...The Three Dot Man...

* A quick update...last time I visited here or updated anything, Sophie was just over a month old. She's now just turned 8 months old, and started to crawl this past weekend. She's also an absolute DOLL!!! Man, am I blessed! (5 great kids total and a wonderful wife!)

* Let's see, last time I wrote anything here I was just "officially" wrapping up my 25 1/2 year career with Yum! Brands (BTW? Mr Novack? Did you enjoy that multi-million $$$ bonus you got this year for the results from 2007 (and that wonderful program of yours called "Resourcing for Growth" that cost this long-time, and On Target or above former employee to lose their job?)
* I was also seriously looking into trying to start up my own small restaurant called..."Soupicity" (didn't work out as not enough personal $$$...Mr Novack? Got some spare change you could throw my way?)   Anyway...just not enough cash flow to get it going. GREAT idea that I still am holding on to (especially after you read the next part about my current job)...
* So...after stretching my savings to the limit (good by Yum Brand 401K $$$), and exhausting my unemployment compensation (all the way up to the last check)...I finally found a GREAT job! (all in God's Perfect Timing!)    I found a job as the Director of Operations of a small multi-concepts, restaurant company in Indiana. Currently have 7 small (but VERY profitable coffee/Espresso shops, 3 Au Bon Pain Cafe's, and a Mexican Fresh Grill / Bar (airport location)....with MORE to come. The owner is GREAT, most of the people have been GREAT as well, and the business is a challenge, but rewarding as I get things in place. Lots to learn, lots to do. BUT, that's what having a great job is about.
* Now for the ironic part. The business I ended up at?  VERY MUCH like what I envisioned for Soupicity...without ever knowing about the concept I'm currently operating. VERY odd (funny, odd), but then maybe not if you consider the inspiration I had last Easter for Soupicity. Guess God had in mind a lot for me. The best part? In just 2 months since taking this new role, it has confirmed that I was on the right track with my idea for Soupicity, and even have learned some things that would make it even more successful than I originally thought. Maybe some day? (like 8 years from now when I can finally get access to my Yum! Brand pension?)   In the meantime, I plan on taking this as far as I can. We have at least 4-5 new restaurants to open this Fall. (which is an UNBELIEVABLE quantity in this business...especially given that it most likely will all happen within a 2 month time-span).
* The bad news from all of this? Well, we're now separated as a family as the new job is 2 hours from our current home, so I'm apartmenting it during the work week, and trying to get home for a day or 2 every once in awhile. It REALLY sucks, and I desperately miss Jenn and the kids all of the time. I feel like I'm missing so much with all of them. Jenn is also working on trying to get the house ready to put on the market so we can try to sell it and be together as a family up in central Indiana before the school year begins in the Fall.

* So...given all of the above. It's been tough on everyone with the whole distance thing. We're working through it and making the most of the time we do get.
* The other good news? Jenn's work has agreed to keep her on the payroll and allow her to work from home wherever we end up near Indy. That's GREAT news as insurance now is through her work, and it's a nice steady paycheck, and something she really likes to do.

Well, one of the other things that I really started to focus on since I last typed anything was/is my health. From November of 2007 till now I've lost over 20 lbs (over 35 total lbs in 2 years)....and for the first time in almost 10 years have got below 200 lbs. A bit of a struggle lately because of the new job. Not continuing my newly acquired good habits, but am at least aware of where I am, and while not losing more, at least not gaining substantial amounts back...yet. Have to continue to stay focused. Good news is that my new Boss is a great inspiration as she lost over 100 lbs over the last 2 years! Hard to believe when I see the "before" pictures. She's done a great job losing it all (and maintaining the loss!)

* Dang...I miss it, yet I don't. I'm SO busy on a daily basis that i don't have time to miss it too much. Currently getting about 1-2 hours max gaming time a week...if that. It's all good though as the job is worth it, and the free time I have had, I'd rather drive the 2 hours to see Jenn and the kids. It's a much more rewarding use of my time!