Yesterday, I locked down my job in Fort Wayne. I am moving there on memorial day weekend. Once I find a place to live that is. Minor Detail....
Anyway that is todays project. We are excited that we will be close to family and the grandkids again. Not very excited about winter and snow and cold. I talked to my friend Charlie and told him that the devil is wearing long Johns. I said this because when I left Fort Wayne the last time, I said that Hell would have to freeze over before I would move back to Snow and cold. He got to laugh at me about it.
I am happy of course to have a job and be near family again.
Well, things are really looking up. We got back into Canterbury Green Apartments. This apartment complex is very important to Marilyn and myself. We enjoy the golf and clubhouse and still have lots of friends there. We was even married their in the main room of the club house in 1999.
I am looking forward to having my own place again. While staying with dad has been nice, there is nothing like having your own home. I will miss the pretty mountains of this area and the beach of Oak Island. I am doing what is wright and going to where the work is for me right now. I am excited to start my new job.... I will even get one of those paycheck things. Have not had one of those for a while.
There is the old saying that when one door closes another opens. This is so true. In my new book Living the Simple Life II, I am currently writing the chapter called reformating your life. As many people have done during this hard economical times, many people like myself have had to recreate a new life for themselves. It is important to appricate what you have when you have it. For two years a farm boy from Indiana got to live by the ocean and have my own computer store. Yes, I am sad that I had to close the store, but I am thankful I got the chance to live a dream. I know that if I decide too, someday I can return to this dream and be smarter about making it work.
I have 2 weeks left here with my dad in Tennessee before heading to Fort Wayne and Canterbury to start my new chapter of life. I am going to relax and enjoy these 2 weeks... I have an old saying "This in not a dress rehersal it is life, so enjoy everyday."
Yesterday, was a fun day. We stayed at dads and playe flip words on the computer. I can relax a little now because I don't have to worry about finding a job or a place to live. I have the next two weeks just to relax and have some fun in Tennessee.
This coming week I will get over to visit my Aunt Florance and my cousin Billy. It will be nice. Next week I need to focus on renting a truck. My son Jerry is meeting me at Canterbury to help me unload it. I spent part of yesterday, redoing my websites I want to use this down time to get my website up to date with my new location and some of the writing and poetry websites more modern.
For the first time in a long time things are looking up for me. I had no dought that things would work out. I just didn't know how.....
I finished help with dad's floor and just really have been relaxing the last couple days. Now that I know I have a job. I am on vacation now ;D
We went to see Darlene today and took her some treats for mothers day. I have everyone at dads playing a game called flip words 2. It is very fun. I play it a little but not very good at it. This morning I worked on a OIC Liquiation sale flyer to put into craiglist. I reduced the price on the systems I have left from the store to try to get some cash to help pay for the move. Hopefully I will be able to get some of them sold.
I will put the post up later today. I also need to sell a washer and dryer. Our new place at Canterbury come with one. Sometime this week I need to get a truck for next week. Marilyn talked to Chris today for motherday from afganistan via skype. She talk to him about us moving back. He was excited that we would be near the kids again.
It is a rainey day here in Tenessee, so we are just taking it easy. I might go take a nap.
Yesterday was raining most of the day so we did not do much. I did get dad set up with list laptop on his big screen. That was fun.... Also, I sold our washer/dryer out of the store shed. In Canterbury they have washer/dryers so didn't need it and the cash right now is important. Dad has a doctor's appointment this morning, so I will tag along. I have been trying to relax this week. I can't move till next week, because of money but want to get started at my new job. That was always, one of my quarks. Not being able to enjoy the moment. Instead of chilling this week, I got nervous energy in getting started with my new job and new life in Fort Wayne.
Had a pretty good day yesterday, relaxed a little after dads doctor appointment. Today, I have to find a truck to hull our stuff to Canterbury next week. I am getting excited about the move and want to get this ball rolling. It will be nice to be in our own place again.
We also are doing a dump run for dad today. Yesterday we got our offical address at canterbury and our move in amount. We can swing the move in amount, but next week following we have to pay a full months rent. Might need some help on that.
Yesterday I worked on my moving budget to get me to Fort Wayne. It was overwhelming once I got it done. But, I got a reminder why I am so blessed. My kids are chipping in to make it happen. I feel funny of course about letting them help, because I am the parent and feel the tables should be turned. So many people have helped Marilyn and I during this hard time in our life, Marilyn's family, my family and friends. The ones that could not afford to help, have been there for moral support. That is just as important as the money.
My life will soon be back on track. The only difference between me and any other homeless person these last several months is the strength of our families. I thank God everyday, for My family and Marilyn's family.
You would think that going from owning your own store to jobless and homeless is not a blessing. But in a way it is. The love and support I get from my family to help me get back on my feet is worth more than any amount of money.
Next week, we will be in our new home, with a new job and be back with our grandkids. One of the oldest saying I know is things happen for a reason. Well, I am not smart enough to know the reason, but know that this is the path. I don't talk much about my faith, but know that God watches over me and he knows the reasons, and I have the faith in him to let him guide me.
Well off to enjoy another day of my unexpected 2 month vacation.
Yesterday, was a rough day for me. My nerves are starting to get the best of me i guess. We have the money part of our move pretty much taken care of and called Canterbury to find that we need more stuff done before move in date. I guess after the overwhelming amount of money that we needed to come up with and the help I have gotten from my kids to make it happen. The trival things that Canterbury still needed was the straw that broke the camels back for my nerves.
Last night I really wanted a drink, and I for the most part don't drink. Never mind, I have not seen a bar anywhere in this area. Last night before I went to bed, I did the next best thing, seperated myself from the drama of what all I have to do and created a list. After I did that I was able to focus on the task and not be overwhelmed by the drama. I have taught this tactic for many years in my book. This does not mean that I am amune to being overwelmed. I am human and know that you can not be in control of your life 100% of the time. Life pressure gets to all of us. The secret to all of this is knowing when the drama is makiing everything more intence than it need to be.
Today I have a full schedule of things that need to get done. I fell much more in control with the list of things that I need to do. By this time next week, we will be in our new home and I will for the first time in two months have my own home again. That gives me the motivation to get the job done.
Yesterday, Marilyn and I really kick butt. We got the electric and cable set up for our new apartment. Even have our new phone number via comcast. We did some additional paperwork required by Canterbury, got it done and faxed just to find out she didn't have all of the papers in the email. So now we have to redo them and refax on Monday.
Today is going to be a fun day. We are going to Aunt Florance for a cookout. Hopefully dad will feel well enough to go with us. Going to try to go fishing with dad, maybe tomorrow. The move really starts for us on Wednesday. We will be packing up things here at Dads. Then Thursday I go get the truck and load the storage building and the things I have at dads.
I am planning to leave for Indiana Friday morning early. Because we have a 7 hour drive and have to check in to do the paperwork to get our apartment. My son Jerry will meet us there to help unload the truck.
Hopefully Monday we can get the papers to Canterbury and everything will be ready. We will see.....
Had a really fun day yesterday. We had a cookout at Aunt Florance. Lots of food and fun. I got to spend time with my Uncle Robert this time talking. I really like my Uncle Robert. We stayed most of the afternoon and went to walmart to buy a wireless router and I installed it. Aunt Florance wants to get a laptop in the near future. They wanted me to hook up the router while I was there so they have it in place.
Dad was not feeling well so could not make it to the cookout. Today or tomorrow, dad and I are going to go fishing. That should be fun.
This week coming we are focused on getting things packed up and ready for Thursday packing Truck day. There is only the bedroom at my dads that needs to be packed. The rest of course is still in Storage.
Yesterday was a fun day, Dad and I want to Walmart and bought the stuff for a cookout. It was nice since dad could not make it to Aunt Florance. We cooked some Chicken on the grill with Hot dogs and Hamburger and corn on the cob.
We save most of the hots dogs and all of the humburger to eat today, and ate the chicken. When we fire up a grill it is nice to make extra and nuke it for other meals. Everything turned out real nice. We are starting to count down the days until we leave for Indiana. Marilyn reorganized our room at dad's last night to make it easier to pack. Later this morning I have to fax what I hope is the last of the paperwork to Canterbury. Then we should be ready.
I am looking forward to getting this all over with. Thursday is packing the truck and loading the car day. Hopefully that will go well.
Today I am going to mow the yard one more time for Dad so him, and Wayne don't have to deal with it for another week or two. I am not a big fan of mowing but it makes me feel better to help out a little.
We are looking forward to seeing the grandkids at the end of the week. Should be fun.
Well we finally got our food stamps yesterday. It took almost 6 weeks. When I got them, the purpose was to keep from eating all of dads food. I had no income. Now that I am moving these will help in a different way, I will be able to stock my shelves and freezer to get us through until I get a paycheck. We are going to hit our new home with no money in our pockets. So it will be nice to at least have food. Once I start my new job, I will call and get them canceled.
I got the yard mowed yesterday. Marilyn spent the day, packing up our bedroom getting ready for the truck. She will do some more today. We are going to Aunt Florance for a little bit today. I need to find someone to help me with the truck. I am going to call my cousin Billy.
Today, I am going to go the Aunt Florance and try to go fishing with dad. Dad wants me to go with him to see Darlene as well. So I have a full day planned. It is good, because I am getting a little stir crazy waiting for Thursday and loading the truck day. I got a nice email from Ralph, my old boss saying that he is looking forward to having me back. This helped my self esteem because over the past 2 month, with all the resumes and rejections you start to take it personal.
Well I am up early today.. I guess the excitement of getting things together to move is getting to me. Today is the day Marilyn gets her check. We will finish getting the room packed up. I got to go to dollar general to buy a tug to put all the computer stuff in. I tried yesterday to get ahold of my cousin Billy to see if he can help with the truck tomorrow. No luck on that so far. I have plenty of help on the Fort Wayne end.
I have been thinking about my computer store this morning and how much I miss it. It makes me sad, that still that, the someone I trusted, store is still open and I had to shut mine. I am sure he will not last, but I wanted to be the one that survived. Two years of working hard and no paychecks just to see someone else, walk off with what I worked to have. Karma, of course will get him for his actions.
I do feel fortunate to be going to work next week. I like the person I will be working for and love the job. I will be able to work Oak Island Computers and have some of my old clients back as well.
Marilyn and I did most of the packing here at my dad's yesterday. Marilyn did most, I just helped. So today we only have a few things left. Tomorrow is the big day. I go get the truck and get things loaded. Friday morning we take off for our new life.
Today is "M" day, that would be move day. This morning I have to go pick up the Uhaul and the trailer. I am very dissapointed in Uhaul, because I have to pickup the truck in one location and the trailer in another location. The place where I picked up the truck was easy to get to that is why I picked that location. Now I have to drive to a busy part of Knoxville to pick up the trailer. I don't like driving the truck, it is 26 foot and now I have to do it in a very busy part of Knoxville.
Picking up the truck is the easy part of my day. I have to take it to Norris and drop the trailer and go to my dads to load stuff then to the storage building to load then put back on the trailer and load the car. This is going to be a feat, in the fact that I don't have much help loading the truck. Don't get me wrong I am thankful that I have the help that volunteered.
Yesterday, was nice because I got to see my Aunt Florance and Uncle Robert one more time before leaving on Friday. They have been a blessing during this whole thing with moral support and financial support. I am very lucky to have family like that. My father has been very helpful as well, giving us a place to leave and putting asside what he is use to. To open his house to Marilyn, me and the dogs.
I really wish thing could have worked out here in Tn. I love the mountain and the beauty of this area. Having said that I am very thankful that I have a job and that I am moving back to be near family and friends. Living with my father, these last two months, have reminded me of the movie "Ground Hogs Day", where I wake up each morning repeating the same day unemployed and looking for work.
I have always believed that I am the captain of my ship in my life. I know that I do control my own fate, but something bigger than me is guiding my fate right now. I figure it is the big Captain in the sky... So, for a while I will let him drive. He has lead me here to TN and forward to Fort Wayne for a reason. Someday I should see what the reason is, but for now I will just sit back and enjoy the trip.
I will be happy when the truck is loaded and I am ready to hit the road tomorrow. I will do ok, in Fort Wayne unloading the truck I have Jerry and some of my friends helping me on that end. My poor dogs are getting jumpy, yesterday as we started to pack up things here at dads. They will enjoy as I do having a place to call my own again....
Yesterday, my sister Beverly did a radio show with Dad. She talked about Toast Masters and public speaking. She did a great job, and at the end of the show said some nice words about me. This made me feel really good after, what I have been through these last several months. My self confidance has taken a blow. What she said, gave me a jump start on feeling good about myself again. Even with all my work and research into my books and "Preaching" on how to feel good about yourself, it is hard in life to keep those good feeling, in a negitive world. Everyone, even me, needs a boost start in feeling good about themselves every once in a while.
Well, I got it done. The truck is loaded and I am ready to go. Dad, found me some additional help, a kid named Brandon. Very cool guy that worked his butt off. I could not have finished without him. I wanted to get the car loaded on the trailer so I could just hop in the truck this morning and hit the road. But by the time we finished yesterday, I was just too tired.
So this morning all I have to do is load the last few things into the car and load the car on the trailer and go. I will leave a little later than I was hoping but hopefully well still make Canterbury in time to get the keys. I have Jerry coming and friends to help me unload the truck. After today, I will be offline for a couple days. It is Friday morning, should have my internet back by 12-2 on Saturday. Not to bad....
All of this move has been hard but a blessing. So many people have helped out with either money or things. It has been quite an experience. It is a reminder to me. To appricate having a home to come home to. Living under my dads roof, has been ok, but there is no place like home. I feel like a guest here.
Well, I better get this day started. I have a trailer to load and a seven hour drive and a truck to unload. lol... All of this to do and my superman suit is packed in a box somewhere in my uhaul.