Select Pensive

Last blog I spoke of studying for my upcoming test for CISSP on Halloween day.  I have been allowed to reschedule until January 2010, thank goodness.  I have been working no less than 12 to 14 hour days this past week.  My birthday is today, nothing special planned just hopefully study time:)

I will be working the concession stand for my Son’s football game this coming Friday at Riverdale Academy.  I enjoy working this.  I like meeting the other parents & helping to make money for the school.  My Son did very well the past nine weeks on his school work.  He is in 8th grade and I give him $20 for every A and $10 for every B, as incentive.  

I continually look for ways to improve my organizational skills, whether it is a new gadget or changing the way I do things.  In "The Quest for the Perfect Morning Routine," there are some good tips for managing our day-to-day lives.  If you have the time check-it-out.  Until next week…

Pensive Thoughts Abound

It is Monday for me and I am trying to get my blog in early, so I can concentrate on my upcoming CISSP (see earlier posting for info).  The test is at the Regency in Houston where I will stay the night before the six hour exam at the hotel.  It is hard working full time and going to school part time, and trying to get ready for this test.  My wife and I ate Chinese food today for lunch and my fortune cookie said, “Stop looking for adventure, for it will find you.”  I was not certain if this is a good thing are not, because I need to find some down time sooner than later.

My work has not been very enjoyable, lately.   The person that is supposed to train me has been out on convalescent leave for the past three weeks.  Things that go wrong and questions that I get asked do not have solutions and I am the one that everyone expects to have the answers.  It is like a slow drain in a kitchen sink.  I keep everything held-up awaiting this individuals return with the waters pressure weighing on my back & shoulders.  It is very frustrating and I contemplate retirement almost daily, especially of late.  I try to be optimistic and say things will get better…but it may not.

My wife and I want to start looking for a home out in the country, where we can get away from the excitement of the Bossier City.  There is a place that a coworker says has 24 acres with 2 stocked ponds.  The owner did deer hunt there, but he died and his wife wants to sale it.  It sounds very promising.  We would have to build our house though and I am not sure how much this will cost.

Well until next time……smiles, with a wave of my hat <):0 

Follow-up to Previous Pensive

If you read my last blog, you will remember that my Son wanted a mohawk haircut for his home coming football game.  The jury is in and my wife & I will not let him this year.  As my wife says, “He needs to be told no, sometimes”.  Yes, he does, which I do let him get his way to often.  He still has five years before he graduates, so maybe next year.

I am glad midterms are over at LSUS, but reprehensive about how I did.  My Son, Ben played Claiborne high school last night and won, which means that they will go on to compete in the play-0ffs for state.  Riverdale Academy is a 1A school.  He is only in the 8th grade.  I look back and can still remember holding him in my arms not so long ago.

I will retire in 1 year & 8 months and Ben will still have 2 years to go before he graduates.  He will begin eligibility for TOPS next year and hopefully he will continue making A’s and this will help me with the expenses for his college years.  I have not mentioned it before, but I am married to a wonderful woman.  She does have a lot of medical problems that keep her from working and she mostly stays in bed.

Additional Pensive

Here I sit today at my oldest son’s house, trying to finish up a midterm paper, which is due tonight by midnight. I have two grandsons.  The oldest is three years and the youngest is three months.  My wife and I are enjoying our sitting duty, while our daughter-in-law is host a baby shower for a friend.

My eldest watched “Nemo,” this morning and colored in his “Cars” coloring book.  He is taking a nap, while I type this.  My oldest, Zachary work the graveyard shift and is trying to sleep.  I do love my grandsons, but I do remember why I did not go to school to finish.  It is almost impossible.

On the subject parenting my youngest son, Ben.  He attends Riverdale Academy, and wanted to get a mohawk-haircut for the schools homecoming football game.  My wife refused to allow him this.  I on the other hand, thought this would be ok.  I think the reason for this is that while I went through military basic training my hair was all cut off.  The purpose for it is to break individual identity, and establish group cohesiveness.  The jury is still out on the haircut.

More Pensive Selections

I so enjoy the beginnings of Fall.  Today I completed a project that I have been avoiding that being assembling a BBQ grill.  The entire project took me around 3 to 4 hours.  I did a great job all credit going to a well written instruction manual that came with it.  The grill is well constructed and should last as long as my last one.  My last one was a Weber gas grill, which we purchased in 2001.

Speaking on projects, I have quiet a few that need to be completed.  I have laminate flooring that needs to be completed in my wife’s office and I need to finish painting the bedroom hallway.  Both of these projects are very time consuming and unfortunately have to continue being on hold.

At the end of the month I take my certification exam for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).  I am not looking forward to this six hour exam, but I know I will be glad when it is over. I have to be certified by the 1st of January or I will loose my position at my job.  Yes the pressure is on.