For Fin......

And to think I knew him when he was just one of us commoners. Now he's a BIG star.....at least at Central Market where we shopped today:

Don't forget your friends on your way up, Fin. :)

S

Busy week, busy Saturday, too

Thankfully K's dad has gained his strength back after his broken hip surgery. He came home from the hospital/rehab on Tuesday and today we're going to see him at his home in Foat Wuth. My task: Build him a wheelchair ramp so he can go outside instead of staying cooped up inside all the time. And it's a GREAT time to be outdoors, too. We've had temps in the 70's all week and it will continue thru the weekend.

The boss at work is on us because sales overall are slipping and he's looking to our group to make up the difference, since we're the strongest....up 20%+ last year. Of course I couldn't say anything yet, but with our second new home sale soon to be officially consummated with the @$%^&* bank, I'll be giving my notice soon to my Big Giant Corporate Employer. I'm SO ready to get back to building custom homes again. I'll honestly hate to leave my teammates as they're thrown into the grinder, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. It's just too good an opportunity not to make the jump.

Cute side note: While I was writing this my phone rang. I saw it was from my youngest daughter, so I answered to hear my grandson Parker (age 1 1/2) just jabbering. I talked (?) with him for a minute, then finally realized his mother was not coming on the line. He had grabbed the phone and somehow speed dialed a number....me. I wonder if this is a regular occurrence? She'll know soon when her phone bill arrives. :)

My project for the day is awaiting. Y'all have a wonderful day.

S

Automotive orgasm

OK, maybe my title pushes the creative license thing a bit far, but I just finished watching a show on The National Geographic Channel called Ultimate Factories. This episode highlighted the building of a Maserati Gran Cabrio like these:

I'm fortunate to be able to live in a neighborhood that attracts rich boys and their cool toys, or maybe it's gorgeous girls with beautiful curls who drive.....er.....OK, a poet I'm not, but you get the idea. These are just incredible machines. Don't you find things just out of reach to be even more desirable?

Sweet dreams for me tonight.

S

So was "W" Bush right or not?

As best I can remember, George W. Bush told us his vision was to help Iraq and Afghanistan throw off their oppressive dictators and discover freedom. They would be so happy that citizens of other Middle Eastern countries would be inspired to revolt and taste freedom for themselves, too. It sounded pretty "pie-in-the-sky" to me since I doubted many of them would even know what to do with "freedom" if they had it. I felt most would support whoever would give them a paycheck and some food.

Now here we are in 2011 and The People have overthrown corrupt leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, and they're on the march in Iran, Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Can Saudi Arabia be far behind?

So how will this play out? Will voices of moderation prevail as W hoped for, or will other equally corrupt, evil dictators (think Islamic extremists) seize power? If Bush was right, the world will be a MUCH better place. If Bush was just being delusional, we're SCREWED!

This is gonna be interesting!

S

Like watching a monkey trying to play bagpipes....

....that's what I look like trying to do yoga. K is always on my case to exercise more, as if the 5-7 miles I walk every day isn't enough. Ride a bicycle? No thanks. Having that sadistic wedge-shaped seat shoved up my a__ isn't my idea of fun. Running? Years ago I ran 3 miles a day, 4 days a week. Now I don't think my knees could take such high-impact stress. Weights? Reps bore me to tears after 5 minutes. Treadmill? HELLO....I walk 5+ miles a day!

Yoga? Hmmmm....that might just work. K does yoga every morning and she can twist herself up into shapes you wouldn't believe. (She is so limber....which could be an X-rated entry topic all by itself!) As I'm definitely not limber, this just might work.

Yesterday I tried out my Yoga for Dummies DVD that I bought on Amazon. I like it! Sure, I'm very sore today, but that will pass as I press on. But the twisting really feels good. The funny part is how I look trying to stand on one leg while I tuck my other foot up into my crotch and reach over my head. I look like a freak show attraction. Or try to stand facing north while my left foot faces south, without bending my knees. Hahaha! Fat chance!

Oh well, I'm gonna keep after it because I feel so great after a good stretch. And the instructor is kinda hot. :)

S

Whew!

It's been one of those weeks, friends...very rough. One of my coworkers fell on the ice two weeks ago and hurt his knee and was off work all this past week. We all bucked up and got his and our work done, and it really wore me down. Today I have nothing but sitting around, drinking coffee, and reading my book....and maybe walking the dog and getting a car wash....on my agenda.

On a positive note, our homebuilding business is back up and running. One of our customers officially signed his financing papers on Friday, and we're beginning construction on Monday. I'll be moonlighting after my regular job to handle my construction oversight chores on this one. (My brother/bidness partner will be there full time to see and be seen.) Our other client is in the final financing stages at this time and will hopefully sign his documents within a couple of weeks. When/if that happens (and it looks positive!) I'll be able to tell my current Big Giant Employer thanks, but I'm moving on. *happy dance!*

K has become quite the accomplished chef. Recent acquisitions have included a professional quality mixer and food processor, but now she wants a larger slow cooker for things like brisket. Yesterday I bought her one as part of her Valentine's gift. Here she is bright and early this morning opening it as she has a recipe she wants to try today while she has the time:

In the interest of my physical well being I passed on getting her a new wash board, too. *wink*

I'm burning daylight....gotta go and do....ummm....nothing. :)

S

Mo Sno

I'm probably one of the few people in Dallas NOT complaining about the new winter storm bearing down on us right now. Overnight...ice. Rush hour tomorrow...snow...3-5 inches expected. I'll just leave for work a few minutes earlier than usual tomorrow. No biggie.

More news: K was called into one of the BIG boss's office today and offered yet another responsibility. This is the second in as many months. He told her she was "very well respected" within the company. I say she's become their "go-to" girl. If they want something done pronto and done right, they call K. Of course she accepted the challenge, and on her way out of his office she said, "Of course I'll need more money."

To be continued.

Hope y'all are warm and dry tonight.

S