Thanks Kim -

Okay, here is the FGG light-hearted entertainment for the evening.

You know how you get those free return address labels from some charities wanting you to send in a donation?

Well...here are some I received from the American Heart Assoc. yesterday:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mb_georgiaguy/album?.dir=/39ea&.src=ph

That is weird...how do you think they got that name for you?

Hi Trix -

Well..actually I made a contribution to a charity in which one of our MB friends was participating. I used that name when I made the contribution, so I'm sure where that came from.

In other news...

this place is like a mortuary today. There are a lot of very somber people around here. The affected employees were given 30 days to contiue working before the RIF takes effect.

I've had one-on-one discussions with my each of my former staff. The ones who are willing to relocate will have absolutely no problem getting jobs, but the ones that are home-grown with roots are in a real bind.

Two of them already have interviews the end of this week with other companies (out of state).

This stinks.....

Georgia

Well...I think I've got the snowball rolling and it may be hard to get it stopped.

I called the fellow who has been appointed to help me get this thing rolling. You would have thought I'd called him and told him he'd won the lottery. He was elated...says they've been wanting to get something going in my town.

Anyway, he is driving here this Friday to meet me for lunch and see what we can do to get me educated. He will also be teaching a class on installing "pondless" waterfeatures in about 3 weeks and he wants me to come to that. This, I understand, is like a waterfall that just recirculates rather than forming a pond.

Well...it will be interesting to see what comes of this. He wanted to come sooner, but I've got a meeting with the FAA in Atlanta on Wednesday and Thursday, so it had to be Friday.

Wow....why is it I find this exciting ? (!)

Georgia

Are you interested in buying into a franchise this guy has or is part of? Otherwise, I don't understand his exuberance at wanting to teach you the business.

A new chapter....all your own hard work coming to fruition! This work also gives you joy.

How I'd love to feel that joy in work (I'm working on it <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )....enjoy it FGG the possibilities are endless <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Morning folks...

Trix...I might be interested in a franchise if I could find one, but I don't think there is one that does what I'm wanting to do.

The company this guy is with is pretty big..17 offices throughout the SE (all company owned). They do irrigation, landscape lighting, ponds, and turf management as well as a wholesaler. One might think he is interested to sign me up to sell to me, but his level of interest seemed beyond that. He even told me he would come here and help me install the first few ponds to help me get started.

I am curious if they have an interest in opening their first office in GA. Currently they are in SC, NC, & VA. If that is the case, that might explain his actions. I guess I'll find out Friday.

In other news...things are eerily quiet on the sell of the house. I haven't talked to my realtor since she was at the house for dinner 2 weeks ago. I called last night and left her a message to give me a call. Also, nothing at all from xW. I hope she has found her a place to live so she wouldn't have to do this "woe is me" bit and tell the world that I'm kicking her out of her home.

I worked on my pond(s) until it got too dark to work last night. I really enjoy that. They are both coming along nicely, going to be a big improvement over what I did have.

Georgia

** pity party deleted after careful consideration, along with milk and oreos **

I read the pity party. and I don't think it's a pity aprty. It's a horrible situation. A tough one. As usual I'm sure you'll do what's best, somehow you always do!!!!

I'll be watching so that I can learn...

Dang it! I missed the pity party! NOT FAIR!!

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Hi cc (Mimi)....

I think I was feeling sorry for myself...have to get over that as there is no benefit at all in it.

I'm in Atlanta for a 2 day FAA conference along with the rest of my soon-to-be ex-colleagues (isn't that ironic?). One of them is leaving from here tomorrow to fly to his first job interview (in San Antonio).

Big news on the pond front...but I don't really have time to go into it right now as I'm about to head into the conference. I'll post later this evening.

The drive to Atlanta this morning, with the top down, was fabulous. Just what I needed to chase the rest of the blues away from last night!! (Why do they even make cars with hard tops???).

A good day to all....

Georgia

Well...we all went out tonight and had a wonderful (and expensive) seafood dinner. More food that we could eat...I think we're all kind of being "faux-rebellious"...spending the company's money with reckless abandon. I'm having a hard time holding my tongue like a professional manager should and not bash our senior management for this whole debacle.

Okay, on the pond stuff. I talked to my agent today for a long time. First of all...all is going well with the sell of the house, no problems at this point.

But, I started talking to her about the pond business (which she already knew about). She asked if I would consider partnering with an established company to get the name recognition and I told her that I would. She then told me that the most presitious nursery (if there is such a thing) in town was sold to a new owner about a year ago. The new owner is a retired engineer (not in my line of work)...and she said she felt sure that he would like to expand into the pond business and would welcome some sort of joint venture.

That sounds pretty enticing. I would have instant name recognition...probably be able to work under his business license and order wholesale through his already established supply chain.

And perhaps the biggest advanate. I have been concerned that I know very, very little about professional horticulture. A professional pond needs to be professionally landscaped, and that is my weak area. Well...this would obviously fill that need.

She (my agent) is going to approach him with kind of an exploratory discussion and let me know how it goes...

Huummmm....things are looking promising.

Georgia

GG,

Here is praying that everything works out for you! Sounds like things are moving in a positive way.

Good Morning..

Thanks, MN.

The gentleman I was to meet with today called yesterday and asked if we could reschedule for Monday.

I had a long talk with my boss yesterday. He assures me that my position in the company is secure and that I have nothing to worry about. He wants me to expand my role somewhat. I am to somehow go about finding airplanes that could be made better than they are (faster, more fuel efficient, increased range...whatever) and develop an preliminary engineering program to determine what it would cost to do it (whatever "it" is!).

As I've pointed out before, I've know him (my boss) for a long time and I trust him. However, I also know that things can change in a moments notice around here these days.

He did tell me that if he senses that my job is in question that he will let me know immediately.

On other news from my realtor. She told me that xW has narrowed down her selection to 2 houses. One is a new house with a 2 car garage in a new neighborhood near #1S/DIL. I'm not too sure how they would feel about that!!

Anyway, I've not talked to her any more but it does sound like maybe she's really working on being ready to be out of the house in less than a month.

Georgia

GG,

I hope your company knows what it is doing. I will pray for you and the changes.

RE your stuff in the old house. Have you collected it yet? And your son and DIL can decide how they want a relationship with your ex. It is not up to you. She has burned a lot of bridges and she must take ownership of her problems. You have nothing to feel guilty over.

What do you think the economy is like in the States? H and I coming in June for a visit and we are looking at our options to move there as well. Not sure if we will or not but it is nice to have options.

Hi MN -

Nope, I've not gotten my "stuff" yet. I really need to set up a time to go do that. I think my conflict avoider is procrastinating on this one...

Hummm..as far the economy in the states. Probably a myriad of opinions on that. In my city, the economy is really booming. For example, major retail developments are growing at the fastest pace ever. The new trend in retail is "lifestyle centers". I've seen these in lots of other cities, but none here. These are kind of like open air shopping centers and pseudo small town main streets combined in an "early American" sort of setting. (That's the best desription I can come up with).

Anyway...there are 3 such centers in construction here now. The one that will be opening the soonest will be the largest retail center in our city.

Seems to me the economy is doing very, very well.

Georgia

Okay, Mimi...

I've thought about your "other" thread all weekend, and now I can't find it.

I gotten all worked up ready to box your ears....what did you do with that thread?

Don't hide....I know you're there. Come on out with your hands up and no one will get hurt....

Georgia

"Box my ears"..how is that done..about what?

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, I dunno actually. I've heard that term...but never really understood it.

Where is your "learning to cuss" thread? Am I just overlooking it?

I'ts called LIGHTBULB or something or other...

Don't tell..I can't really cuss that well..just a few S words every now and then...

I remain VIRTUOUS..more WILDLY VIRTUOUS..but VIRTUOUS...

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />