It's been gnawing at me and until I spoke to El a few minutes ago and she reminded me of something. While watching a certain Pixar film she commented on something that was almost spot on accurate. I think my brother used to kind of look like Al from Al's Toy Barn in Toy Story 2. Now he reallly does. You decide...
Monday, May 21, 2007
What The?!?
I got in to work this afternoon to see an email from my older bro in Atlanta. I get to see him maybe once every couple of years and I was greeted by this little gem. I know he's started to get a little thin on top, but still had a respectable noggin of fur. What made him do it? What style of kung-fu is he trying to learn now? Who is his master? Is he enlightened now? Do I rub his belly for good luck? I don't know. Rick...man... what the freak?
You got bigger balls than me...
You got bigger balls than me...
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy First Mother's Day, El!
Since I had to work Mother's Day at Golf Channel I wanted to be sure to make El's day more special. All weekend long I prepared by slowly cleaning the house top to bottom, inside and out - in between watching and taking care of Isa. El has been such a woonderful mom to Isa that I though she should enjoy her first Mother's Day completely relaxed and free from labor.
It was hard but well worth it. Lawn was mowed, edged and blown. Laundry was washed, dried and put away. Kitchen was scrubbed down. Floors were vacuumed and mopped. Aquarium was cleaned and plants all watered. Dinner was ready. Bailey and Isa both got nice long baths. This year El has also become much more tech saavy so it made my gift shopping a little easier.
I bought pretty much all her own doodads to surf the web, blog and share pictures. Since she loves taking photos of Isa and us I bought her a Polaroid Digital Frame that will fade in all the different pictures she's taken since before Is a was still in the womb. I thought it a nice way to show how far we've come as parents and how much Isa had grown. I admit I was shocked how different the little monkey looked before and now.
I bought pretty much all her own doodads to surf the web, blog and share pictures. Since she loves taking photos of Isa and us I bought her a Polaroid Digital Frame that will fade in all the different pictures she's taken since before Is a was still in the womb. I thought it a nice way to show how far we've come as parents and how much Isa had grown. I admit I was shocked how different the little monkey looked before and now.
Curb Appeal: Before and After
El and I enjoy working with our hands and being outside. Working on our garden every year has always been both frustrating and fulfilling. We, especially Eleanor, always wanted to refine the garden and yard more. With Isa's birth it became doubly hard to maintain our project.
This is the house BEFORE we hired professional help. Notice behind the boat the pathway leading up to the front door is blocked by palms and hibiscus bushes.
This is the house BEFORE we hired professional help. Notice behind the boat the pathway leading up to the front door is blocked by palms and hibiscus bushes.
Over the years we'd get a boost of focus to "get this project squared away at last". Now bear in mind we don't keep a messy yard - just the opposite - but we've always felt there was something more we could've done to make it that little bit nicer. El has always been advocate of hiring a Landscape Architect to professionally do ours. I, on the other hand, have always been more of the "get-it-done-yourself" mentality. Hiring someone always cost big buck and we haven't had much luck with alot of the contractors here in Orlando.
This year I decided to cave in and let her project get the funding it deserved. There were certain aspects of the landscaping that I've always wanted to plan out, but didn't know where to start. One was lighting the yard in a way that made it more dramatic and adding some much needed security lighting at night. The other was removing certain LARGE trees and removing other bushes. The previous owners of the house apparently didn't plan out the landscaping too well putting things that would hamper travel to the front door once they got larger.
I decided to let El take the reigns and look for quotes from some of the local contractors. One wanted $6000 just to remove plants in the front yard and put new ones in. No lighting. No rock edging. No backyard. What? Are you freaking kidding me??? For $6 large he can kiss my ass. Instead I scoured the web and looked at different landscapers portfolios and took the numbers of the ones I liked.
We arrived Saturday night and were met by a beautifully DIFFERENT home. it changed everything about our yard. Great job guys! AND it included professional copper lighting and natural stone edging. It opened up the pathway to the front door and sharpened our yard layout. AWESOME. I was so inspired I picked up four more sets of copper lighting (the cheaper solar powered ones mind you) and installed them along the sides and back of the house. lastly I'll remulch the last few areas they didn't do.
An Unexpected Trip
I got the call from Steve in Charleston that Goose's older brother, Junior, had passed away over the weekend. I was shocked. He was still a young guy and even had a little boy. An untimely death it was the result of congestive heart failure. Apparently he had ben taking medication, but things went wrong.
The last time I saw Goose was maybe four years ago when he cane to Orlando for a seminar from work. We got to see each other for a couple of days - a short trip. His mother had passed away very recently and unfortunately, we were on our annual vacation in Japan. I didn't even get his voicemail until we got back stateside in California. By then her funeral had passed. I felt bad we weren't there to lend our support so when I found out about Junior I made an extra effort to take time off from work to see him in SC.
The viewing was on Thursday and the funeral on Friday. I managed to take a day off and left early Thursday morning. To our dismay our six hour drive became almost ten. There had been fires rampant throughout Georgia and Florida (as customary during our rainless summer season. Florida is literally one giant matchstick waiting to flare up. Once we hit Jacksonville we were greeted by stopped traffic on I-95. Smoke was thick on the road and we were sure it was one of the many out of control fires burning up hundreds of acres of forest. Oddly enough it ended up being a BUS on fire and burnt to a crisp.
We just made the viewing by a half hour after a few stops to feed and change Isa and get refreshed ourselves at El's mom's house. It's been a long while since we saw a lot of people - 10 years about. I ran into some of my old crew I used to roll with when weekends started on Thursdays and ended on Sunday. Different things in the past caused our "barkada" to slowly get smaller and smaller. There were differences that put a strain on some of us and we hadn't spoken since.
In an odd way it became a reunion in a sense. Sad it was something like a funeral that finally caused us to run into each other again. Water under the bridge. Things started out polite and eventually in true form we were laughing about the old days, differences set aside. At the viewing Isa was unaccustomed to the large crowd of people and cried incessantly whenever someone wanted to say hello. Poor Ellen spent most of the time outside with her to soothe the baby. Afterwards we were all pretty hungry and joined Goose's family for a quick bite to eat.
Talk about out of touch. We were never able to meet Goose's little girl, Gayla, now 4 years old. We also finally met Goose's fiance - they planned on getting married in Hawaii in July. Other notables was seeing Chad and Alberto again. Friday afternoon was spent at the funeral. It was a nice, simple mass and they hosted a reception afterwards.
The last time I saw Goose was maybe four years ago when he cane to Orlando for a seminar from work. We got to see each other for a couple of days - a short trip. His mother had passed away very recently and unfortunately, we were on our annual vacation in Japan. I didn't even get his voicemail until we got back stateside in California. By then her funeral had passed. I felt bad we weren't there to lend our support so when I found out about Junior I made an extra effort to take time off from work to see him in SC.
The viewing was on Thursday and the funeral on Friday. I managed to take a day off and left early Thursday morning. To our dismay our six hour drive became almost ten. There had been fires rampant throughout Georgia and Florida (as customary during our rainless summer season. Florida is literally one giant matchstick waiting to flare up. Once we hit Jacksonville we were greeted by stopped traffic on I-95. Smoke was thick on the road and we were sure it was one of the many out of control fires burning up hundreds of acres of forest. Oddly enough it ended up being a BUS on fire and burnt to a crisp.
We just made the viewing by a half hour after a few stops to feed and change Isa and get refreshed ourselves at El's mom's house. It's been a long while since we saw a lot of people - 10 years about. I ran into some of my old crew I used to roll with when weekends started on Thursdays and ended on Sunday. Different things in the past caused our "barkada" to slowly get smaller and smaller. There were differences that put a strain on some of us and we hadn't spoken since.
In an odd way it became a reunion in a sense. Sad it was something like a funeral that finally caused us to run into each other again. Water under the bridge. Things started out polite and eventually in true form we were laughing about the old days, differences set aside. At the viewing Isa was unaccustomed to the large crowd of people and cried incessantly whenever someone wanted to say hello. Poor Ellen spent most of the time outside with her to soothe the baby. Afterwards we were all pretty hungry and joined Goose's family for a quick bite to eat.
Talk about out of touch. We were never able to meet Goose's little girl, Gayla, now 4 years old. We also finally met Goose's fiance - they planned on getting married in Hawaii in July. Other notables was seeing Chad and Alberto again. Friday afternoon was spent at the funeral. It was a nice, simple mass and they hosted a reception afterwards.
Surprisingly Eleanor grew up right down the street from me on Ortolan Street. It was great just to see the base housing, although it wasn't as pristine as it used to be. There were no more Yard of the Month contests going on anymore apparently-the place looked the 30 years since we moved to Rainetree.
Since we were driving around I knew my mom, Lola Cel, was still at work at Marrington Elementary and I thought she'd get a kick from a surprise visit from her granddaughter. I was right about that. We spent at least an hour there as she showed off little Isa to her cowerks and even made a stop to the library where they hold annual bookfairs.
After we dropped her off at her grandparent's El and I had some business downtown and to meet the old barkada at Southend Brewery for some dinner and catchup. It was amazing to see everyone - married and with kids.
The evening was spent at my parent's house where I literally passed out while Cher, my mom, Ellen, her mom and sister were all playing with Gabriel and Isa. I was exhausted. By midnight I woke up El and Isa to make it back to the other house for some rest.
Here's Gabriel trying to console his cousin and reassure her that attention is a GOOD thing!
Here's Gabriel trying to console his cousin and reassure her that attention is a GOOD thing!
By Saturday morning we had a quick lunch at my parent's house and to say goodbye. A last minute stopover at Goose's to say goodbye ended up being a last minute lunch with Jay and Albert. I hadn't seen jay since we were married. I was glad we at least got to catch up with him and hang out. One more Old School Crewmember reconnected. Tow hours later we were finally on our way back to Orlando.
It was along, but needed, weekend. I was glad to see everyone considering the circumstances. In two weeks we'll be back in Charleston for Kathleen's Wedding...
Check out El's blog, too, for some more filler...
It was along, but needed, weekend. I was glad to see everyone considering the circumstances. In two weeks we'll be back in Charleston for Kathleen's Wedding...
Check out El's blog, too, for some more filler...
Sunday, May 06, 2007
When It Rains, It Pours.
Unbelievable. On my way home from work one Sunday night a van in front of me swerved and hits his brakes. Apparently semi-trucks are still using retreads for tires. He ran over it and threw it up into the air. It happened so quick I wasn't fast enough to swerve out of the way or stop completely.
My poor Infiniti, not even a month old yet, took a full hit. Now I have to deal with the cost of paying a deductible to get it repaired at Daya's. I fully trust Daya's competence in making it look perfect like it rolled off the showroom floor. It's just that all these expenses have come to me all at once.
Prior to the purchase of the G35, my poor Acura MDX had to have a new transmission put in. Although the Acura was kind enough to eat the cost of all the parts (it was no longer under warranty) I still had to cough up a grand in labor.
Also, El had been really wanting to update our yard. Since Isa had been born we haven't been able to do our annual weeding, mulching and planting for the season. The obligatory mowing and edging is all we can manage in the short time we are alloted when we're both home. That was a nice hit in the wallet, but Wise Landscaping did a great job. Thanks to Covey and Oscar. Pictures to come soon.
Also, the damn air conditioning has been giving us problems the last three or four years during peak summer (freezing up, water leaks, etc) despite it constantly being worked on by three different companies and 2 different home warranties. I'm waiting for that hit again.
After the fishing debacle last year I decided to have Heinmiller Marine Services complete projects on my boat that I haven't had time to complete, including the gears that were jacked when my dad jammed it into reverse hard (twice) trying to run me over in the water. It was an accident and in a fit of panic when he and my Uncle Ernie were trying to drive the boat. Well $3000 later it's about done and I need to pick it up and pay the balance on it.
Will it end soon? Who knows, but retreads should definitely be outlawed. Thanks to all truck drivers who constantly blow their tires and don't call the Highway Patrol to warn them of debris on the road. How much more damage and accidents have to happen before they see the danger in retreading tires just to save a few bucks? I mean out of sight, out of mind, right? Thanks Mr. Inconsiderate Truck Driver. You owe me $250 and rental car fees. Asshole.
My poor Infiniti, not even a month old yet, took a full hit. Now I have to deal with the cost of paying a deductible to get it repaired at Daya's. I fully trust Daya's competence in making it look perfect like it rolled off the showroom floor. It's just that all these expenses have come to me all at once.
Prior to the purchase of the G35, my poor Acura MDX had to have a new transmission put in. Although the Acura was kind enough to eat the cost of all the parts (it was no longer under warranty) I still had to cough up a grand in labor.
Also, El had been really wanting to update our yard. Since Isa had been born we haven't been able to do our annual weeding, mulching and planting for the season. The obligatory mowing and edging is all we can manage in the short time we are alloted when we're both home. That was a nice hit in the wallet, but Wise Landscaping did a great job. Thanks to Covey and Oscar. Pictures to come soon.
Also, the damn air conditioning has been giving us problems the last three or four years during peak summer (freezing up, water leaks, etc) despite it constantly being worked on by three different companies and 2 different home warranties. I'm waiting for that hit again.
After the fishing debacle last year I decided to have Heinmiller Marine Services complete projects on my boat that I haven't had time to complete, including the gears that were jacked when my dad jammed it into reverse hard (twice) trying to run me over in the water. It was an accident and in a fit of panic when he and my Uncle Ernie were trying to drive the boat. Well $3000 later it's about done and I need to pick it up and pay the balance on it.
Everyone Loves A Tax Refund...
Thanks partially to Isa we got a nice refund from the government. Get the skinny on it here.
I've been sweating tax time this year cos of all the freelance design work I had been doing. Business has been exponentially booming. It's a curse and a blessing. Since Isa was born it was always in the back of my mind that we wouldn't be as comfortable as we had been accustomed to pre-Isabella.
El was only going to be working two days a week and taking a 60% paycut as a result. To offset this loss I had been taking more work in on the side to try and ease the pressure of bills and expenses. Since I work in animation at nights Sunday thru Thursday it meant me working late into the evenings (sometimes 4-5am) everynight to mee client deadlines. It hurts.
Normally when we get a nice chunk of cash back we use it for our annual vacation somewhere abroad. This year we played it smart and invested the money in repairs and upkeep of the house, cars, etc. Of course, we'll still take a vacay somewhere, but the destination will certainly be domestic and kid friendly.
Even Isa is thrilled to be doing her part helping mom and dad get by. Yay Isa!
I've been sweating tax time this year cos of all the freelance design work I had been doing. Business has been exponentially booming. It's a curse and a blessing. Since Isa was born it was always in the back of my mind that we wouldn't be as comfortable as we had been accustomed to pre-Isabella.
El was only going to be working two days a week and taking a 60% paycut as a result. To offset this loss I had been taking more work in on the side to try and ease the pressure of bills and expenses. Since I work in animation at nights Sunday thru Thursday it meant me working late into the evenings (sometimes 4-5am) everynight to mee client deadlines. It hurts.
Normally when we get a nice chunk of cash back we use it for our annual vacation somewhere abroad. This year we played it smart and invested the money in repairs and upkeep of the house, cars, etc. Of course, we'll still take a vacay somewhere, but the destination will certainly be domestic and kid friendly.
Even Isa is thrilled to be doing her part helping mom and dad get by. Yay Isa!
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