Musings of a Punk Rock Father

I can't believe Brendoman is still hosting this thing.  I have neglected it for oh-so-long.   Life has been so busy in the last couple of years that blogging couldn't have been further from my mind.

I previously mentioned here that in June of 2007, CitiMortgage closed the Chicago branch of the wholesale mortgage channel.  I had just completed a rigorous training and audit program to receive underwriting authority.  I was given my authority to underwrite up to $1.5 million in residential loans, and then -- poof -- the office was closed.

I also previously mentioned here that in October of 2007, I and a business partner launched a new company.   We spent the summer of 2007 creating the company.  Writing a business plan.  Researching similar businesses.  Creating a brand identity.  Choosing a retail site.  Building a website.  Building out the retail site.  Selecting equipment and vendors.  Hiring.  Stocking.  And on and on.

Now we are over 2 years into this business.  In 2009, we won a Small Business of the Year Award from the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce for businesses under 5 years old.  In 3 years, I hope to be nominated for the top award.  I enjoy building the business, and it has challenged me more than any other job.  I always did my job with great personal investment, so there is no difference in the way I approach my job.

My wife is near the end of her teaching program.  After we started the new business, she started thinking about what she would like to do once the kids were in school.  She talked about getting a part-time job, but I knew that wouldn't be satisfying.  When she mentioned the possibility of teaching, I was ecstatic.  Even better, she applied to the graduate program, and is working toward her Master's degree.  This fall, she will spend her semester as a student teacher, and I could not be more excited for her.

In fall, our little boy will begin kindergarten and our little girl will begin pre-school.  Oh, where has time gone?  They both crave information, and I cannot believe the rate at which they learn new things.  Tonight, he asked me what "transluscent" means.  She is already learning to write the alphabet, thanks to her big brother.

I read on Twitter that a guy I follow started a 28 day blogging project.   To blog every day in the month of February.  I don't want to officially commit to anything, but I want to be able to write something here regularly.  Part of my absence is due to time.  Part is due to a lack of knowing what to write.  I like that the Julie & Julia blogger had a concept for her blog, and purpose.  I want something like that, a motivating force for my blogging.

Well, let's see what happens, shall we?