Traveler's Insurance | Don't Blink

And we meet again! Thanks for returning to Don’t Blink for another Thursday Rundown. Let’s get started right away with tonight’s five topics.

Sid’s New Work Location – Earlier this year, Traveler’s Insurance moved from its Spokane downtown location to a spot in the Spokane Valley. This new arrangement has cut down on Sid’s commute time and eliminated the need for my wife to pay for parking. On Tuesday, I took the kids to visit the new digs. After picking Sid up for lunch at the nearby Arby’s, we returned to her office building and rode the elevator up to the fourth floor Traveler’s headquarters. It was really nice to visit and see where my wife goes three days per week.

Sidney poses for a photo with the kids at the new Traveler’s Insurance Spokane Valley location.

Dessert Table – After Lent, our family is always excited to eat some sweets. Can you tell by our Easter Sunday dessert table? Delicacies on the table include chocolate/butterscotch hay stacks, ice cream pie, a cream cheese/pudding dessert, chocolate cookies, and Costco cookies.

Sloan contemplates what she is going to take from the Easter dessert table.

Eggo Pop-Tarts – I went against my better judgment from back in March 2023 and decided to buy Eggo Pop-Tarts. News flash: don’t expect to find them on my top 10 favorite Pop-Tart flavor list. I was hoping to experience a taste that incorporated maple and an actual Eggo. What I got was something I don’t even know how to explain. My best advice is to just stay away.

Stay away from Eggo Pop-Tarts.

Latest Movies – This week I have watched two films on Netflix. The first is “Feel the Beat” which is basically your dance team version of the “Mighty Ducks” or “Bad News Bears.” Although it had a very cliché story line, I chose it for Sloan to watch during her Spring Break and because she liked it I must say I liked it too. I also watched “The Miracle Club” on Tuesday night and enjoyed it. This particular film tells the story of a group of women who travel on a pilgrimage together to Lourdes in hope that they will receive miracles of healing from the Blessed Mother. Although they don’t receive the physical ailment healing they were after, they return home with even greater graces.

I watched both “Feel the Beat” and “The Miracle Club” this week.

National Hug A Newsperson Day – I want to start off by giving a huge shout out to our news team here at Washington State University. What a pleasure it is to work with these talented and committed professionals on a daily basis! Next, I want to give a general “thank you” to all people working in news. On this National Hug A Newsperson Day, I offer up this ode I wrote to on-air journalists approximately 11 years ago. You are appreciated!

I appreciate all journalists. This is me with Mandy Noell (then at WMBF) in 2014.

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On that note, let’s wrap things up for tonight. I wish you a pleasant first weekend of April and I look forward to writing a blog post or two next week. Don’t Blink.

Well, it isn’t the milestone birthday from last year, but 31 isn’t something to scoff at, right? After a whole year to contemplate that she is now old, I don’t think today’s birthday is as jarring as when Sidney turned the big 3-0. 😊

But my light ribbing aside, I do hope Sidney takes advantage of the opportunities to celebrate today while also taking a moment to reflect on that optimism that this latest birth year brings.

Happy 31st birthday, Sidney! (photo credit: Nicole Lynn Photography)

In my opinion, I think the biggest highlight from her time as a 30-year-old was successfully transitioning careers. After her more than half decade as a teacher and a couple fulfilling years as a stay-at-home mom, Sidney was hired by Traveler’s Insurance in October and reported to work in November. She jumped right in and has really found something she enjoys. Now that she has really settled in over the first three months, I know she is going to have a really successful trip around the sun from a professional perspective.

However, there is so much more to life than the work grind. I know this year will be a continuation of my wife doing whatever it takes to be an incredible mom, understanding/patient wife, and devoted servant of God. She has projects on the docket that she will complete over the next 12 months and I can’t wait to see the outcomes that will abound.

How are we celebrating today? Well, the four of us will enjoy a birthday lunch at noon complete with cake and ice cream. Then later tonight my parents are taking care of the kids so Sid and I can go out for dinner. Next weekend we will hold a joint birthday party for Sid and Beau with my parents, siblings, and their families in attendance.

Happy birthday to my fearless, risk-taking, kind wife. Cheers to 31 and I can’t wait to see what is in store. Don’t Blink.