Home : Blogs : Boyd Anderson : Boyd Anderson's Blog

I played hooky today...

Well, I didn't completely skip work. I worked from home with laptop and cell phone and actually made it to the office for a few hours late in the day. But this morning we had snow. I know, I know... you northerners don't see what the big deal is. You think it's ridiculous that our schools shut down and everyone raids all the milk, bread, & eggs at the local grocery when we see a couple of flakes. Maybe it is ridiculous. But we don't usually get more than one or two snows a year... and you should see the looks on my childrens' faces when we do. It's like Christmas to them.

Someday when I'm laying on my deathbed, I won't wish that I spent more hours at the office. But I'll treasure the memories of being with those I love. There are a lot of real estate agents out there... but my children have only one daddy. Yes, I'm a hard worker. Yes, I often have to sacrifice time that should belong to them just so I can put a deal together and get paid in order to provide for my family. But sometimes they need to know that they are the priority. Work is important... very important. But it's not all important. I don't trust a man who thinks otherwise.

Today I played in the snow with my kids. We rode our 4-wheelers. We made snow ice cream. I cooked a big breakfast with eggs, biscuits, & gravy. And the real estate world survived for a few hours without me.

Snow

C. Boyd Anderson
Crye*Leike Brock Real Estate
Principal Broker
www.heberspringsrealestate.com
(501) 206-8845 cell
(501) 362-5868 office

Posted by Boyd Anderson on 02/07/2008 05:51 PM

Comments (73)

snow, heber springs, work, real estate

This post has been included in Arkansas Information Cleburne County, AR Information Heber Springs, AR Information
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Arkansas Real Estate
Post is included in group: Crye-Leike

73 Comments on I played hooky today...

FEB

2008

Way to keep things in perspective...

It's always good to play hookey sometimes - great pic of the kid!

Sounds like a fun, relaxing day!

Enjoy the day, Boyd. It's always nice to spend guilty-free time with your kids!

The smile on your child's face is why we do what we have to do to make a living.You call it playing hooky; I'll call it keeping the priorities in life in order. Nice little post.

I think that that was Great. I am a mom of 4 and I sometimes feel like it is really hard to jugle work and kids, but being a real estate agent does give me the flexibility of doing it all.

I do all of my Real Estate from my cell phone and laptop. If you aren't mobile these days you will be chained to the desk. Good for you and I hope you have many more days like this one.

FEB

2008

Beautiful child! He really enjoyed the snow, I'm sure.

It's fun to play hookey once in a while. It is nice to be able to work from home. Is that your house? Very nice.

We all need to recharge the batteries, that's for sure.

Way to go Boyd. Looks like a good day to take off the whole day.

What a way to play hooky, with the kids. I will have to do that one day soon.

Great photo! Glad you got a reprieve :)

Good for you! The challenge now will be to remember to take a day with the family, even when it's not snowing.

I appreciate your outlook. It is important for people to realize that even if they do something they love, it is the people they love that truly matter. I want to be remembered by the impact I have had on the lives of others not how much money I made. I think it is refreshing to see this blog on the front page of AR.

Cool post! I took pictures of my back yard today and posted them here! We had much snow last night. The spending quality time with kids does not ever go away, much to my pleasure! My daughter 17, and son 25, we all still play hookie sometimes and go to the movies or out to lunch............my daughter takes off school and my son and I take off work! Family 1st!

I am going to be the first Northerner to comment and complain just a little..(sorry)...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come and take some of our snow... it keeps on coming and coming and coming!!!!! It was not bothering me until today... now I have had enough!!!

I am glad you enjoyed your day with your son though...sounds fun...snow ice cream? so funny... my kids have eaten a lot of icicles this year.. do you even know what an icicle is??? Hey dont let it stop here... enjoy tomorrow too!

I wonder if "Cool post!" was a pun? Family always has to come first, you can't help anyone, let alone yourself, if you don't keep the right perspective. You know best when you "have" to work and when you can take some time. For me it always seems easier when I can do it on the fly, like you did this morning with the snow. Seems like when I plan it, the phone rings with emergencies!

I miss the snow days in Alaska where I grew up but love the early spring here in California.

65 and very sunny here in Tucson today. LOL

Good luck,

Rich

hhhmmm, I play 'Hookey" every day. Even though I have an office, I prefer to work from home. I am more productive by working from home.

Sean Allen

Sounds like a great day! I wouldn't call it playing hookyrinon

Hi Boyd - what a really great picture that is, and the smile on your son's face - priceless. Enjoy that time, and boy does that breakfast sound just yummy! But where are the grits you're supposed to have with eggs??

I used to live in Jacksonville, Arkansas, actually Little Rock Air Force Base, and I can remember snow there. When it would snow, it was always a big deal, a BIG deal!

As Kim said, PLEASE come take some of our snow!! We've had way too much at this point, and we've more to come over the next 3 days!

I played hooky today, too..... Thank goodness for computers and phones!
Ann

Boyd - I could do with a day of hookey but not the snow. lol I think it was warmer up here than by you yesterday at 68 degrees. Have fun while you can.

Yesterday the kids had a snow day so the whole family stayed home. I usually work from home anyway, but it was a treat to have the whole family with me all day!

Stop and enjoy those precious days with your children. Life is to short and we get wrapped up in our day to day lives we forget to enjoy and play. We are much better at everything we do when we take time to enjoy family and take time for ourselves. You deserve it, make sure you take more of those well deserved days.

Good for you Boyd! I completely know where you're coming from. Besides, the virtual real estate market is so interactive these days that it allows us to work form a "home office". With an ever expanding internet database, companies like neighborcity.com help the snow obsessing real estate agent connect buyers and sellers from the comfort of our own home. So more power to you Boyd!

Boyd, good for you! Hooky days are the absolute best, I don't care how old you are.

Colleen

This picture and story is priceless. These are the times when your kids grow up, they will say remember dad played in the snow with us.

Boyd The inner child must have felt real good today! Even being a Northerner, I still get that "snow day" feeling when it snows...we never outgrow that. Great photo!

I like best the comments of Morton Nixon ; I like his perspective. My son, who tolerated my absense from many of his "life events" is now 31, but it took him from 17 to 28 to forgive me.

Great outlook & family is and always should be the number one priority. while I find that buyers and sellers want hard working aggressive agents, they also want an agent who has priorities and sound morals & priorities.

Boyd, you inspired me. Heavenly has 100 inch base so I plan to play hooky tomorrow. At least until noon and then hit the office after!

Can you explain the OFFICE part to me. I don't get it?

I love it! .....Let's all sing Harry Chapin's "The Cat's in the Cradle". One of my favorite songs.

Anthony. I plan to ski in the morning until noon and then go to the office to work in the afternoon?

I really LOVED this post. I feel sorry for so so many out there that have a mon-fri 9-5 job. I have a 6 ear old and a 4 month old - I love that I can be at home if I need to. Thanks for a great post that puts things into perspective.

The number one selling item during a snowstorm is beer I believe. The wives buy air fresheners. You're right. We do take the white stuff for granted.

Your children are lucky that they have a father that gets it! Hats off to you for doing exactly what you did today ... which wasn't playing hooky ... it was being a great Dad.

Terrific picture Boyd, and that's a nice house behind that smile. We talk about snow up here too, and it's a wonderful thing. Thanks for putting such an important spin on, well... what's important.

best

Boyd,

I think sn Trailwalking ow is sent to us so we can play hooky. I work mainly from home and I find I get more done and it sure saves on gas money. Our first snow this year is shown below. When I get tired of looking at the computer screen I get up and walk on the bike hike trail adjacent to my home. I have conducted a lot of business while on the trail, thanks to my blue tooth and my clients never know. We (my dog and cat, who thinks he is a dog,) walk about a mile every day, it fulfills my exercise and refreshes my mental thinking. I think we all need a hooking day to sharpen our mental acuity. Spending it with family is even better. I enjoyed your article and hope that more snow is in your future. Love your house and your son is precious. Thanks for sharing,

Dottie

Boyd, Way to go! You have your priorities right. Earlier in the day today, I declared a "pesonal day" tomorrow. It's been a rough couple of days as only real estate people understand. Right after I declared it, my daughter in law called and asked if I wanted the three grand children tomorrow. They are out of school and she has to work.. Perfect.

Snow in Wisconsin

We had 20" of snow in Wisconsin last night. The snow piles are higher then the car. Got to love it if you live here.

May you have more days like this. They are what your kids will remember.

FEB

2008

Awwww....I love the picture. It is too true. I doubt anyone thinks they needed to spend more time at work when they are on their deathbed. Family, friends and the memories we make are what matter most!

We've had the occasional snow in the valley thing- super rare... you did the right thing!

Boyd, It sounds like a perfect day. You did a good thing for you and your family. What could be better?

I used to love playing hooky when it snowed...unfortunately since I moved from NY to FL we can't use that excuse...only a hurricane:)

Mmmmmm..... Ice Cream....... Off to make some biscuts and gravy.

Precious children- they grow so fast--good for you for taking time with them

A few weeks ago Raeford, NC saw it's second snow event!

I was in Omaha this week and they had snow too! I was delighted to see it also and wanted to go sledding, make snow angels and have a snowball fight but there was no time :(

Glad to live vicariously through yoU!

Great pic. Jealous here in SC. We "NEVER" get snow.

Right on. All that really matters in the end is how happy we were when we lived our life and the goodness we shared with others. Not what we did at the office. People I've worked with take such insignificant work related tasks far too seriously.

Boyd, good job! The kids will remember that time you spent with them more than working hard and buying them things.

What a beautiful setting for your home! I'd be tempted by the hookie bug on a pretty, warm day! And real estate would survive!

In Hawaii we play hooky when the weather is perfect. Surfs up, let's go to the beach.

As a Colorado girl now living in Illinios, I love the snow. . .glad you took the time to enjoy it with your kids. . . those memories are priceless.

Slacker. A Jedi does not have need of attachments. You should have been at work on the phones.

I lived in New England for 30 years before moving to SC-and I KNOW WHAT SNOW IS!!!! But I have the same reaction you did when we get a few flakes here....enjoy the moment.

Snow? What's snow? We see it so seldom here in Waco Texas, we hardly know what it is. We get thew least little ice and snow and everything shuts down!

Good for you! When we hear snow there's a run on bread and milk and everything shuts down. Love the photo and your priorities!

Boyd - you're a smart man. No point in being at work wishing you were at home, or being at home and wishing you were at work. If you take time when you can to spend with your family, they'll understand the other times that you need to be with clients. Have fun, and REALLY be there with them.

We will send you snow free of charge. Address please. Have a great time..And they look happy too.

Boyd,

Glad to hear that you have your priorities straight. Enjoy the snow.

Yes Boyd. There is a life outside of real estate! We all need to look at it that way. Thanks for sharing.

As a Michiganian who has seen way too much ice and snow in her life, I can still relate to the occasional moment when I just sit back and feel awe at the beauty. I remember the sledding and snowman making that was a constant in my youth and right now the trees are all covered with a layer of white on every branch and it is a picture postcard. I hate to drive in snow and ice, I hate the heat bills, I hate scrapping off the car and feeling cold, but when I can curl up at home and I don't have to go anywhere, I can make a cup of tea and enjoy the feeling of being safe and sound at home surrounded by a winter wonderland.

Today I played in the snow with my kids. We rode our 4-wheelers. We made snow ice cream. I cooked a big breakfast with eggs, biscuits, & gravy. That sounds like a great day to me. Too many parents spend less time with their children today. Even though I am not a parent yet,I enjoyed reading this post. Besides,you only missed one day. I am sure you are not going to play hooky tomorrow? You are going to the office tomorrow aren't you? LOL. I am joking of course. Great post.

Amen, and a big pat on the back to you for creating memories your children will treasure. (We go bananas in Georgia at the first hint of snow too).

FEB

2008

Boyd,

What a wonderful time to have with your kids! They deserved it! So glad you guys had a wonderful time! You're right, there are lots of realators out there, but the kids only have ONE daddy and Shannon only has ONE husband! So glad you took full advantage of this time with your kids... made me tear up reading all that... I know that I am the soft hearted type, sentimental and all, but really, it was just the 8.5 months of being pregnant kicking in!!!! Ha ha... I am sure I fooled you about as well as I fooled myself!!!! Have a great day, you're the BEST realator in Cleburne County, and don't you forget it!!!!

APR

2008

I am happy to annouce CARMLS in Little Rock has scheduled me for 2 full days of training April 14th and 15th at their building on Natural Resources Drive. If you own a Smartphone or thinking about buying a Smartphone then you want to be there! We are having 13 hours of training with 9 hours of hands on training, so bring your chargers. If you have any questions on what will be covered I have a link below on the class schedule.

Smartphone users, feel like your Smartphone is smarter then you? Do you want to work Smarter not Harder?

If you don't currently own a Smartphone but know you need one, then ATTEND! Normally 25% of my classes are agents thinking about buying a phone and I am there to help you decide what is best for you and where the best deals are.

Here's a link for more info;

http://www.dickbetts.com/carmls.html