I feel like that cartoon, Where on Earth is Carmen San Diego?"
I will admite that since I bought this store I have been busier than I have ever known.
People always say that they're busy, but wow I really believe it now. For a while I was working 100 plus hour weeks. Sadly, my body decided to inform me of what all of my friends had been telling me...TAKE IT EASY! I ended up with a situation that resembled the makings of a stroke or of bells palsy. The entire left side of my face had collapsed and could not move. I played it off for as long as I could, but finally friends convinced me that it was more than just a freak coincidence.
I'm happy to say all is well though.
I enjoy working here, I am still finishing my MBA at The University of Phoenix, and then plan on going through the Entreprenuership Program at the U of A (Eller College). That is really exciting.
My life is changing rapidly, and it's good. I wish I had more time to say things, but I have to go. BEst to all of you. Dave
26 May 2008
18 March 2008
Back to work! Is that good?
Well, here it is the 18th of March, although this post can't be viewed by anyone until the 20th of March due to contractual agreements. I've got a job! Woo hoo! So, is that a good thing? Overall it is, I've found myself getting a little crabby with the kids lately. I know that is only because I'm with them more than I have been. Working the 50-60 hour week took me away from all of the family for a long time.
So here I am with a new job...a new career...a new life?
This is going to be very different from what I've been doing for the last half of my life. I've bought a business. I, with my wife, own Penguin's Frozen Yogurt on the corner of Campbell and Fort Lowell in Tucson Arizona.
It is amazing the feeling. I'm not as nervous as I thought I would be, and certainly not as nervous as I was when we bought our house, or the one before it. It's interesting though because this is our livlihood on the line. I certainly hope I can make it happen.
This is a much different thing from what I've been doing. Over the past month and a half people have been asking me left and right what I'm doing now. I've had to keep my lips sealed for the most part because this was one of two business transactions I was working on. The other was car audio related. It really felt like it was time for a change though, in this case a big change. Not only am I jumping from one type of career to a whole other, I am now the employer instead of the employee. Yikes!
I think it will be good though. I officially take posession of the company on Thursday @ 3PM. This post won't be up until that day though, so I guess it doesn't matter.
Well there will be 9 employees plus myself, I meet all of them on Thursday at 5pm. A few of them are going to really be in for a suprise as I have just been a regular customer for the last month or so. Now I'm in the place owning and operating it.
Why frozen yogurt & Gelato? Well after some serious investigation into a variety of companies that I was interested in purchasing it came doen to a final round of two. Penguin's and another, a car audio store. Well I'll tell you this much, the annual revenue is about the same, and honestly, how long have I been talking about walking away from car audio? Too many years. I felt like if I went the other way I was tying my own neuce. I was getting into something that I was going to hate, and never be able to get away from it. So, that's why frozen yogurt and gelato!
So, that's him, Pete the Penguin. The cartoon character of the shop. As of now he's earning more money than me.
My hopes are to make this as successful of a business as I can. I hope you'll all keep me and the family in your thoughts and prayers. If your around, come by and grab some frozen yogurt!
So here I am with a new job...a new career...a new life?
This is going to be very different from what I've been doing for the last half of my life. I've bought a business. I, with my wife, own Penguin's Frozen Yogurt on the corner of Campbell and Fort Lowell in Tucson Arizona.
It is amazing the feeling. I'm not as nervous as I thought I would be, and certainly not as nervous as I was when we bought our house, or the one before it. It's interesting though because this is our livlihood on the line. I certainly hope I can make it happen.
This is a much different thing from what I've been doing. Over the past month and a half people have been asking me left and right what I'm doing now. I've had to keep my lips sealed for the most part because this was one of two business transactions I was working on. The other was car audio related. It really felt like it was time for a change though, in this case a big change. Not only am I jumping from one type of career to a whole other, I am now the employer instead of the employee. Yikes!
I think it will be good though. I officially take posession of the company on Thursday @ 3PM. This post won't be up until that day though, so I guess it doesn't matter.
Well there will be 9 employees plus myself, I meet all of them on Thursday at 5pm. A few of them are going to really be in for a suprise as I have just been a regular customer for the last month or so. Now I'm in the place owning and operating it.
Why frozen yogurt & Gelato? Well after some serious investigation into a variety of companies that I was interested in purchasing it came doen to a final round of two. Penguin's and another, a car audio store. Well I'll tell you this much, the annual revenue is about the same, and honestly, how long have I been talking about walking away from car audio? Too many years. I felt like if I went the other way I was tying my own neuce. I was getting into something that I was going to hate, and never be able to get away from it. So, that's why frozen yogurt and gelato!
So, that's him, Pete the Penguin. The cartoon character of the shop. As of now he's earning more money than me.
My hopes are to make this as successful of a business as I can. I hope you'll all keep me and the family in your thoughts and prayers. If your around, come by and grab some frozen yogurt!
17 March 2008
Stimulus Package
Since there has been so much talk about the stimulus package I wanted to look into it and see what was really going on. Here is what I found and it helped me considerably. Some of you may already know this, and others may not care, but here it is either way.
Eager for Stimulus Rebate? Check out These Myths and Facts
RISMEDIA, March 4, 2008-(MCT)-The Internal Revenue Service has gone into myth-busting mode. Just weeks after Congress passed an economic stimulus package that includes so-called “rebate” payments for about 130 million taxpayers, rumors and misconceptions abound over who is eligible and how to get the money.
The IRS has been busy releasing notices to clarify what’s going on, with plans to send out letters this week reminding people to file 2007 tax returns in order to receive their economic stimulus payments.
Here are some other morsels you might need to chew on when it comes to your stimulus payment.
Myth: You have to report the stimulus payment you receive this year as income and pay tax on it.
Fact: The payments are not taxable and will not negatively affect the 2008 tax return you file in 2009.
Myth: Economic stimulus payments will reduce your refund when you file your taxes next year.
Fact: Not only will the payment not reduce your refund, but if you receive less than the maximum amount, you could receive an additional credit amount, up to the maximum, on your return next year. If your stimulus payment is more than the credit calculated on your return next year, you do not have to repay the difference. (The maximum amount is up to $600 for individuals or $1,200 for married couples filing jointly, plus up to $300 for each qualifying child.)
Myth: Filing taxes is so hard, you can’t possibly do them yourself, and professionals are too expensive.
Fact: People not normally required to file can use a special, simple version of Form 1040A to qualify for the payment, only needing to fill out a few lines of the form. And there are dozens of free tax preparation sites in the Tucson area for low-income and elderly taxpayers. To locate such a site, call 1-800-906-9887 or 1-800-352-3792.
Myth: Payments are automatic for everyone. You don’t need to do anything but keep checking your mail in anticipation of its arrival.
Fact: You must file a federal tax return in order to receive it. If you are one of millions of people who don’t normally file a tax return, but got at least $3,000 in Social Security, railroad retirement or certain veterans’ benefits, or if you have a small amount of earned income, you need to file a Form 1040A to receive a minimum payment of $300 for individuals or $600 for married couples.
Myth: Payments won’t be mailed until July or later, which doesn’t help when you need your money now.
Fact: Payments will begin going out starting in early May and will continue through the summer.
The IRS has yet to release the 2008 stimulus payment direct deposit and mail-out schedule. The fastest way to get your payment is to electronically file your taxes and have the money directly deposited into your bank account.
Myth: Everyone is eligible for a stimulus payment.
Fact: Lots of people aren’t going to get it. People who have less than $3,000 in qualifying income who wouldn’t otherwise file a return, “nonresident aliens,” people who don’t have a valid Social Security number, those who can be claimed as dependents on someone else’s return, and anyone who files a Form 1040NR, Form 1040PR or Form 1040SS are not eligible. Also, anyone with an income above the level at which the stimulus payment gradually reduces until it is phased out will not get a stimulus payment. Phase-out income levels begin at $75,000 for a single head of household or $150,000 for married filing jointly.
Although the purpose of the stimulus payments, or “rebates” as some people call them, is ostensibly to encourage consumers to continue spending in a weakened economy, the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies suggests people first evaluate whether they are in a “personal recession.”
http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-03-03/eager-for-stimulus-rebate-check-out-these-myths-and-facts
Eager for Stimulus Rebate? Check out These Myths and Facts
RISMEDIA, March 4, 2008-(MCT)-The Internal Revenue Service has gone into myth-busting mode. Just weeks after Congress passed an economic stimulus package that includes so-called “rebate” payments for about 130 million taxpayers, rumors and misconceptions abound over who is eligible and how to get the money.
The IRS has been busy releasing notices to clarify what’s going on, with plans to send out letters this week reminding people to file 2007 tax returns in order to receive their economic stimulus payments.
Here are some other morsels you might need to chew on when it comes to your stimulus payment.
Myth: You have to report the stimulus payment you receive this year as income and pay tax on it.
Fact: The payments are not taxable and will not negatively affect the 2008 tax return you file in 2009.
Myth: Economic stimulus payments will reduce your refund when you file your taxes next year.
Fact: Not only will the payment not reduce your refund, but if you receive less than the maximum amount, you could receive an additional credit amount, up to the maximum, on your return next year. If your stimulus payment is more than the credit calculated on your return next year, you do not have to repay the difference. (The maximum amount is up to $600 for individuals or $1,200 for married couples filing jointly, plus up to $300 for each qualifying child.)
Myth: Filing taxes is so hard, you can’t possibly do them yourself, and professionals are too expensive.
Fact: People not normally required to file can use a special, simple version of Form 1040A to qualify for the payment, only needing to fill out a few lines of the form. And there are dozens of free tax preparation sites in the Tucson area for low-income and elderly taxpayers. To locate such a site, call 1-800-906-9887 or 1-800-352-3792.
Myth: Payments are automatic for everyone. You don’t need to do anything but keep checking your mail in anticipation of its arrival.
Fact: You must file a federal tax return in order to receive it. If you are one of millions of people who don’t normally file a tax return, but got at least $3,000 in Social Security, railroad retirement or certain veterans’ benefits, or if you have a small amount of earned income, you need to file a Form 1040A to receive a minimum payment of $300 for individuals or $600 for married couples.
Myth: Payments won’t be mailed until July or later, which doesn’t help when you need your money now.
Fact: Payments will begin going out starting in early May and will continue through the summer.
The IRS has yet to release the 2008 stimulus payment direct deposit and mail-out schedule. The fastest way to get your payment is to electronically file your taxes and have the money directly deposited into your bank account.
Myth: Everyone is eligible for a stimulus payment.
Fact: Lots of people aren’t going to get it. People who have less than $3,000 in qualifying income who wouldn’t otherwise file a return, “nonresident aliens,” people who don’t have a valid Social Security number, those who can be claimed as dependents on someone else’s return, and anyone who files a Form 1040NR, Form 1040PR or Form 1040SS are not eligible. Also, anyone with an income above the level at which the stimulus payment gradually reduces until it is phased out will not get a stimulus payment. Phase-out income levels begin at $75,000 for a single head of household or $150,000 for married filing jointly.
Although the purpose of the stimulus payments, or “rebates” as some people call them, is ostensibly to encourage consumers to continue spending in a weakened economy, the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies suggests people first evaluate whether they are in a “personal recession.”
http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-03-03/eager-for-stimulus-rebate-check-out-these-myths-and-facts
15 March 2008
Oh Roosevelt Lake, How I Hate Thee!
So I have been to Arizona's glamorous (not so much) Roosevelt Lake now twice in my life.
Once when I was much younger, which turned out to be a bad experience. I got violently ill, vomitted everywhere you can imagine, then the second day my cousins banned me to sleep in the car. Why? Apparently I spread out in the tent so widely that no one else could sleep in the tent. My award winning snoring was a close second to the tent hogging. Anyway, it was a fair at best experience.
Now, today we went to Roosevelt Lake. Allow me to start off from yesterday when the fun really began (Friday). I made a simple left turn in my car and immediately heard a noise coming from the front left fender, since the car is under warranty I took it to the dealer. Knowing that we were going to Roosevelt I let the service guy know I would be back for it today (Saturday). Now in the midst of all of this I am dealing with my third sinus infection since February. Argh! So needless to say I don't feel well. Remember this is all happening Friday the day before the trip to Roosevelt.
So, I get home for the night around 10:30PM, go to bed about 11:00PM. I lay there relaxing waiting to fall asleep. Around 2AM I am beginning to think somehting is not working because I'm still wide awake. I get up for a few minutes move around and go back to bed. It is now 3:15, and I'm not getting any closer to falling asleep. This is a problem as I know I have to be up early to drive to Roosevelt. Well at 5AM I began thinking that I'd be better off just getting up and loading the car so we can leave when the rest of the family wakes up. Well right around 6AM I must have fallen asleep, Steph woke me up at 7:30. Ouch!
Well we all were awake and on the road far later than we should have been, but regardless we were on our way. Unfortunately I didn't feel well, but was feeling okay, just extremely tired.
For those of you who don't know where Tucson is in relation to Roosevelt Lake allow me to show you. Click here to see the map.
Anyway the drive is about 2.5 - 3.0 hours. About 2/3 of the way there I realize that I am so tired that if I plan to participate with the family at all I need to rest now instead of in the car once we get there. So, I pull over and trade seats with Stephanie and let her drive. Well the XUV (isn't that the dumbest thing you've ever seen XUV, Crossover Utility Vehicle) we drive is a Ford Edge, now we both REALLY like it a lot, but the one thing we now both know we would change is the headrests
notice how they angle forward? Well that is the most uncomfortable thing in the world when trying to take an in car/road trip nap.
I ended up tossing and turning in the truck and just couldn't get comfortable, now in the mean time I tend to get car sick if I'm not driving, so as you can imagine it hit me with a force. I asked Steph to pull over when she could, not the easiest thing in the world as we are driving up a mountain on a curvy, windy road. Anyway, she gets pulled over and I exit the truck quickly for a fairly obvious reason. After a minute or two of standing there I realized that there is a rest area at the bottom of a steep hill, so we drive down and go to the restroom to splash a little water on my face. Whoops! It's Arizona! There's no running water in the rest area. So I take a couple minutes to get some fresh air, and then went back to driving and believe me I wasn't in the best of shape to be driving but it was better then the other option.
Finally we are close to civilization, the plan was to stop at the first crappy hotel we could find and I was going to sleep while the family was at the lake. Well as we got closer I started to feel a little better so we pushed on and headed for the lake. Well we got there and cell phone service was back, so we called my in-laws to let them know where we were. They said we were about 20 minutes from them. So we headed to the predesignated meeting place. It took about 40 minutes to get there. So we go to the meeting place, it is closed and deserted to say the least. So, we go to the location where we were told they were going to launch the boat. Strike Two! Closed and deserted.
We no longer have cell phone service, and I'm not driving 40 minutes back to get it. We drive up and down looking for the in-laws but can't find them anywhere. In the middle of all this we see my brother in law who was about 35 minutes behind us. We connect with him and his wife and finally frind the "true" launch point. We go there but no one is there from our group. We all drive to the edge of the lake where the boats are launched. We are looking around and not seeing anyone, so I decide now is the perfect time to grab a nap. This way I won't be upset that we can't find the family and they won't be upset about me napping.
Well didn't that sound like a great plan? Yeah I think so too. Anyway it didn't work! Everyone including my brother-in-law/sister-inlaw, wife and kids kept opening and closing the doors to retrieve things from the truck. It was maddening, but I dealt with it. Finally the door opening stops, and I am just about asleep, I mean if there is a stage between asleep and awake I was moving into fully asleep. Then my brother in law opens the door on my side to tell me that they tracked down his parents. I DON'T CARE! I just want to rest for like 15 minutes. No chance of sleeping after that.
We all load up and go back to one of the deserted meeting points.
We get there and everyone unloads and we go down by the beach to sit, have lunch and relax. We get everyone down there and things are going pretty good but my body is cooking from being in the sun for so long. So I went back to the truck to rest. Next thing I know everyone is packing and prepping to leave. So, all in all we have been there almost two hours. Did I really just drive, in misery, for the last four hours to spend two hours like this? Apparently.
We begin the trip home, I am feeling considerably better so I figure it's all good. We start driving and I eventually catch up to a Chrysler PT Cruiser, this of course would be my Mother in law. I am now stuck driving whatever speed she is traveling. Why? Because if I drive the speed I want to drive I'll never hear the end of it. Fortunately they had to pull of for something so I got to zoom past them.
We stopped in Mammoth Arizona, which is a hole to say the best! Eat dinner, and head back out. My mother in law informs me that she would be more comfortable with me being the lead car since I have a radar detector. So I told her to go ahead and I would catch up them.
Well while driving to catch up to them I am passing as many people as I can in the passing lanes that this particular state highway allow. Well while zooming past some of the slower traffic we start up a fairly steep hill that has a passing lane so I floored it and the truck was taking this hill with no trouble at all.
Then the radar detector went crazy! I had just gotten hit with radar, and have no idea from where, but I slam on the brakes and downshift to get slowed down. Now the radar detector logged me at 101mph. The Department of Public Safety (Highway Patrol) Officer clocked me at 105mph, and 92mph on the deceleration. Needless to say I just looked for a safe place to stop while he took the time to catch up to me. He's coming up behind me and finally hits the lights.
Now I am pretty much freaked out big time here okay. I know that I am busted for alleged speeding. I also know that when traveling (allegedly) at this speed you are probably going to jail. He approaches the car and asks me the basics. "Do you know how fast you were going?" A piece of advice, NEVER ADMIT THIS! Which is exactly what I did, I really couldn't say, I was in the passing lane and moving past slower traffic, but not sure how fast..." Needless to say two things happened, first as always I asked if he would let me out of the ticket. NO. Secondly, I got a ticket. He was willing to drop it to 75mph in a 60mph for my alleged speeding violation.
Why do I keep saying "alleged" because I have not been to court yet and have not been found guilty of this alleged charge. :)
I traveled home considerably more slowly the rest of the way home.
Then we get home, all is well, but you'll never believe this...I couldn't fall asleep. Sometime around 5AM I dozed off though. I am quite happy to say I have finally gotten a fair amount of rest today.
Oh Roosevelt Lake, How I Hate Thee! DC
Once when I was much younger, which turned out to be a bad experience. I got violently ill, vomitted everywhere you can imagine, then the second day my cousins banned me to sleep in the car. Why? Apparently I spread out in the tent so widely that no one else could sleep in the tent. My award winning snoring was a close second to the tent hogging. Anyway, it was a fair at best experience.
Now, today we went to Roosevelt Lake. Allow me to start off from yesterday when the fun really began (Friday). I made a simple left turn in my car and immediately heard a noise coming from the front left fender, since the car is under warranty I took it to the dealer. Knowing that we were going to Roosevelt I let the service guy know I would be back for it today (Saturday). Now in the midst of all of this I am dealing with my third sinus infection since February. Argh! So needless to say I don't feel well. Remember this is all happening Friday the day before the trip to Roosevelt.
So, I get home for the night around 10:30PM, go to bed about 11:00PM. I lay there relaxing waiting to fall asleep. Around 2AM I am beginning to think somehting is not working because I'm still wide awake. I get up for a few minutes move around and go back to bed. It is now 3:15, and I'm not getting any closer to falling asleep. This is a problem as I know I have to be up early to drive to Roosevelt. Well at 5AM I began thinking that I'd be better off just getting up and loading the car so we can leave when the rest of the family wakes up. Well right around 6AM I must have fallen asleep, Steph woke me up at 7:30. Ouch!
Well we all were awake and on the road far later than we should have been, but regardless we were on our way. Unfortunately I didn't feel well, but was feeling okay, just extremely tired.
For those of you who don't know where Tucson is in relation to Roosevelt Lake allow me to show you. Click here to see the map.
Anyway the drive is about 2.5 - 3.0 hours. About 2/3 of the way there I realize that I am so tired that if I plan to participate with the family at all I need to rest now instead of in the car once we get there. So, I pull over and trade seats with Stephanie and let her drive. Well the XUV (isn't that the dumbest thing you've ever seen XUV, Crossover Utility Vehicle) we drive is a Ford Edge, now we both REALLY like it a lot, but the one thing we now both know we would change is the headrests
notice how they angle forward? Well that is the most uncomfortable thing in the world when trying to take an in car/road trip nap. I ended up tossing and turning in the truck and just couldn't get comfortable, now in the mean time I tend to get car sick if I'm not driving, so as you can imagine it hit me with a force. I asked Steph to pull over when she could, not the easiest thing in the world as we are driving up a mountain on a curvy, windy road. Anyway, she gets pulled over and I exit the truck quickly for a fairly obvious reason. After a minute or two of standing there I realized that there is a rest area at the bottom of a steep hill, so we drive down and go to the restroom to splash a little water on my face. Whoops! It's Arizona! There's no running water in the rest area. So I take a couple minutes to get some fresh air, and then went back to driving and believe me I wasn't in the best of shape to be driving but it was better then the other option.
Finally we are close to civilization, the plan was to stop at the first crappy hotel we could find and I was going to sleep while the family was at the lake. Well as we got closer I started to feel a little better so we pushed on and headed for the lake. Well we got there and cell phone service was back, so we called my in-laws to let them know where we were. They said we were about 20 minutes from them. So we headed to the predesignated meeting place. It took about 40 minutes to get there. So we go to the meeting place, it is closed and deserted to say the least. So, we go to the location where we were told they were going to launch the boat. Strike Two! Closed and deserted.
We no longer have cell phone service, and I'm not driving 40 minutes back to get it. We drive up and down looking for the in-laws but can't find them anywhere. In the middle of all this we see my brother in law who was about 35 minutes behind us. We connect with him and his wife and finally frind the "true" launch point. We go there but no one is there from our group. We all drive to the edge of the lake where the boats are launched. We are looking around and not seeing anyone, so I decide now is the perfect time to grab a nap. This way I won't be upset that we can't find the family and they won't be upset about me napping.
Well didn't that sound like a great plan? Yeah I think so too. Anyway it didn't work! Everyone including my brother-in-law/sister-inlaw, wife and kids kept opening and closing the doors to retrieve things from the truck. It was maddening, but I dealt with it. Finally the door opening stops, and I am just about asleep, I mean if there is a stage between asleep and awake I was moving into fully asleep. Then my brother in law opens the door on my side to tell me that they tracked down his parents. I DON'T CARE! I just want to rest for like 15 minutes. No chance of sleeping after that.
We all load up and go back to one of the deserted meeting points.
We get there and everyone unloads and we go down by the beach to sit, have lunch and relax. We get everyone down there and things are going pretty good but my body is cooking from being in the sun for so long. So I went back to the truck to rest. Next thing I know everyone is packing and prepping to leave. So, all in all we have been there almost two hours. Did I really just drive, in misery, for the last four hours to spend two hours like this? Apparently.
We begin the trip home, I am feeling considerably better so I figure it's all good. We start driving and I eventually catch up to a Chrysler PT Cruiser, this of course would be my Mother in law. I am now stuck driving whatever speed she is traveling. Why? Because if I drive the speed I want to drive I'll never hear the end of it. Fortunately they had to pull of for something so I got to zoom past them.
We stopped in Mammoth Arizona, which is a hole to say the best! Eat dinner, and head back out. My mother in law informs me that she would be more comfortable with me being the lead car since I have a radar detector. So I told her to go ahead and I would catch up them.
Well while driving to catch up to them I am passing as many people as I can in the passing lanes that this particular state highway allow. Well while zooming past some of the slower traffic we start up a fairly steep hill that has a passing lane so I floored it and the truck was taking this hill with no trouble at all.
Then the radar detector went crazy! I had just gotten hit with radar, and have no idea from where, but I slam on the brakes and downshift to get slowed down. Now the radar detector logged me at 101mph. The Department of Public Safety (Highway Patrol) Officer clocked me at 105mph, and 92mph on the deceleration. Needless to say I just looked for a safe place to stop while he took the time to catch up to me. He's coming up behind me and finally hits the lights.
Now I am pretty much freaked out big time here okay. I know that I am busted for alleged speeding. I also know that when traveling (allegedly) at this speed you are probably going to jail. He approaches the car and asks me the basics. "Do you know how fast you were going?" A piece of advice, NEVER ADMIT THIS! Which is exactly what I did, I really couldn't say, I was in the passing lane and moving past slower traffic, but not sure how fast..." Needless to say two things happened, first as always I asked if he would let me out of the ticket. NO. Secondly, I got a ticket. He was willing to drop it to 75mph in a 60mph for my alleged speeding violation.
Why do I keep saying "alleged" because I have not been to court yet and have not been found guilty of this alleged charge. :)
I traveled home considerably more slowly the rest of the way home.
Then we get home, all is well, but you'll never believe this...I couldn't fall asleep. Sometime around 5AM I dozed off though. I am quite happy to say I have finally gotten a fair amount of rest today.
Oh Roosevelt Lake, How I Hate Thee! DC
05 March 2008
Out of work, but not out of things to do...
It's amazing to me that I have been out of work for the past month, technically six weeks if you include the two weeks I was on vacation prior to my boss replacing me while I was away. I won't call him a scumbag though, you can make that assumption on your own. At least his son in law is the one that took my place.
It's amazing that I've been out for a month, but I have had so much to do! My Mom's old house has been a real task.
We have textured, painted, cleaned the grout joints of the tile so we can lay grout. We've installed a toilet, replaced windows, put in new cabinets, replaced walls, plumbing, tiled the shower, and have started to prepare for the rest. Which is removing the asbestos tile, finishing the rewiring of the electrical, installing ceiling fans, countertop, sinks, and landscaping. Yikes! To say the least I am hemmoraging money as we speak. What a good time for me to be doing this, huh? When the housing market is almost as bad as in the 80's.
It's okay though, once it's finished I'll have accomplished alot. I wish I could have done this for my folks while they were still alive. I imagine the two of them are on the other side, my Dad saying why couldn't we get him to do this while we were alive, and my Mom saying shut up at least he's doing it now.
I have been very blessed to have friends that have helped me with this task. Some of them I have had to pay as they are low on money and very skilled labor. Some have been kind enough to simply donate their time to assist me. One in paticular has done more than I could ever ask for to help me. He knows who he is, and if I said his name he'd only be embarrassed by it. He's a good man.
Well, tomorrow is another day of paying to work, but I really don't mind. It has been fun watching this house transform from a old, out of date home, to a modern and up to date home.
I can't say I know what I am going to do with the place. Probably put up a for sale sign as well as a for rent sign, and whoever gets it first is the winner. Of course of I rent it, I'll probably leave it up for sale as I think it's time for me to walk away.
It's funny, I have grieved my Mom's death so much, I went to the cemetary on Sunday to look at the headstone. It had just been installed. It was beautiful it matches the one that the Army provided for my Dad. It almost seemed as if the headstone helped me to realize that chapter of my life is getting further and further away. I still shed tears, but not like I have in the past. I suppose time will tell me if that is truly the case.
It's amazing that I've been out for a month, but I have had so much to do! My Mom's old house has been a real task.
We have textured, painted, cleaned the grout joints of the tile so we can lay grout. We've installed a toilet, replaced windows, put in new cabinets, replaced walls, plumbing, tiled the shower, and have started to prepare for the rest. Which is removing the asbestos tile, finishing the rewiring of the electrical, installing ceiling fans, countertop, sinks, and landscaping. Yikes! To say the least I am hemmoraging money as we speak. What a good time for me to be doing this, huh? When the housing market is almost as bad as in the 80's.
It's okay though, once it's finished I'll have accomplished alot. I wish I could have done this for my folks while they were still alive. I imagine the two of them are on the other side, my Dad saying why couldn't we get him to do this while we were alive, and my Mom saying shut up at least he's doing it now.
I have been very blessed to have friends that have helped me with this task. Some of them I have had to pay as they are low on money and very skilled labor. Some have been kind enough to simply donate their time to assist me. One in paticular has done more than I could ever ask for to help me. He knows who he is, and if I said his name he'd only be embarrassed by it. He's a good man.
Well, tomorrow is another day of paying to work, but I really don't mind. It has been fun watching this house transform from a old, out of date home, to a modern and up to date home.
I can't say I know what I am going to do with the place. Probably put up a for sale sign as well as a for rent sign, and whoever gets it first is the winner. Of course of I rent it, I'll probably leave it up for sale as I think it's time for me to walk away.
It's funny, I have grieved my Mom's death so much, I went to the cemetary on Sunday to look at the headstone. It had just been installed. It was beautiful it matches the one that the Army provided for my Dad. It almost seemed as if the headstone helped me to realize that chapter of my life is getting further and further away. I still shed tears, but not like I have in the past. I suppose time will tell me if that is truly the case.
01 March 2008
I love these things. I know most people hate em' though.
|
You Will Die at Age 79 |
 You're pretty average when it comes to how you live... And how you'll die as well. |
| You Are 90% Boyish and 10% Girlish |
 You're no nonsense, logical, and very assertive. Sometimes you can't understand women at all, even if you're a woman yourself. You see things rationally, and don't like to let your emotions get the best of you. |
http://www.blogthings.com/howboyishorgirlishareyouquiz/">How Boyish or Girlish Are You?
| Your Star Wars Name And Title |
 Your Star Wars Title: Nesstr of Einahpets |
http://www.blogthings.com/starwarsnameandtitlegenerator/">What Is Your Star Wars Name and Title?
Back in the saddle again!
Well there are probably very few people who will read this blog, but I plan to my best to stick to it. Work hard at showing everyone what's happening here with me and the family.
I'll try to catch you all up, we just returned from Chicago (January). I know what you're thinking Chiacago in January! Well we did it so the kids could play and have a good time in the snow. Boy did they ever!
The coldest it got was -24 degrees with the wind chill factor. Yikes! The only time the cold was brutal was when the wind was blowing...hmmm Windy City, only cold when the wind was blowing, yeah it was pretty much cold all of the time. It was great seeing all of my family though.
Upon return Steph and I had to buy a new vehicle because her van was stolen from the Church parking lot during Sunday services. That's bad, but what makes it worse is the fact that I've spent the past 16 years working in the car audio and security industry. Ouch! No alarm! Lesson learned for sure.
Well I went to see a friend and we bought a new Ford Edge. Everyone loves it. So lets see that was on Friday that we bought the Edge. I was supposed to have a meeting with two of the three owners of the company I was working for, but instead I got a call from my boss - the third owner telling me that the meeting was cancelled. No big deal...I let him know that I'd be back to work on Monday as scheduled.
Monday comes and I go into work bright and early. It was weird though, as I drove to work I called Steph and told her that if she saw me at home in a few hours she would know that I quit my job.
Well, my boss was there as always. He and I checked in all of the morning customers barely saying a word to one another (as usual, and to my preference), well at about 9AM when the sales staff started to arrive he asked me to the woodshed (my nickname for his office) so I went upstairs to meet with him.
While upstairs he asked me a few basic questions about various customers and I gave him the answers to the best of my ability.
Then he laid it on me, "it's time for us to part ways."
I said "okay, when would you like that to take place?"
"Immediately, right now."
I truly think that he was stunned that I took it so well. Lets face it though I have hated working with this man for the past four years. I think he's an alright person, but a terrible employer. He's the kind of guy that steps over dollars to pick up quarters. Not a big deal. He was lucky enough to have his son in law there to immediately fill my position, and for his son in laws best friend to fill the assistant manager position. What a relief, lol!
So for the past few weeks I have been applying for various jobs as well as looking at the possibility of buying my own business. Who knows I may go out on a limb and do what I never thought I would, own my own business. Not necessarily car audio, but possibly.
I'm working with a broker right now to see what's out there as well as interviewing for various positions. I plan to travel a bit and see if there is work elsewhere. It'll be a hardship for me to move the family, but we can get through it. The biggest problem is going to be selling both houses. If it's right it'll happen.
Let's see now. So at about the three week mark of me being out of work I was laying on the couch taking a nap because I was trying to resolve a migraine. Next thing I know Steph wakes me up, and says "David, I'm pregnant." Hmm. Alrighty then. Of course I'm excited and honestly I had a very strong feeling that we should have another child. Of course this thought was in September of last year when I had a job!
I'm not too worried about it though. Heavenly Father clearly has a sense of humor, but also knows what is right and so I'll trust him and try to stay faithful to whatever he brings me.
Well, it's coming up on 3AM and I think that means it's time for me to go to bed.
I hope to hear from some of you, and once I get pictures up and running I'll post some of the kids and other things we've had happening. DC
I'll try to catch you all up, we just returned from Chicago (January). I know what you're thinking Chiacago in January! Well we did it so the kids could play and have a good time in the snow. Boy did they ever!
The coldest it got was -24 degrees with the wind chill factor. Yikes! The only time the cold was brutal was when the wind was blowing...hmmm Windy City, only cold when the wind was blowing, yeah it was pretty much cold all of the time. It was great seeing all of my family though.
Upon return Steph and I had to buy a new vehicle because her van was stolen from the Church parking lot during Sunday services. That's bad, but what makes it worse is the fact that I've spent the past 16 years working in the car audio and security industry. Ouch! No alarm! Lesson learned for sure.
Well I went to see a friend and we bought a new Ford Edge. Everyone loves it. So lets see that was on Friday that we bought the Edge. I was supposed to have a meeting with two of the three owners of the company I was working for, but instead I got a call from my boss - the third owner telling me that the meeting was cancelled. No big deal...I let him know that I'd be back to work on Monday as scheduled.
Monday comes and I go into work bright and early. It was weird though, as I drove to work I called Steph and told her that if she saw me at home in a few hours she would know that I quit my job.
Well, my boss was there as always. He and I checked in all of the morning customers barely saying a word to one another (as usual, and to my preference), well at about 9AM when the sales staff started to arrive he asked me to the woodshed (my nickname for his office) so I went upstairs to meet with him.
While upstairs he asked me a few basic questions about various customers and I gave him the answers to the best of my ability.
Then he laid it on me, "it's time for us to part ways."
I said "okay, when would you like that to take place?"
"Immediately, right now."
I truly think that he was stunned that I took it so well. Lets face it though I have hated working with this man for the past four years. I think he's an alright person, but a terrible employer. He's the kind of guy that steps over dollars to pick up quarters. Not a big deal. He was lucky enough to have his son in law there to immediately fill my position, and for his son in laws best friend to fill the assistant manager position. What a relief, lol!
So for the past few weeks I have been applying for various jobs as well as looking at the possibility of buying my own business. Who knows I may go out on a limb and do what I never thought I would, own my own business. Not necessarily car audio, but possibly.
I'm working with a broker right now to see what's out there as well as interviewing for various positions. I plan to travel a bit and see if there is work elsewhere. It'll be a hardship for me to move the family, but we can get through it. The biggest problem is going to be selling both houses. If it's right it'll happen.
Let's see now. So at about the three week mark of me being out of work I was laying on the couch taking a nap because I was trying to resolve a migraine. Next thing I know Steph wakes me up, and says "David, I'm pregnant." Hmm. Alrighty then. Of course I'm excited and honestly I had a very strong feeling that we should have another child. Of course this thought was in September of last year when I had a job!
I'm not too worried about it though. Heavenly Father clearly has a sense of humor, but also knows what is right and so I'll trust him and try to stay faithful to whatever he brings me.
Well, it's coming up on 3AM and I think that means it's time for me to go to bed.
I hope to hear from some of you, and once I get pictures up and running I'll post some of the kids and other things we've had happening. DC
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