So Friday the air conditioning was fixed. So happy to have a completely cool house. I had a flub up Friday but I will do better this week. Saturday the kids went to the church to help babysit and then Patrick and I went with Jacob, Wilmer, Garell and will to the LSU football game against New Mexico State. We were volunteers with the red cross. We had to arrive 4 hours early to get in and be ready. The game was actually pretty boring as LSU won 63-7. We got back home just after midnight and I had to get up the next morning for the church meetings. John, the guy in charge invited us back for the rest of the games so we will go to three more which should be fun.
Sunday we went to church. The Powell family moved into the branch this week. They have twin daughters who have been serving missions, one returned this last week and one returns this week. I was glad to see a new family but sad that they do not have any younger children. I am pretty sure that the daughters will be going off to school somewhere soon. Patrick and I along with Ella went over to the Stancliff's for home teaching. They are always a fun family to visit.
Matthew texted about Connors football exploits and Sandra finally called to tell me she is happy and that Adaline is the cutest little baby who sleeps through the night. I am happy for them. Alan only has one more year left to finish his masters degree in engineering and then he may decide to continue and get his PHD. Isaac and Rebekah are getting ready to go to China in February. They will teach English for 6 months and then decide what they want to do with the rest of their lives. I am sure they will find joy and happiness in whatever they do.
Nothing has changed at work. We are still waiting to see what next. The court date is October 1st and we also might have a buyer with Security National or someone else but who knows. I am happy and healthy. I ran this morning and had a little accident that I had to clean up right outside my front door. Sad morning but I will get over it.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Friday, September 26, 2014
Stars first date
I went riding with Maggie yesterday. We went 6 miles and the only thing that really bothered Maggie was the seat. I need to raise it a little more for her legs. I am preparing to take the scouts to the LSU football game tomorrow. It will be a long day...We have to arrive by 2:30pm the game starts at 6:30pm we have to stay until it is over, 10pm or so and then wait until the stadium is completely empty before we can leave. I think that means we will be back home about 1am. I will be sure to let you know how it all goes.
I am waiting on the call from our Comfort Tech the AC people that are coming to fix our unit today. It has been out a week. Luckily the weather has cooled off a little from last week. We also have two window units from President Gossell that we have borrowed.
Security National is looking at putting in an offer to buy the company. It is difficult for some of the people here at the office to see them come in with an offer after what they did with the preneed department when we first started selling their product 2 years ago. I was not part of the initial decision but I have seen some of the challenges that we faced dealing with their management personnel. I do not know how I will deal with a change like that considering I have had major issues with the managers of preneed here in the area. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens regardless of how buys us out. I am still optimistic about my opportunities to buy funeral homes but I really need to look at how the nuts and bolts of the business will function and again finding the homes ready to sell. Everything is up in the air but it usually is.
I am waiting on the call from our Comfort Tech the AC people that are coming to fix our unit today. It has been out a week. Luckily the weather has cooled off a little from last week. We also have two window units from President Gossell that we have borrowed.
Security National is looking at putting in an offer to buy the company. It is difficult for some of the people here at the office to see them come in with an offer after what they did with the preneed department when we first started selling their product 2 years ago. I was not part of the initial decision but I have seen some of the challenges that we faced dealing with their management personnel. I do not know how I will deal with a change like that considering I have had major issues with the managers of preneed here in the area. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens regardless of how buys us out. I am still optimistic about my opportunities to buy funeral homes but I really need to look at how the nuts and bolts of the business will function and again finding the homes ready to sell. Everything is up in the air but it usually is.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Stars Date!
I woke up in an especially good mood this morning. Although 5am still feels early I was excited for the new day. I mowed the lawn yesterday, I didn't trim anything as I just didn't want to. I played the Lego Hobbit with Maggie and then went to bed. Uneventful but peaceful and nice just to sit and play. I have had a more serious conversation with Cara and she assures me that they want business to continue with as little disruption as possible. I will continue to go in search of new partners. I am grateful for my cars that keep driving and for the paycheck that I get. I know that money is not something I should put my thoughts on but it is a constant source of irritation because it is always needed and it always seems to not be enough even though I really do have enough.
On a completely unrelated note I have been wondering about the issues in Iraq and Syria with ISIS. I have thought about what Moroni did in fortifying the cities with mounds of dirt then walls and then look out towers. In our modern era of freedom to move about would setting up a system like this for every city be effective at keeping groups like ISIS out? Or would this really be more of an inconvenience for the citizens of these communities? I don't think feasibility is an issue but for example once a city like Mosul were clear of the ISIS group could we build this barrier that would keep the people safe, relatively speaking? I think I will ask family first and then facebook what it thinks.
On a completely unrelated note I have been wondering about the issues in Iraq and Syria with ISIS. I have thought about what Moroni did in fortifying the cities with mounds of dirt then walls and then look out towers. In our modern era of freedom to move about would setting up a system like this for every city be effective at keeping groups like ISIS out? Or would this really be more of an inconvenience for the citizens of these communities? I don't think feasibility is an issue but for example once a city like Mosul were clear of the ISIS group could we build this barrier that would keep the people safe, relatively speaking? I think I will ask family first and then facebook what it thinks.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Star dates are enlightening
How shall I overcome the mountains that I have to climb? I will take them one step at a time and keep looking forward. I went running this morning and found that when I look further ahead I run a little faster but when I look at my feet or put my head down I slow down. I am trying to keep my head up and run a little faster.
I am debating what I should do about work. With the company in receivership I do not have a good way of going out to speak with new funeral homes about the products and services I have to offer. Mainly because our products do not match with what others can offer nor are we secure enough financially to make any promises. I need to have this conversation with Cara. If I open myself up to the opportunity of staying I can spin my wheels waiting for a sale of the company to see what happens next. Or I can throw in the towel and move on, which means what?
The real issue is that this company has a great base for work...8am to 4pm is wonderful hours to work. I do not think I will find this elsewhere. This has been a huge benefit to me and my family because I have been able to be home more, no weekends required.
I wonder if I am good enough to move on...go back to work in the AV world while I wait for Drew and Scott to invest in my funeral home proposal. I question my ability to execute even that plan as I understand the business from a perspective of running the business but I do not necessarily understand it from an ownership standpoint. Also am I persuasive enough to get other funeral businesses to sell me their operations. Money is not the only thing that is needed to create a successful business.
Regardless to my situation, I am happy.
I am debating what I should do about work. With the company in receivership I do not have a good way of going out to speak with new funeral homes about the products and services I have to offer. Mainly because our products do not match with what others can offer nor are we secure enough financially to make any promises. I need to have this conversation with Cara. If I open myself up to the opportunity of staying I can spin my wheels waiting for a sale of the company to see what happens next. Or I can throw in the towel and move on, which means what?
The real issue is that this company has a great base for work...8am to 4pm is wonderful hours to work. I do not think I will find this elsewhere. This has been a huge benefit to me and my family because I have been able to be home more, no weekends required.
I wonder if I am good enough to move on...go back to work in the AV world while I wait for Drew and Scott to invest in my funeral home proposal. I question my ability to execute even that plan as I understand the business from a perspective of running the business but I do not necessarily understand it from an ownership standpoint. Also am I persuasive enough to get other funeral businesses to sell me their operations. Money is not the only thing that is needed to create a successful business.
Regardless to my situation, I am happy.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Star date supplemental
So the day is almost done and I have to say that I am very grateful for what I have. I have Maggie who loves me and with whom I can share everything. Patrick and Ella are good kids with a penchant for the social sillies like myself. I do not have a clue what I am going to do next if this work ends. I will just look for what ever I can next. I may get my business incorporated so that I can start representing that and see if I can get the leads that I will need to purchase the funeral home businesses that I seek. I hope to have a better understanding of who I am and what I can accomplish. Should be fun.
September 23, 2014
So I got all the way through Monday with little change to my situation. I was able to speak more with Dennis and rehash some old causes of our current dilemma. I wish that I could say that I felt confident in what the future held but I just feel sad. I had desires to return to the natural man but I stayed true for another day. I hope that this week will be a first of many weeks to stay on target.
I went out a rode my bicycle last night. I rode 10 miles in 36 minutes. I would like to eventually get to where I can ride 10 miles in under 30 minutes. I am pretty sure that I can do it but it will take more time.
Sometimes I feel ambivalent to the changes that are occurring around the office. I look at the situation and just say I will wait another day. I do not have a lot that I can do but that certainly doesn't stop me from trying to figure out the best ways to waste my time. I have placed myself in a position where I say, "whatever the Lord wants." without taking action on my own or being patient for answers to my own questions. I want to be better and to make a significant difference with what I do and how I impact others. I like being involved. We shall see what today holds.
I went out a rode my bicycle last night. I rode 10 miles in 36 minutes. I would like to eventually get to where I can ride 10 miles in under 30 minutes. I am pretty sure that I can do it but it will take more time.
Sometimes I feel ambivalent to the changes that are occurring around the office. I look at the situation and just say I will wait another day. I do not have a lot that I can do but that certainly doesn't stop me from trying to figure out the best ways to waste my time. I have placed myself in a position where I say, "whatever the Lord wants." without taking action on my own or being patient for answers to my own questions. I want to be better and to make a significant difference with what I do and how I impact others. I like being involved. We shall see what today holds.
Monday, September 22, 2014
September 22, 2014
So this past week, Tuesday the 16th, to be exact was one of great turmoil and anxiety. The company that I work for was put under receivership by the Louisiana State Insurance Commission. Apparently over the past year the assets of the company went down in appraised value over $4 million. This means that the company is stuck waiting for a sale and then all remaining assets will be liquidated. I do not know how long I will have a place to come and work. Although to be honest with myself the work I was doing was not as productive as I hoped it would be. I was traveling across the state and I could not offer what other insurance companies were offering and those that accepted our invitation to sell were in small communities or were the smallest funeral homes in their communities thus not bringing in the value that we had hoped.
I have been doing a lot of other things to keep busy, none of which I can say were as productive as they could have been. I did write a business plan that could bring in great returns but it requires a lot of equity up front and it also requires current business owners to be willing to sell their business to me at a reasonable rate. Thus a challenge because although I have found a few willing to sell, their prices are high and returns on investment would take longer to come in. This is not an insurmountable challenge just one that will take more consideration. The other issue is the willingness of current owners who are probably making between $1 and $2 million dollars profit a year to see value in selling. Perhaps it will come to a point where it is in their best interest to sell if given a 4 to 1 ratio to profit but that will have to include all assets and that may in turn require a change in my numbers to a 5 or even 6 to 1 ratio.
Personally I have found that I have become complacent. I read scriptures and pray with my family. I have family home evening and yet I know I am not living up to my full potential. The natural man is an enemy to God and I am very good at following the natural man. The stake president said at the youth standards night that if we have idle hands the devil will put them to work. It is certainly true.
Today I have a new challenge; deal with the work issue and when the end comes move on quickly with the freelance work for a production company here in New Orleans. Continue to look for funeral home opportunities so that when the time is right I can start my business with a strong foundation. Look for ways that I can spend about an hour a day learning how to do my personal family history better. Then waste less time online. I hope to move myself to a point where I socialize more with family and less time looking at a screen.
I have been doing a lot of other things to keep busy, none of which I can say were as productive as they could have been. I did write a business plan that could bring in great returns but it requires a lot of equity up front and it also requires current business owners to be willing to sell their business to me at a reasonable rate. Thus a challenge because although I have found a few willing to sell, their prices are high and returns on investment would take longer to come in. This is not an insurmountable challenge just one that will take more consideration. The other issue is the willingness of current owners who are probably making between $1 and $2 million dollars profit a year to see value in selling. Perhaps it will come to a point where it is in their best interest to sell if given a 4 to 1 ratio to profit but that will have to include all assets and that may in turn require a change in my numbers to a 5 or even 6 to 1 ratio.
Personally I have found that I have become complacent. I read scriptures and pray with my family. I have family home evening and yet I know I am not living up to my full potential. The natural man is an enemy to God and I am very good at following the natural man. The stake president said at the youth standards night that if we have idle hands the devil will put them to work. It is certainly true.
Today I have a new challenge; deal with the work issue and when the end comes move on quickly with the freelance work for a production company here in New Orleans. Continue to look for funeral home opportunities so that when the time is right I can start my business with a strong foundation. Look for ways that I can spend about an hour a day learning how to do my personal family history better. Then waste less time online. I hope to move myself to a point where I socialize more with family and less time looking at a screen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
