I almost forgot how to make a post on this damn thing. It's been so long it seems since I have managed to get a clear thought in my head.

I've heard the saying "When it rains, it pours." Truly I have felt the weight of that statement before, but I guess I got a case of the poor pitiful me going on. With all the stuff with my dad, I admit I was a bit down in the dumps. Then out of nowhere my dog Paprika passed away suddenly. To make matters worse, my son found her on the patio and he was a bit shaken up to say the least. I buried her at my parents house next to Scooby our other wonderful dog because we bury all of our pets at mom and dads (yeah we are weird). Then the very next day my best buddy Lucky who was Paprika's son died suddenly. We thought for sure it was poisoning and even had a necropsy done. It came back that he had a chronic liver problem that exacerbated. I say they are full of shit. There is no way that a healthy happy active dog goes from jumping around and running one day to dehydrated, anemic and ultimately dead the next. To say that we were shook up is an understatement. We had Lucky cremated and he is on our mantle. I loved those dogs, but Lucky was something special, he was my pal. He could make me smile any time I was near him. At 140 lbs. he was a big lump of fun. Licking and jumping and just happy to be near you and be petted.

I decided that I was just feeling sorry for myself and have tried to do normal stuff again. It's amazing how much of an impact a pet can have on your life, but they were part of the family and will be missed always. I have the two little dogs still and they can sense something is different. They still act the same as they always have and for that I'm thankful. There is no sign of poison in the yard anywhere and I'm going to have to just accept the fact that Lucky and Paprika are gone without a reason being given.

So as I was feeling down and out, I get an email from a manager within our company telling me that there is a job opening out of state for a position that is higher up than mine. Now I'm a little flattered that he would think of me. I have only been back with this company for a little over a year, and for him to consider me a viable candidate means he thinks I know what I'm doing. I wasn't really excited by the prospect of moving 1,000 miles away though, so at this point it's not going to be something I pursue. Then today I get a second email by another manager telling me that I would be a good candidate for this job and I should consider it. Now I'm having second thoughts. It's a good opportunity, but I'm just unsure, so I'm taking a wait and see approach (not the best idea I know). The wife and kids are behind me and tell me to do what I think is right and they will support me. So I guess a little time to digest this won't kill me.

Other than that life goes on. My dad has been getting all of his preliminary testing done and so far everything is looking really good. We are hopeful that the surgical team will consider him a good candidate. Another month or so and we will know for sure. I'm holding out hope, but not expecting too much yet.

It is always a good thing to hop on here and just vent sometimes. Therapy was never cheaper than starting a blog. Pretty soon we will have football and then I'll have plenty to be upset about, but for now I'm gonna stick with real life.

Well it's been some time since I have been involved in the Monday Minute and I figured this is as good a week as any to get back into the swing of things....

So you know that the originals are found at Ian's blog, but I know there are still one or two people in the blogosphere that haven't read Ian's blog yet...So if you haven't you can find it HERE




Describe your life in one word
Trying

Is there something you wish you had learned how to do as a child?
I wish I would have learned good study habits as a chld. It's funny how something small like that can make such a huge difference on the rest of your life. I had lazy study habits and it showed as I got older and entered more difficult aspects of learning.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
My father has shown me how to be a man and a good father, but my mother has more directly influenced me in my life.

What is your greatest dream/hope/aspiration?
for my children to be happy and successful....

and finally...

Do you believe you have reached your potential? Why/why not?
Not even close. I am still learning about myself, I can't possibly have reached my potential if I still don't know what I'm capable of....I figure I'll know the answer for sure on my death bed....