Mood:  energetic

Ventured to North Carolina to help my Mom with her fixer upper.  A tall task since it has not been lived in since the 1970's.  The goal is to fix the house and barn and it will be a place for her in the winter and in the summer a guest house for vacationers.  

I knew it was going to be a hard week when we entered the drive way and there was a tree that had fallen across it.  She had mentioned it was there, but I was thinking "it's in the South, it's probably a pine tree - no trouble - the Johnsered will cut thru it like butter."  No such luck, it was an oak tree.  It was all that my 16" chain saw could do to saw it up into pieces small enough to manhandle out of the way.

The first night was very rough.  Some of the windows were broken out and the mosquito's were out in force. I think the citronella candles were a scent that beckoned the mosquito's rather than repell them. The first order of business the next day was to get some window screen and tack it across the windows to at least slow them down.

Oh and the Ace hardware where we got the window screen was unique - they also stocked wine.  So we joked that you could go there and get a box of nails and a bottle of Chardonnay. It's a small town the hardware store also had a packaging/shipping operation on the side - so the owner was hustling and doing what it takes to keep customers coming in the door. 

The house itself is an old tenant house and they used to farm tobacco on the place.  There are still tobacco lathes in the barn. Now it is overgrown and suffering from neglect.  I was surprised that the tree's were mostly oak and maple with a sprinkling of pines.  The plan is to have the place logged and plow that money back into the house.  Hopefully the hardwood will bring a better price. 

Our job was to take off the rusty tin roof and replace it with a modern metal roof.  The South side went plenty easy, but the North side was more work. Some of the wood was rotted and had to be replaced.  And poor Dan took a tumble when he fell thru the joists to the first floor. One of them had a rounded top instead of being cut square and his foot slid right off.  A scary moment - I heard the crash and I was on the roof and he was working in the attic.  I bent down and peered inside and didn't see him.  So went down to the attic and looked down at the new hole in the ceiling.  I could see his legs - but they weren't moving.

 So I gave a call and he answered, so that was a relief - at least he wasn't knocked out.  I came down and asked him where it hurt.  Found out that the worst of it was his ribs under his arm - a big bruise about the size of a softball.  A few other cuts and bruises, but that was the worst.  I offered ice, tylenol, but he moved around a little - sat down and took a break and within 30 minutes he was back up top, working thru the injury.

 Anyway we were able to get the roof mostly done.  There were a couple of end pieces that they did not give to us - and the local Lowes did not have that color in stock.  They just cover the ends - so the main roof is good for now.  Oh, and we got a gate up to keep out the curious.

Now we did have a neighbor stop by to see what was up. Turns out that he trains Bear Dogs for hunting.  Not only that, but he claims to have killed 3 bears on her property!  I was warned that there were bears in the area, so I did bring a hunting rifle.  And Grandma Susan did see a live bear about 10 miles away from the place while driving back to her motel. But my understanding is that they generally avoid humans and if you are in the woods to make a lot of noise and even if you are by yourself the guy said to talk - they recognize the human voice and will keep their distance.  The problem is when you surprise them.   If I am in the woods by myself I will bring a whistle and blow it every 50 feet just to be on the safe side ;-)

We did see some interesting wildlife - a box turtle at least twice or maybe three times as big as any box turtle that I have seen in Ohio.  A big lizard called a skink I believe their bodies were like 6 inches long or so. Max caught one and gave it a good shaking.  It either didn't taste good, the tail broke off, or maybe it nipped him but he ended up dropping it.  Oh and we saw 3 blue tailed lizards and a white frog - it was actually on the roof of the house of all places.   

The week was not all work.  We were about an hour and half from Nag's Head.  So we went there to check out the beach.  Very nice beaches but the area where we were at was abit bit touristy - we even passed a ferris wheel!  Young  Annabelle made friends with some girls and passed a ball with them and played in the sand.  

We had a little excitement when Dan spotted a crab making it's way up the beach and went to catch it.  The crab scampered for the nearest cover - under Becky's chair.  She let out a yell and begged Dan to get it away while she lifted her feet.  Then she did a 180 and grabbed Annabelle's bucket and caught the crab in it.  We all got a look at the captive and then turned him loose in the dunes.  But he started going back down the beach - my guess is that at the end of day when folks are leaving the sand crabs come up to scavenge what they can before the sea gulls get their fill. 

We ate at a place called "Dirty Dick's Crab Shack."  Their slogan was "Tell them you got your crabs from Dirty Dick's"  Meal was pretty good and they had a nice craft beer selection.  So it was a nice way to cap off the last day of vacation.

Folks in the town were very friendly, so that was a positive.  A couple of people knew the old house back in the woods and were happy that someone was getting it fixed back up again.  It was a tiring week at Grannies work camp - but productive.  We got the roof on and when I stepped on the scale at home - I lost 5 pounds.  When I go back in August, maybe I will lose the other 5 pounds that I put on this winter.  Oh and a special shout out to our Boston Terrier - Max who chased the lizards and kept the bears at bay.

Posted by christ77 at 12:29 PM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 9:40 PM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Still doing the job search thing.  Seems like not a day goes by you don't see more layoffs from one company or another.   At LexisNexis they first reduced the wage increase from 3% to 2% for 2009.  Then they made a recent announcement that due to the economy that there would be no raises at all.  They are still doing layoffs, a few more of my friends got let go. Under normal circumstances they would find new work in a hurry.  But now it may take awhile. So the outlook is still bleak.

 I may be eligible for job training due to my job being outsourced.  Becky is against me going for a masters degree.  So I guess that is out.  I may just take a few classes and enhance my technical skills. 

I am getting some stuff done around the house now that the weather has warmed a bit.  I am trying to make maple syrup.  The first batch is getting close to being done.  It just needs to boil down a bit more.  It tastes like sugar water right now.  I didn't realize how long it took to make.  No wonder it is so expensive in stores. 

 On the plus side Joe celebrated his 17th birthday yesterday. He had a few friends over and we did cake and ice cream.  Hard to imagine that our 'baby' will be 18 in a year and on track to graduate.  He really seems to like auto body at CTC and is glad that he decided on that as a career.   Interesting how both boys like cars.  I am a barnyard mechanic at best, so I am not sure where the genes come from for that.

Posted by christ77 at 6:25 AM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  chillin'

Well 2008 is over.  What a year. Worst market crash since 1931. Politicians don't know what they are doing.   I start the new year unemployed but unbowed.  Have actually been thinking of starting a business with Eric - Distributing beverages to Convience stores.  Rob knows the industry from working with Ice Tea for so long, Eric knows how a wholesaler operates from working with Home City Ice for 10 years, and I can provide the capital and be the bean counter.  So that is something we are looking at this winter. I used to do Taylor Beef Jerky years ago to make extra money. So I have some experience with how it all works. 

 Christmas was great. The little ones had a good time - I helped them with their Christmas stockings and little Elaina kept coming back for more - reaching in the stocking for new surprise each time.  Cash was intrigued by a little truck he got - like father, like son.  The kids got me a little remote control helicopter. It was fun to be young again if only for a day.

Moved back into our home. I hope it is for the last time. The Apartment in Columbus was nice. Just me and Becky.  Low maintenance, low expense.  It was cozy and it gave us a chance to get a feel for what it will be like when the kids are all moved out. But I was focused so much on the job that I didn't work out as much. I know that I put on weight. Being back on the farm should make me more active and help to get the pounds back off. 

Posted by christ77 at 8:16 PM EST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  down

Just when things seems to be peachy, a curve ball gets thrown at you. About a week and a half ago, Becky's brother Tom threw a wedding for his daughter Jennifer.  A good time, things went well.  But on Monday he an episode  of some sort.  At first they thought it was a stroke.  But now they are not so sure. Could possibly be a tumor.  He was able to dial 911.  When he first got there he could not use his right arm at all.

He is able to stand so that is a positive. He is going to Indianapolis for some more extensive tests.  As one can imagine, we are all concerned for him and hope for the best. Just goes to show how life can change in an instant.

Posted by christ77 at 8:30 PM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  irritated

Well three members of the family are job hunting.  Incredulously it may be Joe that lands a job first.  McDonalds in New Lebanon has an interest in him.  He has a work permit and physical and will go back in and talk the manager a second time.  Not bad for a rookie.  But then Joe has always been a smooth talker.

 Chelsea may have a cherry job as a librarian lined up.  Part time, second shift, almost like they designed it for a college student.  Pays OK too.  She has experience from working the library at Sinclair College, when she spoke with them they were definitely interested and she is the only experienced person that applied so far. 

 With my job search I have to sit back and think to an episode of the Simpson's.  There is a scene is which Homer says, 'I know that there is god because he is mocking me.'  And boy, that is the way I feel right now.  Have had two seemingly home runs that curved foul at the last instant. One was for a developer/application administrator position in a small 9 person IT department.  But the guys calls back after the interview with good news/bad news.  I was the leading candidate, but the managment changed in the last 30 days since the positon posted. With the economy, they aren't doing anything until maybe this winter. I told the guy thanks, but I hoped to have another job by then.  So that was a whiff. 

 The second position was as a software engineer with a subsidiary of LexisNexis in Boca Raton. With the hurricane zigzagging across the state, it was difficult to get back with the manager. They closed early one day, opened 2 hours late another. We finally got in contact.  No hiring now because of the recent merger with the other risk company - choicepoint I think is the name.  They have to wait and evaluate what positions are still needed, etc.  Again I was the leading candidate, so another long ball curves foul.  

Have had some other interviews.  By now I should feel like an expert.  But I am getting weary of the process.  I identify with the olympic athletes.  Their careers are a life's work and in a few seconds or a few minutes - a life's work is decided in an instant.  Gold, Silver, or someone left lying in the dust.  All the work leading up to that moment is not accountable, it is how you perform at that instant.  Mess up an interview, stumble over a few words, give a wrong answer and 18 years of experience amounts to nothing.  

Posted by christ77 at 9:29 PM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Joe starts school today. Yesterday he was moaning was a lousy summer he had. We were scratching our heads - he spent 90% of his time playing World of Warcraft online, only baled hay like 4 times, and when he wasn't on the computer he was sleeping.  If only we all could be so lucky.

 He is getting serious about getting a job. He is putting in applications left and right. 

 Becky entered Elaina in a baby contest at Derby Days in Lewisburg.  First and second place went to babies that were around 3-4 months of age - hard to compete with that.  Still I think that grandma had fun getting her all dressed up so it was worth the effort. 

Things are starting to percolate on the job front.  I got a feeling that I should have something by the end of the month.  Was contacted by a large company in Redmond, Washington.  Plus some firms that do contracting have been in contact.  Two sound very interested.  Nothing in Dayton though - one is in Columbus, one in Cincinnati.  So whatever I get, it probably won't be local. 

Posted by christ77 at 7:50 AM EDT

Updated: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 7:53 AM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Had a nice little party for Ethel and Dale's granddaughter, Raven, over the weekend.  She is 4 years old and is scheduled for major heart surgery soon.  So Becky threw a little party for them. 

 Raven and Elaina really hit it off, they had fun playing together.  We went for a ride in a wagpm towed by the garden tractor and let them eat gooseberries, apples, and visit the chickens.  Raven got to feed the cows.  We picked some apples off the apple tree and Raven let them eat them out of her hand. Cash made it out a bit later, but he is so much younger than the older two, that he really couldn't play with them.  Oh, and Raven found out how an electric fence worked.  I was right next to her saying don't touch it, don't touch it, and she grabbed it with both hands.  Ouch!

 Vanessa and Eric have a new ride.  I believe that it is called an HHR. It is made by Chevrolet, so grandma Garrett will be happy - it will help GM stay afloat and protect her pension!   Anyway it is a nice looking vehicle, somewhere between a sedan and a station wagon. Plenty of room for a growing family and storage space in the back. Plus it is a 4 cylinder, so it is good on gas.  It is brand new and has all of the latest features. 

Chelsea says she is burned out on summer camp.  Loves working with the kids, is a bit fed up with working with some of the adults there at the girl scout camp.  This is her last week, then they cleanup and shut down the camp.   

Posted by christ77 at 8:01 AM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 6:49 PM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  celebratory

The dance at Datamatics was fun. The music had an Indian flair. They did some traditional dances – one of which involved bamboo sticks. Each dancer had two bamboo sticks about 2 feet long, painted red on the ends. They kept rhythm with the drums by alternately tapping them together and then tapping them against the bamboo sticks that their partner had.  Regina got onto the dance floor and danced a few dances – Hameed and I stayed on the sidelines. Saturday we departed for our visit to the Taj Mahal.

Delhi is the capital of India, and you can tell by the quality of the roads. They were much better than Mumbai’s. Also much more military around. I saw some motorcades where there were soldiers with submachine guns in the cars guarding the vip’s car.  The presidents house and the parliament were impressive. There is much red sandstone in the area and all the big buildings were made of it.

We also saw a huge hindu temple there as well. The main temple was white marble while the surrounding structures were the red sandstone. Unfortunately we not allowed to take camera’s with us.  But the intricate carvings in the structure were impressive. Lotus flowers, deities, wheels, etc. all done with detail. I gathered that it was hundreds of years in the making, and they were still doing new additions. There were statutes of some of the deities and also of renowned holy men. Some of the work was done being done with traditional chisels - but I did see some modern grinders at work as well. Almost forgot to mention that Regina wore shorts – but they were not long enough and so she had to wear a skirt that they gave her.

We ate dinner at a plaza, it was very good. After eating we went outside and there was a snake charmer. Regina posed with him and he actually had her hold a (non-venomous) snake. Meanwhile he did his deal with the flute and we got a few pics. I declined, stating that I had been bitten by enough dogs and didn’t want to take a chance with a snake. They really seemed to hiss angrily when he put pushed them back in the basket with the lid.

Today we journeyed to Agra which is the closest city to the Taj Mahal. Saw several camels on the way, which was surprising since it was not a desert area. They are strong animals pulling large carts. The trip itself was quite the trek. Imagine being on old route 40 – only it is a 4 lane road, and there are no fences keeping other traffic(and livestock) off the road. And there is a variety of traffic – carts, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, cows, etc.  It is definitely not a road where you can set your cruise control, lay back, and listen to some tunes. Our driver expertly weaved thru the traffic. Oh, and get this – sometimes folks are coming head on at you. There is a median in the middle and sometimes if folks have to go short distance, they will just go North in the South bound lane.  And not always in the slow lane. I remember once when we were headed straight on towards a tractor in the fast lane!

And to add to difficulty we encountered 35,000 protesters heading to Delhi. There are not enough jobs in their province and so they are blocking the Northbound lanes as they march to the capital. So now we are all on the same side. And at times it was like being in a chase scene from the Bourne Identity where they avoid the bad guys by going the wrong way down the road. We would pass a slow moving tractor and meanwhile coming head on was some one doing the same in their lane. So both vehicles have to whip back to avoid becoming road kill. Oh, and it gets dark early this time of year – so now do all the above at night…   and about 1out of 4 vehicles has no tail lights…

The India drivers are naturals for NASCAR – whip like reflexes, the ability to maneuver inches away from other vehicles and nerves of steel. The nerves of steel part probably goes for the passengers too. We did see one unusual wreck on they way back an older jeep/SUV type vechicle was spun complete around and the front was crumpled. There was an eerie bright blue fog floating across the road from the contents of the vehicle. I held my breath as we drove on thru it.

But the Taj Mahal was worth the journey. They do limit gas powered vehicles from going to it, because of pollution damaging the marble -so we took an electric vehicle. We could have taken a cart and camel if we wanted. The first view was something, from a distance the people standing next to it look almost like ants. It is definitely glorious. Inside we found even more details, there was colored stone embedded in the white marble to make the Arabic writing, the flowers, the decorations. I could not imagine the amount of time and patience it took to create each piece. I can see why it was chosen as one of the wonders of the world.

There is a redstone archway to the front, a mosque to the left and a similar building to the right. Behind it is a river. You can see the ancient fort from where the Mogul king ruled while the Taj Mahal was built up stream. The guide was very knowledgeable and knew his stuff. He did have us stop at a shop where they demonstrated the old craftsmanship. Using a string to turn a rod attached to a grindstone to smooth the edges of the jasper and stones. A steel tool for carving the design on the marble. And of course over priced souvenirs. Which we passed on, I think the guide gets a kick back for stopping there.

Tonight we are back in Mumbai. No thanks to me. I usually have my shaving kit in my checked in luggage. For this flight I brought one bag and when we got ready to leave Delhi, they wanted to inspect my bag for a knife. I thought that I had left my scissors in my bag. But when we opened it, there was an old rusty pocket knife from when I was a scout leader in my shaving kit. I had forgotten all about it and the Mumbai folks had missed it completely. Fortunately they just confiscated it and sent me about my way. I briefly had visions about being held in a Delhi jail.

Tonight is the end of the festival for a victory that Rama had over evil. We passed up a float with Rama and truck with load speakers, playing music. And they have been setting off fire works and playing drums. It seems to have settled down somewhat, I hope that every one else has to go into work Monday too and so don’t spend the night carousing.

Posted by christ77 at 3:39 AM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Heather and several of her children visited. Michael, Megan, and Callie. Joe hung around with Michael and Callie hung around the Chelsea it figures that these two problem children would stay together. At one point they were out until 4am in the morning! Felt sorry for Megan, she is 13 and didn't have anyone her age.  Oh, Katie is doing international studies in Fiji and she will be there until this winter sometime. Tim had some accounting work to do and was unable to come along.

Michael is certainly getting tall and muscular. He is doing cross country, basketball, and Lacrosse. I saw him shooting around and he certainly seems athletic. Megan was very quiet and I didn' t get very much from her. Callie is excited about college. Undecided about a major at this time. But I see her as a people person, she will do something where she interacts with others.  It was nice to see Heather however briefly.  

Joe hurt his ankle playing football. Had it X-rayed just to be sure, but it is just a bad sprain. We are hoping that he recovers enough that he can practice with the team soon. School seems to be going better for him so far this year.  I did lay down the law. No computer and no deer hunting if his grades are as dismal as last year. So far it seems to be working.

 Chelsea is enrolled and ready to go at Sinclair. Except that her car died on Thursday. Oh, how that child vexes me. So we are scrambling on this holiday weekend to find her a car. Classes start on Wednesday - if we don't find one soon, she may be hitchhiking. 

Speaking of cars, Vanessa is looking for a set of wheels. They are looking this weekend. I gave them advice, hopefully they will follow it. Otherwise they are doing fine in Louisville.

 Chad and Sarah and Cash are all doing fine. Cash seems to be well behaved and content for the most part. Chad is working some overtime to make up for the week of work he took off when Cash was born. Sarah's mother and brother are moving in. So there will be a built in baby sitter handy.  

Posted by christ77 at 8:14 PM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink