Let's move one more time . . .

Okay, I was just kidding about the Vox thing. The ads bugged the hell out of me, so I've moved again. This time to Wordpress, and will now and forever be found at the following address: Puppy Dog Blue @ Wordpress.

I've Moved

I've moved to a more simple blogging platform. I hated the method which I had to post pictures. It was time consuming and bogged me down. Enough about that. Go to Puppy Dog Blue @ Vox.

A Tree Falls

So last Saturday evening as Miranda and I were cooking dinner, Miranda hears a loud cracking noise. We look outside and this is what we see. Freaking amazing. As you'll be able to tell from the pictures below, there wasn't much keeping the tree connected to Mother Earth, rather, almost 95% of the trunk of the tree was rotted and the small portion that you still see connected to the tree was the only part of the tree that wasn't rotted. Luckily, this tree fell right in the middle of our yard. Not one fence or house hit. I don't know if that's just clean living or the grace of God, but I was glad nonetheless. The Monday afterwards my Mom and Dad showed up to help cut up what we could. I ended up carrying whatever I could to our brush pile and now we will probably have to leave the rest to professionals. That is of course, unless someone has a 3 foot chainsaw to cut the trunk of the tree.

Here's the damage.



I wanted a picture of Blue in the photo so you could get a reference for the size of the tree.



Check out how rotted the base of the tree is. Like I said, 95% of the base of the tree is completely rotten.



Yes, the tree is still basically like this, rather, it's not moving from being perched on a seemingly small piece of of the trunk. I know, it's all very safe.



Zoey running to the rescue.



Blue being just a little weird and sweet all at the same time.

Finally, I Speak

I know, it's been a while. I'm Puppy Dog Blue and this is my blog.

So I've been a little busy. I've taken lots of pictures and posted almost all of them. I know that I need to take some more, or I didn't take any during the Cowboy's playoff loss, but that's okay.

So many times during the day I find myself completely without organization and not knowing what to do. In fact, I regularly spend a day just putting out fires, which is the antithesis of being productive or getting things done. I really love to be organized during the day, and now I've found, via Lifehacker, David Seah's daily organizer. Save this sucker to your hard-drive and print one every day before you start the day. Fill in your appointments and think of 3 or four big tasks you want to accomplish that day and fill those in too. As the day goes on, start filling in the blanks of where your time goes, a phone call here, answering email, surfing the internet, whatever. You'll be shocked and surprised by the time you spend.

I also find it amazing, that he's broken down the day at minimum of 15 minute increments, and usually, it takes at least 15 minutes for me to complete a task, whether it be something simple like reading an email.

For instance, I read the email, check the bill to make sure that the other attorney didn't already receipt for this email, reply to the email, print the email, find the file, acco the email in the file, and finally, send a message to my assistant or senior attorney about the email. Anyway, I think this is a great tool for those of you who seem to think that your time slips away, if you keep it up, this will let you know where your time goes.

Since each one of you are on a computer, when was the last time that you cleaned up your hard drive, defragged stuff in your computer, and stuff (via Lifehacker). Everyone knows by now that you don't have to pay for anti-virus, that most of this stuff is free and really well done. Email me if you have questions.

This is for those of you who have CD's who don't need them anymore SwapaCD (via Lifehacker, again).

We are no longer doing our taxes, but if you are, here's a good place to start (via GRS).

13 photographs that changed the world (via Kottke).

I'll try to be a little more personal next time around.

New Year's Eve 2006

Ashley T. organized a wonderful dinner out for New Year's Eve at Four Winds Steakhouse, just down the road from Terrell in Wills Point. I had heard about this place and I was very excited to go (as an aside, I should go ahead and state here the following: Duk, we will go here when you come back around to Terrell).

The wine was flowing.



Photo from the loft.



Our group.



At the bar before the feast.



The smoldering Hetty.



Ashley F. and Miranda.



Nick and Leslie.



Hetty and Landy.



The exquisite Greggo and Courtney.



The steamy Stephen and Ashley T.



The delectable me.



This is the remnant of the on-bone rib-eye that Justin F. and Ashley F. had.



Ashley F., Ashley T. and Miranda.

Christmas 2006

I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures of the whole family this year and I didn't take any pictures at the , but took a couple pictures of the dogs.

Olive.



My wife and her mother believe that dogs love these stuffed animals that squeak or honk. I know it's a little gory, but here's what's left of a rooster, legs and a head. I know, it's graphic, but it's the truth.



Blue and Zoey, enjoying their Christmas prey.



Other remnants of said turkey, avert your eyes.



Christmas was wonderful and too short. This time of year always seems like the holiday season is too quick and I'm reminded that I haven't had any significant time off since the Colorado vacation.

I know that PDB has lacked for content recently and I blame Double T Nation. It's gotten to the point where the only television that I watch is sports. I've even stopped watching some of my favorite programs: The Office, Scrubs, My Name Is Earl, Heroes, etc. I don't know if that's good or bad, it's good from the standpoint that I'm not spending my time in front of the television, but it's bad because I spend all of my time in front of the computer. Pretty soon, I will lose any and all references to pop culture phenomenons or quirky sayings on hit television shows.

I think that eventually, I'll find a happy medium, as Duk said last weekend, I'm all jazzed up about the Double T stuff that it will eventually lose it's luster. Not to mention, it's the football offseason, and once basketball is over, I'll be left to write about college baseball? How will I fill the time, how will I keep my readers interested? So many questions and so few answers.

Nevertheless, I'll keep plugging on forward, realizing that this may become more of a photo blog than anything else. I will always continue to take pictures, I can promise that.

Which reminds me that we should all start encouraging my beautiful and wonderful wife to allow me to purchase a new sweet and totally awesome digital SLR camera. A subtle email to her wouldn't hurt.

2006 Christmas Party

The 2006 annual Christmas party was controversial and fun all at the same time. Richie was boycotting the gift exchange because someone thought it best not to celebrate baby Jesus' birth with sexual gag gifts. Despite Richie's vocal protest, we managed. We were in the Hetmer's new home, along with high a definition Maverick game in the background. I ended up with a Wheel of Fortune video game bought by Stephen. Ryan H. was not too fond of this gift, however, I knew that someday it would be complete gold. Miranda received a Starbucks coffee mug, some toffee cookies and a new Starbucks mug. Enough with my banter, onto the pictures.

Richie, Ashley F. and Chris, enjoying HD goodness.



Holly, her brother (I forgot his name) and Landy gathered by the Christmas tree.



Brandon and Janelle.



Miranda and Leslie R.



Tony R. relaxing and, despite his potential misgivings, his first appearance on Puppy Dog Blue.



Max and Cash, I always forget which ones are which, but that's them.



Courtney, Greggy, Tony (remember, he was in the chair), Holly's brother, and Ryan H.



Ashley T., Ashley F., Richie, Chris and Courtney.



Ashley F., Courtney, and Greggo.



We begin the gift exchange and Ryan is hugely disappointed by the infamous Wheel of Fortune video game. Little does he know, he'll be giving up the best gift.



Landy, Caylie and Matthew. Matthew seems unimpressed with some sort of liquor and glasses to boot.



Ashley F., overly excited about a Starbuck's gift card.



Wow, I can't believe Ashley F.'s luck, of all the presents she could have picked, she picked the one she wanted. What are the odds?



Miranda properly choosing her gift, from the floor.



Courtney and Greggo enjoying something that I can't remember right now.



The most beautiful woman in the room.



Tony R. discusses some sort of gift exchange with Ryan and Holly.

Ryan's Day

Last Friday night Ryan helped open the new restaurant, Veuve, where he is the head pastry chef. I must say, it was a proud and memorable night. Cousins Tim and Mark came down from Oklahoma. It was a cold night but a really great night for Ryan. Ryan doesn't get to relish in good things, and this year has been particularly rough on him, but last Friday night, was a special night. For us, his family members, it was all about him. We are proud of you. Keep it going, don't rest on your laurels.

Marilea, Ryan, Saralyn and myself.


Marilea, Ryan and Saralyn.


Ryan, Mom and Dad.


Christmas is quickly approaching and believe it or not, it's been over a year since I started this little project. As all things do, this has morphed into something a little bit different and lately I have been spending more time with Double T Nation, and it's meant a drop-off in my writing here. I haven't heard any complaints, so I assume that it's okay with everyone, or at the very least you understand.

I have become obsessed with personal finance and saving. I have probably written 9 or 10 blurbs about personal finance in the last 2 months and prior to that I had written none. To be honest, I'm not just obsessed with personal finance, but inspired by it. For those of you who knew me, I have always been obsessed with saving money or being more frugal than not, but now that there are websites dedicated to personal finance, well that's just too good to be true.

So in the Christmas spirit, I'll try to give as many people as possible online Christmas gifts or links that hopefully will make your lives better. The first one is for Terry Joe. Since he's getting out of school soon, I ran across this article about jump-starting your life with a financial plan (thanks to Get Rich Slowly).

It's Been A Long Time

It's been a really long time since I've been here. I've been staying very busy at the other website, but it's something that I really enjoy, it really makes me happy.

I got to see my grandmother this past weekend. That's such a joy for me. She came to visit her 4 of her grandchildren (TJ is in Austin) and see our homes and our lives. She came to see her son's farm and his cows and there is nothing better than the proud glow of your mother (or grandmother) seeing all that you've accomplished. Our visit was wonderful and too short, we got to see her again on Sunday. I have some pictures of Grandma, Miranda and myself, but I haven't had the time to download them. I am so proud of my wife and my house, as modest as it is. The place is really coming together slowly but surely.

Given my new hobby, I've am still fascinated by websites and articles that help streamline our lives. I know that few of you have the opportunity to go through as many websites as I do, but Lifehacker is an incredible resource and they're publishing an online book about making your life more simple. Here is Chapter 3: Automate Repetitive Tasks and Chapter 4: Streamline Common Tasks.

I was part of a much greater conversation about the life and kids and money after my last post about Tuition Coach. So now I give you the Five Gifts That Will Make Your Kids Rich. Just think, they'll pay for themselves.

Have you ever wanted to make something but didn't know how to do it? Check out Curbly, for lots of good ideas, everything from making your own photo wall to wallpapering switch-plates to fixing a toilet. I know that Miranda loves the idea of me learning how to fix and create things.

I will post this weekend, I will have pictures.

The new restaurant that Ryan is working for is opening tomorrow night, The Veuve, and Saturday night. It's a proud moment for Ryan. By the way, Ryan, we are all proud of you. Take a minute and soak it all in. Be happy.

Opening The Gate

Actually, I don't think I have too much to talk about. After trying to move offices last week and Thanksgiving all wrapped into one week, I'm still a little exhausted. Despite me being tired, what is keeping me going right now is being able to write at Double T Nation and this makes me happy. I love thinking about sports, sports quandaries, sports problems, sports issues. Anything to do with sports has been a relief simply because it provides an escape that I normally don't get to take in real life. Actually, I used to take those breaks, but it would be in front of the television. I've almost all but given up on the television, sans a couple of shows, and that suits me just fine.

Since I normally don't have a post until the weekend, here are some things to get you through the week.

• TuitionCoach is birth control. Ever wanted to know the costs of your kids college tuition? If you have kids, then you might not (via Techcrunch).
• I am in the process of reading a really great online article called the Bootstrappers Bible. This is essential reading for all people who ever wanted to run their own company or start their own business. Actually, I take that back, it's required reading for anyone who wants to be inspired to do something on your own. I always find it amazing how the written word can inspire people. (thanks to Lifehacker)
  
• Need more inspiration about doing what you love, the read What Do You Want To Be When You Grown Up, from Get Rich Slowly. Make sure and read the comments too, they can be awfully inspiring. I've had two career and that seems to be the minority in today's society.