Running on fumes

It has been a very busy month, this month of September.  Had a trip to Ohio for the day job,made it down there and back with no problems.  Got a nice visit at the Sutphen Corp. plants and also visited the Columbus division of Fire museum.  The reason for the trip was a sales conference, and it was better then most if I do say so myself.  It could be my last one, as they are only held every other year.  Might retire before the next one, never can tell.  On the day after I got home, we had a call and while en route to the call blow the motor on my car. Will cost way more to fix then the car is worth, so for now, I am at the mercy of using the wife's wheels to get to fire calls.  Had training tonight, and it went very well.  Worked on RIT team functions, with about 2/3's of the department there.  Also had pictures, if I do say so myself, at least sometimes we look pretty professional.  Training ran a little long as we had to stop and look for an ear ring back that got lost.  No it was one of my younger male members who lost it.  Thankfully, my more seasoned female members were there to help him out.  He will not live that down for quite some time.  Talked with a friend today about somethings in regard to starting to pass the torch.  Not sure the person who wants the torch, wants everything that goes with it.  They will get a few more things on their plate next year, and who knows, they just might get it all.  There are a lot of days lately that the black hat looks awful good.  White helmets can be awful heavy at times.  Lost my file for ISO ratings and requirements.  Not sure what I did with it before I went to Ohio, but really need to find it soon.   Have still two AFG grants to finish before Friday at 5PM, so the week is still full.  Missions meeting tomorrow evening, church board on Thursday, and Fire Department dinner on Saturday.  Oh did I mention, 32 customers to see also this week, and meeting the boss for lunch tomorrow for my annual review.  Use to dread these, no so much anymore.  After 33 years, and with retirement close think I can handle this, but still need to remind myself to not put it in neutral and coast to the end. Need to get to bed,  the great drill and spirit that we had to night sure helped as at times certain parts and people can make the job very depressing.   Night all.

Short on Time & Sleep

This will be a short post.  I had figured it would be a long one, as it is 5:30AM and I have been awake since 4:30AM.  Have a busy day, and a lot to do in the next few days.  Got a bit of good news, the \hurricane on the coast has caused DHS/FEMA to extend by one week the deadline for filing AFG grant requests.  I have one already started, waiting on information to be sent to me to finish, but because of the delayed filing time, I think I will work on a second grant.  Nothing ventured nothing gained.  Will be gone much of next week for a sales conference for the day job.  Get to go to Ohio.  Use to look forward to these, now not so much.  Will have to go like crazy to get ahead, and then the week after go like crazy to catch-up.  Have to take two online tests before I go, and have to read a book as well.   The book is okay, better than most I have read on customer relations, but still think the guy could have said it in about half the pages he took.  I  guess people might bulk at paying $22 dollars for a book of only 100 pages.  Had a new grandson since I last posted.  Everything went well, have two more grand babies due before spring.  That will bring me to 15, and I think I might be done.  Realized that this one may never really know me,  as I think back, I lived in the same house (duplex) with my grandparents.  I tried to remember as much as I could about my grandfather, who was in his 50's and 60's during my growing up years.  He died when I was 16 years old.   I tried to recall events, family gathering, etc.  I think my total recall if written would be hard pressed to fill two pages.  Maybe because my memory is getting old, but I really think that any grandchildren I have, except for maybe two or three will not have very many memories of me, and those under 10 now will have very little tangible memories of me, and will not remember much of our time together.   Decided much of what is on my mind now, and has been for the last few weeks really needs to go in the hidden file.   That is a file in my office that when things are really starting to press and I need a place to vent, I will write out what I feel, what my thoughts are  and be really honest.  BUT, I also know that what I might say, write etc, could cause a lasting hurt.  Usually, that is in fact what brings the letter into being.   Things I would say are of a very personal nature, and most likely should be just as well not said.  BUT, I find it somewhat stress relieving to put on paper what I feel, think, and perceive.  What I usually do is write the letter, usually to the person or persons, telling them just what I think, feel, etc.  Than put it in a miss labeled file in my office.  ( Most likely when I am dead, someone will clean out the draw, and probably just throw the file away as it is such a file that it appears to be unrelated information of a general nature.  Nothing important.  Have several letters in there, many have gone in and many have later been thrown away after the passion of the moment or the event has gone past.  In these cases, if I had said what I thought, felt etc. it would have just made things worse, and probably damaged relationships.  SO, I vent where no one will get hurt.   Usually helps.  Today,  the file will increase by one.   Time to get ready for work.  Have long full day ahead.