Monthly Update

Well, it's certainly been an eventful month of August in the Hartley household!

The biggest news is that Allstate will be shutting down its St. Petersburg call center in about a year, which means that I'll be out of a job. The shut down is scheduled for sometime in 3rd-quarter of 2008, so it gives me plenty of time to go out and look for work. Have no idea what I want to do. Right now, the thought, at my age, of having to go out and look for work, especially in an office environment again, is just too daunting. My plan right now is to stay at Allstate until the very end, collect my severance and bonus, then look for work. If I stay to the bitter end, I will wind up with about 6 months of severance, which sounds like a lot, but when you have to pay your own medical insurance, it goes fast! The reason they gave us such a long notice is that the company is opening several other express centers to take claims and we've known all along that once those centers open, the claim service centers are history. The company figured that since they had all the plans in place, it was only a matter of time until rumors started about when we would close, so they decided to let us know right up front so we would have some time to plan our future. Some of the call center managers in our center and others had apparently already seen the writing on the wall, because there have been a number of managers who left recently, and when I saw that they were leaving and where they were going, it seemed like some of their moves were lateral instead of a step up. Now we know why! So, right now my plan is just to check out the type of jobs that are out there and what they pay, and file that info away for when I am ready to actually look for work.

The other big news is that the apartment complex we are living in is going condo. Not a big surprise since the company that bought the complex several months ago is mainly a condo complex management company. Our lease is not up for almost a year and the complex is sending out letters and having meetings begging people to stay. We certainly want to stay since we like the complex and love the apartment. The timing on our lease actually turns out to be pretty convenient since that's about the time I should know more about the actual CSC shutdown date. Another positive thing is that the complex should be making some major improvements if they expect to sell condos at the price they are asking. We have first rights on our condo, a 3/2--asking price $595,000. When I saw that price I could hardly stop laughing! Someone said "you must really live in a nice apartment and complex." I said if they came in and saw the apartment, they would be dead before they could leave because they couldn't catch their breath from laughing so hard. Not that there's anything wrong with the apartment--we actually love it--but I know about what condos in this area run and there is no way they can make enough improvements to the complex and the condo to make it worth that kind of money. No wonder they are begging people to stay! Anyway, no sweat on this one--we have a lease, we want to stay, they want us to stay, so we'll just reevaluate the situation in a year, along with everything else.

Tracy is such a loser!!!!!! She's now lost 50 pounds!!!!! I'm so proud of her and her dedication. It has made such a difference as to how she feels. Still a ways to go but she'll make it.

Even I've lost 19 pounds.....about 10 more to go.

More later, time to go to church.

The Toad Warriors gained point in Fox Sports Public League 33642 yesterday, moving up to 88 points. Miami Masters did even better, gaining 1.5 points to move to 86.5 points. Toad hitting leaders were Travis Hafner with a home run and 2 RBI, Brian Roberts with 3 runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base, Manny Ramirez with 3 RBI and Nick Markakis with a run scored, 2 RBI and a stolen base.

The remainder of Sunday was a typical Sunday....went to church in the morning, came home, took a short nap, went to Wally World to get a couple of things, took our evening walk and that was it.

Toad Warriors cling to first

The Toad Warriors increased their lead by a point in Fox Sports Public League 33642 yesterday, creeping up to 87 points. Miami Masters stayed even for the day at 85 points. Victor Martinez had a home run and Travis Hafner 2 RBI to lead the Toads' hitting attack, while Jake Peavy picked up a victory.

Today's my Saturday rotation day, 9-5:30. A freaky thing happened on the way to work this morning. There was a rear-end accident NB on I-275 near Gandy Blvd, which obviously had traffic backed up. I was fairly near the front of the line, because some traffic had been getting through. Police then blocked off all lanes of I-275, then apparently decided to let about 10 cars through, but only in one lane. I’m sitting there almost knowing that I would be late for work, then they signaled me on through, and even though there was a long line of cars behind me, I was the last car they let through, and it was only the vehicles in my lane that they let through. Thus, I made it to work on time. The Lord must have wanted me to get to work on time this morning!

A major loss in the family....Tracy lost another 3.8 lbs this week, now up to 36 lbs lost. I stayed the same this week, my total weight loss is 9 lbs.

Sunday update

Come to Gilgal--Excellent church service this morning! Guest Pastor Jeff Ames spoke on "Welcome to Gilgal," from Joshua 4:19, 5:9 and 4:9. These scriptures show us that Gilgal is a place of rest, removal and remembrance.

Toad Warriors Update--The Toads gained a half point in the Public League on Saturday, moving to 86.5 points and gaining 1.5 points on the 2nd place Miami Masters, who lost 1 point. The Masters are now 2 points back of the Toad Warriors. Saturday's hitting star for the Toads was Nick Markakis, who went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and a run scored. Billy Wagner had a save and a strikeout to pace the pitchers.

Went for our nightly half-hour walk around the "hood", took a nap during the day, put more stuff away from the move. Our usual exciting Sunday afternoon.

Toad Warriors Update

Fantasy baseball update--The Toad Warriors continue to just barely cling to first place in Public League #33642. The Toads remained at 86 points following yesterday's action, but 2nd place Miami Masters gained a point, pulling to within half a point of the Toad Warriors. This is the slimist lead the Toads have had over a 2nd place team in a long time. Woodmancy is 10 points back. Today could be the day the Toads slip back into 2nd place, with no starting pitchers on the roster scheduled to make a start today, so there will be no points gained by the starters. That means the relief pitchers and the hitters are going to have to have a good day.
Work update--I work 3:30-midnight today; I'm getting too old for all these schedule changes.
I'm listening to a great audio book--Touchdown Alexander. It's a biography of Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander. I expected more of a football book, but the first disc primarily deals with Shaun's growth as a Christian, and it's tremendously inspiring. If you're a Christian, even if you don't follow sports, this is a MUST read!
Tracy Weight Watchers Update--Today was weigh-in day; Tracy lost 3 more lbs and has now lost 30 lbs in 8 weeks! Loser!!!!!

Move Completed!

Well, the mobile Hartley family has moved yet again, this time into a 3 bedroom apt on the first floor. I took off 3 days work to get everything packed and ready to move, then had movers come in to move the stuff. I'm getting too old to be moving washers, dryers, sofas and chairs up and down 3 flights of stairs in 95-degree heat! I still don't know how Rick and I got everything moved the first time, down one flight of stairs and up 3 flights during 2 of the hottest days in October. It was a miracle I didn't fall and break something. Of course, just after we moved in to the 3rd floor apt, I missed a step, fell and sprained my knee really bad. It's 6 months later and it still isn't right. At least now, we can unpack the boxes at our own pace.

It was back to work for me today.....and what a zoo. And guess what? I get to work 3:30 to midnight tomorrow! My main goal for tomorrow is just to get through it and stay awake for the hour-long drive home.

Later,

Toad

On Vacation!

Going to try to make more posts from now on....Right now, we're on vacation back in Ohio! Weather has been wonderful! A little cool today but it has been sunny everyday, and warm most days. Left last Tuesday, stayed Tuesday night at Larry & Sue, then up to Jendy's on Wednesday. Thursday went to see Pam, then split up, Tracy staying down south and Randy up north. Went to see Aunt Thelma today. Shipping back out to the Sunshine State tomorrow...anxious to see Peppy. Later......