The Excellent Adventure: Day 1

Here I sit.  In a tent, just outside of Rome, GA.  I thought about a title for this series on the way up here.  The best I could come up with was Excellent Adventure.  The creative juices were stunted with the larger emotions surrounding this whole operation.  The other alternative was Bogus Journey, but sequels generally always disappoint.  (Only Bill & Ted fans will get that reference.)  What am I talking about anyway?  If you don't know, I would refer you to this previous blog entry to catch up.

I arrived mid-afternoon after an uneventful drive up.  Atlanta traffic was good to me.  I was pleasantly surprised as I drove into the campground.  You never really know what you're going to get going to a new campsite for the first time.  With a nice clean entrance, and the scenery of the foothills and the Coosa River, I knew as I drove in that this location was a good choice.  I was greeted by a nice gentleman at the "trading post" who checked me in and directed me to my spot.  He told me I might have a little trouble getting my RV backed in, but that he would be happy to come spot for me.  I explained that there was no need for that as I was going to be in a tent.  He replied, "You're gonna tent camp for 11 days?!?!?"  I immediately shot back, "That's exactly what my wife said!"  We shared a few laughs and I was on my way.

Setup was a breeze.  My spot is very spacious and has plenty of room for my tent, a table, my supplies and my Jeep right next to the tent.  (I'm not opposed to bedding down in the back of my Jeep if I have to.)  The bathhouse isn't the nicest I've ever seen, but it isn't the worst either.  The bathrooms are heated and of course there are hot showers.  There is even a laundry facility...2 washers and 2 dryers.  Overall this is a great location.  With all the amenities I'm not roughing it in a true sense, but with the duration that I will be here that's a good thing.

Once everything was set up, I took off to get the lay of the land.  Priority number one was to find the exact location of the auctioneer school.  I'm glad I did, because it's about 2 miles away from where Google says it is.  The detour did take me past a very cool sportsman store.....which I stopped at, drooled over some things and got directions from some locals.  I found the right place, cut a u-turn and headed back to camp.  I ate a peanut butter and honey sandwich and sat down to type this.

I don't suspect that I'll sleep very good tonight.  Not so much because of the cold weather, but rather the thoughts racing through my mind.  I'm not gonna lie.  It all finally hit me on the drive up here.  I very deliberately asked God to soften my heart so that I could let him lead me through this transition.  I feel certain that I have allowed that leadership throughout the planning of this, but the doubt still lingers.  I know that awesome things will come of this, but I'm still just as nervous as a cat.

After an authentic campsite cup of coffee in the morning, it will all start in earnest.  It gets really real, really quick.  I don't know what the subsequent entries in The Excellent Adventure will be like.  Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K.  Either way, I'm planning to write about it.  I hope you'll read along.

Y'all take it easy,

Alex

It's a Whole New Balgame

I'm back.  Truth be told I never really left, but I did remain silent for a couple of years.  For those who know me outside the blogosphere, that is hard to picture!  So, what happened?  Well, I suppose life happened.

My smoking hot wife and I continued to raise our two little boys and deal with all the shenanigans associated.  They are 5 and 8 now.  Never a dull moment.  Of course, that gobbled up most all of our free time....as it should.  I planted the garden, as usual.  2012's plot struggled, but I actually had a really good garden last summer thanks to cooler temperatures and more rainfall that normal.  I got into the chicken hobby and I absolutely LOVE it.  I bought and sold an International Scout, flipped a couple of old tractors and enjoyed another successful year at work.  I got to witness God work in the lives of several friends and I was able to enjoy Georgia Southern's stunning victory over the University of Florida.  It was a good couple of years.  2014 is going to be good too, but it will be strikingly different.

In mid-January I resigned from my position of Director of Annual Giving at Georgia Southern University.  It was a tough decision to leave a job, a University and a group of co-workers which were all important parts of my life to this point.  Of course I still bleed blue.  I carried the flag before I went to work for Georgia Southern and I will surely continue after I leave.  Two things made the decision the right one.  First I believe that God's will  is for me to move along, meet new people, form new relationships and afford others an opportunity to lead our efforts at Georgia Southern.  Second, since the day I abandoned my previous entrepreneurial endeavor, the thoughts of getting back to it never left my brain.  My wife is supportive too.  That's a big deal.  Even though it will be a certain pay cut in the short term, she is on board.  (Sometimes she reads.... Hey MB...I love you!)  The right situation hasn't been available since I walked away last time.  Now it is.  Maybe God is leading me down a road in which I can learn a lesson. Maybe I'll make it big.  Maybe I'll flop and go cook tater logs at the local gas station.  Either way....it's time to give it a shot.  Back in September I purchased a concrete overlay and restoration operation.  I will be easing into the business with an eager spirit, but a patient mindset as I hone my skills and develop what I hope will become a successful business.  I plan to do some additional tractor restorations too.  There isn't a ton of money to be made in that field, but if properly managed, I can turn a small profit on something that I enjoy doing.  From there it really starts to get weird.  Stay with me....

Since I was a teenager I have always had a fascination with auctioneers and the auction business.  The idea of becoming an auctioneer was never really a serious consideration though.  Kids like me didn't do that.  We went to college, majored in finance and got a job at a bank.  That's what everybody did.  I didn't major in finance and go into banking, but I did fall right into the "bachelors degree to white-collar professional career" pipeline.  Don't get me wrong......  I certainly don't regret that.  I am very glad that I took that route and I am very thankful for the opportunities that it has afforded me along the way.  In fact, it has afforded me the chance to do something totally off the wall.  I'm going to auctioneer school.  The application has been submitted and the fees paid.  I'm really doing this.  Sounds nuts every time I type it.  But....it gets even more hair-brained.  Stick with me......

Auctioneer school will be in beautiful Rome, GA.  The classes last all day long for ten consecutive days.  the curriculum should be pretty intense, but I'm looking forward to it.  Actually, I'm down right excited about it!  That wouldn't be enough adventure for me though, so instead of staying in a nice plush hotel, I'm going to tent camp for 11 nights on the Coosa River.  I just hope Snowpocalypse III doesn't set it.  That would be a whole other level of high adventure.

One of the ancillary benefits of this adventure is that it will get me blogging again.  I plan to offer an entry each of the 11 nights that I will be spending in Rome.  Blogging from the tent.  How about that?  Technology is something special isn't it?  Stay tuned for that dumpster fire starting at the end of the month.  This could get interesting.  2014 is indeed going to be a whole new ballgame.  I'm motivated to pitch complete game shutouts, avoid arbitration and get a long term contract.

Y'all take it easy,

Alex

I'm Baaaaack!

Some might call it hiatus.  Some might call it a time warp.  Some may call it laziness.  Either way, I've not been blogging for a while.  I've been MIA for a little over 5 months to be exact.  What happened?  I broke pretty much every rule that I set for myself when I started blogging on this particular topic a year and a half ago.  Maybe that's not fair to say.  I have remained relative good at embracing the idea of living below my means, not trying to keep up with the Jones and putting the family first.  The whole stress thing.....ehhh.... not so much.

I took a new job which I have really enjoyed very much.  It was a change though.  A little more intense with a little more of a learning curve and some more lofty expectations.  That's cool though.  I'm always up for a challenge.  In my last entry, eons ago, I mentioned that I was closing in on a campaign in which I had set some pretty lofty goals.  Naturally, I stressed about it, but we ended up surpassing the goal.  I will say this....... it was a dynamite team of volunteers that was truly responsible.  The stars aligned in a magical way and we rocked the mic.  The next stress du jour will be repeating it and/or surpassing it next year, LOL

What about other stuff?  Well, we got a dog for the kids.  We're proud owners of the sorriest hunting Beagle that you'll ever see.  Perfect for us as we'll never run him.  He is the perfect companion for the kids.  I'm glad we made that decision.  I bought a 1974 International Scout.  This is the perfect vehicle for a "Back 'er Down" mindset.  It doesn't get up to speed very fast at all; it tops out somewhere around 60mph and I spend copious amounts of time working on it.  If we hadn't gotten the Beagle, the Scout would have become our family mascot.  We sub-soiled and plowed the area for the garden.  I'm once again going all-in this year.  I hope to have better results with the tomatoes this year.  Maybe we won't go from 70 degree days straight to 100 degree days with no rain this year.  A new twist....... I'm considering buying a dehydrator this year and cutting my teeth on that method of veggie preservation.

I recently started another blog too.  During a recent two hour drive home I began thinking of interesting ways and topics about which to write.  As I've shared with you before, I enjoy writing as if I were talking to someone.  I had an idea of writing about random topics and providing "Top 5" lists.  Where would I get material, I wondered?  It hit me wen I heard abut the Wikipedia blackout protest of SOPA.  You can search any date on Wikipedia and get a wealth of information from births and deaths to major events.  I figured I could pick my favorite nugget, write down the first thing that came to my mind and write a top 5 list that would be related to those items.  So at that point, along a boring Georgia Interstate was born:  In Honor Of This Momentous Occasion.  Check it out if you have a minute.  My #1 goal for that blog is to keep it as unpredictable as possible.  We'll see how that works out.  I'm going to do my best to getting back into the writing groove by penning something for both blogs at least once a week.  Help me y'all!  Help keep me on track!

Y'all take it easy,

Alex

Economy: What in the wide world of sports is going on?

What the heck is going on?  For years we were told that Americans didn't save enough.  We spent too much money on liabilities.  Too bad that our entire economic empire was built on that kind of frivolous spending.  Now we hear the talking heads say that the way to jump start the economy is to get people spending again!  Seems a little paradoxical to this guy.

I'm a little worried about recent events.  Sure we've seen people flee investments for cash before.  I'm not sure it'sever been like this though.  The best I can do is read up on history and talk with those who have lived through it.  Seems the wise move is to sit tight and hold onto your money right now.  No problem.  The wife and I paid off all of our debt (except the mortgage) earlier this year.  We're alright.  What concerns me is my job.

You see.....I'm a fundraiser.  I ask people to share their hard-earned money with not much in return other than a sense of civic pride.  I believe in my organization.  100%   Our constituents believe in us too.  However, when things are tough, charitable giving is usually the first thing that a family or business cuts.  Understandable.  Been there, done that.

A person's self-perceived wealth is most times based on the performance of their investments, their job and the news headlines.  Even if a person is safely employed, the other two factors are ruining it for me right now!  It's going to be a hard sell to convince folks to consider charitable donations in an environment like this.....much less trying to get them to increase over last year's giving.

I don't say any of this thinking that I would lose my job.  We're going to have a good campaign, the volunteers are going to be great, as always and we're going to raise a lot of money for a great organization.  I say it on more of a personal level.  I have set some pretty lofty goals for myself.  Maybe it's natural, but I'm starting to doubt just how attainable those goals might be.

Back 'er Down real world comparison:  It's kind of like when you have the big daddy deer in your cross-hairs and just before you pull the trigger, buck fever strikes and you start shaking.  You want to shoot it.  It's right there.  You're just too amped up to keep still and make the shot. (you knew I wouldn't do a serious blog without hicking it up just a little)


But there is good news!  We have an awesome team!  There are dedicated folks, both employees and volunteers, who are going to come together and get us to the goal.  We also have generous supporters.  I know they will step up to the plate when the time comes.  In a time where I have a little bit of personal uncertainty  knowing that those folks are there helps me sleep at night.

How cool would it be if I somehow incorporated 500 square inches of hunter's orange into my suit?  Ehhh.  Maybe not ;)

Y'all take it easy,

Alex

Climbing Out of a Funk

Clearance rack blueberry bush

Been feeling kind of blah lately.  Not sure why.  Maybe it's the heat.  The wife says it might be because the garden is done.  Either way I have to snap out of it.  It's a drag.  No patience with the kiddos, no patience at work and I find myself just being a general grump lately.  That ain't me.  The peeps around me deserve better.

I started running again.  Before son #2 was born, I was a regular runner, nearly every morning.  Once he came along I got out of the habit.  A baby will do that to a household.  He's 2 1/2 now though.  I don't have an excuse, except that I was just being a useless slob.  My short term goal is to run/walk every morning.  Even weekends, even rainy days.  I remember feeling so good when I was doing that a few years ago.  It gave me more stamina through the day.  It helped clear my sinuses.  If kept me from packing on 20 extra lbs.  Remind me again...... why did I stop?  #FoRealDough

Garden is done, but we're still planting!  I found some blackberry and blueberry bushes on a clearance rack at Lowes.  $3 each.  They actually looked pretty healthy too.  We planted two of each and have our fingers crossed that we can keep them watered enough through the brutal South GA summer.  We also planted 5 peach trees.  These gems were volunteers that my Dad dug up out of his trash pile.  He and Mom put up some peaches last year and low and behold the pits put on some pretty impressive trees right there in the trash pile.  Nature is funny like that.  We potted them in the spring and they had began to get root bound, so it was time to get them in the dirt.

I'd like to go camping with the oldest boy, but finding the time and fighting the heat/rain is making that difficult.  I'd love to go to the river, but it's so low I'd be dragging the boat........ not to mention I'm not sure it's clean after a questionable fish kill.  Guess I need to treat it like the running.  I just need to step up and do it!  In other news, I'm thinking about taking up photography.  Auctioneering school is still on the bucket list, but taking awesome pictures seems to be a little more realistic goal right now.

Exercise and outdoor activities.........that will bring a man out of a funk don't you think?

Y'all take it easy,

Alex

Easing into Spring and upcoming blog topics

It's been a busy last couple of weeks!  I've traveled a lot with work lately, which put me behind at the office, which put me behind at home, which all together stressed me out a little.  I spent some time in the evenings getting caught up.  I tend to do a lot better when I don't have so many projects in process at one time.  Today it's off to Atlanta for an event....not really a bad thing.  I get to take in a Hawks game with some fellow alumni and friends.  I'll be on the road quite a bit this Spring, but I still love waking up every morning and going to work.

Spring has sprung in Southeast GA.  I still feel like there might be another heavy frost, but what the heck, I'm going to plant some snapbeans, corn and watermellons next Saturday.  We planted potatoes about a week and a half ago.  They've obviously not broken through the soil yet, but after digging up a sample they seem to be doing well so far.  Today we'e getting some much needed rain, so I would expect them to be peeking through in ten days or so.  Our sugarcane is popping out like mad!  The stubble from last year and the new planting from last year's harvest are both about 6 inches out of the soil already.  If we have a freeze at this point we may lose all of the cane.

I started a new tractor refurbishing project last week.  As usual, my Dad is assisting...er... taking the lead.  Every time we get into one of these projects I learn something new.  He's a walking talking encyclopedia.  The latest project is a Ford NAA that we are working on for the local Kiwanis Club of which I am a member.  I am pleased that the club decided to keep the old tractor as opposed to buying a new one.  Our fair is about agricultural heritage and I feel that it's only proper to have old tractors working on the grounds.  This tractor will be used during the actual fair week too.  It's days of hard work are behind it.  It's new life is a nice leisurely task of hauling off trash during fair week, a suitable retirement job for such an ag icon as the NAA.  After years of restoring John Deere and a few Farmall tractors, this will be our first Ford.  I'm looking forward to it.

The talk of the tractor lends a nice segway into talking about some upcoming blog topics.  I recently hit a little bout of writers block.  I didn't really have anything to write about or I thought what I did have wouldn't really be of interest.  I was in a little bit of a funk.  I put a call out for suggestions and I got some beauties!  The first will be a series documenting the the Ford tractor project.  I figure that will be about a three or four part series including some of the neat things we found, the interesting engineering that was holding the old girl together and some pics of before, during and after the project.  Other topics to be on the lookout for are: Today's Cartoons, Deciding on a Parental Automobile, How Much is Enough?, Being a Renaissance Man and Picking to Save Money.  Of course I'll be documenting the garden over the season as well.  Hope you'll take a peek as I bang these blogs out over the next month or so.  If you're reading this and have ideas, please share them!

Y'all take it easy,

Alex

Struggling for a topic

So what happens when I don't really have a topic, but I still really want to keep the blog flowing as per my New Year's Resolution?  Keep reading and you'll see.

This blog comes from anywhere but a "Back 'er Down" type spot.  I'm sitting in a mexican restaurant in CNN Center in downtown Atlanta.  Maybe the margarita flanking my computer will inspire literary gold.

It's always tough to be away from the family.  This time it's 2 1/2 days.  That wouldn't be so bad normally, but I left the wife this morning with my oldest who has strep.  Even though I have almost 5 weeks of vacation built up, the kids have a knack for getting sick when I can't stay home with them.  Ergo, the wife had to call in this morning and stay home with the oldest.  That means 15 + or - of her patients have to be rescheduled which you hate to have to do.  Unfortunately, she'll have to be with him tomorrow as well.  As strep goes though, I might be home with the youngest on Thursday and Friday.  Yay for contagions!  Sick or not, I'm already looking forward to getting home.  I already miss my wife and the little fellas!  My boys are at the age where they are learning every minute.  They are like sponges!  I want to be there when the moment strikes so I can tell them about the designated hitter or why we wash whites separately or how more people watched Jersey Shore than watched the State of the Union address (we'll attack that in another blog.)

A friend mentioned to me a few years back, "You know one day gasoline will probably be for hobbies only.  We'll probably buy it by the gallon off a shelf at Wal-Mart."  I came back to that gem after seeing K1 kerosene in gallon jugs at Wal-Mart last week.  I remember pumping K1 when I worked at a store back in high school.  As I thought about it, I'm not sure that it's common for it to be sold like that any more.  Is it really possible that we might see gasoline relegated to the same end-cap placement one day?  Certainly it would be a long time down the road, but it is an interesting thing to think about.  This though as the Egyptians are going nuts and bent crude went over $100 today.  Hmmm.  Wonder what we have in store for the summer traveling season?

The fajitas just arrived.  I now have a nice grease slick on the screen.  Maybe this is a good place to stop.  The margaritas are starting to go down way too easy anyway.  I'd hate to go off on a wacky tangent.....oh wait.  I think this whole piece is a wacky tangent.  Oh well.  Guess that's what happens when you're struggling for a topic.  I'll try to do better next week.  Promise.

Y'all take it easy,      ......Stacy....please note the spelling of y'all ;)

Alex

My First Time On An Airplane

Well it wasn't nearly all the hoopla that I had anticipated.  In fact it was a little bit of a letdown.  However it did make me realize that flight really is a miracle.  For those of you that aren't regular readers this is an update from a previous blog.  At 31 years old I finally had my first opportunity to fly a couple of weeks ago.

My job took me to Annapolis, Maryland where my alma mater was playing the US Naval Academy for our second football game of the season.  (Have I ever mentioned that I love my job?)  Simply put it was too far to drive.  I could have done it.  I've driven from Savannah, GA to San Antonio and that was a HAUL.  With time being a little more sensitive for this assignment flying was really the only option.

The journey started at the Savannah/Hilton head International Airport at about 6:15 on a Friday morning.  It's interesting to note that I misread my itinerary thinking that boarding began at 6:30.  Well, the flight left at 6:30. I made it to the gate, huffing and puffing at which point the nice lady proclaimed, "Mr. Grovenstein?"  ""Yes ma'am," I replied.  "You better hurry up!  They 'bout to close the door!"  There I was, Atlanta bound with a whole 10 minutes to spare :)

I was actually sweating a little as we taxied out to the runway.  Being the gearhead that I am, I actually enjoyed the freak acceleration.  What surprised me most was how rough the runway was.  I always had in my mind that it was always kept up and smooth as glass.  Not so!  The ascent was an interesting feeling.  It felt at one point that my seat was coming out from under me.  I assume this was the point at which we stopped climbing and leveled out.  Same feeling on the initial descent into Atlanta.  This leg of the flight was kind of lonely.  Everyone was quiet and the plane was only about half-full.

We came up to the gate at Atlanta and I immediately began preparing for the nightmare of finding the gate for my connecting flight to Baltimore.  I've been told of gates being changed around at the last minute and I was trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I may have to boogie to a whole other area of the massive Hartsfield Airport.  Lucky me.......it was the same gate at which I had just arrived.  Same plane actually.  Deep breath out.

My flight to Baltimore was much more lively.  More folks talking and a nearly full plane.  I had the opportunity  to sit next to a gentleman from Tennessee who had just won the Republican nomination for one of the Congressional seats there.  The ensuing hour and 15 minute conversation would make a great entry for the blogs I used to write.  I've sworn off political writings though.  I'll just say this....He was a very congenial guy, but I don't really feel any better about the future of our country than I did when I left Savannah that morning ;)

Seeing the Chesapeake Bay as we flew into Baltimore was a real treat.  Same rough runway as we landed.  It was at that point that I realized that was probably the norm.  From there it was down to a bus and off to Enterprise to pick up the rental car.

At this point my experience in Baltimore, and more specifically Annapolis, began.  What a treat!  My next blog will be a recap of that.  It was an amazing weekend.

I was up at 4:30 Sunday morning headed back to the airport to catch my flight home.  Had to return the rental car first though.  I was kind of confused about the procedure for returning after hours.  After I circled the facility a few times I pulled off and waited for another car to come through.  Ah ha!  It was another Enterprise customer.  I did a Talladega-esque draft and followed him right where I needed to me.  Then it was back on  the shuttle to the airport.  At this point I learned not to talk to bus drivers at 5 in the morning.  the guy transporting us could care less about life.  Total douchebag.  Ah well.  Maybe my greeting gave him reason not to kick a puppy later in the day.

The TSA screenings were not nearly the hassle that I had envisioned at either location.  Maybe that was because I was flying so early.  Taking my shoes off was a little odd, but hey, I guess I have no one to blame for that other than Richard Reid.  I slept quite a bit on the way home.  I was spent from the weekend.  Maybe the high altitude and recycled air had a little to do with it too.  I was able to converse with some fellow fans on the way home as well.  Thats always cool.

Overall it was a really enjoyable experience.  It's hard to believe that I've never flown, but I've never really had the need or desire.  I have always worked locally or regionally.  I'm a known cheapo so the prospect of getting mileage reimbursement always outweighed the convenience of flying to farther locations.  As for vacations we've never really been anywhere far off.  I do admit that I owe that to my wife though ;)

So there you have it!  Jethro's first trip on the big metal bird.  It wasn't really "backing 'er down," but an interesting experience nonetheless.

Ya'll take it easy.

Alex

Flying, Football and Some Other Stuff

Been a while!  I've been slacking off as it relates to my trying to "Back 'er Down"  That's the only thing that I've been slacking on though.  Busy, busy.  I was cutting grass today and caught myself thinking about work.  That's a no-no.  Tractor time is supposed to be manual labor only.  I am not allowed to use my brain.  I caught myself just as I heard the Jackson 5's version of Rockin' Robin.  At that point all was right with the world.  I really "love" three things.  God, my family and Georgia Southern University.  I've been busy at work and some things have been driving me nuts as of late.  I'm fortunate though because I still love my job.  When you dig what you do even on the sucky days it's a good sign.  I count my blessings every day.  I work with good folks and I love what I do.

"What I do" is actually taking me on a special trip this weekend.  My alma mater is playing the US Naval Academy this Saturday, September 11th in Annapolis.  What a special treat that will be to be in the presence of those Midshipmen on that day.

Another reason that it will be special........at 31 years old it will be this guy's first time on a plane!  Hooooo weeeee!  Get out the cement pond Granny!  Jethro's gonna fly on the big silver bird!  I'm pretty fired up about it but a tad nervous at the same time.  My sister travels something like 9 days a week so she's given me some good tips.  That got me thinking...how in the world have I never been on a plane?  Well, I do really enjoy driving.  Drove to San Antonio a few years back.  I guess the main reason is that I never really had to.  I've always worked locally and I'm too cheap to travel anywhere too far away.  I think the trip will give me some pretty good blog material ;)

The garden is long gone, but we recently planted a fall garden.  We put out some more snapbeans, squash and some butter peas.  Next month we'll put out some turnips, mustard and carrots.  This will be my first foray into carrots so I'm looking forward to that.  Our Sugar Cane didn't perform very well, but we will make enough to use for seed next year.  It should be ready to chew at the first frost.

The kids are growing like weeds.  The Murph is developing quite a vocabulary.  He's spraying us down with such spoken gems as "want some" "got poop" and "fix it."  At least we know what little boys turn into.  That brings me to Heavy D.  He is really good right now for keeping me grounded and reminding me that my number one job in life is to guide him and be a good father and husband.  Like many 4-5 year olds he's testing my patience and pushing boundaries.  I pretty much did that until......well..... yeah I guess I still do that.

What else?  I scored a new rifle a few weeks ago.  Got my hands on a compound bow too.  I plan to do a little hunting this year.  Camping trips at the river seem like they will be far and few as the river is up a little.  It is falling but I won't have too many weekends free.  I hope to find another suitable spot at the river.  Maybe something on shore so we can still enjoy the water even with no sandbars out.

Okay.  That's all I got.  I was feeling really bloggy at the beginning but I've petered out and I'm rambling.  It's time to "back 'er down" into the bed and get some rest.

Ya'll take it easy,

Alex

Here we go again.....with a new twist

Well whatta ya know! Old Alex is back blogging again.

Over the years I've written on politics, religion, motorsports or whatever other nuggets of interest made their way from my warped mind. I unplugged from blogging a while back because it just became too much to keep up with. Most recently I was doing opinion pieces on various forms of motorsports and defending NASCAR for what it was (that was a hoot!) Doing a preview and recap of about 5 different series became a bit much. I wasn't enjoying it much, so I did what all respected folks in media do. I edited an overpriced season finale and killed it off.

Well, over the last 4 years or so my perspective on life has changed quite a bit. Taxes and children will do that to a man. I'm fundamentally the same, but I found myself yearning for a simpler life. I've always been fascinated with simple living and keeping things laid back. I was never able to do that until recently. Like most I graduated college (PROUD alumnus of Georgia Southern University) and began the pursuit of "things." Life was good! I had a wonderful wife, a nice home, three automobiles. I lived 10 minutes from the beach, 10 minutes from downtown Savannah and my wife and I were making a heap of money!

We decided to move to the country about the same time we found that were were expecting our first son. Over the next four years I began to discover two things. 1: God has a plan for me (though I'm not 100% clear on what it is yet, lol.) 2: Some of the happiest people in the world go home each day smelly and tired.

This blog will be about my journey to simplify life. To live below my means, to be the best husband I can, to raise two boys to become good citizens. Most importantly to do it all without stressing out and trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Can it be done? Heck yeah! Can I do it? Not sure. I hope you'll read along and find out. I'd welcome your comments, opinions and advice. This is a blog that I will truly enjoy even if it's not read by a single person.

Later,

Alex