Goodbye 2012.. Hello 2013

I have never been so happy for a New Year to begin than this year.   2012 was mostly good for me.   It brought me to Stockton, CA, where I'm in a new position that I absolutely love.  It started out rocky, but after a few months of getting settled in, I love it.  I love having 2 offices, both with completely different vibes.

I'm not going to mention the big D word, because I've talked about it enough.   I still talk to Forest every now and then to check in with her.

I keep saying "Good things are coming!"   That's all I can say until I am 100% sure of it.

Some of my goals for 2013 is to eat more fruits and vegetables.  I also plan to run a 5K and then a 10K if my knees allow me.   I will continue to lift weights and run, as it reduces stress and gives me something to do besides sit on the couch and watch TV.

I'm ready for new adventures and new challenges.  Bring it on 2013, I can do it.

Gym update

I have been hitting the gym 3 days a week to workout on the weight machines.  I've given up on using the treadmill other than a warm up mile before lifting.   Christmas Eve I ran outside to try to get in a 5K and surprisingly I ended up doing 3.41 miles in 38 mins and 25 seconds.  Other then dying of water I don't think it was too bad. (I don't like carrying a water body when I run).  Any suggestions?

My meal this evening.  Chicken thighs, squash w/onions, and 2% cottage cheese... yumm.

Christmas Day in Sierras 2012

 

That's almost 5 feet of snow!!

This year I wanted to have a white christmas, so I drove the 2 hours up to the mountains and played in the snow.   It was beautiful, cold, and a very good day.

I had drove up on Hwy 108 to the dead end where they stop plowing, got out, turned on some Christmas music, a drank a beer, as I watched to snow fall.   Since it was the end of the road, I was the only one around for miles.

Coming back it started to snow pretty hard, and I'm glad I had 4WD with good tires.  Everyone was slipping a sliding.  Mostly because the idiots didn't have snow chains on like they are required to by law.  Oh well, I just drove right by them.  I did push one guy out that had zero clue on driving in the snow.

I love my Jeep!   :)

Dodge Ridge Ski Resort

Brrrrr!

Random thoughts today

• First and foremost, I've been a rotten friend lately.  My humor has been coming out as mean and I'm sorry.   I don't do it on purpose, so from now I need to be a little more sensitive on what I say on here and FB.
  
• I was told I was cocky today.  I don't think I'm cocky.   I've gained a huge amount of self confidence since losing weight, getting fit, and filing for divorce.  I think it's more of I know what I want in life and if something or someone is holding me back from achieving my goals.   How much of a friend can they really be?
  
• My soon-to-be ex wife is no longer on my FB.   So why should I care what I post?  We aren't getting back together, so there was no need to be FB friends.

• There is potential for someone great to be in my life, but it seems like everyone is against it for all the wrong reasons.   Take time to heal, I'm told.   Blah, blah, blah.   They don't know me.   Why can't I live MY life and everyone live theirs?   It's pretty simple, really.
  
  She's a great lady, she's making me take it slow, and for that I like her more and more every day.   I'm not seeing anyone but her.
  
• I've started drinking a glass every other day of so of sweet white wine.  Mascato, is the name.  It's pretty yummy.   I don't like red wine, it seems to have a bite to it.  Might be better with some food.
  
• Christmas is almost here... BRING IT ON!!!   I can do this!!!

I just felt like runn-ing... so I ran!

The blog title is in reference to Forrest Gump for those that didn't get it.

Today I didn't feel like driving across town to the gym, so I laced up the sneakers and went for a run around the neighborhood.  I pushed it further than I EVER did on the treadmill.  I think it was because you feel like you never go anywhere, so I stop after a mile.  Check out my time!!  No too bad since I usually only get to a mile at the gym and stop.

Good things are beginning to happen.  More details to come later.  :-)

End of an era / Jeep Toy Run 2012

Today I made the switch to Netflix only TV.   With working out 3 to 4 night a week and cable costing nearly $50 a month it wasn't much of a decision.  I mostly have the TV on for background noise so Netflix and internet is all I need.

Christmas is almost hear.  I thought it would be harder then it really is.  Christmas is my favorite time of the year.   I still enjoy seeing lights and hearing all the Christmas songs on the radio.  I'm sure it will hit me Christmas Eve, but for now, I am ok with being alone.

 This past Monday, my Jeep clubs got all their Jeep decorated in lights and dropped off toys to the annual radio's toy drive at Walmart in Modesto.  It made me smile knowing I got to participate in such a heartwarming event for the community.

Gym workout.... Day 1

I was supposed to go bowling and out to dinner with someone, but I wasn't feeling it today, so I decided to go to the gym and do some cardio.

I had a shirt I bought from Kohl's, so I get this for $3 and $10 Kohl's cash.   :)   The shorts are medium and the shirt is large, it's tight, but I guess it's supposed to be since it wicks moisture away from you skin.

I had one of the gym workers take a photo.  Maybe I get a weekly photo or 2 for progress.   One thing I need is an armband.  My cell phone went flying across the gym at least a half dozen times.  Good thing, I have a a case and screen guard!   :)

After the workout, I was tired, so I went to Safeway and got some deli turkey, hummus, and a bottle of wine.  I had to ask someone for help, since it was my first bottle I have EVER bought for myself.   Little Eric is growing up.   ha ha.

Since it's a brand new gym, they are having an open house tommorrow, and I'm gonna go to try out Zumba and a coupe other dance workouts for the open house.

It's 8:30pm on a Friday, and I'm already in my PJs and watching another Christmas movie.    :)

Julie from Mom Taxi Julie, wants me to run a 1/2 marathon with her in April 2013 in San Francisco.  It's 13 miles.  I think that is a good goal. I already ran for 15 mins, walked for 5 min, then ran for 15 mins.  Not bad, since I'm not a runner at all.   :-)

30/30 rule

Today when I was checking out if I got free chiropractor with my health insurance, I saw Blue Cross/Blue Shield has a wellness discount for $25 a month I can have access to over 8,000 gyms and health clubs nationwide.  Today I joined a gym to get toned and work on some cardio.

I am 12 pounds from my weight goal.  I feel awesome, and I have so much self confidence and energy.  I will NEVER be fat again.  12 more pounds will put me at 160.  Down from my heaviest of 225.  Effectively I've lost 53 pounds from fat Eric.    I know if I workout I will weigh more because muscle weighs more than fat.

An old guy from Sebring, FL (I miss you Doug) told me a long, long time ago about the 30/30 rule.  He said that the only way to get a hot girl after 30 years old is to have a 30" waist.  I told him whatever.  I was in my late 20s at the time.  Now, I know what he was talking about.  More about being fit.  I'm in 32" pants now, and another 12 pounds will put my in 30" pants.  I'm stopping at 160 and just gonna maintain.

Thanksgiving 2012.. with a twist

This year, I crossed an item off my bucket list.  I volunteered to feed people a traditional Thanksgiving dinner that may have no eaten that day.  They weren't necessarily homeless, but deserved a hot meal never-the-less.

The dining hall seated around 300 people and I say we busted our ass for a solid 2 hours.   Maybe 2,000.

Working in a sit down restaurant growing up, I had no problem serving, and cleaning up.  I think I missed it.  Especially, since I didn't have to cook.   ha ha.   The people would come in, sit down, and I would hold up the number of plates of food I needed and runners would bring them to me.  There were people serving, pies, cleaning up the tables, and taking out the trash.

holding up hands for meals

plating the food

the dining hall

My helper Jamee.... she was so cute!

One of the kids eating

:)

Mother/daughter pushing their pies!    :)

I would have no problems going back to serving.  I enjoyed chit chatting!   :)   It was an experience  I will NEVER forgot, and will most likely become a Thanksgiving tradition of mine.   I met a lot of fun caring people.

40 pounds lost

Yesterday I FINALLY got my new scale after not having one for 2 weeks, and it read 174.6 pounds.  That means....

Agventure 2012

Thursday, or was it last Wednesday.  I did my part in teach nearly 4,000 3rd graders about corn and corn products.  It was so much fun.  I forgot how much I get excited teaching conservation education.  I think I should been an ag teacher.

As soon as I find my photos I will post some.

New beginnings...

October was a whirlwind of emotions and changes.   November HAS to be better.   I (we) decided that after 10 years of marriage to file for a divorce.   I still don't have all the answers, I just know that my heart was never fully into my marriage and that wasn't fair to her to continue living a lie.  She was my best friend, and I will forever miss her friendship.   Sometimes you have to hurt the one's you care about, so they can be truly happy.  I wasn't the husband she deserved.

That being said, I moved into my own place on November 1st.  It's a 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath townhouse, a huge fence back yard, nice kitchen, and washer/dryer hookups.  The nicest thing is there is a one car garage included.  All for $700 a month, and the landlord pays water, sewer, and garbage.

The puppies and fish are staying with me, so I wanted a place for them to be able to have a yard to run around in.

The landlord is nice and said I can do whatever I want to the yard.   It's mine.  I think I will plant a winter garden.

Busy day...

I took the Jeep in to Stockton Jeep this morning to get the airbag light looked at.   They had to order a part and it won't be in until next Tuesday.  The dealer I purchased my Jeep from already paid for the service and part.  Thanks!!

Cheri at work suggest Boudin Sourdough Bakery for lunch today. I had eaten at their San Francisco location, so I already knew it was kick ass.  :)   I had a cup of clam chowder and a pesto may chicken sandwich   It was yummy.   They make shapes out of sourdough bread.   This was a crab they had on the counter.

Tonight I used a Groupon I bought for a Thai place in Ceres.  It was surprisingly good.












After that Fo and went to Fantozzi Farms to use some free coupons we got from the Stanislaus County Fair.We did the haunted corn maze, shot pressurized corn on the cob at a barrel, rode a hayride, and walked the regular corn maze for a while.  It was ok.   I got cold.

2007 Jeep Liberty

Monday, the insurance company called to tell me the truck is a total loss.  I can't say I was sad, because I was hoping for something cheaper on gas and a 4x4.    I pretty much settled on a Jeep Liberty since I drive one for work and my sister just bought a brand new one.   I found one with really low miles in Daly City, CA.   Where is that?   :)

After almost 6 hours, I drove it home.   It's a 2007 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4 with 53,000 miles.   It' looks like new.   It was a repo and the guy before me put $2,500 in wheels, tires, and 3" lift kit,  

I've been busy packing up for the big move next week.  I won't write much since I won't have internet and too busy with moving.

On a good note, I hit 30 pounds lost since June 1 this week.   I feel really good to get that shit off my body.

Next week is gonna be the toughest week in my entire life.  Let's hope I make it through ok.   

Moving sale weekend

This is a short post since all I did this weekend was move stuff on and off our porch, sit around, and be a salesman pushing our hard earned stuff for pennies on the dollar.   After the 2 days we did really, really good.

Farm Day in San Francisco

I got the opportunity through the San Joaquin Farm Bureau to help teach kids in San Francisco about farm animals and learning where the food they eat comes from.  It was awesome experience and even though my day started at 4am, I will remember it for the rest of my life.

I did the apple demo. It teaches the children how little of the earth is used to grow the worlds food.   Then they get to eat farm fresh apples.

The walnuts

The 4 basic food groups

Their play "structure"

Corn

4 basic food groups

walnuts

Corn

Fresh veggies

The kids

We brought a horse and cattle trailer.

There was a pig, a beef steer, a sheep and 2 lambs, a bunny, a horse  a chicken, a presentation on the 4 food groups, a presentation on walnuts, and a presentation on corn.

Big Red and Eric both got hurt yesterday...

I went to look at a townhouse yesterday morning.   Google said it was 10 mins from the house to the office, and I wasn't expecting it to take 5 mins.  So I missed the exit to Hammer Lane.   No biggie, I thought.  I will just go up to the next exit and come back.   Sitting there waiting for the red light to turn green, when all the sudden..... BAMM!!!

I was jolted forward 30 feet.  I had no clue what happened.  Once I looked back, I saw the car that rear ended me.  I sat in my truck for what seemed like forever going over mentally  "Can I feel my toes? Am I bleeding? Can I get out of the truck?"   I finally moved my truck to the side of the road and immediately felt pain in my lower back.  I sat there for a while, but I had to get out and see if everyone else was ok.

The young boy, maybe in his early 20's, was looking for his glasses.  I didn't see them, so I left him and went to the other car.   She was fine, only a dented bumper.  I went back to my truck to find my cell to call 911 and couldn't.   It took the 4th try to flag someone down to have them call 911.   Why are people so inconsiderate?  I would NEVER see someone flag me down to help and then just drive on by.  It's not like I was asking for change.  

Anyway, the kind lady called 911 and the "bus", my friend from back home is an EMT and that's what she calls it, finally arrived.   They took my vitals, and I refused medical treatment.  2 fire engines and a 5-0 came too.

After about an hour, the scene was clear, and all statements were given to the CHP officer.   They had to tow my truck away since it wasn't drive-able, so Fanny picked me up and took me to the office.  I had then decided that my back hurt enough to go to ER and get checked out.  Nothing was broken and the DR said I most likely just had some soft damage.  He put me on Vicodin and 800mg Motrin.  I took today off to rest.  I think that was a good idea.

Since I've never been in a major accident before, I was unsure on how this would work.  What happens is I file a claim thru my insurance and they go after his insurance.  It's a good thing all parties involved had full coverage.  

I picked up my rental yesterday.  I have it for 30 days.  It's a 2011 Ford Fusion.   It's SUPPOSED to get 30 -35 MPG.  We'll see.  USAA is gonna get my truck today and appraise the damage to see a more detailed estimate is needed to total it or not.

Moving boxes and mongolian BBQ

Today, Forest and I trekked all the way to Tracy, CA to get some free boxes we found on craigslist.  What did people do before craigslist and how do they make money?

We got TONS of boxes and they are all sized the same so it will make loading the truck more efficient.

We took the dogs with us.  It was a nice ride for them.  They ride in the bed, but since we had the boxes, we had to put them in the cab and now there is dog hair everywhere.  I see a trip to the car wash in the near future.  :)

After the boxes, we used our Yelp app and found GK Mongolian BBQ for one money   It's a Yelp thing.  That sounded yummy, so we stopped.  I'm glad we did.  $7.20 for lunch was a good price.  We saw a sign at the goodies bar that said "ask about shrimp", so we did.   The waitress knew it was our first time and neglected to inform us it would be $1.99 each for 6 tiny shrimps.   Why are people stupid?   So It was $23 including tip for lunch.  At least we got to take 1/2 home for lunch tomorrow.

After the BBQ, we stopped at Burger King for some $1 hamburgers for the puppies. This is what they look like.  I had one bite and got sick to my stomach.  The dogs sure love them though 

Slow start to my Verizon expierence

So after much debate between AT&T and Verizon, I decided at Verizon since they have the most LTE coverage.   I got the same phone as I had on Sprint because, #1 I already have a case and a Zagg for that phone and #2 it was 1 cent!!

After 10 hours of emails, phone calls, hold music, and a trip to the Verizon store for a new SIM card, I finally got it working!!   Amazon Wireless said there is a huge credit coming to my Amazon account.  We'll see.

Last night I met with my friend Kristin, who I have become good friends, at P. Wexford's for supper.   The food is always good.  I had a headache from dealing with the phone company all day and the music was extremely loud.

After that we went across the street to shoot some pool.  I forget how much I suck at pool.  

Taken 2... Columbus Day

Since I'm in one of those self loathing moods today.  I went to see a movie alone.

Wasn't as good as the first.  Not bad, now I want a gun so I can shoot up shit!   :)

One thing it has going is Maggie Grace!  :)   I did ride my bicycle to downtown to burn some calories. I told myself  I'm gonna get back on the weight loss program.   Think I will try to bike to work on Friday since I am in Modesto.

Night out with Stockton peeps... in Modesto

So Jerry and Jennifer from the Stockton came over last night.   Jerry got here a little after 8 and after Jenn got lost, she finally made it around 9.   :-)    We hung out at the house watching tv and drinking a little.  Forest wanted to go to downtown and after walking around a bit, we ended up at Firkin & Fox.   Had some wings, sweet potato fries, and a beer.   We played a game a pool that lasted FOREVER!

We decided it was cheaper to drink out our house, so we came back.   I cooked some shrimp, so we sit out on the porch around 1 and ate peel and eat shrimp.  Yum!!

The party wrapped up about 3:30am.  I'm starting to feel my age, as I have been tired all day.  No hangover, just tired.

Rapidly rising gas prices in CA = not good times

A few months back a Chevron diesel refinery near San Fran caught fire.   Gas prices rose a little.  Keep in mind, it was a diesel refinery.  Now another refinery lost power and had to stop production.

These 2 things have set in motion a gas shortage in central CA.    The gas station down the street has raised their prices 53 cents in 2 days!!!!!  That's bull shit.    Some places like Costco are running out of gas.