Thanksgiving Weekend

Due to technical difficulties, I'm a day late in getting this posted. You know how it is there is always something not updated, something trouble shooting, or just doesn't work when you need it to on the good old computer. Okay, so I was trying to post a video of our Thanksgiving Weekend; however, due to operator error...no I mean technical difficulties I'm still working on the video. So you'll just have to do with the good old photo and dialogue.

Our Thanksgiving weekend started out with a party, that is a party for my Grandmother who celebrated her 95th birthday. At least we believe it is her 95th, she won't confess to it.


The whole family clan gathered and begin our Thankgiving Holiday by wishing her a Happy Birthday. Now this is one classy lady, and she has touched many of our lives and we just love our Grandma Pinkie.

Wednesday evening after the party it was time to create a salt brine for the Turkey to soak in over night. Thursday morning bright and early we rinsed the bird off, stuffed some herbs and basted the bird with butter. Then into the oven for family and me.



Meanwhile, tables were set and decorations arranged to create the perfect setting for a Thankgiving Dinner. Oh, did I fail to point out that this was the first time that Cheryl and I have hosted let alone cook a Thanksgiving Turkey. Hm, I wonder who really is the turkey.


About this time, the first annual Turkey Bowl in the park near our home was begining to unfold. A number of brother-in-laws, nephews, sons, and friends gathered to brave the perfect Turkey Day weather and play a game of pigskin. I believe there is a few Heismen Trohpey winners in this group as you can see.




It was now time for the feast. Thirty-five brave adults, okay, thirty three brave adults not counting Cheryl and I sat down and bowed our heads for grace. I believe there may have been a special blessing on the food. The meal turned out to be grrrrreat. The turkey was moist and tasty. There was plenty of food for all. Here are some of those times well wasted.










































Afterwards, a quick clean up of paper plates allowed the family to visit and play games. Even had a match of Mario Kart going on at one point. I think that we all enjoyed the day.




Best of all was the time spent with family. We missed my younger brother and his family; but otherwise, all of my sisters and their families were there with my parents. I even better was the time that my children and grandchildren took to spend Thanksgiving Day with Cheryl and I. That was indeed the best part of the day. Thanks everyone for making this Thanksgiving Day the Best!

Ramblings & Family

Well you all know that I'm concerned about the reorganization of our company and how I will structure my area of responsibilities. Decided two weeks ago that I would wait and see what will happen. Hm.., no changes or indication of movement. Well I take that back our support group is moving forward and HR and Safety have begun to move out of our office and consolidate into a central location.

Last week, attended another SLT and found out that not everyone is on the same page as evidenced in the meeting. Opinions were expressed from top management to senior management have how the meeting should be conducted and what should be covered. Makes it a bit difficult if everyone is not on the same page. I'm sure sooner or later we will get there.

Attended sister company strategic planning so as to demonstrate a unified effort and become more acquainted to how they conduct business and the challenges they faced. Came away frustrated and discourage. Truthfully, do not see a united front and concerned with no action. Determined that the only way that I'm going to obtain answers is to move forward until someone says no.

Put up Christmas Lights yesterday before the cold winter weather strikes. Beautiful day to be out and about. Started new exercise program with our new WII Fit program. Makes working out fun. Maybe I will lose that 25 plus pounds.

Missing my family this week. Thought a lot about Rachel and her family in Ohio. Thank goodness for blogs. She does a great job of keeping us updated on the family and the fun events in their life. Blessed to spend a few hours with Jenny today. Wished we could have seen the kids but it's that time of year when sickness abounds. Always makes me proud and happy to see my grandchildren.

Thankful to find my son with a gleam in his eye as he has found someone that appears to be special to him to date. He hasn't stopped talking about her for two days now. Time will only tell.

Thank goodness that through all of this journey called life, I have my best friend and wife to support me and my children and grandchildren to bring me joy. Life might be tough but the family makes it all worthwhile.

Time of Change

Life comes at us in a blink of the eye. If we are not paying attention we missed the train. This has been a roller coaster ride for me over the last month. I thought that I should start recording some of the my thoughts before I have forgotten all.

Hm, in the past week...

Drove to Twin Falls to attend an Initial DRB Meeting and to see progress on project. The drive gave me good time to reflect on the reorganization changes in the company and how they will affect me and others. How should I organize my division? Who should I choose as my second in command? Who should I seek out for advice?

Drove home same night and wonder if I should attend the Rapid Bridge Replacement on Pioneer Crossing at midnight. Decided to not attend and laid awake all night thinking about it. Spent weekend creating a movie to show neighbors of our adventure to Greece last May. Sunday, rested all day and wonder if I should go down at midnight and watch the second bridge replacement. Too tired went to bed and laid awake all night wondering about the how I should organize my division.

New week and a new day. Rearranged schedule to accommodate meetings of my staff to begin transition into new organization. Would be nice to know that my staff has been called to such a meeting. Conducted performance review of Executive Assistant, met with Communications Director and discussed a number of items including reorganization, and tried to discuss more in detail reorganization with my supervisor.

Newly formed SLT Group met and discussed how to begin transitions to new organization. Hm, when are we going to educate all of our employees on changes. I'm handling numerous questions from employees now. Stressed the need to announce to employees ASAP. Met as a individual company and discussed reorganization, came out of meeting totally confused and frustrated. Hm, this doesn't seem to be what I envisioned. Laid awake all night considering organization of division. Tried to visit aging grandmother unable to due to flu. Wife concerned that I will contract flu bug.


Received advise on divisional organization and fielded more questions concerning the reorganization. Met with project teams and discussed project progress and scheduling concerns. Reviewed financials -worried about how to obtain more profitable work. Concerned with charitable donations committed by senior staff members and the cost. Who approved? Considered more reorganization structure. Suggested potential organization structure to supervisor.

Discussed organization changes with my wife. Been discussing with her for months. Wife is probably tired of discussion. Thankful for a supportive wife.

Drove to Duschene and met with project team and Owner reps. How can we work together better? Concerned with project team's frustrations. Concerned with Owner's perception. Thought more about division organization solidifying my organization. Received a phone call from a disgruntled, frustrated, and disappointed employee concerning his new role in organization. Concerned that we might lose this employee now.

Met with Carpenter Union and listened to a new proposal to settle our Agreement. Consider proposal. Received phone call from son asking if I could make a presentation to college in 40 minutes. Hm, sure why not. Reviewed backlog report and variance reports, discussed further reorganization structuring with supervisor still no clear direction, wondered if we would see an announcement today to employees.

Drove to university, presented to construction students why I love heavy highway work...hm look at the impact I have on every one's life. Also discussed with them the importance of gaining experience in the field and what we as employer look for in potential employees.

Back to office, thought more of how to organize division, reviewed estimate for mine project in Wyoming, reviewed several contract agreements and noted concerns.

Breathed a sign of relief to see a communicatoin to all employees concerning reorganization. Read communicaton. Concerned about communication and how employee will understand. Not well done! Recieved second communication just from a different person. Same communication.

Discussed project pursuits and divisional organization with VIP. Wonder more what should I do. Concerned about outfall of overall organization.

Okay, did I cover everything now. Hm...I wonder what will happen this next week?