Predawn

I have had a wonderful weekend with my 3 children this weekend. Saturday I spent most of the time over at their mom's house because she is packing and sorting through things and she need some assistance going through things and moving boxes. It was kind of weird because she had her 2 closer friends and her sister there. At one point I mentioned to Heather, "Why am I here helping my ex-wife? I either must be crazy or still in love with her." She replied, "Or, a little of both." I think it was pretty accurate.

Back to the kids. I always try to do a little something with each one individually. Yesterday I focused on Elise. We went on a bike ride through town. It probably ended up being about 3 miles when it was said and done. We weaved our way down to the Riverfront, over to Portage Trail, and then back to the High Glens Park on the river. While riding beside her, I couldn't be more proud of her. She is growing up so fast and has become a great little girl.

Today I took the kids to an Akron Aero's game. We were in the 2nd row one section from the dugout and behind the screen. Jude has been wanting to go for a while so we finally made it. I found out today they the Aero's has a kid's club and kids under 12 get free tickets to every Sunday game. I wish I would have known that at the beginning of the season. Not that it overly expensive to go to a game, but saving money is saving money. The Aero's won and it was a beautiful day for an afternoon game. We even experienced a few sprinkles.

The kids will be at my house every night this week while Delilah finishes packing up the house. She mentioned something about it is just easier with out the kids making more of a mess. I'm not sure meant by that. lol The kids are really excited about moving. I am sad about them moving. I wish it didn't have to be this way.

For the short-term I will be living in the Akron area, I am hoping that I can continue working my job from home in WV. I haven't received the official ok for it yet, but I am told that once the work from home pilot is deemed a success it will be one of the first things to be discussed.

A productive day and it's only.....

I must say that I am having a productive day and it's only 10 am. What gives? Actually I have had a fairly productive week. I think this happens when I am able to keep myself busy. How have I been doing this you ask. Well, let me tell you. I have been looking into going back to school, starting a business, leading the youth on Sunday mornings, leading a small group and co-leading a men's group with my good friend.

First things first, school. As you all probably know, I recieved my Associates in Arts: Liberal Arts from Upper Iowa University in December. I am looking at 3 options to continue my education. Upper Iowa, Malone, and U of Akron. I am weighing the options of all 3. I desire to finish up my bachelors in Public Administration or in Finance, both of which I enjoy.

I am looking into starting my own home based business cleaning out foreclosed homes. I need to develop some contacts with banks and realtors who hande the foreclosed homes and would need purchase a truck and trailer so I am able to haul stuff to the landfill. I would try to save anything I could to resell or donate. I would also need to have a partner working with me because I'm sure I would need help moving larger items.

I have taken on an active role at church. It started with co-leading a men's group which meets at our house. I am currently leading a small group which also meets at our house and am in the process of planning the next series of study. Starting this Sunday I will be leading youth during the Sunday morning service. I am a little rusting at leading youth but I am confident it won't take long to get back into the flow of things.

So I/we have been busy with multiple items. When I resume working outside of the house I may have to curtain a few items but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. As far as being productive today............
So far:

• the kids have had their bath (usually done at night)
• balanced out accounts
• filed our receipts
• fed the kids breakfast (Elise ate a ton... 2 eggs, cereal, and a bunch of cheese)
• wrote a post on the blog

Well, now that I actually look what I have accomplished so far it really doesn't seem like that much. I do have alot more on my agenda to finish today. Such as......final prep for men's groups tommorrow and sunday morning, complete 2 apps for jobs, call several banks and realtors.

And here I goooooooooooooo

Speechless

I have been pretty much speechless the last two days. On Thursday I lost my voice and I am still very hoarse today. It has been an interesting week for me. Between having my emotional up and downs regarding employment and fighting off this sickness that is trying to get at me it has me well, pretty much speechless. What else can I say.......

Often times I get frustrated at situations around me and feel that I am letting my family down. I so much desire to be able to provide for my family financially. We have been able to keep our heads above the water the last 11 months but it wouldn't take much to change. I guess I am tired of just barely making it. I realize that things could be much worse for us. Am I growing inpatient waiting on God? I think I might be. I realize that God has a plan and he has brought us through this far. I am often reminded of this from Delilah. Specially during my times of frustration.

We have been blessed with a great church. They have been supportive of us during this time. I have also been able to be more involved with our church. I have been involved with a men's group that is called MENtality that meets at our house twice a month and I have also been leading a small group that is studying "Experiencing God". I have recently decided (with a little nudge) to do some work with the youth on Sunday mornings.

I was speaking with a guy from church the other week about Great Danes. They have one and are looking at getting a second. I have never paid much attention to Great Danes. I've always been partial to Chocolate Labs. Well, I started researching Great Danes, they are very good dogs. The kids and I were watching You Tube videos of Great Danes the other night. They are HUGE. I think I have convinced Delilah that we should eventually buy a Great Dane (we are in no hurry to buy another pet). Now only if I can convince Jude, he wants a Chihuahua or a Poodle. What is wrong with that kid?

I guess I really wasn't very speechless after all.

Jobs and Education.

I noticed it had been a while since I last posted anything on my blog. The job hunt is still moving forward. I have been submitting my resume to an open position about once a day. Sometimes it is difficult to send it out for a job when you don't know what they salary is. There is a certian amount I need to take home to break even, other wise there are probably a lot of jobs that don't much that I would be content with working.

I am in the process of appying for a degree completetion program through Malone University. It is possible to complete your degree in as a little as 14 months. I would have a bachelor's of art in management. You meet once a week for about 4 hours over the course of 14 months to complete the program. According to my calculation I will be about 9 credits short of the graduation credits required to complete the degree which means I would need to take 3 classes somehow to complete the degree. One good thing that has come out from being unemployed is that the expected financial contribution for education decreased by about $10,000 from the previous year. The degree completion program will cost about $15,000.

Another option I am looking at is returning the University of Akron to complete my course work their. If I went the Akron diet pills route it would probably be a little more difficult to schedule that classes at the time I could take them and it seems according to my calculations I would need to take take 4 semester of 15 credits to graduate in 2 years. As of this point I am leaning towards to Malone but I have to wait to see what develops.

Working hard to find work

I have been a little off this week. If you were to ask Delilah she would say I was feeling sorry for myself, which might be slightly true. I've been scrounging the net for job openings and have pretty much come up empty. I have had a couple of interviews but nothing substantial to date. I thought by getting my Associates degree it would open a few more doors to me, it hasn't, yet. I decided to sign up for a Facebook account to try and do some networking with old friends. By the way, it is amazing how many old friends/acquintances you can find on Facebook. I've found people that I have completely forgotten about. Anyways............ I started doing a little networking with some old contacts, I may have a job lead we will see where it goes and I will let you know what develops from it. So I have been working hard to find work. Maybe I should think about car insurance.

I did it, and an update

First things first....

Most you probably know, but Delilah had her gallbladder taken out yesterday. If you know her it is hard to keep that woman down. I managed to keep her off the phone yesterday after she was released from the hospital. After she had her appendix removed she made some phone calls while drugged up and did not want a repeat. Today is a different story however, she woke up early this morning, like 3 am, from all the sleep she got yesterday. She went back to sleep at 7. During that time she managed to get our Christmas cards finished and type a letter to send out in the cards. She woke up again at 9 and was on the go. She started doing laundry and then later on baking cookies. Needless to say she over did it a little bit, but the doctor did say to do what ever she wanted to do if she felt up to it. The only restriction was that she could lift anything over 10 pounds.

Now..........

I completed my two classes to finish off my Associates Degree, it will be about 3 weeks until I receive the final grades, I am confident that passed both classes. Hopefully this will help in the job search. I know it can't hurt.

Peace out to the discount furniture.

The J-O-B hunt continues

I am still job hunting. The job I thought I had lined up seems to be in limbo. Which is frustrating in itself, I guess that is the nature of this beast which we call a bad economy. So I am back in the hunt. I had an interview today for a position that teaches clients (kids that are aging out of children services) independent living skills. I am really exited about the possibility of this position. This a new program for the organization and the possibilities are endless for what the program could grow into. I probably won't hear back until later next week. There were still several interviews to go.
I have signed on to drive a snow plow truck this winter season. I will be working for a family that attends our church and am excited about making a little extra cash. It will be early morning hours, but I think it will work out most of the time, so long that I don't become to much of a grump to those around me, like Delilah.
I am five assignments from having my associates degree. One of the assignments is to write a five to six page paper on the differences/similarities in the doctrines of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. It has proven to interesting thus far in the process. I just started doing some research and am about a page into the paper.
So, things are slowly moving along for us in the family.


More to come later after I look up Ju Ju Be.

Almost...

Can you believe that it is almost November? Where has this year gone? It seems just like yesterday that I was discharged from my previous job all the while it seems like it is going to take forever until December 1st to roll around. December 1st it my first day back to work, and I cannot wait until then. Not because I want to get out of the house but because I will be able to bring more money to the family to get us back to being somewhat financially stable. It's been tough on us since mid-September when the state employment ran out. I filed for the federal extension but have not heard about the determination of benefits. It has been slim pickings for us. Yesterday at church we heard a sermon about Breaking Out of the Trap Debt it was a good sermon and was almost perfect timing for us to hear. Delilah and I have been discussing our finances and how we are going to get out of debt. Finances can be such a burden on individuals and families. We were beginning to take steps of getting out of debt before I was let go. Soon, very soon we will be able to resume the process of getting out of debt. Sometimes it can feel like golf balls bouncing all around on concrete when it comes to finances.

Hello, My Name is Jake..........

In case you forgot, I know it's been a long time since I put a post up on the blog. A while back I decided to go through each post and put a label on each one of them. It took a little time do it but I am glad I did. It's good to read what I have posted in the past. Things are moving along on the job front. My unemployment benefits ran out so I had to apply for the Federal extension of the benefits. As far as I know I am approved for the extension and will be able to receive them next week after about a 3 week lapse of the state benefits. I do have a job. I know how much I will be making but not when I start. It will be sometime between Oct 13 and Dec 1. I am really hoping for sooner than later. I will be working the same industry as before. The office is going to be based out of Cuyahoga Falls, in the river front area. I am very excited about this opportunity and believe I will be very successful at it.

After dropping Jude off at school today, I ran to the post office and then to the bank to have some cash for a date night tonight. When I got to the ATM, the guy in front of me left his bank card in the ATM and the transaction was not complete. If I wanted to I could have withdrawn cash from his account, which I didn't. I ended the transaction and got the cash out of my account that I needed and grabbed the bank card and went through the drive thru window and handed the card to the teller. I wonder how many people would have withdrawn cash with that card? I probably could have bought a nice set of bar stools for the basement.

I suppose that is all I have for now, that I wish to share.

Procrastination and Waiting

I am taking a literature course that I absolutely hate. I can't stand it. So instead of doing my course work I am procrastinating by doing other stuff. I know, I know, I should be working on my course.

I have a job lined up (as far as I understand). Now I am playing a waiting game. I can't stand waiting. I'm about ready to jump out of my skin.

I guess I should try and something productive and get off the computer for now.
Why would you want talking watches?

Workout Day 1

The potential to work with the APD has turned into a motivator to get back into shape. Last week I told Delilah that today August 25th was going to be the start of my workout program. I have decided to begin my work out program with 30 minutes of running/walking and then sit ups and push ups five days a week. Eventually I will work towards running three miles, when that takes place I will run three miles, three days a week and do some weight training the other two days at the Y. My goal is to drop from 217 pounds to 190 pounds for a total loss of 27 pounds almost 12.4% of my current weight.
Let's recap day one of my new workout plan.

• Man I am more out of shape than I realized
• Ran for 2 minutes
• Walked for 28 minutes

After the run/walk I did 20 sit ups and 13 push ups. It's much tougher to do those when your body is already a little tired.


Acne Cream

First Step

I have decided to apply for the written test to become an Akron Police Officer. Delilah and I discussed it at length and decided it would be a good idea to take the initial first step in the process. Akron seems to have a good program. Once you are in the academy you receive full pay. The down side about this is I pass everything we would have to move to Akron within 12 months. But there are some nice neighborhoods in Akron. I need to start getting my body in shape for the testing. If anything this will be a good motivator to get in shape. Maybe I should look into some promotional products.

Aww, Monday.........

Well is is Monday and things here at he Miller household are slowly coming back together. Delilah is feeling much better other than some side affects to the antibiotic she is on. She made a phone call to the doctor and they are suppose to call back at some point. Jude and Elise are in TN and I think that Avery might miss them a little bit, she has been a little grumpy over the last couple of days. They will probably return home Friday or Saturday. I have a job interview with Primerica Thursday evening. I'm a little nervous about it. I did a quick search on Google about the company and there seemed to a lot of complaints and some people felt that it is a scam. They are a part of Citigroup so I guess we will have to see what develops on Thursday. Everything I read from the Primerica website looks good and falls in line with what I tend to believe. And with this job I won't have to travel. Which is nice because if you were have to fly somewhere it seems like all the airlines are charging to check luggage.
I will take advantage of this week with only having Avery. I need to go and renew my license and registers the cars and also get Jude's paper work for school so he can goto kindergarten in about a month. Crazy. I can not believe that Jude is starting school already.


Peace, see you on the flip side.

30 Days?

Has it really been thirty days since I last went to work? I don't like the feeling when I wake up and having a place to go to work. Funny isn't it? How is it all through life we dread waking up and going to work on Monday mornings, but now that I don't have a job to go on Monday's I dread the fact that I don't have a job to go to on Monday morning.

As Delilah mentioned in a recent post I am applying for a position with a township in Summit County. It is kind of ironic because last week Delilah was asking me questions about the choice of my degree that I want to complete, Public Administration. Well this position prefers a degree in Public Administration, it was nice to see that there are local positions that prefer a degree in Public Administration to show to her. Actually she was the one that found the job posting for me. Thanks Delilah for the opportunity.

Anyways I can see this position as a great entry to public administration.


Some I feel like I am towing around travel trailers.

Motivation

Since being unemployed I have had the opportunity to listen to several motivational/guidance/self help podcast. One of the podcast I have listened to is provided by Sales Gravy. The podcast is geared/directed to the sales professional. I have listened to all the available Sales Gravy podcasts available on Itunes. They are great podcasts and I believe anyone could learn something new from the speaker regardless of their profession. I know I have gained new knowledge through these podcasts. The biggest asset we have is our knowledge. My goal during this time is to gain more knowledge to better prepare myself for my next job.


I guess I could look at this like air cleaners for my life.

In Response

This post is a response to a comment left on Delilah's blog . This is the comment that was left:

"I really think Jake should push things on his bonus check. He earned that money and if nothing else check with someone else that has knowledge of this type letting him go. Labor board or even a lawyer. Even if he had to give a lawyer 1/2 the bonus would be better than nothing at all and the company offering him another job may just be a way of keeping him from going after his bonus. That money is his, he earned it and someone else will be living high on his money. If he doesn't stand up to them then they will continue to do the same year after year to other employees. Please Please check into it a whole lot. Don't write that money off. They are taking that money away from you and your kids and a better life better home ect. Love and prayer for you and your family." Anonymous

There are two criteria to receiving the bonus. 1) Individual Performance 2) Net profit year-end of xx%. The net profit year-end is an easy criteria to determine because it is objective. However, the first criteria is subjective. It is based on your individual performance. Since I was discharged from my place of employment for "poor performance" I don't qualify for the bonus. One thing to consider is that Ohio is a no-fault state. Which means that an employer can discharge an employee with or without cause.

I have performed a brief search for laws or guidelines relating to bonus' etc. I have had no such luck finding anything. I suppose some companies could put the bonus as part of a severance package. But Ohio or Federal law does not mandate or require severance packages.

There were a few employees at my previous place of employment that did not receive a bonus. In my opinion they should have received the bonus. But this is a subjective matter.

Regardless of the having the bonus or not, it is very disheartening how I was discharged. But life does go on and I believe that everything will work out for the best.


Need life insurance?

Don't really feel like blogging much

Well it has been a while since I last blogged. I just don't really feel like blogging that much. It is not like I don't have the time to do it, right now I have all the time in the world. I applied for a sales assistant position in Akron, I also interviewed for a youth pastor position in Canton. I met with the pastor and took a quick tour of the church. It seems like it has a lot of potential. I am excited about both possibilities. Delilah is also applying for several positions as well.
Last night I assisted with our youth group for the first time. It was a group of sixth graders. I have to be honest, it was very interesting. I think that this might have been the first time I have actually worked with a group of sixth graders in this type of setting.



Do you ever feel like you just need a colon cleanse to keep you going?


Later

Landing

Last Sunday our church showed a video clip of a comedian. (I can't think of the comedian's name right now). Anyway he was talking about flying and it was very funny what he was saying. Watching the clip got me to thinking about flying and since I flew this week I was REALLY thinking about flying. By the way my flight this morning was canceled due to snow and rain. So I decided to leave a little early for the my flight this afternoon and took the Jeep Commander out for a little spin. It was great. I was going through standing water and snow like it was nothing. Oh the joys of renting a vehicle. Next time I should probably check out some online auto insurance before trying something like that again. Anyways...... back to my flying. Why is when the plane "lands" they say the plane is landing? The plane doesn't land, it is crashing. It is a controlled crash none the less. I wish they would just be honest with the passengers. "There is your pilot speaking, we have been cleared to crash......... please make sure your belongings are properly stowed and all electronics are turned off and stowed away....... thank you again for flying Miller Airlines" let's just call it what it is. It is a CRASH people. End of story.

Traveling

The one thing that I don’t like about my job is the traveling. Well not actually the traveling part but staying at the hotel. I would much rather be at home with my family. If we had a live in nanny or if we could afford it I would have the family travel with me on some of my trips. The trip to Maine would have been a good trip for them to travel on with me. Some trips would be much harder for the family to travel with me. One nice thing about having the main account I have is that when I head towards VA, WV, KY the family can travel with and we are able to stay at my parents’ house as they are a nice distance from a lot of plants I have to visit. I guess you have to take the good with the bad. I love my job. I love being in power plants. Since I love my job and love being in power plants it requires me to travel. Also, if I want to make decent money and hold onto my job I have to travel to plants. Sometimes it requires just an over night or a couple of nights. The beginning of this week I am in Portland, Maine, later on the in the week I may be required to be in Kentucky for a start up. The day is yet to be set. I am at the mercy of the power plant.

Next week I am scheduled to be in Southern Indiana and the following week in Seattle, Washington. I am starting to believe that every month is the busy month. We were told to cut back on travel unless it is required to make a sale or for technical services during the last 2 months of our fiscal year. Instead of travel cutting back, I believe it has increased for everyone.

Some of the best times I have had with my family are when we traveled to the Outer Banks. We have been there twice (I think) we had a great time as a family. This summer we are heading to Camden, Maine for vacation. I cannot wait until I can eat a bunch of lobster. Later.

Oh by the way, I have decided I’m going to change my blog picture every once in a while. I love power plants.

A New Year

Well, I am sure, if you keep reading this blog, that you think I have fallen off the face of the earth. Don't worry. I am still here. You have kept up with Delilah's blog you know that I've been given more responsibilities at work. This is a good thing. This also keeps me busier. I am handling it well so far and I think Delilah is as well. I can not believe that it is 2008 already. Time does fly by. I think the year goes by quicker now than ever before. It seems just like yesterday Delilah and I were getting prepared to go on our honeymoon cruise in the Caribbean. Look at us now. We have 3 children and seem to be busier than ever. So if you are reading this, thanks for staying with me. I will try to keep you posted about what's new and exciting in my life.
drug rehab
Peace.