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I issued a challenge to someone on Oct 1st to see if he could go 60 days without a beer and here is the response. " I've decided to make the sacrifice and check myself into my own self induced rehab. As a means of testing to see if I'm "addicted" to beer and able to manage just one or two a day...I'm taking Papa G's challenge he gave me...go 60 days without any. Sounds reasonable to me...I know I could go 60 days without soda, in fact that is less than the usual time spread between cokes for me. Now I'm not adopting a teetotaler attitude because I do believe it to be a tasty and beneficial drink, but only if it can be on my terms not an addiction craving". Well 1 month later I am reissuing the challenge. You know, Indians and alcohol don't mix.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33445823/ns/technology_and_science-picture_stories/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=1#

These pictures are incredible. They were featured on the Today show and they were taken by a guy fromTulsa with a camera shown on one of the slides.

I find retirement is so busy. How did I ever find time to work? Ayla and I are always on the go doing something and by 2 pm we are ready for the afternoon letdown. We went out of town 2 times last week and will go on the road next week also. Gas is down to $2.22/gal so the road is calling for us to use it and we will as long as the weather is good. Speaking of weather, we got 4" of rain Thursday and now we have the cold weather hitting. I turned on the fireplace a couple of times to remove the chill and that sure does feel good. My knee is healing but I can't walk too far yet or it will swell and hurt. Cub has 2 days of school next week so not sure what we will do. My other job (Jury Duty ) has been postponed until the 19th so I am free until then. I love waking up on Monday morning and finding that I have achieved a dream that so many of us has wished for. With Ayla as my partner, we can accomplish all we want to achieve and some things we don't.

We went to an Amish Restaurant Friday evening with friends and this ( BBQ Tips & Chicken Breast ) is what we had. They offer a limited menu each Friday night only. Next Friday is Pork Chops and Meatloaf, the following week will be Chicken and Dumplings. This place is fantastic- about 30 miles away and a pleasant drive in the country. The place is always full so reservations is the only way in. I guaranntee you will be full when you leave. In a couple of weeks we are going to another place called "The Rock", a restaurant to the North about 40 miles away- hey, we heard it was a great place too so I will take Pics. I think we found our niche.

The little critter above ate my chicken.
Well it finally happened- I have cut all ties to the Hospital except as a patient. Chop went the ax and I was through with them when I took them my UNIFORMS, Chop went the ax and I was through with them when I took them my KEYS, Chop went the ax and I was through with them when I took them my SECURITY BADGE. I just gave them the AX back YESTERDAY on my terms.
Today I feel great, My sadness is lifting and my worries are diminishing. We went on a road trip, ate great food at IHOP and came home just worn out and full.
WE joined Facebook and found friends and relatives. gonna be tough writing on both, but will try.
I am finally getting in the right frame of mind to continue with the website, and hopefully will get it up some day.
I AM RETIRED OFFICIALLY.

After the shock of the last Blog- I am now coming to terms with the rest of my life.


I am accepting the fact that I am no longer needed at the Hospital and that I can no longer contribute anything to the department.
I am upset in the way I was cast out like old newspapers. I was told, It's just business! Loyalty, dedication, caring, sleepless nights, on call 24 hrs/day, going in when called, all meant nothing because it's just business. Where's my Gold Watch? My retirement party? My hugs and tears from fellow employees? The hand shakes and We will miss you sentiments? I was robbed of all this because, It's just Business.
I think those 2 brothers (Ego & Vanity) need to be sent on a long journey so that Happiness and Thankfulness can come to live with me. I ( and those around me) thought I was on my way to a Corinary with the pressures of the job so this early retirement is really in my best interest, but it still is hard to take.
Each day. I heal a little more and accept it a little more and realize that family is whats important. To all of you that are concerned about us- WE ARE FINE. and we are survivors. I Think I will take Ayla out for lunch today. I have the time.

Today Is The 2nd Day OF The Rest Of My Life. The 1st Day Really Sucked. Yesterday, I was called into Human Resources for a meeting I thought to discuss a disciplinary matter with one of my employees. My V.P. and Director were there as well as the HR director. I am used to meetings so no flags went up. After small Chit Chat, the VP told me my position was being cut and that my services were no longer needed at Valley View Regional Hospital. S H O C K, DISMAY, HUH, WHAT DID I JUST HEAR, YOU SERIOUS, WHEN??? !!!! WE will offer you a lower position in the dept as a Tech at 1/2 the pay or you can take the SEVERANCE PACKAGE!!! They told me to take my time and notify them by Friday as to my decision. I have chosen the PACKAGE and my last official day is -- (get this) 9-11..
Yep, Sept 11th. isn't that fitting . Yesterday really SUCKED.

Ayla and I have decided to make the best of the situation and enjoy our time together. I was wanting to retire on my terms next May, but the time has been pushed up a little. As soon as the Ego turns loose and the shock wears off, I will do well. Boy, Yesterday sure did SUCK.

Perpetuum Jazzile - Africa (live, HQ)

Just great entertainment.

Last evening Ayla suggested that we all go to Braums for an Ice Cream cone, in less than a second everyone was up and heading for the door, including the little Furry boys. Hey, they like Ice Cream too. On the drive there we discussed all the flavors that were available and just as we arrived, the final decisions were reached. Papa G got a shake( easier to drive with), Ayla got a Chocolate cone (chocolate junkie), Cub got a Sunday, Grace Kelly got a Rocky Road and the furry boys ordered a small Vanilla cone each. That order stretched my memory banks to the max while placing the order. We moved up to the window and this nice young lady handed out the cones first. Grace and Ayla got theirs first then the 2 Vanillas came and Cub held the cone for Frosty and he just licked and licked it. Next Ayla held the cone for Casper and he sniffed it and took the whole thing in his mouth. Now he was in trouble for the Ice Cream was freezing his mouth but he wasn't about to drop it either, He was having trouble breathing but he was not giving up and he stood there in the front seat with Ice Cream dripping out of his mouth. IT was too cold and large to swallow and too good to set down. The poor girl at the window witnessed Casper grab the Ice Cream and she got shook and pointed and said," he just ate that Ice Cream". She offered another cone but I reassured her that the cone was for him and not us, she giggled and shook her head. Casper finally got the glob of Ice Cream down and now he wanted the sugar cone. I think he had a brain freeze because his eyes were crossed but the smell of the cone was too much for him and he chomped it to pieces. Frosty just licked and licked his until it was all gone. We can't even go to the Ice Cream parlor without having an adventure and we love them. Ayla says the Furry Boys stay home next time, nah, they like Ice Cream too.

HOT RANDOM THOUGHTS:

What a roller Coaster ride the last few weeks has been. Aylas back problems are back even after the Epidural 5 days ago. I think a trip to the Neurosurgeon is in order next, The extreme temp of 105 F daily is hard to handle. Sunday at 2 pm, the AC went out and it began to get hot. I called a friend and he came over and repaired the AC. by 4:30. It sure is nice to have friends to help in my desperate hour of need. The Tomato garden is drying up no matter how much water they get. The flowers are also withering from the heat and I wither too. Resas' new baby is content to sit under the tree waiting for her daily visits. The pups have a pair of new neighbors that they talk to daily throught the wooden fence. Of course, when they talk, they get all the neighbor pups to join in on the conversation. They love to get a comotion started. Time to prepare for another work day so the blogger of random thoughts has to go.

Could be one of us some day, or sooner?
An elderly gent was invited to an old friends' home for dinner one evening. He was impressed by the way his buddy preceded every request to his wife with endearing terms such as: Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, Pumpkin, etc. The couple had been married almost 70 years and, clearly, they were still very much in love.
While the wife was in the kitchen, the man leaned over and said to his host, 'I think it's wonderful that, after all these years, you still call your wife those loving pet names.' The old man hung his head. 'I have to tell you the truth,' he said, 'Her name slipped my mind about 10 years ago and I'm scared to death to ask her what it is!

97, 98, 99, 100, 101 - when will it end. I'm talking about the temperatures the last few days. I'm still playing hookey for 1 more day, then back to the grind, but it is too hot to do much. I get outside when I can like this morning at 6am. That's a great time to get to be out. Just me, the birds, the crisp clean smell of the air, the little boys (Frosty and Casper) and the cool temp that time of day. I had to wash the Air-conditioner to clean the coils so that it cools more efficiently. I watered the plants and sat in the shade and had a good cup of Coffee. By 7am the heat was starting to build so I came in and fed the little boys and drank another coffee. I mowed the yard yesterday evening (temp 99) and was looking at it this morning and thinking how the grass needs raking, I will get our resident vanpire (Cub) and together we will get it picked up. Our pool is sure getting a workout in the evening. totally refreshing after a hot day. Aylas' storage building is 98% completed. and it is slow going in this heat. I hope to finish it today or tomorrow. Yep, it sure is hot outside.

I'm playing hookey, i'm playing hookey. Have you ever wanted to just say,"heck with it, I'm tired and need a break", well I did and I DID! I told my boss t0day that I was taking Friday, Monday and Tuesday off. I need to recharge. I will go back for 2 days and then get a 3 day weekend. I figure that with the change in leadership, I may not have time for a break for quite some time. Things are happening at the jobsite, Our 1 lone VP handed in her resognation and will leave in 3 weeks, now we are down to "0" VP's. My big boss is titled Asst. VP. I found out they did not want to give him a promotion in title so that he got no raise. Sounds hokey, but he inherited several Million$ and this job is just for his pride. He seems happy, but definately very overwhelmed.
I'm building Grammy her own storage building during my time off and she is estatic. Like a kid who got the first lick from the frosting bowl. I'm estatic too, now I will have extra room for STUFF. MY STUFF, IMPORTANT STUFF. I don't even have to organize my STUFF either, I can file it randomly. I like that method. Yep, I'M playing Hookey...

What was I thinking, am I nuts? I must have had a temporary insanity moment for what I did yesterday. I voluntarily did it, I accepted the appointment and I showed up. I interviewed for the Chief Engineer position. Why would I do that? I only have 2 years left before retirement and do I really want that much stress. I guess I do because I look at it this way, whoever gets the position, I will have to train for 2 years, I will continue to be the one called at 2am for problems, I still will be the one in charge of scheduling and payroll. I will continue to be expected to know answers to all problems. I will continue to place all orders for parts and be expected to get the best bang for the buck. I will be the one expected to appease all (55) department heads for solving their needs as I do now. Nothing will change except the salary will almost double. Why should I apply for the position? I guess I am just nuts.

I was totally unprepared for the interview and the questions asked, I concentrated on staying as calm as possible and staying busy (I Googled lots of useless information) until the 2pm interview. I was early to the interview so I placed my business card on the table in front of each interviewers position, something different, I noticed they all fiddled with the card during the interview and put it in their pocket when it was over. Two of my technicians are on the committee and was part of the inquisition, I mean the interview. 49 minutes later, it was over and I left thinking I should have said this or that or answered the question differently, hindsight is always on our minds. I watched the body language of the VP and the head interviewer and as I answered questions I noticed they would slightly nod for the answer they liked so I gauged some of my answers on these "getting the nod". I should know in 2 weeks what the outcome is going to be. Am I nuts? Who knows.

Happy Birthday dear friend. If you are lucky, you will have one true friend in life. I found mine in Bill Doc and we have shared 20 years of great friendship but it went by so fast. We shared many a funny moment, many a great fishing trip, many a fun trip and many a shared crisis. We helped each other by lending a shoulder to lean on or just listening to a heavy weight on our mind. Time is now taking it's tole on our friendship by bringing it to an end. We all grow old and invariably, we all leave this Earth. I still look forward to seeing Bill and we still laugh when we are together. I will be there for him to the end because I know he would do the same for me. God has granted him another wonderful birthday and with Gods' grace, he will be there for my birthday, that will be the greatest present I would wish for.

What do ya think of my Chicken? Sort of gets your attention and peaks your interest. He sure is cute.

Boy, it sure has been a long time since I was motivated last to add something to the ole' Blog. I got something recently that I thought was very interesting. The attached game about frogs is supposed to be for Chinese 2nd graders. They have 2 minutes to solve the problem. It took me much longer, however I did solve it. I guess I am slowing down so much that a 2nd grader can pass me. Enjoy the Frog Challenge. http://funstufftosee.com/frogleaptest.html

If you are a Denny Crane fan or just like to see something funny, just watch this video.
Gun control at its finest.