Hello December.
Took the day off today. kind of. Tried to get started on my Oklahoma nursing license and forgot just how big a pain in the butt boards like this can be. They all seem to have the attitude that since you need them so much, they have no obligation to be nice or pay even lip service to customer service.
Arrrgh.
No one answers their phone.
Oh well, if awesome were easy, everyone would do it.
Went for a run today for the first time in a long time. Probably overdid it. I felt good and pressed further than I should. 5.2 miles. The Vibrams weren't working today. I have to hot spots. One on each foot. I'll heal.
The weather here sucks for December, it was 79 degrees today.
Bitch, bitch, bitch moan.
OK, I'll stop.
I bought a new toy for cruising. I got an HP touchpad and bluetooth keyboard. That way I can keep writing while aboard. I might not be able to upload blog posts as often, but I will still write them. Then maybe a mass upload when I return to shore.
Sarah took the kids to the local zoo. There are pictures, but I haven't uploaded them. Maybe tomorrow.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
11/29/12
I didn't do squat today.
Good day.
Oh, I fiddled about with a few things. Mostly hung out with the kids and took it easy. Watched Sarah work on paperwork for the cruise thing, try to figure out luggage and packing, worry worry worry. I love her to death. I would help her, but I have found that frequently leads to disagreement in the way we each approach problems. So, I took the kids and left.
We went to WalMart and checked out the stuff the kids want for Christmas. Then we came home and I tried taking a few pictures.
Max was playing outside with his little guys and a horse barn he got from Sylvia.
Michael was inside reading a book.
They seemed to have a nice day too.
Now I am back to work for three days and then..who knows. Well, I guess Sarah does. I should check with her.
Good day.
Oh, I fiddled about with a few things. Mostly hung out with the kids and took it easy. Watched Sarah work on paperwork for the cruise thing, try to figure out luggage and packing, worry worry worry. I love her to death. I would help her, but I have found that frequently leads to disagreement in the way we each approach problems. So, I took the kids and left.
We went to WalMart and checked out the stuff the kids want for Christmas. Then we came home and I tried taking a few pictures.
Max was playing outside with his little guys and a horse barn he got from Sylvia.
Michael was inside reading a book.
They seemed to have a nice day too.
Now I am back to work for three days and then..who knows. Well, I guess Sarah does. I should check with her.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
11/28/12
Got something done today. I managed today to write a short story for the November Challenge at the AFO forums. Something at least.
Also, Sarah went out and bought some of the clothes I will need for the cruise. I need a navy blue blazer to wear until my uniforms are made. I also need something to wear other than jeans as they don't want you wearing those if you in any way represent the cruise line. So I got some other pants too.
Boring details...how about this one. I am booked on a flight out of OKC on Jan 4 to head to Ft. Lauderdale. It has begun.
Reading some other blogs of people that live a traveling lifestyle I notice an omission on this one. I don't talk a lot about the kids. I initially didn't want to talk too much about them or put too much about them online because they don't really get a say in what I put out there. I didn't want to expose them to too much attention on the Internet. It can be an ugly place out there.
However, as I was writing the narrative of the first two years I realized I didn't have much to draw on about the kids. This stuff is for them. I want them to not only know what we did, but their part in it. So I am going to try to work more of them into the story here. If I can.
It's funny. Back when we started this RV traveling lifestyle, it seemed so daring. It really seemed adventurous. Now, it seems normal. Pedestrian. Other synonyms for uninteresting. The cruise ship idea sounds positively crazy. Will it be humdrum in a few years? I guess we will have to find out.
I had a great idea last night as I went to sleep. I was going to run a marathon on the ship while at sea. I was hoping it would be a novel experience. I set a goal to run a marathon and figured maybe I could do something unique while I did it. Turns out it has been done. Oh well. Still might do it if I can't find a marathon to sign up for while we are in port somewhere.
A few links for the day.
The Fearful Adventurer
This is the blog of an anxious, phobic and nervous traveler who is terrified of what she is doing, but does it anyway. I have plugged through a few of the posts and it is well written and humorous.
Live on the Margin
This is a book by the Bumfuzzle guy and another sailor who are writing a book about how they have been supporting their lifestyle as online traders. I have been following the Bumfuzzle crew for several years now and I can't wait for the book to come out. It would be awesome to give up the day job and make a living wherever I am.
Almost Fearless
The blog of a world traveling couple who had a baby and kept traveling. They recently raised to money to complete a documentary they have made about a new generation of people who work online and travel because they can. Neat.
Also, Sarah went out and bought some of the clothes I will need for the cruise. I need a navy blue blazer to wear until my uniforms are made. I also need something to wear other than jeans as they don't want you wearing those if you in any way represent the cruise line. So I got some other pants too.
Boring details...how about this one. I am booked on a flight out of OKC on Jan 4 to head to Ft. Lauderdale. It has begun.
Reading some other blogs of people that live a traveling lifestyle I notice an omission on this one. I don't talk a lot about the kids. I initially didn't want to talk too much about them or put too much about them online because they don't really get a say in what I put out there. I didn't want to expose them to too much attention on the Internet. It can be an ugly place out there.
However, as I was writing the narrative of the first two years I realized I didn't have much to draw on about the kids. This stuff is for them. I want them to not only know what we did, but their part in it. So I am going to try to work more of them into the story here. If I can.
It's funny. Back when we started this RV traveling lifestyle, it seemed so daring. It really seemed adventurous. Now, it seems normal. Pedestrian. Other synonyms for uninteresting. The cruise ship idea sounds positively crazy. Will it be humdrum in a few years? I guess we will have to find out.
I had a great idea last night as I went to sleep. I was going to run a marathon on the ship while at sea. I was hoping it would be a novel experience. I set a goal to run a marathon and figured maybe I could do something unique while I did it. Turns out it has been done. Oh well. Still might do it if I can't find a marathon to sign up for while we are in port somewhere.
A few links for the day.
The Fearful Adventurer
This is the blog of an anxious, phobic and nervous traveler who is terrified of what she is doing, but does it anyway. I have plugged through a few of the posts and it is well written and humorous.
Live on the Margin
This is a book by the Bumfuzzle guy and another sailor who are writing a book about how they have been supporting their lifestyle as online traders. I have been following the Bumfuzzle crew for several years now and I can't wait for the book to come out. It would be awesome to give up the day job and make a living wherever I am.
Almost Fearless
The blog of a world traveling couple who had a baby and kept traveling. They recently raised to money to complete a documentary they have made about a new generation of people who work online and travel because they can. Neat.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
11-25-12
Back home. This time with family.
Holidays round one is completed and we will have to call it a draw. Yeah, I took in too many calories and may have had too much to drink on one...or more occasions. Now to get ready for Christmas.
So we did a Thanksgiving at both the B&B ranch and Gramma and Papa's. I need to run. I need to run a lot.
Other than that, there isn't a ton to report. We are still in the planning stages for the cruise nurse thing. Everything is just baby steps for a while. So, there isn't a ton to report at the moment. So I will use that patented space filling trick of a few pictures.
Holidays round one is completed and we will have to call it a draw. Yeah, I took in too many calories and may have had too much to drink on one...or more occasions. Now to get ready for Christmas.
So we did a Thanksgiving at both the B&B ranch and Gramma and Papa's. I need to run. I need to run a lot.
Other than that, there isn't a ton to report. We are still in the planning stages for the cruise nurse thing. Everything is just baby steps for a while. So, there isn't a ton to report at the moment. So I will use that patented space filling trick of a few pictures.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
11/20/12
Alone again.
Drove down to Houston yesterday. Got an eye exam and ordered some new glasses. Woke up early today for ACLS, PALS and BLS classes and then drove home. Sarah and the boys are staying there and I will return Thursday night for Thanksgiving festivities with various family members.
On the way down I got an email reply from the cruise line saying that the policy we read online restricting Michael to cruising only 60 days a year has been updated and now any kid can sail up to the same 240 limit I have. So we are back on as scheduled. This back and forth and scanning the rules and regulations for possible roadblocks has been tiring. The uncertainty has been a little much too. And I can tolerate a pretty good amount of uncertainty. We have been putting off travel recruiters with January openings in places we might want to go because we were waiting for the cruising thing to come in.
And it is coming in. There appears to be only a few paperwork formalities to finish and then we are ready. Oh yeah, and a few back end things we are working on.
See, one of the big concerns we have is what to do with our house while we are gone. Cruising doesn't pay anywhere near what travel ER gigs do. We are going to be pretty cash strapped as it is. We were planning on leaving the RV with a friend in Texas who used to live in an RV, but that fell through in pretty spectacular fashion. So we were looking at storage...too expensive.
Then Michelle, my sister, stepped up and said we could leave the RV on her place. That was great, back on track. But...
Neither Sarah nor I liked the idea of leaving the RV just shut up and parked in a field in Oklahoma. The humidity would be wildly variable, the temperatures would be as well. We were worried that the wear and tear from all that would damage things. Also, what if we were only off a week or two and wanted someplace to live? What if Sarah and the boys weren't on a particular cruise with me, what would they do? Having the RV just sit there would work, but there were some problems.
Then we had an idea. What if we could put a pad with full hookups on Michelle's land? Then we could keep basic environmental controls going. We could use the house on short notice for short duration without having to unpack and move each time. It would give us a central location from which to operate. I could work on getting my Oklahoma license and pick up some per diem shifts or contract work if I am in town for a longer stretch. Also, it would give a place for potential visitors to stay at Miche's while we weren't there...or while we were too I guess. And, if Sarah and the boys wanted to take a cruise off, they could watch Michelle's animals while she came on a cruise. Mom too. Heck, maybe even Dad could use the pad sometime on a trip. It seemed like too beneficial and idea not to do it.
So we called Michelle to propose the idea to here. Apparently she is smarter that we are, because she had already taken the next day off to get some people out to start working on it. Thanks Miche...we love you.
So, it appears we are taking the Adventure Nickel international. Should be interesting.
Housekeeping note: I am going to try to change a few settings and see if I can make it easier to comment on the posts here. Someone try a comment in the next few days and see.
Drove down to Houston yesterday. Got an eye exam and ordered some new glasses. Woke up early today for ACLS, PALS and BLS classes and then drove home. Sarah and the boys are staying there and I will return Thursday night for Thanksgiving festivities with various family members.
On the way down I got an email reply from the cruise line saying that the policy we read online restricting Michael to cruising only 60 days a year has been updated and now any kid can sail up to the same 240 limit I have. So we are back on as scheduled. This back and forth and scanning the rules and regulations for possible roadblocks has been tiring. The uncertainty has been a little much too. And I can tolerate a pretty good amount of uncertainty. We have been putting off travel recruiters with January openings in places we might want to go because we were waiting for the cruising thing to come in.
And it is coming in. There appears to be only a few paperwork formalities to finish and then we are ready. Oh yeah, and a few back end things we are working on.
See, one of the big concerns we have is what to do with our house while we are gone. Cruising doesn't pay anywhere near what travel ER gigs do. We are going to be pretty cash strapped as it is. We were planning on leaving the RV with a friend in Texas who used to live in an RV, but that fell through in pretty spectacular fashion. So we were looking at storage...too expensive.
Then Michelle, my sister, stepped up and said we could leave the RV on her place. That was great, back on track. But...
Neither Sarah nor I liked the idea of leaving the RV just shut up and parked in a field in Oklahoma. The humidity would be wildly variable, the temperatures would be as well. We were worried that the wear and tear from all that would damage things. Also, what if we were only off a week or two and wanted someplace to live? What if Sarah and the boys weren't on a particular cruise with me, what would they do? Having the RV just sit there would work, but there were some problems.
Then we had an idea. What if we could put a pad with full hookups on Michelle's land? Then we could keep basic environmental controls going. We could use the house on short notice for short duration without having to unpack and move each time. It would give us a central location from which to operate. I could work on getting my Oklahoma license and pick up some per diem shifts or contract work if I am in town for a longer stretch. Also, it would give a place for potential visitors to stay at Miche's while we weren't there...or while we were too I guess. And, if Sarah and the boys wanted to take a cruise off, they could watch Michelle's animals while she came on a cruise. Mom too. Heck, maybe even Dad could use the pad sometime on a trip. It seemed like too beneficial and idea not to do it.
So we called Michelle to propose the idea to here. Apparently she is smarter that we are, because she had already taken the next day off to get some people out to start working on it. Thanks Miche...we love you.
So, it appears we are taking the Adventure Nickel international. Should be interesting.
Housekeeping note: I am going to try to change a few settings and see if I can make it easier to comment on the posts here. Someone try a comment in the next few days and see.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
11-17-12
GAhhhh. Busy busy busy.
Work yesterday, today and tomorrow. Then BACK to Houston for an eye doctor appointment and ACLS, PALS, BLS training for work. Then back here for two more days work and then back to Houston to pick up Sarah and the kids.
Eventually this will settle down. Of course we knew that any Texas contract will be this way. Just deal with it.
Of course, today Sarah and I decided we would go ahead with the cruise nursing thing. Then we found a regulation in the books saying that kids older than 4 can't cruise with their parents more than 60 days in a calendar year because of school. If that is the case, we are trading Michael in on a nice new three year old.
Just kidding Michael. Of course, by the time you read this I hope you will already know that.
So we sent a message to the guy with the cruise line and asked for a clarification because that would be a problem for us. We will see. I am excited at the prospect of taking the Adventure Nickel international, but it would surely be easier if this didn't work out. Of course, easier isn't always better.
Time for sleep. 0530 comes early.
Work yesterday, today and tomorrow. Then BACK to Houston for an eye doctor appointment and ACLS, PALS, BLS training for work. Then back here for two more days work and then back to Houston to pick up Sarah and the kids.
Eventually this will settle down. Of course we knew that any Texas contract will be this way. Just deal with it.
Of course, today Sarah and I decided we would go ahead with the cruise nursing thing. Then we found a regulation in the books saying that kids older than 4 can't cruise with their parents more than 60 days in a calendar year because of school. If that is the case, we are trading Michael in on a nice new three year old.
Just kidding Michael. Of course, by the time you read this I hope you will already know that.
So we sent a message to the guy with the cruise line and asked for a clarification because that would be a problem for us. We will see. I am excited at the prospect of taking the Adventure Nickel international, but it would surely be easier if this didn't work out. Of course, easier isn't always better.
Time for sleep. 0530 comes early.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
11/11/12
Happy Veteran's Day!
Back in Tyler. We spent the weekend in Houston where Brian and Barb treated us like celebrity guests. Much good food was consumed along with fine libations. On my birthday they took me to a hibachi grill restaurant. It was excellent. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.
Got anew member to the AFO forums too. And people are posting challenge entries for the month. Things are looking up. Back to work tomorrow and back to being busy. There is so much that needs to be done this month that I am sure it will be a blur and I won't get as much done as I would like. Oh well.
Got to run with Sarah today, which is nice. Then I logged it on Fitocracy (www.fitocracy.com) and it told me that I have logged over 200 miles since I started tracking it with them in February. Not bad I think. I also got well under 8 min/mile. Pretty solid weekend.
Back in Tyler. We spent the weekend in Houston where Brian and Barb treated us like celebrity guests. Much good food was consumed along with fine libations. On my birthday they took me to a hibachi grill restaurant. It was excellent. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.
Got anew member to the AFO forums too. And people are posting challenge entries for the month. Things are looking up. Back to work tomorrow and back to being busy. There is so much that needs to be done this month that I am sure it will be a blur and I won't get as much done as I would like. Oh well.
Got to run with Sarah today, which is nice. Then I logged it on Fitocracy (www.fitocracy.com) and it told me that I have logged over 200 miles since I started tracking it with them in February. Not bad I think. I also got well under 8 min/mile. Pretty solid weekend.
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