Christmas Party

Here is the Crew, the Team, the Peeps, the loyal few and reason that NITRO is what it is! We are standing in front of the KONA Grill on the plaza www.konagrill.com awesome food, if you can get in this time of year.

First you have "Big John" on the far left, he has been a member for several months, a valued morning motivator to our busiest time of day for a few months and figuring a way to retire from the Postal Service to build a NITRO in his second home town on the coast in Alabama. Next is his very bright and beautiful lady friend Stacey, she has a lot better taste in Food and Wine then other things. :) just kidding John. We like her a lot.

Next you have AJ extrordinaire aka PBB. AJ has been lifting most of his life and has several powerlifting awards to show for his dedication and strength. That was BN (before NITRO).

AJ is the most mature and directed twenty something I have ever seen, well since I was that age. He is on top of whatever is going on and attacks obstacles with intellect, courage and initiative. The powers that are and to be knew that NITRO, and most specifically me, needed an AJ. He can communicate with, motivate, and is trusted by every segment of our diverse market. He has helped in the organization of and successful delivery of the last Discovery Day as well as many other "Corporate Franchise" duties asked of him while managing the Lenexa NITRO. He does an awesome job of entertaining potential Franchisees and introducing them to NITRO. AJ has a work ethic rare and appreciated by all who know him. He is, with very little direction from us, making our Corporate owned facility what Chuck and I dreamed it could be. Looking forward to growing with you AJ!

Next to him is his sweet and adorable Sarah. She actually oozes with kindness and a genuine smile that melts away the bitter cold. This is AJ, Sarah and his desert-----

Next is Jacob, he has been with us a short time but he is AJs' pick for an Asst to help grow the Johnson County market of NITROs. I know little about him, but noticed him to be extremely assertive and mature, very driven and well spoken. He is a great find and fit. Next to him is his beautiful wife, Kim. They have a three year old, and baby Grace you cannot quite see, but she is to be coming into this world any day now. They are very pregnant and that is why you see Jacob and Aj both eating for two, or three or whatever, look at those brownies.

(They aren't sharing, there are two on the table)

Next is the woman I have spent my adult life with, Marion. Marion got hold of me when I was nineteen and showed me several details of this industry. She has seen me grow up as much as I am probably going to, have two boys, find my true love, get married, start several businesses with Chuck and most importantly, she has always been there. No matter how tough, how dirty or big the task is, Marion will find a way to get it done.
She has traveled to wherever we needed her, helped me get to Grand Openings on time, Organize a phenomeonal party, create legal documents, reminds me of what I forget and been the rock that Chuck and I both have always needed and had in her.
If you look up three words in the dictionary; Honesty, loyalty, Intuition, a picture of her you will find. She can make something out of nothing for everybody, learn what I need to know then teach me, (not just outlook) while making all look like a million.
She can cook enough Chili for a hundred over a campfire and a brisket to die for. Marion has two boys( besides me) Brian and Tim. She also just found out she is going to be a blood G-ma for the first time to a boy around May 17th. Seems to be a lot of guys in her life doesn't it. The guy next to her is Joe, we like him a lot too. He says he has been in Love with Marion since he met her, decades ago, She finally agreed to marry him a few years ago.

I have several fun times to write about with Marion, but later. (Do not let me forget to tell you the one where she is on the back of my harley, in Daisy Dukes at a campsite in Watkins Mill)

The lunch was wonderful. The brownies were huge. The time spent sharing and laughing with people you care about is priceless.