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First off, we ate very nicely today.  Nothing fancy – some beef tacos with the meat; tomatoes; onions; cheese (not too much for me, thank you); salsa; and no-fat sour cream on super-sized taco shells.  I am full and have been for several hours.  There are millions upon untold millions of people in this world, right now, that would do anything for the meal we ate just a while ago.

I give thanks unto the Lord for His provision.  I wish there were no famine or drought on this earth.  I wish there were not people dying of starvation.  I think of such things and it makes me thankful that I have what I do.  It makes me think that, perhaps, having all of these people living here with me – totally unrelated and veritable strangers – really isn’t that bad after-all. I do not sit around and have pity-parties anyway for the most part – it just helps to keep a good attitude when you consider what is going on with so many people in so many nations around the world – RIGHT NOW. 

I know, an odd way to start an entry about vacations, but those thoughts struck me as I was sitting here, contemplating a nice, full belly.  It was my second – and final – meal of the day. 

I don’t really want to take any vacation time right now.  I want to save it for the heat of summer that is coming.  But – I already have a lot of hours saved up – 67 right now and at the beginning of next month it will go up to 75.  I will HAVE to take vacation hours by the end of next month or I will stop accruing vacation hours because it will go to 80 and that is the max we get. 

It simply means you are forfeiting vacation hours because – why?  No good reason, really.  I was a bit fearful of doing such when our company was in the heat of laying off people, closing stores, getting rid of equipment and reducing benefits, but not so much now.  Not that I think I have job security – no-one does in reality – but I am not letting that stop me from getting what the company gives out.  If they are giving it, then they must feel we should have it.  If not, they would have removed it already. 

So, I am thinking of taking a couple of days off this month – next to a weekend to have a full 4 days in a row off.  I was going to wait until Memorial day when we already get a 3-day weekend and make it a 5-day weekend, but it will be too late by then.  I may still take a day or more off then as well, but right now?  Going to take what’s mine to take. 

So, I think tomorrow, I will put in for 2 days off on some coming weekend.  It will be a staycation and it will be totally focused on the ponds if there is still a lot left to go with them.  I don’t doubt that any vacations this year will simply be days off spent at home, there is nothing in the budget for vacations to anywhere.  Even camping is out of the question since I lost all of that stuff during the house fire a couple of years ago.  I lost a LOT of camping equipment – 4 tents and all the stuff you need to be able to – live outdoors actually. 

There are so many things I would like to do.  Money is always the tripper-upper.  I’m not whining, life is good.  Certain aspects of life I don’t like, that’s for sure, but mostly, it’s all good.  You know the reason I am putting so much work into my property?  Cause’ I know I am stuck here for a while – probably quite a while.  If that’s the case, then I will make the oasis I seek elsewhere to exist HERE. 

Good plan, aye?

ben

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