Black Friday Fun

On Thanksgiving Day, I noticed a car ad for Bommarito Honda in the newspaper.  I had been looking for a good deal on a car for a while.  This seemed to be an outstanding deal.  They had 2013 Honda Civic LXs which listed for $19,555 listed for sale for $15,200 if you bought one from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. on Black Friday.  They also included $500 in Macy's gift cards.  I also noticed online that they would give you a $50 gift card for taking a test drive.  That was a hard deal to turn down but I figured there was some fine print some where which would make this not so great a deal.

Well, anyway, on Thursday night, I had talked myself out of a new car.  But then, Jodi texted me this Friday morning and asked me about it.  At 5:55 a.m. Friday morning, I had gotten an email about the sale.  So, I went online and checked it out.  I checked some of the comments from the people that had bought cars and it sounded like a great dealership.  So, I started thinking about it again.  I called Linda to have her talk me out of it.  But, she had the same take it or leave it approach as I did.  I looked out on the inventory and most of these are listed at $19, 555 so $15,200 is a great deal.  So, anyway, I figured, one way or another, I would need another car by the time I retired. 

I went to the dealership thinking this will either be a really cheap (or expensive) entertainment.  When I talked to the salesman, I realized this deal was legit.  They had around 25 of the LXs to sell.  When I got there around 8:15 a.m., they had only around 5 left (almost all black).  My sales guy did find a gray one.  So, we went to his office to talk "Turkey" (pun intended).  He told me they would add $199 documentation fee to the car and also $175 for mud flaps.  Well, that still sounded like a great deal to me.  He explained they were trying get ride of all the bottom of the line Civics.  The finance guy later said this was such a once a year deal that he had several of his relatives buying cars.  He also said one guy bought three cars.  He indicated that the cheapest I could have gotten this car before the sale was probably around $17,900.  So, I was getting at least at extra $2,300 off.  

So, I called Linda one last time to make sure she was ok with me buying a new car.  She said fine and Happy Retirement.  So, I signed all the papers.  I asked the dealer if they had any special financing I could use.  He said he would check.  He came back and said I could get .9% interest for 5 years.  That was perfect!!!!  So, along with the super car price and the low interest financing, I also got $500 in Macy's gift cards.  I also got a Amazon $50 gift car for doing a test drive.  They did not even require me to put any money down.  So, I drove away in my new car without putting any money down and my first payment is not due until January.  

This was just such an awesome deal.  If I would have known all of the details that I do now, I probably would have been at the dealership before 6 a.m. so I could have at least gotten a choice of colors.  I may have to try this again next year!!!  At least now, I have a new car when I want to drive all over the country visiting my relatives and two friends.   Oh, yeah, the car had 14 miles on it when I bought it.

Thanks to God for working all of this out.  Thanks to Jodi for the wake up call!!! :-)

A Pun Of Fun

•I tried to catch some fog. I mist.
•When chemists die, they barium.
•Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.
•A soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
•I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.
•How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.
•I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.
•This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore.
•I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I can't put it down.
•I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.
•They told me I had type A blood, but it was a type-O.
•This dyslexic man walks into a bra.
•I didn't like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.
•A cross-eyed teacher lost her job because she couldn't control her pupils.
•When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.
•What does a clock do when it's hungry? It goes back four seconds.
•I wondered why the ball was getting bigger. Then it hit me!
•Broken pencils are pointless.
•What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.
•England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.
•I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.
•I dropped out of communism class because of lousy Marx.
•I took the job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.
•Velcro - what a rip off!
•Cartoonist found dead in home. Details are sketchy.

Thanksgiving Day Thanks!!!!

Today is a perfect day to give thanks to God for all of the things He has provided for me over all these many decades!!! I am thankful, first of all, for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior!!! I am thankful that God provided His perfect gift to do all the things I could never do for myself! I am thankful for God's Holy Spirit that guides me through life (at least when I listen to Him). Next, I am thankful for my amazing wife and adult children (and granddaughter and son-in-law and extended family). I am thankful for my sisters and the best brother that I have..... I am thankful for all my relatives and my two friends (you know who you are)! I am thankful for all the material blessings that God has given me. He has provided a home (2) , food, clothing, and virtually everything I could ever want. He has provided me with a job (until 1-31-14 - I hope) and transportation. He has provided me with a good income and financial security (in general). So, this Thanksgiving, I have so much to be thankful for. AND LASTLY, I am thankful that most of my relatives live out of state!!!!!

Give Them Up

Give Them Up

This is another of my favorite songs.....


Give Them Up (Longer Version)

I AM GOING TO PHYSICALLY DIE FROM LAUGHING SO HARD.

http://brushrealityaside.tumblr.com/post/62311010977/molgars-i-am-going-to-physically-die-from

My Fondest Childhood Memory

Today, I vividly remember this story that my Mother would tell the whole family at Christmas time.  My eyes still get kind of misty when I think about it.  I don't remember all the details so many years later but for some reason, my Mother needed to take the bus to do some shopping.  Since I was still just a little baby at the time, she needed to take me with her.  (I was the youngest of four kids.)  Well, anyway, when she got on the bus, the bus driver looked at me and said "THAT IS THE UGLIEST BABY I HAVE EVER SEEN"!!!!  Needless to say, my Mother was very upset and stomped off!!!

She was still fuming when she got to the back of the bus!  A kindly, older gentleman was very concerned and asked her what the problem was.  She told him that the bus driver was very, very rude to her.  The older gentleman seemed to weigh the emotional impact that the bus driver's comments had on my Mom.  He stuck up for her and encouraged my Mom to go up to the bus driver and tell him how demeaning and hurtful his comments had been.  Then, he looked at her with a sad look on his face and you could see the start of a tear forming in his eye as he said "I even hold your monkey for you!"  :-)

(Now, I guess I know why I was the last of four kids!) 

Joke

What do you call a cow with two legs?

Lean beef!!!

Major Crackage

Q: Why was Oprah stopped at the airport?

A: She was getting arrested for carrying 300lbs of crack in her pants.

An Odd Tale

Here is a joke I can relate to.....

  There once was a boy named "Odd."

People made fun of him because of his name, so he decided to keep his gravestone blank when he died.

Now when people pass by the burial site, they point and say, "That's odd."

CAUTION: PG13 Joke AHEAD!!! :-)

Two men are sharing a hospital room.
"What are you in for?" the first man asks.
"I'm getting a circumcision," his roommate replies.
"Darn," exclaims the first man, "I had that done when I was born and I couldn't walk for a year."

Time For A Little Humor Break

 Buckwheat

Buckwheat of the Little Rascals fame grew up, became a Muslim, and changed his name.  He now goes by Kareem of Wheat.

(I said a little humor!)

Show ME Your Ugly Face (Book)

ANNOUNCEMENT:

For a limited time only!!!

Since I am retiring from AT&T, I have decide to expand my network of friends (or at least try)! I had pared down my friend list to my family and a couple "special" friends whose Facebook accounts I wanted to monitor to see what they were saying about me. No, I am not paranoid - at least at the moment!

So, anyway, until November 30th, I am accepting applications for new (or old) friends! This is a limited time offer, so get your friend requests in soon! Have a great one and may God Bless You in a special way today!!!

DISCLAIMER:

 I am an "At Will" Facebook friend. This means I reserve the right to "unfriend" you at any time for any reason or no reason at all!!! So, be warned! Be afraid (or not)!!!

Retirement Feedback From A Former Boss

For Once In My Life, Let Me Take A Moment And Get Serious.  Here is a really nice note from a former boss...

Kim, you’re one of the folks that I really enjoyed working with.  Not only were you one of the most competent, you actually made the job a little bit more fun.   You always kept your sense of humor and perspective no matter what.   I wish you the best in your future and I’m sure you’ll bring some happiness to others that you come across whether you’re flipping burgers or heading up a new company.  The world needs more Kims.

Besides your sense of humor, I think it is your devotion and faith that caused me to admire you.   It clearly sets you apart.   I can remember back to Dec of 2006 when you were taking almost the entire month off, you sent out a really nice Christmas note to the team.  You mentioned Christ and I don’t think I had ever seen that in business before.   I can remember telling my family that there is hope, that not everything is xmas (I hate that) and commercialization.   You may not have known it, but you impressed me immensely.   I think your social work will suit you very well and there are plenty of folks out there today that will soon be touched by your good nature and example.

...... Ok, back to our regular programming...... :-) 

Looking Back – Three Amigos

Below are a few stories going back to around 1982-1986 from my career in Wichita when I tried my hand as a Second Line Manager supervising people.  Some very interesting times.  Some of the names have been changed to protect the guilty!!!

Feedback From Mr. T

I wish you the best on your continued journey down this new path.  I do want fries with that.

It was a pleasure working with you.   I learned a lot from you…about Billing systems…about what to do…and about what not to do.   J

You sense of humor is gift and I hope you continue to spread that gift to those around you.

One of my fondest memories – first week on the job in Wichita, I had somehow made Arlene angry.  You came down to my desk at 7pm to show me a list of names, on which Arlene’s name was crossed off.  You said, “This is a list of everyone of everyone in the Data Center.  I am going to start crossing off the names of all the people you piss off, one by one.”  Your managerial skills were amazing.  Good times.

I also enjoyed that exercise class we took at the YMCA.  You didn’t tell me that everyone else in the class was an expectant mother.  They all loved us.  Good times.

And of course, the late night breakfast at the Nifty Kitchen with you, me and Miss B.  We did not get stabbed or shot.  Good times.

Good luck!!   Enjoy your retirement.

Reply to Mr. T:

Thanks for the two great stories!!!  I kind of remember the exercise group.  NOW, that was pretty funny. 

I don’t remember the Arlene story but I do remember how Arleen was.  I think that was a pretty good management style approach.  I hope I was not too threatening.  J

You, Kurt, and Kathy were three of my “success” stories even though I really can’t take credit for much of anything relating to your development.  You all had the tools you needed and so were pleasant to work with.  Kathy got a bum rap at the beginning but it did not take long for her to show others what she could do.  Those were probably some of the “toughest” talks I had to have with an employee but Kathy took everything I said to heart.  One of the “proudest” memories of my early careen was when abut a year or so after I took over Evening Shift, Mr. DR came to me and asked it Kathy could work for him.  That was a great feeling and those types of successes were few and far between.

So, thanks again, for the memories.

Feedback From Mr. R

well congratulations!!!  I have to say that you were one of the best bosses throughout my career!  And glad you were my first boss (I don’t count M…;-))  I also have to say you taught me to hang sheetrock…and it did come in handy in my later years.

I also have so many fond memories of my short time in Wichita…Our scavenger hunt was really fun!  Evening shift with Ms. V “smoking” in her cubby…illegal now!  Unbelievable it wasn’t illegal then…shows our age.  But she always had time to “help” me so I would always have to go to Kim.

Arlene always threatening to “box my ears”…I guess for trying to re-code some of her JCL…not really sure.  Sneaking into Gus’s desk with Karen to find out if we were going to OKC or St. Louis prior to official announcement!  Occasionally working night shift and catch Steve sleeping!  Poker with Dean, Gary, Mark, and Scott…I was horrible, but was happy to be included!  Weekends at Kathy’s house on back porch looking at the “lights of Thailand”.

Great times!

Feedback From Mrs. B

I’m going to do a more proper response tomorrow when I’m back in the office … but what a perfect place to write to the three of you, because I am now sitting in downtown Wichita!

Kim, this company is going to be so much duller without your special brand of humor in the office!  You are right, if it weren’t for you, I am sure I would not be here at AT&T.  I think DR never forgave me for leaving work at 5:30 one day to go to a concert with my friend who was meeting me at my apartment (those days were before cell phones).  He thought I should have stayed with the woman who came from St. Louis to work with me.  If JS didn’t have her baby two months early I wouldn’t have been in that spot!  When he told me, “Don’t make plans after work,” I seriously thought I had misjudged the work world.  But when my one year appraisal time came, and you stuck your neck out for me and then said, “Just keep doing the same things you’re doing and we’ll ride this out,” (or something along those lines) it was such a great relief and honestly those days formed some of my best memories.

Every year when I review the Code of Business Conduct, guess what work environment comes to mind?  Jokes that pushed the line (and many times crossed over) – thank you, Kim.  Work-appropriate clothing (thank you Sherri ? of the see through shirts).  Smoking at work – trying not to get hit by MC’s cigarette ashes as she talked with her hands and I watched the tip of her cigarette get longer and longer with ash.  And I must mention cologne – when I was back on days, we always knew Kurt had arrived because of the waft of cologne that came with him!  Put in a full day of work – do you remember when JK was an evening shift supervisor and he let LM join a bowling league during hours she was supposed to be working?  Oh the memories go on!  Of course the Nifty Kitchen and the joy of identifying a working girl…  And working strike duty that first year, before Mark transferred in or Kurt started, when RP had his wife bring some beer to a park where we all met at 7:00 a.m. because we were getting off our 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. shift.  I don’t think that’s something you were involved in Kim, but it’s another of those crazy Wichita memories.  Most of all I remember your laugh and how loyal you were.  I owe a lot to you in helping me get going with this company, and in how you made it fun and challenging, too.  I am so glad that we can all still find each other after all these years.

Original Retirement Email To Folks

It's Official!!!!  I decided to pull the trigger today.  I just hope I am not shooting myself in the foot!   J 

Feel free to pass this along to anyone you feel might be interested….

And as always……

YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!!  J

Moving On - Job Opportunity One

Yesterday, I spent about five minutes looking at some job related information that a friend of mine gave me.  The main goal of this information was to prepare me for my next job.  If I was looking for another "normal" job, this information might have meant something to me.  But, I felt like I knew what God wanted me to do and that He would guide me to the perfect job for me.  So, all this information seemed meaningless and a waste of time to me.  I will be returning this information to my friend.

Today, I saw an ad from Sunshine Ministries  for a Manager Of Finance and Operations on the First Evangelical Free Job Bulletin Board.  I showed the job information to my wife and she told me “Sounds tailor-made for you! “  That was all the confirmation that I needed. So, I have sent in my resume to see what they say.  I don't know if this is the job God has for me or not but this is at least one door that I feel that God has opened for me.  

I talked to a buddy of mine at church today and told him that I was going to let God be my job recruiter.  I said I did not care if other people felt that this was foolish because I firmly believe that God has already picked out that perfect job for me.  I just need to wait for Him to show it to me.  This is the way I approached the last major decision I had to make and God closed door after door after door until I finally felt like I had to accept an answer that I was not sure about but I was up against a deadline.  This really was not the answer that I thought God had for me but I knew He could use it and open up a new ministry opportunity for me.  But, at the very last minute, God provided the perfect answer that He had for me all the time.  He is still blessing me through that decision; to be obedient and wait on Him.

Psalms 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits,

3who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

4who redeems your life from the pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5who satisfies you with good

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all who are oppressed.

7He made known his ways to Moses,

his acts to the people of Israel.

8The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide,

nor will he keep his anger forever.

10He does not deal with us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12as far as the east is from the west,

so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

13As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

14For he knows our frame;

he remembers that we are dust.

15As for man, his days are like grass;

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

17But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,

and his righteousness to children’s children,

18to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments. 

18to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments.

19The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all.

20Bless the Lord, O you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his word,

obeying the voice of his word!

21Bless the Lord, all his hosts,

his ministers, who do his will!

22 Bless the Lord, all his works,

in all places of his dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!