Dare I ask...?

OK, so I'm finally back up and running after nearly 3 weeks off. I lost a hard drive that contained almost all of my critical files, so I had to go back and redo everything! Fortunately, I have backups of my really "critical" files on the server, so disaster was somewhat averted.

In my last post (which I removed), I went on a slightly drunken tirade about the developments with the person formerly known as my son. He has, indeed, chosen to move back to the trailer park in Greenbrier, where discipline, rules and expectations are all but non-existent. The fact that someone would choose their few friends over their entire family will never make sense to me, nor will the fact that I've been lied to for the past 3 years. But, the true sign of a man is the ability to move on, regardless of the situation. I am now moving on without him, and my life will eventually return to normal.

I don't have much to say about work, as that doesn't exist, either. It seems as though I'm destined to be a house husband, where I do the cooking, the cleaning, and the errands, while my spouse goes to work each day. Some people would die for that kind of living--not so much with me. I prefer to be at work, toiling away at a job that I enjoy, building relationships and earning a living. Being at home, I still earn a living somewhat through the business, but it's not as steady as a salary would be, and the benefits aren't as lucrative. I make enough to pay the bills and still have some 'funny money' on the side, but I like knowing how much I'll be contributing to the budget so we can plan out things like college for my daughter and repairs on the house. I did have a very promising interview this past week, and although I've had many interviews over the past few months, this is one of those jobs that you really want. It's an international company with a big shiny building and lots of potential for growth. Their decision has been made, but it could take a few days for the candidates to be notified. I'm still hopeful, as this is a long weekend...but it's time for me to get a break for once.

Lastly, it appears as though we'll be staying put here in Little Rock, at least until my daughter graduates high school, at which point we'll be moving far, far away to a land where seasons are obvious and so is intelligence. We'll fix this place up and keep it up while it continues to appreciate in value, and perhaps by the time we get ready to move, we'll be able to make a couple of bucks in the sale. It's a nice thought, but who knows what tomorrow brings.

I keep hearing that everything happens for a reason, and sadly enough, the events of the past few months show that perhaps that isn't too far from the truth. Some really horrific things have happened during that time, and hopefully the hand that fate has dealt me won't be a bust. I guess time will tell.

Until next time...

Let's try this ONE MORE time

Well, with the realization that our current home will not sell in a timely fashion, we have put it up on the rental market with a property manager and moved on with the hunt for a home in Greenbrier. Our search took us through a dozen or so homes, some of which were "close"; others of which wouldn't even qualify as livable. We did come across one that we found to be very suitable, and quite an attractive house. It is in a very low traffic area where development will not overrun the area anytime soon. I have a couple of pictures of the house, but they're the realtor's pictures, so don't blame me if they look like CRAP!

This is a picture from the front. I don't know why they chose to fuzz the edges, but the photo is still pretty much effective. The house sits on a pretty good sized lot (about an acre), so we don't have the subdivision squeeze syndrome going on. My next closest neighbors are a good 100 yards away, and you can't even see their house through all the trees.






This is a picture of the back of the house. Notice the oversized dormer at the top. The view out that window is absolutely incredible. The house is on top of a hill, and from that window, you can see all the way across town and out into the mountains to the north of town. This room is the office/guest room/TV room. There will be a 42" LCD flat screen TV on the wall closest to the chimney with assorted furniture (and my computer) in the room. There's also a full bathroom upstairs, which makes it even nicer.

And just for my own indulgence and because I am excited about our purchase, I'm even going to put the real estate description in here! Check this out:

4 total bedroom(s)		Central air conditioning
3 total bath(s)		Interior features: Dishwasher, Fireplace(s), Range and oven, Tile flrs, Wood flrs
Approximately 1 acre(s)		Exterior features: Deck, Fenced, Public water supply, Septic sewer system, Storage/out-building(s), Trees
Approximately 2000 sq. ft.		2 car garage

So, with that said, I'll keep my fingers crossed that this house gets leased and we get the HELL out of here! Until next time...

Back on the road again!

I just got home from picking the Protege up at the body shop. She now has a new front end and fresh paint after a little run-in with a 16 year old teenage girl a couple of weeks ago. It was just enough to crinkle the hood and a fender, while it also shattered the headlight and cracked the bumper (damn plastic shit). But, after a week with my buddies at A&J Collision Repair, it's back and better than new. We sat down and did the math, and this is the 17th car that Allen and Jody have put paint on for members of my family. Most of them were my brother and my dad getting their cars and trucks repainted, but 3 of them were mine, and one was the Escort-property of the ex many years ago. But enough about that.

The kids are with their mom for the month of June, and Leslie and I are house hunting once again. Given the time frame, the budget, and the increasing interest rate, we have decided to purchase a home that's already built and save the dream house for our final resting place, either Indiana or Wyoming--fate will tell. We have our eye on a couple of places, both of which have a large lot, 4 bedrooms, a fireplace and a POOL! I've never had a pool, but I hear they're a lot of work. Oh, well...something to do to keep the ungodly hot summers at bay.

So with that said, I'll get back to my life. Keep checking back, as I will hopefully be updating more often. Until next time...

Moving Day 2006, part II

Have I told you how much I absolutely HATE moving? Is there anyone who actually enjoys it? Memorial Day weekend 2006 is also Moving Day weekend 2006; however, this is part II. What?

You see, for those who have been following along, part I came back in early January when I moved from Little Rock to Greenbrier in order to comply with the 'temporary' child custody order. The apartment has been home for 5 months, but now that school is out, it's time to move BACK to Little Rock...only to move (part III) again later this summer--back to Greenbrier! What?

It's a long, convoluted story that, if you haven't been keeping up thus far, would take far too long to tell in this forum. Needless to say, I must really love these kids to put myself and my shit through three moves in one year. Fortunately, that is the case! And what's even better is, their academic performance has really risen to the occasion. The 4th nine weeks, the grades were finally above 'C' level. I know it seems like a small accomplishment, but when you're given six months to undo six years worth of miseducation, this is a phenomenal improvement. Next year, stability will be increased with the fourth member of our family present--finally--and I expect nothing but great things.

I would say more, but it's late and we all have to get up early to try to beat this ungodly Arkansas heat. The high tomorrow is predicted to be 95º, and I couldn't be less enthusiastic. So, have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. Maybe I'll get done in time to grill a Johnsonville Brat! Until next time...

Time to move on....

So it's official...I begin employment with a new firm starting May 22. After being with "that other company" for just over a year and being tossed out like last week's garbage, I have obtained employment with a company called Interface Health Information Systems, doing something similar to what I did previously, but with a few exceptions. The pay is MUCH more, the stress is MUCH less, and the potential is MUCH higher. Did I also mention that I have a window office on the 32nd floor of the tallest building in Little Rock?

Don't get me wrong--I still miss my job at Clear Channel every day of my life; however, I can't live my life wishing for something that is no longer there. This place will give me the ability to thrive in an atmosphere surrounded by racks of servers and offices filled with crisp medical uniforms. Oh, and did I forget to mention the pay? It's a 33% raise over "that other company", and it's actually a salary! I no longer have to fight and claw to make my pay. I simply show up and do the best work I can do in an air-conditioned office with a panoramic view of most of Pulaski county. I also receive the respect that is due while offering up the same to the people I work with. The best part is, I can continue working with my own now-incorporated company, Crash Course Computing, Inc.

With every door that closes, another one opens up. I'm just glad that this one closed. Me? Bitter? No...not at all. I'll miss the free Diet Dr. Pepper and Mike and Ike's, but I think for the amount of money that I'll be making, I can probably buy my own! I'll post a follow-up once I have settled in, which I'm sure you'll ALL be awaiting in trembling anticipation!

Until next time....