Today is a good day

[Andrew]

I finally checked out of my old command (Recruiting) about 2 weeks ago and checked in as the communications chief for the 4th Combat Engineer Battalion.  Already have a possible deployment lined up for April of next year.  Man, it's good to be back in the regular Marine Corps.

Now I have started taking the leave I had built up.  At present, I have 97 days on the books.  Going to take 39 and be effectively on vacation until 1 September.  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I'll take the kids to the YMCA so they can use the activity and youth fitness rooms while I workout.  Either Tuesday or Thursday of each week we'll go to the beach.  I've missed being around the kids.  Jenna is 9, Andy is 7, and Garrett is 5.

Did some work in the garden today, replanting one raised bed with carrots.  Then I removed an old bush around the side of the house and put stone chips around the A/C unit to prevent dirt from being splashed up when it rains.

Right now a pair of small chickens are roasting, Katie is finishing mashing the mix of potatoes, turnips, and carrots, and the green beans are ready to be steamed.  For dessert we have blueberries and then either tapioca or ice cream (cookie dough).  I am working on my second black and tan.  After dinner I'm going to have at least one more of those and chase it with down with 15 year Glenfiddich scotch.

Sorry I have been so scarce the last three years.  Recruiting duty will do that to you.  I'll be around more now.

[indianasmith]

Glad you're up for some serious family time.  You've earned it.
It is not said often enough - how much we ALL appreciate this incredible online
home you have built for us.  Thanks for letting me be an annoying houseguest!

[Newt]

Sounds wonderful; you have certainly earned it.  Enjoy! 

[Allhallowsday]

Sounds like a great dinner, except I don't like cookie dough in ice cream or otherwise.  I wish I could grow carrots... or tomatoes.   Rocky clay soil and too many oak trees where we live to make it work. 

[Trevor]

I finally checked out of my old command (Recruiting) about 2 weeks ago and checked in as the communications chief for the 4th Combat Engineer Battalion.  Already have a possible deployment lined up for April of next year.  Man, it's good to be back in the regular Marine Corps.

Now I have started taking the leave I had built up.  At present, I have 97 days on the books.  Going to take 39 and be effectively on vacation until 1 September.  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I'll take the kids to the YMCA so they can use the activity and youth fitness rooms while I workout.  Either Tuesday or Thursday of each week we'll go to the beach.  I've missed being around the kids.  Jenna is 9, Andy is 7, and Garrett is 5.

Did some work in the garden today, replanting one raised bed with carrots.  Then I removed an old bush around the side of the house and put stone chips around the A/C unit to prevent dirt from being splashed up when it rains.

Right now a pair of small chickens are roasting, Katie is finishing mashing the mix of potatoes, turnips, and carrots, and the green beans are ready to be steamed.  For dessert we have blueberries and then either tapioca or ice cream (cookie dough).  I am working on my second black and tan.  After dinner I'm going to have at least one more of those and chase it with down with 15 year Glenfiddich scotch.

Sorry I have been so scarce the last three years.  Recruiting duty will do that to you.  I'll be around more now.

When I'm asked about my friends, I take much and even more pride in the fact that I have a Marine as a good friend who is not only my first publisher but has also created a home (a safe haven in fact) for my worldwide family and this nutty guy from South Africa whose rear end is the cause of much consternation. 

All the very best, Andrew. 

[Jack]

Glad to hear you're enjoying your vacation Andrew - you've certainly earned it!  And like Indy says, let me just thank you for this wonderful online community you've made possible for all of us, it's very much appreciated   

[Psycho Circus]

Enjoy the time off with the family Andrew, there's no question that you don't deserve it. 

[Trevor]

Right now a pair of small chickens are roasting.

Before I realized that the chickens were for dinner, I had this weird image of two chickens standing around, wilting in the heat and one wiping its' brow saying "Water, please!" 

[The Burgomaster]

Relax and enjoy!

[alandhopewell]

     Kick back, and take it all in. You guys don't get enough for what you do.

[Andrew]

Thanks all.  Today was also a good day.  Going to make chicken clubs with the leftover chicken and a few tomatoes from the garden. 

The kids are already asking about going to Assateague Island National Park.  We normally go to Cape Henlopen State Park for the beach, which has little besides restrooms and a first aid station.  However, it's nice and the porpoises are often out when we arrive around 0800-0900.  We pack food and drinks into the cooler, the kids grab their boogie boards, and off we go for the day.  Assateague is farther south, almost another 2 hours away. but it is extremely cool.  Probably the best beach (if you are going for the water and sand) for hundreds of miles.  There are wild ponies living there, and again its no boardwalk, no built-up area, just sand, dunes, and water. 

[indianasmith]

Hey Andrew, if your kids are interested in fossils or Indian relics, let me know and I will be glad to send them a little care package sometime!

[Mofo Rising]

When I was in school full time and working two jobs I had one dream, to have a day where I had to do absolutely nothing. It never happened, but when I was that busy I had one example that helped me to keep going.

That example was Andrew, who's out there busier than I am, and still manages to maintain this website.

Enjoy your time with your family, Andrew. I know exactly how hard it is to grab those moments. You deserve it. Here's hoping it's one day of many more.

[Silverlady]

Enjoy your free time with your family, Andrew.  It's really what makes life worthwhile. 

[Andrew]

Mofo, I think you are being more than more than kind.  Full time school and two jobs must have been a dizzying and packed schedule. 

Indy, they love that sort of thing.  If today wasn't looking dicey on the weather front I was going to take them either fishing or to some of the piles of sediment that were created when they dredged the C&D Canal.  The piles are often full of brachiopods, sponges and corals, and other similar types.

We were at the beach Tuesday, and it was a great day for it.  Yesterday afternoon after going to the YMCA, picking stuff from the garden, and doing some cleanup we sat back and watched "The Neverending Story" and then the kids played outside for about 2 hours with two of the neighbor children.

Currently working on straightening up my home office now, but no huge hurry.  I could get really used to this sort of schedule.