So, survived the work marathon

Still kinks (some pretty big kinks) to work out in the new systems at the office, but we lived through it. Many, many parts are going better than expected and that helps offset some of the worries that remain. All-in-all, I'm still most pleased to be associated with Bay Valley Foods.

Grandson Nathan was over this weekend after not having seen him for two weeks. Know what? Two weeks in the life of a 7-week-old represents big steps forward. Nathan remains remarkably handsome, however, and his genius seems to expand every time we see him.

I chatted with some old friends tonight. One is a former co-worker who keeps being paid but is currently uninspired. She knows that she needs to make some kind of move to take care of that, but things aren't quite bad enough to force the move in the current job market.

Another was a friend/mentor/job coach who lost a job and then was diagnosed with terminal cancer. First despair, then he's on top of the world because he quit worrying about work, went 'home' to be with family, and then has found experimental treatment that gives him all the hope in the world. His faith in God has bloomed and he's happier than he's been in years, if ever before.

My niece and nephew, Rebecca and Aaron are on RAGBRAI, the great bike ride across Iowa, this week. Both are enjoying the trip for its own merits, I'm sure, but also remembering their father who did this ride many, many times. Both are sending trip updates via the Internet using different methods. I'm enjoying my vicarious involvement thanks to their posts.

It's certainly been a mild summer here. Bills for the A/C are nonexistant so far, and still warm enough to be comfortable. There are some who wish it would be hotter, but I'm not kicking.

I'm too old for this

That big project at work caused me to work all weekend and made me absolutely exhausted. Fortunately, we seem to have accomplished what we set out to do, so I've earned the wages they've been paying me. There are still kinks to work out -- but if this stuff was an automatic slam-dunk, then why would they have to pay me?

Grandson is good. Think he's showing signs of genius (at six weeks).

Grandson's parents are good. So is Aunt Laura.

We enjoyed guests, but they were gone too soon.

Woodwork has progressed but there's more to go.

Later this week, I will be having one of those crummy medical procedures us middle-aged types need to do periodically in order to prevent bigger troubles. Not fun, but 5 years ago the same procedure detected and removed pre-cancerous growths....so some discomfort is traded for longer healthy years.

After 11:00 and I'm about to fall asleep.....guess that's a sign I should sign off.

J