January 24, 2007

There were 2 posts published on January 24, 2007 (this is page 1 of 1).

Highlights of 2006, Number 4: Closing Siteseers

I quietly took a step last year that I probably should have taken long ago: I closed my computer consulting side business, Siteseers. Siteseers stopped supporting my family long ago. My full-time job has kept me happy and employed. Thus, there was little use in keeping up with the side company.

I am not entirely through with side projects, mind you. I’m just going to pursue those that can offer me something that I don’t or can’t get with my day job. As for Siteseers, though, it was a good ten year run.

Highlights of 2006, Number 5: Beach Vacation

Next on the list of wonderful events of 2006 was our vacation to Panama City Beach in August. We stayed at the Sterling Beach Resort again and had a pretty relaxing week. Our family friend Carl volunteered the use of a boat during our stay which we used to visit the beaches of a nearby state park. My dad and I joined Carl one early morning for a little fishing. Dad and I each caught nice, 10 pound red snappers among smaller fish. We might have brought in more if we hadn’t been joined by two hungry dolphin and a nurse shark. Still, it was fun and productive. We recently fried up the fish at my parents house and boy, was it good!

The other big highlight of the trip was our fishy kids! Hallie and Travis dove right into the pool with gusto, putting their heads under and everything. We were on our last day there when they decided to do this and we were wishing we had had a few more days to build on it. Even so it was a big step for the two of them and thrilling as a parent to see.

That trip also marked the first time I’d been to Panama City when Grandma’s house wasn’t Grandma’s anymore. It was during our beach vacation two years ago that we last saw Grandma. We miss her but life goes on.

We also missed my brother Allen’s and sister Suzanne’s families, who couldn’t make it this time around. Fortunately we’ve got a family reunion coming up this summer where we can all get together.