Traveling for Work

As I'm coming up on a year in my new position in Knoxville I am really enjoying it. I enjoy all my co-workers and studying the business that I'm working in. It is constantly changing and competitive at times too, which I like.

Another aspect of my job is some travel. I travel about every third week for my job and I do like getting away and seeing new people and places. Getting out on an open interstate, setting the cruise control, and looking at the sights are great and get me geared up for the next week of travel. I always see something or someone new and that fits me.

Part of my territory is West Virginia. Some of my nicest, most personable customers are in West Virginia. But the point I want to make is that this is the most run down, decrepit, poor, poverty stricken state I have ever been to. And yes, I'm from Kentucky! Everywhere you look it is just so depressing. I look forward to ending my week by leaving this state.

I was talking to one customer and she was talking about her daughter which had moved to TN. Her daughter said the attitude of TN people was much more optimistic than people in West Virginia. I can definitely see why. There looks to be no prosperity or any avenue for success.

To top it off... We have an idiot for a president that thinks we can tax and regulate the coal industry into bankruptcy over night. West Virginia people eat, sleep, and breath coal (this could be side effects that I'm witnessing). Cap and trade is what I'm speaking of. Coal is over 50% of this countries energy... it's not going anywhere anytime soon. They are so uncertain of their immediate future that it is very sad.

Go GOP in the November 2010 Mid-term elections. Do it for West Virginia, people with conservative values, and for all the other people that are actually working for a living.

New House Reality

Stefani and I have finally settled in our new house! We love it too! No more apartment living for us, at least we hope. If you have ever lived in an apartment you know what I'm taling about. This house is so quiet. There is no one walking with high heels above your head, no toilet lid being slammed, no loud kids with scooters in the breeze way! The loudest thing we hear now, minus the TV, is the pitter-patter of Topper's feet on the hardwood floors...ha. The inside looks great. Stefani really put her magic decorating to work, with touch of Alex along the way... ;). It still doesn't feel like ours yet, but it will soon I know. We are so happy with everything, even the commute to work is quicker.

Welp, thanks for reading, ttyl!

End of 2009

This year has went by really fast. It has been a "whirlwind of a year." From moving to Knoxville from Nashville in April, an addition to the family with Topper, to starting a new position with work, to buying our 1st home together.

This last month and a half has been even crazier! We have been trying to close on a new home as well as coordinate different issues with builder, real estate agent, and loan officer.... kinda hectic. It's been educational and made me have much more respect for project/construction managers that you see on the reality TV shows. I hope I don't sound like I am complaining, because I'm not. Stefani and I are very excited about our new home together and feel very fortunate to be able to do so during tough economic times. We love the new house as well as the location and look forward to settling into it.

Did I mention we threw in Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my birthday as well? Thanksgiving food and time with family was great, Christmas was even better and my birthday was just icing on the cake! My mom and Stefani really make my birthday extra special since it is so close to the holidays. I don't know what I would do without these two ladies in my life.

Enough of 2009... I am ready for the new decade and 2010!