Another Big Day

A worry at the Hicks household the last day or two is what do to with Kinnick during the day.  Now most people would say - he is a dog, he will be fine, but we treat him like we do our kids (OK it is called spoiling them).  Yesterday our day care provider, who happens to love dogs, suggested she could keep him during the day.  So as of today we have three kids in day care - two human and one furry.  Dropping him off went very well, he was very excited (note tail wagging here) and running from child to child to sniff them.  Time will tell if this was a good move, but as of now I am at least not worried that he is by himself.

Addition to the Hicks Clan

Well we did it this weekend - we got a dog.  At the end of the day it is good for the kids to learn responsibility and the damn thing is cute.  There are so many great times I can remember with the dogs I had growing up (I grew up on a farm, come on we had a new one almost every year).  I hope to share those great memories with my kids (along with the chores of feeding and picking up poop).  It will be tough (last night's sleep, or lack of it, shows that) but in the long run will be a great move by the Hicks family.

Another Day

Wow yesterday started off as a good day and ended on a bad one.
Politics (office) take up a lot of resources and burn me out. Why do
we deal with it? Because I love people... So guess I will put on my
big boy pants, put a smile on my face and enjoy a great day. So
please either join me or get the hell out of my way.

Comfort Zone

A great weekend in the books! Do you try different things and get out
of your comfort zone? My wife and I went to a party at a friends
house that we would know no one at. It made us (yes me also) nervous
since we did not know anyone. Ended up we did know a few people and
had a fun time (left Noah at home with the kids so couldn't be gone
too long). When is the last time you went out of your comfort zone -
it is good for you!

Making the Home a Happy Place

Do you ever have one of those days that everything seems to need you to make the decision?  How about a week / month  / year like that?  I have had a few days in a row but my wife is having a year like that.  It sucks both life and happiness out of a person.  Am considering what to do to make her have a smile.  I usually buy her flowers (about every other month and guys it is worth it, and do it for no reason - they don't expect it and the love it).  Any ideas?  I think I need something new.

A Little Fun

I went to the Iowa State Fair yesterday (haven't gone in a long time and it is always good to get back to eat food on a stick - basically anything you want).  Had a great time with the wife and oldest (it was Noah's birthday gift to go see Jeff Dunham) and really enjoyed the day.  The link below is for the guy who opened for Jeff (Brian Haner) who I thought was funny as hell (and had a pretty good message).  Hope you enjoy as much as I did!

Looking Back

Wow has it really been 14 years. I can't beleive it. It seems just like yesterday (ok no it doesn't but 14 seems too long). I am not one to look to the past and dwell on it, but zometimes you need to remember. My oldest (who is now a freshman in high school) was born. Kids are the greatest thing to happen to you while being the most difficult. They teach as much as you teach them. They are grown before yu know it. I took today off to do something with him (golf is out unless you can play it under water) but he did mention wings at Hooters!

Noah and His Ark

Luckily my oldest son's name is Noah because we might need to build an Ark soon. With most roads closed yesterday in town and the water shut off it is certainly trying. Water to do? Well as Ron White says "when life gives you lemons find someone that life gave Vodka and have a party". Life is too short to sweat the small stuff and at the end of the day isn't everything the small stuff? My family is great, house is fine and we have food to eat. Really what problems do I have???

Enough with the Rain

OK so we live in Iowa - the weather here is not always the best.  For the last three days (feels like a month) it has rained a lot (over 9 inches is what I am told) and is hot (heat index is over 100).  Enough already.  I am tired of tearing my carpeting up in the basement due to water.  I am tired of people scared to do things they should (or are paid to do) because of the floods (or chance of them), and most of all I am tired (my kids don't sleep well with the storms).
I know that the weather is not horribly exciting to discuss (unless you are a farmer and since I grew up on a farm I still consider myself a "farm boy") but things have to change quickly.
Now that my rant is over you can go back to your life - there is not much we can do about it anyway.  Sometimes you just need to blow off some steam though.

Last Night

Last night I was not in the best mood. Just one of those days. You know what changed it? A good old fashion squirt gun fight with the kids (ok I had the hose - I am the dad after all). Getting really wet while running around was just what I needed. Hearing the laughs and giggles from my kids (and we did get Christina involved in the end) was music to my ears. Sometimes it is the simple things that are the most precious - don't miss them!

Integrated Life

For a long time I tried to run a balanced life with work and family. What did I find - there is no such thing! Now I am working on a integrated life. Work and family don't happen at certain hours of the day. They happen all the time! I am getting better at integrating everything but it takes prioritizing what's important at that time. Honesty and focus are necessary to make this work but so far things seem to be working well. I will keep you posted.

Your Day

Hat is important to you? Can you prove it? I was reading a blog yesterday (can't remember which) that said look how you spend your 24 hours and that will show you what truly is important. OK so here is my pretty typical day:
5:30 - 7:30 = getting ready and spending time with family talking about the day (ok I usually do watch the Weather Channel while getting ready)
7:30 - 5:30 = work (yes I do work it isn't just all golf and games :))
5:30 - 9:30 = time with the family (usually playing but maybe a little TV)
9:30 - 11:00 = maybe a little more work and also talking time with the wife

So what doe this show? Well I work a lot (cause I love what I do) and I also spend a lot of time with the family (TV viewing doesn't count in my book). I feel like this is a pretty good mix in my life. What does yours look like?

Email - part 2

Life is what happens to you when you are reading email.  I think this is my new mantra.  I have found that life goes on, even when I am not reading my email every minute.  Actually, sometimes, things get corrected before I even get involved now.  Maybe I am not needed as much as I thought.  Guess this gives me time to get out there and network.  I love being out from behind my desk!