Year 2008 in Review

I lost my job early in November of 2007 and had complete knee replacement on November 27th, so 2008 started out with some physical therapy taking place on my knee and lots of questions concerning future employment. When I had my knee surgery the ulnar nerve in my left arm was damaged somehow so I had to have surgery on my elbow on February 9, 2008. They operated on my elbow, but for some reason I had one heck of a time with my wrist swelling and throbbing as if they had crushed it with a sledge hammer during the surgery.
Going into March I was getting around good with my new knee and my arm was doing OK, so Kathy decided that the inside of the house needed to be painted, and since I was not employed I got selected as the painter. While doing the painting I had a real mental lapse and thought that crown moulding would really set the new paint job off. I had never done anything like putting up crown moulding before and I have no intention of ever doing it again, but it does look good with the new paint job.
In April I made the decision to start drawing my social security and would look for some part time work later in the year. I got a call from one of my friends in late April wanting me to go to work for the S C Department of Corrections managing the Prison Industries Frame Shop. May 19th I began my new career and I look forward to going to work every day -- I love my job. What a blessing it is to like what you are doing -- It sure beats the heck out of selling construction equipment for a living - the pay is not as good, but money can't buy happiness.
When I turned my life over to God a few years ago my life has consistently improved each and every day since then. There have been several things that occurred over the last several years that I thought were not in my best interest, but each and every one of those occurrences have proven to be a blessing to me and my family.
2008 is coming to an end in a couple of days and what a ride it has been. I am excited about the new year and look forward to whatever God has planned for me and my family in 2009.

Papa Elf and all the Kentucky Elves

Momo Elf and all the Lexington Elves

"BAILOUT"

I have 7 (seven) words that I would like to say about Wall Street & the Auto Industry bailouts.

"Whatever happened to the free enterprise system"

"The Second Great Depression"

We have a customer (Warren Brussee) that we do framing for that has written a book entitled "The Second Great Depression" that was published in 2005. Mr. Brussee spent 33 years at GE as an engineer, plant manager, and engineering manager. His responsibilities included manufacturing plants in the USA, Hungary, and China. Keep in mind that this book was published in 2005.
This is a frightening book. It shows how massive consumer debt will trigger the next depression, starting about the year 2007 and ending in 2020.
The exuberance resulting from the overheated stock market of the 90s caused consumers to stop saving and go into debt. Then the dramatic drop in mortgage rates enable people to refinance their homes and go even further into debt. People are no longer living on what they can afford; instead they are living the lifestyle they think they deserve, costs be damned!
In this depression, the United States will be brought to its knees. But not unlike the mythical bird Phoenix that dies in flames and is then reborn out of its own ashes, the United States will also be reborn. However, it will be a poorer and less arrogant country that emerges from its own ashes.
I have read a little over half of this book and what Mr. Brussee predicted 4 to 5 years ago is all coming true, and if all of his predictions are correct we had better buckle our seat belts and get ready for a bumpy ride.
This book is available at most book stores.

Ater Christmas Dinner

WOW, I have never seen so much food eaten by so few people. The guys are now watching a movie, but I am not sure they will be able to stay awake after eating everything they ate. If you ever want your cooking appreciated, just cook a meal for inmates. Time is running short for me at the frame shop this year as I will be taking off for a couple of weeks beginning 12/18 and I will not return to work until 1/5/09. I just don't know where this year has gone, but there is not much left of 2008. I would bet that Kathy already has things lined up for me to do around the house.
Merry Christmas to everyone!!

Christmas Dinner

Tomorrow is a big day for the inmates that work for me here at the frame shop / computer refurbishing shop. They will get a big dinner tomorrow that is not prison food, and they are as excited as little kids. I am going to smoke a turkey tonight, Kathy is making a mashed potato casserole and baking some chocolate chip cookies -- we also have dressing left from Thanksgiving that has been in the freezer. The gentleman that we work with from the department of education is frying some cat fish, making a green bean casserole, boiling corn, and baking an apple pie. Wow, I am getting hungry just typing this. The inmates have also requested that they be allowed to watch a DVD after lunch and the movie they want to see is 300. I bought this DVD and watched part of it this weekend and I told them that it is a terrible movie, but they still want to see it. Tomorrow will be a GREAT DAY!!!