March Beach Madness

It's been about the longest time I've ever spent away from Virginia in years. For three weeks, we have bounced between Topsail Island and Boiling Springs SC. It's actually been fun despite the lousy weather at Topsail - cold, foggy, misting rain, and a strong coastal wind have been prevalent most of the time. Still, it's been restful. We'll be leaving next week and probably not returning for at least 2 weeks due to various appointments, school, work, etc. When we return, it will be Spring and hopefully the beginning of warmer and more outdoorsy weather.

Has It Really Been Since Christmas?

I guess I’m not a very good blogger – at least not a consistent one given the date of my last entry.  Well, it’s makeup time so here goes.

First, we’re in NC and it’s cold at the beach. A little snow fell but nothing was sticking.  I guess we’re lucky because Northern Virginia has a pretty good storm going on right now.

Keeping the stream of consciousness going I have decided that I hate elevators, at least mine.  The damn thing is as dependable as, well as nothing.  Here it is broken down again for the second time in 6 months and fixing it costs big bucks just for the service calls alone.  If it breaks once more, I may turn it into a silo.

Secondly, it’s handicapped people – some of whom are lazy little buggers.  Not all of them mind you but the ones who leave their shopping carts in the handicapped parking spaces when they return to their cars.  Now before accusing me of being hard hearted or anti-handicapped, I must say that my own wife is among them and is often a victim of their inconsiderate behavior.  If someone is able to push a cart around a store and return it to their car for unloading, they are certainly capable of putting the thing back in the little holding shoot in the parking lot, regardless of their physical limitations.  Think about it and you have to conclude that it’s pure laziness and totally inconsiderate of their fellow handicapped persons who now are either denied the use of a space blocked by the cart, or forced to get out and move it first.  This is just plain rude, especially when you realize that not all handicapped people are independently mobile so getting out of a car is in itself difficult.  Parking in a handicapped spot when one isn’t handicapped is illegal.  Blocking a handicapped space so the next person can’t use it should be too.

 

 

Merry Christmas Messages

This is the first Christmas in my entire life that I've been without my Mother.  She was, as mothers tend to be, the center piece of my childhood Christmas.  As I grew up, moved away, and started my own life, I still knew that I had a Mom somewhere to visit, call, and spend some time with.  Thinking about all of this, and given her very recent and untimely departure, I've been a bit sad, knowing that I would have no such visit, no call, not even a card - ever again.  Then, strangely on this very Christmas Eve, I received the following email:

"Well, my wonderful sons, it's Christmas Eve and you are somewhere else. I wish for you a wonderful night and a wonderful day tomorrow and many many special days as you travel into your futures. It is such an honor to be your mom and such a pleasure as well. I love you with all my heart and soul. Celebrate the Season, celebrate your lives, and find happiness within. Merry Christmas!!"

"Mom"

The message was from another person whose last name is spelled exactly like mine and whose son had an email address almost like my own.  Clearly this was a mistake.  A slip of a finger on the keyboard.  Totally unintended but for me, something that touched my very soul.

Realizing that this person had intended the message for one of her sons, I responded so she could redirect it and also told her my story in the process.  We had a brief email dialog and then closed the conversation with a Merry Christmas and, most likely, a "the end"!

Anyway, I will always remember the accidental Christmas Greeting that I received from "Mom" the first Christmas after my own Mom passed away.  Be kind to your Mom's, they appreciated it and, I know that wherever she is now, mine does too!

Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty Day at Topsail Island.

We’re back.  This has been a pretty good week or at least part of one since we arrived Friday and will leave Tuesday.  Got to see some nice Christmas Decorations (they really do a great job decorating the Surf City Park and streets); met Ashley and Austin in (make that near) Shallotte to transfer Christmas presents and have lunch; looked for a new grill (didn’t find one yet); and today, since it’s due to be in the low 70s, we may get to shoot baskets, ride the tandem bike, and visit the marsh walkway.  Not too bad actually.  Christmas will be in Virginia (Patti Jr. doesn’t need to be alone for that day), then off to SC for New Years and maybe even back here for a short visit.  I know that Pat loves to be here as much as I do and leaving, besides being a hassle from a cleaning up standpoint, is always our least favorite part of the visit.  Hopefully, everyone is getting ready for Christmas.  Before then, I have school work to wrap up, a new term to set up, work work to pay attention to, and probably much more to do that I am forgetting about but likely will remember after I should have done it.

 

What did I do Thanksgiving?

Actually, I did drive to the beach after having Thanksgiving dinner with Patti Jr. She did a great job - a real turkey, dressing, sweet potato's, green bean casserole - the whole shooting match. I left about 3:30 PM and arrived around 9:30. Friday was nice, got to decorate the house. After that, downhill - cold and rainy with lots of wind. I did get everything done that I needed to do and left Wednesday. Pat's back. Bahamas don't seem to be all that great, nor does the Norwegian Cruise Line from what she has to say about it. I am going to plan a cruise for next year but it has to be on the Celebrity Line since I know they are top notch. Maybe the Mercury. Christmas shopping is underway (almost finished actually). Now we have to get things wrapped and mailed. We'll be tripping around over the holidays that's for sure.

Work is good. Semi-retired is heavy on the semi, not so much on the retired. That's OK with me. Nothing else spectacular going on - I did get my PM Certifications (Master Project Manager and Certified International Project Manager).........Whoopee!

Bradley Q. Wootten, MPM, CIPM

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's the day before Thanksgiving and this year, it really doesn't seem so special.  This is the first Thanksgiving without Mom - in the past we've had Thanksgiving dinner with her at the Brightmore and it wasn't half bad either.  Patti is in SC having Thanksgiving with her parents and sister and her family in preparation for leaving Friday for Charleston SC and a 7 day Bahamas cruise.  I am here in Virginia.  Had pho for lunch and frankly, I am about pho'ed out, at least for a while.  I'll either stick around town and lay low, or spend Thanksgiving day driving to NC where I'll stay until maybe Monday or Tuesday since there's some legal stuff needing to be attended to.  It's not like I haven't had opportunities to spend Thanksgiving with a few who've offered, it's just that I don't really want to be with anyone right now.  Still, it's lonely around here, that's for sure and, while I dread the drive by myself, I'll probably find more to do there than here. 

This is too good to pass up.

We have a neighborhood crime watch program on our street.  Forty-five households are on the roster, each assigned a week to randomly patrol the area in the morning and again in the nighttime.  The county police provide support, including a small red bag with sundry equipment - flashlight, reflective vest, forms, that sort of thing.  The bag is passed from house to house in accordance with the patrol schedule.  Guess what came up missing?  You're right - somebody stole the crime watch bag.  Since it is passed from house to house, this was clearly an inside job.  Can you believe it - one of the crime watcher's stole the bag.  How's that for something to bolster your confidence in the program?  As for me, I am starting my own program - "Watch out for the Crime Watch Patrol.  They may be out to steal your car."

I Don't Know Nutten About Nutten!

But Mom, you really knew everything about most everything. You taught me how to live, how to love, how to care, and ultimately, how to pass from this life to the next while leaving this one a bit better for those whom you left behind. Many people came to express these same sentiments – friends and family who love you; a museum that will enlighten and entertain those who never knew you; children who are far better people because of your influence and the model of life that you so consistently lived. While it saddens those of us left behind, the sadness is for our loss, since we know that things are eternally bright and joyful for you. There are so many little memories to recall – too many to list actually and most hiding in my mind, waiting to spring forth as daily surprises of joy and remembrance, keeping you close always. Recently on a visit you patted me on the head and said “my little boy has gray hair”. I’ll never forget that moment because I realized that having you here meant that I, a man of 63, was still someone’s little boy and I’ll remain that until the end.

In Loving Memory of Gerda Quelch Wootten, September 9, 1914 - October 23, 2008.

Your loving son,

Brad

Gone and Done It!

So here's the deal for the day. I officially retired.........sort of! September 15 was supposed to be my last day but for administrative purposes it actually became September 30. Between the two dates, I was technically still working but not actually going to work, just doing some work from afar. Effective October 1 I became a "casual" employee which, I surmise, means that I work when called upon for special projects and get paid an hourly rate to do so. Today is October 2 and, guess what? I am going in to the office for a meeting. So, the question is: "Am I or am I not retired?" Tomorrow, it's hit the road time - SC for a couple of days then on to NC for a while. Naturally, I'll still be toting the corporate cell phone, logging in to email, and doing many of those same things I've always done, only just not full time or in an office (or with benefits). Maybe this isn't a bad way to go - just as long as I don't get overwhelmed with all the stuff I have to keep track of as I am doing all that going.

One more thing - sort of ironic. This morning, I visit the dentist. I like to refer to him as Dr. "Unreasonable and Non-Customary" since that's what the insurance company puts on their paid claims forms when they deny a considerable portion of his bill. As a "casual" employee, I no longer have dental insurance and, typical for me, ole doctor expensive has just raised his prices. That's what happens when you have a dentist with children and a college fund. I am gonna ask for a cash discount and, maybe do some comparison shopping. Keep them choppers in good shape - dental floss is your friend.
PS: Regarding that post below about "ain't gonna happen".....I lied!

Well, Alrighty Now!

Just a postscript to my July 14 comment about retirement, no way, ain't gonna happen, etc.  My how things change.  More to follow.