Relay For Life

One day, a nice lady by the name of Kathy asked me if I wanted to be a "technical" chair for the Relay for Life in our area. Of course with my cancer history, I didn't even hesitate. Tonight was the first meeting I went to. I am beginning to understand my role in the whole project, and hope I will be able help out in great way. Thursday night is the "kick off" and I will learn more as I become a volunteer for the organization. I think it's a pretty cool thing, and will keep you informed of my involvement in the coming weeks and months.

Other than my trip to La Grande for the Relay for Life project, I had a pretty eventful Monday in my office. I felt like I was being pulled in every direction. It was definitely a true Monday in my life. Hopefully Tuesday will go a little smoother.

Kind of had the final "hurrah" with my friends in town tonight. Zeke and Kyle are about the only ones left, and this was Kyle's final night. So we watched some Tivo and played pool. I won't see him nor hardly anyone else until at least May when they return from school (with the exception of a weekend or two).

-LB

Fun over New Years

Here are a few pictures I snapped over New Years/New Years Eve:

Top Ten for week of January 6, 2007

1. Chris Gamboa
2. Keithanne Boeve'
3. Kyle Hook
4. Zeke Hale
5. Christian Ambroson
6. Haddie Schmidt
7. Melissa Newhouse
8. Sterling Shetler
9. Alyse Fischer
10.Hannah Bobbitt

What A Weekend!

So tired, so sleepy -- those were the words I was thinking about 7:30 am after I had stayed up almost 24 hours straight working on the Ron Thompson video.

It was for a good cause, and the video was a big hit. The unfortunate part is that you don't know if a video like this is a hit unless people cry. It definitely must have done the job. I feel bad that it made people feel so sad, but I know that it will be a nice thing to remember Ron by.

Ultimately, it had been nearly 36 hours before I got to sleep, but I finally did. 9:00 last night was when I finally fell asleep. I remember going in and out of conscientiousness and finally I layed down on my bed, and before my head even hit the pillow I was out... 13 and a half hours later I woke up. I feel resilient.

Not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow, but hopefully this week will go well!

I am sitting here listening to my friend argue with his girlfriend... it's pretty humorous.

-LB

A Tired Day

Went into work this morning tired as all hell. These sleepless nights are biting me in the ass. Monday night I had the bright idea to stay up till 4am helping Zeke fix his computer and I've been paying for it ever since. The days of chemo are what really screwed me up. I can't have a half hour block (or more) taken out of my eight hours of sleep or I am a train wreck. In this case I've been paying for it all week. Tonight I hope to sleep better!

Things at the office were not that smooth either. Put a couple of computers together and couldn't get them to turn on. It's probably an error on my part, guess we'll find out. Still very frustrating.

Came home, and decided to work on the Ron Thompson video (oh and we're calling it the "remembering Ron Thompson project..." -- the official name of the video is going to be something more creative like "Remembering Ron Thompson, the man." Hopefully Chris will help me figure it out. She brought me food tonight and we got to work on it. Kyle Hook helped us critique it, and I have to say the first part is turning out pretty darn good (considering the circumstances of the video). I am just hoping to put together something that the family and friends of Ron can watch and hopefully remember the good times. His service is Saturday.

-LB

2007 Brings More Posts From Me!

Well, we can hope, right? Perhaps that is my New Year's resolution: to post more on this thing. That is actually the promise I am making to you right now. I will post to this every day, every other day, or at least three times a week. I'm serious.

Now, to catch you up. Had a so-so Christmas, followed by a pretty good New Years. Even though it is stressful, it does feel good to get back to work this week. Having 10 days off was really nice (don't get me wrong), but I felt like I should be doing something, when I wasn't.

This week I am doing a lot of things. For one, working on the Ron Thompson video -- which I am naming "Remembering Ron Thompson." Ron lost his battle with cancer just a couple of weeks ago now, and his celebration of life is this Saturday. I am putting together a video presentation of it. Additionally, we are playing catch-up at the office.

Monday night I did not get any sleep as I was helping my friend Zeke with his computer. We finally got things somewhat squared away about 4am. The next day was the first day back at the office and I was a train wreck all day. It was no fun. Today I was a little better, but still obviously tired. But hey, I should be good by the end of the week.

Friends who were in town for the holidays are slowly leaving as well, making it kind of depressing... but it is the way it is.

Still working on the TOP TEN of 2006. I will get that out as soon as I can. There are some very special people on it this year!

That's all for now folks, don't forget to e-mail and comment to me :)

LB

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!

I will be going to Cove this year to celebrate the holiday with my family. I hope this finds you all well! Here are some festive Christmas shots of my hometown and business.




Keep an eye out for the top ten of 2006 in the coming week! Though the list is delayed from it's normal debut, it will still be ready to go before the new year! Again, Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you all! -LB

Top Ten for week of December 9, 2006

1. Keithanne Boeve'
2. Haddie Schmidt
3. Sterling Shetler
4. Chris Gamboa
5. Cynthia Hilden
6. Alyse Fischer
7. Hannah Bobbitt
8. Debbie Bobbitt
9. Carl Bobbitt
10.Kyle Bollman

It's That Time of Year

Yes, the holidays... the wonderful stinkin' holidays. The time where everyone gets so materialistic it makes a person want to puke.

Okay, so I'm not a big fan of the 'holidays.' I have in recent years even been known to get a little depressed around this time of year. I have a wonderful family and group of friends to spend them with, but yet the time of year bores me to death.

I am starting to change my tune though, and focus my feelings on the real reason for the holidays. To give to others, especially those who need it the most. 9 years ago this month I was diagnosed with Lymphoma, and people came pouring out of the woodwork to help me.

Recently, three people I know in the county I live in have been diagnosed with cancer, a couple of them terminal. I think it's time I stop feeling sorry for myself and put positive thoughts their way and pray for them and their families, just like the folks did for me.

Besides, I have plenty to be thankful for -- a striving and successful business which employs people; a great family, and a whole lot of friends. This year I promise to be HAPPIER for the HOLIDAYS!

-LB

A Good Time Was Had By All (until I got sick)

Hello All,

Yeah it's been quite some time (once again) since I've updated. But I am more than happy to update you and hopefully stay on top of it this time around.

First of all, I am writing this blog entry just off the heals of a terribly horrible stomach flu. Yeah, I was in bed for the past couple of days (or on my couch watching TV). I was pretty useless, but got some television and back Tivo recordings caught up on.

My sickness couldn't have come a day sooner or I wouldn't have made it back from vacation. What I time I had... what a time we had... yes I took a friend along and we had a great time!

Chris came along with me to the Oregon Coast, Gleneden Beach to be more specific. We really enjoyed our stay at a beautiful condo which was oceanfront.

It was a much needed relaxing time for both of us! I took a few pictures:The view from the condo

Inside the condo, the big screen

Chris in Cannon Beach

Manzanita
Chris and I
Tillamook Head Lighthouse
Me in Cannon Beach

We really had a great time, and hope to do it again when time warrants! I also plan to head back to the Willamette Valley in December, but probably won't make it to the coast.

If I don't write before Thanksgiving, everyone have a great holiday!

-LB