I started to write a blog entry about what a great year it’s been for me and all I could think about is what a difficult year it’s been for much of my family for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately life’s roller coaster brings ups and downs for all of us at different times, and there’s no way I can feel like I’ve had the best year of my life when some of the people I love may have had the worst year of theirs. I’ve found that some things are beyond my ability to comprehend or accept, and when I’m faced with those things I just try to let go a little and realize I am not in control of any of it. The best I can do is pray in my own way and be there when they need me. I think about every one of you every day.

I’ve been really busy around the house lately trying to get my basement finished and things organized before Christmas. It’s an especially fun holiday season because it’s the first Christmas Lia and I will spend together and it finishes out a really amazing year in my life: the Daytona 500 with Chris G., building homes for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka with Chris D., Lana & Brian’s wedding in Mexico, and so many great weekends filled with friends, new and old. The best part of my year, of course, has been getting to know Lia. I won’t attempt to describe that now, but trust me, it’s been pretty great.

I’m blogging from my new office, which was the room in which I used to store inventory for my business. It looks great now and has a cozy feel with the new carpet and freshly painted walls. And of course I got all my computers and electronic gadgets set up so it looks like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise in here. Next on the agenda is re-renovating the old office to make it my new family room. That will have a really cozy feel because that’s the room with the fireplace. I can’t wait to spend Christmas with my girl and our dogs in front of the fire.