0014 - Coming together

It seems as if things are finally coming together. The truck battle may be... at long last... nearing its end. The dealer has informed our attorney that they intend to refund our money and take the truck back. To be honest, I am not jumping for joy just yet... not until the money is in the bank. These people have not shown much integrity up to this point. They've actually made that same claim before and backpeddled. Of course, this time they said it to our attorney, so if they back out again, they're going to face consequences.

So now, Mike is researching what we want in its stead. In some ways, the engine blowing up was a good thing. The truck we had was an F-350. It was black and it was pimp, so we called it Dolomite... we should have called it Dynamite, since the engine exploded. As far as towing goes, it was adequate; it towed more than we needed, but not by much. Now he is considering F-450's and Dodges. I don't really have a preference, but it seems like there have been issues with Ford engines in general, whereas I haven't heard anything negative about a Dodge.

I just can't wait until we can get a truck, have a hitch put on, and are actually ready to take the fifth wheel on its maiden voyage. I had hoped it would happen prior to our move, and I guess we might still be able to take a short trip ahead of time, but it just didn't work out like we hoped because of the truck.

Something else that moves us forward... I submitted my letter of resignation today. Feels weird. I've been at NASA for thirteen years. When I was hired on, I figured I'd be there for two, tops. I'm not quitting until May, but I need to start training my replacement, and my boss has asked me for an estimated date. It's not that he's pushing me out the door per se, but he has a budget to consider and he's trying to plan. Anyway... I have known this day was coming... but when I held the letter in my hand, it felt really real. It was a little terrifying. Left it on his desk on my way out this afternoon... so it is done.

Most days I have faith that our venture is going to be successful. Some days I worry about the 'what ifs'. What if we do this and we fail? How are we going to raise the capital required to get started? What if no one visits us after we open? What if the community doesn't accept us? It goes on and on.

I can't let myself get mired down in that kind of thinking. Gotta think positively, and ultimately I do believe in what we're doing and I think it will be successful. Just have to work it all out. I know that Mike isn't worried, and he has a way of making things happen. He also has a way of pushing me without realizing that he's doing it... I don't want to let him down, so I don't procrastinate like I might if I was only doing something for myself. It's good for me. He's good for me. Moreover, we're a good team. I'll stop gushing now. (I miss him)

Yesterday I rented a storage unit because I've started to pack up the house, and I need a place for the boxes to go. Haven't started moving the boxes just yet, but I hope to get started on that next week... it's too cluttered in here and I can't stand it. That's more forward motion. Hopefully I'll find a buyer without having to involve a real estate agent... I hate the idea of paying someone 6% of my net... profit margin is going to be slim to none already. And I hope it happens before we move.

This weekend I'm going to a Mardi Gras ball in Louisiana. My friend Kirk is going to be Queen of his krewe this year. He's been working toward that... pretty much since I've known him, and I've known him for almost 20 years. I'm happy for him.

Not so happy for my waistline... he has promised gumbo... brunches... more food... food after that... and then we're gonna eat... my 'diet' starts in earnest when I get back. I'm going to eat better, and at least one day a week I'm going to stick to foods that are beneficial for my blood type. I don't know if there is any merit to the blood type diet or not, but judging by what's on the menu it has to be good for me; it certainly can't hurt me. I need to drop about 50 lbs. No joke. I'm the biggest I've ever been and NOT happy about it. I don't feel good, I don't look good, and my clothes... I refuse to go up a size, so something's gotta give. The one positive thing about my blood type is that we're supposed to do stress relieving exercises like yoga, pilates and tai chi... all of which... I love! Nothing exhausting, no more sore knees. I also need to dig out my Method dvd's and get back to that. I feel better when I am active. Time to get off my butt and get active.

Tonight my goal is to make a list of everything I need to do... I have so much to remember that I have begun to forget things here and there. Not good. If I wanted to be anal about it, I'd put an MS Project together and track it that way - which is tempting... but I think just a list will do for now...