Zoom Zoom Zoom

I've gathered that there are many people who feel that I needed a new car. Well guess what, I got a new car. Actually it is a new/used car. I bought a 2006, Mazda 5. It is candy apple red, seats 6, and gets 28 mpg on the highway. It's kind of a mini, minivan.

I want to thank my Mom and Dad for first talking me into looking for a new car, and second walking me through the process.

Peace and Good Cheers,
Marty

So The Question Of The Day Is.....

If I step out on my own and open a coffee shop, what do I do about insurance? Are there plans for small business, or maybe coop plans, that anyone knows about?

This is one of those post that will hopefully spark a little discussion (see previous post).

Thank you for the replies.

Peace and Good Cheers,
Marty

An Open Letter To The You.

Friends,

I would like for this blog to become more of a "discussion" than a journal. Although I'm glad that you have taken the time to keep up with the exploits of my family, it would also be nice to hear your thoughts on things. After all, the majority of the time Eilish is the most "adult"person I talk to. Granted she is mature for her age but ten is still ten.

There will be some entries that don't require responses. You'll know them when you see them. Other entries will be specifically written to initiate a discussion.

Of course, you are always welcome to just read my blog and I will also continue practicing to be on that new game show "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" or in my case a fourth grader. HELP, I'm surrounded.

Let the discussion begin.

Peace and Good Cheers,
Marty

"Have A Good Idea?"

Did I hear her right? Did the clerk at the convenience store just tell me to "have a good idea"? I know she was meaning to say "have a good day", which she quickly added. At first I thought I may have been suffering from coffee deprivation.

The reason I found this so weird is that all I've been trying to do this week is to " have a good idea". I think I have a couple stuck in the back of my head so I've been trying to get them pulled out intact.

I've been trying to figure out ways to make more money. Now, before rumors get started, We are not headed to the poor house. I'm just trying to be the good capitalist and increase my take home pay without having to take anymore time away from my children. There in lies the rub.

Let me share with you the ideas that I'm working on.

I've been presented with the opportunity to open a small coffee shop in the only area of Columbia that is not over populated with coffee shops. It would be surrounded by one of Columbia's four major hospitals, four large office complexes , and five hotels all within walking distance. The beauty of this idea is that the store would operate on Doctor's hours and the landlord is open to many different financial arrangements.

The second idea would be a publishing business ran out of the house. This would be a single sheet, "lite" news, paper published once a week and distributed free through varies coffee shops, restaurants, doctors offices, etc. How do you make money on this? I have one word for you, "PLASTIC". Actually the word is "advertising".

So I'm now soliciting your input. If you need more details let me know. I have to keep some things on the "down low" so that I don't give anyone else another good idea on how to make money.

Well I have to go make money for "the man" now. Blog you later.

Peace and Good Cheers,
Marty

P.S. This is the stuff that Christa used to hear all the time. Now it is your turn. Thanks.

What It Is All About.

Need I say more.

This last picture shows Christa's artwork that I've had framed. This is my "gallery".
I hope everyone likes it.

Peace and Good Cheers,
Marty

Six Months or Yesterday.

Over the past week or so I've been thinking about what today would be like and what it all means. For those who have not been counting, today it has been six months since Christa passed. She loosed her fight not for lack of will but lack of strength. She fought so hard and never gave up.

Christa was a wonderful mom. Early on in our relationship, I can remember her saying that she didn't think she really wanted to have children. Actually I believe she said if we were going to have children it would be me doing the "pushing". She tried to make sure that the children were exposed to as many things as possible. She taught them that beauty can be found in a pencil sketch as well as the painting of the "masters".

She was a beautiful woman. She had a beauty that shown from within. I find that as I look back through the pictures I realize "wow, I am a lucky man". To have been loved by a woman so with so much beauty.

In many ways September 18th could have been yesterday and yet it has been six months. I have been surprised at how many people have moved forward doing things that six months ago would have seemed so out of character for them. Maybe it is because we now have a muse or guardian angel. I hope to be among those who move forward and make Christa proud.

Christa I love you and I miss you.

Peace and Good Cheers,
Marty

I talked to Sue and Gary this evening. It sounds as if everyone is very excited about the upcoming opening. I hope we get to go out to Carson City this summer and see the place.

A good idea opening on the second, April Fools Day is probably not the best day to open a new business.

Peace and Good Luck,
Marty

Roller Coaster Week.

Where do I begin? This past week was a little tough. Most of it has been in my head. That doesn't mean that I need to see a "shrink" so let's just throw that thought out the window right now. The following is my laundry list for the week.

First, let's talk about work. This is the first week in over a month that I have actually worked near forty hours. Now before everyone pulls out those tiny little violins to start tuning them up, please understand that I'm not complaining about the hours except that it doesn't give me time to do some of the other things I need to do.

I got a call from Wash U. on Tuesday about an outstanding medical bill. I had been trying to get the insurance company to explain why they haven't payed it. I will go ahead and write them a check since they shaved 20 percent off. I can still get a refund if First Health decides to pay.

Wednesday I got a from a collection company. They had a bill for $3.15 that hadn't been paid.
I thought about asking them if they would take payments but decided to go ahead and pay the whole amount.

Thursday I heard that sound that we all dread. The starter seems to be heading out on the van. Luckily the Sable seems to be running well. I was hoping to hold off on buying a "new" car but that may not be an option.

The end of the week looked brighter. My income tax refund got here. I also found my bonus check that I had forgotten about and hadn't cashed. I also found a letter from the state that said I had over payed my business taxes and I'm due a refund. Cha-Ching.

I think that what really struck me the most this week is that I that it will be six months on the on the 18th since Christa left us. I don't know how this could be coming around so soon. Also, the 17th, St Patrick's day, is the day that Christa and I had our first date. We went and saw Wall Street at the theater. I may have to light two candles that day.

So here is the update. Sorry for the long time between post. I will try to blog again soon.

Peace and Good Memories,
Marty

20 Ways To Test Your Level Of Sanity

I found this on another blog and couldn't decide where I would fall:

1. At Lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hairdryer at passing cars, watch to see if they slow down

2. Page yourself over the intercom and don't disguise your voice

3. Every time someone asks you to do something, politely ask them If they want fries wiff dat!

4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it IN Box

5. Put decaf in your coffeemaker at work for 3 weeks,once the employees have gotten over their addiction to caffeine, switch over to espresso

6. In the memo fields of all your checks, write For smuggling diamond expenses

7. Finish all your sentences with In accordance with the prophecy

8. Dont use any punctuation

9. As often as possible, skip rather then walk

10. Order a DIET water whenever you dine out to eat and say it with a serious face

11. Specify that your drive-through order is TO GO!

12. Sing along at the Opera

13. Go to a poetry recital and politely ask why the poems don't rhyme

14. Put mosquito netting around your desk area at work and play tropical Island sounds

15. Five days in advance of a friends party, announce to them you wont be attending because you're not in the mood.

16. Have your co-workers address you by your wrestling name Rock Bottom

17. When your money comes out of the ATM machine, scream loudly woohoo I hit the jackpot..

18. When leaving the zoo, start running and begin screaming they're loose, run for your lives!

19. Tell your kids over dinner due to the current economy, we are going to have to let one of you go

20. Make someones day by smiling at them and then say to them Do I know you?

OPENING SOON.

Good morning all.

Sue sent me an email last night updating me on her post retirement project, White Cat Antiques L.L.C..

She got the keys yesterday and will spend the next month moving in and getting everything ready to open. I believe that she is planning to open around the first of April.

Mark, Christa's brother, has been recruited to build a website for the store with a shopping cart so that they can get some e-commerce going.
They will also be linking their website to the Memorial Fund For The Arts blog to give that project more exposer. If you have a website or blog, and are so inclined, please give a link to White Cat Antiques and help her out.

Sue also indicated that she will be taking retirement in July. Sounds like she is looking forward to this next chapter in her life. Please wish her good luck.

Family update coming soon.

Peace and Good Cheers,
Marty

Brain Age = ?