Alaskans from Nebraska: September 2007

As always - chatised by my kiddos for not keeping a daily log, I am going to try and write once a week and THEN become a high achiever! (Like maybe twice a week!)

We are dog sitting(Kinsie the black lab) this weekend. A friend tied their dog in the back yard (Anchorage, near the airport) and then went to Seward for two days. Neighbors called her and said the dog chewed the rope and left the makeshift yard. They called Justina a friend who live nearby, but no success. Then she called Ellen who was working on Fort Rich with me. Ellen chased her down - Actually Kinsie is a very friendly dog and just wants to be with people. She is very needy in that respect. Ellen brought her to work, but could not take her home since she wants to be underfoot and Ellen's mom is elderly with an oxygen tank as a constant companion. Dad and I are used to dogs and as it goes, it is easy for us to dog sit. Kinsie runs crazy outside, but is very obedient and comes immediately when called. Dad took her for a long walk yesterday and again this morning. I took her for a couple of potty breaks and a short walk about 6 AM. She lays quietly in the house where ever I am, unless Dad is headed for the garage. Kathy and her kids should be her up today.

My new job is very challenging. First is my style of leadership - with enthusiasm and example. I spend more time outside the office then in and I am not a clock watcher. My predecessor worked strictly 7 - 4 and was out the door. Very little communication with the staff or outside agencies, until there was a problem. My first ordeal is dealing with lo employee morale. One employee (an inspector) has been allowed to come in whenever he felt the desire to work. He has accumulated 114 days this year with no pay due. He has not shown up since I became the chief. I am processing - takes time - leave abuse and job abandonment paperwork. He does call me and fax some doctor slips, but fails to show up as ordered. My next priority will be making employees permanent. Right now I have a staff of 15 overhires and most are entry level; so as soon as an opporturnity for something better comes, they move on. (as I beleive they should)

We had a very scary crisis in the office on Thursday. A wounded soldier, recently returned from Iraq did not like the answers to questions and went off the deep end. He threatened to bring guns back in and shoot us all. The MPs were called and he was cornered in the parking lot. The drama lasted for about 20 minutes, but the statements and aftermath for my staff about 4 hours. God has protected us once again and I am thankful.

Dad has worked hard to fix the driveway extension, but the drainage area has caved in once. H got more rock. When Jeremy comes, they will get more and bigger rocks! It does look good. I will see if h can figure out how to post pics to this blog....who wants to coach him? Still no luck in the job arena. It seems a lot worse for him since I work long hours (55-60 per week right now.)

Back to my job.. It is fiscal year end and I have LOTS if last minute projects and dollars to use. We also are the recipient of large unexpectd dollars from another installation that could not award a project of their own. So financial spreadsheets are run daily and starting Monday twice a day to show us obligations. I spent most of the day Saturday working with two people to make sure that my jobs were in negotiation. I am upgrading and burying overhead utility lines - a mere $3M for one housing area. I am adding 11 miles of blacktop for bike/walking trails that connect housing areas, playgrounds, schools, etc. My smaller projects include upgrading a warehouse to meet customer service needs and adding individual desks/workstations for each employee. Add to that the daily business of managing housing for 3500 service members and 65% with families. Oh yeah, did I member my 15 person staff has only 9 people right now. WHEW! Drives me crazy just thinking about it.

Now the fun stuff. I am still in Jazzercise, but I missed 5 days this week. Jessica - check the area and see if there are classes near you. I can take the kids 'cause they usually include day care for that hour. I decided to take a quilting class that comes with fringe benefits. It's at our church and I know all the ladies in Banner Babes. So the 4th Monday of every month we will be making a table runner for the holiday of the next month. Tomorrow night is one for Halloween. It's really an opportunity for spiritual companionship and an outreach to friends and ladies in the neighborhood. I have two friends that already quilt that want to share the time.

Jeremy and Kassy will be here 25 Sep to 3 Oct. We are excitd and nervous! Can you beleive that?!? We want the visit to go so perfect and really get to know Kassy. Dad really wants to get away with Jeremy for a day. Due to year end demands at work, I can not take more than a day off and I will be working regular shift - I don't want to miss a minute with them. But I also am not sure what Kassy will enjoy. Dad got a handgun to take with him when he flies. He and Jeremy (Kassy, too) will shoot it at the range. Dad also wants to sight in his rifle for a Black Bear hunt. Jeremy did not want to leave Kassy for the one day hunt, so Dad has not decided whether they will go. It's an open hunt near Hope, AK; about a 2 1/2 hour drive. Any suggestions???

We have our tickts for Arkansas - Yes darling daughters I will send the iteneraries today!

Anya - It is time for me to stop typing and go to the sewing room. Your Cinderella dress is 1/2 done and I want to finish it today.

Jessica and Jennifer - Did (Can) you guys link Grandpa and Grandma Schultz to this blog and coach them how to use. I really know that they would enjoy yours, too, but one at a time.

Jennifer - I love the picture that Jessica posted. You are really looking great! Keep up the run and the water! YEP, BIG Surprise - I read your journey.

Dad's on his computer, too and I am off to sew. That is between work calls. People are already calling me about work this morning.

After 20 minutes of trying to figure this out and then calling Jessica for help - here is my first entry. I can only dream it will be successful!

It's 8 September and I have just returned from a Senior Leadership Conference. I was the conference coordinator for the Directorate of Logistics and attendees were division chiefs from Forts Wainwright and Richardson. It ws held at Seward Rec Camp on the coast of Alaska. Very successful; but glad it is over. I am always glad to be back home...with Opa!!

In the midst of this adventure, I am changing jobs. On Tuesday I started as the Fort Richardson Housing Chief; division chief under the Director of Public Works and direct report to the Commander. It's the position I held before going to Europe, but as with the Army, there are a few changes. I have only the housing at Fort Richardson with all the staff. I am inheriting a staff that is 1/3 vacant positions; 1/3 positions I pay for, but at the moment do not control and the remianing work in the office managing 1200 units. I am getting lots of quick briefings on the construction status - 5 major projects in varying stages of completion.

For the remainder of September, I will work housing half days and my logistics job half days. I have three major projects with the latter. Two will be done by the end of the month, and the final project the end of January.

Opa is still applying for jobs and working on projects around the house (literally). He has filled in a section of the ditch along the driveway to widen it and enable him to park our trailers and camper next to the house. He has to make a drainage ditch in the process, so that is presenting challegnes for him. He will also be working with the contractor to fix the rain gutter----the one he backed the camper into. (Tee Hee) Tomorrow he said that he will help me pack my office and start that move. (What a special guy.)