My first W2 job was with Zero's Mr. Submarine at their Birchwood Mall store in Virginia Beach. I worked part of my Jr. and Sr. high school years making sandwiches for the masses. We had a lot of fun and didn't learn much. Probably the best times I had ever had earning a paycheck. From there I evolved into many life forms that paved a trail of diversity like non other. Auto mechanic, shipyard worker, construction worker, machinery installer, estimator, buyer, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Zero's was the only job where the product I made was edible.

I've been on my new job as a Project Manager for two weeks now. I'm still becoming acquainted with my position and responsibilities. I did manage to get my new employer's foot in the door of the local Caterpillar Engine plant. We submitted a 6 figure bid for a project that may have been sole source contracted to the original supplier, who happens to be a former employer of mine. Caterpillar contacted me as a private consultant and it turned into an opportunity for my company.

The days pass by much faster now. I'll have to travel for a lot of the work or at least for this project. I have to wait and see what transpires after this first job is complete. Part of my responsibility is to develop new work. The Caterpillar work will be over the summer and run along part of the time frame as the VW project in Chattanooga. In other words, it doesn't buy me extra time beyond this fall when the VW project is complete.

We celebrated Nolan's Birthday Saturday with our families. Patrick and Jessica reserved the picnic shelter at their church. Nolan had a blast with all four of his grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents. We enjoyed his energy, laughter and mayhem. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful and loving Grandson.

Sunday afternoon, Gin and I met Lisa Green at the Eastside Highschool Student Council review committee meeting for Spirit Week 2010. Spirit Week is a friendly competition between rival high schools. Each school selects a charity from a list of applicants. The schools set a date during football season and challenge each other to raise the most money for their selected charity. Eastside raised over $215,000 in 2008. Understand this completely, these students raised this money in 1 week. ONE WEEK!!!

Lisa asked me to share our story with the Eastside students on behalf of the March of Dimes NICU Support Program and the Bereavement Support program. These programs are not funded by March for Babies, but are a necessary part of the programs parents need when they are overwhelmed with the heartaches and fear prematurity brings to them. We will know later this week if March of Dimes was selected by Eastside. I hope I helped them gain this sponsorship.

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