So here it is, 2013.   I had hoped to have a Republican President, but instead we have this.....well I don't know what to call him, American isn't even in the list.  This man hates everything we as Americans stand for. Instead, he would strip away all of our freedoms and have us all dependent upon the Government.

But I digress.  I am still working for Siemens.  It has become a love/hate thing, sometimes I like the job and other times I find myself looking at Monster.com and updating my resume.  Life shouldn't be this difficult, but then again.

The VA, after four years of fighting with them, has finally approved my disability rating increase and I am now listed as 90%.  You would not think it to look at me, but if you were around me you would think twice. Only the meds keep me going.  I have back pain and real bad headache, close to migraines daily, and my stomach bothers me most days.  My right knee, hip and ankle greave me most days too.  Sometimes I wonder how I get through the day, then I see my kids and think, OK, one more day.

But enough pity party.  The boys are doing great, well mostly great.  My youngest is pig headed and drives his momma crazy and my oldest is just a bundle of emotions, one moment bouncing off the walls, then next screaming and crying.  Parenthood, oh the joys ;)

My wife is doing fine.  Her back troubles her and she is trying to deal with it.  I worry that she does too much, but she will not be slowed and charges forward at full steam.  I heard her on the phone with her friend who has had a bad marriage , divorce and life after marriage.  So I tell Suzy, hey, we just got this huge bonus, why not buy her a ticket so she can come out and visit you?  I don't know if Suzy was stunned at first or what, but she stops and calls her friend and asks what weekend would be good for her to visit and then buys the tickets.  Her friend at first did not want us to buy the tickets but I insisted, and right now Suzy is at the airport picking her up.  I hope the weekend goes well.

That is it for now, I have ranted enough and got it out of my system.  But I did want to "Officially" post this right now for those Nazi in the US Government who read these blogs.

I WILL NOT GIVE UP MY WEAPONS, EVER.  This is not a threat, but a statement of FACT.  If you come to my HOME and try to take them, you will have a bad day.  HAVE  A NICE DAY, stay home.

thomas;)

Finally Published My Book!

Finally got around to publishing my book. Here is the link if you are interested ;)

The Voyage a book by Thomas Sholar

I hope you all like it.

Just a quick favor to ask. To all who buy my book, please write a review on it at Amazon.com if you would. It should be available there in a week or so and it would help me tremendously if you would. ;) Thanks!

thomas;)

About time for an update!

Well, I just remembered I had this blog ;) I should be posting here more often.

I got a great job in NM working for Siemens Healthcare DX. I am field service for them and work on blood analyzers.

Suzy and the boys are doing great and life is going well for a change.

I will post more later.

thomas;)

Things are Looking up!

Well I took a trip to Rio Rancho, NM for a job interview. My brother lives there and he had a lead on a job where he works. I went and interviewed, but the job just wasn't for me. Then I get a call from Siemens Health Care.

Two phone interviews later I am scheduled for a Face to Face the week of the 17th! Looking very promising. Then my wife finds someone to lease our house! How cool is that!

I came home have been packing for three days now. My brother is on the way as I write and is bringing his trailer. We are going to load it full and take it back on Sunday, then return for Suzy's graduation on the 21st and then rent a UHaul to take the remaining stuff to NM.

My brother and his wife are letting us stay with them, saving us rent and utilities until we get back on our feet. You got to love family that acts like family! My dad is helping out too by paying for our medical COBRA until we get benefits with a new job.

All in all things are looking up. Thanks to all who have been helping out with support and encouragement.

Just one last note. I finished my book! I am in the process of final edit and then the process of finding a publisher begins.

Wish me luck!

Lost my Job and other TibBits

Well after working for Diebold for three years I was fired after a Bank manager from US Bank filed a complaint against me. She lied and said that I grabbed a teller and some other bullshit that does not bear repeating. At any rate, they canned me and now I am looking for work. I applied for UI and got it, thank God, and I just put in for Food Stamps.

I have been looking for a job now for over a month, but no one is hiring. Well enough of that bull, on to something a bit more upbeat.

I am writing a book! Yes, after it's first conception over twenty five years ago, I have finally started to write a book. I came up with the idea while stationed in Okinawa back in 1984. I wrote an outline back then but that is as far as it got. After I lost my job I sat down and wrote another outline then just started to write.

I am on chapter 36 now and it is going well. I have taken a week off of writing to concentrate on getting a job but will return to writing this weekend. My best friend Keith is reading it as I write as is my mother-in-law. They both love it and beg for more chapters. ;)

I have tentatively titled it "The Voyage" and hope to have it finished by this summer. So, keep an eye out for more post on it.

thomas;)

EBay Feedback.....What is the Deal?!?!

Now tell me if I am way off base here.

I buy something from EBay and I pay with Paypal with 30 minuets. Should I not expect positive feedback right away? Should I have to wait until I post feedback for the seller before I get my feedback? I say NO, as resounding NO!

I call it "Holding my Feedback Hostage". They will not post you positive feedback as a buyer until you leave positive for them, they are in essence refusing you your rightful Positive Feedback until they see what you give them. Their product may be broken, not as described, wrong item or very slow shipping, but if you want you positive feedback you must post positive for them or they will give you nothing.

Right now I have about thirty paid for auctions, all paid for right away, but I only have feedback for about nine of them. This is total bullshit.

Today I had a seller send me a request for positive feedback on a item I paid for on the 29th of January. He has still not left me feedback, so this is what I sent to him.

"Well let me see. I paid on the 29th of Jan and you have still not left me feedback. I paid you promptly, so you should have left positive feedback, you did not. So why the hell are you asking for feedback from me? I am not sure I understand. I would have left you positive feedback as you shipped very promptly, buy not receiving feedback from you has left me sour."

I hope that he will get he point here. If I pay quickly, I should get positive feedback right away, and if I do not, you will get Negative or none from me.

JMHO

It's My Eighth Wedding Anniversery

Eight years ago I married a young women, the sister of a friend of mine. She was going through a divorce and I was looking for a wife, funny how that works. I saw her hang around with my friend and when I asked about her he offered to hook me up with her. A few dozen dates and a divorce later we were married on February, 2nd 2002. Yes, 02/02/02, she has a thing for numbers.

I was almost forty and did not know what to expect as I had be single most of my life. A few girlfriends here and there, but nothing serious. Now I was married and had a kid on the way. I was blessed and did not know what I had done to deserve it.

Now eight years later, we are still going strong. It is weird, we seem to compliment each other. I will be thinking of something and she will ask about it. Like she was reading my mind. They say there is a soul mate out there for each of us, I was lucky to find mine.

So here is to Suzy, my loving wife. I look to many, many more years to come.

Thank You.