It's Really 2006

Doesn't it feel like it's been 2006 forever? Some years I have trouble writing the new year on checks and correspondence. This year has been easy for some reason. It is an odd "left brain" thing, but it works for me.

I lost my wallet last week. I'd had it on Monday because I remember I had to run out to my car and get it when I was dealing with someone on the phone on a credit for an online retailer that I'd returned some product to. I also had it on Tuesday, when I grabbed my wallet to bring with me when I went to the gym. We searched the house and my car and couldn't find it. It was Wednesday night and I was looking for it to put with my things for Thursday morning. I admit that I hate to carry a wallet. I have a money clip and have carried one for years. The wallet is superfluous unless I need a credit card. I try to leave it in my car, which is a problem if I find myself in Darla's car or a store and I decide to buy something and I don't have enough cash. It is a source of amusement with Darla as I've left my wallet in my desk a number of times and had to make the trip all the way back to the office. Wednesday night I made that trip again, this time to no avail as I searched my office at nine o'clock at night and came up empty. I was leaving for Chico on Thursday morning to see agents and needed my wallet to buy lunch and to drive. I got home and took about ten minutes off by myself to think about my movements and where I might have left the wallet. I asked God to clear my head and help me. I walked outside and looked on the planter at the front of the house. I often sit there to put my shoes on before I leave the house. My wallet was sitting in the bushes where it fell the night before when I set it and my car keys down when I put my shoes on before leaving for the gym. It had rained Wednesday, but the wallet had fallen under some bushes and hadn't hit the ground. It was dry and I was again thanking God for answered prayer. And, yes, I am a bonehead.

It is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here in the US. Another excuse for the federal government to take a day off and another holiday loudly ignored by US businesses. There is no postal service today, the banks are closed and the stock market is dark today. The roadways here in Sacramento were barren of cars on my early morning commute as the University is closed today and this is a government town. The public troughers are all sleeping in and enjoying another paid holiday as those of us who actually keep the economic engine oiled and running are at work. I have about 3 or 4 staff off today as the kids are out of school.

It was a nice weekend, although it rained on Saturday and ruined my planned golf outing. I snuck out yesterday and played a quick 18 holes at Diamond Oaks in the afternoon. It was clear and cold with a bright blue sky and sunshine which always looks so much cleaner after a rainstorm. I joined up with a couple of guys and played 18 in 3 1/2 hours. I shot 42+41=83, but played from the white tees as the guys I was golfing with were certified hackers. I am signed up to play in my first tournament of the year this coming weekend.

Darla and I will venture up to Ukiah next week for two days. I have to go up on business and will stay over night and Darla said she'd go with me. She has so much vacation time and likes to tag along on my business trips. I will be traveling more this year as I concentrate on writing new business and want to get out and meet my agents in some of the outlying areas. I will be up to Redding next month for another overnighter and she may join me there as well.

I will be leading our life group tonight and I brought my Bible to prepare for the lesson tonight. I have made a commitment this year that I will leave work early on Mondays to relax and prepare for life group. I was far too rushed on Monday nights, often getting home at 6:15 and leaving for life group a half hour later after gulping down a quick meal. I am in the office at 7 everyday and will leave work by 4:00 PM on Mondays. Our leaders, Kim and Connie, are both busy with extra work. Kim has taken on a college class which he will be teaching nights at Sierra College. Kim is a high school teacher, so this is extra curricular so to speak and I offered to take some of the leadership of the life group to help him out. Connie is teaching and going to school at William Jessup University. The life group is a blessing to us and we have used much of the time we have together to pray for each other and for our friends and family. It is powerful to be part of a group that prays fervently. We have prayed for most everyone who reads this Blog, so if you have felt the power, it may have been coming from us.

David continues to look for a new car. He is bound and determined to find a late '90's 2 door Tahoe. The cars are rare and expensive (about $10,000), but it is what he wants. Like college, Cal Poly was and is his only goal, David knows what he wants and won't be dissuaded. He is lucky in that he has his Grandma's Cadillac to drive while he looks for a car. He's found three, but two are too expensive and one has three people interested. The price is $8900 and he hopes to look at it today.

Darla did not get the promotion at her work, but she scored well on the interview and her superiors say it is just a matter of time before she moves into management. They want her to continue to apply for openings as they come up. There was scuttlebutt that the management team wanted a man for the job, and lo and behold, a man got the position. Amazing that, eh?

We had our Heating/Air/Plumber back out for the third time. We continue to get an odd humming noise after we run the water. We thought we'd corrected the problem with a new expansion tank installed off the water heater a couple of weeks before, but we continue to get the howling in the pipes. It rattles at least three times and is as loud as a foghorn. Mike Votaw himself came out and now thinks we have a problem with the pressure regulator at the front of the house. The valve regulates the amount of water pressure in the house and he thinks it has developed a leak. More money..what the hey.

Well, work awaits. The troops are slowly trickling in and I have to do payroll this morning, so I'd best get at it. Have a great week and God Bless. Ciao.