Find Your Why, Put In The Work and Live your Life with Happiness in Your Heart...

We do the THINGS because others depend on us. My sweet Kamy Kay needs me to be the leader of the pack and keep that pack safe, secure and well fed. She boils it down to the simplest of actions but it starts there. My amazing grandson needs me to be a fun-loving Grandpa that takes everything to the next level. My kids need me to be the best dad I can be to set lifes examples and a rock that they can depend on. My wife needs me to be the man that leads the family with a caring and loving heart but with strength and character that she can trust. I may not always live up to that standard but it is important for me that I am aware of where I am in regards to my own standard. Once we identify our WHY it is so much easier to do the WHAT. The catch is, that words and planning are not what gets the work done. It is the DOING IT that is the hardest part. May I love and protect others as simply as my Kamy Kay loves and protects me. Without question and with my whole heart. May others be able to depend on me. Not because I always am perfect but because I am uncomfortable letting them down. Lastly, may I lead with courage, strength and wisdom striving to do the right thing, the hard thing, the thing worth doing. They are so often the same thing. I just thought I needed to put something out today. Much Love My Peeps! Until next time......

2019: Another promising YEAR

Each New Year we make resolutions to eat, drink and be better.  We set goals for our businesses, our fitness and our waistlines.  We reflect on the good and bad of the year past to help us prepare for what is to come. There is just something about turning the page on a year that encourages use to look toward the future.  If you are one of those that set those goals and resolve to be a better self then my wish is that you see them come true.  My hope is that your every goal is exceeded and you take time to make memories throughout the year. The memories are the glue that holds it all together.  You can not reflect on the past without those memories and it is imperative that you plan for the future to build those memories.

The outcome for this year is not set in stone but I do have building blocks already in place.  Things to look forward to, work hard for and build memories with.  Concerts scheduled to attend with family, from Billy Joel to Willie Nelson to Bob Segar.  Live action stage to enjoy as cousin Becca takes on Patsy Cline at the Athens Theatre.  A family vacation that brings us all together to take on an all new adventure. Fitness to prepare for with another Spartan race scheduled.  A wedding to highlight the year with much planning set to culminate in a wonderful day for Alyse and I and of course the honeymoon.   And this is just the beginning.

If I can encourage one thing, it is plan the next adventure. Take out those calendars and set aside the time for making those memories.  Resolutions and goals are wonderful.  Some we may keep and some we may excel at but you will be far more successful making plans for building memories.

Much love to you and yours this New Year and may all your dreams become reality!

Until next time........

Rounding the curve

Turning the big 50....

I can remember going to my fathers 50th birthday like it was yesterday.  So much has happened since that time yet it seems just a short while ago.  Now it's my turn.  Time to figure out what happens in the second half of my life. (yes, I look forward to seeing 100 even though my actions may contradict that at times).  If I have learned anything to this point it is that life is an adventure.  Don't ever be afraid to enjoy where you are and dream of where you want to be.  Eat the cake but go for the run.  Work hard but don't forget to make time for the family.  Sow the fields in order to reap the harvest.  Never do anything halfway. (Ask my kids and they will be able to give you my best example)  Simple, cliche thoughts but important nonetheless.  I may have had to rebuild at a few points but I have never given up on taking the adventures when they come and endeavoring to build a better future.  My heart smiles knowing the best is yet to come and that's saying a lot when I look back at all the great memories so far.  But that's it, isn't it...Live for today to build memories for tomorrow.  Plan the vacation, take the scenic route, eat you lunch by the river, act like a tourist and make sure to drag along the ones you love. 

Until next time......

A Little Burned Biscuit Never Hurt Anyone

Twice in the last week I have been reminded of a story that I had once shared before.  The story is about how a father handles a family situation and teaches his son a valuable lesson, thus reminding me how important it is.

Burned Biscuits - A lesson we all should learn.

When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!
All my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing...never made a face nor uttered a word about it!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said, "Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Mom put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides--a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!"
As I've grown older, I've thought about that many times. Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people.
I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

I am thankful for parables such as this that help me keep life in perspective.  I can only endeavor to be the man in the story.  As I have been reminded the burnt biscuits were made with the same love as non burned ones and who am I to discourage or demean the intent of the biscuit baker.  In fact, it's really my responsibility to acknowledge the effort and recognize that they gave of themselves whether it came out the way they intended or that I would have preferred.  I know I am far from perfect and weak as the next person with the ability to succumb to the continual onslaught of negativity around us. Believe me, I don't live in some fairy tale world where happy memes and kumbaya hugfests will make everything better, but for me, I have found it is helpful to look at the positive side of things.  The glass isn't half full or half empty, I'm just happy to have something in it. (I'm working on filling that shit until it's overflowing though)  Unfortunately, it doesn't always happen and occasionally I find myself circling back to correct my initial action (read reaction) but at least I am learning and willing to change the things I can, especially for those that mean the most to me. The people in my corner that love and encourage me deserve nothing less than my best and most positive attempt and hopefully while fulfilling that duty it brushes off on one or two others I come into contact with. I can promise you it has helped with my sanity over the past few years and I will keep working on it. 

Now I just need to figure out how to not get upset and argue with those that constantly want to complain and bitch about everything they come into contact with or the ones that perpetuate lies to bolster their one sided opinion, but that's for another day.  ;-)

Until next time....

I Believe It's About Perspective and Attitude

Recently I have been contemplating removing myself from all social media.  It seems that fear mongering and seeking out things to complain about and sharing them are becoming the norm.  So much so that I dreamed about it the other day and when negative attitudes and constant complaining start filtering in to your dreams, you may want to rethink things.  I didn't even want to address it for fear of falling into the same negative compliant fueled diatribe myself.  But then I decided to get up and go watch the sunrise this morning.  Sunrises are amazing to me.  The beginning of a brand new day.  Mother nature has cleaned the slate and hit reset so that we can enjoy the day anew.  I take pleasure watching the world come alive.  Mornings in general just set me in the right direction.  I listen better, focus my thoughts and have time to clean out the clutter to enjoy the moment.  But how can we carry that enjoyment of life and happiness throughout the day.  With 24 hour news perpetuating doom and gloom, reality TV introducing more and more drama into our lives, and social media wrecking havic on us with naysayers spewing hatred and others constantly complaining about the other sides opinion (and those are our friends and family).  How do you carry that wonderful feeling of happiness and love into the rest of your life, work and family? How do you block out the dark and continue to introduce light?  How can I be a better version of me and help bring a smile and genuine happiness to those I come in contact with?  I legitimately do not have the answer but I believe it lies within our own perspective and attitude.  Allowing ourselves to be open to the idea that essentially most people have more potential for good than bad and and many of them are really just trying to do the right thing.  Embrace that view and reflect it back.  Seek the good and through our attitude reflect it back out into the world.  It seems so easy for people to lean toward negative and reflect that back with a magnitude of even more negative that I truly fear for the direction it is leading us as a society.  It drives a very noticeable division between our different cultures.  Without embracing our differences and and finding wonder in the things that make us unique we do not allow ourselves to learn.  To become defiantly close minded to others opinions and seek out crap to spew in an attempt to somehow fight for your position is utterly irresponsible.  I was discussing this with my daughter and the best analogy I could think of was like finding a pile of dog poop in the yard and instead of cleaning it up before someone stepped in it or even possibly walking around it and going on with your day people seem to be seeking it out, stepping in it on purpose, dragging it into the house with their shoe and then complaining that there is dog shit on the carpet.  But now I feel as if I am falling back into the cycle.
I can only try to take in life with the wonderment of a child and cast it back out into the the world with the wisdom of many of the teachers before me and hope that my perspective stays focused on good and my attitude helps perpetuate happiness with those I surround myself with.  Clean the slate, enjoy the peace, embrace those around you with love and for god sake stay away from the piles of poop.

Until next time.......

Time To Turn The Page

Have you ever typed for hours only to wipe it clean and start all over.  I just did that both physically and metaphorically. I started and stopped this blog post several times in the past few weeks and just wiped it all to start back over. Not a new beginning but definitely an ending and with many more possibilities for the future. Turning the page and starting a new chapter with a blank page if you will.

Since I have never been one to focus on the negative I wanted to extol upon my positives. I once joked about feeling like a Phoenix emerging from the ashes but damn if that is not how I truly feel.

I am a humble father of two amazing children that have and continue to be the light of my life. Through the turmoil of  constant change they have both been stronger than children should need to be (albeit they are 19 and almost 16), more flexible than a crazy straw and the rock of my existence.  I'm not sure a father could be prouder or more full of love for his children than I am of Sydney and Connor.  May my current path lead them in guidance of that love and compassion that they constantly show me.  I have had many different opportunities in life, choices to do many things but the one true course I have always known was to be a father and provider.  These young adults have given me my only true life's passion and I am so thankful for them.

In order to be able to fully steer through my maze of challenges the past few years I had to rely on many of my family and friends.  This was honestly the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  I am not a man that asks for help, I am the provider, I am the guy that shows up when others need help.  Without my closest family and friends helping me along the way, I truly don't know where I would be.  The love, compassion and support I have received has driven me to be the best version of ME that I can. I am not out of the woods fully but I can see the clearing and it's because of the amazing people in my life.  They have gotten me through more than I could ever ask and even more than I can ever repay but my promise to them is my blood, sweat and tears as long as I have a working muscle in my body.  Thank you so much for supporting me when I couldn't support myself and pushing me when I needed it the most.

Part of this new chapter is a woman that has helped me realize that it is still OK to give fully of myself. To love and be loved, to laugh and be laughed at, to celebrate every day with that joy and love.  In our relationship I am happiest watching her smile and enjoy herself,  it empowers me to want so much more when I am with her.  Through her I FEEL love again.  Alyse Webb thank you for opening your heart to me, your life (and home) to my family and reminding me what it feels like to find true happiness.

I think the reason I started and stopped this so many times is that I knew I wanted to say something but didn't know what I wanted to say.  I look back on how I got here and really don't know if I would (or really could) change much.  I am not a perfect man and I am constantly learning every day.  The biggest thing is that I am much more appreciative of those around me and willing to listen.  I seek guidance from those that have walked before me and crave to learn how to give back the love I have been given. With the fear of sounding hokey I am more full of love and compassion, slower to react and now living with a purpose. I guess I really just wanted to acknowledge the people that have gotten me to this point and truly end a chapter in order to begin another.

Time to go find another adventure and share the joy of life!

Until next time......

Building Memories, One Adventure at a Time

This past weekend the kids and I traveled north to visit with Robert and partake in a little outdoor adventure.  Coming together and creating memories is nothing new to our group.  Camping, boating, scuba, surfing, hiking, biking, sightseeing, events like Nascar and Bike week, as well as the kids experiencing flying this past year are all things dear to our heart. Life is all about experiences and thankfully, Florida is our home so we can enjoy many of these things year round.  But sometimes you have to get out of your backyard, go where you've never gone and do what you have never done before.  So, Robert comes up with the idea to come up his way and play in the mountains.  Let the kids experience snow and cold weather, snow ski a little, go wander in the Smokey Mountains. Immediately it sounded like a great idea but we are like the norm, what about money, time, experience, just how are we going to pull it off?  All I can say is if you wait for the money or the time you will never gain the experience.  I am not a rich man in a monetary sense but my values and my wealth come from those that surround me. Experiencing life and the nature surrounding you is not always about money.  We will never look back and think about how much it cost but we will absolutely remember throwing the first snow ball, making a snow angel or waiting and watching the sun go down over the Smokey Mountains. That being said all things have a cost. That cost should not stop you from achieving those experiences. I damn sure don't have the funds for a huge ski trip but I do have friends and resources to help assist. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the biggest endeavors I have been given an opportunity to do have been by just saying "What do you think about doing this?", and then figuring out how to do it.  The way I figure, once you say something you are pretty much obligated to do it.  Thankfully, I have friends and family along the way.  Friends and family to push me, support me and help "make it happen".  Without them nothing is possible. So with borrowed jackets, friends covering for me, my love to take care of the dogs and the support of Robert we headed north to Maggie Valley.  The memories we built are priceless.  I'm sure everyone took away something different so I can only speak for myself but there were so many firsts for us.  The first time snow skiing which leads to the first time taking a ski lift up the mountain.  I can't explain the excitement, after several trips up, the first time we all glided off the lift and not one of us fell getting off.  Definitely a high five moment! Sydney's excitement to make it all the way down without falling once is a big one. Driving up a mountain and seeing no other tire tracks in the snow as you head up is very cool but 10 degrees with a -30 wind chill when you get up there is downright cold.  As a child I played in the mountains of upstate New York but it definitely was a first to play in the mountains with my kids and Robert.  Exploring frozen waterfalls, playing with huge icecicles, Connor's excitement in those bits of frozen water with camera in hand looking to capture the perfect pic, driving from lookout point to lookout point trying to find the perfect spot for sunset in the Smokey Mountains and randomly stopping only to see an elk passing by are memories of a lifetime. I cherish my time with my kids and to be able to spend time making memories inspires me to be the best version of me I can.  I come back excited for the next adventure and even more thankful for what I have.  On a side note, those memories are wonderful but don't forget to document them.  Pictures, video, journals, whatever works, just make sure to capture it.  Pictures have been huge for me and I never realized how much I video taped until I recently starting a project converting them.  In the past, I created an annual year in review to share those experiences. That lead to the first incarnation of this blog.  Now with this new version I am hoping to not only share our journey but maybe, just maybe inspire others and along the way document it all so that my kids have something to look back at as they recall the adventure we all call life.  My wish is for more of my family and friends to experience all that life has to offer and may we all continue to figure out ways to "Make it happen!"  Until next time.....

I Love My Sunrises

Sunrises...The Dawn of a Brand New Day

Ever since I could remember I have loved watching the sun rise.  Maybe it's that I have spent the majority of my life on the east coast and always near the ocean but I have always been drawn to the shore in those pre-dawn moments.  I don't always make time for it but when I do it affects me in a way I can't explain.  The feeling is almost indescribable but it is always the same.  As I head down to the beach in the dark of the morning an excitement comes over me.  I have to mentally tell myself to slow down, I'll get there, take your time Bill.  Approaching the bridge to cross the river I'm already excited to take in the awe-inspiring horizon complete with the beautiful hues of gold and amber just beginning to light the day.  It's the race to get to the beach and I don't know why, I'm always early.  Once I get there I can't wait to hit the sand. Looking for the perfect picture, listening to the surf crash and the birds sing. I have to force myself to slow down and take it all in. It's tough. I run head first towards things, high energy, loud, excited, ask anyone that knows me. But to just take those few minutes and enjoy the natural beauty that is the morning, is very fulfilling. Mornings like this morning make me want to stay and enjoy the whole day there but on this occasion I returned home to share it with the world.

If you have never taken the time, are not a normally early riser or just haven't made the time lately, I encourage you to set your alarm just a little earlier and make your way to someplace where you can bask in the beauty as you too watch the dawn of a brand new day.

Until next time...

Hard Work Never Hurt Anyone

It's funny, the other day I had a friend ask me "How's it going?" I replied "Working hard."  This kind of stuck with me.  I am 46 and believe I am working harder now than any other time of my life.  Sometimes physically, sometimes mentally but definitely more now than ever.  Because of that I am more focused than any time in my life also.  Goals are not just numbers they are literally my future.  I have never been afraid of work but I always seemed to either have a physical job (installing flooring) or a mental job (managing companies and people) but never like now when I am doing every bit of both.  Any given day can find me installing in the morning, selling in the afternoon, measuring in the evening and helping move or deliver something before I get home.  Not a rant, not complaining, definitely not bragging and nothing new for anyone who has known me for any length of time.  I was taught that you suck it up and do what has to get done.  Be the person that others can count on to get the job done and always live up to your word when you say you can do it.  Sometimes we do things by choice and other times we do them out of necessity.  Life is funny, it can be a little like the game Shoots and Ladders.  One day you're going along rolling your dice climbing your way up and bang the next thing you know you are sliding backwards and starting back over.  In a odd sort of way I appreciate the humbling changes life handed me.  It reinforced in me what is important and what are just material things.  It reminded me what is worth working for.  It is so true when they say the little things in life are not just things and they're damn sure not little.  When you  watch all the material things you had worked for slowly dissolve and find yourself rebuilding you look around and find the people beside you that deserve your hard work and you work harder for it.  Yes, work is hard but it also can be rewarding and the reward is what makes all the work that much sweeter. I say give me the opportunities and I will run.  Work me into the ground so that I can better enjoy the weekends at the beach or walking in the woods.  Let me live to be an example to my children so that they too can understand the power of hard work and what it means to succeed. In the end it's like the Jason Aldean song "It's the only way I know" and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Until next time.....

Ending The Year With A New Start

And the journey continues......
Admittedly it's been a while since I have even wanted to write and share my thoughts but the time has come.  Over time I have always wanted to share my thoughts.   For various reasons and via various formats I have tried to create a place to collect my thoughts but writing in this blog has always called to me.  I guess I am finally in the right frame of mind to feel good about my words and comfortable enough to share.  It feels oddly weird that it came back to me as we begin to welcome in the New Year but who am I to question the timing. 
New Years bring new beginnings, promises of change and resolutions to do and be better.  The truth is we all have the ability to make those changes every day.  Sometimes you have to wake up and say enough is enough, sometimes you need to get tired of mediocrity and excuses, and sometimes,  just sometimes you need to live up to your potential and go back to being the man that your closest family and friends know you are.
Here is to positive changes that bring smiles to our faces, people that give us reasons to be the best versions of ourselves and living up to our potential.
As we usher out 2014 please join me as I continue my journey into 2015.
Until next time......Bill

What Matters Most...In My Eyes

What matters most differs from person to person.  It is based on each persons perception of what suits them.  It also changes based on the need at the moment.  Sometimes it can be the need for money, housing or food.  Sometimes it can be driven by greed or laziness.  I was thinking this beautiful foggy morning, "Why do we do what we do?".  "Am I doing enough of the right things".  This is not new for me.  I constantly question and affirm that the things I am doing are the things that will continue helping and supporting the future for my family.  I have been known to stray from the ideals from time to time.  We all have put ourselves in positions that without a helping friend or loved one the situation
could have been much worse.  But, what drives us to make our choices?  For me it is more important that we focus on the needs of our family and friends surrounding us.  Stopping what I am in the middle of to look at a cartoon commercial my son thinks is funny may not matter to me but it matters to him.  In converse, waking up early to be somewhere just to watch the sunrise may not seem to matter to my children but it matters to me.  Sydney and Connor have taught me to try and act this way.  I am not perfect and don't always react in this fashion but I think the most important thing is to recognize it so that when confronted with a choice I can make the best one more often.  I can only hope that the choices and the actions I take show my family and friends that what matters the most to me is THEM.  For they are my driving force and are in every thought before any decision is made.  I want my children to know I took the time for what matters to them and teach them to take the time for what matters to others.  In my eyes taking that time, being there and showing the ones you love that they matter is what matters the most.
Until next time....

January 1, 2012......It just sounds right

We will soon find out but for some reason this year feels like a very promising year.  Overall the people surrounding my life are very upbeat and looking forward to "Twenty Twelve".  Maybe it is the past few years of just hanging on and trying to get past it all.  Maybe everyone is tired of bad sales, bad attitudes, media and politicians attacking anyone trying to do something better or just different.  Maybe it is, as I feel, they are not going to buy into it anymore.  We all are dealing with all of these outside influences but it should not affect how we look at life and treat each other.  Somehow there seems to be something in the air and putting 2011 behind us just feels right.  Let's make twenty twelve the amazing rebound year.  Support your friends and families.  Make time to show the ones you love they care.  Go into and through the year with a "can do" attitude and ignore the naysayers.  Trust me the people at the sold out theme parks and sold out bowl games are not paying attention to the hype.  If you are healthy and surrounded by the ones you love than you can do anything and I hope this year more and more people recognize what is truly important.  I am not much into resolutions but I am into goals.  Professionally, I have my goals but more importantly personally I have set some goals and hope to see them through.  Our family will do many of the normal things this year but I hope to make sure that some really cool and unique memories are made along the way. 

From our family to yours, may twenty twelve be your greatest year ever!

Until next time........

Holy night of nights Batman, Christmas is almost here.

Ummmm...Christmas is two days away and I am barely ready for it.  Yes the house is beautifully decorated but that is about it.  This year has truly left very little time to get everything done and it has really caught up to me.  Sydney and Connor still need to go shopping for my beautiful wife.  But no compliant from me because we are truly blessed with good jobs and good health and we are able to host family for Christmas dinner.  One thing I am looking to accomplish is more frequent updates via this blog and have added an app for that.  Hopefully mobile blogging with real time links and the ability to add video and photos on the fly will make it easier for me to post more.  Well, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate and may the season find you healthy, happy and with the ones you love.

Sometimes You Need A Rainy Sunday Morning

We look forward to our weekends.  Everybody that knows us, knows if it is the weekend you find us out and about.  In fact, this morning we were prepared to head out on the boat to do some wake boarding and hydrosliding followed by a visit to one of the local sandbars.  That was until the rain rolled in last night.  Not just rain but rolling thunderstorms with downpours and blowing winds.  It made for a great night sleep but not very good boating weather. 

But, do you know what, we really all need it.
Sometimes you just need a rainy sunday morning to slow down, relax, reset those batteries and sip a cup of coffee.  Sipping coffee, listening to the rain and watching a quiet sunday morning show, what a novel idea.  It's not great for getting things done but it is great for the soul.  I know for some people reading this you're thinking "uh that's what I do every sunday" but for someone who is always getting up early preparing for some sort of outing this is definitely not the norm. 

I think I'm going to enjoy this quiet time for a little more this morning and then I'll start making breakfast.

Until next time.....

I love Summer!

If I haven't kept up with this blog lately it's only because it's Summer.  Summer is the season I get to spend more time with the kids, swimming, running, playing and getting out and about.  Summer is our time.  This is the time that memories are made.  As the kids get older it is more and more important to spend that time and make those memories.  Unfortunately, as each Summer comes it must also go and every Summer counts down the short years till these kids will no longer be kids but young adults.  So on this Father's Day in the middle of a wonderful Summer I'm going to spend as much time with the kids as possible. 

An Ode To My Wife

Several years ago I wrote my wife a poem of sorts and and presented it to her for our aniversary.  She loved receiving it and I printed and framed it for all to see.  As we approach our 18th annivesary I wanted to remind her that I continue to appreciate her and love her with all my being.  So that being said through the power of technology I share with the whole world.

An Ode To My Wife

My wife, my lover, my friend, this will always be until the end.

You are to me as branches are to a tree.

As with the tree you shape me, make me look better to the rest of the world,

and without you I would not have a chance to grow.

You help guide our family and are a strong infuence in the life of our children

and you are constantly making our house a home.

To this end you are a wonderful wife.

The feel of your touch, the embrace of your hug and the warmth of your kisses

are why you will be my one and only true love.

But as a friend you are my "Best Friend".

You give me the strength to take on hurdles in our life

and you fill me with joy when we celebrate accomplishments.

Essentially without you I would not be me

and for this I would like to thank you.

Remember when I say "I love you" it is not idly said,

it is from my very core and with much conviction.

I truly love you and know that no matter what happens in the future,

we will handle it because we will do it together.

I Love You Kristen Ruddy

                                                                                                          Until next time....



How did I become a cheerleader and why do I like it so much?

I am truly amazed at the multitude of job titles that a parent takes on.  Through the course of their young lives you are a teacher, mentor, provider and protector.  My own internal drive pushes me to coach and manage more than anything else.  No matter if the kids have taken on Basketball, Football, Baseball or Tae Kwon Do I have assumed a role of manager or coach.  Watching the nuances of their skills compared to the best and worst of their peers and giving tips and pointers on how they can excel in any one of the sports.  Of course, like any dotting father I think that my children are the best at what they do and thankfully in my case I am right.
Recently, I have found fun in assuming a slightly different role, Cheerleader.  Don't get me wrong part of managing includes cheering on the results of hard work.  The best coaches bring out the best performance by acknowledging and cheering on that action.  Cheerleading on the other hand doesn't include coaching.  I have found that there is true joy in sitting on the sidelines cheering and yelling in support of the kids efforts.  Removing the element of coaching and spending less time critiquing the results has given me more time to enjoy the effort. 
As usual, my children continue to teach me more about myself and how to enjoy life and stop to smell the roses or in this case stop and enjoy the game.

Until next time..........

Robert visited for Bike Week

One of the times we look forward to most is Bike Week in Daytona Beach.  The events, the excitement, the sights, the sounds, it all breathes life into the area.  But more than that it brings us together with great friends and allows us an excuse to stop and enjoy the time.  This year Robert was able to make it up to spend some fun time with us and the kids.  Much like Thanksgiving, if Rob is anywhere near us at the time of the event he makes the drive to spend a few days with us.  Thanksgiving with Robert pre-dates our move to Daytona but that move started the all new tradition for Bike Week and Biketoberfest.  This year when I reached into my closet to put on a Bike Week shirt I was reminded of when it all began.  The shirt was from our very first Bike Week the year we moved up here "Bike Week 2000".  That was the year I met "Don Z" and a tradition was born.  Don was the first friend I made when we moved here.  He was already a fixture at the resort that I came to work for and he is one of those people that everyone know and loves.  Working for the resorts meant that we worked a lot of the events and back then the properties we worked at drew the crowds holding concerts and bike competitions.  What an awesome way to be introduced to Bike Week.  Early on Robert started coming up to visit us and it only made sense that carnival atmospheres like races and bike events would be the times he came.  I moved on from the hotels but my friendship with Don stuck.  He became one of those great friends that no matter what direction life takes us we still make a point to get together and enjoy life for a while.  That first Bike Week led to the next and the next and a tradition was born.  There are many things that can interrupt life but one thing you can count on is steak and potatoes at the Iron Horse with Don.  That 11 year old shirt is an amazing reminder of all the great times we have spent together.  2 times a year, every year, no matter whats going on, we get together to partake in a little frivolity and release the tensions of every day life.  Thankfully, Robert was able to join us again this year spending time out and about with the kids during the day and then what has come to be know as "Kristen and Her Boys" at night.  The steak is great, the beer ice cold but the memories are really what make it special.  These are absolutely the times we should live for.
Until next time.......

Spring in Daytona....Races, Bikes and Back to the Beach

One of the most amazing times around Daytona Beach starts in February and ends in March.  Towards the beginning of the month it all starts with a change in the air.  Afternoon highs start to climb into the 70's and the nights are still nice and cool in the 60's.  After a few months of bundling up for our Florida winter we are more than ready to get back to the beach.  Now the sun is great and weekends are full of events but unless you are from Minnesota don't dare enter the water.  We haven't quite got that far into the year but it sure looks inviting.
By far the largest draw in February is Speed Weeks at the Daytona International Speedway.  If you crave anything that goes fast it is featured this week for sure.  Believe it or not the first race around the track is actually people.  They hold a 5k on the track the morning of the 24 hour race to kick things off.  I have ran this in the past and it is the most amazing run going 3.3 miles from pit row, through the infield and then around the 2.5 mile track finishing at world famous start/finish line of the Daytona International Speedway.  This is followed by the 24 hour race which tests the endurance of the cars and drivers and fans for 24 hours straight.  For the next 2 weeks they race motorcycles, trucks, go-carts and of course the stock cars of NASCAR.  Tens of thousands of fans and racing support staff move into the area filling hotels and turning the infield and the adjacent lots into the largest RV park you've ever seen.  But none of it compares to the ingress and egress on the day of the the Daytona 500.  182,000 in attendance for this one race with over half of them arriving just for the one day of racing and leaving the same day.  Trust me if you are into racing this is a truly amazing time but if you live near the track and are not into racing get home and stay home.  Thankfully we enjoy the events and all the energy it brings and you normally find us happily out in the mix.
Shortly after they shut down for the races the trucks, trailers and bikes of the Bike Week participants start rolling in.  By far some of my favorite visitors and events are here during the 10 days or Bike Week.  The funny thing is I don't ride a motorcycle.  That doesn't stop us from going out to the different venues, taking in the carnival like atmosphere and enjoying steak and potatoes with an ice cold beer.  You'll find bikers in condos, hotels, campgrounds, spare bedrooms of friends and sleeping in backyards.  In fact, if you find yourself heading this way during Bike Week look us up and we'll see where we can fit you.  If nothing else we will meet up to take it all in.  We have built a tradition of meeting some of our best friends for a night out to enjoy all the sights and sounds that Bike Week brings us.  This year it will be from March 4th-13th so if you are reading this and headed our way give us a call.
The best part of all this is that we don't need to go out of town to attend and enjoy what we have come to love.  It comes to us and this year Spring has sprung and we are definitely out there enjoying it.
Until next time........

January......Perfect Weather For Outdoor Events

January brings us Floridians the perfect weather for outdoor events. OK so it is still winter and we still dip below freezing and the nasty cold fronts pounding the north create storms that drop inches of rain an hour down here but when it's right it's perfect.  The last couple of weekends have been exactly that.  Cool mornings perfect for getting out and about early, mild temperatures in the low 70's just cool enough to enjoy a day full of bright sunshine.  On days like this, there is nothing that can keep us cooped up inside.  Thankfully, everyone in the family enjoys the different events but everyone seems to enjoy them for different reasons.
Last week Caitlyn joined us and we all went to the Native American Festival.  This is an annual event held in Ormond  Beach and each year we partake in buffalo burgers on fried bread and corn soups while immersing ourselves in the culture of the Native American's.  As I said everyone gets a little something different out of it and it's interesting watching it all unfold.  I really enjoyed watching Kristen and Caitlyn spending time catching up and just enjoying a day out with the family.  Both of them looking for the perfect creative picture to take and hanging out together watching the kids and watching the shows all the while with me enjoying the smiles on their faces.  Connor is all about the learning.  He moves from booth to booth and is fully engaged asking questions and wanting to try everything.  Mining for gemstones and learning what he has found, throwing a hatchet, targeting with a blow gun, watching someone make fire with two pieces of wood and how a blacksmith molds items out of heated metal.  He is focused, asking questions and you can see him figuring out how he can replicate it himself.  Sydney on the other hand is becoming more social.  The event is more about the friends that she is meeting there and having time to spend with them running around being a teenager.  Laughing, giggling but also participating by joining in to the circle of dancers.  Most enjoyable to me is that she takes a break from her friends to make sure she comes spend some time with the family.  I keep thinking about watching the alligator wrestlers with a huge crowd around the enclosure and Sydney asks to get on my shoulders.  Fifteen, almost full grown but reminding me of the promise that she will never be to big to go on my shoulders.  Maybe someday we can walk down the aisle on the way to the alter with her on my shoulders.  It wouldn't surprise me a bit.
Moving on to this past weekend we went down to the New Smyrna Art Festival and met up with Russ, Terri, Jeff, Ariana and Aidan.  What an absolutely beautiful day and you couldn't ask for better company than family to spend it with.  The cousins paired up and were like peas in a pod.  For them the art is OK with Connor appreciating it more than others but they mainly they're there for a good time.  We all took in the art wandering from vendor to vendor with the occasional stop for ice cream, roasted nuts and a hot dog or two.  Afterwards it was on to Elaine's for dinner.  Kristen's mother always works hard to put out a meal that pleases everyone attending and we had a great meal.  It was a great afternoon with family, food and fun.  These are the days that make memories and if it is up to me we will spend every weekend finding some way to build those memories together.
Until next time.......