New contract time!!!!

    Being a travel nurse has it's stressful times. The one that really unnerves me is when it's new contract time. It really isn't hard to do but, it is so stinking stressful! It is like taking that first step on a set of dark cellar stairs!! You always hesitate with the first ones but then you get to about the 4th one and the overhead light comes on, then it's easy peasy lemon squeezy after that. 

    Something else that intensifies the stress is if you go with another agency. This gives you a huge fear of the unknown, scary! I always get a nervous stomach, headache and I bite my poor little nails. It never changes for me, this is how I always react. 

    It seems that once a few prayers are said and it all comes together, I can relax and enjoy the feeling of relief of beginning a new adventure for us. I really like going to a new facility, meeting new people and learning new or different processes. It seems like when we go to a familiar town it is also helpful with not making my anxiety level go through the roof. This next contract will be nice because we will be very close to home in NWA. Yay! Holidays at home makes this Gigi very happy! 

    It is nice to also consider that a new contract can turn into longer than 13 weeks, which helps save money because we aren't traveling as far. Since I have been off since July we unfortunately need to play catch up on our financial situation. So OT will come in handy.

    Being in NWA will be nice because of all the bike trails and close frisbee golf courses for Derek. We will also be able to plan some nice hikes and adventures with some friends and hopefully get the kids out and about. 

    This is a win-win for all involved! Now that the RV park has called and everything is setup we are ready to go. Only thing I am waiting on is the MD to release me so I can get back to work! ❤life

Wedding weekend--SUCCESSFUL!!!!

    So last Friday we loaded our car down with EVERYTHING we needed for a three day weekend in Stella MO for the wedding of Kanen and Alexis. Kanen is my stepson, I have known this boy his entire life. We couldn't be more proud of the young man he has become. Alexis has been in our lives for a few years but we feel like we have known her forever and love her that way!!

    So of course the weather is totally different on Friday than the 80' on Thursday. We experienced cloudy cool sometimes misty weather all weekend, but no one complained about being hot! Thank goodness. 

    Stella Springs Wedding & Events was a beautiful place for a wedding. It had everything you could need. A large pond for barbless fishing, hunting spots for arrowheads if you are lucky enough. Which my son in law was the big winner there. He just walked down to the dock and whamo picked up a pretty little arrowhead. Lucky, lucky, guy! The "Bridal" house was aka the rock house, and the guys stayed in the blue modular on the hill, aka bunk bed central! The barn was so easy to decorate and make really pretty. They kept it very warm and the bathrooms were nice and close. 

    Friday night we had the rehearsal. It wasn't real organized and we all just kinda stood around and talked. Had some good ideas of what the next day was going to go like but we were wrong, lol. Nothing bad just felt a little too undirected to me. But it all worked out great.

    Me, Alexis, Brennan, Cara and Babyboy hung out in the Rock house, which it seems is haunted by a small Indian girl. The guys: Derek, Kanen and Levi ran into Neosho for food and snacks and left us alone in the "haunted house". Well the Indian girl made her presence known by unlocking and opening that kitchen door for us! 👻 Not cool at all! We all figured Cara was going to be the first one taken since she isn't scared of that crap!! Me I am running in the opposite direction!

    Well up kinda early the next morning ready to get things done. We went into Neosho and ate at Sam's Cellar, great foods and a neat atmosphere in the basement. One scary moment in the restaurant was when a baby carrier fell out of a chair. Thank goodness no baby was in it. Scared us all!

    Decorating for the wedding was fun but coordinating the guests was not. It was like herding cats! All in all the wedding ceremony went great nobody fell down the steps and everyone cooperated well mostly. The kids took some beautiful pictures and I cant wait to see them.

    Food was amazing and we actually had plenty for everyone, lots left over. I really think everyone had a great time. Cleaning up wasn't too bad at all. We stayed Saturday night in the blue house just because we were exhausted and not wanting to drive that hour home so late. Kanen and Alexis got to stay in the haunted house! 

    Sunday morning it was misting and colder. We explored around down by the creek and looked for arrowheads, no success at all. Then we headed home to try and relax. Derek and I crashed on the couch and in the recliner all afternoon. According to my Garmin watch I had over 15000 steps each day over the weekend, my feet and legs hurt so bad. 

    This was a magical weekend and I am so glad it is over, I know the kids are. Now they can just relax and wait on our baby boy who is coming in April 2021!

   

    My name is Leslie. I've decided to start this blog to share all of our wonderful almost always exciting outdoor/indoor adventures and my life experiences, good or bad. I am an almost 50 year old happily married God-fearing, MTB loving, traveling RN, Gigi. My family and friends are very vital to my life. My grandson is my everything!! We are having another boy coming in April 2021!! Happy Gigi!!!

    My husband (Derek AKA The Beast) and I are a very adventurous couple. Being outdoors is what we love doing. Whether we are hiking a trail, riding bikes, backpacking or hanging on the side of a rock wall we love it all!! Our Osprey bags are usually easily packed and ready to go anywhere we choose.

    My favorite place to be besides with my grandson is in the saddle of my bike-my therapy time. All types of trails excite us: single tracks, downhill, trail riding and technical are our favorites. We love being out there with nature and conquering all trails. We also have been lucky to have met some amazing people in he biking community. It brings us joy to share our love with others. Our grandson rides as well as his Mom and Da
d.

    Rock climbing is new to us but we love the feeling you get when you conquer a wall. I more like climbing in the gym while Derek likes the outdoors. Wherever we climb it is the best feeling making it to the top!

    I have been an RN for 18 years now. I have worked in many areas of nursing but my love is  Critical care. I am lucky to be able to travel and even luckier to have my husband accompany me. We basically work/vacation all year long.

Headed to Taos NM 2020

    As a God fearing Christian woman I have a lot of wonderful woman with whom I look to for support in life. Learning about God and reading His Word makes for a beautiful life. 

    I am excited to start on this blog journey with everyone. I hope you all get something out of my life whether it is laughs, tears, surprise, shock or peace let it all be good. ❤life!!