Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Good Morning!

Tuesday was quite busy, as is everyday of my life! It's funny to think back to just a year and a half ago..... I would come home from work, and sit on the couch, because I was in so much pain I could not do anything else. Now I go out everyday, and find pain! Work continues to be very steady. There are a few signs of it slowing down in here over the next week, which is good since I will be gone for a few extra days. Jordan had to work at the ice cream store last night so I left work and took her to work. I headed over to the gym, and it's a good thing I went last night because none of the other instructors showed up. We had a great warm up, then straight to the ground and pound! I was sparring with one cat, and even though we were only doing stand up.... He threw a leg kick that I blocked with my forearm. I said since when did we start kicking? His answer was "UUhhhhh" so I proceeded to show him why he should keep his hands up! I forgot to mention that I had lunch with Ben Crocker.... He is a great young man, who is wise beyond his age! Overnight the temperature stayed at 33* so the road were not that bad this morning. I had mom drive herself to work, and I followed Sherrie to work in her car. Better get to work!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Namaste,

Monday started early! Our neighborhood is still a pretty big mess, as is most of Edmond. There are still spots where the snow drifts are 5 feet or more tall. Sherrie's little sports car sits so close to the ground that it would rip the bottom out if she tried to drive it, so I took her to work at 5:40. I went to the other side of town and picked mom up and took her to work. Her street is still a solid sheet of ice too. On the way to work I stopped at Starbucks and got my cup of bold. Work was quite busy, and if I might say.... It sucked! There are only four of us here in the office, and yesterday, Cindy (Our work mother) told us she is taking a full time gig at the new Norman Health Plex. Cindy has been with us for 7 or 8 years, and there is no way we will ever be able to replace her. She has always been a great friend and supporter of mine, in any and every endeavor I set out for! Cindy is also one of the best cooks on the planet! (Especially pie's) I took my mom home from work at 3:00 and the roads were looking better so she was going to run to the store.... She got in her car and it backfired, and started smoking so she called me balling. I told her I would come look at it.... After work I ran to the auto parts store and bought some carb cleaner. That did not work.... On the way to the gym I ask my brothers opinion, he told me to go get a PVC valve. I stopped at the parts store again... It was $4.00, and after a great hour and a half workout, I went over changed out the valve and "Boom goes the dynamite!" It fixed her car! I headed home and had a sweet potato, and some roasted pork, then a hot shower a couple of Lortab, and to bed! My back is still bothering me! Tonight will be my last workout until I get back from Utah. I started getting my clothes organised for the trip. I am taking way too much stuff, as usual, but I have no idea what the weather will do! Time for work!

Love you all!

Mat

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Decembr 25th, 26th, and 27th, 2009

Namaste,

Christmas morning the family woke up and we opened up presents. We tried not to go to overboard this year, but it always happens anyway. After the traditional stuff, Sherrie fixed a big breakfast and it was really good. I tried not to eat too much, but I did. I went out and started shoveling my driveway. I had one drift that was probably five feet deep. I got most of it cleared off, but because my house faces North the sun does not shine on the upper half, and it was a sheet of ice under the snow. My mom had buried her car in a snow drift at work on Christmas Eve, so I drove up there and drove her car right out of the drift and back to her house. I was in my Arctic gear so I started walking back to my car, where I had left it at her work. It was about two miles and there were drifts of three to five feet all the way back. I rescued an elderly man stuck in his Toyota Prius. He was stuck and had no way out, so I dug him out and he wanted to give me a ride back to my car but I was having too much fun. When I got back to the hospital I realised that my coworkers had been snowed in too so, I started digging them out it took me over two hours to dig Jodi's BMW out. I came home and took a shower, then Miriam and Tommy came over and we did our Christmas with them. Sherrie made soup, and it was yummy. Saturday morning, I took Sherrie to work at 6:00 am, and Jordan to work at 8:00am. In between I took down both Christmas tree's and the rest of the Christmas decorations. After I dropped Jordan off at work I went out to the lake and looked for some things to take pictures of. I got a couple of nice shots of some birds in the snow. I got stuck once but worked my way out of it. I went over to mom's and shoveled her driveway, then went to El Reno to help Curtis move for a couple of hours. I had to get back and pick Sherrie up at work, then over to Miriam's to take pictures of Santa and Tommy. We hung out there for a while, then home. Jordan babysat my friend Mike Messina's daughter for a few hours, last night. Her name is Live and she is a real cutie. They did hair and watched movies. I got up early this morning, and picked up mom for church. Her church cancelled services this morning due to the snow. I worked in the parking lot, then went in for service. After church I took mom to the store, then helped run errands. This afternoon I cleaned my neighbors driveways, and stayed outside until dark. We are watching a series on Mt Everest. It is making me want to get back to Nepal. This week is going to be busy. Mike and I are leaving for Utah on Friday morning. We will be doing some cold weather hiking and climbing in the La Sal Mountains. I need to get some good workouts in this week. I ate like a pig this weekend, but it was Christmas????

Love you all!

Mat

Friday, December 25, 2009

Thursday, December24h, 2009

Merry Christmas!

Even though the title of this blog is December 24th.... I am writing this at 6:00am Christmas morning. Yesterday was insane. We had an arctic winter blast roll through Oklahoma, and it all started yesterday morning at 5:00am. I took Sherrie to work because it was sleeting and she does not do well in her little sports car. I ran into Wal-Mart and picked up a few essentials... Dog treats, Hot Dogs, and a loaf of bread. I stopped at Starbucks then on to work. I went straight into the mixing room and did not come out until noon! Jodi ventured out and picked up some sandwiches. A little after two we had about a foot of snow on the ground. I let work to pick Sherrie up, then took Jordan to work. We were going to church, but all of the services were cancelled. When I got home two panels of my back fence had blown down, so I put on my Arctic gear and went out to fix the fence. The wind was gusting 40 to 50 miles per hour, and the drifts were 3 feet deep. Funny thing is Boomer, my English Mastiff loves the snow! I would throw a tennis ball into the snow drifts and he would bust through them face first and find his ball. I took a few pictures of him and I will post them. I picked Jordan up at 7:00 and we hung out, and watched TV until 10:00 when the Midnight Mass came on TV. I am not Catholic but always love watching the Midnight Mass. I actually use to go on Christmas Eve when I was a kid. I got up early this morning, and was going to go out and take pictures of the sunrise with the snow drifts, but there i a five foot drift in my driveway. I am going to shovel snow all day after we open presents.

I want each one of you to know how much of a blessing you are to me! Take a minute to think about all of the things we are so lucky to have here in this country. I am saying a special Christmas prayer for each and everyone of you!

Merry Christmas, and God Bless you!

Mat

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Tuesday and Wednesday, December 22nd and 23rd, 2009

Namaste,

Tuesday was a great day, work was fine. Then I headed to the gym. We did not have very many, but that was fine. I rolled a little with some of the young guys and still got good work in. My brother Curtis and his family came over around seven and we had Christmas with them. He also brought his friend Billy who works for him. Billy also worked for him in Atlanta and just moved here. Mom cooked dinner and it was pretty good. I didn't eat much, and everyone took the leftovers home!:-( Wednesday started early! 3:07am! Boomer woke me up and I never got back to sleep! Work has really picked up and it was crazy busy! On Wednesday it is just Jodi and I and it seemed every Doctor that came in changed every order. We had a ton to do last night, so we hung around here, and even went to bed early. Up at 4:30 to get started again. I am editing pictures from a friend of mines trip to Africa. She took 688 pictures and I bet there will be 400 or so that are pretty nice after some work. It has been fun but time consuming. This morning we are in a blizzard. I have to take Sherrie to work, then head to work. Pick Sherrie up at 2:00, and try to be at Church at 2:30. Get Jordan to work, and be at Mariam's at 6:15. I don't see any way to get to the Isbell's tonight for our traditional Christmas Eve party. Mike invited me to go to Moab with him over New Years! Looks like everything is falling into place! I love Moab, and have never been there in the winter.

Love you all!

Merry Christmas!

Mat

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Namaste,

Happy Monday! Started off the day by driving out to the lake to see if anything was stirring??? I found a big White Tail Deer, but it was still very dark, and I had the wrong lens on my camera to get any good shots of her. I stopped by Starbucks on my way back to work, and grabbed my cup of bold. I don't know why, but if I don't stop in "My Starbucks" my world is just not right. It's not that their is anyone in particular in there.... It just sets the day! Anyway, work was still there, same ole, same ole. Not that that's a bad thing. I am glad I have a job, but as I have stated before, I would love to be doing something that makes a difference. I talked to my good buddy Clark last night. He recommended I read a book that he had me purchase a couple of years ago. It's called "Cracking the Millionaire Code" I will read it again, and see if there are any pearls in there I can use. I went to the gym last night. It was my first session since last Monday. I am really beat up and thought I could use some rest to heal my body. I do plan on fighting my first fight February 27th. I have a long way to go. The one thing I can say is no one I ever fight has any better cardio than me. I want to see them train in the highest mountain range in the world. Tonight My brother and his family are coming over for Christmas. I am going to the gym as soon as I get out of work to get a sweat, and then I will run home to celebrate with my extended family. Have a great day! If you read this blog sent me a comment! (Hi Ben!)

Love you all!

Mat

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 18th, 19th, & 20th, 2009

Hello,

Friday was a crazy day as are all Fridays. We have a pretty big IV load at the hospital, so preparing all of the piggys for the weekend, was an all day task. I ran out to the lake before work.... Got a couple pretty nice shots of a pelican swimming through the sunrise reflection. After work I met Sherrie over at Ben and Kinsy Crockers house, and we went to the Thunder game. I was going to take pictures at the game but I have so many Thunder pictures right now.... We had dinner at La Luna, then walked over to the game. After the game we walked through the Myriad Gardens. They were beautiful. Sherrie and I came home and crashed out. She went to work at &:00am Saturday, and I went driving around Arcadia, and Luther looking for things to take pictures of. I picked Trey up and we went shopping for his sister, and mothers presents. We were at the mall and I thought it would be nice to take him to see Avatar... I bought the tickets and then found out it was three hours long. The movie was pretty good, but I kept looking at my watch. Jodi text me while I was in the movie, and needed help at work. So I dropped Trey off and went to work for a while. When I got back Sherrie and I went to finish our Christmas Shopping. It really sucked! This morning Trey and I went to church. It was a very nice service. We went home and I cleaned out my storage building, mowed the eaves up, and cleaned up the pond. I even swept the leaves up out of the street. I had a photo shoot with my friend Crystal and her family. They are great, and the pictures turned out pretty good too! Jordan has a friend over tonight so I need to go supervise!

Lets have a great week!

Mat

Friday, December 18, 2009

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Namaste,

It was a very crazy busy day. I start each morning by writing this blog while enjoying my first cup of coffee. I get the kids up and take them to school. Then I stop at Starbucks. People may say...."Why do you go to Starbucks everyday? Is it not expensive?" No.... I spend less than two dollars a day, and it is like taking a shower for me. It is part of my crazy routine. If I get out of my routine it screws everything up! Yesterday.... I dropped the kids off at school then picked Mike Champlin up at Swedish Imports, and took him back home, but we stopped at Starbucks for my morning cup of clarity. We have really picked up at work. I went to Hobby Lobby at lunch and bought more stretcher bars. As soon as I left work, I came home and cleaned up, headed down to the Petroleum club to take pictures of the Midwest City Specialty Hospital Christmas party. That was very nice and the view of the city from up there is amazing. I came home and stretched two more prints. They came out very nice. One is a gift and I am keeping one of them. Anyway.... Today is going to be busy again. Friday's always are! I am taking my friends Ben and Kinzy Crocker to the Thunder Vs. Pistons Basketball game tonight, then we are going to walk through the Myriad gardens. They are decorated very pretty right now with all of the lights etc....

Have a great day!

Mat

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Tuesday & Wednesday, December 15th & 16th, 2009

Namaste,

Been very busy lately... Just stuff really. Tuesday was just a lot of running about. Work, then errands, I spoke at Foundation Bariatric Hospital and that went very well. I had a big group, and they were very receptive. I came home and worked on some pictures. Wednesday, was a blur... I am working on which pictures to have done on canvas next. My buddy Wolf sent me his exhibition plans.... His poetry along with the images he selected to display. I am committed to helping him with three venues here in the states. I was suppose to have lunch with my girl Miriam yesterday, but she just had a bit of surgery last week and was not feeling too chipper. Miriam is on the Board of Directors for the Edmond Fine Arts Institute. She will be instrumental in getting the gallery for my show as well as one for Wolf. After work I headed down to the Thunder Vs. Mav's Basketball game. I got some great shots.... Getting ready to edit them now.

Much Love!

Mat

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Tuesday, December 14th, 2009

Namaste,

Very busy Monday! Before work I dropped the kids off at school, then went to pick up my watch that had been in the shop since I got back from Nepal. After that I dropped my Christmas cards back off at the printer to have them re-trimmed. Hit Starbucks for a cup of Bold. At lunch we had our Pharmacy Christmas lunch. We went to a very nice restaurant called Lottinvilles. I had Lobster Nachos. Awesome. We also exchanged gifts. I gave Cindy one of my prints from Nepal, on canvas, stretched. I love that image and I had one printer for myself as well. Gaymarie drew my name and she got me a new Oaktree Golf shirt. The afternoon was quite busy. I headed straight to the gym, and worked with "T" Sumlin. He has a fight January 23rd, and his kicks are awesome, but his stand up needs work. I took a shot to the left knee that put me down. I iced it and it is better this morning. My back is a little tender, but I took some pain meds this morning. I heard from Naba yesterday. I am considering putting together a group and maybe guiding them in Kathmandu, and an Everest Base camp trek next year. Could be a revenue producing venture.

Love you all!

Mat

Monday, December 14, 2009

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Namaste,

Very quick.... Sunday morning went to church and worked the parking lot. Back home and then over to help Ben and Kinzy Crocker at their new house. Ran home cleaned up, and went to the mall to do some Christmas shopping. It was very depressing! Not to be a Grinch, but we are so worried about buying this and that, and there are so many people out there, here and abroad STARVING TO DEATH. Anyway, I brought Sherrie home, and headed back out to pick up a few things she wanted, that I could not buy with her there. I stopped by Micheal's and bought a bunch of stretcher bars. I stretched four of my prints, last night and although they look OK I need more practice. Today we are having our pharmacy Christmas party today so I am dressed to the nines! Feels good to wear a suit every once in a while!

Much love!

Mat

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Friday, and Saturday, December 11th & 12th, 2009

Good Morning,

Busy couple of days! Friday morning, I was finely able to catch the guy who I was spying on in the act. It was beautiful, my set up was perfect, and I took 30 pictures of him. On to work, which was quite busy then to drop off one of my prints to be stretched, get to the gym by 4:00 to make sure my fighters had everything ready to go. They had to be at the venue by 5:30, so they came to the gym to warm up and get a sweat going. I ran home by 5:00, got Sherrie and the kid's and we headed to Bricktown. I dropped the off at Roosters, and went to the venue to check in. Everything was in order so I jogged back to Roosters, and we had dinner. We walked back to the Coca Cola Events Center, and went in. We had a whole section reserved for the club. I had told everyone that I was no nervous, but I was a wreck. When the fights started I relaxed.... We went 4 - 0! Only one of our matches even went to the second round. We were dominate! What a relief that is over. Saturday morning came early. I got up and went to the gym. Mr. Griffen and I did a strength and conditioning circuit, and the Tim and Trisha, showed up. Tyler and I were rollin a bit and he started cramping, so Tim jumped in the cage with me. 12 hours earlier, Tim had just won his fight by rear naked choke. We went for a couple of rounds, and it was pretty even. I feel good about where I am right now, conditioning, and ground and pound. My back was a little tender last night, but I took some drugs, and did heat and ice. I left the gym and went to the house that Ben Crocker is remodeling. I helped him for a bit. Ben does everything that anyone ask him to do, so a few hours here and there won't hurt anyone. Back home to clean up. then Sherrie and I went to do some Christmas shopping. How depressing! When we were done I came home and started working on Christmas cards. I picked them up from the printer Friday, and half of them will have to be reprinted. They trimmed them wrong. Getting ready to go work at church, then back over to Ben's.

Love

Mat

Friday, December 11, 2009

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Namaste,

What a crazy Thursday! I had so much to get taken care of.... Tickets delivered, prints picked up, etc..... Oh yeah, did I mention work? Well it all got done, including having lunch, with the girls from work for Cindy's birthday. Today should be more manageable. Work, drop off one print to be stretched, and get to the fights in Bricktown tonight.

Thank God it's Friday!

Mat

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Namaste,

Well... Went to do my spying and the trailer was not there sooooo..... I am on my way back this morning. Went to work, and it was work. Nothing exciting, but at least I have a pay check coming in. It's not at all that I don't like my job, because I do. It's that since my trip, I think there is so much more I can do to make the world a better place, but helping the starving children in Kathmandu won't get the mortgage payment made here! I am suppose to pick up my prints this morning. I am so excited to see them on canvas. When an image is printed on canvas, it looks 3-D! I have sold 87 tickets for the Bricktown Brawl. My goal was to sell 100! When I get rid of the last 13 I am done. Weigh in is at 5:30 tonight, and I need to be there for pictures. I also have to have someone go to the mall and pick-up the shorts. Busy day, better get going!

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Namaste,

Another busy day! I am doing some spying for a friend of mine who is involved in a lawsuit with his HOA, so I went to his neighborhood to take pictures of some things that violate the covenants. Then to work. After work I has to drop two pair of shorts off to be embroidered, and to the gym to work the office, sell tickets for the brawl, and sign people in. Home to work on pictures, shower, and bed!

Another busy day today!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Namaste,

Monday was a pretty busy day. Work was fine. I had a bunch of errands to run at lunch. After work I had to be at Deer Creek middle school. Trey was selected to be on the Scholar Squad for his school, and his first competition was yesterday afternoon. They were 2 and 2 with a bye in the 5th round. If Belle Isle lost in the 5th round, then Treys school would have won. We will find out today. They had accumulated 220 points more than any other team. We came home and I got on an ice pack right away. My back is feeling much better, but I might have been on my feet a bit much yesterday. I need to sit a little more today, than yesterday. I have to pick up my canvas prints today, get some shorts to be embroidered, and work the office at the gym tonight. I talked with my buddy Wolf from England yesterday. I had ask him several questions related to packaging my prints for display and sale; as well as, what to display for the Arts Festival! If you get a chance check out his amazing work at www.wolf-photography.com.

Love you all!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Saturday & Sunday, December 5th & 6th, 2009

Namaste,

Saturday was kinda blah. I laid around and just rested, while watching football. Miriam, and her boys brought a great lasagna over for dinner, and Chad Lovett and his family stopped by to pick up their Christmas portraits, so we ended up with a houseful. Miriam's little boy Tommy, decided he wanted to spend the night with "Jorgen" so he stayed.... Until 4:00am, when he decided he wanted his mommy! Sunday morning, Trey and I went and worked at church. Because it was so cold, we ran a little late. (on purpose) Then I came home and Sherrie fixed brunch. Leftover lasagna! We took Trey to get a winter coat and then I laid on the couch for the rest of the day, well until I had to go to mom's and unplug her toilet. I use to love the cold, but I really have mixed emotions now!

Love you all!

Mat

Friday, December 4, 2009

Thursday & Friday, December 3rd & 4th, 2009

Good Evening,

Just wanted to write a short note... I finely went to the doctor yesterday. We did x-rays, and all kind of test. I have had disc problems for a couple of years, and I have aggravated it with all of the physical exercise I have been doing. I had a bad case of sciatica, and it moved after I ran in the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. I could not even stand up straight yesterday, so I decide it was time. Dr. Siler put me on bed rest until Monday. We were suppose to go to the Thunder Vs. Celtics game tonight, but the walking and cold would not be good right now! Sherrie and Jordan spent all night in the Mercy ER last night. Jordan has something going on with her girl parts, and I even took her for an ultrasound of her gallbladder today. So over all it's been a crappy couple days!

Love you all!

Mat

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2009

Good Morning,

Tuesday was cold and rainy.... I felt like I woke up in England! Made a stop by Starbucks on my way into work. I highly recommend the Christmas blend. Work was fine, It was hard to generate motivation yesterday. I met with Ben Crocker at lunch. Ben has applied to the MBA program at the University of Central Oklahoma, and needed me to write a letter. The afternoon went well.... After work I was suppose to take Trey to the OKC Thunder basketball game, but I could hardly stand up, due to my back problems. I came home and worked on pictures, and helped around here. We switched back and forth between the Thunder game, and the OU game. I slept on the heating pad, in a chair in the living room, and feel like I rested better, but prolly need to go to the doctor today.

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Namaste,

Tuesday was a great day. I was plenty busy at work. At lunch I finished my journal! 26 pages, and 15, 897 words! It took 60 days to complete, but it was a huge task. After Sherrie edits it, I will post it on my blog, web site, and hopefully publish it. After work I came home and took a 15 minute nap, then headed to the gym. My back is not any better, but I am afraid to take any time off, during the holidays. We did ju-jit-su, and it was good. I got busted in the mouth, and so when I saw blood.... It got nasty! I came home and my little buddy Tommy was here hanging out with "Jorgen" Tommy is Miriam's baby boy, he is 3 and full of energy! He comes and hangs out for a couple of hours, just about every week! I crashed out before 10! Does that mean I am getting old?

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Namaste,

Monday was a pretty good day. Work was busy, as are all Mondays. After work I headed straight to the gym. I hung myself upside down from the cage to try and straighten out my back. It didn't work, but the pain was so intense, that it made standing up not so bad. We had a great sparring class. We went 15 rounds of straight stand up, then 8 rounds of kickboxing. I came home and took a hot shower, ate an egg, and worked on some pictures. I have sooo much to get done this week that does not involve being at work, but until I hit the lottery..... I guess I will!

Love!

Mat