3/18/12

More family visitations. We went to Seiling and came back. Sarah's parents came up to visit, which the kids just love, and then they went to visit more family in Tulsa. I always miss them when they are gone. Now they are back and we are going on little day trips to keep them entertained. Of course, they would probably enjoy just sitting and hanging out with the grandkids just as much as anything else but we seem genetically unable to do that. Today we are off to a local grist mill. Should be fun.

3/12/12

Back from a great family gathering in Seiling, OK. It is always odd to go there and realize that, in this town of 2000 people, I am in some way probably related to everyone I see. We went mostly to visit my Grandfather, who is ill, but in great spirits. Too many drinks were consumed, many old stories were shared. It is amazing to see how the cycles repeat. Now with my generation at the grown up table watching our children run across hay bales and walk down over the scary bridge. We got home yesterday and then today Sarah's parents arrived for a week of visiting. We are certainly busy. On top of that I am trying to update the Adventure Nickel website. I am also working on a writing project I am really excited about. So, yeah, staying busy. I wanted to get a note in here just so I can say I said something. And for those in the know, add a picture. Family is awesome.

3/4/12

Good day today. First day off after working for three in a row. That is always a good feeling. We took the kids to see a play version of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie at a community theater here in Springdale. They loved it but were scared of the actors after and didn't want to meet them. Too much I guess. Then we went and found a very good Thai food place in Rogers. All in all a very good day. And thanks to everyone who checked out the new adventure nickel site. It doubled my traffic. First day, 4 hits. Day 3 8. Woohooo!!! :-) I don't think I will retire just yet.

2/29/12

Happy leap day. Three days off in a row after doing a little over a week of day off, day on, day off, two on, day off type schedule. Was good to reconnect well with the family. Didn't do too much. We did make it up to see the original Walton's 5 and 10 store that was the major precursor to Wal Mart. Neat from such humble beginnings grew such a behemoth. Today was bath day for IRV. Got him all cleaned up and shiny. I was going to wax him too, but my motivation ran out. Just keeps plenty of items on the to do list so I don't accidentally run out some day and find myself with an excess of free time.

Got my Arkansas fishing license and took the kids fishing the other day too. They did some fishing...

But mostly the kids thought fishing meant playing with minnows.

And I am publishing the Adventurenickel.com page tonight. Try to find it and tell me how the search goes.

Lucky day

Today was one of those simple pleasure days. I woke up early and went in to work. It was so slow in the ER that they started looking for someone to send home. AS a traveler I think it is best to let one of the staff go home so I didn't say anything. Eventually they cycled through everyone that they could send home and no one wanted to go so they were going to send her home even though she didn't want to go. So I stepped in. Not only did I get to go home, I got to help out a fellow nurse. To make it even better, I already am scheduled into overtime for the week and won't miss anything from a normal check. Sometimes it works out that way. Still working on the Adventure Nickel site. I am hoping to open it up for public view and critique some time this week. I am very open to honest, helpful criticism. Please do. I am off to enjoy the rest of my free night. Enjoy yours.

2/21/2012

Was supposed to be off yesterday and work today. Switched it because someone called in sick at work and they asked me to come in. Good thing I did too. The ER was slammed from the minute I got there to the minute I left. Michael and Max had missed me and were disappointed that I had to go to work, but I told them I was just trading and would be home today. At work they tried to get me to come back and work today too, but I told them no. I don't want to lie to the kids. It doesn't take many times for them to stop trusting you. So, that is what I told them, "I told my kids I was going to be home and I am not going to lie to them." They seemed to understand. It is necessary sometimes, but I am not a fan of trading today for tomorrow. I feel like I know better than most that tomorrow is not guaranteed. That isn't a practice I want to make a habit. Soon enough are trading working more this year so you can take off more time next year and then it gets moved back to when I retire. If you aren't really careful you don't ever get there, to that point where it is today and you aren't looking ahead to a time when you can do all you want. And sometimes in between there are heart attacks and strokes, car crashes bad falls. I know very few people who plan on going to the ER on any given day. Even if you are lucky and get to retirement, do you think the number of days you will get to do what you want in retirement will make up for the number of days you missed? I don't. In this case I don't think interest accrues. Just the opposite. If you aren't there when they are young, interest cane wane. I will choose to work less when I have that opportunity.

2/15/12 Branson

Tonight we find ourselves back in Branson, MO. We came down to visit my Mother and Sister. Initially we were going to come down and spend the day then drive back home. We decided that was silly and we would stay the night. After spending part of the day in the pool and hot tub, we are spending two nights and heading back then. Ahhhh. The luxury of a hot tub, sauna and pool. Pretty awesome stuff. Plus it will give us more time to spend with family which is always a good thing. We got to catch up with Nicholas again which is great. I always expect him to be a good kid and he consistently proves to be a great kid. We got him a robotic arm for Christmas which requires a TON of assembly. I don't really think he is all that interested in it, but when we arrived he had me help him put some together. I am pretty sure that it was only to make me feel better. Turns out Kerri's boyfriend Curtis likes putting it together and Nicholas stopped me from putting it too far together to save some for him. What an aware, intelligent and mature thing for him to do. Great kid. I will post some pictures both here and to Facebook when we get back home.