Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Namaste,

Since Jordan is house sitting for Jeni and Ricardo, I had to pick her up at 5:40am. That means getting up at 4:45 to get my routine done and get her. We came home so she could dress for school, then dropped her off. Hit Starbucks, the off to work. It has been very busy, so I jumped right in! I have been a little stressed lately, with Sherrie's car down, and my big mower messing up, and just physically, mentally, and spiritually beat up! I was in a funk all day! Went to Louie's for lunch, but it didn't stay down. Thought you might want to know that! In the afternoon we tried to prepare everything for the weekend. Our IV load is larger than I can ever remember. We bugged out at 4:30 and I had to come come and get ready for an Epilepsy Association of Oklahoma Board of Directors Meeting. The meeting went for three long, long, long, hours. Nothing was accomplished other than the fact that the association was broke, and we need to raise some money. Last night at 11:00pm my good friend and training partner Jared Hess was fighting his first bout in the Bellator series welterweight tournament. Jared's fight was the last one on the card.... I tried really hard to stay up but fell asleep around 1:00! I did not sleep well because I was thinking about his fight! I woke up at 4:30 and couldn't go back to sleep, so I came in the living room and turned on the fight that I had recorded. Jared won by guillotine early in the second round. I hollered out, then looked at the clock... It was only 5:02! I'm sure the rest of the family was happy with me! Time to get going I have to go get Jordan, and start over! Tonight is game six of the Thunder Vs. Laker Series and Ian moves to New Jersey tomorrow. We are meeting him for dinner before the game! Great job Jared!

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Namaste,

Dropped Jordan off at school, then hit Starbucks. The manager of my store was dressed up and I ask what the occasion was? He said his boss was coming in for a visit. I told him to call me! When I was in Lubbock I went to two different Starbucks. They were cold and sterile. My Starbucks is kinda like cheers. Everyone knows everyone, and we buy each other coffee. It's the pay it forward theory! Anyway enough about Starbucks. Work was super busy.... Jodi and I both dressed up today so we decided to go for a nice lunch at 501! The afternoon continued the busyness, and then before we realised it.... It was 5:45. I came home and fed Trey, then started working on my mower. I did a tune up, and tightened connections, and bolts! It is running so much better, but still not right. I need to get it in and get the oil leak fixed, but it will have to wait until the first of next week. I also spread about 200 pounds of top soil around my Bradford Pear tree. I have a hard time growing grass around that tree. Jordan is house setting for Jeni and Ricardo Villarreal, so I have to go get her at 5:30 in the morning. The picture is Jeni, and Ricardo, with Daisy, Herman, and Dexter. Better get to bed!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Namaste,

Tuesday had potential, and it ended up "Sucking BIG TIME!" Took Jordan to school and then hit Starbucks. I took the lawn equipment with me so I could do the property there after work. I got to work and kicked it in the butt. Jodi and I had a lunch meeting at noon with a drug rep named Michelle Mason. Michelle represents "Levaquin" which is a very popular floroquinalone antibiotic. I liked Michelle from the first time I met her, but really didn't sense anything special. Well... during our conversation I mentioned the photography, and it turns out that Michelle has a photography business too. Her website is http://www.michellemasonphotography.com/. Check it out! She does portrait photography, kid's, weddings, families.... All of the stuff, I would rather not do. For some reason I would rather shoot, landscape's, animals, and candid stuff. Don't get me wrong... I will shoot portrait photography, but there is stress involved! The afternoon was busy! I found out that Sherrie's car has to have to motor rebuilt. $2,200.00 out the door, and then while I was mowing the Edmond property my big mower quit running! I had to push mow most of the 15 acre property. I came home in a pissy mood, and took a shower and crashed out. I guess I have to find someone to work on it! Check out Michelle's website, and don't forget my buddy Wolf's website... http://www.wolf-photography.com/. I did not take todays picture. My climbing guide Mr. Tenzing Sherpa took it when we were coming off of Imja Tse!

Love you all!

Mat

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Namaste,

Well it was a typical Monday.... Everything kinda in a haze! Dropped Jordan off at school and hit Starbucks. I am driving the work truck because Sherrie's car is DEAD! It is an ugly beast, but it gets us where we are going. Work was very busy. I had emailed Shawn Burrows, who is Jodi and my boss to thank him for the opportunity to go to Lubbock last week and do what I do best.... He emailed back and said he had a couple of other projects if I was interested.... I said "Hell Yes!" The first one is in Grand Forks, North Dakota! I immediately started doing research on Central North Dakota, and what is close to see and do. There are several Indian reservations, and it is only 76 miles from the Canadian border. I don't have a date yet, but the sooner the better! Grand Forks is on the Minnesota border, so I could hit a couple of different states, and Canada all in one trip. I know there is a ton of wildlife to shoot up there. (With the camera!) At lunch I had Jodi drop me here at the house, and I drove Sherrie's car to Firestone to see if they could tell me what was wrong with it. Well... They called me and said there was no compression in the #1 cylinder. CRAP! That means I have to have the engine broken down and that fixed. More money out the door! Ben picked me up at Firestone and took me back to work. The afternoon went really fast. As soon as we were done, I headed up to the gym. We had a couple of the young students lead the class last night, but I was there to keep everything flowing. They did a great job, in teaching and keeping most people headed in the right direction. A couple of times I had to make a couple suggestions, but it was good to see these guys try something new. I came home and showered then went to get Sherrie's car and drop it off at an engine shop. As soon as we got back home I crawled into bed and CRASHED! I was spent. Today will be busy, as I plan to do the Edmond property after work. Should only take six hours if I crank it out! The picture from yesterday, was a homeless guy I met in Lubbock. I saw him sitting there as I was shooting a church. After I took a few pictures, I walked up to him and wanted to give him a few dollars... He said "Man, I don't want your money! You need it more than I do!" I told him I would be OK and I would like him to take the money and go get a hot meal! He said "Well if your sure you don't need it!" It struck me as odd... I was driving a $25,000 car wearing a Ralph Lauren dress shirt, designer jeans, nice shoes, and all this guy had was on his back, and he was worried that I could not spare a couple of bucks... I assured him it was OK and he took the money and smiled. I was surprised at the number of homeless people I saw in Lubbock.... One of the things my eye's have been opened to lately, but that's a whole different blog! Today's pictures are an American Bald Eagle the picture was taken at an Eagle rescue in Perkins, Oklahoma... The kitty is my buddy "Shadow!" Shadow usually sleeps right in between my feet! Last night I am pretty sure I kicked him right in the head!

Love you all!

Mat

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Namaste,

Just like I stated yesterday, very busy day! Worked in the parking lot at church then in for service. Back home to do my lawn, and work on Sherrie's car. I changed the fuel filter, and looked for any vacuum leaks! None of it seemed to help. I really think it's something simple, but I guess I will have to take it in and let someone hook it up to a diagnostic machine. I ran over to mom's and did her lawn real quick. She has a giant lawn and it only took me about 20 minutes to mow, weed eat, edge, and clean up. I came back home and took a 45 minute nap. Then Sherrie, Mike and I went to a friend of ours going away party at Toby Keith's in Bricktown. We met Ian Fried by chance. Ian bought the Thunder season tickets next to Mike and I this season. The first few games he would come to the games straight from work, most time wearing a suit, with a long pony tail. We found out that he was an attorney. We assumed he was with the ACLU or some other organization because he does not look like a typical lawyer. Well after a few weeks we found out that he is an entertainment lawyer, specializing in boxing. He also works with bands, and other musical acts. He is a sports freak, just like us, so we hit it off. Ian was laid off from his job here a couple of months ago due to the economy, and his mother is ill, so he is moving back to New York to assist with her care, and try to find a job in the entertainment field. We have become pretty good friends over the last 10 months, and I hate to see him go, but I know that I have my own tour guide in New York City now! Ian leaves for New York next Saturday morning, so he will be at the Thunder game next Friday. I think Mike and I are going to take him to dinner before the game. I will take my camera because I don't have any pictures of him. Time to get ready for work!

Love you all!

Mat

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Namaste,

Well I jumped out of bed at 5:15 and left the house at 5:30. Most Saturday's I head straight to Midwest City. I was there by 6:00am, with plans of doing the usual service, trimming some hedges and laying 40 bags of mulch. I mulched the flower bed around the main signage, and started mowing and trimming at the point farthest from the building so I would not disturb anyone. I was kicking tail, until I hit a very wet spot and buried the mower. I had to find some wood, use the jack and four ratchet straps, and one pick-up to get it unstuck. I wasted about an hour and a half getting the dang mower out. The property over there is coming along, and the bright spot there was the fact that I found $5.00! Soooo I am now only about $11,495.00 in the hole on the landscape business. Progress! I only trimmed on hedge, due to the fact that the wind was gusting at 50 mph, and the leaves were blowing everywhere. I mulched two more beds, and they look good. Came home showered, and ate a sandwich. Took a 30 minute nap, then loaded Sherrie and Trey up to go to the Oklahoma City Arts Festival. This is one of the premier art shows in the country, and I like to see where I fall with some of their selected artist. They only allow a certain number of artist from each category, so there were only three photog's, but there were very nice. I got some great ideas! We ate there as there are some awesome food vendors, then went over to game four of the Western Conference Playoff;s between the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the L.A. Lakers! It was an amazing atmosphere, and we dominated the Lakers. I had to plug my ears at several times it was so loud in there! Trey and Sherrie really enjoyed the game even though it did not tip off until 8:30. We got home around midnight, and crashed out hard! Today... I have a full plate. Working at church, trying to fix Sherrie's car and then doing my lawn, and mom's lawn! Better get started!

Much Love!

Mat

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Namaste,

After the harrowing day that Jodi and I had on Thursday, I got up at the usual time to get ready for work, only to find out that Sherrie's car would not run. I am far from a mechanic but I can tell you it is broke! I drove my landscaping truck to work. I dropped Jordan off and Sherrie took Trey in my car. Work was very hectic, due to the fact that I had not been there for three days. Ran real quick at lunch and got some Chinese from Panda Express. We were pretty busy in the afternoon, and it flew by. I was exhausted from the week so I sent Sherrie a message and told her let's stay at the house and watch a movie or something. She made some taco's and we watched Avatar. Well Avatar was on the TV but, I was asleep in twenty minutes. I am attaching a picture from Lubbock.... The new hospital that Jodi and I were opening is on the outskirts of town. Everytime we went from the old facility to the new facility, we would pass this little bar called Wolfy's. I thought my buddy Wolf in the UK, would get a kick out of it!

Love you all!

Mat

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Namaste,

Headed to Starbucks on the Texas Tech campus at 6:15.... I only slept about three hours. Just couldn't get comfortable. I took my camera with me because, I always take a camera with me. I drove around the campus looking for anything to shoot, but it was overcast and raining. I headed back to the hotel and picked up Jodi. We went to the old hospital and made a plan with the staff there and then went to the new hospital and started working out the bugs. We had networking issues, and printer issues. We had to get the automation set up, and loaded. Just a ton to get done. I made Jodi take a lunch break at noon. Back to the hospital to button things up. We finished everything we could get done by 4:30 and started home. First issue was the Texas Highway patrol. Then when we were approaching Amarillo, the weather started changing, and we headed East. We could see giant wall clouds, and the fingers hanging down. There were 70 tornado's in the region yesterday, and I am pretty sure we were in two of them. At one point we were parked on the side of the highway.... Baseball sized hail, tearing our rental car apart, the winds were blowing so hard it was moving the car. The grass was being sucked up and the passenger side of the car that was facing south, was covered in grass. The winds then immediately changed and blew the other direction just as hard. We endured that weather for about 4 hours, until we finely pushed through and out ran the storms the rest of the way home. I had to get some laundry going, then passed out. I have no idea how we made it home, but we are here. I really have a good feeling about what we got accomplished. All they have to do is order the rest of their stock, put it on the shelves, and finish loading the Med-Dispense. I enjoyed the opportunity to go show what we can get accomplished. There is a sense of purpose in doing a project like that. You see progress, and know you left them in better shape than they were when you got there. Need to throw a shout out to "Shooter!" Shooter was a old bike that we met. He was a real "Ladies man!" ;-)Time to get ready for the day!

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Namaste,

Woke up at 5:30 and went to find a Starbucks. It was like 5 miles away! Came back and got ready to go to work. We have google maps, a Garmin GPS, and IPhone with GPS and none of them could locate the hospital we were suppose to be at. After 30 minutes and 30 miles of driving, we found it 200 yards away from our hotel. Typical luck! We fought computer problems, log-on's, and IP addresses all day, but made progress. The girls from the pharmacy took us to Rosa's Cafe for lunch and it was good. At 6:00 we headed back to the hotel and Jodi wanted to rest a bit. I grabbed my camera and took off looking for anything to shoot. The Texas Tech campus is beautiful, and there are ton's of historic buildings. I came back and got Jodi then we went to the Capstone Cafe. We had a drink or two, then ordered dinner. I ordered off the kid's menu. That was seriously out of the world crazy. I got some kind of chicken with a sauce called "Down and Dirty!" It was habenero and olive oil. I thought I was going to die! We went by a karaoke bar and Jodi sang a couple of songs, then we came back to the hotel. It is getting late, and we have a ton to do tomorrow!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Namaste,

Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday! Dropped the kid's off then hit Starbucks! As Mayor of Starbucks I had to see my constituents! On to work, where it was crazy busy! I wanted to get all of my stuff done by 11:00, because Jodi and I were heading to Lubbock to open a new pharmacy for Principle Pharmacy Group. It is just under a six hour drive, about 370 miles. I brought along my GPS unit, and Damn.... It needs some help! It took us down some county roads and at one point we were on a farm road, that was covered by water! We got here and checked into our hotel, then went looking for some dinner. We found a little dinner club called Gilbert's. The food was good, but the cocktails were better! We have a busy day tomorrow, and Thursday, so we decided to call it a night! The Thunder game just started, so I am going to watch a bit before crashing!

Love you all!

Mat

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Namaste,

Holy Crap! This was defiantly Monday! Dropped the kid's off after not much sleep! I tossed and turned all night.... I have muscles that hurt I did not even know existed. My chipped elbow is causing some numbness in my left hand, and the fracture on my right tibia is still very tender. Have I told you I am getting OLD? Hit Starbucks and forgot my wallet.... A guy I see in there everyday, Leo said let me get your coffee this morning. It's funny... I see the same core group of people in there everyday. If I don't make a stop in Starbucks and see my peep's I feel lost! I am going to run for Mayor of Starbucks at 15th & Bryant! Anyway... I went by the park and looked for anything moving? Nothing! There are several bird nest but no birds. Wolf wrote on his blog the other day he way waiting on the Osprey to return from Africa. How cool would that be? We have thousands of Red Tail Hawks here but that's about it! Work was busier than I can remember it being for at least a year! I took a quick lunch break, had a bite to eat and then had to make a few stops looking for some over the counter drugs we didn't carry! We did not leave work until after 6:00pm. My class started at 6:00, so I had Sherrie bring my boxing shorts to the gym, and I did a small circuit by myself. When I was leaving I had a good talk with Jared Hess. He is our best fighter, and he is leaving for the Bellator series. I told him how proud I was of him, and he said "You have it all wrong... We are proud of you!" Made me well up inside! This is a professional fighter, who makes hundreds of thousands of dollars a year fighting in a cage, and he is proud of me? WOW! That will help keep me accountable! They were advertising his upcoming fight on ESPN all weekend, and I just puffed up and said... "That's my boy!" "I have his cell number in my phone!" "I roll with him!" Jared really is one of my hero's! A great guy! Came home and Sherrie had fixed some chicken stir fry. I have some projects this week that will keep me busy! Better get started! This picture is from last years Bellator series final. Jared is the guy in the green shorts. He fought Hector Lombard!

Love you all!

Mat

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

Namaste,

Worked in the parking lot at church this morning in the pouring rain. I wore my rain suit! I made Trey go into the service and I met him when I was done. Trey was sitting on the second row. He enjoys Pastor Herbert so much! It is funny.... I have talked about how as an obese American, I have dealt with discrimination so much that I have always felt like a minority. I have always considered myself or aligned myself with the African American community. I try to teach my kid's that it does not matter what color someones skin is..What matters is what is in their heart. Trey's best friend is Herman Otis Laskey III! Herman is African American, as a matter of fact Trey has several friends of color... Not just black, but he has a great friend at school named Allen Wu Chen. Allen is from China. Maybe that generation will be the one's who don't see people by the color of their skin, but by the character of their spirit? Crazy diatribe, but something that weighs heavy on my heart today! After church I came home and- Sherrie jumped in the car with me. We went to another service.... Her friend Charlene went to church with us last weekend, and so we were invited to her church today. She goes to Deliverance and Praise Family Worship Center. They are a full gospel church, ripe in the spirit! It was awesome to see how other people worship. I have experienced so many religions, and styles of worship over the last year. I have been helping Sherrie with a presentation on the Culture and Climate of Nepal. In doing so, I have done more studying on Hinduism, and Buddhism, and learned so much more. Reading things in hindsight makes some of the things I saw in Nepal make sense. We had to leave the service at 1:30 because Ben was here at the house to pick up his pictures I took last night. I watched the Thunder's first Playoff game, and have been doing some house cleaning, the rest of the evening! I need to get stuff ready for the week!

Love you all!

Mat

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

Namaste,

Did not sleep a wink! It poured rain all night, and I had sooooo much to do Saturday, that I laid awake wondering how I was going to get it done! I got up at 5:00 and watched the weather. There was about an hour break in the storm, so I decided to go over to Midwest City and at least get that flower bed cleaned up! By the time I got over there it was raining buckets! I have a rain suit, so it's not like I was getting wet.... I got the front bed looking really nice! I transplanted several shrubs, that were already in there, added 400 pounds of top soil, blue junipers (They smell awesome) and 20 bags of mulch. It was still raining cats and dogs, so I started trimming the hedges, pruning the Red Buds, and Lopping the Bradford Pear trees. We spent 9 hours on the front of the hospital. I have a very busy week,and I knew I needed to get as much mowing done as possible, but the hospital has a serious drainage problem, so I did most of the enormous property with the weed eater! It makes a heck of a mess, but it will be next Saturday, before I can get back over there! Came home and took a twenty minute hot shower! Sherrie and I went to Charleston's for dinner. Miriam's mom gave us a gift card for moving some furniture for her, so it was a cheap date. Ben and Kinsey Crocker have two houses for sale, and they needed pictures for the MLS website. We went over and shot the houses, then followed them to Buffalo Wild Wings, for a drink. They are an amazing couple, and they make us laugh, sooooo hard. We had a couple of fighters fighting in Davis yesterday. Travis Chyzy, and Ian Freeman. It was a Muay Thai Fight, and they both dominated! We also had a guy fighting on National TV. "King Mo" Lawal fights out of "GDP" (Get Dat Paper) and he is a very good friend of Tyler Griffen and advisor. Mo won the Strike Force Light Heavy Weight title. Great job everyone! It is still raining outside! I have to work in the parking lot at church, then Sherrie and I are going to a full gospel church with a friend of hers! Should be interesting. I have a lot to do around the house today.... Glad I got so much done at MWC yesterday.

Love you all!

Mat

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Namaste,

Dropped the kid's off, then Starbucks! Went by the park, but there was not rally anything moving! Thousands of squirrels scurrying about.... We had a big weather system moving in, and they were gathering food. It is so interesting, that if you pay attention to nature it will tell you what is happening! On to work, for a pretty busy day. My good friend Dustin Forgue had back surgery a week ago. He is doing fine, but was bored at home.... His doctor encouraged him to get out and walk around, so he walked over to the hospital to go to lunch with us. Ben met us over at Louie's and Jodi and Gaymarie went as well. Dustin is hilarious, and we laughed so hard, that I'm sure he was hurting too! Jodi and I took a few minutes and went to the office building next to the hospital, and took some more pictures... They came out very nice! After work I went to Home Depot and got the supplies I needed for Midwest City.... Mulch, top soil, pavers, blue junipers, etc... It was pouring rain, but I had to get the flower beds done at the hospital. Came home, and we were watching Tommy for Miriam... He was wound tight, and we played cars, and I chased him around the house. I was exhausted, so we finally got him to sit still and watch Sponge Bob!

Love you all!

Mat

Friday, April 16th, 2010Namaste,

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Namaste,

Dropped the kid's off then hit Starbucks! Tony Brummitt was going to meet me there so I could sign some insurance papers. I walked in and did not see him.... My friend Erin was there and I started talking to her, then I saw Tony sitting in the corner spying on me! :-) Not really..... On to work. I like Thursdays because it is the busiest day of the week! We grabbed a sandwich at lunch then Jodi and I went to the park and took some pictures. I LOVE taking pictures of pretty people! You really don't have to do much.... Just let the camera work for you! Back to work! As soon as work was over, came home and got the trailer. Went back to the Edmond facility, and knocked it out in six hours. I did the regular maintenance, and put down 10 bags of mulch! Home to clean up and get ready for today! I am attaching a few pictures I took yesterday. Enjoy!

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Namaste,

Wednesday was pretty good! Dropped the kid's off then to Starbucks. Sunday after church Trey and I went by Starbucks.... My friend Erin was there and she met Trey. She grew up in Spain, and we have talked about Europe several times. When I saw her yesterday, I ask her what subject she teaches? I know she is the swimming coach, but she told me she taught Spanish II, and III.... I told her Trey is really into Spanish right now, and that I need to go to Pamplona and run with the bulls. I think she could be a great resource moving forward! Anyway.... Not enough time to go to the lake so I ran by the park. Nothing really to shoot! On to work. It was our Administrators Birthday! Everyone went to Ron's for lunch. I shared a chicken sandwich with Jodi, then the afternoon! It seems like when we have something planned, we get late admits! We got two late one's, but knocked them out! Came home and got Trey, then we went to In the Raw to have some Sushi, then on to the game! We won! It was our 50th win of the year, and we made the playoffs! We will play the Lakers in the first and only round! I'm not hating, but I am sooooooooooooo tired of Basketball! Home to crash out! Today, I have to do the Edmond lawn after work! Need some help, if you know anyone!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Namaste,



Busy day.... Dropped Trey off at School. Jordan stayed home to take her drivers test again! Guess what???? She passed this time. GOD HELP US ALL! Hit Starbucks on the way out to the lake. Got a few nice shots of some geese, and a turtle! On to work. The day went by pretty quickly. I have NOT been doing a PowerPoint presentation for Sherrie about Nepal! I have been educating her on the climate, culture, religion, people, treks, and climbs, and she has done all of the work herself!:-) I went to MWC after work to trim shrubs... I wanted to get most of them done.... Guess what? I only got three done, and it took us almost seven man hours! I had my friend "Speedy" helping me. I still have probably 30 hours of shrub work left. Don't really know if I will ever get done with it! The lawn over there looks pretty good other than a few dandelions. I put 100 gallons of weed killer out at MWC, but it didn't seem to work? I came home and did our taxes! I hate taxes, and the IRS. We are getting a refund, but it's not really much to speak of! Time to get it together for tomorrow!

Love you all!

Mat

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Namaste,

Monday came in like a lion, and went out like a pussy cat! Dropped the kid's off, then Starbucks! I ran out to the lake to see if anything was going on out there???? There was a beautiful blue bird sitting on a fence post, and I grabbed my camera..... Guess what? Battery was dead! Sucks to be me! On to work, where it was a typical Monday. I called a few salvage yards around the city looking for that pulley! After about 10 calls I found one! It was sooooo expensive! $15.00! I wanted to tell the guy at the salvage yard, that the auto parts store in Edmond wanted $285, but I didn't. In all fairness, the one at the auto parts store came with a harmonic balancer. I didn't need that! After work I raced home and changed clothes. I grabbed my tools and climbed under the truck! It took me about an hour to get the four bolts installed. They way that pulley fit's on the truck, you are putting it on blind! Got it on then fought the belt back on! Rushed in changed clothes, and got to the gym just before the first class started! We had 20 new people, which is awesome! We need a fresh group, who are hungry! We had some of our "Pro's" in the house! Jared Hess, and Cole Province were both back getting busy! Jared has been in Austin training for his upcoming Bellator fight, and Cole has two fights coming up! One here and one for WEC. These guy's are awesome, and all of the new students were in awe of them! Got a great workout! Home for a shower, and food! Worked on Sherrie's PowerPoint assignment. It is on Nepal, and she had to tell me I was getting way to detailed. With the daily emails, I am getting from the RMI team on Everest, and doing this PowerPoint on the Khumbu region, I am dying to get back! I guess I need to get this Rainier climb done, and then find my way back to Nepal!

Love you all!

Mat

Sunday, April 11th, 2010

Namaste,

Sunday morning was a beautiful..... Sunrise was gorgeous and wind was down. Trey and I stopped by McDonald's and got a chicken biscuit before going yo work in the parking lot at church. Sherrie came and even brought her friend Charlene and her family. There was a special presentation by Amena Brown who is a famous christian poet. I missed most of her poetry because I was outside, but the church was packed. While I was a church, Cindy called from work and the Med Dispense unit on hall 3 had gone down. I ran by there on the way home and tried to fix it, but the monitor had burned out! I made a couple of calls and then came home. I laid down for a couple of hours. I am exhausted. Jumped up and worked on Jordan's truck. It threw a crankshaft pulley.... I took the bolts out and then called around to find a new one. $285.... to replace this pulley! I said let me wait on that! I will call some salvage yards today! I spent the rest of the day in my yard. I cut the grass, pruned trees, sprayed for weeds (again) and just tried to get it cleaned up! It's funny.... Owning a landscape business I should have the nicest yard in the neighborhood! It's just the opposite! Time to get the week started! If you like the pictures I am adding to each blog let me know!~

Love you all!

Mat

Saturday, April 10th, 2010

Namaste,

Up by 6:00 and on the first property by 7:00! I had one of Jordan's friend helping me..... We hit it hard and were done with the maintenance by 10:00, which tells me I could do the whole property in about 6 hours once, all of the clean up is done. It will take several weeks to get that accomplished though. We began working on special projects.... Hedge trimming, tree trimming, pappas grass...etc.... We spent another five hours doing clean up work. Luckily Sherrie had made me a sandwich. I brought Angel home and then went up to the Edmond facility for a couple of hours. I was spent! I figure... Monday and Wednesdays, at the gym. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Edmond facility, and Saturdays at the Midwest City Facility. I didn't mention my friend Ryan Chyzy came over to look at the flower beds.... I am going to sub them out to him. Time to get ready for church!

Love you all!

Mat

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Namaste,

Friday was good! Dropped Trey off.... Jordan stayed home so she could go take her drivers test! She did not pas, due to a rolling stop! Hit Starbucks, and there was a big line. I went to the men's room, and when I came out Grant had my drink ready. It was not until several hours later, that I saw he had drawn a mountain on it with a little stick figure on top of it! Work was OK..... I went by the funeral home at lunch, to see a friend of mine. Joe Franks passed away, on Tuesday. He had been ill for a while, and I will not be able to attend the funeral today, due to prior obligations. Joe was one of my first sports coaches, and he and his wife quickly became great friends of my parents. Over the years, we had drifted apart, but when I did see him he always had a smile on his face. Joe's kid's Barry, and Tracy are great people. Curtis and Barry grew up together, and have stayed friends. Barry has always treated me great. A super human who would do anything for anyone! Tracy has become a beautiful woman, and mother. Joe's wife Rosanne is such a sweet lady. I saw her about a year ago, in Stien Mart.... She had no idea who I was when I started talking to her, and when I told her she started crying. She was as happy for me in my weight loss, as anyone. After work I came home got Sherrie, and we went to Nona's for dinner. We had a couple of appetizers, and walked over to the game. We left a bit early, because I was already stressing about everything I have to do today. We beat the Sun's and hopefully will move us up in the standings. It would be OK with me if we stay in 8th place. That means the Lakers would have to come to town. Time to get busy!

Love you all!

Mat

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Namaste,

Holy crap I got up late! Somehow I woke up butt naked on the couch, and almost an hour behind schedule. I jumped up and scrambled around.... Dropped off the kid's and then Starbucks. Ran by Hafer park because I had my camera with me. They have some beautiful tulips, so I took a few pictures.... Got to work and kicked it into high gear. I cruised through the morning, and then went to Jon Ric International Spa and Salon, at lunch. The owner Kay is a great friend of mine and sponsor of the Quest. Today w3as their fourth anniversary. The afternoon was pretty slow but we made it through. I came home after work and got my lawn trailer, then headed up to the Edmond facility. I had a bunch of clean up work to do. I did some weed eating, and sprayed some weeds. Once I get that property cleaned up, it will not be so hard to take care of. This morning I got a text from my good friend Paula Jennings. She ask about the Road Runner Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico. I had written about how nasty it was.... She is headed out on a road trip and ask my opinion. I said not just no, but HELL NO! Paula is an awesome friend, who without, the first "Quest" never would have happened. I will rely on Paula to help with the next adventure! Time for bed! Let's see where I wake up in the morning!

Love you all!

Mat

Wednesday, April 8th, 2010

Namaste,

Wednesday, dropped the kid's off, hit Starbucks then went by the Catholic Church to take some pictures of their Tulips! They have the most beautiful landscaping in the whole city! The sun was already to high, and I did not get the shots I wanted, but what are you gonna do? The tulips will only be around for a few days! On to work! I did the morning thing, then had lunch with Ben Crocker. Back to work. The afternoon was slow, but went quickly. Ran home and picked up Trey, then we picked up Jason, and Maddie Klinka, headed down to Roosters Chicken and Beer. Mike and Jamie met us down there and we had some great health food, before watching the Thunder blow a 12 point lead with only 7 minutes left in the game! I don't even remember getting in bed last night. I know I woke up 30 minutes late, butt naked on the couch! I WAS TIRED! Time to go! Did I mention my buddy Wolf from the UK wants me to go to Costa Rica and shoot Volcano's? I will find a way to make that happen. Flights are cheap, and I can sleep anywhere.... Just ask Mike about the Roadrunner Hotel, in Gallup, New Mexico!

Love you all!

Mat

Tuesday, March 6th, 2010

Namaste,

Tuesday morning started off early! Dropped the kid's off then Starbucks! See the pattern? On to work.... Work was fine, we had an in service at lunch and they brought in some sandwiches from Jason's Deli. I had a chicken salad and it was really good! They put pineapples in it instead of grapes! The afternoon drug on a bit, but when we were finished, I came home and got the lawn trailer. I headed over and did Mike and Jeni Giroux house, then to the Edmond hospital for a couple of hours, then to Brandy Stewart's house. Home to shower, and get some grub! I found out tonight, that a bunch of UFC fighters are in Austin training with Jared Hess.... They are all coming here to train with Jared at our gym. These are guy's we watch on pay per view events, and they will be sharing a locker room with me! Pretty cool!

Love you all!

Mat

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Namaste,

MMMMMooooooooonnnnnnnndddddddddaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy, Ugh! Dropped the kid's off then off to Starbucks! Got to work early, and things were a bit behind from the weekend! Morning went pretty quickly. Jodi was out so I worked with Cindy> I came home at lunch and had a peanut butter sandwich! Back to work. We stayed pretty busy in the afternoon, and as soon as I got out, I came home and got Trey. We headed over to Mike Giroux house to look at his weed garden, or yard.... Then up to the gym. Trey does not go very often, but he should. He has a ton of experience.... And he is super strong, but he has a touch of lazy! :-) We came home cleaned up, and then I had to do Sherrie's homework. Time for work! It's going to be a crazy busy week. Lawns tonight, Thunder games, Wednesday, and Friday, lawns Thursday, and all weekend.... Oh well... Gotta pay the bills!

Love you all!

Mat

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

Namaste,

Trey and I worked in the parking lot at church for the first service, and then went in. Awesome message!!!!! :-) I also worked the parking lot for the second service and then came home and changed clothes. Jordan had been house sitting for Jenni and Ricardo Villrreal, and I had to pick her up afternoon, and then Easter lunch was ready. We had a big lunch, and then I sat on the couch and passed out! I woke up about an hour later and hid Easter eggs. The kid's had a big time looking for them. They were running around so fast I only got a few pictures..... Bruce helped me haul some junk away from Miriam's mom's house, and then I did my lawn as they were visiting with Sherrie and Bruce's Grandmother. They left just a few minutes ago, and I am exhausted! Bruce is probably glad he is gone.... I worked his butt off, but I would have died without his help this weekend!

Good Night, and God Bless!

Mat

Sunday Morning, April 4th, 2010

Namaste,

Happy Easter! Today I want to encourage everyone to do something for someone less fortunate! Some of us say we don't have anything, but something I experienced in Nepal was, the poverty was indescribable. Easter is the celebration of Christ raising from the dead and ascending to heaven to sit at the right hand of God! I don't get preachy very often, but as Americans we are extremely hypocritical! I would love for this nation to go back and read what the bible has to say about feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and sheltering the homeless! Enjoy your Easter! The picture is Travis, Sara, and Joe Chyzy! They are great friends of mine!

Love you all!

Mat

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2010

Namaste,

So I wrote this long winded blog last night, and went to add a picture and the text disappeared! So here we go again! Thursday took the kids to school and then Starbucks! Morning was very busy and then met the Administration of Midwest City Nursing Center, and Midwest City Specialty Hospital to discuss their lawn maintenance. We had a quick lunch, then I headed back to work. The afternoon was equally busy, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel! After work I came home and got my lawn trailer. I headed up to Edmond and did their lawn. About 7:30, I started feeling weak, and my stomach started cramping, I felt dizzy, so I loaded up and came home. When I got out of the shower I could not even stand! I called my friend Dr. Walton, and he told me to get to Summit Medical Center and he would run some test. The awesome thing about having a friend own his own hospital is I had three nurses and did not have to wait in any lines! He is a blessing and has saved my life twice now! I was severely dehydrated, and they gave me five litres of fluid, and some electrolytes. I came home at 1am, and slept pretty well until 7:00am. I pretty much laid around all day on Friday. I ran a few errands in the afternoon, but I had a banging headache. At 6:00, I left for Bricktown. The fights started at 8:00 and Tyler Griffen was the first bout. Tyler is a very close friend of mine, and I trained with him almost everyday for this fight. Tyler won by rear naked choke early in the second round! Ryan McCurdy was our second fighter up in the fourth bout. He destroyed his opponent in under a minute and won by a straight jab, that dropped his guy like a rock! Our third fighter up was Tim Elliott. Tim and I trained together quite a bit for this fight. I can stand and bang with Timmy, but he is a former collegiate wrestler and when we go to the ground he has mad skills! Tim won very impressively by knockout in the first round. We had two other guys fight that acknowledged 805 Fight Club. It's funny when you go to an event like that, every fighter there has been in your gym at one time or another. Saturday morning, I woke Bruce up at 6:30 and we left for Midwest City at 7:00. We worked our butts off there until noon, and then came back to Edmond to do a couple of lawns here. We could have done twenty... People kept coming up to us asking if we had time to do their lawns and we just didn't! When we got back to the house, the girls had everything laid out for me to grill! After I cooked, I jumped in the shower and pretty much did not move from the couch for the next several hours! The picture is Jared Hess! He is one of our pro fighters! This was from the finals of the Bellator series! He lost to Hector Lombard, due to a small cut on his forehead that bled like a stuck pig!

Love you all!

Mat