Finding David

20 years in USAF, retired in 1993. Currently employed and well on my way to being independently out of debt....

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Location: Sanford, Maine, United States

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Random Thoughts

Work is nearly complete for most of the employees at Sanmina-SCI Westbrook. Tomorrow will be their last day.

The company will let us leave at noon, but pay us for the full day. Maybe there is such a thing as a free lunch.....

I shall take my camera tomorrow. Too many faces to remember.

The lunch truck comes every day. An older gentleman runs it. I don't usually eat from the truck, I take my own lunch in. But my wife is out of town (I'm married, really!) and I was lazy, so I ordered off the truck....in German. "Zwei hund, bitte!" The look he gave me was really quite incredible. I could tell he wasn't sure if he'd not heard me right or if I was speaking some unknown strange tongue or what. I'm bad.

I took another woman out to supper tonight. I had not been out on a date with my oldest daughter in too long. We had a lot of laughs. It was good.

Well, enough randomness for one night. Maybe next time I'll get into memories of growing up and really bore you.

Later!

Monday, March 28, 2005

My Kingdom for One More Line (sorry Bill!)

My wife is on the road again. Maybe I could get her a job doing this "on the road" thing....

My time is being occupied with helping (in a very small way) prepare for a skit for next Sunday's church service. Had a meeting with the director and probable "Mom" character tonight to "flesh out" some parts, add some more dialog, etc.

Thursday will be the practice. That will be interesting.

By the way, Miss Director, did I mention that I cannot even memorize my own phone number (in case you happen to read this)?

Just kidding!

Good night all! Work comes early in the AM.

Sunday, March 27, 2005

Easter Cantata

It is finished. Three performances done.

People came, people made life-changing decisions. People were changed forever.

The Easter Cantata finished tonight at our church. I was blessed to be a part of it. I got to meet a bunch of people who love the Lord. I wish everyone could see the dedication and commitment these people had to serving God and you. Awesome!

We went through some hard times and our families went through some hard times. I'm convinced this is due to our involvement with the Cantata. But everyone held on to the task at hand and saw it through to the end.

We served our Lord.

I hope you had a wonderful Easter, too!

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Tough Times - We're Outta Here!

My wife and I are out of gas. Too many demands on our time, emotions, sanity.

We have both been through the wringer the last several months.

Drained. Done in. Deflated.

While she was gone this last time, I had some very emotionally draining things going on here. I think I might have nearly wore out some welcomes.

My bride returned and it was great - for about a day and a half. Then she ran out of gas herself.

I'm about to get laid off here real soon now. I will have a bit of severance coming. I talked it over with her. Sometime between now and the end of next month we're going to bug out of here and go find us a bed and breakfast somewhere for a few days.

Rest. Recharge. Relax.

That sounds too good.

Two Week Work Extension

Received and signed the following today:

March 22, 2005

Dave [last name]
[street address]
[town, state zipcode]

Dear Dave, (I hate it when official papers name me as "Dave" instead of "David")

Once again, thank you for working with us through the integration process and for completing the transition period on March 31, 2005. At this time, Sanmina-SCI would like to extend your WARN for a period of two more weeks ending on April 15, 2005.

Should your services no longer be required prior to the end of the new transition period, your employment will end. During this extension, you will be reporting to me. All of this, of course, is contingent upon your consistent level of performance in any function you're assigned at Sanmina-SCI. My expectation is that you will continue to maintain a high level of contribution throughout this process.

Thank you for your continued support.

[signed]

Beth [last name]
Westbrook
Vice president Operations and General Manager

Acknowledged & Accepted:

[signed]

Dave [last name]

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

It Is Soon Done

Turn off the lights
lock the door
Sanmina-SCI Westbrook will be no more

Handshakes and hugs
solemn farewells
With hope that our futures will go well

We thought we'd be here forever
forever came too soon

(Sorry to all the "real" poets out there.
My dad didn't pass the poetry gene on to me.
Obvious, huh?)

Monday, March 21, 2005

Off To The Races.....

I couldn't stand being at work today. Too much of nothing to do. So I left at 1:30 PM.

Lots to do this evening. I get to go clothes shopping, one of my favorite tasks. I'm such a clothes horse. My funmeter is right on the peg. I'll let you guess which peg.

I need new pants so I can look fat again. If you ever want people to think you've lost weight, just buy bigger clothes.

Then, off to the gym. I skipped so many workouts that they will think I'm a newb. And to think I used to nearly collect my mail there.... Tonight, it's a full court press. Everybody gets to play! Upper and lower body, as well as cardio. This will teach me to skip workouts!

Then back home to tidy up a bit and do laundry.

I am so domesticated and house broken, it hurts! Or if it doesn't, I surely will tomorrow from the gym!

Ta, kiddies!

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Homeward Bound!

My wife will be home Tuesday!

It will be very good to see her again.

Random thoughts:

Had lunch with my wife and daughter (from Chicago), my two sisters-in-law and my mother-in-law.

We ate at Vinney T's in Shrewsbury, MA. And yes, kiddies, left overs are in the fridge!

It was really, really good to see my daughter. It's too bad my oldest daughter had to work and couldn't go....

My grandsons love me better. My wife will have to understand.

Easter practice went well tonight. I messed up a bit, but it will be better Tuesday for our dress rehearsal.

Joined the choir (officially) tonight. God help 'em!

That's all for now, kids!

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Bummer, Dude!

I spoke with my loving wife.

She will meet our daughter and I for lunch, but she won't return (yet) until some unknown date in the future.

Sigh.....

Friday, March 18, 2005

I'm In Trouble.....

Last night while at play practice, they were also testing all the lights.

During some of the songs, all the lights were on us. I really liked it! Kinda like opening the fridge, but a thousand times better!

So I went up to the choir director and told her how much I was enjoying being in the production. She promptly turned around and told the play director she had another person for the next production.

Will I ever learn? Nope. I am strongly considering joining the choir, too.

Pray.

Thursday, March 17, 2005

New Job Twists

As you may have read by now, I will soon be out of a job.

To be honest, I was not quite perfectly happy here and had not been for the last few years.

I was not displeased with any of my managers or coworkers, just the way the job had turned out. It had changed into something "else" over the last few years.

So March 31st I shall be set free. Sort of. They've made some noises that a few "key" personnel might be asked to stay on for a few weeks after the "official" plant closure to finish some left-over production jobs. I was invited yesterday and I accepted with the conditions that if I was offered a job elsewhere they would have to understand that I might have to leave immediately to take it. I also wanted to make sure it would not effect my status under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Act (it will not).

So dear friends and family, it looks like I may not get to sleep in on April 1st after all.

Random thoughts:

While writing the above, the fire alarms went off here at work. Don't know if was a scheduled drill, alarm fault, etc. It's actually a very nice morning out there, once you get out of the shade and into the sun light.

------

As you may remember, my lovely wife and her sister are in Amish country. Unfortunately, this leaves me at home alone. I can only go so long without adult conversation, and I exceeded that time about 5 minutes after she left. This is actually a new record for me.

This may sound a bit extreme to some of you; let me explain.

As you may know, I'm from Oklahoma. Okies are a bit unique in that you can't know one for more than 5 minutes without them telling you their whole life story. We're not "stuck" on ourselves or anything like that, we just want to lay a really thorough foundation for any possible future conversation.

When I went home for my mother's funeral in December, I went to the barber shop I frequent in Oklahoma City to get, as my father used to say, my ears lowered. By the time my hair was cut, the barber and I had swapped life stories. It felt so good!

So even though my wife is not from Oklahoma, she has been exposed to this behavior for over 26 years now and is more than a bit used to it. She doesn't exactly practice it but she does understand.

I miss her terribly.

Let me also add that I presently sit in a room with glass windows and doors all around. I see people pass by all day, busy with their work. I am pushing numbers around on a computer screen and have little chance except when my eyes cross from staring at the screen too long to get up and actually go out and talk to someone. So my only real chance to get all these words out of me is through this blog and my dear brothers and sisters at church.

OK, I said all of that so I could say the following:

Since my wife left on her journeys, some of you have fallen into my sights and I'm afraid I may have talked more than one set of ears right off people's heads. I am truly sorry for this and I assure you everything will be set back to normal as soon as my dear bride returns. Please try to not be too dramatic with hugs and tears when you see her next.

If anybody requires a plastic surgeon, I have a special Okie-clause in my insurance that gives me a really low deductible in paying to have people's ears reattached.

------

I am nearly drained of all my excess words for now. Have a great day!

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Chocolate!!!

My lovely wife and her sister arrived yesterday evening in Hershey, PA.

My wife said when they pulled into town, the very air smelled like chocolate! She said she thought she even noticed a little chocolate stream on the grounds of one of the chocolate factories.

It must have been almost like heaven for those two!

So, now they are off to Lancaster, Amish country!

Stay tuned!

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Off to Amish Country!

Look out country, here they come!

My wife has always had "itchy" feet. I guess it's from our Air Force days. When her feet itch, she has to go! Don't get in her way!

My wife and her sister are leaving Connecticut today and are heading to Pennsylvania Amish country to play tourist.

I sincerely hope my wife is not planning on converting, it sounds like "real" work to me.

We hope to hook up Sunday sometime. Our daughter from Chicago will be in the New England area and we hope to have even a brief chance to see her.

I will have to try to work this all around church and play practice somehow.

See you later!

Monday, March 14, 2005

The Middle of the Road

I have always imagined my walk with Christ to be like this.

Picture a two-lane blacktop road, complete with the yellow striped centerline and shoulders.

In this picture, Christ is walking right down the centerline, never wavering. As a side note, keep in mind that He never moves away from us.

Ideally, we should be right at His side, holding His hand.

Unfortunately, this has not always been the case in my life, shocking as that may be.

To either side of the road are these fields with wheat growing in them. The wheat waves back and forth as the wind blows. When we take our eyes off Christ, something out there calls to us and we let go of His hand and go our way.

There are some beautiful but evil things in the wheat.

Time passed. I was dry. I could see the road, and if I listened, I could hear my Master's voice. It was a very difficult struggle, but I managed to ignore the luring of the evil in the wheat and I moved back to the road to be with my Master, hand in hand.

We must endeavor to never let go of His hand, to ignore the calling of the evil one.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some other loose thoughts

I have felt God's Spirit on me like I haven't felt it in decades. I think He has something really big for me soon. I'm excited!

Mondays usually fly by, but today Monday dug it's heals in and it drug along like no other I could remember.

I was dying to get home and post this, but it seemed 3:30 would never come.

I think somebody who was aware of my knees was praying today. They felt great, like they were 20 years younger! Now for the rest of me.......(hair??)

Tomorrow will be the test. Tonight was leg night at the gym.......

I must go putter around the house. Act like I'm domesticated. Then I can have a deserved respite ;-)

That's all folks!

Sunday, March 13, 2005

The Show Must Go On!

It's gonna be a great Easter production!

I can tell this because I missed every cue possible, I had no palms (except on my hands) and we practiced a scene that I didn't even know was in the production until tonight!

Does it sound like I'm having fun?? You bet I am!!

Now I just have to get my feet in shape for this.....

Sunday At Last!

Sunday has arrived! Boredom be gone!

As I write this I am listening (and worshipping!) to K-Love internet radio. If you haven't tried this, you can find it at this link.

We got almost no more snow last night, only about an inch (a blizzard by Oklahoma standards). They aren't predicting any more soon, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a storm suddenly arrive on Tuesday. We've gotten hammered the last two Tuesdays, that's the night the small group meets that my wife and I attend.

And speaking of my wife, I MISS HER! Clear enough?

Hope everybody who reads this has/had a great Sunday!

Bye for now...

Saturday, March 12, 2005

Snow!


Snow!
Originally uploaded by carney1979.
This is the top of my car. The snow is 12 inches deep. This accumulated in about 20 hours.

OK. It IS completely trying now. You hear that snow? You can stop now! Really!

There's a Car Under There Somewhere....

Time to start digging. I think I will call the gym BEFORE I break the shovel out....

Snow, Snow Everywhere!

I have a benefit being from Oklahoma. The snow isn't completely trying yet, but it is starting to wear on me a bit.

I was scheduled to work today, as well as the remaining Saturdays until "The Day" (March 31st plant shut down). Yesterday they cancelled today's work due to the coming storm. I could have gone to a Men's meeting at church this morning but because I had originally been scheduled to work I just forgot.

So, it's shovel snow and off to the gym. Maybe go see my grandsons. I hear the oldest is getting to be quite the dancer. He's only four so it should be quite cute.

See ya!

Friday, March 11, 2005

The Hermit


The Hermit
Originally uploaded by carney1979.
And so here I am yet again.

My dear wife and her sister have gone out of town for an undetermined amount of time.

I don't do much when she's gone. Just putter around the house, workout, play with the computer, etc.

Sunday's and Tuesdays are my high points of the week. On Sunday there's church and Easter practice and small group on Tuesday. I am glad I am involved in that. Lots of really neat people at our church.

Keep watching this spot. I'll be back real soon.

Me

P.S. Note of thanks for the prayers to the small group I attend. No surgery for my knees. Just physical therapy!

One Week Till Spring!

One week (weak??) until Spring!

If you live in Maine, I hope you mapped your garden with a GPS receiver last year or you may not find it until Fall this year!

We are on the receiving end of (yet another!) Nor'easter. We are expecting anywhere from 10-20 inches of new snow between today and tomorrow. Oh, thrill. Ski Oklahoma!

I am really happy for those that are into winter sports, such as skiing, etc. I'm from Oklahoma. The only winter sport I've practiced was getting to work intact on icy roads with all the other Okies that didn't know how to drive on the stuff.

I have not seen my sidewalk in months. Wait! I just remembered that I have grass in my yard, under all the MANY feet of snow. Was it supposed to be green, or blue?? Hmmmm....

Here are some fun snow numbers from yesterday's Portland Press Herald. All are from the Portland Jetport which is about a 30 minute drive from me (at least it is in the summer, in the winter, who knows??):

Biggest Storms of the Season

Jan 6: 5 inches
Jan 19-20: 7.3 inches
Jan 22-23: 12.8 inches
Jan 26: 4 inches
(hardly worth mentioning!!)
Feb 10-11: 10.1 inches
Feb 21-23: 7.7 inches
Mar 1-2: 10.0 inches
Mar 8-9: 10.0 inches

Season Snow to Date
89.6 inches

Five Snowiest
Winters in Portland


1970-71: 141.5 inches
1886-87: 125.5 inches
1922-23: 125.0 inches
1995-96: 123.0 inches
1906-07: 119.5 inches

The way we're going, this winter will probably be listed as 2004-06!

Enjoy, kiddies!

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

A Tale With a Moral to Ponder....

This may be a bit long. Sorry. Really.

Rewind to about 4 months plus ago.

{snip -- story starts here}

After the deaths of my wife's sister and father, as well as the sudden unexpected death of her brother-in-law all within the last four years, then the sudden unexpected death of my mother last December, I personally was drained spiritually.

Add to that my company had announced at the end of November/start of December that they were closing down my place of employment and I would have to find a new job because my old one was going away at the end of March.

Thankfully, God has sustained me through the months since the closure announcement. Even though I have not found a job, I have had a real peace that goes through to the very core of my soul.

I had not read my Bible nor prayed in many, many months (years??). I was not in blatant sin, but I was at the bottom. It's hard there.

My wife and I had changed churches about three weeks before my mom's passing. It was near Christmas and we certainly were not in the Christmas spirit. Thank God for some really good Christian friends who "forced" us through the motions and really did finally get us into the Christmas spirit. (Thanks all you "J" folks!)

My wife and I knew we really wanted to get involved "up to our eyebrows" in Church. This had been really hard to do at our old church due to the distance we had to travel. Previously, we had always been real involved in any church we had attended since getting saved.

We joined a Tuesday night small group and they are really great! Those folks recharge us for the coming week. I can never say it enough - Christian fellowship is vital to spiritual growth.

We've slowly started getting more involved in Church. My wife joined a Ladies Bible study and I am in the Easter production in a non-speaking role (could you imagine an okie-sounding disciple??), thanks to a certain small group leader who will remain anonymous.

Also, since we returned from my mom's funeral in Oklahoma, I've started reading my Bible and praying every day. I don't need to say how important that is.

Here's where we get to the "meat" of this story.

Last night we had a pot luck dinner at our small group. We ate (naturally!), played a game, and had a blast! My wife and I have not laughed that hard in a long, long time. It was real good!

We came home (in a blizzard!) and were getting settled. I was upstairs doing stuff, you know, just "knocking around", when suddenly and without any notice I became depressed over my job situation.

Now I don't think I've ever really been depressed before. If you asked my wife and family, they would tell you that I'm "real laid back".

God knows, if any two people could ever deserve to be depressed, we were those two people.

This depression was like a heavy, black blanket that covered me completely. I felt swallowed up.

It was near bed time so I figured I'd go to bed so I wouldn't have to feel this way.

I awoke the next morning (this morning) still feeling the remnants of my depression. I got around and headed to work. On the way, as I passed a certain landmark by the road, I remembered that as I had passed it the day before on my way to work I had been praying. I had been feeling that God had something special in mind for me and I told Him that I was ready and willing to do anything He asked.

I realized exactly where my depression had come from and why. Satan doesn't want us doing God's will. He will do anything in his power to stop us.

I told Satan "where to go" and my depression was instantly gone, like I'd never had it. His power over me was broken.

So, if you must have a moral to this story, it is this:

If you tell God that you are ready, willing and able to do His will, be ready. You probably are soon to step into the "storm".

{snip -- story ends here}

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Job Anyone?, Part 7

Lousy weather today, yet in spite of it, most of the 22 companies that were supposed to come to our job fair showed up.


Eighty percent of the companies were only hiring entry-level positions at about half what I make.

I threw my resume at anyone that would have it, including a few of the "entry-level" companies. Who knows what the future will hold?

I told my wife that I don't do windows, but hey, next week I may do windows.

One semi-promising lead, but they won't be hiring before next summer (providing we get summer this year).

I thank God daily for my wife and my brothers and sisters in Christ who give me hope through all of this!

Friday, March 04, 2005

Thirty Shekels of Silver....

from Leviticus 27:1-4

The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate persons to the LORD by giving equivalent values, set the value of a male between the ages of twenty and sixty at fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel; and if it is a female, set her value at thirty shekels.'"

...and will I let my wife forget this?? Naw!

Seriously though, let me say that my wife is, aside from my salvation in Christ, the absolute best thing that ever happened to me. She is my most valuable friend and I love her with all my heart!

Job Anyone?, Part 6

Oh boy! (rubbing hands together)

Big job fair at work Tuesday! Twenty-two (count 'em, 22!) companies coming to Sanmina-SCI to hire soon-to-be-ex-Sanmina-employees away! (rolling of eyes toward the sky)

Seriously, folks, there are a few companies that may be real possibilities. William Arthur is one. I know someone there who might put in a good word for me.

Pratt and Whitney is another. Again, I know someone who works there. In fact, he works in the department that I would go into.....

Networking time!

Thursday, March 03, 2005

Job Anyone?, Part 5

Well, I went and met the Quality Manager at Thompson Center Arms in Rochester.

I interviewed, tested, etc.

This was for the inspection job. He has more people to interview and isn't sure when a decision will be made.

I could work there.

Hours are 6 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Thursday. My favorite shift.

Time will tell.....

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Only Three More Weeks Until Spring!!


Spring in Three Weeks!
Originally uploaded by carney1979.

Job Anyone?, Part 4

Here we go again!

What is it with gun companies and me??

Thompson Center Arms in Rochester, NH, wants to interview me on Thursday.

If they want to hire me, I hope they don't mind that my availability date has changed to anytime after March 31st.

Stress is starting to show up here, so praying hard for this one...