Entry for April 3, 2011

The lazy days of summer will be here soon. It was hard to imagine that this past week with all the grey skies and rain we experienced. Rosco in the planter reminds me of how relaxed life should be.

The topping of the week was the rude awakening I had Thursday morning when I learned that my furniture was being removed from my Chattanooga apartment one day sooner than I thought. By the time I found out, they had taken everything but the couch. I was planning to move out on Friday, but was forced to get everyhing packed up Thursday afternoon. I guess there was a communication failure on several levels as to when the official last day was and what the logistics plan would be. I didn't set up the lease and had no idea about what was agreed. I'll know better next time. I'll be more in control of what happens during my next long term out-of-town project.

For the most part this weekend was easy going for Gin and I. I spent Saturday morning organizing and stowing away the apartment items and extra clothing that I accumulated over the past 10 months. We did a little shopping and also managed a visit with Nolan and Dean at their house. Patrick was getting his newly acquired lawn mower working and Jessica was home catching up on the domestic chores. Nolan and I had a lot of play time in the driveway and backyard. Dean enjoyed swinging with Gin and me trading off on the pushing.

Today was spent finishing up closet organizing, vacuuming, dusting and laundry. Each of us picking our normal duties and taking care of business. A short trip to Costco top pick up some necessities and a frozen yogurt of course. Then relaxing with computer games, DVR movies and books to close out the weekend.

I have assumed new duties at work and will be learning more about running the American side of the business over the next few months. I'm hoping I'm up for the task and that I can prove my worth. I also hope this is something that fits my work style and abilities. There is a new horizon I am looking at. I think I'll like it.

Emjoy the spring and don't let the wicked weather sneak up on you!

P@

Entry for March 27, 2011

 

Can you imagine reflecting your image 121 ways at the same time. Maybe this is how we are seen by countless others. I know I look at myself sometimes and wonder what others see in me. First impressions, second chance encounters, life long relationships, school mates, co-workers, parishioners, and the list goes on. Who are we in the eyes of the people in our lives? Who do they see? Is it the person you want them to see? Dwelling on trivial notions of what we want others to know about us can twist our minds and warp our projected self. I try not to be someone that I don't want to be. I try not to be someone others want me to be. I try to be me.

Another doctor bites the dust...in my book. I arrived at the G.I. doctor's office ten minutes before my 2:00 appointment. It was 2:35 before I was called back to the exam rooms. At 3:15 I got up from the exam table and walked out of the room. I told the receptionist and nurse that I was done waiting and I was leaving.

"But Mr. Hairston, he will probably be seeing you in the next 5 minutes." 

Sorry, but I've waited to see him long enough, I'm not waiting any longer. 

So I walked out and straight downstairs to my personal doctor's office for a reschedule with another G.I. doctor. I will not be put on hold in a doctor's office like that again. The search is on for a new G.I. physician!

 After the drama at the Dr's office, I was back in my own office for a brief meeting with JP, my ex co-worker to learn more about taking care of the business during his transition out of our company. Then I was heading home to pack up for a weekend in Chattanooga with Gin. We finally left the house just before 7:00 and arrived in Chattanooga around 11:30. Worn out from the long day and long trip, we were sacked out shortly after arriving at my apartment.

Friday morning I took care of some work related issues before we ventured out to the city. The morning was spent driving around and viewing some of the features that I have enjoyed in Chattanooga. We also made a trip to the wholesale clubs to check on any possible discounts at the aquarium or museum (none to be found). After a split platter of turkey burger and fresh made chips, we headed over to the Hunter Museum. The museum featured several paintings from Los Mailou Jones and glass sculptures by Stephen Rolfe Powell. The piece that impressed me the most was  Karen LaMonte's "Reclining Dress Impression with Drapery" made of cast glass. Just Google the name of the piece and you will see several pictures of this awesome work of art.

Saturday we enjoyed the Tennessee Aquarium with cousin Nancy and her husband Glenn. The aquarium has two buildings that separate rivers and oceans. The self guided tours of both buildings was simple to follow with plenty of information about the various forms of life within the displays. The penguins and otters were the most entertaining. The jellyfish room was the most intriguing. Before we knew it, we were done, Nancy and Glenn said their goodbyes and headed back home to Nashville. Gin and I took a ride to the nature park reserve near the VW plant, then to the Fox and Hound Pub for dinner.

Sunday we slept in and took our time packing up for the return trip home. We drove US-64 from Cleveland, TN to Hendersonville and encountered some awesome waterfall displays near Highlands as well as pea soup fog around Lake Toxaway. Overall the trip was relaxing but time consuming. It was nice not having to deal with the lunatics on the interstate roads. Arriving safe at home again is always the best part of the trip. We have new memories of places we enjoy with hope of returning together again.

Keep your headlights burning bright!

P@

Entry for March 20, 2011

Finally the first day of spring is upon us. It was a little chilly today but that didn't stop the daffodils from showing off their love of the season. We have four sets of daffodils planted in front of each set of porch steps. They were given to us at a infant bereavement memory walk a few years ago. We planted them in memory of Beau and Haley. Their arrival helps me remember Beau and Haley and how delicate life is.

I missed posting anything last week. I guess work really took over my weekend which left little time to unwind my mind. One of the corporate owners arrived from Germany with a project manager on Saturday. We worked all day Sunday preparing for meetings that week with BMW and VW. Part of their trip also involved the changing of the guard at my office. I have become the only U.S. employee in the company. We discussed how we can move forward and possible expand the presence of the parent company in the U.S. After their departure on Wednesday, I felt a little better about the prospect of staying with them and helping grow the business. There are many things to be settled and I try to keep in mind that it only takes one step at a time.

This weekend was fairly relaxing. Gin and I didn't do too much on Saturday besides trade in my rental for another and pick up groceries. The new rental car is a Jeep Grand Cherokee and has a real neat feature. I don't need to take the keys out of my pocket...ever. When I walk up to the car, it unlocks. To start the car I push a button and likewise to turn the engine off. To lock the car, I can push the inside lock button before closing the door, or push a button outside on the door handle. I'll also be enjoying the satellite radio on the long trips.

Today I finally cleaned up the yard with the mower. The leaves had been on the ground through the winter. We enjoyed the late afternoon and evening at Patrick's and Jessica's  for dinner and play time with Nolan and Dean. Nolan and I spent a little time on the front porch with Nolan doing most of the talking. After dinner Nolan fell asleep in my arms and I laid him in his bed. This gave me time to wrestle and play with Dean and get some pretty healthy laughs out of him.


Enjoy the season!
P@

Entry for March 6, 2011

Getting my brain to slow down and relax lately is like getting a toddler to do the same. In the photo above, Nolan was able to keep still just long enough for me to snap the picture. It helped to have a freshly applied monster truck tatoo that required some drying time. Earlier he had a truck tatoo placed on his right forearm...which wasn't enough. He needed to have the second tatoo because that's how he rolls. Back to my brain slowing down, the thoughts of job challenges and changes has kept my brain very active. I'm in a current state of limbo on my current job while openly pursuing other opportunities. Playing the field while still being competative at work is mind bending for me. My eating and sleeping habits have suffered bcause of it. That's just how I handle stress. I still run 3 miles a day for three to five days a week. Sometimes the running is enough to take the edge off...and sometimes it feels like a big waste of time. Things will clear up in the near future or at least by the end of the month.

Lately I've been home every weekend I can. No need to hang around Chattanooga when there is little to do on the project site. Still, a short time at home gives little time for too much of anything. In small doses I  have been able to accomplish bigger things. Last weekend it was a trip to Charlotte to meet Caris and Thomas half-way between our towns. This weekend it was a cookout with Patrick, Jessica, Nolan and Dean. The weather was dreary but the company was pure sunshine. Both boys managed to take advantage of Grams and Pappy for play time, hugs, kisses and laughs. We grilled hamburgers, chicken burgers and chicken sausage. We shared time together while watching Marmaduke on the big screen. Marmaduke was one of my favorite childhood book series. The movie was good, but not as good as the company.

Today was a day to make minor repairs to the mudroom floor. A water leak from a few years ago made a section of floor buckle under the washer. Today I made a temporary fix with a hard board to keep the load steady. Major renovation in that room will have to wait until I have more time.

We also enjoyed staying home for most of the weekend. The rain helped curb any wondering around town. Saturday afternoon naps and Sunday book reading were the perfect in-between activities of each day.

A year ago and several months leading up to my current job, I was very vocal on Facebook. Vocal about sharing open thoughts for the day or commenting on current ideas or posts by friends and aquantences. I've been a luittle more conservative in my open posts and any revalation that may have entered my mind. I'm not sure what turn of events caused my sudden decline in running off at the Facebook. I guess I'm a little more cautious and maybe even more sensative to what others may believe. I was not openly for or against any political, religious or social issue. Just open about what was on my mind at the moment. Using my blog to share some of my mindless dribble may have helped replace that openess I shared on a daily basis. I also believe being fully occupied with a full time occupation makes little time for mindless dribble. All I know and believe is, if I spoke my mind openly like some people do, who would listen? Who would leave? Who would stand up to me and tell me their side? I'll just leave well enough alone and let my imagination make those assumptions.

Have a good one!
P@

Entry for February 28, 2011

There are times I have felt like I was spiraling downward. Not fast like a plane that lost its engines. More like a slow descent down a a spiral staircase. When you start down it may be hard to see the bottom. Each step reveals another step. Sometimes it's a short trip and other times may feel like an eternity. The nice thing about it is reaching the bottom and finding the way to leap the tallest building in a single bound. Well maybe not quite like Superman, but within reasonable circumstances things are not as bad as they were.

Looking down into the spiral staircase without knowing what lies below can be harrowing to say the least. This is why we try to plan ahead. Reading situations that begin to unfold in front of us and staying aware of the choices that enter our lives. I like to stay between the spiral staircase and the top of the tallest building. I see both as having a sudden drop if the choices I make bring me within their grasp.

The month of March, which is ahead of me, will be filled with spiral staircases and skyscrapers. I'll be trying to stay at street level dodging traffic and watching the signs. I am hoping my keen awareness level pays off in the coming weeks and months. Temporary work positions can be rewarding for those who manage to create a field of awareness with former, current and future colleagues. I will be diligent. I have survived before and will survive again.

I arrived home late Friday night and had a good night's sleep. Gin and I ran some errands Saturday morning in my trusty Lumina. 291,000 miles and she still gets the job done. After the morning errands we switched cars for our trip to Charlotte and some time with Caris and Thomas. No, we didn't take the Lumina! I only trust her in town since she has too much road under her wheels.

We met Caris and Thomas at Mary Jo's fabric store in Gastonia. This store is the biggest fabric store you could ever imagine. If you can dream it, they have it. I even managed to pick up a special gift for my Pollyanna recipient. After Mary Jo's we followed the youngsters to Home Depot to drop off their truck. Then we stopped by Steak 'n Shake for milkshakes. After the frosty treats we were off to Charlotte.

Prior to our trip, I looked on-line for interesting museums to visit. You know...free museums. The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film is one of only four museums for photography and film in the United States. It was interesting and a little naked. Well, not that bad! There was one exhibit that featured some nudes that were tastefully portrayed. Other exhibits were self portraits from a high school class and person's family photographs (all clothed).

We tried to take in other museums but we really didn't allow time to do too much of that. We changed gears and headed to the south side of the Queen City and Mama Ricotta's Italian Restaurant. We sat out on the patio and enjoyed pizza. After dinner was a visit to the used record store and then back to Gastonia. We ended the night with Caris and Thomas and made our way back toward home. They had a little shopping to do before the stores closed. We had a good visit which was our first together since Christmas. Time flies when you work and live away from your family. 

 Sunday Gin and I took it pretty easy. In the morning I played a round of disc golf with my former colleague, JP. His first time at the game yielded a pretty good round. We were done by noon and I was back home for left-over pizza with Gin. We traveled out for a little shopping, then back home to watch the movie "Men With Brooms". The movie was light and funny and well worth the relaxing afternoon to watch. We had dinner at La Paz Mexican restaurant. 


Monday was my drive back to Chattanooga. A little after my arrival a fairly large and intense line of storms moved through the area. I ended up having to flee our job trailer for fear of the oncoming cloud of furry and the rocking motion from the straight line winds. The only choice I had was to jump in the car and drive in the clear area away from the storm. Thankfully the VW plant has a large paved lot for the new cars and it was empty. When it was all over, I returned to only minor damage. The underpinning was ripped from the front end, but overall, it managed to stay tied down. This was my second close encounter of the fajita scale in the Chattanooga area. The first was back in October 2010.


Stay safe and keep your eye on the sky!
P@

Entry for February 20, 2011

Again I look up to the sky to give me peace of mind. To let me know things are good in my life and that it (the sky) will always provide a safe haven for my thoughts. A place to let all the worries of the day, week or year float away. Maybe I should have studied weather? Then again, I guess I study it every day. Every day that I can look up to the heavens and be amazed by the ever changing canvas above our heads. I think over the past several years I have come to realize that the sky is my favorite subject to photograph. Mostly with the horizon and sun playing big parts. But sometimes just the sky alone with its mysterious cloud formations painting a self portrait.

I explored, by means of boredom, a narrow road that travels an eastern ridge overlooking the Tennessee River. I had been curious about the ridge and what the view of the "Scenic City" of Chattanooga would be from up there. This morning I mapped a route from the north to south end of Crest Road and came across numerous historical markers, plaques and monuments depicting the sites of key Civil War battles. The ridge is where the Union army defeated the Confederate army in key battles on the march to Atlanta. Personally, I am not a big history buff. But I was intrigued by the history this town has due to the Civil War. I know Patrick would be even more interested in the history of this area.

Today was my only day off this week. I was at the BMW plant in Greer at the beginning of the week. Wednesday I drove over to Chattanooga to catch up on happenings at the VW project. We're close to closing it out, but still have several open issues to resolve. Saturday work came as a late notice from the electrical subcontractor.

One day weekends are not my favorite. Being away from home is even less favorable. I try to make the most of being alone in a town that is not home. I think I tend to explore more about the towns I travel to than the one I live in. I know it's not totally true. When we first moved to South Carolina, Gin and I would pack up the family and make day trips to points unknown to explore our new home. We both love to know more about our surroundings. Seeing historical sites, landmarks and scenic natural wonders are rewarding to the explorer in us. I have tried to limit some of the more popular sites in Chattanooga for a time when Gin can visit this town with me. For example, I have not visited Rock City, Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, Hunter Museum or Tennessee Aquarium. Need to save something for both of us to enjoy together.

See you next week!
P@

Entry for February 13, 2011

This weekend was long but short. Short because it was a two day weekend. Long because Gin and I took on the task of watching Dean and Nolan for close to 30 hours. It doesn't seam like much at first. Both boys are very good and very entertaining. Factor in overnight sleep time and not being accustomed to the sounds of  their night time antics makes for one long night. A little cough here, a little whimper there, I'm thirsty, hold me, I don't want to sleep and any other little cry in the night. Gin and I probably slept pretty well when we were sleeping. The broken patterns were what made for a long Sunday. I did what I could to distract myself from the lack of sleep by taking Nolan to the grocery store for sprinkled doughnuts. They didn't have any, so we settled for Spiderman cupcakes. Then on the drive home he proclaimed he wanted sprinkle doughnuts. So I stopped at the Hotspot c-store and picked up a Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut with sprinkles. We we returned home he licked some of the sprinkles then didn't want any more. He wanted a cupcake. He licked it a few times, then lost interest.

Nolan ran around a while then got to a point of an unsettled argumentative state of being. Time for a nap! He fought it a little then finally succumbed to sweet slumber. He settled in the bed and went out fairly quick. Gin had Dean nestled  on the couch. I made my way back to bed for a brief 15 minute period of sleep. Then my own rude coughing spell and wondering mind put the idea of sleeping right out the window. I'M UP!

Lunch made its way to the day, then a trip outside for the boys to run/crawl the back yard. I set up a large tarp for Dean to crawl around on. He made it clear that he wanted to play in the dirt, grass and leaves. Every time I tried to turn him back to the center of the tarp, he turned right back to the direction he was heading for. We ended up letting him do what he wanted...up to the point of eating leaves and grass.

Meanwhile, Nolan was satisfied riding his toy jeep or playing with the Frisbees. That and little trips down to the burn barrel to pee on it. Hey! If it keeps his pants dry, its good enough for me.

Dean tuckered out and went in with Gin for a little nap. I kept Nolan out a little longer since he was having so much fun. Before long we were back inside to winding things down. Shortly before 4, Patrick and Jessica arrived to take their babies home. What a long two days. The little ones can sure wear you out in no time.

As much as the times like this wears us out, we cherish the moments we get to be with our Grandchildren. I think it relates back to when we were raising our own Children and how much of there lives we missed because of all the responsibilities that go with raising them. Sometimes parents miss the little things. Discipline, teaching, feeding, clothing, etc. can distract the big picture of how wonderful it is to see a little human being thrive. Grandparents get to see the big picture when they are involved in the lives of their Grandchildren. We get to look back on the lives of our Children and relate them to what we are witnessing today in our Grandchildren.

Sure we made mistakes. There is no real book that teaches you everything about how to raise your own child. Live and learn. I believe Gin and I did a fairly good job as parents. Both Patrick and Caris have grown to be responsible adults who take pride in their lives. Gin was more of the hands on teacher of life itself. She taught them to be open and honest with their feelings and questions about life. I like to think I was the living example of being a productive member of working society who made time to spend with his children when it mattered most.

I probably jump around a lot with my blog posts. But as the title of my blog says "Thoughts and things that surround me". It gives me license to ramble about whatever I want. It clears my mind and hopefully helps my family and friends better understand who I am.

Thanks for reading!
P@