Tom and I were fortunate this year in that we worked a couple of storms (hail and tornado) as well as daily claims for different companies.  Even though we were working, our claim count was far below the average year.

Being, for the most part, an optimistic individual, I spent some time today thinking of positives for the ’06 storm season.  Here’s my Top Ten List:

10.  More time for playing ladies’ golf.

  9.  More time for playing couples’ scramble golf   on Thursday evening.

  8.  More time for pot luck dinner following couples’ scramble golf on Thursday.

  7.  More time for working in my yard.

  6.  More time to learn new things, or restoring my memory of old ones.

  5.  More time for cooking (even though the menus involved a lot of pasta and rice).

  4.  More time to spend with our two Pomeranians, Tiki and Teddy.

  3.  More time to spend with friends.

  2.  More time to spend with family.

And the Number One Positive on my list

1.  Paying LESS TAXES!

I was able, for the first time, to spend a full 2 weeks with my teenage son on a fishing trip to Minnesota late this summer.  Then, got to go to all of his high school football & basketball games.  Also got to harvest the garden (although I wasn't here to put it in like I'd prefer).  Still had an abundant harvest, so guess that didn't matter!  Jars of salsa coming out of our ears.

Worst part is, still here & suffering with the cold and on the working end of a snow shovel too often.  And, the taxes suck no matter how you look at it. 

 I was able to spend an awful lot of time fishing with my dad and brother, which was a welcome change.  We went about 5/6 times per month.  Eventually, I had to face the fact that there wouldn't be much work, and I had to line up some landscaping.  I am blessed in that I still haven't run out of landscaping work.  Every customer is told up front that I may have to leave at a moments notice, but so far, I've been able to complete several jobs, with several more lined up.  I have even branched out into the "arbor and deck" business, after a couple of customers asked if I knew anybody that built them.  Most importantly, I was able to spend some quality time with my boys, 2 & 4 year olds.  The 2 year old literally hardly knew me when I got finished working hail in June.  Since then, I have been able to develop a relationship with him that both of us desperately needed.  It was a joy to be home for both of their birthdays, and of course, Christmas.  I'm also thankful that we were able to take a nice long vacation, just me, Mommy, and the boys.  We did that in June, and it was a great way to get re-aquainted with the family.

When I was a staff adjuster many years ago age was very important . No company would send their employee off for weeks at a time. A month at the most. The older guys would travel if the children were in high school, but many would take the Roger Clemens  attitude ( its easy with his mon.) if their sons or daughters were in a lot of extra curricular activities. I think the 11 years between 4 to 15 are the most critical.

I know one of the best who has young children and has given up travel after 05.

Kids do grow up fast. Ours will be 10 this year and it sure does not seem to be that long since we brought them him from the hospital. While being there for our kids is very important and a key responsibility as a parent I have noticed kids are really resilient and can turn out much better than the home life where they grew up. I think kids have an edge in life if there is unconditional love shown them the first 18 years. While some seemingly go “wrong” I have notice a better chance of them “getting it together” later in life if they had a core set of principles to return to in the later years.