Seeing what its like on the other side....

I have been self employed for over 20 years now, its had its ups and downs and the last 3 years have been lean.

As the expression goes, I loaded the gun but wasn't ready to pull the trigger, what I mean is I researched on line and sent out 4 resume’s for employment 6 months ago. 3 months later I received a phone call from one of the 4 resume I sent out, after several interviews I decided to take the position offered (I pulled the trigger).

My corner office

I had a crash coarse of 1.5 days and then dumped into the position of production manager for a 6 bodyman 4 painter shop, a little overwhelming but I was confident and pushed forward. The first week blow by quick 60+ hours later but I was enjoying the challenge and it wasn't a regretful 60+ hours but fulfilling!

The second week fly’s by and I'm in sync with the shop, the office couldn't keep up with us in the back, problems are getting solved and the guys actually liked me, but this week was 68+ hours.

I was hired as a salaried employee and I understood that when I signed on, the hours didn't bother me I was use to working hard and long days being self-employed (no I didn't play golf all day and jet to our weekend get away).

I sat down and had a discussion with the general manager, great guy, very dedicated! I explained that I was told by corporate that I would be working 40 to 45 hours and that was what my salary was based on, but I felt I needed something to encourage me to continue to work and commit too and at that time I was promised a bonus system would be discussed. The bonus was discussed but nothing was ever finalized.

I was fully committed to them, giving everything I had but felt bewildered, I don't now if this was done on purpose from corporate but that was the deciding facture for me to leave this company, my general manager was in agreement with me but he stated several times that they dropped the ball and it was hard leaving but it was something that I needed to do.

So I have since returned to my self-employment mode with a different but positive attitude and have already rolled my experience into my daily operations.

It was in my opinion a good experience and I got to see what its like on the other side.

July 11 2010 Nascar Weekend

Another year has gone by and Dad is excited cause this is his weekend! Nascar at Chicagoland has become a family event, well for Me Dad and my brother all other family members are excluded. We load up and go to the track for an extended weekend.

Dad's truck loaded

We had been using Dad's old RV until it was vandalized and destroyed and he settled up with the insurance and sold it. He has been looking for a new one but he is being picky and cheap, gotta love ya Dad! Last year he borrowed one from a friend who is a repo man, it was nice but missing a lot of stuff. This year we used my smaller Tutrtle Top Ford van, it got the job done.

Dad and I went out to the track Thursday ahead of John, he had to work and was in Michigan. His plans were to drive in on Friday and leave out Saturday night. Thursday night was great, quite relaxing and I made a typical Nascar Dinner, Ribeye steaks, Potatoes and grilled Onions. The Anderson Crew showed up late Thursday and set up camp next to us and partied till 4am Friday! Thank you airconditioning for drowning out the noise. Friday mornings breakfast consisted of....... CRACKER BARREL Dad's favorite place to eat, they know him on a first name basis not only here in Joilet but in Indiana, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, and I'm sure in a few other states as well. I had to go into work for a couple of hours and left Dad at the track Friday with the anderson crew.

How much Garbage can one party create, a lot!

The Phone Call.....

I'm getting to the point that answering the phone lately is creating a lot of stress due to the several other disturbing calls about family members we have received in these last few months. Dad got a call from his sister, he brother Roberts wife just passed and it was sudden and unexpected, another dear kind person taking to soon out of our lives! I headed back to the track so he could load up and head home to his brother in Alabama. The weekend just wasn't the same with out him being next to me watching the race, this weekend was and has always been for him. So I tolerated my brother (gotta love family) sat around a lot, sleep, watched the race and packed up camp early Sunday morning and headed home. I have this feeling that our yearly Nascar weekend has ended with this major event.

B.B.

7/6/2010 Murphy put'n TJ in her place

6/25/10 Our Visit with Dena & Garrett

We locked up shop early today to head up to Wisconson to spend some time with Dena and Baby Garrett. Jamie was also heading up to stay the night with her since Garrett Sr had to go back to work on the night shift. It was a great evening spending time with Jamie and Dena and most of all little Garrett.

Bonnie was feeling a little left out and tried soaking up some attention

June 21, 2010 Monday Garrett Jr is on his way

Dena is to be at the Hospital this morning, they are going to induce labor. Garrett Jr is on his way into our world.

8am update from Jamie:

She said Dena called the Hospital and they postponed the appointment until 12 noon.

12:37 pm update: 

Just heard from Jamie, Dena is at the hospital but they are not going to induce her until about 4pm

9pm update :

Jamie said that Dena is not Dilated enough to induce tonight so they are going to check her in the morning and possibly induce then. In the meantime Dena allowed her to take a couple of photos so here is our baby waiting to have her baby

Some other photos that Jamie snuck me:

So now its 6:30am Tuesday morning and I haven't heard from anyone yet.

8:30am update:

One more day.

Just got word from Jamie, they induced Dena this morning at about 7:30am. If she does not progress they may be sending her home.

2:30pm Jamie Sanford Via Facebook :

They are giving her some pain meds via IV. She is in allot of discomfort but still only 1cm. Lets hope things get better. I keep trying to tell her that the pain is worth it but she just wants this over. Dena is going to nap for alittle bit, so lets hope its not 48hours!

Baby Garrett came into this world at about 6pm Tuesday evening, 6lbs 2oz Healthy and hairy

Unfortunately Melissa could not make the drive up to see Mom Dad and Garrett on Wednesday morning with me but she did spend Tuesday night finishing up the blanket that she promised to complete for my Mom before she passed.

I took off early Wednesday morning and headed up to Waukasha Wis, it was storming bad all the way up to Milwaukee

And I got to hold my Grandson!