The Payson Panorama Loaded

Here is the photo I could not upload yesterday. Enjoy.

I'm Taking What They're Giving 'Cause I'm Working For a Living

Apparently, I became a full-time employee of Apollo Group today. WooHoo! I say apparently because I got a congratulatory message from my boss, but he never actually said that it changed today. I guess I'll find out when I turn in a time sheet on Friday. If he says, "You don't need that," then I am getting a salary.

We had a good time in Payson this weekend with the folks. We had a little allergy issue, but for me, I'll trade some heat for some sniffles. However, we were there for a Chorale concert, and Dad has a severe enough attack that he couldn't even sing. I can;t sing, either, but I got up there anyway. What a trooper, huh?

We did several geocaches, including a Fear of Rabbits cache. It was nice a cool up on the Mogollon Rim at 7200+ feet. While we were up there, I grabbed this panoramic view of the valley below. Whatcha think?



No, you are correct. There is no photo here. It didn't want to upload tonight, and I didn't want to stay up trying to figure out why. Maybe tomorrow. Sorry.

Happy Days Are Here Again

Here, Isabella is teaching Alison how to enjoy her birthday cake. Check out Bella's fingers. You can tell she started eating it before Ali did. It was a Happy Birthday indeed.

Today was also a Happy Day. The boss offered me a job, and I said "Show me the paperwork." Hopefully, it'll come through tomorrow or Monday. I plan to sign it, of course.

It'll be a Happy Weekend, too. Kathie and I are heading up north to Payson tomorrow with the folks. We have a Chorale concert there on Sunday. So, we are going up early to be in cooler weather. I was hoping for colors, too, but I think it has still been too hot.

There is a touch of unhappy because we will miss the grandgirls this weekend. Alison will see them for us.

Happy Birthday, Ali!

The granddaughters came over for Alison's birthday. Here is a photo from another night, but no less cute.

Happy b-day, Ali. I hope it has been a good one for you. We made one of your favorite dinners and a DQ ice cream cake. Well, I know I enjoyed it.

I still have a job, although I am still a contractor.

Lyndsay tells me I need to sign up for Facebook. That way, I can keep up with her photos of the girls. Hmm. I'll do that sometime.

Have y'all heard of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Univ. Kyle and Lyndsay are going to it at their church. They are super excited about what it promises for their future. So, be praying for them.

That's Not Too Bad

Right now, the Cowboys are behind 31-37. That's bad. However, both teams are moving the ball well. That's not too bad.

I went to the doctor today for my throat. I've had a hoarseness and lack of singability for a couple of months now. He didn't see anything and offered 3 possibilities. A virus - no real symptoms seen, and it should not last this long. Allergies - possible, and the thing we will treat first using an OTC medicine. Vocal cord nodules or polyps - non-cancerous little thingies on my vocal thingies. Non-cancerous, That's not too bad. They may have to cut them off if it is polyps or nodules. Hopefully, that's not too bad.

He also checked my shoulder pain that I've had for a few months. He made me move my arm around in ways that made it hurt. I said, "Doc, it hurts when I do that." Then he said, "Well, don't do that." He also diagnosed it as tendonitis. He prescribed OTC anti-imflammatories and said I should do light exercise using 5-lb weights. Push it till it hurts a bit, then back off. Maximum of 15 reps. OK, that's not too bad.

I still have not heard for sure about my job. However, today, he asked me to work up a Statement of Work for software we are buying, including a plan to have it in place by Nov 30. That feels like I will be staying. That's certainly not too bad, although I'd like a definitive answer.

One of Bella's favorite games is chasing her around the stairwell. So, Daddy is usually the pursuer. Here, Kendall joins in the fun, and she loves it. That is certainly not too bad.

Bella has a puzzle that is over 4-feet tall. So, we had her lay down on it after building it so we could all see how large it is. That's pretty big, right? She can pretty much assemble it herself. Not too bad, huh?

It's Been a Week?

Sorry about that. I know that you've all been on pins and needles waiting to hear what happened at work. Nothing yet. We lost 5 project managers. Two former PMs hired in at a lower position. One stayed the same level, and one might get a promotion. The three contractors are still waiting for them to finish internal interviews before we find out what happens to us.

On a lighter note, the girls spent the night last Friday night. This reminds me that God has a reason for given children to young people. Whew, I am just now catching back up on my rest. Still, I'm certainly glad we live close enough to enjoy them.

No photos tonight. I do have some I took this weekend, but I have not loaded them into iPhoto yet.

Hey, take a look at Caleb's blog. He mentions one of my favorite religious singing groups. No, I will not give you a hint. Read it and find out for yourself.

Everybody with an Existing Job Step Forward. No, Not You, Sir.

So, you've heard about my travails in the new job. So, we are all scheduled to be laid off on Sep 17 unless we are hired after a round of interviews. The jobs are split into 3 levels of responsibility (and therefore, pay). Right now, I am working at the lowest level. So, which do you think I will interview for? Hello! The top one? My current one? Actually, both.

Anyway, today the boss came and gave me an update. All interviews for current employees must be done before any of the contractors. So, there is a very real risk that even my current job could be gone, depending on how many candidates apply. So, even though interviews start tomorrow, we are on hold for a couple of weeks.

One thing is for sure. I am going to be like Samuel in I Sam 3. "Speak, Lord, for thy servant listens."

Finally, a photo from Monday of the girls.
Kendall is laughing because Isabella is shaking her head so that her hair swings around. I don't know. It is apparently pretty funny to an 9-month-old.