Sabbatical - Day 1

Well, here I am, 6 am having slept in about 45 minutes beyond my normal wake up time of 5:15 am. I had work nightmares ALL night... which is rediculous considering I left work in the capable hands of Jenn, Hammy, "Clinic", and others. Maybe it was the unsettling error Jenn found shortly before I left which required significant re-work yesterday...

In anycase, it's nothing a few breakfast margaritas won't cure!

Dan, on the other hand, called me yesterday morning after some quality time with the guys playing basketball to inform me that God spoke clearly to him that he needed to take it easy over sabbatical... how was this communicated? By a severly swollen ankle which was the result of a sprain he received yesterday during the game. It's bound to become a gorgeous shade of black and blue and he is in some SERIOUS pain. I think the vicoden-profen mix he took last night helped. Poor guy!

Well, 1st things 1st for me, time for some interval training, the gym for weights and then my massage! :)

T-Minus 1.5 days

Well, after reviewing Joey's school schedule, I decided the best thing to do was to push my sabbatical from starting today to start Monday instead. So, while Dan is off today, enjoying his 1st day of freedom, I'm here wrapping up some last minute projects. It's been a long stressful week but I'm starting to feel some relief. My coverage training went well and the gal, Jenn, who is covering for me is PHENOMENAL. She's going to do a great job.

Our house guest, Katrina & Trevor, arrived Tuesday night to move their stuff in. They are the nicest couple and Dan and I are looking forward to hosting them. (Of course they'll be a huge help with the critters while we're gone, too!).

While traveling to OR last week, I lost my drivers licesnse. Any of you who know me, know I strongly dislike listening to my voice me... well not this week. When I finally retreived my messages it was to discover that I had lost my licesnse at the Hillsboro Airport. It's being flown back to me this morning and I'll be a legal driving citizen again my 6 pm tonight. HORRAY!! No trip to the DVM for me on Saturday.

Joey finished his last day of school in a whirlwind of activity and is a happy free summer boy at his Daddy's place. I'm sure he's lounging around in his boxers like Dan is.

Home Sweet Home

Ahh, it's so good to be home. My trip to Oregon went well and I've started to train my back up gal, Jenn. She's really with it and I'm confident that she'll take good care of my issues while I'm gone.

The Intel shuttle is the best, no trip to the huge airports (PHX nor Portland), no security checks, no long lines.. love the shuttle. Why can't they fly to Hawaii?

Came home to a rainy afternoon... that resulted in HAIL blanketing the back yard. It covered the dog pooh nicely, but melted way too quickly.

Runner - over before it began

Went to an orthopedic for the pain I've been having in my knees over the last few months. X-rays didn't reveal anything permanent, but the advice was no more running or "pain" causing activities because permanent damage could result (and arthritis!).

I'm okay with the no running thing (although it is one of the cheapest easiest ways to get a good cardio groove on & I was all fired up ..ing to train for a 5K) but I'm feeling pretty devastated on the no hiking. Never done Camelback and have now been told that's out. I've enjoyed my weekend hikes in the SanTan - just a short 15 minute drive from the homestead and a great place to enjoy a breakfast overlooking the city before resuming my Saturday. Guess I'll have to do the lower trails instead for a while.

I love to swim and if they ever finish Basha School, I'll be one of the early birds there doing laps. Joey's learned all his strokes and is ready for swim club, maybe he can teach ma a thing or two (he'd love that). In the meantime, I'm 5 lbs away from my final goal and ordered some bikinis. Can't wait to check them out.

T-Minus 16 days

Well just a little over two weeks till Sabbatical starts. Today I'm home with a sick kid. He's got a minor fever along with his cold. However, he seems content to rot his sweet little brain in front of Sponge Bob this morning. The debate is, do I make him nap today and risk being up WAAAYYYY to late tonight? Maybe some pre-bed Benadryl can help.

Dan went into to work SUPER early this am (and I mean EARLY: 4am) to get a jump on a bunch of items he needs to work through. I'm feeling stressed because my task list keeps getting longer and longer as well. It would seem that Murphy's law is alive and well for both Dan and I as all these new issues continue to crop up every moment that MUST be addressed.

I'll also be traveling to OR next week. Let's hope I can make one of the two flights I've booked.

16 days... that's it... we can make it.

The Blessing of Sabbatical

For those of you who don't live and breath Intel (and apparently there are a number of you non-Borg'd individuals out there) a quick explanation of our coming adventure is needed.

As reward for serving faithfully (is it REALLY serving if you are paid?) for seven years at Intel, "The Company" rewards us with about 8 weeks paid time off. How stinkin' cool is Intel?

Since Dan and I both started in 2000 (and we didn't even know each other at the time, how good is God to align THOSE stars?) we are both eligable at the same time. So we picked our time to line up with Joey's summer vacation and presto! Instant family vacation.

We're in the process of planning a NUMBER of trips:
* Oklahoma for a long overdue visit with Dan's family AND to celebrate Darrin & Brooke's wedding
* Florida to visit with dear friends Susan and Jason, take our first cruise (Carribiean), and visit Disney World for the first time!
* Mexico for a week of relaxation and fun with my family (Mom, Dad, Joe, Kenzie and the kiddos!)
* Plus maybe a few house projects, scrapbooking, or trips to Sedona, etc.

We've tried to book for maximum fun and maximum adventure.

Oh, and if I haven't mentioned? 22 days till sabbatical! Goodness! just over 3 weeks. CRAZY!

T-minus 24 days

OOH!!! So much to do! Need to book flights, shop for a bikini, get our house guests settled in the casa and everything else all squared away!!! OYE! Can't wait to be outta here and have the RELAXATION start!