rices' radical sabbatical

not your average American Dream

Hello!

What: Our Radical Sabbatical.
Radical: thoroughgoing or extreme, esp. as regards change from accepted or traditional forms.
Sabbatical: any extended period of leave from one's customary work, esp. for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc.

Mission: To meet some amazing people, see some interesting sights, and work wherever and whenever we feel like it, as laptop nomads needing only our computers, an internet connection, and our cell phones.

Why: Why not? We have wanted to be independently employed for some time now. Candy has had her own businesses full-time since 2007 (3 overlapping businesses in that period of time), and Tim has been a full-time online professor as of June 2010!

Where: the gorgeous and amazing United States!

When: June 2010 through August 2015!

Key things we believe: God is sovereign and has a plan for our lives. It winds through fun and not-so-fun times, and sometimes we can't see any further down the path than the tips of our shoes, but always it leads to a good place. We believe we have specific purposes in life: teaching, encouraging, and living fully are just a few.

Quick overview:

Tim: Alabama native. Doctorate and master's in Sports Administration. Undergrad in Physical Education & History. College basketball coach for 13 years. College professor for almost as many years. Sponsored amateur skater back in the day. Cousins with Elvis Presley. Loves buffalo wing-flavored pretzel chips. Having fun being his own boss at Basketball Mentoring.

Candy: Minnesota native. PhD in Organizational Leadership. MBA in Leadership. Undergrad in Theology, Music, & Spanish. College volleyball coach, computer trainer for senior citizens, and sports photographer for several years back in the day. Loves photography, gadgets, and traveling with Tim. Likes a good root beer float. Classically trained pianist. Can't wait to see Hawaii.

Chase: Native of West Middlesex, PA. Yellow labrador retriever mutt and proud of his iron stomach. Made it to nearly 11 years old (September). Huge fan of the Kong Wubba. Loved 2-ball fetch. Could swim for hours. Couldn't wait to swim in an alpine lake again. Passed away from cancer and laid to rest beneath the lilacs on July 21st, 2011.

Oct 16 2011

Quick Update from the Rices

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Since the last post, we have made the long trip south from Minnesota to Texas. We stopped on the way in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at a local Wal Mart parking lot. Our trip down was mostly uneventful until September 29^th at 8 pm. Candy was driving on I-35 just between Blackwell and Tonkawa, Oklahoma (an hour north of Oklahoma City) and the left tire on the camper blew out. She handled the truck very well during this incident, we got the tire changed, and got back on the road pretty quickly. We stopped that evening at a hotel in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Once in Texas, we stayed for a week in Jamaica Beach on the western edge of Galveston Island. This was the second straight year of going to the same RV park in Jamaica Beach, only this year it was without Chase. We certainly missed seeing him run and play in the Gulf and on the beach, among other things.

After what seemed to be a quick week there, we headed to Austin on Friday, October 7^th to La Hacienda RV Resort. We have set up the camper in a much more efficient way this year after purchasing some needed shelving units.

This morning at 6 am sharp, I will start my 20^th season of basketball coaching. It really is hard to believe that I have been involved in basketball for this long. We have a good group of kids, coaches, and parents again this year. I am looking forward to having a special year. I really believe that this season has the potential to be the best year of my head basketball coaching career…more to come!

Candy continues to stream roll through her PhD work. I am so proud of her for how well she is doing. I can’t wait to be the Dr’s. Rice!

Today, we stopped and saw some chocolate lab puppies at a stand on the side of the road. We almost bought one. The question I would ask of you as a reader is this:

Would you buy a puppy or go to Europe for an extended stay in the spring? Thoughts?

Have a great week!

by tim

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01.06.2012 - 9:10 pm

John and Margaret Mathews – Hi Tim and Candy,

It’s been a long while since I checked your updates. Margaret and I are very sad to hear of Chase’s passing. You are right that especially for couples without children, our pets are like children to us.

I remember our first meeting with Chase. We brought Bear with us to your house in Grove City. We went for a walk by the school (I think) and Chase just took off for the creek and jumped right in. Our dog Bear was completely taken back, as he stood at the edge of the water watching Chase and not knowing if it was okay to jump in as well. Needless to say, he would have sunk like a rock, so I guess his better judgment prevailed. I also remember the doggles you bought for him. The visual memory of that is priceless!

Having been through the loss of a pet, we understand the pain and sadness. Even now, I still tear up when I think about our Bear. He was a great dog, and I still miss him terribly. Pets (especially dogs) truly do understand unconditional love.

I am sorry it has taken so long for us to respond. Unfortunately, life seems to get in the way and time slips by very quickly (especially as we get older). I am pleased to tell you that I am no longer working two jobs. I got my Class B CDL license, fully intending to drive water trucks for the companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale region of Northeast PA (by my parents house). When I gave my notice to my full time job, they asked for some time to see what they could do to keep me. They came back and offered me a raise equal to what I was making at my second job, along with continuing to put me up in a hotel in South Jersey for the forseeable future. Needless to say, I was flattered and considering I like what I do, I stayed with them. I was able to quit Lowe’s, with my last day being December 20th. It is a great feeling of relief and my body will finally be able to get some much needed rest on the weekend.

Margaret’s winter job at Jack Frost Ski Area is in full swing now. If only we had some snow. They have made enough to get the ski resort open, but the weather has not stayed consistently cold. It’s hard to believe, but we are praying for colder weather and snow, so she can stay busy.

It was great seeing you in March/April. It’s hard to believe the time has gone by so quickly. If you are ever in our area again, we would love to visit again. If we are ever in your area or in your travel area, we will let you know so we can schedule a visit. It is truly nice to have friends that you can just pickup with after a long absence and feel at home with.

I hope you enjoy your vacation in Europe. Write back when you can.

Love,

John and Margaret Mathews

rices' radical sabbatical

Hello!

Quick overview:

Quick Update from the Rices