Vacation Over, Retirement Begins

We just got back from D.C./Baltimore last night. It was a great vacation. We saw all the sights of Washington and have the pictures to prove it. It was Memorial Day Weekend while we were there, so thousands of Veterans convened on the city to honor their fallen brethren. We went to all the war memorials, presidential memorials, the National Archives (to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution), the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress (where Blake works), the Capitol, the White House, Ft. McHenry (where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "the Star Spangled Banner"), the Marine Barracks (where the famous Silent Drill Platoon and President's Own Band performed), and more. We also took in an Orioles-Yankees game at Camden Yards (nine home runs were hit in the game!) It was a great trip.

But now vacation is over. It's time to get down to business. It is time to begin focusing on my retirement. I began this new stage in my life by sleeping in till 10:00 this morning. As of this moment I have been playing on the computer for two hours. I may take a nap this afternoon and then go fishing this evening. It's a rough life. But by golly, this is the life Thomas Jefferson envisioned for me. Afterall, I am excercising my right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." What can be more American than that?

Retirement 2.0

Thursday is my last day of employment at Treats Unleashed. As you will recall, I announced my plan to retire a few months ago. How quickly time has flown by. My wife, son, mother, and I are all setting out on an epic road trip to Maryland to visit Brother Blake and his wife Meredith as soon as my final day of work ends. Since I will be on the road tomorrow after my last shift, I thought I'd say a few words about my time in the dog business now.

I began this odyssey in January of 2003. I was just looking for a low-stress, part-time job that would allow the ulcer I developed while working at a struggling car auction the previous two years to heal. Little did I know that it would be five and a half years before I eventually left. I've made a lot of friends along the way. Customers, their dogs, co-workers, and my employers have all become part of my extended family. I hope that they know how much they all mean to me. Annie, Jessica, Niki, and Kim are the present and future of Treats Unleashed. And they are all really special people. It has been my pleasure getting to know them. Kim is taking over as manager. She probably knows more about the business than I do, and she'll do a great job. On a personal note, Bethany and I both refer to Kim as my "work wife." I have a "home wife" and a "work wife" who both do an amazing job of putting up with my nonsense and keeping me on the right path. Kimberly Ann, I am gonna miss you. A lot.

I wish Teresa and Ian Miller (the owners) continued success. Thank you both for everything. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity you gave me two years ago when you made me the manager. I am grateful for you allowing me to work a 34 hour week so I could pick Alex up at school three days a week. I am grateful for your understanding when I needed time off for taking Mom to doctor appoinments. I am grateful for your friendship. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thanks and best wishes to all my friends with whom I worked at Treats Unleashed/Doggie Empawrium over the past five years: Robin (R.I.P.), Julie, Gail, Huong, Emily, Linzi, Alexis, Meredith, Whitney, Laura, Lindsey, Kate, Kim, Lisa, Jill, Michelle, Celeste, Kristina, Jamie, Kim 2, Jaime, Annie, Jessica, Niki, Teresa, and Ian.

Happy Mother's Day

This year for Mother's Day I wanted to give my mom something really special. As you know, my mom is battling stage four lung cancer. She first heard the diagnosis on August 1, 2007. By the time her cancer was discovered, it had already spread to her brain. Since that time, she has undergone whole brain radiation, stereotactic radio surgery (direct radiation to the two tumors in her brain), months of chemotherapy, and brain surgery. Throughout these difficult months, Mom has done an incredible job of maintaining a positive attitude. Whenever I have felt sorry for myself, I quickly snap out of it when I recall how she has not allowed herself to have any pity-parties. How has Mom been able to remain so strong throughout this saga? Because she's a mom.

Moms work harder than most any man. Most moms put in an 8 hour day at work then come home and cook dinner, do laundry, clean house, and put the kids to bed. My mom was no exception. Mom worked harder than most women, too. Not one for being the June Cleaver type, Mom enlisted in the Marines. She rose to the rank of corporal before meeting my jarhead dad and getting married. She agreed to turn her back on her beloved California in order to raise a family in Missouri where Dad was from. Not satisfied with being a bank teller or doing other traditional women's jobs, Mom started working in the car business. Although most of her misogynist employers and co-workers tried to keep her in the business office, Mom insisted on trying her hand at selling cars. Eventually, she became the general sales manager at a Chevy dealership (an unheard of position for a woman to hold in one of the most sexist industries around.)

Mom isn't all work and no play though. I fondly recall listening to "The Eagles" and many other bands on our buffet sized home stereo with Mom. On Sundays, we'd snuggle together in her recliner and watch westerns all day. Mom helped coach my little league teams. She took me and Blake for a white-knuckle ride in her two-seater Datsun 280-Z once that topped 130 mph. (Did I mention two-seater?) Mom also loves to volunteer. She gives blood regularly, donates her time to the "Show-Me State Games," and trained to become a volunteer with the Columbia Police Department.

"Your mama wears combat boots and drives a tank to church." This is a classic insult that you've probably heard before. In my family, it was considered a compliment. I usually responded, "My mom can beat up your mom." Anybody who knows her will agree that she is the "toughest broad" they've ever met. She uses that term to describe herself, so I can use it without getting in trouble. (Just weeks after having brain surgery, Mom was outside trying to start her lawnmower. Oh yeah, she's a little stubborn, too.) Her strength has been tested throughout her battle with cancer and last week, it was tested again. The primary tumor (the one in her lung) is growing again. It is too large to remove, so she will undergo another round of chemo beginning next Thursday. While this is not good news, Mom has remained her usual positive self. She is a fighter. Fighters don't feel sorry for themselves. They fight.

So, on this Mother's Day, my gift to my mom is to tell her and all the world how much I love her. I want her to know that I am the man I am today because of her. I want her to know that she inspires me. I want her to know that her whole family loves her. I want her to know that I am proud of her. Mom, I love you.

Tri-Twins

Bethany and Charla completed their first triathlon of the year on Sunday. Both posted personal bests in the 5K run, did good in the biking, but were a little disappointed with their swim times. They are now looking forward to the U.S. Women's Triathlon coming up in June in Naperville, Illinois. It will be their second time participating in that event. Last year, they did remarkably well especially considering that over five minutes of their total time was spent taking "potty breaks." At least yesterday they were able to hold it for the duration of the race. I was quite proud of them.

First Fish of the Year

Behold the glory of Alex's first fish of the season, a beautiful bluegill. And I hauled in the first bass out of our neighbor's pond since the Big Fish Kill of '06. Only two more weeks 'till retirement and the "Summer of Alex and Daddy" officially begins.

Reality of War

I admit that after swearing-off watching/reading the news last year, that I have gradually returned to my old habits. On one hand, I am better informed. On the other hand, I am getting more depressed. Today I read an article on ABC News.com about a two year old boy who was killed by American forces in Iraq. They even showed a picture of his father carrying his lifeless body out of the rubble. It made me want to puke. But then I read the comments from the public message board below the article. Then I really got ill. Some people are so ignorant that I can't believe they are from the same planet. They make me ashamed to call them countrymen. One person said that the family essentially had it coming because that's what happens when your countrymen "mess with the United States." A rememinder: Iraq did not participate in the attacks of 9/11. Saddam Hussein did get rid of his weapons of mass destruction just like we told him to. This family did not choose Hussein to be their dictator. They did not choose for America to dethrone him. They did not choose for their innocent child to be killed at the tender age of two by U.S. rockets aimed at militants in their war-torn neighborhood. They have lost their child. Imagine if it were you who lost your child. I can't fathom the pain they will endure for the rest of their lives. The emptiness. The despair.

Some estimates indicate over half a million Iraqis have already died during this war. How many families have had to bury their children? How many more will before this war ends? Invading Iraq was more than a mistake. It was a crime against humanity. George W. Bush is responsible for that dead baby and countless others. Too bad he'll never be held accountable. John McCain wants to have troops in Iraq for 100 years. In November, I'll do my part to make sure he doesn't get his wish.