Valentines Day--2010

Valentines Day is very special to Carol and I. It was that special day in 1991 that I proposed to my sweetie and she accepted! We were married a little over 6 months later on September 20th.

Ever since 1992, we have tried-very successfully I might add, to make Valentines Day special. In fact, we started a tradition that continues to this day. We alternate the responsibility each year for deciding where/what we will do and to surprise the other. And just an additional note, this was our 19th time to celebrate Valentines Day!

So it was that 2010 was my turn. Weeks ago I had ordered and paid for our tickets to the Georgia Aquarium on line including parking in the covered lot next door. I advised Carol this morning to dress warm and wear good walking shoes. Our tickets were for 11:00 and we left Mattie behind around 9:30.

As we traveled on I-20 toward Atlanta, Carol and I played the guessing game--she made some good guesses including the Atlanta Zoo, Jimmy Carter Library, etc. It was just in sight of the aquarium when I surprised Carol with this years' surprise. Carol was ecstatic as we had said many times we wanted to visit the all famous aquarium.

After parking the "Tutzmobile" on the 3rd parking level, we prceeded to the entrance. We felt at home as the first thing we did was have our photo taken by a professional service--this is very similar to the professional photographers that roam cruise ships.

We entered the aquarium around 10:30 and spent probably at least 2 and half hours. We had so much fun, taking photos at every turn. Families with small children were everywhere and so friendly--we had serveral folks that took our picture with my little Fuji camera, and I in turn took photos for others. We saw everything there except the 3D movie--we felt it would be somewhat anti-climatic after seeing so many live fish in the various tanks.

We did however stop in the gift shop. We found our obligatory christmas tree ornament and lapel pins. Carol found a couple pieces of jewelry and shawl. Just before we exited, we stopped an purchased from the photographers booth the photo taken of us as we entered the aquarium. We brought the package that included a large print, 3 smaller ones, and small magnetic picture frames for 2 small prints -- all for $30.

After leaving Atlanta, we thought we would eat lunch at Longhorns but unfortunately the ones in both Conyers and Covington were way too busy with minimum 40 minute waits. We settled on a 10 minute wait at Appleby's in Covington. Carol chose fried shrimp and I had their chicken alfredo--it all was good. We returned home round 3:00.

Once again, we had a great and special Valentines Day!!

Henry Grant Liddiard

Here is aunt Tracy holding her newest nephew in the hospital with Henry's little head sock on!!

Henry Grant Liddiard has arrived!


Henry and his dad Evan.

What a cutie!!

Proud mother and son!

GREAT NEWS!

Henry Grant Liddiard was born to proud parents Tabitha and Evan at 3:41 pm on Monday Feburary 8th, 2010. Henry weighed 10.1 pounds and is 22 inches long. Mother and son are doing great and should be coming home in a couple days. Henry is my 4th grandchild and 2nd grandson. He was born in the city of Arlington, Va.

Tabitha and Evan were accompanied by my youngest Tracy and her husband Odie--both also from the city of Arlington. Tracy is also expecting a son and is due in early April.

Mattie Home From Ms Becky's-Jan 29th, 2010

Mattie gets groomed about every 6 weeks. Over the years, our groomer Ms Becky, has refrained from placing a bow in her hair simply because Mattie quickly "shakes" it out! Last week was an exception. When I picked Mattie up, there she was in her full glory and with a hair bow to boot. I could not resist but to come home and take photos. Here are two of my favorites!

Man Cave Bath Renovation--Jan 2010

The "before"--notice linoleum floor.

The cheap linoleum flooring has been removed & walls painted.

Commode is removed-note wall paper.

Getting ready to clean drain flange and start tiling.

Tiling down and just finished grout--notice excess and haze.

The finished product--all looks and works well!

On January 18th, 2010, I completed the full renovation of the powder room bath off the kitchen. I decided I would take some time off before starting my next "self imposed" project.

So it was, on January 21st (3 days later), I took photos of the "before" man cave bathroom and we headed to Lowes in Madison to choose a pint of paint as a test sample. Came home and tried the green sample--I did not like--too light. Back to Lowes and decided on a slightly darker green called Lyndhurst Spring Eve. Part of the reason we went green is this color--in a different shade--is found in the shower curtain, bath towels, and other amenities. Our plan was to change the yellow wall color to a green and keep everything else as is! Also, my plans are to change the venting fan to a quieter design and upgrade the towel rack, toilet paper holder, and hand towel to a new chrome.

I applied the first coat of green to the walls on January 22nd and the second and final coat the next day on the 23rd. On January 24th, I carefully removed all the shoe molding--this is smaller than quarter round--along with the linoleum floor that had buckled behind the commode. While the linoleum had originally been glued down, it came up fairly easily--exposing the bare concrete floor below. The next day I removed the commode and painted the wall behind it. The original walls were wall papered with an Arnold Palmer golf theme--was it ever ugly. The afternoon of the 25th found me beginning the tiling process. I completed the floor tiling at 1:00 on Tuesday 26th--allowing it to dry and somewhat cure for the next 36-48 hours.

The tiles are my first in the size of 13 x 13--most I have put down have been 12 x 12. I decided to use the same stagger design as the bath upstairs. We brought two boxes plus 4 individual tiles--upon completion, there were a couple partial pieces left--good measuring and estimating on my part! BTW--the tile has a green tone with a little light reddish tint--should be perfect to blend and compliment the walls and grout!

On Thursday, January 28th, I mixed the 25 pound bag of dry grout in a dry bucket. After thoroughly mixing, I returned about half to the original plastic bag. The remaining I mixed with water to obtain the desired consistency. I began with applying the grout in all the groves and letting sit for 30 minutes. For the next hour or so, using a clean sponge and water, I began to clean the extra grout from all tiles--it took about 6 times to get the tiles clean and sparkle free. Finished around noon and will now allow to thoroughly cure for next 36 hours.

Friday the 29th was officially "Completion" day. I started with cutting to lenght and installing all the quarter round molding that had two coats of white trim paint. Afterwards, I applied caulking and then painted finishing nail holes. Then came the real challenge--reinstalling the commode. It took Carol and I two attempts but finally success--yea! After making certain the unit was properly bolted to drain flange, Tutz and I put up the shower curtains and wall hangings. Job complete and it looks great!

Bathroom Renovation-Jan 2010

I retired last July 1st. Prior to that, projects took a long time when only Saturdays were available. No more. Now I can start a project and days later, (not months) its complete.

So it was with the powder room off of our kitchen. We decided on the paint, tile, and new sink & faucet late in December 2009. January 6th, I took photos of the bathroom as the starting "before" point. Yesterday, January 18th or just 12 days later, the project is completed!

Just a couple of comments before viewing below the photos leading up to the finished project.

There were 3 different colors/styles of wall paper. We knew it would not be removed without damage to the dry wall. So, first job was to add drywall mud to all seams and let dry and sand--had to do this twice before I got that smooth finish I was looking for. Next, one coat of primer followed by two coats of a bold red referred to as Cranberry. Afterwards, I laid down the floor tile backer board, then tiled with thin set and later adding grout. With water and sponge, cleaned grout then painted and reinstalled quarter round molding. Added a half inch toilet flange spacer (this is required due to added height of backer board and tile)and reinstalled toilet with new wax seal.

After confirming the toilet was installed correctly with no leaks, I now installed the antique oak vanity--first drilling large 2 1/2 inch holes for the water and drain lines. BTW--I failed to mention I previously added a new light fixture we really like.

Once the vanity was installed to the wall, I added both faucets and white vessel and added new water lines and drain pipes. Afterwards, with new light switch plate, towel rack, and wall hanging--the job was complete.

Enjoy the photos.



Here is the bath with pedestal sink, wall paper, and linoleum floor.
Everything removed and primer on walls.

Backer board down and tile being installed. Room is 5 x 6 feet.

Tile thin set was cured and here the grout has been added-clean up coming.

Quarter round painted and installed along with toilet.

Tutz modeling the finished project.

Our antique oak vanity customed fitted with faucet and white vessel.

Above is the finished project. Carol and I think it pops! We are very happy with the outcome. What a transformation!

Now to the next project--painting and tiling the "man cave" bathroom!

Beyond Allstate...

June 26th, 2009--my last day in the office.

Carol and I on May 20th, 2009 at my retirement party.

That's me in 1980 (4th from left) in the old Commercial Regional Office at a staff meeting---had to wear coat and ties back then!

My sweet wife just added a post titled "Honey, I'm Home..." commemorating the fact that as of June 30th, 2009, after some 33 years I have now officially retired from Allstate Insurance Company. Suffice it to say that those were great years and a great carreer.

I was hired by Allstate in Greensboro, NC and immediately relocated to the Charlotte Region starting my career on September 20th, 1976. I knew up front as a condition of employment I would be relocating to the Atlanta area in a year or so. And after just a little over a year in Charlotte, the company moved us to Atlanta.

From 1977 thru 1990 we were considered the Southern Commercial Regional Office located off I-75 and Northside Parkway. It was during those years I advanced from Unit Manager to Territorial Underwriting Manager (TUM) to Terrirtorial Commercial Manager (TCM) in 1988.

Allstate at one point decided to take it's quality to the next level and contracted with a Florida company who presented us with a plan to improve our quality standards. I was one of a few selected to attend a Quality College and learn how to teach those standards. For about 2 years (1988 thru 1990) we taught all of our Commercial Associates how to "do it right the first time, on time, every time" via the Quality Education System (QES).

Also, in 1982 I was one of the youngest managers to be selected to participate in the Manpower Development Rotational Program (MDRP). I entered what then was Personnell (now Human Resources) for 3 months and interviewed some 385 employment applicants for positions we were hiring for. From there I went to the Comptroller's Department and worked on the region's budget planning and lastly I rotated into a newly formed Commercial Division of Allstate named Northbrook P&C--we contracted only with selective large alphabet houses who could write millions of Commercial premium overnight. I stayed there for three years and was promoted back to the Allstate side in mid 1985 as a TUM.

In the early 90's we sold the large Commerial Region where some 600+ employees worked for so many years and moved to a high rise at 5660 New Northside Drive just outside I-285 next to the Chattanoochee River on north side of Atlanta. My office originally was on the 8th floor but later moved up to the 9th.I was one of a few TCMs whose department marketed Commercial products thru both the captive and independent agents market distribution system.

On 10-27-92, I transferred over to a new division that would handle Independent Agents only. This operation was so new that another manager (from NY) and I were given the charge to decide what we would call ourselves and develop a postion standard as to our accountabilities. We came up with Commercial Field Manager (CFM) and thus started my last 17 years with Allstate--these years were to be spent working from home and travelling every week.

Originally we had one profit center named Independent Agent Regional Commercial Center (IARCC). It had the Chicago and Atlanta offices. I found myself traveling between the two quite often. We added CFMs--each with company cars, expenses, and objective to profitably grow the top line (new business). As time went on, I went from being responsible merely for a territory to once again managing folks.

In addition to having Georgia and the Carolinas as my personal territory, I also managed about 7 CFMs located in Texas, Florida, Mississippi, New York, and Pennsylvania. I traveled at least once a year with each of these in their markets and we also had at least one CFM Conference in Atlanta and I would also bring them in during either Christmas or Kick Off meetings. Those were great times!

Over the years I had great folks that I worked with, for and managed. Those are the memories I now carry with me. I even had some great trips to Home Office where we worked hard and played hard. I remember one such trip included a boat ride down the Chicago River into Lake Michigan. Likewise, I worked in the San Francisco Branch Office of Northbrook for two weeks auditing their compliance to underwriting standards. I had a great time each evening just touring that wonderful city. I also had great trips to LA and other places over the years--these will be the fond memories I now will treasure.

This feature is titled "Beyond Allstate". So, what is in store for me now that I have closed that Allstate chapter?

Looking ahead, first and foremost Tutz and I now enjoy sitting at the breakfast table for lunch and eat without interruption. Also, we are having a great time each morning on the screen-in porch--making and discussing our plans for the day and week. Plus, we are not very far from each other--this is by far the greatest part of retirement for me--after all these 17 years of being apart during the week, we are now together and I have now found my real "comfort zone".

Naturally, I have projects around the farm I want to start and finish--all in the same day or week! As I write this I have a note beside my laptop that has 14 "to do" items on it that range from adding stepping stones from drive to workshop, to putting down tile in the "man cave" bath, with projects in between. I will look forward to sneaking up on each one of these in a calm and organized fashion as opposed to thinking I have to do these between 8:00 am and Noon on Saturdays.

Another great part of retirement is flexibility. If I get up one day and decide instead of working on a project let's take the new Beetle to the mountains--then off we go! Mattie has gotten use to me being around full time and now really gets angry when I leave---oh the joys of having a 5 pound Yorkie that suffers from Separation Anxiety--LOL.

I also will now have more time to "walk the walk" as it relates to one of my goals--that is to perform at least one good deed daily. That combined with my church calling will balance my life and purpose! Not to mention I have already begun the mental transition of emotionally caring for those issues I have control over and removing from my daily thought process those issues/items abeit politics, etc I have no or very limited control over.

Carol told me just today that the beauty of retirement is: "..wait up when you want to, go to sleep when you want to, and eat when you want to!"

Oh retirement---there is life after Allstate!!!

GARDEN 2009

Here are some more recent photos taken June 13th.

It had been about 4 years since the last soil sample. The rows in the garden had changed in that time. So, after taking samples from several areas, to the county agent's office I went. Paid the $8 and about a week later received the soil analysis write-up from UGA up in Athens. My garden originally had a lot of acid. No more! In fact, the instructions were very specific--DO NOT ADD ANYMORE LIME! But, I did need to add 10-10-10 fertilizer and a little surfur. I did so in the voulume suggested and tilled it in.

Looking at the garden from the gate (toward the barn) and starting with the far right row as row number 1, here is what I planted this year:

Row 1 Blackeyed Peas
Row 2 Green Beans (Blue Lake Bush)
Row 3 Tomatoes about 16 and various varieties
Row 4 Crooked Neck Squash
Row 5 Cucumbers
Row 6 Lima Beans

MUSIC FROM AN INTERESTING MACHINE

WHO AM I?

Who Am I?

I was born in one country, raised in another. My father was born in another country. I was not his only child. He fathered several children with numerous women.

I became very close to my mother, as my father showed no interest in me. My mother died at an early age from cancer.

Later in life, questions arose over my real name.

My birth records were sketchy and no one was able to produce a legitimate, reliable birth certificate.

I grew up practicing one faith but converted to Christianity, as it was widely accepted in my country, but

I practiced non-traditional beliefs & didn't follow Christianity, except in the public eye under scrutiny.

I worked and lived among lower-class people as a young adult, disguising myself as someone who really cared about them.

That was before I decided it was time to get serious about my life and I embarked on a new career.

I wrote a book about my struggles growing up. It was clear to those who read my memoirs that I had difficulties accepting that my father abandoned me as a child.

I became active in local politics in my 30's then with help behind the scenes, I literally burst onto the scene as a candidate for national office in my 40s. They said I had a golden tongue and could talk anyone into anything. That reinforced my conceit.

I had a virtually non-existent resume, little work history, and no experience in leading a single organization. Yet I was a powerful speaker and citizens were drawn to me as though I were a magnet and they were small roofing tacks.

I drew incredibly large crowds during my public appearances. This bolstered my ego.

At first, my political campaign focused on my country's foreign policy. I was very critical of my country in the last war and seized every opportunity to bash my country.

But what launched my rise to national prominence were my views on the country's economy. I pretended to have a really good plan on how we could do better and every poor person would be fed & housed for free.

I knew which group was responsible for getting us into this mess. It was the free market, banks & corporations. I decided to start making citizens hate them and if they were envious of others who did well, the plan was clinched tight.

I called mine "A People's Campaign" and that sounded good to all people.

I was the surprise candidate because I emerged from outside the traditional path of politics & was able to gain widespread popular support.

I knew that, if I merely offered the people 'hope' , together we could change our country and the world.

So, I started to make my speeches sound like they were on behalf of the downtrodden, poor, ignorant to include "persecuted minorities" like the Jews. My true views were not widely known & I needed to keep them unknown, until after I became my nation's leader.

I had to carefully guard reality, as anybody could have easily found out what I really believed, if they had simply read my writings and examined those people I associated with.

I'm glad they didn't. Then I became the most powerful man in the world. And the world learned the truth.

Who am I?
ADOLPH HITLER.


WHO WERE YOU THINKING OF?

New Roof & Gutters

Unbeknownst to us since we were out of town, we had a hail storm that came thru our part of Georgia back on May 15th, 2008. When our neighbors began to have their roofs replaced a few months ago, we learned hail damage to be the culprit. A local roofer found similar damage to our roof, so we filed a claim.

Our insurance carrier contracted with an independent adjuster who found major hail damage not only to the roof, but all air vents, turbines, chimney metal encasement, gutters, and even some of our window screens.

Upon getting the official claim estimate, we contracted with the same roofer who came highly recommended by our neighbors-- and work began on Monday , May 20th. Three days later, we had a new 25 year Onyx roof.

We had all the guttering removed and another contractor whom we're used more than once, replaced/repaired all rotten facial board ---a painter came behind him with caulking gun and trim paint.

On May 24th, the gutter company arrived in the pm and began to replace the 5 inch gutters with 6 inch. Also, additional down spouts were added. Monday, May 27th the gutters were all installed.

Here are a few photos of the new roof and gutters.

New roof but sans gutters.

New roof, vents, and waiting on gutters.

Ditto

Ditto

The bull nose trim on the plaladium window was replaced and here I have my ladders in place as I paint the window trim.

New 6 " gutters have been installed.

Ditto

Ditto

New Gutters

Ditto

NO GOD IN SCHOOL

Before you watch the video below, give some thought to the poem written by Darrell Scott whose daughter - Rachel Scott (see photo) was slaughtered at the Columbine High School massacre on April 20th, 1999. These words reflect once again what most politicians can't comprehend, it's the need for God to be put back into our schools.

Here's Mr Scott's poem:

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,

Your words are empty air..

You've stripped away our heritage,

You've outlawed simple prayer.

Now gunshots fill our classrooms,

And precious children die.

You seek for answers everywhere,

And ask the question "Why?"

You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed.

And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need!

HONDA---ONE OF THE GREATEST COMMERCIALS

Authenticated by Snopes.com and in their own words, this video is a "complicated Honda Accord commercial ...achieved without the use of computer-generated images."

Snopes.com continues to say: "The film took 606 takes. On the first 605 takes, something, usually very minor, didn't work. They would then have to set the whole thing up again.

The crew spent weeks shooting night and day. The film cost six million dollars and took three months to complete including a full engineering of the sequence.

In addition, it's two minutes long so every time Honda airs the film on British television, they're shelling out enough dough to keep any one of us in clover for a lifetime. Honda executives figure the ad will soon pay for itself simply in free viewings.

There are six and only six hand-made Accords in the world. To the horror of Honda engineers, the filmmakers disassembled two to make the film."

PEPSI ITALIAN STYLE

RETIREMENT IS AROUND THE CORNER

Below is a short note Carol sent to her friends. It pretty much says it all.

"After 33 years with Allstate, John will be retiring at the end of June. Allstate has decided to close the Southeast Regional Commercial Center, along with the California and New York Centers and move the operation to Chicago. Since he has so much time with the company and is the "right" age and wouldn't even consider us moving to Chicago, he can retire. He is really happy even though this is a little earlier than he had hoped. As you can imagine, we have lots of decisions to make between now and the end of June.

He, at last, can truly become Farmer John. We really love every minute that we get to spend together and are looking forward to getting in lots more travel. He loves the land and we have enough of it to keep him happy for many years to come. We are definitely looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.

With that said, we are gladly accepting contributions that can be mailed to 1294 Cooper Rd., Mansfield, GA!!! (Sorry, my sense of humor always has to come out!)

We wanted to share this with family and friends as quickly as possible, but for now, he's not going to be able to slow down at all. In fact, he will probably travel more than usual so that he will have the chance to say goodbye to all the many people that he has worked with over the years and continue to be the ambassador for Allstate that he has always been.

For many years we have talked and dreamed about this and it is hard to believe that it is finally here. He sees the light at the end of the tunnel! I have truly enjoyed my retirement and have not missed working at all and I see that for him as well. We both have so many hobbies and things we've wanted to do and now we'll finally have time for these new adventures.

Love to all of you!

Carol"

Even though Carol said it all, I thought I would add just a few comments.

It still has not sunk in that after the end of June 2009, I will not:

travel 50K miles every year in company car,

fly to Home Office in Chicago periodically,

manage employees and salary administration,

write employee evaluations,

complete and approve expense accounts,

make business calls,

conduct Webinars,

develop marketing strategy,

stay in different hotels every week,

travel with sales management partners,

participate in Home Office accountability meetings,

create action plans with applicable timeline follow-up,

prepare and present remarks at Kick Off meetings,

roll out new products and services,

respond to opinion surveys with applicable plans of action,

successfully complete required security and insurance courses,

wait while the company car is being serviced,

talk to someone in India or Ireland regarding my laptop and most importantly,

visit the Independent Agencies in Georgia, South and North Carolina that I have built both business and personal relationships with after all these years!

Further, I will miss traveling with my Commercial Field Manager Team to their respective states of Florida, Texas, Mississipi, New York and Pennslyvania--we had great times and memories!

BTW--that's me in center of photo at an Allstate Manager's Staff meeting in 1980--4 years after starting with the company.

STETHOSCOPE

I hope you love the music and the message at the end--as I do!!!

PS--the "...bad to the bone.." Yorkie reminds me of another pet!

TRUNK MONKEY

Does your car have a trunk monkey???

DUDE, WHERE'S MY COUNTRY?

Here's a great and timely article written for Newsmax by Rick Pedraza reporting on Mike Huckabee's speech at CPAC this past week! One comment--and you got to love Huckabee's sense of humor. Mike refers to the Democrats' Troubled Asset Relief Plan (TARP) as Congressional Recovery Action Plan or: CRAP!

Huckabee: ‘Dude, Where’s My Country?’

Saturday, February 28, 2009 2:02 PM

By: Rick Pedraza

When former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee spoke at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference gathering two years ago, he aptly asked the crowd, “Dude, where’s my candidate?” At this year’s event, he began his speech by asking, “Dude, where’s my country?”

Huckabee, who sought the presidential nomination of the Republican Party in 2008 and now has a weekend news show on FOX News, said about the current state of politics in America today: “We all find ourselves in a very unfamiliar, and even an unwelcome, place. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics may be dead, but the Union of American Socialist Republics is being born.”

Huckabee cited a recent Newsweek cover story with a headline that read, “We are all socialists now,” and explained that as a country “we have gone from being free-market conservatives to nationalizing socialists faster than the market dives after a Tim ‘Turbo-Tax’ Geithner economic proclamation; or faster than Nancy Pelosi jumping out of her chair hearing the president speak!”

Huckabee said blame for the current economic situation in the United States can’t be placed solely on the Democrats, noting that the previous Republican administration was responsible for the $700 billion bailout program to buy troubled assets.
“Sadly, the party of Ronald Reagan became the party of Chicken Little,” Huckabee lamented. “When we needed deliberation, we got desperation; when we needed prudence, we got panic. They pulled the TARP over our eyes, and now we’ve got a brand new spending bill that we just passed in congress that they didn’t have time to read or even give a name.”

Huckabee, who refers to the Troubled Asset Relief Plan [TARP] bailout legislation as the Congressional Recovery Action Plan, said the few Republicans in Congress that did oppose the TARP were congressional heroes.
“That moment was not our best moment,” Huckabee said. “It would have been our best shot at winning the White House – a chance to offer a true, authentic conservative choice rather than a big government echo with a meek, me-too way of doing things. We missed our chance.”

Huckabee would like to grow the economy and create jobs by cutting taxes for families and corporations, cutting payroll taxes, cutting capital gains taxes, and doing away with the entire current tax structure because “it penalizes productivity, which is so counterproductive to our economy. We need to shut down the IRS and pass the fair tax.”

Huckabee would like to see the free market work itself out of the current economic crisis and said “creative destruction” is part of that process.

“Deserving companies deserve to survive, and the weak ones sometimes are going to fail,” Huckabee explained. “That happens in a market place. More innovative and efficient companies will rise up to take their place. When a free market is allowed to function without [Democratic Rep.] Barney Frank putting his hand on the scale, people don’t buy homes they can’t afford because nobody will make them a loan.”

Huckabee believes the answer is not for government to step in, but rather to step back and let the market mechanisms do their thing to create jobs and return the system to equilibrium.
“We don’t need a new philosophy,” Huckabee said about conservativism today, “we just need to communicate our principles better.”

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