Contract end

I am winding down to less than 30 days on my current contract, I have signed an extension starting mid November to mid February, tomorrow I am going to the RV Show in Tacoma, I hope to look at several potential new homes on wheels.

I have been searching for that perfect RV for me and the puppies, I am beginning to think there is no such thing, but that I will have to weigh the options of each model (I currently like the Voltage 3950, Raptor 410LEV, and 4014LEV, and Cyclone 4014).  Each model has things that make it a potential, the Voltage is a true home away from home, it also carries the biggest price tag, and I have read so many negative comments on problems with poor workmanship, slides that stop working, leaks, etc.  The Raptor is a well built toy hauler, but a 32 inch tv is a deal breaker for me, granted I might be a very spoiled man, but I cannot see myself being happy with that in a model where I am going to be 10 feet + watching a 32" tv with three 100# doggies playing in the room.  The cyclone is another potential, but I have yet to find a dealer that has one in stock, the smaller models I have looked at seemed to be well built, but I cannot see spending that kind of money to buy something sight unseen and pray for the best.

Wish me luck tomorrow.

Happy Birthday To Me

Well, it is official, I am now 50 and I can't help but feel like I am missing something, maybe I expected to suddenly be filled with wisdom, feel a new ache or pain, finally get around to having that midlife crisis that I have been putting off for a good 10 years - something, ANYTHING?!?!?!

I am in Tucumcari, NM, day two traveling back to my assignment in New Mexico.  Today I saw the most horrid thing, those cables that you see in the median of the interstate, there was a 18 wheeler that obviously was headed west on I-40 in Texas that hit the cables, bounced off the guardian concrete barrier on the other side and proceeded to take out 7 cars, one minivan, a toy hauler, and two motorcycles on both sides of the interstate.  Driving through the wreckage I never saw the pickup for the toy hauler.  The road construction this time of year is everywhere, suddenly in between dropping to 50 MPH, to a snail crawl, to 75 MPH coming into a curve was this horrific wreck and I slammed on the brakes to proceed through the carnage, I managed to drive over part of the the ladder from the Voltage Toy Hauler that only the ramp door and about 5 feet of the garage part were left recognizable, and some part off of the motorcycle that was laying in the road, no seat, back wheel just the engine and front wheel.

I guess I got my lesson for turning 50, as I looked upon the mangled parts I realized that I am alive, healthy, and employed, I truly have allot to be thankful for.  Now if I can just figure out how to get into that RV.  I did buy lottery tickets in Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico ....

Feeling better

One day of inhaler, tessalon pearls, steroids, and antibiotics and I feel like a new man. Thank god for medicine!

Sick again

I have had this cough that was clear secretions, no fever, no chills that just would not go away.  Today I broke down and went to the local doc in the box (American Family Care) who diagnosed me with walking pneumonia.  I have always been very happy with the care I have received there, when I broke my hand they immediately referred me to an orthopedic surgeon, when I had the small bowel obstruction they referred me to a surgeon who immediately admitted me and cared for me until discharge.  Three years ago when I came home sick after 4 months in Africa they diagnosed me with a rare amoeba infection on the first visit (the doc had just returned from a missionary trip) that saved me and my insurance company a ton of money.  While there are so many doc in the boxes that are totally worthless, this one could very well have saved my life!

Easter Ramblings

Today was a very nice Easter, I am home for a few weeks, I spent the day cooking, cornbread, Roast Chicken. Black Eyed peas, Rosemary potatoes, fried okra, fried Okra, sweet tea, and deviled eggs, a meal from my childhood that has always been comfort food.  It is one of those times when you stopped to  reminisce over past mistakes, and future hopes and think about where you are according to Biblical terms.  I may be twisted here, but I think God is allot more forgiving and understanding of alternative lifestyles, this is 2012 after-all.

Back home safely in Alabama

I made it home late last night, my poor butt is so numb, 1450 miles in two days is a very fast trip!  I wanted to get home as quickly as possible because I have to report back to work on April 23.

I saw a total of 108 different RV's on my way home, I counted and as I passed them I could not help but wonder what the inside was like, would this type be a good fit for me?  I saw the small Class A pulling a car, don't think that would work out for me, three large dogs would not fit well in there.  I saw 4 different toy haulers, now that I could see myself in, room to come home and decompress from my nursing job, enough room for the dogs to run around, but just some open space.  the one thing I do not like about the Class B and smaller class A models is that there seems to be no open space whatsoever, everything just flows from one thing to another, and they seem to be too busy.  Hidden storage here and there means you have no room that is free, at least in a toy hauler you have open space in the garage, as in several you have a good amount of open space in the living room. 

I am going to drive over to Anniston on Wednesday to look at RV's, I think tomm I am going looking in Calera which is much closer.

Glad to be home for a spell

Ray

Assignment winding down

This time next week I will be making that long trip (1450 miles) back to Alabama for a few weeks.  It seems a shame that tree weeks off involves 6 days of driving, but that is just how it is.

I managed to take care of the potential threats to future prosperity, so that is taken care of.  I have a million things to get done today, drop off the laundry, get the Jeep washed and an oil change.  Mega Millions is over 300 million, so I need to get tickets for that - you never know.

The weather here is finally warm, the strange pollen has given my sinuses a fit, but I think I am getting used to it.  I asked some coworkers what exactly was blooming because it still looks like dead grass and rocks to me.  It turns out it is the bushes that turn into the tumble weeds that are everywhere here are blooming among the dead grass and rocks, maybe I will see some at some point?

I am going to stop at the RV store and look around, they only have used ones here, but will stop and look, get some ideas on what I want and like, and those things that are important to each of us.  I will take my camera and try to post pictures later today.

Why O Why Me

I am forever amazed how life has the strange twisted way of making our lives so chaotic at times and just how fragile our dreams really are. It seems that in this life one mistake years ago has the potential to take your life and dreams away from you on a whim. At the thought of turning 50 in a little over one month, the thoughts of giving up on my dreams and future potential seem so surreal to me I cannot even phantom them. I finish this current contract on March 31 and will head back to Alabama on April 1 for three weeks, I start my contract extension April 23 to July 21, after that I am not certain what my options available to me will be. I guess I will continue to hope and pray that things work out for me.

Assignment Decision

After allot of thought, prayer, and contemplation I have decided to extend my current assignment for another 13 weeks.  One of the main reasons is that this is an easy assignment, and I have been asked to develop an orientation program for new staff, and help rewrite all of the Policies and Procedures for the unit I work in.  Although this sounds like something a sane person would run away from screaming, I actually enjoy the teaching aspect, and studying the latest standards, research, and evidence based practices to integrate into current practice.  The last time their policies were updated was 1999 and Joint Commission requires a minimum of every three years so there is allot of work to be done.

Another reason is after much thought and prayer, I have a feeling that I need to stay here for now, I will take my last three classes before I have to return to Alabama for my clinical rotations to get my Masters in Nursing Degree.  This has been a life long dream of mine, and since I will be 50 in April it is really now or never.  I also discovered that my former bank has been paying debits and sending my over draft notices, another mess to clean up from 1450 miles away, sometimes it never seems to end.  I have been praying and asking God for guidance on what to do, sometimes his will and voice is the only thing that seems to make sense at times.

I will be returning home for 3 weeks between assignments, my 50th Birthday is April 21 and I want to be home to spend it with my loving partner, 3 dogs, and my two kitties.  I do not care about turning 50, but it does mean that I can finally join AARP who sends me a membership package at least twice a week, I wonder if I am on some list somewhere?

I have a feeling that this is going to turn into a great year for me, I am currently facing several obstacles that need to be overcome, but I truly believe that this will be the year that I can finally get ahead financially, and find myself in that RV that I so truly want.  I remember in simpler times it was enough that you went to work every day, paid your bills the best that you could, and held steadfast to your faith in the great almighty, I refuse to give up that belief.  I have been through some pretty scary things in my life, but God has always been there to help me in my time of need, I truly believe this will be the year that I get that extra blessing that I need.  A prayer or two going up on my behalf wouldn't hurt either.

Until next time ......

Ray

Payment for Camera

Tonight I stopped by the RV dealer where my camera was crushed to find a check waiting for me with a very nice apology from the owner.  That is one good thing, now if my lottery tickets come in I will be even happier :)

Contract Extension

I was asked by my current assignment to sign up for another contract of 13 weeks on Friday.  I have mixed feelings, I am sure that this would be a nice place if it ever warmed up, but the 45 minute drive to work with nothing but rocks and dead grass (what small amount there is here) is rather depressing.  The money is not bad, but there are no real social things here to do, this not like a typical assignment, although there are many traveling nurses here, there is no socializing partly because there is no corporate housing here, we are all scattered in this motel and that one, a few have RV's but they are married couples who have no interest in socializing.  I think there are two restaurants in town that have an actual liquor license, several places have beer & wine licenses, but one can only eat at Red Lobster, and an Irish Pub so many times.  I miss socialization, at least being able to at least once in awhile have a nice dinner and a good martini.

This hotel life is definitely not for me, you can only eat so many microwave meals.  This year some how, some way I have got to get myself into an RV.  Another added bonus once I get the RV is I can have the babies with me, I miss them terribly.  Off to work I go, just got called in

Saturday Feb 25, 2012

Have you ever had one of those days when you feel like somebody in one of those dumb blond jokes?  I am on call this weekend for the hospital which means I have to stay close to be able to go in within 45 minutes so I decided to explore several of the local RV dealerships.  I looked at over 40 yesterday, they do not sell new ones here, but there are a dozen lots that sell used RV's.  Some we too scary to even get close to, probably as old as I am, and nasty, but I found myself captivated by a 2007 Montana 5th wheeler so I looked it over, went inside when the salesman came in to close the sale.  I had walked through the outside and inside several times, taken multiple photos and was sitting in the recliner pondering if this would work out for me, I had laid my camera down and the overeager salesman decided to let the slide out, as the slide got almost out there was this grinding and growling noise, followed by what sounded like a horrible thud, the slide had caught my digital camera and crushed it, plus I don't think it was to healthy for the slide that was now lopsided.  Needless to say I was not amused, nor would I have bought that RV now for love or money.  The worst part is that when the slide crushed my camera, it broke the SD card, now I have lost all of my pictures.

I sure hope my lottery numbers were winners.

Weather

It seems that we might just get a bit of snow here, I went to the store a few minutes ago and there were flakes in the air, nothing sticking but it was snow none the less.  Tomorrow is a Federal Holiday so I am on call all day but not required to work unless I get called in for an emergency surgery.

I just checked my PowerBall, Mega Money, and Hot Lotto tickets, not even close :(  Guess that means I will be headed back to work on Tuesday.

February 12

Tonight I wandered out and found a restaurant called Clancy's Irish Pub, I forget that I am in New Mexico with the strange liquor laws, there are so few restaurants here that serve beer & wine, and even fewer that can afford the $220.000 cost of a liquor license.  The food was decent, nothing I would call authentic Irish Food (frozen fish is not an Irish delicacy).

I went yesterday to the local RV dealers who have nothing but used inventory, I am not sure where they decided to pull the list prices from but several that I looked at, Montana, Winebago View were about 20% above the NANDA price recomendations, I guess they sell allot to the resident navajo tribal members.  I looked at a 2002 14 X 72 mobile home with a list price of 45,000 that looked like it had more room for roaches than people, the toilet was cracked, the countertops had cigarette burns and stains, and several cabinet doors were missing.

Saturday I sent off my third set of fingerprints to the Oregon Board of Nursing, and my paperwork to COBRA my health insurance, my recruiter tells me that Oregon is where the best paying jobs are right now so that license is a priority.  I did receive my permanent license for Washington State where I really want to be, but the assignments there are slim pickings at the moment.

Saturday I had to bite the bullet and upgrade my Iphone 3GS because the battery would not stay charged, I now have the 32 G Iphone 4S and I must say it is a very sweet piece of equipment.  Not only are my data downloads and uploads much faster, but you got to love Siri.  Today I had to do laundry, I was down to my last clean pair of underwear, although I have another two weeks worth of t-shirts (I need to correct that imbalance) and no socks, I simply asked Siri where the nearest laundromat was and off I went (18 dollars poorer).  As I stood around with the hundred others washing clothes I saw that they will do a double load - wash/dry/bleach/fabric softner for $10, for two dollars more I could have dropped it off and picked it up washed and folded.

I need to check my lottery tickets in the morning, I have PowerBall, Mega Money, and Hot Lotto tickets to check.

Stay tuned, more to come ...........

January 31, 2012

I started my assignment yesterday, all settled into the hotel and work is good.  I have seen a ton of little RV parks, some are just a gravel lot, and a few seem to have an amenity or two.  I plan to get out this weekend and scout what is out there and available.  There are several RV dealers here in the area that I want to check out this weekend.  It seems I am on call next weekend so that will keep me close to the hotel.  This area is so beautiful.  I plan to post pics this weekend. 

Oklahoma City Memorial Muesum

On Thursday we stopped in Oklahoma City and went through Toby Keith's I love This Bar & Grill, Michael had the fried bologna sandwich, a 1/2" thick piece of bologna, and I had the country fried steak that was like heaven, perfect crust and so tender the fork slid right through it like a knife through hot butter.  Then we went to the Oklahoma City Memorial Museum, I have to say that is one of the best memorial museums I have been to.  Although that was 16 + years ago, they engulf you in the experience and memories so that we never forget the people who lost their life, and those who sacrificed for the greater good of others.  The chairs on the lawn were a haunting reminder of the lives that were lost that day.  The shallow water feature with just a hint of the sound of water provided the perfect peaceful area to reflect on what you saw in the museum, by the time that we left the museum I was feeling overwhelmed, while I so not think there is anything wrong with a man crying, my eyes were burning, and I felt myself trembling.  If you are ever in the area, this is a definite must see.

In New Mexico

Well after a 24 hour drive I am in New Mexico, the country here is so beautiful. Farmington is much bigger than I realized, last night ventured out and found the 3 Rivers Brewery, great atmosphere and the food was amazing with reasonable prices. I believe I am going to like it here. Ran by several camping areas, and RV resorts I want to explore.

Preparing

Ok everything has been washed, packed, and tucked away, I am so ready to get rolling out of here already!

Getting Close

Yesterday was laundry, making my list and start checking things off.  I have my reservations made and leave on Wednesday evening on this new chapter.  One good thing, at least all of the laundry is now done, amazing how it stacks up when you wash just what you need and not everything in the hamper.

I finally have all contracts signed, payroll information sent, and the hundred release forms, lab results sent, I am officially ready to start my new position on January 30, now this week I just need when and where to report and I am ready!

I have been looking at the Leisure Time Unity 24MB as a viable option for my travel adventures, all of the necessary features, small enough to park in any campground, and it has a 5,000# towing capacity.  I need to do some further research on what exactly you could pull behind one of those, it would be ideal if something like a Ford Focus could be pulled with it, the Unity for somewhere to stay, and the Focus to drive back and forth to work.

Cancelled Again

Census continues to be down at the hospital, so I got cancelled today, only one more scheduled shift on Thursday.  Rolling out towards New Mexico next Wednesday evening, I hope to get from Birmingham to Little Rock, AK, then a long 14 hour driving day from Little Rock, AK to close to Albuquerque, NM to pick up the rental car for Michael on Friday before heading to Freemont.  My butt is already numb just thinking about that 14 hour drive! 

It is finally hitting me that I am going to miss everyone, but it is a journey I willingly take not just for the money, and working towards my dream of purchasing a RV, paying off student loans, and not living paycheck to paycheck.  Plus there is no where in Birmingham that I want to work.

Too early

I am winding down my job here, I work today, Tuesday & Thursday, I will not miss having to get up at 4:30 AM, I never did like to get up before 6 am.  I wonder how long it will take my body to get used to being on Pacific Time, I would think going backwards two hours in time would be ideal.

I get home last night to find fingerprint cards for a redo for my Oregon License application, add one more thing to the list a 1/2 mile long of things to get done before heading out for New Mexico.

Preparations for Assignment

I have accepted a travel assignment in New Mexico starting January 30 - March 31.  Now the fun parts begin, getting vaccinations, titers, physical, new prescriptions, oil change, and the million other things that need to be done.  Oh how much easier this would be with an RV.  I will be staying in an efficiency hotel which means I have to take dishes, cooking utensils only to have to drag them back at the end of the assignment.

It's a New Year, anything can happen

Well I successfully made it to 2012.  Let's see what is going on, I am currently submitted to a position outside of Portland, OR, Shiprock, NM for two different positions.  With the holidays the process of getting licensure has slowed down to a crawl, I hope now that the holidays are over they will get back to normal, I am anxiously awaiting the email that my temporary licenses in Nevada and Oregon have been issued.  I have emailed a friend who is a CPA to find out since the last time that I traveled what tax benefits or problems there will be converting to a travel life instead of a brick and mortar residence.

I am still in that hurry up and wait period, submitted and in limbo both for job positions, and waiting on licensure endorsement.  I truly believe that 2012 is going to be a great year for me personally, professionally, and financially.  I have trusted the good Lord for all of these years and he has never once let me down, and I believe that he is watching over and guiding my future.