Thursday, December 30th, 2010

Namaste,

Got up way too early and started working on the Google Earth stuff. That has really been pretty fun, bringing back some really good memories. I am really lucky to be able to travel to all of these really cool places. Went on to work, and since we are closed tomorrow I had a ton to do. There were several things to get accomplished, so I did. Ran to Louie's at lunch and then back to finish up. Left at 5:15 and then came home and did some cleaning changed clothes and rode my bike to the gym. I was going to do Lindsey's class, but most of her girls were out of town or busy so she didn't do her usual class. I rolled with Tyler for an hour straight. I think I really did well. I felt really strong, I guess because I have not rolled in several days I felt fresh. I got in the cage with Travis and he kicked my A$$! He has a fight on the 15th and he has been training really hard. I worked Lindsey over real good! Then came home to watch a little ball! I was beat and crashed!

All my Love!

Mat

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

Namaste,

Hump day! Got up and worked on a potential trip to Africa. Looked at flights and travel.... It is something I am really interested in. I was also invited to Rwanda Tuesday night.... May have to weigh my options. The trip to Rwanda would be much cheaper, because it would be a working trip. I have always been interested in the Danakil Depression though. It is called the most inhospitable place in the world. It is basically a volcano that is very active. There are lava tubes, and sulfur pits.... A very nasty, but beautiful place. I also have been tagging places on Google Earth and that has been fun. I am tracking some of my trips. Right now I am tracking the trip Mike and I took through Cataract Canyon in 2009. Right now I am tracking our hike into the dolls house. I actually ran up and down the trail which is about a 75* angle. It was exhilarating! One mis-step and I was a goner! Anyway work was still there.... Our boss Shawn was still here. He is really cool, but when he is there of course there is that uncomfortableness.... Spent the afternoon getting ready for the long weekend. After work I came home and Mike met me here, and we went to the Thunder game. Trey took his friend Skylar and we used our coupon for 50 free wings.... I ate way too much but it was good! The game was pretty tight until the fourth quarter and we took a 20 point lead. We came home and I was going to watch the bowl game on TV but passed out!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

Namaste,

Sherrie had to be at work at 4:00 so I have been up since 3:45. I can tell you that makes for a really long day. I came in the living room and thought about going for a run, but it was on 10 degrees outside and I don't need to get sick. I turned on the TV and our cable was out so I put on the new A-Team movie. I worked on my Itunes library for a long time.... When the movie was over the cable was back on, so I watched the weather and then headed out. Starbucks then work. Our boss was driving in from Arkansas so we did some cleaning and when he got in at noon we went to lunch. The afternoon was quite busy. We left at 5:00 and I came home. I had some errands to run then I ran up to the gym to take Lindsey Skinner her Christmas present. Sherrie cooked chicken soup and cornbread. She is really sick so I have been Mr. Mom! Kitchen cleaned... Check. Clothes ready for tomorrow... Check. Dog in... Check. Cat... ? Who knows! Time for bed.... Yep!

All my love!

Mat

Monday, December 27th, 2010

Namaste,

Difficult day.... Everyone ask how was your Christmas, and frankly I said, "Well to be honest.... It SUCKED!" I guess the politically correct thing to say would have been to say it was great, but I have a hard time not telling you what I really think! I woke up at 5:20 and had 20 or more emails to return. I had a few images to edit, and I have been working on my Itunes library. Off to Starbucks and then work. I guess after we left on Thursday the motherboard on my PC at work went out so I spent 4 hours trying to trouble shoot it! Sucked big time! That put me behind for the rest of the day. I ordered a chicken pizza from Louie's at lunch, and only had a piece or two. The afternoon was quite busy..... I was suppose to take Sherrie to the Thunder game but, with everything going on next door we needed to be around for them. That was OK.... We went Saturday night, and we have a game Wednesday, and then there is a game on Friday night.... I am ready for the team to go on another road trip. I got a call from a lady yesterday that wants me to shoot her wedding on Friday night... I threw a number at her and she jumped at it. It is a very small ceremony and no reception; However, they are having a very big ceremony in the fall on an island off of Florida and so this is like a trial run. I should only be there for a couple of hours at the most. When I got home from work, I spent a little time with Bryan Goodpasture. He seems to be alright, but I can tell he is putting up a tough front. He was heading to his sister Mandy's house to visit with her, and David and Saundra were heading to Texas to be with baby Emily for her surgery today. There have been no funeral arrangements made yet. I guess the baby is the priority right now as she should be! The rest of the night I just chilled and lost myself in basketball and Football. Edited some pictures and stared at the ceiling... Some people say when it's your time to go, it's your time to go! I say BULLSHIT! Something about this just does not make sense. I guess I am angry, but who do I direct my anger too? Oh well... I guess for now I will just have to let it burn!

All my love, and please continue to pray for the Goodpastures!

Mat

Sunday, December 26th, 2010

Namaste,

Woke up at 5:30 and Sherrie was in the shower.... I ask her what the heck she was doing? She said "After Christmas Sales started at 5:00am", so I jumped in the shower and we headed out to Khols. We got some clothes for the kids and then across the street to WalMart to get some disposable bowls for the lunch we were making for the Goodpastures. We ran home and got Trey and headed to church... After church we ran to moms and picked up some cakes then to Academy to look for Trey some shoes. We came home and Sherrie started making the soup for the Goodpastures. We took it next door and the Hermans had been to the store and bought some things. Saundra is just lost, and David could not look at anyone. David is almost deaf so you have to make eye contact with him, so when he was looking away I think he was protecting his self. I made a point of going to him and letting him know it is OK to breakdown, and I hope he does! We came home and had to got to Sherrie's Grandparents house. We only stayed for an hour and a half... We had to come home and get ready to go to my moms house. My brother and his family were coming over and she was cooking dinner. We came home and got things ready for the week. It is going to be ridiculous... We have two funerals, and a wedding.... Work, kid's, gym, pictures, and everything else that comes up!

Love you all!

Mat

Saturday, December 25th, 2010 Christmas Day

Namaste,

What a day, with a full range of emotions.... I woke up at 6:00 and the coffee make had stopped up and coffee was everywhere. I cleaned it up and decided to run up to the store and get some coffee. 7 - 11 was closed so I decided to check Starbucks. They were closed but the circle K across the street was open. When I got back Sherrie was in the shower, and when she got out we woke up the kids. The came into the living room and opened up presents. I think everyone was happy about their gifts. Sherrie went to cook breakfast, and the door bell rang. It was our next door neighbor Saundra. She was balling and said her daughter Jenni, and her husband were just killed in a car accident. What do you say? There are no words to help at that time. All i could say is I'm sorry, and I don't know what to do.... I don't! I can't say "Oh I know what you are going through!" or "It will be OK!" It won't be OK... Her life will be changed for ever. She will have a hole in her heart that there is no fix for! I am so sad, for their family. I knew Jenni, but not as well as their other children. She lived in Stillwater, Arkansas, and her and her husband just moved to College Station, Texas a few months ago. Sherrie and Saundra had made plans to go down there and visit.... Sherrie knew Jenni better than me.... She is heart broken. We were numb, but had mom and others coming over. It was hard to keep a smile on our faces, but we pushed through. About noon, I came in the bedroom, and just kinda vegged for a couple of hours. I need to clear my mind. I watched some sports and looked at some pictures. At 4:30 we went by Nanny's and then headed down to the Thunder game. We were playing Denver, but first I had coupons for 40 free chicken wings at Hooters. I only ate a couple. They were good, but I had no appetite. Just kinda hollow. The game was very competitive, and we stayed for the whole game. We ran to the store on the way home to get some stuff to cook for the Goodpastures tomorrow, and now it is time to get some rest! By the way... The guy in the picture with Jordan is Josh Holmes. Josh lives on my couch! He is a Junior at OU and is dating my daughter. One good thing about Josh is.... He is scared to death of me!

Love you all! Please pray for the Goodpasture family!

Mat

Friday, December 24th, 2010

Namaste,

I knew I had a very busy day in store, so I got up at 4:00! I sent several pictures to print at Walgreens. They do a great job with my 24x36 inch poster prints and they do them in about 20 minutes. I got by Panaera and bought bagels for my friends at Starbucks, then to Starbucks to drop them off and get my coffee. I went by Walgreens got my prints, and then headed to Midwest City to drop off the prints and swing by Sherrie's dad's house and drop off a very small gift for them. I sat down and visited with Paula Jennings for about an hour. For those of you who do not know Paula.... She has always been one of the Quest's biggest supporters, and is an integral part of the "Quest!" She shows up for every event and helps with any task she is needed for. I truly am blessed to have her as a life friend! I came back to the house, and got Trey then we went to Wal Mart to pick up a few items, and then we picked up Tommy's big present and took it to Miriam's house for her. Trey was starving and so I took him to IHOP for breakfast. We had some items to drop off at Eric's house, then we headed to Hobby Lobby to get some prints framed. We came home and I had some serious house cleaning to do, as we were having some friends over for some of Sherrie's fabulous home cooking. We went to Christmas Eve service at 4:30 and then when we got home we started getting ready for our gathering. Sherrie's friend Charlotte, and her husband Ted, our friend Stephanie Banks, and her friend Carolyn, Christy and Haley and Miriam Nida all came over and we had some Chicken Gnocchi soup and snack foods. Sherrie had been up for 22 hours so she was ready to crash.... It really had been a long day, and we were sure to have an early morning!

All my love!

Mat

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

Namaste,

Amazing night of sleep! NOT! Sherrie had to be at work at 3:00am, so when she left I was wide awake... I tossed and turned. I dozed off several times, but really never felt like I was sleeping. I went to work early and had to play easter egg hunt for some medications. Last night I had to go in and look for some missing medications. What happened was, while I was moving medications Jodi ran a Global Inventory update and it reset my machienes, so I had to open every drawer and try to locate the meds I had moved. I got the nurses what they needed last night, but spent the first two hours of my day doing it this morning. We also had inventory going on, and trying to get everything done for the holiday weekend. I left at 12:30, and picked up some prints, then came home and got Trey. We got lunch at Johnnies and then to Hobby Lobby to get two big prints framed. Stacie did them and did an awesome job. From there we had to meet Tyler Griffin at Legacy Bank, then out to the WalMart at I-35, then we went to a new gift shop called Panthera. We found a couple of trinkets there then we came home. Trey helped me wrop stuff and frame more prints. Mom came over to fancify my framed pictures, and then I worked over some images.... I am beat and have more running around to do tomorrow morning. I am going to take breakfast to my constituants at Starbucks, and then help Miriam pick up Tommys big present.

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

Namaste,

Quickie tonight... Got up at 4:40 and edited pictures, sent some to print and then read. Off to work after a stop at Starbucks.... Work was OK. More inventory prep. I had errands to run at lunch, and then stopped at Louie's for a chicken wrap. The afternoon was pretty slow. I left at 4:00 came home and got Sherrie and Trey and we went to finish Christmas shopping. I sauteed some shrimp, and have been working on more pictures tonight.... Guess what I'm getting called to go put some meds in the unit at work!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

Namaste,

Another busy day... Got up at 4:50 and returned emails, and worked on images.... I had about 40 prints to get out and four to get framed. I got the images printed, and then headed out to the lake. The sunrise was brilliant. The deer were skittish this morning, but the seagulls were active. The prints I made this morning were very curious. They were for a nurse at work, and the images she chose.... Frankly I have never printed before. Several were from Jamaica, and a couple from our lake I go to every morning. She has been so busy at work, it was easier for her to go through my portfolio and have me do all the work. Funny thing is I type in the picture number hit print and 30 minutes later it's all done! Anyway.... Work was OK.... We are having inventory on Thursday so I did prep work. We had our Pharmacy Christmas Party at Kang's today. We all had Sushi and exchanged gifts. I gave the girls all framed prints. They came out awesome. I should have taken pictures of the pictures.... Back to work, where we continued inventory prep. I left at 4:30 came home picked up some prints and headed to Hobby Lobby. When I got there they were really busy so I framed my own pictures and even helped the customers. It was actually fun! I went up to the gym at 6:30 to talk to Lindsey Skinner. She is my new bestie.... Lindsey is an awesome kick boxing instructor! Back home to bake Christmas Cookies and do some writing!

All my love!

Mat

Monday, December 20th, 2010

Namaste,

Well it was a Monday for sure! It sucked! I got up at 4:40 and while Sherrie was in the shower, I booted up my computer. My friend Shane Hawkinson who lives in Australia popped onto Windows Messenger, and ask what the hell I was doing up so early? I told him I was going for a run, then out to the lake for sunrise pictures! I stopped at Starbucks and then headed to a new neighborhood that is going in on the backside of the lake. There is a big windmill and I wanted to get the windmill with the rising sun behind it. I got a few, but the sky was really overcast, and so some of the images are a touch grainy. On to work.... Work was a typical Monday. Cleaning up the weekend stuff.... At lunch Jodi and I went to Johnnies and then Hobby Lobby. I needed to frame 3 prints for a Christmas party tomorrow. It took then two hours, and I did 1/2 of the work. Back to work to do some inventory prep, and a couple of admits. When I left I went by Eric;'s house to drop off the turkey, and some Christmas presents. I only stayed 15 minutes because I had to get Trey over to Dodge ball Party Zone for a birthday party. I went back to pick him up at 8:00 and I have been working on prints, and wrapping pictures. I am ready to crash!

All my love!

Mat

Sunday, December 19th, 2010

Namaste,

Got up at 6:30, returned emails and got my shower. Mom was going to church with us today, so after our stop at Starbucks we picked her up, and headed to church. Church was off the hook. There was a drum line and laser beams.... All kinds of Christmas music, and Holiday cheer. We dropped mom off and made a run back to Wal Mart. We came home dropped that stuff off then met Sherrie's friend Stephanie at Life Church for service there... NO WHERE CLOSE to as awesome as Peoples Church!!! We came home and when we were making lunch we cleaned the house.... I laid down for a short nap, and then worked on some images and started wrapping Christmas presents. Mom came over for dinner, and she helped wrap a bunch of stuff. I have been answering emails and working on images... I am ready for bed! It has been a very busy weekend, and this week is going to suck! We have inventory on Thursday, and I need to make a run to Midwest City early this week!

All my love!

Mat

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

Namaste,

Just for the newbies.... Namaste (Nam-A-Stay) means bless the spirit within. It is a greeting used all over Asia, and it is non-denominational, and not specific to any one religion of belief. I wrote in my last book, that I don't care who you pray to... What is important to me is that you believe in something larger than us.... We need something to believe in or we fall for everything!

I got up at 5:00 and ran on the treadmill.... My upper body is in bad shape. Neck, shoulders, elbows, occipital orbit... After getting our team ready for NAGA this weekend, I am really sore. I still have a pretty good black eye, and recurrent headaches.

I finished the book I was reading... Anyone want to guess what it was called? Yep!!!!! Everest. It is actually a fiction book, about an energy drink company putting together an expedition, and all of the training. Obviously the writer has a pretty good knowledge about the physical requirements of a 90 day expedition in the most inhospitable place on earth.

I met one of my scholarship candidates/friends at Weight Wise at 9:30. We talked to Dr. Walton Friday afternoon about getting her surgery done very quickly, and he really wanted to see her yesterday morning. Not only did it show me how committed she is, it showed Dr. Walton how committed she is. She has an appointment a week from Tuesday, and we should have her ready by early January.

I met Sherrie at mom's and we went to take the food we collected for the family we are sponsoring to their house. We visited with them for 1/2 an hour then went to get some lunch... Headed to Hobby Lobby, where all I wanted to do was to have four pictures matted, and backed. I am going to let the recipients frame them because I have no idea what kind of frame they will want. I was very disappointed in the efforts of the Hobby Lobby staff. I made them cut one of the mats four times. They had staples and stuff all over the table and scratched two of the prints. I should have made them replace the prints but time is short! We left Hobby Lobby and went to Wal Mart... Holy Cow it was busy. We were there for quite a long time. We came home cleaned up and headed to Brooke and Laynes house for a Christmas party. They are so gracious to host all of their friends. They have a beautiful home and an awesome English Bulldog. His name is Brody and he loves me. He reminds me of Boomer.... He lays down and rolls over on his back just like Boomer. When we left we had to stop at Khol's and I bought Sherrie a new sweater to wear to church today. She has lost so much weight that all of her dress clothes just hang off of her. We came home, and I would have liked to snuggle, but Sherrie was out like a light! She was snoring like Boomer after a long night!

The picture is Keldon Brown. He is the little boy we are sponsoring for Christmas. His smile is infectious!

All my love!

Mat

Friday, December 17th, 2010

Namaste,

Jumped up at 4:50 and had my coffee.... Worked on images, and found an awesome gift for Trey online. Took him to school, and then hit Starbucks. It was snowing this morning, but the ground temperature was to warm for any accumulation. I went out to the lake to see my deer friends... I think they know who I am now! They don't spook as easily??? Maybe its just me.... Work was OK this morning... We all had to go to the city today for random drug screens.... It happens when you work in a pharmacy. The lady at the testing center loved me. I ask her to hold the cup for me and she about fell out. Anyway. I have had a headache since getting knocked out earlier this week. My black eye is getting worse everyday. I came home at three with no intention of going to the Christmas party tonight, but after a couple hour nap we decided to get dressed and go. It was a pretty good party.... I had a couple of big break throughs today. One... The family I have decided to help this Christmas has a seven year old boy, and My friend from elementary school Jimmy Judge sent a gift, my friend Josh Smith sent me a check, Jodi Graft gave me some cash, and my friend Valerie Camp went shopping at Target. Valerie probably spent $200.... My mother went to the grocerie store and spent $100 on food for the family.... I feel great about what we are doing right here in our community. Secondly.... One of my scholarship applicants is sooooo close to getting approved for surgery. Her name is Kate and I am going with her to meet Dr. Walton tomorrow morning and see about getting her pushed through! Gonna be a busy day!

All my love!

Mat

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Namaste,

Woke up at 4:30 and looked for a particular image for 2 solid hours. I finely found it and sent it to print. I had to have it done in a 16x20, and I can not print that big here at the house. Trey had a project at school, where they were building genetic mutations out of candy. I think it was just an excuse to eat a bunch of candy at school, but we had to stop before school and get Mike & Ikes and Gummy Bears. I hit Starbucks before work, and it was really good. Work sucked again with Joint Commission in the building, but they left at 3:00 and we left at 4:00. I took Trey to Basketball practice and then headed to the gym. I met Tyler there at 4:30 and we went HARD for two hours. Something awesome happened! Timmy Elliott, who just got back from six weeks of training with Dominik Cruz came in, and I tapped him out. Now don't get me wrong.... I out weigh Timmy by 60 pounds, and he has tapped me out 30 or more times. This was a crowning moment in my MMA career. I feel like I won the title. In an ironic turn. As I am writing this blog Dominik Cruz just defended his title belt, and in doing so is the last WEC 135 pound champion, and became the first UFC Bantam weight champion. He is awesome, and watching him fight I can see why Timmy is so good! Anyway... I left the gym and headed to Santa Fe to see Trey's Christmas orchestra concert. As soon as the seventh grade was done I came home to shower, eat, and get ready to watch that fight. I am pretty tired, and do not know what tomorrow holds, so I guess I better turn in? The picture is Tim Elliott with Dominik Cruz.

Love you all!'

Mat

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

Namaste,

Sherrie got up at 4:00 again and so did I! I worked on editing the new coffee table book for a couple hours. I worked all of the images in, and now I am titling the images. Most come very easy for me.... I look at the image and the first thing that comes to mind is usually what I go with. Some I name as soon as I see them for the first time. I got Trey to school, and had a nice visit with Erin at Starbucks... She gave me a few ideas for Sherries Christmas presents. I went on to work, and day two of Joint Commission was on.... I just did my job and let the rest fall as it may. At this point if it is not done, it's not going to get done, so why panic? After work I came home and got Sherrie and Trey, and Trey's friend Skylar and we headed downtown to the Thunder Game. We had a bite to eat at Texadelphia, which is Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches. It was pretty darn good. We played like crap in the first quarter, but ended up strong and won by 12 points. One more day of Joint commission, and Trey has his Christmas concert tomorrow night!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

Namaste,

Well I ended up on the couch last night.... I was watching the Monday Night Football game, and Sherrie was trying to sleep so I came out here... The game went into overtime and then I laid here forever, before I ever went to sleep. Sherrie got up at 4:00 and so did I. I worked on pictures for three full hours, and then dropped Trey off and went to Starbucks. Erin bought my coffee this morning! I got a call that Joint Commission was in our building. When I got to work everyone was running around crazy.... I had my regular work to do, and then we had cleaning and organizing to do.... I ran out at lunch and got us some food, then the afternoon just drug on.... We kept cleaning and organizing until 5:30.... I was suppose to do a photo shoot from 3:30 to 6:30 but I had to send my buddy Jeremy Morton to Copper Lake because I could not go! I ended up at the gym at 6:00 and we were rolling when Tyler Griffin heel kicked me in the eye orbit and knocked me smooth out! I came around to him slapping me in the face.... I have a pretty good goose egg. We had BJJ class till 8:00 and then I came home to clean up get a shower, and find some FOOD! I got a bunch of things ordered from the show. Everything I printed today was stuff I had at the exhibit but people wanted it in Black and White???? Time for bed!

All my Love!

Mat

Monday, December 14th, 2010

Namaste,

Mondays are always hectic.... I had so much on my mind that was not work related. Trying to get the prints ordered, trying to figure out the custom stuff, and see if it was even possible... I dropped Trey off at school. and then hit Starbucks. Straight off to work. I wanted to hit the lake because it was really cold, and I have been trying to get a shot of the White Tail with steam coming out of their noses, but I just couldn't. We worked really hard all day. We took a few minutes off to run and get some lunch. I left at 4:30 and came home. I started cleaning this filthy house. Trey was at basketball, and Jordan had no interest in helping... Surprise, surprise, surprise. I went to the gym, and had a great meeting with Travis Pettyjohn..... He understands where I am and where I am coming from. We rolled for 2 solid hours, and then I ask Crosby to spar for a couple of rounds. Crosby is only 16 years old, but has so much potential as a Muay Thai fighter. He is super strong, and really fast! I came home worked on pictures, and then had to help Sherrie take a final online! I fell asleep on the couch, and that is where I woke up! Time to get busy!

All my love!

Mat

Sunday, December 12th, 2010

Namaste,

Well, after the stressful week I had.... I slept pretty darn solid. I slept so hard, that I woke up with a pounding headache. I jumped up and in the shower, hit Starbucks and picked Trey up at mom's and made it to church all in 40 minutes. Church was pretty good, then Trey and I came home and cleaned house. The weather was frigged here today, so we watched football for most of the afternoon. We were invited to a suite party before tonight's Thunder/Cav's game. Our new ticket rep Ryan had dinner catered in for us, and we were wined and dined. The Thunder won by 29 points. It was a pretty good day. I counted some money, and after all is said and done, we will come close to $1000 from the exhibit. Our cost was pretty high due to all of the printing cost, but the next few exhibits I should not have any overhead.... I way over produced for this show, but we live and learn. I had several people who were disappointed that my buddy Wolf Sunkmanitu was not there. His work is amazing.... Take a look at http://www.wolf-photography.com.

I found this new little add-on program that I have been playing with.... These two pictures are kinda cool.... At least I think they are!

All my love!

Mat

Saturday, December 11th, 2010

Namaste,

Well I continue to sleep like crap! I woke up at 4:00 and laid in bed until 5:15... I got up and read, and worked on Christmas cards for a while. I took Jordan to work, because she could not find her keys then Sherrie and I hit two different grocery stores. When we got home and unloaded, and then I took Trey to his school for his basketball game. There are two teams... The blue team played first, and then the white team, which he is on played second. Trey has never played basketball before, but I was really impressed with how well he did. He plays in the high post because he is one of the tallest 7th graders.... He had several rebounds, and only took one shot. I am really proud of him. We headed up to Louie's for lunch and to lay things out for the exhibit. We came home and I had to take a nap. I got up and did a few things around here and then about 6:00 we headed up to Louie's to set up. We had a great turnout.... I have no idea how we did raising money because Sherrie was in charge of that and we have several orders to process.... We just made it home, and we are really tired! Again.... Thank you for coming out and supporting us!

I love you all!

Mat

Friday, December 10th, 2010

Namaste,

Got up at 4:00am, and got busy working on emails for the exhibit. Worked on it until 6:45 and then took Trey to school, and hit Starbucks. I ran to the lake and shot some deer, and sunrise. I went on to work, and man I did not want to be there! We had a conference call at noon, and then I ran some errands... Stopped at Los Arcos for a bite, and then Dollar Tree. Back to work for a while.... I left at 5:00 and came home. Trey had Basketball practice. I went and watched. They have their first game tomorrow morning. They are really awesome! (Not Really!) Tomorrow is the exhibit so I am going to bed!

All my love!

Mat

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Namaste,

Did not sleep well again... Got up at 4:45 and worked on Christmas Cards. Took Trey to school and then hit Starbucks. On to work.... I cranked it out and left at noon. I stopped by Louie's and got a chicken wrap to eat on the way to a meeting in Midwest City. I just needed to check in with the maintenance director, and since I was going to be there I picked up Brent and we picked up litter, and leaves for a couple of hours. I came home and cleaned up then Sherrie and I went to the Weight Wise Christmas party. It was a lot of fun. There were several people there who came up and told me they appreciate what I am doing to bring awareness to obesity. That makes it all worth it! I ran to the gym to handle some stuff and then back home to shrink wrap some more pictures. I realized I did not have many sports prints and I think they will do well. If you are a Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, or Oklahoma Sooners fan, you are going to love this stuff!

All my Love!

Mat

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

Namaste,

I watched the clock from three until 4:30... I dozed off and the damn alarm clock went off at 5:20. I got up and wrote some, and read some, responded to some emails.... I was organizing some images and realised I did not print any of my favorite two images, so I ran four copies each of them. I went ahead and packaged them. I took Trey to school, and hit Starbucks before heading out to the lake to watch the White Tails. It was really overcast, and misty this morning.... I got some shots of the deer, but they were not really that special. I was soooo busy at work today that I did not leave work until 7:00pm. I went by the gym to pay Ajarn Parker, and then home for a bite to eat. I worked on the exhibit and then Sherrie and I worked on Christmas Cards.... I am turning in early. I am only working 1/2 a day tomorrow. I have a meeting in Midwest City, and then have several errands to run for the exhibit!

All my Love!

Mat

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

Namaste,

Woke up and started working on Christmas cards. I have about 100 to get out, and the addressing part sucks. Took Trey to school then hit Starbucks before heading to the lake to watch the White Tails.... I know where they are going to be everyday, depending on whether of not there are campers in the park. I got some great news yesterday from Dr. Nelson..... She accepts Medicaid, so my first applicant can be funded by Medicaid! How awesome is that! All I have to do is call her office manager this morning and get the process started. I hope this will change his life! I know it did mine! Work was OK.... We ran to a sale yesterday at Tuesday Morning, but it sucked. At Lunch Gay and I ran to Hobby Lobby, and I bought some display boxes.... The afternoon it drug on for ever. I left from work and headed to the gym... I stopped by Premier Martial Arts to see Mr. Epps! He has always been a great supporter. I got to the gym, and Timmy and I went in the boxing ring! We went HARD for 5, five minute rounds, then my nose started leaking the red fluid.... I continued to drain all of my blood supply for 10 minutes! I was covered, but loved it. I taught the first session, and it went well.... I came home and got really busy on the exhibit. I framed 4 more large prints and then shrink wrapped 20 or 30 more. I have maybe 40 to go, and I will be done.

All my love!

Mat

Monday, December 6th, 2010

Namaste,

What a day... Did not get up until 5:20. Would have run if the temperature was above ZERO! Worked on images for a while and then responded to emails. I took Trey to school, then hit Starbucks. I went straight to work, and there was not just a ton to do. Even though it was Monday, we have been slow the past couple weeks. I ordered some large format prints from Walgreens, and they did an awesome job. At lunch I went by Johnnies express and shared a chicken sandwich with Jodi, and then I went to buy frames and she went to get groceries. As soon as work was over I went to the gym, and got in the ring. I boxed 10, three minute rounds. My friend Chad brought his son Ganan to the gym to see if he would be interested in it. He did pretty good, but wore out pretty quick. I love working with kids. Makes me feel like I am making a difference. I met Mike at Louie's for a bite and to watch some of the Thunder game. We don't get to hang out often enough. On another note.... I found out that Norman Regional Hospital gets medicare to cover weight loss surgery because they are a center for excellence. I can send all of my scholarship applicants who have medicare to Dr. Nelson in Norman. That is awesome!

All my love!

Mat

Sunday, December 5th, 2010

Namaste,

Woke up early to look at emails and head out to the lake for some White Tail pictures.... Of course I stopped at Starbucks first. The lake is only 4 miles away from Starbucks so that makes it easy.... I could not believe how many people were already at the lake this morning. The place I go 3 or 4 times a week, where usually I am the only person in the whole park was occupied by campers. I saw several deer, but nothing good came of it. I plan on setting up a blind Tuesday morning. I got several shots last Thursday, and may end up using them? Trey and I went to church, and then made a couple of stops on the way home. We had to pick up some canvas for printing, and some photo paper. We also picked up some cheap 16 x 20 frames for some of the large format prints. When we got home I did some house work, and then had some soup. I laid down for a couple of hours, then We picked up Herman and went down town for the Thunder game. We left after the third period because the Thunder was winning by 20 points, but at the end of the fourth quarter we were only winning 5 points! We almost blew it... Again. I am going to bed early... Well it's almost 10:30 so not exactly early!

All my love!

Mat

Saturday, December 4th, 2010

Namaste,

What a busy day! I stayed up late last night shrink wrapping pictures.... And I got up at 5:00am and started shrink wrapping pictures. I work on them until 9:00am, and then I went out and worked on cleaning the garage. I had accumulated 1/2 a garage full of stuff, just by people setting stuff out there. I also had all of my lawn equipment out there. I cleaned out the garage, and then mowed up all of my leaves, then loaded up the equipment and put it on the trailer. I went over to moms and mowed up her leaves, and then took the equipment to storage. Sherrie brought me some clean clothes, and I took a shower at moms then Sherrie and I went to visit my friend Eric. We only stayed for 10 or 15 minutes..... We ran to Johnnies because I was about to fall out!!!! We shared a sandwich and then went to the grocery store. On the way home Trey called and was not feeling well, so we went back to moms to get him. When we got home, I started shrink wrapping more pictures, and then at 7:00 the OU/Nebraska Big 12 Championship game came on.... I have spent the last 4 hours framing pictures, shrink wrapping, categorizing, and labeling them. I think I am going to print about 15 to 20 more prints.... Just some things I want duplicates of.... OU just won the Big 12 Championship game against Nebraska. We were down 17 to 0, at the end of the first quarter, but stormed back to win 23 to 20. It was one of the best football games I have ever worked through. I essentially worked for 20 hours on this damn exhibit over the last 24 hours. I still need to find a way to display the prints. I have 9 large format prints framed, and 6 large format canvas prints that are stretched. In addition to that I have 300 5 x 7, and 200 8.5 x 11 prints backed, and shrink wrapped. Tomorrow afternoon I need to make price sheets and information sheets on the quest, I also have Wolf's bio, and a letter about how we met. I want Sherrie to write my bio, and hopefully the media will pick up the story this week, and I can get a boat load of people to come in. I have well over 100 people confirmed, and the next show will be twice as big. Tomorrow will be pretty busy... Trey and I are going to the lake before church to see if the deer are out, and then we are taking Sherrie and Herman to the Thunder Game with us tomorrow night! Middle of the day tomorrow I need to finish up the exhibit.

All my love! (Boomer Sooner!)

Mat

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

Namaste,

Well I got up at 4:30 and jumped in the shower. I had to have mom at Moore Medical Center by 6:00am for some test. We were going to use mom as a guinea pig for a new procedure called Stomaphyx. Basically it is a procedure for people who have had bariatric surgery in the past and need a revision. They go through the esophagus and staple the stomach from the inside. Well of course I had to stop by Starbucks first..... The test went fine except she has a really bad time coming out of anesthesia.... Her oxygen saturation always drops. Anyway.... On the way home I stopped and picked up my chip board, and then took mom home. She was really tired and went to bed. I decided to go over to Midwest City and get some work done. I only worked for three hours. Brent helped me.... I made him pick up all of the rose bush branches.... He is tougher than me!!!! When I got home I took a shower and Sherrie grilled some chicken and we made salads. The Thunder played on TV against Toronto.... They kicked our butts! Sherrie had to go to work tonight for a movie release party, so Trey and I went to take some pictures of Christmas lights. The weather was really nice today, and as we were out walking around Chesapeake a cold front blew in and the temperature dropped 30 degrees. We drove through Nichols Hills, and then home. I am beat.... It was a long week!

All my love!

Mat

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

Namaste,

I jumped up at 5:00 and got my shower... It was awesome. Since I put the new valve stem on it I have so much better water pressure. The pressure is so high that it could hurt if you wanted it to. I started downloading programs and files to my laptop. Slowly it is getting back to how it was previously. It is still taking a very long time to boot up, but once it is up it runs like a champ. I dropped Trey off then hit Starbucks. I drove out to the lake to see if anything was moving, and right when I passed through the gates there was a heard of deer. I took 100 pictures of them.... There was a Sandhill Crane out on Arrowhead Point and then a big Red Tailed Hawk up by the Golf Course. I drove over to Edgewater and there was a crew framing a giant house, and 10 deer just came walking right up to the house. There was a big eight point buck that was following all of the does. Work was pretty slow.... Ran at lunch and got a few things from Hobby Lobby. I got my shrink wrap bags, and impulse sealer today. I have some chip board being cut today and when I get it tomorrow I can finish shrink wrapping everything for the show. I went to the gym at 5:00 and rolled for two solid hours. I was sooo tired I could barley hold my arms up! I guess I better get things together for tomorrow. I have the day off. I am taking mom to have a procedure tomorrow morning at 6:15am in Norman. If I get her back at a decent time I am going to work at Midwest City for a few hours...

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Namaste,

Still having computer issues.... Worked on it all day yesterday. I would get a diagnostic running, or a program downloading and then do a little work, then come back and check on it.... FRUSTRATING!!! Anyway, dropped Trey off a school, then hit Starbucks. Erin's hair is growing out really fast! She said she raised $13,000 by shaving her head. That is awesome. Anyway work was OK... Ran to Locke Supply at lunch to get the part for the shower, and they did not have it, so I had to go way down by the airport.... After work I went straight to the gym and got the heaters going, then rolled with Morgan Hawkins for an hour and did one hour of Ajarn Parkers class. It was basic striking, but it is good for everyone to work on fundamentals. I came home, and guess what I did??? Yep, worked on this computer! I am getting ready to try and reload Office so pray for me! I got the sample of my book back yesterday... There are three punctuation errors.... I will fix everything before printing anything else!

All my love!

Mat

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Namaste,

Well I did not sleep a wink! I was trying to reconfigure my laptop, and reinstall all of my programs..... Guess what? Still having issues. I guess I am going to have to take it to some one. I ran a diagnostic last night and it said everything was operating correctly but I can tell you differently! I am going to pull my hair out! :-) Anyway.... Same ole', Same ole'.... Work was pretty good for a Monday! I ran at lunch and looked at my car. It was a hose that I got from a local Jaguar repair shop for $15.00. It still has a issue with the fuel system.... Sometimes it just turns off, and you can restart it but it sucks. I think it is the furl pump, but OMG that is expensive! I went to the gym last night.... It was good to work out some of my aggression! I rolled 15 rounds and then did 3 five minute Muay Thai rounds with a new kid Josh Sword. Josh has three years of Muay Thai, and he is pretty salty, but to say he didn't get a butt whoopin would be a understatement!

All My Love!

Mat

Monday, November 29th, 2010

Namaste,

Well it started out as a pretty good day.... Got up and had my coffee, farted around with my computer for a couple hours, then took Trey to school, and hit Starbucks. Work was pretty busy early this morning... We even stayed in and had leftovers for lunch. I decided this morning to reformat my computer so I started reloading everything and it took all day. I would start a download, and the work, come back and start something else, so on, and so on... Chatted with my buddy Wolf in England a few times today with the miracle of Facebook. I think I am going to have a few of his images in my exhibit on the 11th, of December.... When I came home Mike came by and picked me up and we met Jason Klinka at In the Raw and had some sushi.... We were headed to the Thunder game and then Sherrie called me and the Jaguar was not running and she was over by mom's house! I took Mike's car and came home... It is way to dark to do anything about it tonight, but I will look at it in the morning! I was watching the game on TV and working on my computer and when I set up the wireless network, it blew the whole network up.... That took me several hours to work out! It's working now! I hope the car is as easy to fix tomorrow!

All my love!

Mat

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

Namaste,

Pretty boring day! Got up at 6:00 and continued to work on my computer.... Left for church at 7:30.... Hit Starbucks and then picked Trey up at mom's. Church was good! Trey and I came home, and we were going to go hit golf balls, but the wind was blowing at 50mph. I continued to work on my computer..... I gave up and took a little nap. I had some large prints done at Wal-Mart last week and the quality was crap, so I returned them to the store today. They wanted to argue that the images we not high enough quality to print large format.... I guess this on hanging on my wall above me in a 24 x 36 is not high enough quality???? Looks pretty darn good to me. I think it was operator error! Anyway Sherrie and I went out by the lake to see if there was anything to shoot out there tonight, but the wind was out of control! When we got home I ran another system restore, and although it's not fixed, my computer is working much better than it was!

All my love!

Mat

Friday & Saturday, November 26th & 27th

Namaste,

I am writing this blog from Sherrie's laptop because my computer is pissing me off! I have some kind of registry error, and it is running sooooo slow that I can not even do anything on it! I have spent 15 hours over the last two days working on it. I have everything backed up and tomorrow if it is not fixed I will reformat! Friday morning I got up early and went to the lake to see if anything was moving! I got my coffee first though! There were a few deer and some ducks but nothing spectacular. I went on to work, and there was not a lot to do. We finished up well before noon, and then I came home and got Trey. We went to the zoo and walked around for a couple of hours. It was really pretty chilly, but the sun was out. We went and got some lunch then came home and watched football for pretty much the rest of the night. I jumped up this morning before six and ran out to the lake, and went for a eight mile hike. Jodi called me when I was about 4 miles out and told me one of the units was down and I had to hurry back to the truck and go in to work. I was there for about a hour then I came home and Sherrie and I went to the market. When we got back Trey ad I loaded up ad went to the Links to hit some golf balls. When we got home I worked on our plumbing in the shower.... It is leaking from the shower turneroner.... I couldn't get it to stop so I will call a plumber Monday. I grilled some Pork chops, and made salads. Mom came over for dinner, and to watch the OU/osu game. The weather should be pretty nice tomorrow, so I am going to ride out at the lake after church! OU just won the game!!!! That means I don't have to hear about osu for another year!! Awesome!

Love you all!

Mat

Thursday, November 25th, 2010

Namaste,

Soooo it got COLD overnight! Yesterday it was 80 degrees and this morning it was 22 degrees with a 30 mile an hour wind! At 7:00 I went by Starbucks and took my friends some bagels, and cheese. They were surprised and grateful! Had my coffee on my way to the Turkey trot! Sherrie was going to run with me but backed out! I had so much to do today. I had to fry my turkey by myself, because Bruce and Tracy did not come up from College Station. I raked leaves while the turkey was frying, and then Sherrie's friend Stephanie and her family came over and had Thanksgiving with us. When I stop to think about what I am grateful for, there are soooo many things.... I guess the first thing would be my family.... I take them for granted, but I love them with all of my heart. My friends.... Without each and everyone of you my life would SUCK BIG TIME! My health... I am having so much fun doing everything I never thought would be possible! I am looking forward to some kind of crazy adventure next month. My supporters.... Whether you are a financial sponsor, trainer, Quest Team member, or just a blog reader, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I spent the rest of the day with my family.... Eating leftovers, and watching football! I am going to bed, because Christmas shopping starts at 5:00am!

All my love!

Mat

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

Namaste,

Got up early and considered going on to work at 5:00, but decided to take it easy and read, and write. Jordan got up early and was feeling OK... So I went on to Starbucks then work! I knocked everything out and was only waiting on our order to come in so I could finish up my work. Jordan called and was in quite a bit of pain, so when the order came in I finished up and came home. I gave her some good drugs, and when she went to sleep, I started cleaning house and cleaning up the yard. Sherrie, Trey, and I went to Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner, before the Thunder game. The game was great for the first 3 quarters, then we forgot how to shoot, and defend. We left because I was getting angry! We had to stop at the Market and pick up a few things then home to snuggle! The temperature has dropped 70 degrees since yesterday. We had the air conditioner on yesterday, and this morning we have a fire going! A few more pictures from my night shoot the other day!

All my love!

Mat

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

Namaste,

Well it was a trying day... I got up at my usual time, and had my coffee, while returning emails. When I took Trey to school, I hit Starbucks, and then needed to get some papers notarized for the gym. I had a bunch of stuff to return to Wal Mart and Sherrie and I picked up some things for Thanksgiving lunch.... We came home and got Jordan and then we headed to St. Anthony's Surgery Center. We got there and they called Jordan back at 10:30, and the doctor did not show up until, 12:30. The procedure only took about 30 minutes, but it took her until 5:00 to come out of the anesthesia and be able to make it to the car. I left the surgery center when she was out of surgery and went to Santa Fe to pick up the school work she has missed, then hit Home Depot, and NAPA. When I got home I picked up my cameras and headed to Oak Tree for a photo shoot. My buddy Chad Dugan owns Red Rock Landscape and design.... He just finished a lighting project at a big awesome house, and he needed pictures for his website. Trey went with me and helped me, so I took him to Johnnies for a chicken sandwich and then we came home. When I got home Sherrie told me that the bathroom faucet in Jordan's bathroom would not turn off, so I had to run back to Home Depot and get a new valve stem.... I got it fixed and now I am going to pass out!

Love you all!

Mat