Alan's Attitude of Gratitude

This is a list of cool things that have happened in my life that I am extremely grateful for.

It has more to do with everyday things than business. It may totally bore you, but hey, this is my website.
 
The list is in no particular order, just random thoughts that I add to from time to time.

Of course I've been blessed with a great wife, and two great kids.

  1. Thanks for all the struggles that made me stronger and helped build character.
  2. I've been fortunate to tour Marine One (the President's helicopter) twice. Once during the Clinton administration and again during the  GW reign.
  3. I get the opportunity to work with my son, AJ on a daily basis.
  4. It was really cool to have my daughter Lacey get married to a great guy, Cameron, in Cozumel.
  5. Parasailing in Cozumel with AJ and Amber was very cool. Touring the island on scooters with AJ was also very cool.
  6. I'm fortunate to have some very cool in-laws such as Troy and Krista, we've had lots of fun at the races, family gatherings and my daughters wedding.
  7. AJ designed and built a '78 Firebird quarter mile racecar for me that we race at Firebird Raceway - very fun!
  8. I've been blessed to work side by side with my wife building our auction business for lots of years.
  9. Very early in my auction career, I had the chance to put together a great deal on a huge warehouse that allowed us to get our business started.
  10. I was then fortunate to sell the same building several years later for a nice price. 
  11. Great friends made at the auction, here's a short list-Lynn Hardy (in fact all the Hardy and Reutzen Gang); Cory, Michelle, Mykayla and Kylie; Paul & Imogene; Troy, Jeanne and Crew; Don and Destiny; Shannon and her family; Jasso's; Good 'ol Lute; Lance West; and many many more. This list would take up a lot of space if I kept going. Thanks guys!!!
  12. Thanks to my fellow auctioneers that have helped me along the way, it's great to have your unique camaraderie.
  13. Thanks to all of my fellow Marine buddies, it's been a long time since we served together but we still see and talk to each other every once in a while.
  14. I was fortunate to spend a lot of time away from my family during my USMC stint. WHAT? you ask- I now cherish every moment with them even more.   
  15. Our company was fortunate to do the "Topping Auction". It was featured on the AP wire, people came from all over the country and every local media outlet attended. It was a very long day, and we loved every minute of it.
  16. Thanks to my fellow competitor's - You help me to stay sharp and to continue to innovate and come up with new ways to help our clients.   
  17. Thanks to HGTV for featuring me as one of your appraisers on "If Walls Could Talk"
  18. Thanks to the team at the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky and the staff at the Corvette Museum. You made our delivery experience a memory of a lifetime! You guys rock and you build the greatest sports car in the world!
  19. It was really cool to watch my daughter win the High Jump at State her senior year.
  20. Thanks to Coach Trapp! I hope your hand healed from the high-five I gave you.
  21. AJ and Amber will soon have a baby, let's see that makes my wife a grandma and me a guy that has a kid that has a kid. OK-that is waaay cool. Update- Jett William Armstrong was born in Nov 2006 and Ella John was born Nov 2008. It is great fun watching them grow up.
  22. It is really cool to watch AJ win races at Firebird. He will have to add a new room on soon for all the trophies.   
  23. I have some of he coolest Aunt's and Uncles anyone could ever ask for. They were always encouraging as a kid and every time I see them. Thanks guys!
  24. Ditto for my grandparents.
  25. Ditto for my Mom.
  26. I am married to one of the most talented women I have ever met. If she wants to do it - she can do it.
  27. I've got two brothers that are very intelligent and I am lucky to have a great relationship with both of them.
  28. Thanks to Lois and her "Prince of a Man", Fred. Your kindness and generosity still absolutely amaze me. Rest in peace.
  29. Thanks to the thousands of customers over the years that helped sustain our business. We appreciate every purchase and every bid!
  30. Thanks to the inventor's of Arpanet, which became the internet - It has had a giant influence on our business AND will have an even more positive impact in the near future.
  31. Thanks to all the staff and fellow clients at the BSU TECenter. Your help and encouragement on BigGavel has been amazing. Your help and guidance is helping millions of bidders and auctioneers to connect in a meaningful way.
  32. Dee spent almost 1 1/2 years designing and acting as the general contractor on our new house. She did an amazing job and finally has the home of her dreams. Thanks to the dozens of workers and suppliers that helped make our dream home come true. Special thanks to Bro' in law Tom.
  33. I am fortunate to be able to spend lots of time in the beautiful mountains on our ATV's with lots of our buddies.
  34. I am thankful for the hundreds of people who have thought enough of this page that they have forwarded it to their friends.   
  35. I am grateful to those of you that have told me this page caused you to make your own lists and to take a little time to 'count your blessings'. Thanks guys/gals - you inspire me!
  36. Thanks to all of the blogs and others that have linked to this list - that is awesome.

     TO BE CONTINUED..............