Slice 2019 #5 InstaPot / #6 Fetch

Kohl's is one of my favorite stores because they occasionally have insane deals! For example when they offer Kohl's cash ($10 for a $50 purchase) towards your next purchase, with other discounts in the mail like (30, 20 or 15% off). These offers routinely get recycled. We have will power after all and the chances are we don't actually need anything at Kohl's. But you never through away a thirty.

When you peel back the sticker of the mailer to see you have a 30% off now is the time to wish and think about the things you would buy, though it isn't really part of the monthly routine budget. 6 months ago or so this meant we got a new set of pots and pans. But this time my wife had other plans.

I asked my wife casually, "What are you going to do with the Kohl's Cash? Is there anything else we need?"

"No. But I really want an InstaPot." she said to me, hopeful.

"Do we really need an InstaPot? Are you sure it won't just collect dust?" I said skeptically.

It turns out at my wife's work, many of her coworkers have discussed how awesome the InstaPot was and this had planted a seed in my wife's mind. Then I asked a group of my coworkers and they all raved about how it has changed their kitchen.

My wife got what she wanted, and made a savory and delicious meal with it on Tuesday. It turns out the InstaPot was Instantly worth the investment.

-----

We went out to one of our favorite spots with my Wife's parents today to celebrate my Father-in-Law's Birthday.  Going out with them is fun, and way different than it used to be. Our times together used to be filled with conversation about current events, our lives and planning the next projects around our home. Now my son, our nearly 9 month old, steals the show and all of Grandma's attention.

He is a clever little guy and has learned about cause and effect. He has discovered that if he throws, rolls or drops the O-Ball that his grandma will get up and get it for him, nearly every time. This was the game we played while we waited for dinner. I learned this game too, you see, but probably about 2 months ago I think the little one calls it da da da which actually translates to Fetch.

My wife had a really good idea after I had to make two trips to the bathroom to rinse off little guy's O-ball. He is at that perfect age where everything is fair game to go in his mouth. We took a pacifier clip and then clipped the O-ball on to his shirt. I think my wife has learned how to win the game Fetch.

Slice 2019 #4: The Dungeon Master

March Slice of Life Challenge Day 4: The Dungeon Master

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

March Slice of Life Challenge Day 4: The Dungeon Master

Some three years ago, when I came to my current school, I had a great group of students, some particular boys in my Geometry class and I really 'clicked' and they approached me with an idea, to start a Dungeons and Dragons club at our High School. We meet every Monday (which we have school) and usually play for ~2 hours.

Today's adventure took me for a twist, as I was quite unprepared for the reasonable decision the players made. The town Triboar is under siege by Giants and their minions, enter the Heroes to defend Triboar from these invaders. While the players managed to neutralize most of the threats during our last session, I could have sworn that they would attempt a confrontation with the Fire Giants that were intended to be a main adversary, they decided to engage lesser threats instead.

Our group became firefighters instead of giant fighters, but in the end they realized an important lesson. Choose your battles, and so wisely. This spared the players the dreadful fate of saying goodbye to a character that they have grown to love over the past months.

They also were able to do some good for the town by minimizing the destruction and preventing the blazes around town from spreading or going untended. I reward them now with a map, and freewill to decide their own fate in the world and I am genuinely excited to see where they will choose to explore and where the many roads may take us.

Slice 2019 #3: Day Late, But That's Okay

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

March Slice of Life Challenge Day 3:

I didn't get around to blogging Sunday, but I have to reassure myself that it is okay. Sunday had a lot of highlights and wonderful moments. Time with my son, wonderful meals and family game time are three things I am thankful for, especially on this slow paced Sunday.

We had an exceptionally arduous night with our baby boy. No one felt very rested, and in the morning he was up by 5:30 looking for food, a change and someone to entertain him. My wife, bless her soul took this early morning time on a Sunday while I lay in and out enjoying the comfort of bed  and some kitty cuddles.

Later that morning after play, stories it was time for a bottle and his regularly scheduled nap. Lindsay was also tired, and ready for a nap herself.  I put on Jumanji (The Original) and held him as I fed him his bottle. He predictably, began drifting off to sleep, content as can be... and I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open as well.

All was quiet in our house, except for the adventures playing out in the movie which caused really strange dreams. This lazy Sunday became a great opportunity to 'watch Jumanji with my son'. I have a feeling that we will have to try watching it again when he is a little older (to understand what's going on), and I am a little more well rested (so I don't drift off to sleep).

Slice 2019 #2: Not Bored at Boardlandia

How do you spend time with your friends?

One of my favorites is spending time with table-top games including role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, or more advanced board games than your typical chutes and ladders.

My friend called me last week and asked if I was interested in going to a board game showcase hosted by MeepleStock at a local game store, Boardlandia, It had been quite a bit of time since we have been able to get together. Slowing down to take a few hours to learn a new board game was a very enjoyable way to spend time on a Saturday afternoon.

Our game of choice was learning to play Dinosaur Island, which happens to be your chance to become a tycoon of your very own Jurassic Park. Players will compete to gather Victory Points while researching, buying attractions and recruiting the best and brightest (specialists), Managing their workforce and then entertaining guests at the park.

Catching up with him reminded me why we used to regularly play board games together. Looking forward to learning new games and making new friends through board games in the future.

I encourage you to call up a friend, or better yet friends and make time to have a game night.

Slice 2019 #1: Out of Hibernation

I am a fair weather runner.

I am a stroller runner.

I am a novice runner.

Becoming a Dad was one of the best things that has ever happened to me as a runner. The accountability to my son, and my wife, for our morning adventures helped me train better than I ever have before.

Coincidentally both of them would take the time to sleep while I was shuffling my feet around our neighborhood with a stroller in front of me.

Girls night out, a guys night in. Or so I thought until I got the bug. It's the first of March. You need to begin something.  I bundled up baby, and put socks on his feet and hands and clicked him into his car seat.

Pull the stroller out of my car and deploy it to realize I never filled up the tires with air. I guess the first stop is the gas station.

Snow lightly fell down and the sun had gone down, the streets illuminated by the reflection of street lights off of the white blankets and snow piles covering our neighborhood.

A loud hiss emitted a startling effect to Ryland, whom was content prior... The worst part is it was necessary for all three tires. There were tears and angry cries. Press play, start moving and watch him lul into contentment with the rattle of the stroller against the road.

Running makes me feel alive, awake and now this Papa Bear is out of hibernation.

Slice #15: Take Breaks as Needed

Blogging has been really fun and a good way for me to decompress at the end of the day. Today we mark day 15 of a 30? day challenge. That means we are half way home! Today I realized the power of fresh air, stretching your legs and taking care of your needs. During a productive curriculum work session our facilitator reminded us to take breaks as needed. Sometimes it felt like we got stuck in a rut, and this time we took time. A coffee run, a walk outside into frigid winds of March weather is the perfect recipe for mental clarity.

Slice 14: Pi Day

The Most Awesome Day Ever

It may be cliche to say but I think my wedding was one of the best days of my life to that point. All the hard work, making the right choices and learning from the wrong ones lead me to where I was. The most awesome things about weddings is that they are celebrations of the best things in life. Love, Family and hope for the future. Perhaps its because of this that I now enjoy being a DJ as my moonlighting job.

Here is what I wrote to my wife that isn't actually on Facebook. No fancy gifts, just some flowers and a nice dinner with my sister and nephews was enough to make today the most awesome day ever.