I woke to a cool, gray, rainy day today...
The last two nights have pretty much been non-flyable due to weather. Wednesday night the risk was fog formation. Last night I got to work to find the helicopter already in the hangar...
Ceiling and viz too low to go, and the forecast was bad for the whole evening. Still, hospitals call to see if we can come transport some patient in desperate need and we have to tell 'em NO!
When I hired on for this job, one of the pilots that brought me on board here had a saying-
"Some days it just sucks to need a helicopter transport. Pick your days to get hurt or sick carefully."
The forecast for today and much of tonight is still schmutz. I'm taking my tax information to work with me to start getting it in order, and the neat part about this job is that I'll be paid pretty well while doing that.
I chatted at length via Facebook with Tools yesterday afternoon.
He's still doing well... sounded to be in great spirits. But his Dad is not so good. Tools indicated he could die at any time. The route Tools takes to come home brings him within a few miles of Casa Greybeard, and he has stopped to spend the night here before on his way home. I reminded him we have a perfectly good empty bed downstairs, and cold beer in the 'fridge. It's another of those situations...
I liked and respected his Dad, so naturally you hate to hear he's perilously near the end of his life. But when Tool's shadow darkens our doorway there will be good times and once again great memories will be shared. Again, even the dark clouds have a silver lining.
Echo has her home for sale. DJ has a cat that needs a good home. Hawk and his bride are safely in Florida enjoying weather that I hope is much better than what we're experiencing here at home. And let's see... seems to me something out of the ordinary is happening Sunday, isn't it?
(I get paid well for watching TV too!)
I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
Bring all of us to speed with your news!
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Well, my big news for the day is I just joined the YMCA this morning. I really need to get more exercise; but, it's been too cold and rainy to get outside to walk. Apparently, though, for it to do me any good I actually have to go to the Y. I was hoping just paying the monthly fee would cause me to lose weight!
Ferdy
What's going on Sunday???
(Can you tell I am NOT a fan of football of any kind? Not even the Colts?)
At any rate, as of the 17th of this month, I will be "let go" from SAIC and (probably) picked up by CSC due to the loss of our contract to competition. Five years ago, SAIC did this very same thing to CSC. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there. I think those of us in the trenches aren't thought of as people--we're just assets (or liabilities).
I took today off to use up what little leave I have left. Went through a sleep study last night, and seems I can't meet with the doctor until the end of this month or early next month, at the soonest. Trouble is, his schedule doesn't match my schedule--not even my every-other-Fridays off. I'm not taking off work from a new employer, and I sure won't have the leave to take anyway. His Fridays in March don't match my Fridays in March and April will probably be the same.
So I gave up. Told the girl to forget it. I'll see if this can be referred to another doctor who is more available than this one. And I'll just continue to work in my sleep like I've been doing since May.
I remember Tools dad very well...I loved that man. He was very kind every time I was around him. I'm so sorry he is not well. Hope Tools gets to see him soon. It's great GB that you can offer hospitality to Tools now.
Bo
Cissy. hope the new job works. Very few employers care anymore.
I sent Tools a note on facebook. wish he could come in April. Said he will be in Mobile in mid April.
TwoDog got your and Cindy's check. Thanks. We have a total of 10 people so far. Looking for more.
GB, Think about all the times you flew and you should have stayed on the ground. It evens out. H&C
Ferd- Do you have someone else to join and work out with you? I always found it was much easier to go workout if I knew there'd be some socializing going on along with the exercise.
Maybe another Red Hat Lady?
Cissy, I'm still keeping my fingers crossed to send luck your way. Enjoy the time off they're giving you...
Maybe you can stand at that window behind where Sara Jean and I sat and watch as the snow falls while sipping on your morning coffee with a smile?
I can identify with your insomnia. A few years back I started waking at 3 A.M. or so and would lie, absolutely awake, hoping for sleep to return. At that point I found it was actually better to get up and go do SOMETHING...
sneak quietly downstairs and watch "Headline News" for instance. In an hour or so I could feel my eyes getting heavy once again and sure enough... I'd be able to go back to sleep for an hour or so. Have you tried ALL the OTC sleep aids? What a pain!
If you are on Facebook, look for Tools there and send him good wishes, please. Remember his middle initial is "E.". Send him a friend request if you haven't already... he'll be glad to hear from you! (I know many of you have done this already.)
And Bo, (and anyone else for that matter)...
Mi casa es su casa. (My house is yours). If you are in my vicinity and you need a place to stay, please call. I'd be delighted to re-introduce you to the small-town life we experienced growing up!
H&C-
My check for Eufaula is on the way this morning. Thanks again for coordinating the "Pilgrimage"...
I have fond memories of eating fresh deep-fried fish in a parking lot, and I suspect we can recreate that atmosphere can't we?
This is gonna be a ball!
Hello to all,
Well, keep your fingures and toes crossed. We have a possible buyer for our house. Hope to find out something this coming week.
Also say prayers that the owners in Florida will accept our offer. If everything works out and we get the house in Florida we are going to rent somewhere in the Edinburgh or Shelbyville area so Shifty can continue to work at least through the summer. We are still playing catch up from him being off work for six month. And we still have four of our Brittany's. They are old and as I have said not in good health. We are having to accept the fact that we will probably lose a couple of more in the near future. If the couple interested in our house does buy they have a home in Edinburgh that they have stated we can rent. Has a fenced yard which would be great and just fit our needs. So again say prayers that all goes through.
Cissy, Shifty has gone through the sleep study thing. He had a really good doctor and they worked around his work schedule. I don't know who your doctor is but if you need the name of Shifty's doctor let me know.
Ferdy, you have more energy than I do. Joining the Y sounds like a lot of fun. I am suppose to get exercise because of my leg and the by-pass surgeries I have had. In the summer I get a lot of walking exercise with the 5 acres and garden. But the winter is rough as the cold really does a number on my leg. I do get a lot of exercies going up and down the steps with this three story house.
Will keep you posted on the sale of the house.
Echo
A friend is going to the Y with me this morning and hopefully she'll join. She's the lady I walk with every morning when the weather permits. And, of course, lately the weather hasn't permitted us to walk outside. GB, you're right. It is easier and more fun if you have some one to exercise with you.
I just watched the CNN news and saw that lots and lots of people are without power out east. I'm concerned about my son and his family. When I talked to him yesterday morning they were being pounded with more snow. My grandson only had school one day this past week and that was with a two hour delay!
Hope everyone enjoys the Super Bowl tomorrow. Or, at least, the party the attend!!
Ferdy
Echo - forgot to mention I have my fingers crossed for you. I would cross my toes, too; but, I don't think I can!! How about if I just cross my legs?
Ferdy
My friend and I have gone to the Y; and, she did join. Starting Monday morning we will be going to the Y at 6:00 every morning. She still works so we'll go before she goes to work. I'm really looking forward to this. I need to get in better shape so I can work at Holiday World again this summer. For any one who has never been to Holiday World (Santa Claus Land when we were kids) you should make an effort to go this summer. It's a very nice, clean, friendly family amusement park with a huge water park. I enjoyed working there last summer and expect to enjoy it again this summer.
Ferdy
Echo,
I'm doing what you want...got my fingers and toes crossed just for you and Shifty. It will be great for you two in Florida...so many new adventures, places to go, people to meet and on and on.
Ferdy,
The Y will be fun, you'll make all kinds of new friends there. I need to get back to the class I took out here last year. It's a killer but keeps me moving.
Thanks GB for your gracious invitation. I would wreck havoc in your peaceful life!
Will stay in touch with Tools as best as I can.
Hugs,
Bo
p.s. GO COLTS!
Hey Gang, Bo here again.
I have to tell you the mess I got myself into today in the big city. I have been going to a place in Greenwood Mall to have my eye brows "Threaded". It's quite an interesting process but one's eye brows look really neat after it's done. WELL, I decided to try to find a place out here to have it done. Made the appointment and when I got there found out this lady and daughter are Russian and speak Russian most of the time I was there. The lady asked me if I would like me eye brows dyed a little darker and I said "o.k." then she said she would dye my eye lashes also. Well, it's obvious isn't it. I am VERY easily intimidated. I was trained early in life to fear the Russians! Good excuse?? She completed both eye brows and lashes and left me to sit with my eyes closed for a long, long time. Then she would come back and say, "Do NOT blink", "Do NOT open your eyes". Finally, she washed my eyes with a kleenex and water and still wouldn't let me open my eyes. She said, "You follow me, take my hand to the rest room to wash your eyes". So here I am with my eyes closed holding on to her. I tried to reach out with my other hand but she stopped me..."NO, No, you follow me". Finally got to the rest room and she had me wash my eyes out. It burned like all get out but I told her I was fine....RIGHT! All I wanted was to get out of there.
I survived. But now I have BLACK eyebrows and eyelashes...YIKES!! I hope it won't last long. I'm kinda looking like one of the Adams' family but with blonde hair..I'm telling you I've never looked so good. HAH!!
Now I know why we were taught to hide under our desks if the Russians came!!
Bo
Well, I hate to admit it, but I had the Superbowl on most of the game. Watched The Who, and they were great.
I used to always have nightmares about Russians. Russians, aliens, and tornados. And what in the world is "threading" eyebrows? I don't have much left in the way of eyebrows. Maybe the Russians can work a miracle with what I've got left? And why does God take away perfectly good eyebrows and replace them with a few of those "James Whitmore" things? Sometimes those things get so long that I could floss my teeth with them.
Can't wait until April. It'll be so nice meeting all of you. Any of you passing this way are more than welcome to visit. Maybe I'll make you a cheesecake.
Well, I think Anheuser Busch and the Clydesdales won the contest convincingly tonight, don't you? (Those commercials with the Clydesdale Colt bring a lump to my throat!)
And "The Who"?
I watched a "Beach Boys" concert from Long Beach California some years back. Similar to The Who during this halftime show, if you're expecting the music to sound the same as it did almost 50 years ago (EGAD!) you'll be disappointed. But if you sit back and realize kids today are still listening to this stuff and enjoying it just as we did during it's first go-round, you cannot help but smile and enjoy it.
And "WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN!" is especially apropos right now, doncha think?
And speaking of "those days"...
There's a dealer between me and Springfield, IL that specializes in collector cars. I'm on their email list and love to review the stuff they have that I would love to own if I were as rich as Judge Henderson. Today they are selling one Hawkeye ought to have a look at.
(TwoDog's big brother had a similar car... a '56 Mercury in Black and White I believe, with a sunroof, that would be worth a bleeding fortune in good shape today, right T? )
Good game tonight, in spite of the result. The team that played the best game won.
And I'm mighty proud of MY team...
Anheuser Busch!
Hello all, Mrs. Hawk here, I will remember you in my prayers Echo and Shifty. Ferdy, best wishes on going to the Y. I did that a few years back and it made me feel so good. We are in Tampa, FL for the winter right now. Have had some high 70s and low 80s temps that were great and we freeze and wear jackets during 60s. I think our blood has thinned or something. We are still working on the ceramic tile here and are torn up a bit.
Bo, I have done the eyebrow thread at Greenwood Mall also and loved it. I read the other day that your eyelashes fall out and new ones come in like a month. So you should be done with your dark lashes soon.
We are going to the new Tampa Museum of Art tomorrow, golf the next day. I am liking Hawk being retired! It is so good to not have to deal with snow! We miss our kids and grand kids, but do SKYPE with them on our laptop.
We are so looking forward to being with friends on the Alabama trip.
Peace and love, Mrs. Hawk
Mrs. Hawk,
Thanks for the encouraging remarks regarding my eyelashes! Good to hear you and Mr. Hawk are enjoying the Sunshine State and going places.
Miss Cissy, look up eyebrow threading on line...you'll see a demonstration. It's beyond me to explain the procedure!
GB
I need a 1963 metallic blue Chevrolet Super Sport, just so you know.
Hugs to all,
Bo
GB, Yep, Thats real close. And Big Brother's Mercury was black and white. Neat car, that Merc.. If my memory is correct - he got it right after he 'wrecked' his Plymouth late one night. After work, he drove by a fellow VKer's(female)house and seen one of his classmate's(male)car in the drive. Ran over a culvert and into the ditch. I think he reads this - so, I may be in trouble....
Bo, I like the name you coined for Cissy. 'Miss Cissy'. Very appropiate now that we are doing the Eufaula pilgramage. Mansions, Southern Belles and all. You'd enjoy it. We would all get to see what threaded eyebrows are about. Ferdy, How about you?? Take the week off and come visit..
Ah, the life of a retiree. It certainly seems as if those that are retired are enjoying the lifesyle that comes with that 'very much deserved' privilege. I am looking forward to it. Right now, it looks like 2 years. Mr & Mrs Hawkeye - Enjoy the sunshine. Don't miss the snow???? Echo, Hope it works out for you guys and then, you too will be 'in the sun'. Carol, you and T coming to Eufaula? And Boy, I wish Tools could join us. Any word about his Dad?? Really enjoyed visiting with him a couple of years ago.
"Missy Cissy"?!
Yeah, I like that too.
Bo, it ain't Blue, but it's close!
GB,
Like it but I would really rather have the metal flake blue..is that car up for bidding? I can't get the site to open. Those cars usually cost about $25,000 and up. I'll just write a check.
I just would love to be with you all in Eufala. One of these trips you will have to put up with me.
Ferdy,
Are you sore from the vigorous exercise at the Y??
Hugs,
Bo
Bo, the bidding as I write this is at $18,600 and the reserve isn't even met, meaning the threshhold mimimum price the seller will consider hasn't yet been bid. Did you scroll down and look at the other pics of that car? It's nicer than new!
Ferdy, we do need a report on the workout...
No pain, no gain!
Well, as of today I will be gainfully employed on the 17th. Got a four percent raise, got to keep my rate of vacation accrual--17 days a year--and ten sick days to boot (which I didn't have before). We keep our seniority, if that really means anything, and I'm once again in a salaried position. Hopefully we get to continue working compressed work schedules if we want. I love my every-other-Fridays off.
Hope everyone else's wishes and dreams have been coming true as well. And may the Good Lord keep us all safe as we have to travel in the coming ice and snow tonight and tomorrow.
Ferdy, Thanks for thinking of us. Just one quick question, after exercising are you able to cross your legs? Bet after the first couple of visits you are sore all over. You go girl.
Bo, keep everything you can crossed. We haven't heard anything yet and we are chomping at the bit. Every time the phone rings we are hoping for some news.
Mrs. Hawk, good to hear from you. And thanks for your prayers. Give us a call when you get back to Indy. Did I understand that you are in the Tampa area for the winter? The house we really want to buy is in Lakeland Fla. It is only about a hour and a half from Tampa. God willing we could be neighbors. Keep those prayer comin.
I don't know about the rest of you but "I am over it". I'm ready for Spring.
DJ, still have Mr. Kitty?
Echo
Echo,
Still looking for a home for Mr. Kitty. He is an ash color with white chest and foot tips and white colored stripes rather than yellow and brown. He needs a good home . . anyone?
dj
Tee hee!! I'm not sore from going to the Y yet. However, I just got home from Indy. After sitting in the car for 2 1/2 hours I could hardly get out of the car! My little grandson is getting heavier every day. I may not need to go to the Y if I keep carrying him around! He is so precious. He looks just like his daddy except he has my daughter's mouth.
Yes, Echo, I can still cross my legs! Hope your house sells soon.
TD - Were you thinking of me when you wrote about your brother?!
Ferdy
Yes, Ferdy, You are the one.... It happened not far from your house - late one night. No one was hurt, but, I think his ego was bruised a little. The bruised ego had nothing to do with the car crash, though. His classmate's initials are D W and they were friends. DW had a nickname in school. Can any VKer name him by his nickname??? Big Brother said he was just on his way home from work. But, that road was not on his way home from work. It took a little prying, but eventually, the truth came out.
DW?
Middle name of "Bird" by any chance?
GB, You got it. Never knew the whole story - or even if there was one. Is there more to this story? Ferdy, help me out here..Does this story have any truth to it at all?
As far as our family, there was a little more to another aspect of the story. Soon after the accident, the SF insurance agent (local and also friend of the family) was waiting at the house one day when Little Brother got off the bus - both parents were working(agent knew this)- and he started asking some questions of LB re: who drove the car and how much, ect., ect.. On the policy, Big Brother was only listed as a 'very limited miles' driver and after the agent's talk with our 10 y.o. brother, he was resistant to even turning in the claim to the main office. Parents both about blew a gasket over it, but what could they really say?? Bottom line is - SF paid the claim and our rates went up considerably.. Soon after, Parents started shopping around for another Insurance Company. I'll bet it was tough to find new coverage for a family that had 2 teenage boys driving....
TD - I believe the story is pretty accurate. I had such a crush on DW I could hardly think straight! Hind sight being 20/20 I think it was a good thing it didn't work out between me and DW. I've heard he didn't turn out as well as some of the rest of us.
Update on the Y - my legs are a little sore right now. I went over there at 6 this morning. I'm starting to feel it now. The bicycle really wears me down.
Ferdy
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