80 days that changed everything

• It has been 80 days since Mom went into the nursing home.




• January 25, 2011 was the day my Mom was transferred to the Convalescent wing (we used to call them Nursing homes) of Newark Health care. It is a great place and the staff does a wonderful job taking care of her. Mom is progressing very slowly, but some day, God willing, she will walk out out there on her own.


• January 26, 2011 I lost my job


• January 27, 2011 was the day, I started preparing my parents house to sell, so Dad could move closer to Mom and into a place that is all on the same floor, no steps.


• I had these 3 goals in mind: First, end up with no clutter. Second, the objective is not to make a lot of money from selling things (Dad thought everything was worth $1,000's). Third, the goal is to make Dad feel good at the end of the day.

During the last 80 days here is my life (some numbers are estimates):

• Took 25 bags of clothes to the Amvets donation boxes


• Donated 2 bedrooms of furniture to a half way house for alcoholic women in New Albany


• Explaining the difference between "what you need" versus "what you want" to Dad = 25+ times.


• Asking Dad why he needs to take 22 different coffee cups to his new home = 6 times


• Arranged for Appleetree Auctions to come and take the contents from Dad's house to sell


• Spent 4 hours and 4 stores finding Dad a new phone charger that got thrown out by mistake


• Called Goodwill, Salvation Army and Got Junk to take the stuff out of the basement


• Spent 1 week cleaning the basement walls so Corey could spend 2 days repainting them


• Found new carpet for the TV room, went back to the carpet place to add more rooms that needed replaced


• Got the rest of carpets cleaned by Bauman's Carpets, got fans to put in the house to help dry since it rained all day today.


• Answered around 200+ calls from Dad wanting ask me a question. Average length of the call was 30 sec.


• Went to Lowes once per week for something


• Took Aunt Rhoda's upper plate to Dentist today (extra credit)


• Convinced Dad that the $38 for a 12 piece cookware set was not a good deal when only need 1 pot and 1 pan that at Walmart would be $10


• Cleaning out mom's drawers I found: 10,000 straight pins, 15 note books all with writing on the 1st 5 pages only, 19 packages of dental floss, 53 scarves, 23 turtlenecks, 1 whole drawer full of panty hose, and name badges from every place she ever worked.


• Still have not ventured into Dad's room, but that is next.


• New carpet tomorrow, final cleaning of bathrooms and kitchen by professionals is Wednesday, and new windows arrive on Friday.


• Realtor comes on Monday, so if you are looking for a new house on the west side of Newark, let me know!!!

So you get the idea. I believe God had me losing my job during this time to get everything cleaned and ready. Now the house is ready, I can go back to work, right God??

How life has changed since being unemployed

Getting 2 to 3 phone screen calls per week, but none have turned into a face to face interview. Potential contract opportunity, good pay, but 100% travel until July.

Keeping busy with mom, (Medicaid approved today!) Dad (starting to clean out his house getting ready to sell) and Aunt Rhoda (see below)

(posted on Facebook 3/8/2011)

Today it became apparent how much my life has changed since becoming unemployed.

A few short months ago I was traveling to Singapore and China working on large projects impacting several thousand people.

Today I took Aunt Rhoda to the Dentist and when we got in the car to leave, she looked at me and said very proudly, "I haven't wet myself yet!"

God love her! That put's things in perspective

Things unemployed people do

It has been a pretty slow week on the job search. There have been a couple of calls from headhunters that have some pretty interesting jobs in Columbus, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Atlanta. But have not heard from any hiring managers yet. Not losing hope, it has not even been a month yet.

Thought I would let you know what I have been doing to keep busy (no particular order):

• Take your 95 year old Aunt to the foot doctor to get her toe nails trimmed. They asked her for a picture ID and she gave them a picture of herself.
• Help mom apply for Medicaid, required many many hours of calling people, getting copies of all kinds of papers, making copies, meeting with the medicaid people.
• Helping at Awana last night, listening to kids recite Bible verses. I was with the 1st grade girls, it was pretty fun.
• Choir practice at church, always a good time
• Looking a used cars (newer than my 1992 caddy), day dreaming of buying one
• Teaching college @ MVNU last class tonight, been a great group, have been asked to teach another class in May (anyone know what "Moodle" is?)
• Visiting people at hospital when the Pastors are busy
• Exercising some, but not enough, hard to get motivated to keep it up
• Attending a Men's Leadership book study group, that was fun, met some new people, getting back to reading some more
• Attending auctions at Appletree Auction, that is interesting
• Going to Columbus to meet with my outplacement case worker, nice guy, always leave encouraged
• Checking in with some old Abbott colleagues and other ex-Abbott employees
• Keeping up with my 100 day Bible Reading plan
• Babysitting for Brock, Jakob, and/or Bryson on an emergency basis

So you can see for the most part I am keeping busy, which is the plan.

Just need one company to call!

God still in control.

"Thank you for your oustanding contribution"

That was the message on the award I received yesterday, ironic isn't it?

Go back a few days, we got a call from Fedex saying there was an important package coming that we had to sign for. Being the optimist I am, I was thinking we had won a major prize from some sweepstakes or maybe keys to a new car. I even thought that maybe it was some more papers from Abbott about the downsizing.

So yesterday, I had a meeting in Columbus with the outplacement firm, and while I was gone it came!!! A big box from Abbott!! So I began to wonder, was it stuff from my desk that I forgot? Did I win a lifetime supply for Zone bars?

It was neither, it was a very nice award to sit on your desk from a project team I had been working with before I left. I really appreciate it, they could have have not went to the expense of sending it and I would have not known either way.

I just wish they had sent it to the person who picked me to lose my job, maybe it would have changed their mind.

"...I know who holds the future, and I know who holds my hand."

Unemployed week 2

Well not much has happened on the job front :(. There are a few jobs in the Columbus area I have applied but have not heard anything. I remember from the last time being downsized that companies work at the their own pace, and it slow to someone waiting for a call.

Calls and emails have slowed down from my old coworkers (but not stopped). Went to my 1st meeting at the outplacement agency, was surprised by some of the other people I knew. 1 guy had worked for Abbott for 35 years! Another over 20, most of the rest of us were between 6 and 8 years. Some taking it much harder than me, but it is their 1st time being out of work in a long time.

There is news with Mom this week. They moved her to the convalescent wing of Newark Healthcare. Her Doctor now thinks she has a form of Parkinson's disease. The good news is I think the meds they have her on seems to be helping. Taking Dad down in the morning to get mom signed up for Medicaid to help pay her bills.

Still have mixed feelings about mom being there, she is safe and has people to take better care of her than my dad can. On the other hand, it is sad to see her physically unable to even get out of bed herself. Not sure she will ever walk out of that place. I know dad is missing her being at home.

Think I have dad convinced to sell his house and move to a place much smaller and closer to mom. That is the next step, getting the house cleaned out and ready to sell. LOTS of work ahead on that front.

Still working out everyday I can, walking on treadmill and Crossbow machine. Keeping busy between Aunt Rhoda, mom, dad, teaching college class and church, so time is moving pretty fast.

That's all for this week, remember "...I know who holds the future, and I know who holds my hand."

Downsized Part 2

Today I begin the 2nd week of being unemployed.

It was a week ago Wednesday that I got the ax from Abbott. I was one of 1,900 in the US, and 1 of 100+ in Columbus to lose their jobs. In my department in Chicago there was also 1 other person downsized, so 2 of 10, we were hit pretty hard.

As you can imagine, it has been an emotional roller coaster. I thought I would be able to retire from Abbott, it is a great company and a really miss the people (most of them anyway :)) Now we are facing the possibility of relocating away from here, a thought that we are not enjoying. But we know God has plans for us and will lead us where he wants us to be.

I have been keeping busy this past week, mostly dealing with mom and dad. Mom is moving out of the rehab side and into the long term care side of Newark Healthcare. A sad day but she is safe there and it gives my dad a break. I am trying to convince him to sell his house and move but I need to plant the seeds now and let him work up to a decision in a few weeks (Angela says I am just like that also, I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.)

Starting to prepare myself for the job search, had an opportunity in Iowa, but it is too far away. Another opening in Columbus, but have not heard anything yet. One good thing is that I can apply for others jobs within Abbott as they come open, SO I am also watching the job board closely.

Began walking on the treadmill and using the Bowflex almost everyday. Wanted to do it before, but now i have the time and motivation to start it. Just need to consistent.

Went the auction today, nothing but junk, but had breakfast at their restaurant.

That's all for now, will keep you posted on how it is going

"...I know who holds the future, and I know who holds my hand."

CONNECT Group Christmas 2010

Catching up December 2010

Wow!

It has been a while since I last updated. I guess with Facebook and Twitter, blogs are last years news. But I know there are still a few people who check, so here is the latest.

• Everyone coming home for Christmas! Can't wait to see them all again, been too long. Tyler and Rachel arrive on the 23rd, with Brandon and Julie arriving the next day. Corey is still around Newark so we see him about once per week
• Have not traveled much since October, just staying busy with work and calling Asia and Europe instead of traveling there. OK with me, I am going to count, but I think I have traveled at least 100 days for work in 2010
• Angela is in full Christmas mode. She is baking up a storm for our CONNECT Group Christmas party this Saturday, look for pictures next week. I have been helping with a new style chocolate bow for her cakes that is much easier to make and looks great.
• Was going to trademark the name "Cakerella" for her today, but found out someone else already has it. That's Ok, she is still my Cakerella
• Took 1/2 day vacation yesterday and went to an auction for model trains. It started at 9 AM, I stayed till noon, went to work, went back to the auction at 7 PM stayed an hour and there were still over 200 items left! There were over 1,500 items all together, and 90% of it was from 1 person!!! He and his wife were actually at the auction, so I talked to him and he said he still has another 400 to 500 items, he didn't want to sell yet.
• I bought a Ohio State Train set that I did not have for about 50% of what I would have paid retail. It was just really fun just looking at all the train stuff!!!!

That's all for now, more to come by the end of the month. Merry Christmas!!

illuminations at EPCOT

John and Pam Birthday

What a weekend

Brandon and Julie came to visit for the 4th. Great to see them and their dog Tyson.

Spent the 4th with the 3 best things in life:

Family

Food

and Fireworks!

Singapore #3

Just got home from Singapore, 3rd time in 7 months for work. This was a quick trip only there 2 days. A few interesting facts:

1. 32 = number of hours it took me to get there. Mostly due to a 6 hour delay in Chicago before we got on the plane. United Airlines gave us (me and 2 guys from work) food vouchers so that was nice.
2. 4 = number of moovies watched on the plane including Avatar
3. 50 = number of hours actually spent in Singapore, got there Monday, delivered the session and left the next day.
4. 0 = number of times we left the hotel. At least it was a 5 Seasons hotel with restaurants and great food.
5. 26 = number of hours it took for me to get home, only 1 hour delay in Hong Kong
6. 24 = number of hours after I got home that my luggage was delivered.
7. priceless = being home
8. 11 = number of hours before Brandon and Julie arrive home!!!!! They are on the way, praying for safe travels.

Crazy Corey and friend Chris

Memorial Day 2010

Christian Help Not Wanted?

Christian Help Not Wanted?

Catching up May 2010

Things been going pretty good for us. God is continuing to bless us daily. Few things, in case you missed them.

• Corey got a tattoo, Hebrew letters for "Christ in Me", he and Eli are headed to Memphis right now to see Tyler and Rachel and enjoy Memphis in May
• Brandon and Julie took engagement pictures and posted them on FB, very good looking couple
• Tyler got 2nd place overall in his first BBQ competition this year, won 4 trophies. Hope to have him come up this fall and cook a whole hog for family hayride
• Angela and I been working getting ready for the Park Trails yard sale this weekend. It is going to be huge! There are over 40 homes in our subdivision that are participating. I am cleaning out the basement and garage, trying to get rid of old junk, I mean prized possessions that are worth lots of money!
• Angela got her flowers planted, going to look good as usual
• No traveling for me in a while, but trips to Dallas, Miami, and Chicago are looming in the next 6 weeks
• Finished teaching a college class this week at MVNU in Newark, biggest class ever with 21 students
• Mom doing a little better, just keep her in your prayers, she just needs to get up and move more everyday to get her body loosened up, arthritis is getting the best of her I worry.
• My favorite niece, Jordan, is coming home to visit this weekend!
• That's all for now

Must Read Book

I just finished reading "The Prodigal God" by Tim Keller and would highly recommend it to everyone. It is a closer look a the Bible story, The Prodigal Son from Luke chapter 15.

In this book, Keller renames this story to "The two lost sons" and goes on to explain it was not just the younger son, the one who left and came book, that was lost, but also the older brother who stayed and did was expected and obeyed his father.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Neither son loved the father for himself. They both were using the father for their own self-centered ends rather than loving, enjoying, and serving him for his own sake. This means that you can rebel against God and be alienated from him either by breaking his rules OR by keeping them diligently."

"Elder brothers obey God to get things. They don't obey God to get to God himself.-in order to resemble him, love him, know him and delight him. So religious and moral people can be avoiding Jesus as Savior and Lord as much as the younger brother who say they don't believe in god and define right and wrong for themselves."

"Elder brother self-righteousness ... creates an unforgiving and judgemental spirit."

"Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrong doer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn't mercy, but forgiveness always comes at a cost to the one granting the forgiveness."

"selfless love destroys mistrust in our hearts toward God that makes us either younger brothers or older brother's."

I hope this makes you think about yourself enough to get the book and see how it speaks to you.

Pressing On! In Christ Alone!

Go Bucks!

If this does work go to www.youtube.com and type in "flash mob at the Ohio Union"

Memphis Vacation Pictures

Family Easter Celebration