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 :)