Aliene and I decided to try to buy another house. We have to sell our current house first for a minimum amount so everything is still iffy.
We like our current house, but don't like the yard which takes so much time to maintain. Also, although it is a good house, it is 20 years old and things start to go wrong. I am all thumbs when it comes to mechanical projects (I can't even change a bicycle tire) and I finally decided I didn't have time to mess with it. Also, we have a very hard time finding compenent people who are willing to work on small jobs.
Anyway, so we are going to start living in the world of "open houses", where people tromp through your house, sudden house visits, and the always on the back of your mind fear that someone actually WILL offer a suitable offer for the house!
The house we are considering is in an "over 55" addition, and has lawn service etc. as part of the Homeowners Association fee. We still haven't signed a contingency contract (contingent on the sale of our home), but expect to in the near future.
We are going to list our house for six months. If it doesn't sell, we'll decide that fate has decreed that this our house and enjoy it!
Saturday, April 23, 2005
City Government in Action
The other day, before the Board of Appeals, I observed the reason I love working for City government.
I observed about 30 residents come forward, present their case, and honestly having their input considered by the Board.
THAT is the beauty of City government! It actually sent chills down my spine to observe what I consider to be the beauty of City government. We may not always do what you want, but we listen!
In the end, that is probably the basic reason I love my job so much.
I observed about 30 residents come forward, present their case, and honestly having their input considered by the Board.
THAT is the beauty of City government! It actually sent chills down my spine to observe what I consider to be the beauty of City government. We may not always do what you want, but we listen!
In the end, that is probably the basic reason I love my job so much.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Bicycle
I rode my bike almost daily for four years without a flat.
In the last month, the bicycle has had a flat tire approximately every two rides! I expect it is a problem with the rim, but the bike shop hasn't found a problem.
With the beautiful weather I have really missed bicycling!
In the last month, the bicycle has had a flat tire approximately every two rides! I expect it is a problem with the rim, but the bike shop hasn't found a problem.
With the beautiful weather I have really missed bicycling!
Louisville
Just got back from Louisville. Louisville is a nice city, although, as the saying goes, I wouldn't want to live there!
On the trip up, from Nashville to Louisville, I was in one of the hardest rainstorms I was ever in, especially since the rain storm lasted for miles.
The conference was excellent. It was a joint meeting of the Tennessee City Managers and Kentucky City Managers, so it was interesting to meet new City Managers, although I am still learning the Tennessee City Manager's names!
On the trip up, from Nashville to Louisville, I was in one of the hardest rainstorms I was ever in, especially since the rain storm lasted for miles.
The conference was excellent. It was a joint meeting of the Tennessee City Managers and Kentucky City Managers, so it was interesting to meet new City Managers, although I am still learning the Tennessee City Manager's names!
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Biking
Due to equipment problems with my bike, weather and tooth problems, I am just getting back to riding my bike. It feels so good! There is truly nothing better for clearing out my brain than a ride on my bike!
Also, it is an excellent opportunity for me to not things that need attention by the City! I frequently don't notice some situations in the car that I do in the bike.
I love this time of year in Tennessee when the flowers come out and the trees bud and it is actually warm enough to wear shorts!
Now, if I could just keep my bicycle tire from going flat! I am completely non-mechanical and the times I tried to change a tire, it ended badly, to say the least.
At least now I have a nice bikerack so I can get the bike to the repair shop quickly!
Aliene's hand is still hurting her, so she isn't able to ride her ride her bike.
I am trying to get my distance up to where I can ride the "midnight" ride in June in Memphis. Other than that, my cousin, Kenneth asked me to go bike riding with him in Colorado this Summer, so I have to be prepared for that!
I am thinking of getting another bike. I have rebuilt my existing bike several times, but it is kind of like saying goodby to an old friend to get another bike.
Also, it is an excellent opportunity for me to not things that need attention by the City! I frequently don't notice some situations in the car that I do in the bike.
I love this time of year in Tennessee when the flowers come out and the trees bud and it is actually warm enough to wear shorts!
Now, if I could just keep my bicycle tire from going flat! I am completely non-mechanical and the times I tried to change a tire, it ended badly, to say the least.
At least now I have a nice bikerack so I can get the bike to the repair shop quickly!
Aliene's hand is still hurting her, so she isn't able to ride her ride her bike.
I am trying to get my distance up to where I can ride the "midnight" ride in June in Memphis. Other than that, my cousin, Kenneth asked me to go bike riding with him in Colorado this Summer, so I have to be prepared for that!
I am thinking of getting another bike. I have rebuilt my existing bike several times, but it is kind of like saying goodby to an old friend to get another bike.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Teeth
Well, an update on my root canal. I had hoped it would be done in one visit, I thought my visit Friday was the last one for the root canal part, now I found out I have ANOTHER visit to complete the root canal!
What is really bad is that due to the root canal, I need a crown now!
What is ever worse is the COST! Between the costs for the root canal and crown or the actual root canal, I'm not sure which hurts the most!
Actually, the Dentist has been very good. My teeth ache or hurt for a day or so after the procedure and then I am fairly comfortable.
I will be glad to get the root canal done, and even happier to get the crown done.
What is really bad is that due to the root canal, I need a crown now!
What is ever worse is the COST! Between the costs for the root canal and crown or the actual root canal, I'm not sure which hurts the most!
Actually, the Dentist has been very good. My teeth ache or hurt for a day or so after the procedure and then I am fairly comfortable.
I will be glad to get the root canal done, and even happier to get the crown done.
Aliene out of town
Aliene is out of town this week to be with her son Ron for his operation.
I forgot what it is like to live by myself. I quickly degenerated into "eating over the sink" and tripping over my clothes on the floor (well, not really that bad), but it is different. Worse, my eating habits reverted. (Like a pie and ice cream for a complete meal!)
I am glad we are married and I will be really glad when she gets back!
April is a really busy month, and I need to prepare the City budget, so this gave me a chance to catch up on my work, and get the framework of the budget completed.
I forgot what it is like to live by myself. I quickly degenerated into "eating over the sink" and tripping over my clothes on the floor (well, not really that bad), but it is different. Worse, my eating habits reverted. (Like a pie and ice cream for a complete meal!)
I am glad we are married and I will be really glad when she gets back!
April is a really busy month, and I need to prepare the City budget, so this gave me a chance to catch up on my work, and get the framework of the budget completed.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
"The 8th Habit"
I am reading "The 8th Habit" by Stephen Covey as my "15 minute" daily reading exercise. It is a fascinating book and I am enjoying slowly reading it and trying to incorporate the thoughts.
He mentioned the concept of "Completed Staff Work", which apparently is an old concept. For some reason, that concept has never risen to my consciousness before.
It is a great book with a lot of thoughts. I borrow a lot of books from the library. I'm glad I bought this one.
After this book, my goal will be to read the Fortune Magazine "75 Smartest Books". It may take a while to read all 75 books! Actually, I have read a number of them.
He mentioned the concept of "Completed Staff Work", which apparently is an old concept. For some reason, that concept has never risen to my consciousness before.
It is a great book with a lot of thoughts. I borrow a lot of books from the library. I'm glad I bought this one.
After this book, my goal will be to read the Fortune Magazine "75 Smartest Books". It may take a while to read all 75 books! Actually, I have read a number of them.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Reading
One of my favorite pastimes is reading. I am currently reading "The 8th Habit" by Stephen Covey as my "learning read". (I also read a wide variety of junk mysteries, novels, magazines etc. I just love to read.)
Recently Fortune magazine listed the best 75 books for Managers and I decided my goal is to read all 75 of those books!
I try to spend 15 minuetes per day reading something I normally probably wouldn't read. I figure this will keep me in reading for a long time!
Recently Fortune magazine listed the best 75 books for Managers and I decided my goal is to read all 75 of those books!
I try to spend 15 minuetes per day reading something I normally probably wouldn't read. I figure this will keep me in reading for a long time!
"Hot Wheels" vehicles
I'll admit it. I collect "Hot Wheels" (actually I collect all types of small vehicles). I simply enjoy it and it is a rewarding, inexpensive hobby for me.
I have decided to classify the vehicles (they are much more than cars!) and, several minutes each day, I take the cars and classify them. Some of obvious. I have determined the classifications of "NASCAR", "Indy/Formula I", convertables, pickups, "classic coaches", Ferraris, vans, trucks, fire trucks, police cars etc. Some I haven't been able to classify.
I am looking to trade some cars and will appreciate any information on a "Hot Wheels" club in the West Tennessee. For that matter, I could visit an Oklahoma City club when I am in the area visiting family!
I don't know why I get satisfaction out of collection them. I've been doing it in a coordinated way since at least 1979. Usually I just pick up a couple every now and then, and if I see them at a garage sale (a rare occurance) I buy some of the better ones.
I have decided to classify the vehicles (they are much more than cars!) and, several minutes each day, I take the cars and classify them. Some of obvious. I have determined the classifications of "NASCAR", "Indy/Formula I", convertables, pickups, "classic coaches", Ferraris, vans, trucks, fire trucks, police cars etc. Some I haven't been able to classify.
I am looking to trade some cars and will appreciate any information on a "Hot Wheels" club in the West Tennessee. For that matter, I could visit an Oklahoma City club when I am in the area visiting family!
I don't know why I get satisfaction out of collection them. I've been doing it in a coordinated way since at least 1979. Usually I just pick up a couple every now and then, and if I see them at a garage sale (a rare occurance) I buy some of the better ones.
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