Rearview Mirror ... 2005 Highlights

I knew that 2005 would be a special year and a year of continued transition. In 2005 I built on what I had started in mid to late 2004, which was to transform myself from the inside out. Prior to then I had accomplished many things but hadn’t felt a similar change deep within. Since, I have gained a new perspective on my life, a sense of internal peace and contentment, appreciation, and a meaningful loving connection to others as well as the entire universe. I really like myself and what I have become. Via this transformation, I've ultimately opened myself up enough to find the new love of my life, Mindy. I believe that 2006 will be another fulfilling year chalked with positive change – body, mind and soul. January 2005: The Minnesota Vikings won their division with a meager 8-8 win/loss record launching them into the playoffs. They won the Wild Card Game, Sunday January 9th over the Green Bay Packers 31-17. But unfortunately, they lost in the divisional round the following week, Sunday, January 16 to Philadelphia 27-14. After sitting idle for 2.5 years, I finally dismantled Lindsey’s old bedroom, removing the boy band posters that covered 100% of the wall space as well as all the trash and mess left behind. It looked like she had just left in a rush. I converted it into a second guest room with a subtle faux paint job and a collection of black & family white photos. Continued guitar lessons with Doug Seven Suffered through a grueling day of material loss. In a single day three separate events plagued my Isuzu Trooper. The CD player went on the fritz. The heater went out, and a co-worker flung his laptop into the driver’s side door leaving a nice dent. Not a good day for the Trooper. It was a Barley’s Friday, however. February 2005: Finally converted my dining room into a real dining room. Bought a new dining room suit from Macy’s. Celebrated my eight year running anniversary on February 9th with, you guessed it, a run. March 2005: After much hoopla, I finally received the canvas print of Picasso’s, Guitarist that I ordered via the internet. April 2005: Stopped guitar lessons with Doug Seven – too difficult to commute across town and be there by 530pm each Wednesday. Visited Cozumel, Mexico with brother Tommy. Among other things, we did four cool dives. Most notably, we completed a cave & wall dive, and witnessed the spawning of the barrel sponges. Also, met tow interesting women, Patty F, a Veterinarian from Madison, Wisc. and Isela Lorenzo who worked at the resort but was originally from Panama. May 2005: Finally completed the backyard uplighting project I had been planning for several years My new shed was broken into over Memorial Day weekend and my John Deere tractor and Toro mower were stolen. Replaced ten burning bushes in my home landscape likely due to rabbits chewing away at the trunks. June 2005: Met Jacqueline B. She was very cute and very sweet. We went to Comfest for our first date. Strange setting for a first date but fun! July 2005: Attended Red, White, & Boom with JB. We watched the show from the Nationwide Arena area. So-so view. Took a long four day - 4th of July weekend. Picked up my old boat from brother Tommy’s on Saturday, July 9th. I never gave it back. I was originally borrowing it while he went to the Caribbean with his family. I spent several hours getting it looking like a million dollars again. Began a long string of warm summer weekends on either Alum Creek or Griggs Reservoir. By summer’s end, it was officially mine again! August 2005: Family camp trip to Alum Creek State Park August 5-7. I hadn’t camped in about ten years. I bought some new gear and took what later would officially become my old-new boat. Kaileigh, Ashley, and Brittney were my guests. Collectively, there were 15 of us camping. Everyone had a great time. Ironically, it hadn’t rained in several weeks prior to our trip. Of course it rained the night before and all day the day we arrived, making set-up a muddy mess. We didn’t allow that to spoil our fun, however. One week summer vacation August 5-14. Spent a number of days boating, alone and with daughter Ashley. Started my online Blog officially, Friday, August 5th. Finally met Vicki B., life long friend of Cousin Dodie, at a backyard barbeque in Chillicothe the weekend of August 13th. September 2005: Attended Randy and Dodie’s Labor Day weekend party in Chillicothe. The stars were take your breathe away beautiful. I saw more stars than I can ever recall seeing at one time. Began guitar lessons with Josh, whom I met at Barley’s Celebrated my 46th birthday quietly. Baked myself a tray of brownies. Went boating alone on the river Monday, September 12th for the first time. It was a hot, beautiful sunny day. Attended my first “Club House” OSU game tailgate party at Bob & Mary Ann’s for the OSU Texas game. Sadly, the Buckeyes lost. Met Mindy “the petite hottie school teacher” in person at Bob & Mary Ann’s “Club House” tailgate party on Saturday, September 17th. I knew she liked me. She originally planned only to stay for an hour or so, but my charm and good looks woo’d her into staying for the entire evening. We met on Match.com the week prior (September 8). On Sunday, September 18th I took Lee, the assistant brewmaster of Barley's, to see the Minnesota Vikings play the Cincinatti Bengals in Cincy. We lost badly. October 2005: Last boating day of the year and the latest date that I’ve ever been out. Spent Thursday, October 6th on the river along with Dad and Uncle Kenny. Sheila joined up with us later that evening. Glenn comes home for a mid-autumn Ohio visit (Friday October 14 thru Monday, October 31) Tommy's annual Halloween party. It was predicted to be cold and rainy, but instead it was crystal clear but still very chilly. Mindy met some of my family and wore an Evil Pixie costume. Hiked at Hocking Hills' Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls with Tommy, Glenn, and Mindy on Friday, October 28. Awesome! November 2005: 5th annual pilgrimage to Portland/Vancouver for the Thanksgiving Holiday (Nov 19-26). Skied at Mt Hood Meadows on an absolutely perfect day weather wise (50 degrees and clear, deep blue skies). First mountain biking ever. Leif Erickson Trail, Forest Park (the nation’s largest metropolitan park) Portland, Oregon - 22.5 miles round trip. Saw a Hoot Owl in the wild in Forest Park preceding our mountain bike ride after mentioning to Mindy just weeks earlier that I’d never seen one but badly wanted to. Broke my baby ( my Canon G2 digital camera) within an hour after landing home from Oregon. December 2005: Bought a new digital camera - Canon PS IS Celebrated my mothers 68th birthday with Mindy, Lindsey, Ashley, Tommy, Shellie and kids, Uncle Chuck and his girl friend, Joyce. Celebrated my fathers 70th birthday (Char’s 53rd) at aunt Char’s house. Mindy, Tommy, Brian, Kimberly, Tawny, Misty, Bunky, Alexis, Booby and kids. Mindy and I celebrated our first Xmas vacation together Friday night, December 23 thru Saturday, December 31st.