Goodbye, Wisconsin

Umpa arrived, one hour late - and I took him to the boy's favorite store, American Science and Surplus, then checked in and went to Texas Roadhouse. I cann't remember the last good steak I had, it is not something you order when trying (slightly) to be frugal.
Our intent is to be on the road around 8 am. That puts us in Cleveland around 3 pm or so. And then 3 hours more and we hole up near State College. Maybe I'll get a chance to see (or have breakfast) with me Nieces and Nephew.

Then it's home by 3 in the afternoon.

Last Day

Wrote the goodbye email - brought cookies. My friends took me out for chinese food, it turns out that Diane (sat behind me for a while) is leaving as well - has an opportunity to work from home, sounds like a great deal for her, nearer her horses.

Prayers...

for Joe Green - a good scout - http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2009/10/03/news/doc4ac6c8b2b8ab4818632802.txt

This week's tasks...

1) Get decent trailer - the one at Fleet Farm was cheap, and HD and Menards don't carry any in stock.
2) Pack stuff
3) Get C. a plane ride home from TPA --> to the New England (<> $110)
4) Look at rides for Thanksgiving...
5) Book hotel room near State College for Sat-Sunday ($85) about 10 hours out.
6) T.'s house is around 7 hours out. Probably stop for a snack.
7) Already booked Umpa's room here...

8) plan out trip south
9) Setup RV
10) Register all vehicles...When in CT.

Goodbyes..

I started saying goodbyes today - I have a week to go, but one of my friends from work is off all next week. Will pick up trailer tomorrow and screw in the deck.

Florida News...

So few opportunities - A contract pops up at Raymond James in Tampa/St. Pete 6 months ok rate. They put in my resume Thursday night - and respond Tuesday, for an interview Thursday morning - got an offer today to start 11/2. Last day in Wisconsin is 10/30 - and umpa is flying in to drive with me next week.

I accepted, and asked if I could start later in the month, they compromised on the 9th. Thinking about driving the RV down there and living in it. It would be cheaper, and might be funner.

Rcv'd much encouragement from FB - reminding me what the priority is. God this sucks... More news to follow as I figure out the short term agenda. At the moment thinking of driving to CT - to spend the week there - and then RV and car to Fl. maybe with DS - and have her fly back to CT (Umpa's plan). We'd miss wedding in NY - but would meet other goals. So 20 years later we'd retrace half our honeymoon route...

Done in Wisc.

Will not be extended again - met with the resource manager, my last day is 10/30 - So I'm off looking for more work. If there is a FT position for my DS, then I look for anything in Ct. Otherwise it's Tandem/NonStop work, almost anywhere.

What a day...

Went home for my birthday - Caught a "free" as in lunch plane flight from my friends for the weekend. Didn't count on Chicago Friday traffic, left Menonomee Falls at 4:15, to drive 79 miles - and was 6 miles from O'Hare at 6:00 but did get parked until after 7, and after the tram, the TSA and the length of the terminal - I arrived at my gate to find the door closed (but I have 2 minutes, I whined). But they'd given my seat to standby people. Next flight, 9:15 Saturday morning. Distressed passenger rate for a room at the Holiday Inn $65. Parking at the airport is $16 a day - so once my head cleared - I figured I'd be better off at Country Inn and Suites in Bensonville - the hotel we used when we flew out for Nanna's funeral in March. Drove over there, and used thier shuttle to get back and forth.
Weekend was fine, Dinner one night at Bunga and Umpa's - marked the end of summer by taking off the ragtop of the Jeep, and helped a little emptying the garage... Fixed the shower at the house, went to town hall to check on the property lines. The birthday was fine, went to Round Table, had cake - so it was good.

Big fright though that nite, N. work up gasping and coughing at 2 - sounding a little like me when I had Whooping cough a while back. Very frightening, C. took him off the the ER - It was a very long 15 minutes, until they called. They were back at 4 (I'm sure because she has lent out her house key). He's much better, diagnosed with Croup (He seems a little old for it). I blame the boys film project on Sunday that meant they were outside in the rain or in the basement filming a reenactment of one of the Star Wars episodes...