Easy Come...Easy GO!

Well, I'm not a happy camper! This time last year I was ecstatic! I made the mistake of checking in on my 401K balance this week after forcing myself not to look at it for the past 4-5 weeks. Now, I have done very, very well over the past 20+ years that I have invested in it. I have put as much in it that I could possibly afford. We also have other investments that have done Ok, so this time last year, retiring at 55 was looking pretty sweet!
SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THAT!
The plan has changed now to go at 59 1/2. I am optimistic that over the next few years, the economy will flip. I hope we don't get back to where we were with unscrupulous lenders and all of that, but to a point of GENUINE and HONEST growth. Actually, we probably have no one to blame but ourselves for what has happened in this country. We, the American people, have the POWER..but we don't use it. The Christian is especially SILENT which is so disturbing to me. Look at what the GAY/LESBIAN Community can accomplish and they are only about 2-3% of the population. It amazes me that we sit on our hands because we fear being heard or being politically incorrect! My dad had great wisdom before he passed...he was so ashamed of our politicians and their performance has tarnished his service to our country in protecting the Constitution and our way of life. I understand more clearly each and everyday how he must have felt.
I'm looking up and leaning on the Rock. There are thousands of people that wish they had what I have and that greatly humbles me.

The ITCH!!

It's started!! Around this time every year I am thinking beach, ocean, breezes, sand, relaxing, sunshine, and it has started for 2009. We are just in the beginning stages of planning our family beach vacation and I have already started anxiously looking for cruises for Debbie and I in September. There is no better was to spend a day than sitting at the edge of the surf, digging your toes into the sand and letting the waves wash the sand away. Tough way to spend a day! And what about sleeping at the beach?? Are you kidding me? No better sleep in the world...well...maybe! It's a great sleep on a cruise ship as well, especially if the seas are up some and you can get the gentle wave action. It takes alittle bit of a swell to move a 110 ton ship, but believe me.....we've been in the middle of the Atlantic and seen the spray from the swell come over the bow of the ship. Now....Debbie didn't see it! She slept for about 17 hours because of the dramamine, but I was right in the middle of it and loving every second of it. The ocean is one of God's most awesome creations.
Last Sunday we got about 4" of snow. Today it's going to be 70 degrees. You've gotta love March!

Snow?? You're kidding, right?

Ok, so it snowed in metro Atlanta today. In fact, it started around 12:30PM and it's still coming down at 8:20PM as I write. Difference between the snow here and what we experienced when we lived in Virginia for 4 years...it disappears here pretty quickly. Up there you get to look at it for weeks and it gets old pretty quickly. I will say it was awfully pretty today...big, big wet snowflakes falling and falling! Of course, there were hundreds of people that shopped....hundreds! It's great for business, but....never in hundreds of years has anyone ever been snowed in here in middle Georgia that excluded them from getting to the store for days on end. People are absolutely crazy. All you have to do is to watch the weather forecast to see it is going to be almost 50 degrees tomorrow and 75 degrees by Saturday. DUH!!! I guess the good thing about it is we will have days to get filled back up because there is no way anybody in our trade area needs to go grocery shopping anytime soon. There was a time today we had NO parking places and we had no shopping carts because they were all in use. You're talking upwards of 200 shopping carts!!!! Of course...even though the roads are clear...wet, but clear....everyone thinks it's OK to call out of work because of "treacherous" road conditions. You would never know there are problems with the economy because there are many that have no problem at all missing 8 hrs. of income. Granted, I believe there may be some "icing" issues when I roll out at 630AM in the morning to go back to work, but with alittle common sense and sound judgement...I fully expect to be on deck safe and sound by 7AM.
With that said, thank you Lord for a roof over my head and Debbie by my side. It will be a warm night@ Big Poppa Sheneman's house tonight!

It's Been Awhile!

I'm sitting here looking at the calendar and realizing I have not updated this blog since January 31. Much has happened in the past 3 1/2 weeks. Trey was married in the mountains on February 7...a beautiful and intimate time for he and Jenni.....bittersweet for Debbie and I. We are so happy for them and the life they have in front of them. It's hard to turn the pages in the book of life sometimes and as the kids have grown and started their own families....it's hard to realize that life as you have known it for so many years....has changed! It's an adjustment! Our lives have been focused on our children for 28 years....many times at the sacrifice of our personal relationship with each other. We have always put our children first and tried to give them everything they needed and many of the things they wanted. It's difficult to back away and let them develop their own ways of coping with the curveballs of life, but it's what must be done. We're proud of them and well we should be. They are precious and special and honor us by the choices they have made in the foundation they have set for their marriages.
Now, let's talk about illness. I have a new appreciation of wellness! I have finally gone back to work today after two weeks of sickness. Two visits to the doctor, 6 hours in the emergency room w/ 2 bags of IV fluids and a blood pressure of 72/50 at one point. I have yet to hear a diagnosis, other than the flu test revealed it WASN'T the flu after being told it was and being treated as if it was. ALL I KNOW IS...WHATEVER IT WAS...DON'T WISH IT ON ANYONE PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE. It's good to feel better...not 100% yet, but better.

Passing The Torch!

Last night Trey and I had the opportunity to officiate some more basketball games together. Basketball has been a huge part of my life. I played in school and even after getting out of school in different Rec and Church leagues. I am addicted to ACC basketball and particularly my beloved Tarheels. I started officiating basketball on a whim in 1995 and absolutely became obsessed with it. For the past 14 years I have always looked forward to this time of year and being on the court with the kids.
Over the past few years I have had right much trouble with my hip. It bothers me more walking than it does running for some odd reason. No one can figure out what is going on. I've been to ortho guys and a neurosurgeon. Best they can tell it's a nerve issue because of something going on in my lower back. Bottom line is, it has now started bothering me when I run. It's hard enough to run at my age and at my weight....adding the hip problem just compounds it.
We only have the playoffs left this year and then I will reassess the future. It makes me so proud to have had the opportunity to call ball with my son. He is a natural and has natural abilities. I have encouraged him to take it to the next level, go to some camps, get some more experience. It's a great part-time job..it's great exercise....and you get to stay close to a game you love. Is it time to pass the torch???
I guess I'll know next December!!!!

Tough Times

The tough economy hit closer to home last night after Debbie talked to some very good friends of ours from when we lived in Dunn, N.C.. Ronald is in the building supply business and has been for his whole adult life. His wife told us last night that they had been hit hard and were having to take out a equity line on their house just to make ends meet. It struck me that their story could just as easy be my story. While people need to eat and I am in the grocery business, God reminded me very clearly to be thankful in all things and to count my blessings one by one each and every day. There is nothing that "exempts" our industry from a sluggish economy. Actually our industry is one of the most competitive industries in America with everyone vying for the grocery dollar. Think about it! You have drugstores on every corner and they have all started selling groceries as well. You can now buy soft drinks at Home Depot and Lowes. Don't forget the warehouse clubs like Sam's, Costco, and BJ's. There are convenience stores built on top of convenience stores. Our profits are constantly under attack because of increased costs of petroleum based products and the costs of raw food products. Being a publicly traded company, Wall Street is always looking for improved balance sheets to push investors towards one company versus another. Additionally, like the auto industry, Kroger is somewhat manipulated by labor unions which also forces our costs in doing business up versus most of our competitors. Nothing will surprise me!! I expect a notification at anytime that the Company will issue buyout options to mid-level management to cut costs.
I am thankful that I have longevity. I am thankful I am fully vested in our pension program. I am thankful that I was wise enough to fully fund my 401K plan starting back in 1988. I am thankful that we have been more frugal than not. I am thankful that Debbie has a good job. I am thankful that God has smiled on us.
I am thankful for our friends, Ronald and Vicki Dupree. My prayer is that through the storm they find themselves in, that they continue to lean on our heavenly Father and find refuge in His love for them that has no bank balance.

It Is COLD!

In anybody's book, 17 degrees is cold. As I get older and my blood gets thinner, it doesn't seem to take much for me to shiver. Believe me, at 6:30 A.M. this morning, it was hard to roll out of bed and walk outside to a cold car. Trey and I officiated two basketball games last night so the muscles and joints were sore and tight anyway.....the cold was no assistance to a good start to a busy Saturday.
Much is going on! Trey and Jennifer have closed on their house. They have had the inside painted and the carpets cleaned...it is really beautiful and I know how excited they are. They started moving her stuff out of our house last night and into their new home. She will live there until they are married on May 30th. At that point, I think it will be OK for him to start living there as well. Debbie and I will be "empty-nesters" again....for the 3rd-4th time now.
Stacey, Joey, and the grands on the way to town today. They have things to do and people to see, but when I get off....we're off to Outback to celebrate my birthday a few days early. I can't wait! God has been so good to my family. Thank you Lord.