Midnight Beer Run

Late night beer run - Our Coors Light ran out before we could start the Monday episode of 24. So - this was not a hard decision to make.

Waiting to board in Orlando - I had to get to the airport 3 hours before departure since I could not get assigned seating online with my miles tickets - I did not want to be stuck sitting on the milk crate with the chickens and goats. So my 3 hour early plan got me aisle seat with the chickens and goats - ha ha ... I was on the aisle seat in row 26. The plane I was on had 26 rows of seats - so yes, I was the last row. Well - the poor kid sitting in the middle seat wraped himself up in a nice comfy fleece sweater and then turned the overhead AC nozzle on full blast. SO - by the time I landed in Denver my right elbow was black from frost bite.

The flight from Denver was almost as bad - I was not able to get an aisle seat, however, the ticket agent was nice enough to put me in a middle seat in an exit row. I like exit rows, MORE leg room! However, the 2 dudes flanking me were not the most considerate gentlemen I have sat with. The guy on my left now wanted to read his paper, with his leg crossed - evidently he had all the room in the world he needed. The guy on my right - well, he was about 13 hours into his 12 hour deodorant. Dawn and I refer to that as "product failure."

Once I arrived in Orange County - ALL was good in the hood!

4th Annual Exotic Car Show

Every year in April two brothers, Jeff and Jimmy, put on an Exotic Car Show here in Celebration. The purpose of this show is two-fold - 1. Show off some VERY cool cars and 2. Raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation. I am not sure of the exact numbers - however, the first year Jeff and Jimmy put this show on they raised $20,000 for the foundation, 2nd year they did around $50,000, third year they blew the doors off by hitting the $120,000 mark and this year they are projecting over $200,000. This show is awesome and I had such a fun time walking among the cars that someday - I, hopefully one day, will own at least ONE of these fine machines. Here are some pictures from yesterday.

The First Annual Celebration Games

In this community where Dawn and I live a group of residents got together and planed to hold an "olympic" style event, we started planning this about 4 months ago - we held it last weekend. We would have called it the Celebration Olympics ... however there are some people in the world that say we can not use the word "Olympics" to describe our "Olympic" style event - makes no sense to me - but what does when you mix lawyers and other peoples "interpretation" of laws and guidelines! Makes me crazy ... anyway - this past weekend we held The Celebration Games!!! We split our community into 4 districts (North, South, East and West) - I lead the South District (we are called the Leprechauns - because our shirts are green and we are protecting the GOLD!) So, over the past 3 months or so I have been recruiting captains for different sports. After months of begging and pleading, we held the games ... AND I WON!!! My district won the GOLD! I am so excited - it was an amazing weekend. I think the coolest part of the weekend was meeting neighbors and bonding with people who live within a 5 minute walk from my house. The games were held for community pride!

We are already planning for next year - it is going to be insane and bigger. This past weekend we held the games in 2 days, next year - 9 days! Spread it out a bit, hold competitions during the week and in the evenings so more people can come and cheer!

My teams played their best - everyone who played in the games busted their asses to win for their district and it showed. The most amazing part of the games was while we were playing for our districts - the money we were raising was for the local charities in Celebration. My district was playing for the K-8 PTSA. I heard last night that overall we raised around $7,000 - after paying the bills it looks like the charities we were playing for are going to receive around $750 each! Which is SHOCKING to me - since I was planning more around $150. I am amazed how this community came together to make this happen. I am very hopeful for next year when my district will defend our Cup!

As you can see - I am VERY proud to be the first one to ever hoist the Celebration Cup. I consider it my own Lord Stanley's Cup ... and to be the first team to be honored on that cup - it is HISTORY in the making! In 100 years when the Celebration Games are the focal point of community pride, community involvement and community strength - it will be MY team that people will look back on and say - they are the ones who had the vision! They are the ones who wanted this community to be strong. I am proud to be a part of that history and I am honored to be the first champion of The Celebration Cup!

NOW - onto my "day job" ... I have 2 potential investors who are interested in the company I have founded. As you all know I am working with a Capital Investment Group in New Mexico and I was told yesterday that I will be speaking with 2 investors soon to answer their questions. I am nervous - yet, ready to get this over. It has been 7 months since my last "paycheck" ... It has been a very stressful time for Dawn and I while I stumbled my way through this journey. Dawn has been such a source of support for me, along with my mom and dad! Everyone I talk to says that they are positive I will succeed ... I, on the other hand, think that my success is based on the beliefs of the investors. If they dont believe in me - then I am finished! I am excited to take this next step - the final step in my "empire building process" ... wish me luck!!!

How to kill time while waiting for Investors to call!

So - while I sit and chew my finger nails to the knuckle waiting for potential investors to call and offer me help in building my empire ... I kill time by playing NHL 07 on my XBox system! Today was the BEST game of my career ... playing against the Nashville Predators in Nashville! I am able to get Joe Thornton a hat trick in the first 2:40 of the game ... and it was just downhill for Nashville from there. As you can see - I destroyed them early and just kept the blood flowing, never really giving them time to shore up the dam!

This is pretty much the best way for me to keep my mind off of the impending death I will endure if I am unable to obtain funding for my company. I am VERY close and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel ... I am hoping that it is the end of the tunnel and NOT an oncomming train!

Till next time ...

The Perfect End to ANY Day!!!

Nothing like the crisp hoppy flavor of the BEST Micro-Brew in the US. www.lagunitas.com ... they are in Petaluma California and have by-far 2 of the sweetest brewmasters around!

Here is to funding, dreams and the pursuit of hoppyness!

One Month Ago Today ...

Was when I posted here last - my god how time flies when your not paying attention to it. If you are still reading this blog to check in on Dawn and I - THANK YOU! Dawn and I are doing GREAT! She has some big trips coming up soon ... last week she was out in California and she goes back out in 3 weeks for some big meeting for important people (needless to say - I probably wont go then (joke!)). She has a possible trip to South Africa in the next week or 2 - she is not sure yet, and has not received the "go ahead" from the powers that be at her company ... but I am hoping she gets to go, that would be such an amazing experience. I would love to check out South Africa someday - maybe once my company grows into the huge success that it will become. Then, I will get to go anywhere and "research" office locations!

So - regarding my company - www.individui.com - if you forgot the name of it! I have actually branced off of Individui Inc. and have created a small LLC to run my real estate division and I am now in the process of looking for investors. I have signed up with a capital investment group in New Mexico and for the past 3 or 4 weeks we have been writing the funding memorandum and the subscription agreements. What an interesting process that is - if you enjoy pulling your hair out at the root and sticking pointy sticks in your eyes for fun!!! Last week (Thursday) we finalized everything ... the documents were finished and I gave my "go ahead" to begin the investor hunt. TODAY - Tuesday April 10th, 2007 - they begin sending out the packets of information regarding my company and what I am looking to do, what I am looking to accomplish, how much money I am projecting and how much money I need to start! I am very very nervous right now! I have been working at this for the past 7 months - April is now the 8th month I have been focusing on this company and I have everything that I can cross, crossed!

What else - Tyler is graduating from 8th grade next month ... I cant believe I am about to have a High School age son!!! YIKES ... he is getting ready to play football next year in High School and his summer practice schedule looks INSANE!!! Unfortunately Dawn and I will only get the boys for a couple weeks right after graduation since Tyler's football practice starts on June 4th and goes all summer! I'll be heading up there to watch his games and take pictures and stuff. Bryan is doing well also - not really a sports fan ... he did play a little basketball at the YMCA this past year ... I was able to get up there and catch one of his games. Hopefully he will have his growth spurt over the summer!

Everything else here in Celebration is going hunky dory ... we are starting to see the summer weather roll in. We had a little rain this past weekend - I think the last cold front of the winter has past over us and the heat should be creeping up on us soon enough.

I am trying to keep busy so I dont FREAK OUT about my funding - I have people waiting for me to kick them into gear. I cant really have them doing work, since I have no way to pay for that work - however, they have been VERY supportive of me and have been extremely helpful with my level of motivation! I would have to say my biggest fan has been Dawn ... she has been a rock solid foundation for me during all of this! She has seen me at my highest most positive moments along with my lowest "SCREW IT ALL" moments when I just wanted to forget everything I have done and go apply for a job as the fry cooker at McDonalds!!! If you ever thought you were a smart person with confidence - try starting your own company. I find the ONE single interesting thing is that when you tell people what you are doing and how you plan to run your business EVERYONE is sooooooo supportive of your passion, your ideas, your drive, your business ... you will get so much praise from everyone you talk to - That is until you start looking for people to HELP you get it going. As soon as you start telling these same people who LOVED your idea before that you want to use them to test out the market and have them use your product for a VERY VERY minimal fee (fee's that will cover your marketing, some content developement, supplies and advertising) you will see how many of them just "dont see the value" anymore. I was shocked to have so many people look me in the eye and tell me that I have a GREAT idea - an AMAZING product and then turn around and say "NOT INTERESTED" - Maybe its ME? Maybe it is why I am not a sales man ... Maybe it is because my idea is NOT valuable and everyone was just humoring me while I was talking about it, and they really didnt think I would go through with it. Who knows? What I do know is that Dawn has stood by me EVERY step of the way - along with a few other friends of mine. Their guidance, their help, their support - together has brought me to the point of actually getting my company in front of actual investors that look to help entrepenures like myself lauch their ideas and visions and assist them in making it a reality! My parents have also been there for me ... I am sure they have mentioned it once or twice during their prayer time ... They are very understanding and so supportive of my journey also - They were the FIRST investors into my company - and hopefully one day, I will be able to show them the fruits of their trust and investment.

So - now that the funding memorandum is going out to investors, my heart rate is up 30% and I am about ready to explode ... I am going to sign off for now and update you all VERY VERY SOON!!!

For those who have sent me emails of encouragement, friendly notes and just a "hey - I am thinking about you!" ... THANK YOU! I know that we all are very busy people, and I know that recently I have disapeard from sight and have not been around for my friends ... I am still here, I am still alive and I will be back soon!

Love you all -

Till next time ...

I know its been forever ...

We are at Unniversal Studios today ... To answer Danni's question (so everyone can read it too) ... Dawn's shirt says "Happily Ever After" ... its the shirt she wore from Miami to Rome on our Honeymoon! Its really cute to see her smile when someone points out how cool her shirt is!

It has been a CRAZY month here in Celebration - hopefully I'll have exciting news for you all in the next couple weeks! If you pray - send a couple my way! I am gonna need 'em!

Bill

My new plate!

I am so excited ... Now everyone in Florida knows who my team is ... Go Sharks!!!

Here is Brian Lindley - Showin us how to dance!!!

Ever see that dancing game in the arcade? Here is my buddy Brian doin the dance ... showin us white people how to move!!! Enjoy the short clip ... Try not to laugh to hard.

Super Bowl Sunday - Go Colts!!!

Its Sunday morning in sunny Southern California ... Brian and Michelle are still asleep and I have not heard Jaden make any noise yet. Last night was fun ... Brian and I popped open the 1998 Cab Sav from V Sattui ... back last year during the Stanley Cup playoffs Brian and I have friendly little wagers during each round. We pick what teams are going to win, sometimes we throw in over/under points to decide a tie ... well, I swept all 4 rounds!!! So the final wager was this 98 Cab Sav! It was an amazing bottle of wine.

This is the second year in a row that I am getting to spend Super Bowl Sunday in LA with Brian ... yesterday I sat down, did a little thinking and carefully placed my wagers. I think I have about $25 on the game today. I bet that the Colts would win by 7 points or more, I bet that the shortest field goal would be made less than 24.5 yards and I bet that one team would not score 3 times in a row without the other team scoreing.

So, wish me luck! Till the next time ...

Jaden and the girls!

Stephanie (Brian's sister) came over last night with Stevie and poor Jaden didnt stand a chance. He was juggled around like a circus clown's ball! The girls were so cute holding him and making him smile. Jaden was a trooper ... allowing the girls to gush all over him.

Here is Stevie holding Jaden ... they are both adoreable!

Here is another one of Madeline with her brother! What an amazing Big Sister!!!

Jaden and Dawn

Our first morning with Jaden Lindley - Dawn was the lucky one to get to hold him first. He is such a happy boy ... grunting and wiggling around. I am sure I'll have more pictures up here later.

Lovin it in Cali

Everytime I visit the Bay Area I miss it ... the weather, the scenery, the things to do! Then I get caught on the 880 in Oakland at 12:45 pm ... one would think that there should not be any traffic on a 3 lane highway around noon. OH NO! Traffic was STOPED! I sat there and went 3 miles in about 30 minutes ... I was hoping the person or persons in the accident were ok and that their friends and family would not be to worried ... was there an accident??? OF COURSE NOT!!! All of a sudden traffic just speeds up and we're off like they just waved the Green Flag at Daytona!!!

Whew ... my friend Kelly is here ... gotta run ...

Until next time ...

Goin Back to Cali ... Cali ... Cali!!!

Dawn and I are heading back out to California this weekend ... well, first we are running to Chris and Judith's tonight for dinner and to drop off Bernardo!!! He is going to stay with his brothers for a week while we are gone. Then Saturday ... Dawn and I are driving out to Tampa to see Spamalot (Monty Python if you never heard of that) .... its a broadway play. Then, Sat evening we get home, pack up and get ready for my bazillion hour flight from Orlando to Washington DC to Los Angeles. You would think I could get on the flight from Orlando to Los Angeles non-stop right ... NOOOOOOOOO! That would be to easy and cost twice as much ... so I opt for the "swing by DC" route. Dawn of course is flying the non-stop ... so she leaves 2 hours after I do and gets to LA 30 minutes before me ... LOVE THAT?

While we are in California, I am going to be meeting with some business potentials, old friends, people I have not seen in many many years. Then we are off to Los Angeles again. OH YEA, we are renting a car in LA and driving up to San Jose ... then on Thursday, we are staying in Monterey for a nice "romantic" evening (meaning I cant have my cell phone with me) *YIKES!!!*

Once in LA we are staying with my buddy Brian Lindley ... going to get to know Jaden our Godson ... hang out ... eat yummy steaks, drink delicious wine, play a little cribbage, watch the super bowl (GO COLTS!) ... then come home Monday afternoon.

Lots going on ... going to be busy busy ... will try to get some information up here while I am out in California. I hope you are all doing well.

Until the next time ...

Disney's Recruiting Efforts

The boys were approached by this soldier while we were walking around Disney's MGM Studios park. He asked if the boys wanted to serve in Disney's elite squad ... I was able to distract the boys with an ice cream sandwich shaped like Mikey's head. Whew ... that was close!

13 days between posts - thats unacceptable!

Last thing I new it was January 6th, Dawn and I were getting mentally prepared to wake up at 4am so we could drive over to Disney World and voluteer our time at the Disney Marathon.

Sunday morning came and went like a flash ... the Marathon was incredible! Dawn and I (along with Chris and Judith) were handing out water around the 10 mile mark. About 40 minutes after the start of the race ONE guy runs past us like he had a lion chasing him. He ended the marathon in 2 hours and 19 minutes!!! When he ran by us I dont think he had broken a sweat yet. So, I think I heard something like 32,000 people were in the 1/2 marathon (on Saturday) and the full marathon (on Sunday) ... I am not sure how many there were in the full marathon only but there were PLENTY!!! It was very inspiring to stand there and hand out water to the runners. Many of the runners were so appreciative and would thank us when they ran by ... and it was the kind of "Thank You So Much" that made you want to run out there and give them a hug ... but they were sweaty and it would have been ackward to run and hug. Dawn and I are going to start walking this year and plan to walk the 1/2 marathon next year at Disney World ... anyone care to join us?

These past 2 weeks have been going at an amazing pace ... I am at the point where I need to raise some sort of money for my company or its just NOT going to support itself, let alone ME! So, I have been hitting the path meeting with people, talking to everyone I can about mobile marketing and what I do. We had another nice write up about us in the last newspaper ... check it out! http://www.celebrationindependent.com/Pages/1.1.07%20stories/individui.html

I did get in a good chat with a group that is doing an exotic car festival in April that raises money for the "Make A Wish" foundation. He and I talked about different ideas regarding text messaging and giving the crowd something to do ... we came up with a few ideas that are going to be fun. I also was thinking about how I could help raise money for charities and non-profits. I have a few ideas that I am working through right now and researching on ways to team up with the charities. I'll have more on that later!!!

Dawn and I are getting ready to pick up Tyler and Bryan tonight (Friday Jan 19th) ... they are coming down for the weekend to hang out and do a little theme park action! I'll more than likely throw some pictures up here for you all to enjoy.

Next weekend, Dawn and I are heading to Tampa to see the broadway show Spamalot - if you dont know who Monty Python is, then you dont know Spamalot! Its going to be awesome. Then on Sunday we head out West again. We'll be in California for a few days ... Dawn has some regular meetings at work and I have set up some lunches and breakfast meetings with investors and potential clients. I just confirmed a lunch meeting with the Oakland Raiders! I am VERY excited about that. I'll update you all when I return ... I am hoping for big things this time.

Well - I better start making some calls and sending some emails. I hope everyone is doing well and I will write more soon ... I promise!

Till Next Time ...

The Newest Addition to our Family Fridge!

We finally are able to add a picture of our God Son ... Jaden Lindley! As ya'll know my best friend Brian Lindley and his family (Michelle and Madeline) welcomed Jaden into their lives on Nov 15th 2006. Brian and Michelle asked Dawn and I to be the God Parents and we accepted PROUDLY!!!

Click on the picture and you will be able to see the newest addition to the Brister extended family!

Thank you Brian for sending us this picture - we will share Jaden with everyone who visits.

Also - if you click on the picture you'll see our vast array of cheesy fridge magnets. Dawn and I have taken up the joy of collecting a cheesy fridge magnet everytime we take off on a trip. We have magnets from Rome, Napa Wineries, Prague, London, Paris! Its a fun little hobby ... so, if your out and about and see a cheesy fridge magnet - send it our way! If it has a cute story about how you were on vacation and saw the magnet and thought fondly of Dawn and I ... it MAY make it to the Brister Family Fridge!!! *grin*

Happy Hunting ... Till next time!

Change Smange!

Dawn posts!

Yes, I live!

I for one do not understand this year of change. I like things just fine the way they are! Why should we change? We have good friends, a loving family and a great newlywed marriage. Somehow my husband thinks this is a recipe that requires CHANGE! HARRUMPH!

So fine. I agreed to his little challenge. I'll change . . .

So . . . I decided that my contribution to change would be a new cooking toy!!!!! How fun!

For those who gave us gift certificates to Macy's you have created a monster! We purchased a pressure cooker this weekend. I did a ton of reading online and looked at all the models on the market, went to Williams-Sonoma and Macy's and looked into different models. My best resource was Miss Vickie

We went with the Fagor set at Macy's it has an 8 quart and 4 quart pan. Last night was supposed to be the trial run, but if you know anything about how my day went yesterday -- you know that if I had tried to use an appliance like a pressure cooker I would have surely blown the roof off the house, burned my arm off and scared the dog . . . so today was the day I tried my new toy. I made Mushroom Chicken MMMMMMMMM

Of course first, I ordered a couple books (If Michelle Martin reads this she's already laughing at me) researched on line and watched a video as to be certain that I did not do all the damage mentioned in the previous paragraph!

Mushroom Chicken:

One package (about two pounds) Chicken thighs
two cans Roasted Garlic Mushroom soup
1 cup (roughly) Chicken Broth
One onion
One package Mushrooms (8 oz cut in half)
cooking oil
salt and pepper to taste
Two sprigs Thyme


Take the base of the pressure cooker and heat it on high heat with oil (a couple table spoons is more than enough)Brown the chicken on all sides and set aside.

Drain excess fat and saute mushrooms and onions until a little brown (add salt and pepper to taste)

add soup and broth (white wine would also be good) and Chicken to pot. Stir put thyme on top. Close the lid and bring to pressure. Cook 15 minutes then let the pressure subside naturally (i.e. don't release the valve or put the pot under cold water) This will take about 30 minutes.

Serve over egg noodles.

Act like a chef while your family marvels at how wonderful you are! NEVER tell your secret!

P.S. You all know what you are getting for Christmas next year!

2007 - The Year of Change!!!

Bill Brister here ... posting about the upcoming year ahead for Dawn and myself. This year is being refered to as "The Year of Change" for Dawn and I. Exactly what does that mean ... we have a few ideas ... one is, I (Bill) have ventured out into the world of Starting my own company. I have mentioned it a few times here on this blog and will start talking more about it in the coming months. I have always dreamed of launching a company and building an empire, but have never been in the "right place at the right time" ... there were always things in the way for me. More like excuses, but I didnt realize that back then. My company is here ... www.individui.com ... my mantra is "Live Life Mobile!" If you know me well, you know that I LOVE gadgets! I love technology and the new toys that are created by new technologies!!! So, my company is all about Living the Mobile Life! I think that in this day and age with the Web 2.0 emerging and Web 3.0 just around the corner, mobile access is highly in demand. My vision is to create Individui as a major player in the mobile communication field. That is my first change.

My second change is to lose weight ... I challenged myself to lose 50 pounds before my wedding. It took me 6 months of working out, watching what I eat and getting outside to walk, jog, ride my bike ... at my wedding I was down 30 pounds. This year I am committed to dropping the other 20 I set out to lose!!!

Dawn and I are continuing to build our life together, I still learn things about her every day and she challenges me to think or look at different perspectives. My goal for us as a couple this year is to learn to "work" together. We got the "living" together down. We are pretty good at the "going out in public" together ... *smile* ... especially to France or on a cruise!!! The true test of our relationship is to actually "work" together ... I hear it all the time about husbands and wives having a working relationship and how hard it is. Dawn is helping me understand what Marketing is for a company, MY company ... I tell her what I want to say, she writes it down how I should say it. Sounds easy right??? Well, lets just say that when I tell her what I want to say for my company ... there are 50 different questions she wants to know before she will write anything for me. Like ... Who do I want to hear what I have to say! OH YEA, and the answer "EVERYONE" is unacceptable. She is letting me learn the lessons of how to postion something and how to answer questions with information you want to answer with. Most of you all reading this blog know me ... I say it like it is, and I cant stand B.S. Well, Dawn is teaching me the finer points of "Saying it nicely" ... and well, lets just say we have a whole year to learn how to work together!!! Dawn is absolutely an inspiration ... I am greatful that I have her in my life to walk with me down this unchartered path. Thank you Dawn ... for everything!

With that said ...

We are going to need some help this year ... so, when you email Dawn or when you talk to us ... ask us how our Year of Change is going. Ask us what have we learned over the past week about eachother and how are we growing in our working relationship. We may tell you to pound sand, or we may just start laughing ... but one thing for sure ... we will appreciate YOU and the positive support you bring into our family!!!

Most of my "resolutions" are business related. I have milestones, I have goals ... I have NO clue how I am going to get there ... but that is the journey right? I look forward to talking and emailing with each of you reading this. Drop me a line if it has been a while since we have spoken. If I dont know you ... still shoot me a note!!! I am a nice guy ... just ask Lindley!!! ha ha

Anyway ... Happy New Year Friends. I'll see if I can get Dawn to sit down and pontificate about her "Year of Change" for you guys!!! That should be a fun excercise!!! ha ha

Till next time ...

Just watched the ball drop!!!

Well we made it 10 hours at Epcot ... the crowd was estimated at 78,000 people!!! We decided to head home around 10pm and watch the NY party from the comfort of our couch wearing a pair of shorts!!!

Happy New Year everyone ... I wish the best for you all in 2007!!!

Stay tuned ... I'll be sharing my triumphs and challenges.

Till the next time ...

Happy New Year!!!

We wish each of our friends, family and readers a wonderful New Year ... I'll be seein some of you soon ... post your resolution in the comment section if you want ... I post mine tomorrow!

Chris and Judith

Spending the day and night with 2 of our closest friends ... ringing in the new year with them again!!! Dawn and I welcomed 2006 and now 2007 with Chris and Judith!

Dinner with Dawn's Parents!

New Years @ Epcot

We are spending the day ... and night at Epcot to ring in the new year with 2 million of our closest friends! We got here at 11am and will leave around 1am (taking traffic into consideration) ... I'll post a few more pictures. Here is Dawn in line to get some bubbly!

11pm and we're frostin the cake!

Dawn is having a GREAT time with this cake. We got home about 30 minutes ago from a wonderful dinner with some friends. Dawn baked a yummy red velvet cake this afternoon and she has decided to finish the frosting tonight! She looooooves this stuff ... and well, I get to eat it! Come on January 1st ... wanna know my new years resolution? My goal is to lose 20 more pounds. I lost 30 pounds for the wedding and that was not easy ... I think that if I set my sights on the 20 pound mark in 2007 it should be pretty "do-able" ... we'll see. I am sure I'll keep ya'll posted on my progress!

As I sat at dinner with some friends tonight I was reflecting on the past 2 years 8 months since I moved out to Orlando. I moved to Orlando knowing ONE person here. I moved to Orlando because it was as close to Tyler and Bryan as I could get. I was working as a manager for Sears Roebuck and this was the closest job opening they had. It took me 3 months to meet Dawn and since then every day has been better than the last. I am shocked to look back on the last 10 months (thats how long Dawn and I have lived in Celebration) and to think of all the things we are involved in. Dawn and I belong to the Task Force that is working towards taking our community to the next level and becoming an actual "City" in the state of Florida. We have met many amazing people through that effort and we are so blessed to have such friendly and welcoming families close to us.

I'll be posting some reflections over the next few days ... 2007 is going to become the "Year of Change" for Dawn and I. I'll exlain more later!!! For now ... I am going to help my wife finish this bottle of wine we have opened!

Merry Christmas my friends ... and for the ones reading this thread I dont know that well ... I wish you happiness and laughter! (I wish that for my friends too!)

Till the next post ...

Dawn at Disney World!

The carousel behind Dawn is made from ginger bread, icing and chocolate! They have a story about how many pounds it took them to make it! Dawn was soooooo excited to see this!

We have a visitor ... Bernardo being a good host!

Our friend is going to Kentucky for Christmas with her fiance and Dawn and I are the lucky ones who get to watch Tinker Bell!!! She is a bossy little 2 pound furry fluff of attitude!

Everyone say hello to Tinker Bell ... her and Bernardo are pretty cute. He tries to play with her and she barks at him. The look on his face when she barks at him is priceless ... its like "Whats her problem???"

Bernardo and Tinker Bell (Bernardo's new Girl Friend)

Bryan behaving at Best Buy!

The 3 pancake breakfast probably was not the best idea right before we took them to Best Buy to pick out their christmas presents!!! I have heard about bouncing off the walls before but these 2 kids are out of ccontrol ... I told Bryan that he needs to settle down a bit so here he is "relaxing" ... thought I would capture this picture ... of Bryan actually not moving!!! We are having a blast in Pensacola!!! On our way to the movies now!

Click on this picture and look at the score!

The Seals are just making the Jacksonville Baracudas look like a high school girls hockey team! Now, I know that there are great high school teams out there ... but they are in high school. The Seals are unstoppable tonight ... its great to watch this spanking!!! Go Seals!!!

Visiting the area where Dawn grew up!

The deer run free in Yosemite Lakes Park ... Dawn is giving me the $5.00 tour of where she grew up.

Driving out to Fresno!

If you dont know where Fresno is ... consider yourself lucky. If you want to know ... Mapquest it. We are heading out to spend some time with Dawn's grandma, Dawn's god daughter, her best friend from high school and a friend of mine for her birthday ... Happy Birthday Cindy! I hope you all are doing well today, I'll post more later, when we pick up Paige (Dawn's god daughter) ... she is a cutie!

I know its bright!!!

Its the best we could do ... here we are enjoying the Sharks loss to the Colorado Avalanche!!! Oh well ... lots of season left ... We'll get a playoff spot!!! Go Sharks!

10 minutes left ... 3 points behind!

Sharks are having a tough time tonight ... they are missing the "Pop" they usualy show when they dominate! Go Sharks!!! Never give up!

Grier about to shoot a penalty shot!

He missed ... if you were wondreing ... Sharks trail ... 3 - 2 ... lots of Hockey left though ... Go Sharks!

SJ Sharkie payed someone a visit!

I have some pretty cool pictures of the Sharks mascot SJ Sharkie giving Dawn her birthday presents!!! I'll post them up tomorrow!

I wanna drive the zamboni!

Preparing the ice .... 15 minutes till face off ... I know I just said 2 minutes ... but that was the practice countdown timer. This time I really mean it ... 15 minutes till face off!!! Go Sharks!

Its Sharks Hockey!!!

Warm up ... pre-game! Two minutes till face off ... God I love this game!

And we start the evening...

Thought we would grab a quick beer before the Sharks game ... headed to the tank in a few minutes!

The start of Dawn's birthday dinner!

Happy 30 Somthingish to Dawn!!!

Today is my wife's birthday!!! This birthday is exremely special to me for many reasons.

1. She is my wife now! This is the first time in our relationship that I am celebrating my wife's birthday. *grin*

2. We are celebrating it in California - Dawn and I both lived and worked in the Bay Area. I grew up just one hour from where we are (San Jose, Ca for those reading that dont know where I am this week) ... we visited my parents this past week, some very close friends and we are 15 minutes away from the San Jose Shark Tank ... (where the Sharks play hockey)

3. This is the first year in our relationship that I am spending Dawn's birthday WITH HER!!! Thats right ... the past 2 birthdays Dawn has had, we have not been together. Dawn's company holds a HUGE global meeting every year during the first week of December! The past 2 years I have had jobs that did not allow me to travel so I had to wish her a happy birthday over the phone ... this year ... WE ARE TOGETHER!!!

Ok ... so now that I am done gushing. Tonight I am taking her to a nice cute french restaurant in San Francisco, then we'll probably drive around downtown for a bit and head home. Its going to be a great night ... Dawn has no clue that I have done up a flower spread, some presents and I just addded an Olive and Cheese plate to the mix!!!

I just want Dawn to know that I love her with all my heart ... she is the best thing that has happened to me in a long long time. I am looking forward to spending many many more birthdays with her!!!

If you get a chance ... drop her a line and wish her a happy birthday. If you dont have her email address, leave her a comment here on the blog.

I hope everyone is doing well and happy. I'll post more tomorrow about how dinner was and our evening! Plus - I'll tell ya about our plans for tomorrow night! Here is a hint - I am going to a Sharks game with Dawn tomorrow night!!! *snicker*

Till the next post ...

I love this city!

I grew up about 25 miles north of here ... I will always consider this city "home" ... Every time I come back to visit I am reminded how much San Francisco means to me. If you have never visited San Francisco I would highly recomend planning a nice 3 or 4 day weekend. There is so much to do, and if you do plan on coming out let me know and I'll give you some highlights you cant miss! I took this picture after I met a couple friends for lunch ... I'll be taking Dawn to dinner here tomorrow night for her birthday. I'll let you all know how the night goes!

Cakebread Barrel Room!

The Wager - The Win!!!

Lindley and I made a bet last year during the NHL playoffs ... I swept all 4 rounds including a miracle come from behind win in game 7 of the finals. Well - the bet was for the 1998 V. Sattui Cab Sav!!! Its in limited release now since they are down to the last few cases and I have a bottle that Brian and I will be sharing next time I am out in LA!

The Best Wine in Napa!

4th winery down ... 2 more to go! V. Sattui is by far my favorite place to sip yummy wine and grab a quick bite to eat! Having a great time up here ... the weather is amazing!

My new wallpaper

Ya think Dawn will let me paper a room with Lagunitas beer labels???

Lagunitas Brewery - The Best Beer!

I was told they dont do tours on Saturdays ... imagine my surprise when I drive up to the brewery and meet the brewmaster who invites Dawn and I into the brewery to drink delicious beer ... right off the line! Don't hate me Brian Lindley ... Dawn and I toasted to you!!!