03/11/2016

· Fortitude … strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage. – Merriam Webster Online Dictionary

· It was with sadness that we learned earlier this week of Christine Anderson’s mother’s death. Hye Yon Benard’s obituary can be seen here
http://www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com/obituaries/Hye-Benard/#!/Obituary . Christine’s home address is 6003 Planer Dr., Milan, Tn. 38358.

· The MTAS executive director will have his APR discussion with Herb on March 23 ^rd …immediately following our presentation of the FY2017 budget. Gosh! I love it when all the planets align!

· What’s up with this pinching somebody not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day? My exhaustive research tells me that it’s an American tradition (not Irish) started in the early 1700’s where somebody, as a reminder to wear green, pinches you because leprechauns can’t see you if you’re wearing green. If they see you, they (the leprechauns) will pinch you. So, let me see if I’ve got this straight. One way or the other, I’m getting pinched. Another observation…leprechauns need to get their eyes checked.

· The annual TML Legislative Conference will be held this coming Monday and Tuesday here in Nashville. It’s usually an information rich event and I expect it will be so this year. I know that some of us are registered for it, so we’ll see you there.

· So, what about that Outside Interest Disclosure Form…you know, the thing we all fill out every year? Do I have to wait until the next annual update to include something that should be disclosed? Nope…definitely not. When something arises that should be disclosed, regardless of when it arises, your form should be updated. Easy to do, by the way. The form can be found here
http://13134m1l2szd36ie6w8tg1djw2.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Outside-Interest-Disclosure-Form-Faculty-and-Staff-20120821.pdf . If you’re unsure about what to disclose, check with Rick or me. We’ll help you with it.

· Let’s see…chores for tomorrow (Saturday). Test and install NEW batteries in EVERY smoke detector at home. Don’t have smoke detectors? Can I ask why? Talk to ‘em, Dennis Wolf. Moving on. Test and install NEW batteries in the weather radio. Don’t have a weather radio? Shame! Shame! Shame! Cheapest form of disaster insurance I know of…and, yes, they’re supposed to wake you up at 3 a.m. when the tornado is in the next county. Moving on. Lastly, move all 27 clocks in the house ahead one hour .

· The IPS Leadership Team will hold its March monthly meeting next Wednesday, March 16 ^th , at the Cookeville office.

· Lastly, remember a few things…
o What each of you do every day for our customers and each other is recognized and appreciated. Really! It is!
o If the amount of times we get up is just one less than the amount of times that we've been knocked down, then we're spending our lives lying down .” - Craig D. Lounsbrough
o Big day tomorrow! Best of luck, Stephanie and Justin!
o Amazing! No birthdays next week. But if there were, they would be the 39 ^th .
o “The only sure rule in golf is he who has the fastest cart never has to play the bad lie.” – Mickey Mantle (I figure most folks’ reaction to this will be, “Huh”?)

· My wish for everybody is a comfortable weekend (if it ever stops raining.)

Jim Thomas, Executive Director
(O) 615. 532.4950 (C) 615.972.9219

jim.thomas@tennessee.edu

www.mtas.tennessee.edu