Pretty Damn Thankful

The holiday season is such a cool time of year. It is so much fun to be able to hang out with your family and friends with that kind of euphoric feeling. However, as much as it lets your enjoy the present, it really does make you reflect on the past. This is the first year in recent memory that I have been single during this season and it is truly different. This time of year is definitely better to be spent with someone that you care a lot about. It kind of gives it a whole new meaning. I have been blessed for the past 4 or 5 years to have someone in my life that I have cared alot about during this time. I don't mean to be "sappy" but drinking will do that to you sometimes. It does seem that no matter what you do, certain things happens that reminds you of the past, even though you are doing everything to forget it.
There are a lot of cool things happening this year, a lot of firsts and lasts. This will be John and Brandy's last holiday season with separate last names. It will be Jones Lotterhos' first Christmas, and Darrin and Michelle's last before they are buying presents for a baby. Not to mention, there will be another nephew coming next year that I can only hope is half the kid Collin is. Its fun to watch, and I am blessed to see it all happen. A bunch of friends having kids, getting married, and family members taking the next step in their lives. My step brother is off to the Marines to find himself and I know he will. My sister has been through a lot, and I kind of finally feel like I have her back in my life the way she was years ago. My dad is dealing with adversity and knowing that he will come out better on the other end is a great feeling. This is could be my grandfathers last Christmas, which is tough to swallow, but it does put into perspective of what is really important. I have always kind of been a guy that has worn his heart on his sleeve...maybe a little cheesy...maybe a little over the top...but at least I know it...and frankly, I could care less. Although I may delete this post when I sober up in the morning. Its so much fun to watch my Mom, Step dad, Dad, along with my brother and sister in law and step brother and sister in law, just be in awe of the all the grand kids and what not...It really is fun to watch how God can put people in your life that are there for the sole purpose of giving joy. I really see every single member of my family and friends as that very thing. When I feel down about not having the things that others have, I am reminded by that. Now I know that some people may read this and think that it is overly cheesy and they are probably right, but it doesn't really matter. If I ever thought about questioning my faith, or feeling down about something I used to have, I am always reminded about the power of faith and hope that God gives. I do not usually outwardly speak about God...but if you look at the people he has surrounded me with, there is no denying what he can do. I am so thankful for everyone in my life, and how they make me who I am. I couldn't ask for a better family nor could I ask for better friends...I am thankful that I am so lucky...OK...I am done being cheesy...Happy Thanksgiving.

Tigers Lose, Hogs Lose, Pnemonia and colds are not caused by the cold, but Hey! my Fantasy Team Won! Finally

Well it was a great weekend to hang out with my father, my brother and my nephew. Unfortunately, we traveled 2 and 1/2 hours to Starkville only to freeze our asses off and then leave with 5 minutes left and miss the most exciting part of the game. But...we still lost so we didn't feel too regretful. After the Hogs turned it over on downs, trailing by 10 with under 5 minutes left and I couldn't feel my fingertips or lips, I decided to get a jog in a run the mile to the car. Of course after that, my face was frozen , but then I was able to put the coat on that I, of course, left in the car to begin with.
Dad and I headed back in his car and Mike and Collin went back with Mikes friend, Jason and his son. In the car ride home, my father and I decided to do what we normally do to pass time, which is have the most random arguments or conversations known to man. It started off as it normally does, with my father saying.."OK, lets name the 9 ways that you can score from 3rd base with two outs and no one else on base." We always get to 8 and the argue about what the 9th is. Then we got into a conversation about pneumonia and colds and how one contracts them. This is where I become dumb and argue against a FACT that I know to be true, just to see if I can BS enough to get my Dad to agree with me...knowing that I am wrong. I failed miserably. Its kind of like the show on ESPN, called PTI, two guys pick a topic and one HAS to take one side, and the other HAS to take the other...if you had a TV show with two people agreeing all the time...it wouldn't do very well. It would be like Katie Couric interviewing a Democratic Presidential Nominee. Anyway, I took the side that pneumonia could in fact be caused by cold weather, or falling into a pool of freezing water, and I argued till I turned blue, but I knew it was wrong...bottom line...it shortened the trip home and it entertained the hell out of my father and I. (Fact is that pneumonia and colds are caused by bacteria and germs, or sometimes a virus when we talk about colds. The reason why most people get them in the winter, is because everyone is in close quarters, because they are usually inside, where its warm...and you can spread germs better...because its cold outside!..wait...I think I just proved my point...nah)
So that was pretty much the weekend...pretty lame...The Tigers lost tonight because they are missing 3 main things that they had last year. They have NO Identity as a TEAM. They have NO Leadership. but worst of all they have NO confidence. Fact is you CANNOT win anything in life without confidence. You can get far on luck and talent, but if you lack the will to win and knowing that you can do it, you make mistakes (like missing big free throws when it counts). Now I would like to believe that the Tigers could make a good run this year, but they are a long way away. To be honest we are not even close to being guaranteed CUSA champs this year. There is some talent in this league and the Tigers have definitely fallen back since last year...but this is why we pay the big bucks to Coach Cal, and I do believe he can have this team in the Sweet 16 again. That would pave the way for a next year, where your Tigers very well could be a preseason Top 3 team.
Oh and my fantasy team won for only the second time in 8 games. After starting of 4-0 in the league, this win will get me to 6-6 and clinch a spot in the playoffs...I know of all things that anyone could care less about, it would be my fantasy team, but I can't sleep people...so I just type what comes to mind. You will just have to deal. Turkey day is coming...and so is a Holiday special blog, with lots of pics of the cutest kids in the world stay tuned and if you don't hear from me, Happy Thanksgiving...gobble gobble.

New Car...and Training for a half marathon...and Hogs and Dogs.

Well the ole "Silver Bullet" was put to rest today for a 2009 Altima..black. So a new era begins. And...I decided to start training for a half marathon in March or April. I have been running alot lately, but I have been hampered by a bum left ankle. Hopefully there is nothing too wrong with it and I can make it through. I think this will be easier than it is for most people, because I have a kick ass support team of friends that have done it. I logged about 18 miles last week. I have only run about 5 this week, but thats because I am being a wuss on my ankle. The whole quitting smoking thing should help...although to be honest...I cheated big time the other night when I went drinkin with some of the boys...its amazing how easy it is when you are not drinking, but as soon as you grab a beer, those damn things look tasty. But we will fight through it.

Hogs and Dogs this weekend...in what is becoming a semi-annual ritual, my brother, father, and I will be headed to watch the Hogs probably get the ass kicked by Mississippi State...but it will be fun to get the boys back together and bring along the Collinman for his first Hog game. Good Times.

In a bit of a fog.

Sometimes life is hard to figure out. At certain times in your life things can come by so easy, especially when you don't want them, and then when you do want it, it just seems like its nowhere to be found. Don't get me wrong...I am not complaining, it just seems ironic. It is like that in all aspects of life.
Examples...with work...During the slowest part of the year, I could do no wrong...selling my tail off. Wasn't expected to do too much, but just kind of exploded in the middle months...then, towards the end of the year, the busiest and most productive time...its like pulling teeth to close something. I know things will be fine and I will still have a big year, but its just amazing how its working like that.
The same seems to go with relationships. This isn't just me...and I am not saying I am looking for anything...but it is so strange how when you are in a relationship, women and opportunity just come out of the woodwork with interest. Of course, you don't want it at the time, but its there. Then when you are single, it is so freakin hard to find someone to "connect" with. You can meet a fun, hot, smart, freakin gymnast who you may share alot in common with, but it just doesn't click in that way for one reason or another. My reasoning for being single the past 6 months has been mainly because I didn't want to be in a relationship...even though God knows my mother wants me to find someone yesterday to give her more grand kids...God love her. At the same time, it sucks sometimes because I am be too picky. But I think everyone should be. I am not going to be in a marriage or a relationship for that matter that I don't have fun in, or that I don't enjoy. It can happen...I have seen it.
Wow...ok...got off on a rant...I like this...kinda like a diary...Carrie and Brandy will read it and it will just be like we are sitting on your patio and I am venting to you about life. But from the confines of our own places...and its therapeutic. Aight...anyway...back to bitchin...
The same goes for Money with all this crap...every time my bills are paid off ... I got extra cash...then I spend it...build up some debt...get ready to pay that off, and the car goes out, or tear a rotator cuff, break a wrist, or whatever the hell it is and now I got doctor bills, and crap on top of the money that have I spent on playing golf and clothes at banana republic that I will leave at Darrin's house for 3 months before I ever see it again, meanwhile, the $250 putter I bought I can't seem to make anything putts with, and the $100 glove with $125 bat I bought for the softball season is just sitting in some rednecks truck or out on the open market, but the point is (besides setting the record for the longest run-on sentence and no I am not going to go back and add commas and periods)..point is....sometime we get careless and "blow our wad" on the unimportant things in life, only to be not prepared with those things show up and need attention. Clearly that is something I need to get better at. Maybe that's what the big guy is trying to tell me.."Get your stuff together and then I will hook you up." He probably isn't really saying it in such modern tone...but you get the picture. Fact is...if I would have played it differently two years ago...I would be married...maybe even had a kid, but I made a decision based on thought and not emotion...not to mention, I listened to my friends. Do I have some regrets? Sure...but only superficial ones, none that have real substance and meaning. I am where I am at for a reason, and maybe I don't know exactly what that is yet...but I will at some point. When I had tough decisions to make...I hit my knees and it became clear what to do...When I needed help quitting smoking...I hit my knees and the urge was lessened. When I have been hurt by a loss, I hit my knees and the pain was lightened. Now I am just in a bit of a fog...so...I will hit my knees...and it will lift. Things will become clearer. One problem or issue will go away or be resolved, then another will come about. It is the circle of life. Man I am random...I just read this thing...Brandy...that's the last time i go to Starbucks that late again. ; ) Alright, I have a long day tomorrow..I guess I will start blogging again some other time...what the hell.
Esto Vir,
H

Been over a month and goin strong kids...

Well, it finally feels good to be a non-smoker. Granted some of you(the few that even know I have a blog) have seen me cheat once or twice, but it is amazing how much better I feel now that I do not smoke. I have logged about 17 miles running this week, and had it not been for a bum ankle, probably would have been more. Now I did gain a few after quitting. I went from 180 to 194. However, alot of that (hopefully) is muscle since JP and I have been lifting. I have trimmed down to 189, but my goal by Christmas is to be back to 180, then eventually as slim 175...but we will see. Every Saturday morning, Dhope, Dodd, and I are making the trail run a ritual. Now I am no long run guy like thier 20 they did this weekend, but I think I am gonna start seriously training for a half marathon. Last week I ran a total of 5 days, running 3miles 3 days, and 4 miles 2 days. Thats the beginning. It Won't be to tough with the support system of D and D, but we will see.