I’LL HAVE A BLOODY MARY, A STEAK SANDWICH AAAND A STEAK SANDWICH
Easier than writing lots of individual emailsArchive for June, 2007
I’M SAD
There are only 2.5 more days that the Harveys will be here and then they drive away in their big rented Penkse truck. Boo. Boo Radley.
I know God is good and the next phase will be good too. It’s just that I’ve really loved living with the Harveys. I will miss so many things (mostly familial spice type things). Certainly I will miss the candid nature that we all share. I will miss the way Kristin and I communicate so efficiently and effectively! I will miss laughing hysterically (and watching Kristin laugh hysterically-which is usually way more fun) or trying to make each other laugh. I will miss Ken’s very stealthy one-liners (2). I will miss Zach, without saying. I will really miss Zach. And though Tyler has only been alive out of the womb for 2 weeks, I will surely miss his cute little constitution. I will miss the good advice, the honest advice that usually starts with ‘Nooow, I was noticing that…’. I will miss the rolodex nature of Kristin’s brain and how she keeps me up on global/domestic current events, alumni info, predicted weather, family tree info, that person from college who you can never remember their name info, the names of actors/movies/songs/etc. I will miss all things ‘Fly-Lady’ (and Kristin and I are always challenging the other to get rid of more…Kristin is the champion), I will miss midnight donut runs, I will miss the unlit candlesticks on the hearth, I will miss Kristin mocking my phone voice, I will miss Zach’s little sayings and doings (greetings, virtual high-fives, sorry-Sams, come-ons, blowing kisses, laughing hysterically at being scared, pure joy when Bob Barker shows up on ‘Come-on-down’, when he covers his eyes during Nemo, when he pretends you’re not talking to him until it’s time for a ‘reminder’, how he ripped Chewy off from me, how he kisses me goodbye). I will miss Kristin’s love for Liberia.
I could go on, but the point is that I’m sad for this era to end. I am excited for them and for the cool life they will lead in Hanford near friends’/family and a in slower pace of life. I’m excited for the new church they will go to and who they will befriend and serve God with. I’m excited to stop by and visit everytime I go home (since they’re on the way to NorCal).
God’s good, but I’m sad. However, I’m thankful to be sad…I think it shows the value of a relationship when it pains you to give it up. So, I’m thankfully very sad.
And, I’m really thankful for email and blogs…to stay in touch.
MY UNCLE–JACK BAUER
This article about my uncle George ran yesterday in the Contra Costa Times. Most of it is new to me too. Once again, I am thankful to him, his wife, his kids…they sacrificed him for a year in order to do some serious business in Iraq. Please read the article below. Though I have many comments, I’ll keep them to myself because the article is long…might take 5 minutes to read…but he was over there for a year, so could you spare the time? 
There were pictures, but I can’t get them in this post.
Oh, and he’ll be awarded that Bronze Star in DC this Wednesday for his work in Iraq.
ARTICLE: Reservist led Iraq interrogations
•WALNUT CREEK: Navy commander back from Iraq earns Bronze Star for implementing U.S. policy
Article Launched: 06/24/2007 03:03:47 AM PDT
North of Baghdad, in a warehouse converted into a detention center, George Driscoll stood in front of a man he considered a terrorist. “What are you thinking right now?” Driscoll, a U.S. Navy reserve commander, asked the man through an interpreter.
“I’m wondering how I can get that pen out of your hand and drive it into your eye,” the man replied. Read the rest of this entry »
BUILDING YOUR OWN HOUSE
I was researching permits today to see if I needed any for the home improvements we’re going to be doing in the next few weeks. I found SCV’s Schedule/Fees for permits and was reminded about the cost of new construction. I wrote a post on my Real Estate blog about it because some people thinks it’s cheaper to build their own house. It can be. Or it can be a big drag. Click here
iTUNES-SERIOUSLY
If you knew me 4 years ago, you’ll remember that I was one who thought that my cell phone was too technology advanced. Times have changed, my friend. I credit the LORD. And He has used great friends who have been instrumental in their tutorials and patience. In general, I thank Adam Powell for 3 years of serious behind the scenes on almost everything tecnologically oriented in my life. I also must thank Holly for her continued effort to expose me to good things in the tech world. Here’s how it usually goes: she learns something new and cool-against her encouragement I hold out for months to years as I just watch her and eventually I agree that I should ‘maybe’ learn the new thing, I learn it and…next thing I know, my life is forever changed… the latest by product of this cycle is iTunes.
With the impetus of getting IPOD $ for my b-day, I started sincerely making inquiries about iTunes. This last Sunday Holly gave me a tutorial and I started ripping CDs on Tuesday. As of this moment, I have 2,123 songs ripped (rip ‘em good) with a whole section still yet to go. OK, hear me clearly…I can NOT believe how awesome iTUNES is. Seriously. Seriously. I regret how much time I let go by without ripping, organizing and actually using my music. AND, I am quickly becoming an Apple fan. I’m not a complete convert yet, but one of my new roommates (moving in in 2 weeks) just got a Mac and I am excited to learn from her.
So, God’s speed to all of you who have been hiding this little light under a bushel. My life is forever changed because 2 of you chucked it aside and cast out the darkness in my technological life!
Amen
BEHIND EVERY GOOD HOMEOWNER IS A GREAT GENERAL CONTRACTOR
As incredibly sad as I am that the Harveys are leaving next weekend, I am very excited (and terrified) to get the next phase of life started. The ‘next phase’ consists of: the week after the Harvs move out, a crew will come in and do some major home improvements (whole house fan, scrape ceilings, install new windows, bathroom tub/shower caulking, etc). THEN, my 2 new roommates will move in the following weekend and I’ll begin a new domestic chapter of life…it’s like those reality shows where they have less than one week to tear the house down and rebuild it. I don’t have much margin for error (time or $).
My point…I searched high and low for the best guy for the best price. Upon high recommendation from Sonja and personal experience on a client’s house, I am pleased and excited to say that I can’t wait for Jeff Wilson of ‘Made in the Shade’ construction (lic #763311) to bring in his crew! I laboriously got 3 different bids and he was the best price for the best work. He’s slammed with business and was barely able to fit my job inbetween some other hefty ones. Look for the ‘tell-all-follow-up’ post in 3 weeks.
I’m just thankful that the LORD allowed our paths to cross. I am hoping that I will be a good testimony and that this is the beginning of a great working relationship that involves the gospel (AND, a whole house fan etc.). I’m going to start by stocking the fridge with flats of cold waters and sodas for the crew…
WHAT BABY?
Zach Harvey is still adjusting to his new brother. If I could read his mind when someone says, “Zach, do you want to give the baby a kiss?’ I bet he’s thinking, ‘What Baby?’. His response is usually, ‘No’ and then he runs away.
I feel for the little guy who has had the family’s full attention until now. He’s handling the stress as any 2 year old might…with complete denial. I must admit, it’s pretty funny. It’s like Dwight on the Office ‘Shun. Un-Shun. Re-Shun’.
I can’t wait for when he and Tyler are 20 and 22 and I get to tell them stories of their youthful ways.
I hope they think it’s as funny as we do.
‘YA GOTTA SEE THE BABY’
5pm-Dialated to about 4ish
7pm-pushed for about 10 minutes (no meds, no epideral, nothing..and his head and chest were the same size…ouch)
7:10ish-Tyler was born!!! Praise The LORD!
Kristin is a baby birthing warrior-doing great! Tyler is over 8lbs and is seriously adorable (the cell phone pic doesn’t do him justice!
Ken on the other hand, has re-injured his back in labor/delivery and now can’t walk and is relegated to staying flat on his back. I learned the extent of his injury this morning when I heard someone yelling my name and went into Ken’s room to learn he’d been calling for me for about 30 minutes…cuz he can’t move. Needless to say, we are all figuring out how to help each other, get Zach dressed/fed, get to the hospital etc. (Nana is a huge player…injured hip and all).
oh, and last night at the hospital, Zach refused to ackowledge Tyler’s existence except when Zach got to use the motion censored towel dispenser to get Tyler tissue to ‘blow his nose’. He’s sweet….and ignoring the source of the soon-to be- massive change in his life!
If you think of it, feel free to pray for our household: new baby, everyone injured, needing to pack, needing to move, needing to care for 2 children, needing much grace!!!!
Here’s a pic of Zach upon birth 2+ years ago!
PHRASES THAT DATE YOU
Kristin’s mom is staying with us for a few days (leading up to and post birth of child #2…remember, Kristin will be induced on at 8am 6/14). Marie is a big help and considering that everyone in our household is injured except Zach, we needed her. However, with visitors come new fodder.
When I got home tonight (from a visit to Kaiser with Holly due to her extreme headache and pain), I learned that Marie had joined our household injured list (hurt her hip) and when Kristin asked her what happened she replied, “I’ve got a hitch in my giddy-up.”
Amen.
BEAUTY IS FLEETING, BUT IT CAN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY!
You just never know in what shape and size ‘opportunity’ will present itself.
Set Up:
-For Christmas, sweet Jennene got Holly, me and herself gift cards to a spa for a package spanning over 4 visits. She’s sweet.
-Last week, Holly discovered that they expire THIS week. Eek. Use it or lose it sisters. None of us had used any yet.
-So, I made my first appt for a facial, which I got yesterday. The facialist, Linda, was nice and through our conversation, she determined that I should wait and talk to ‘him’ before I left (about a particular product and pricing that they have). Unsure about the relevance to ‘him’, I waited and about 10 minutes later in walked Jouquin Phoenix’s twin, seperated at birth.
-’Johnny’ was a young , calm, dressed to the nines, stereotypical looking Valencia guy. We began our conversation…which I will give you only highlights of because it was about a 45 minute conversation. My life: the Seinfeld episode.
Upon introductions, Johnny and I laughed a bit about the ’stunt double’ aspect of his appearance; out of geniune curiosity, I asked him one question that led to another that led to another that led to another….
Johnny is the 23 year old asst manager of the spa, the middle child of 3 brothers (older brother owns the spa), he’s the son of a ‘World Religions’ prof who has taken the family to live in the countries of Read the rest of this entry »
PONCHO (not VILLA)
Tonight made the whole year of ushering worth it.
Tonight I ushered my favorite show so far…Poncho Sanchez!
He was like a Latin version of, a hybrid of Tevyeh from Fiddler, James Brown when he was on top of the world and Bert Suluvale when he could sing and make you believe it!
Poncho was magnificently down to earth, with his raspy speaking voice that morphed into a HUGE singing voice, his smiling eyes and infectious giggle, his incredible work on the congas that went from slow and easy to so fast that it looked like his hands were stationary, and finally his sweet moves when he danced!
It was pure Latin and I loved it!
I also met a cool new usher, Kathryn. We talked alot, I learned much about her and I think I made a new ushering friend! Oh, and also Church reps, Keyndra, Lynne, and Lawrence were there too!
The only real drag about tonight was that Boss Lady ‘reprimanded’ the entire usher team (30+) for not seeing a patron fall and break her arm (even though the whole auditorium was up on their feet dancing and then shoving their way out the door so that you couldn’t see anything at all). Fortunately, I was manning my post in the balcony when this alleged incident (though the paramedics showed up, so maybe it really happened) happened on the ground floor.
Whatever, Poncho was awesome, making a new friend was awesome, and discovering that I want Poncho to be the first music that I buy with my new Itunes gift card (thanx Becca) for the Ipod that I don’t have yet.
Adios!
THIS THURSDAY (6/14)
Welp, there are a few major things happening this Thursday.
1) The Harveys will probably close escrow on their house up in Hanford! Yay!!!!!
2) Kristin will be induced on Thursday and hopefully give birth to baby Tyler on Thursday!
3) I will babysit Zach for probably the last time on Thursday, while Mom & Dad are at the hospital breathing, pushing, and chewing ice (well, the last 2 will be mostly Kristin).
So, pray. Smile. Send cash in small unmarked bills.
UNCLEAR
I just cruised Nicole William’s (formerly Sjostrand) blog…they live in India…please enjoy this sign from the zoo CLICK HERE. It made me laugh.
THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE PAC
Well, as some of you know, last night Holly and I attended the PAC Usher Appreciation Potluck Banquet (PACUAPB). Priceless.
Imagine approximately 200 men, but mostly women over the age of 60, enjoying tables and tables of potluck foods, listening to speakers wax eloquent regarding the invaluable service of the volunteer ushers and how they have helped shape the community, listening and waiting for their raffle # to be called….and so much more!
I took notes. Here are some of the many highlights, and I quote…
From Dr. Moose, some high up guy in the COC world
-”You are the Unsung Heroes and Saints of the community”
-”Never have I seen people serve the patrons of the arts as well as you do”
-”Volunteers are not paid because they’re worthless, they’re not paid because they’re priceless”
-”I mean this from the bottom of my heart. I have been to so many events this year and you are the tireless, cheerful, remarkable, ambassadors of College of the Canyons. I am in your debt and thank you all”
From Boss Lady whilst giving awards
-”These awards are like the Academy Awards. There were some very hard decisions to make”
-”This volunteer should be an inspiration to all future volunteers”
-”This award is for outstanding merit. This volunteer has demonstrated oustanding leadership skills, is a role model, always shows willingness to go the extra mile, is reliable, considerate, is promt, works without complaining, is well liked and respected by peers.”
They take this stuff pretty seriously.
All joking aside though, it was convicting. The character qualities that were noticed and then rewarded are the qualities that Holly and I should always be, as Christians volunteering at the PAC. It amazed me that, even though it’s ‘just volunteering’ that all our fellow ushers still treat it like a real job because they care. As a Christian, in all things, whether I eat or drink, I should be doing all to the Glory of God. Volunteer ushering, selling houses, singing on Worship Team, watching TV, sitting in traffic, reading my Bible, looking out the window, posting on my blogs…all done to the Glory of God.
See? Ushering has many many benefits.
Oh, and one last highlight…we sat at a table with 2 women named Barbara. They were pretty funny in many ways. Barbara #1 is a Catholic travel agent and started doing a lot of traveling after her husband died. I asked if she had any travel companions and she said that it was hard due to everyone’s schedules etc. She mentioned a gentlemen friend from her church that she had asked to travel with, “You know, we would have seperate beds and everything. He said ‘I don’t think the church would look too highly on that.’ Come on. It’s not like I’m gonna jump his bones or anything.” Yep. She said it. I did not make it up. This is also the same woman who stood up at the end and said to Holly and I, “Guess how I’m celebrating my birthday in July. (Me-’How?’) By jumping out of a plane. I’ll be 80 years old and I thought if George Bush Sr. could do it at 75, I could do it at 80. Why not?’
Ushering…it’s sooooo worth it!
THE COYOTE BEAT THE ROADRUNNER THIS TIME
So, the accident that happened at our place at 1:15am, well, I found a brief and somewhat humiliating article describing the impetus for such a nocturnal neighborhood gathering… CLICK HERE . Imagine what they’re gonna be saying to her around the station.
FYI, I’m not a deputy, but on my way home from Corona the other night, a foolish idiotic cat lost it’s life under the wheels of my car. I never saw it coming, but had I seen it, I would NOT have swerved…cat, coyote or caribou (ok, I would’ve for the caribou cuz I’ve seen what they can do with their mere existence).
MY NEW FAVORITE PICTURE
This is an old post that I never published…
If you know me, you know that I have some random things that I love. One of them is a picture of Jennene in Hawaii that is absolutley ridiculous. I have to say, it’s my all-time favorite photo ever. BUT, today I found my second all time favorite photo…may I present to you Miss Impervious Maddie Burns…
HIGHLIGHTS (NOT MY HAIR)
My life (much like our house…in the middle of the street)
LAST WEEK
-B-day party was good. I received enough cash to buy an IPOD (!) Thanx LORD (and people that He used!). I haven’t bought it yet (you’ll see why). Also, got to hang out with Brad and AP until 1:30am!
-Last ICU mtg was kind of sad, but very rewarding (we recapped ‘why it’s cool to be in ICU’ and ‘what did Read the rest of this entry »
MAY. DEAR SWEET MAY.
All growing up I rarely had birthday month buddies. Usually, I navigated through my birthday month unaccompanied by loved ones. Times, they are a-changin’. Today, with great delight, I was reflecting upon how many people I know that have a birthday in May. EWZ, Sarah Jane Brock, Kate Spansel, Dallas Bailes, Kyrie, Jim Neylan, JQ, Michael Osuna, Alli T, Alli H, Victoria, Karen B, Vanessa, Joel Olegario…it’s pretty cool that we all share May birthdays!
MAY I HELP YOU FIND YOUR SEAT?
I have said it before and I will say it again, “Ushering is awesome!”.
Holly and I have graduated to ‘Personalized Name Badge’ status at the PAC. THAT means that we’ve put in over 50 hours of volunteer service (pictures to follow) and we’re part of the elite usher world…limos, champagne, jewels, houses on the Riviera, little dogs in little totes…the works!!!! Woo Hoo! We RULE! aaaand you can too!
There is another Orientation Meeting Wedneday June 6th, 6:30pm at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at College of the Canyons…that you can attend…and begin earning your way towards ‘Personalized Name Badge’ status too!
Truly, you won’t be disappointed.
BENEFITS: Being involved in the community, meeting new people and buliding relationships, seeing free shows, dressing like a caterer, laughing alot amidst the PAC sub-culture, trying to get the Boss-Lady to laugh (no small feat) and so much more!
Once you complete orientation, you can usher as little or as much as you want. But Holly and I would love more friends and Christians to join the effort…let’s infiltrate the PAC with happy hearts, the good news, and stellar seating assistance!
ORIENTATION:
-Wednesday June 6th 2007, 6:30pm
-At the PAC at College of the Canyons
