyed their confused looks, they didn’t seem to grasp the significance. We celebrated by not opening the curtains in the bedroom and sleeping all day, I know, a bit of a wasted day but it’s what they wanted. In any case a shout out to the HP for bringing them into my life, they are truly a joy!

The weather was cold and rainy today, which is honestly perfect for a Monday. So I got some work done and actually went for two walks today and made my steps. 8 days without a cigarette and I’m feeling pretty good about everything. The only hard times are first thing in the morning and after meals, still a twinge now and then but nothing I can’t handle.
So when Shelly was here for Cinco De Mayo, we made tacos, I swear taco meat is greatness, reheats wonderfully and can be used in tacos, burritos, salads, or in the case of tonight’s entree, taco baked potatoes (yes there’s a potato under there) yum!!!