New Kitten, Calpernia

A few weeks ago, while we were out of town for a long weekend, our former new cat decided to see what was across the street late one night and didn't make it to the other side. I found out from our neighbors while unpacking the car. We had to break the news to Anna and we were worried she would be very upset, but she took it well knowing he was in heaven. So, Friday I had the opportunity to bring home another new family member.

This one, it tuns out, has a very different personality. I was told she was one of the friendly ones from the litter but sofar she is very scared and tries to run and hide at every opportunity. The first day she hid behind and underneath a large piece of furniture. She stayed there for 24+ hours then we pulled everything off and moved this piece. Now the way behind it is blocked on both sides and little Calpernia is in a carrier while we try to calm her and get her to eat and drink.
The slightest move from anyone in the room and she jumps and tries to run for cover. I guess this is the epitome of a scardie cat. A little disappointing but we'll stick with the kitten and see if we can make it a fun pet.

Samurai Gardner

We had been talking about pruning a big cypress that hangs over our patio trellis for a couple of weeks. This weekend I decided to go for it. I climbed up in the tree and started hacking away. It turned out better than expected. There is now more light on the patio and the tree doesn't look bad. I only received a minor scrape on my shin from a large branch. From the pile in the street you would have thought I cut down a tree. Now there wont be as much stuff falling in the pool either.

Graduation Celebration

June 1st Laura graduated from her Dental Assistant program with honors!

Here is the banner we hung from the balcony during the ceremony. The crowd was a bit loud but it was fun seeing Laura and the others cross the stage and receive their diplomas.

Fun Weekend!

The weather was great this weekend so we took advantage of it and camped out on the deck then played in the pool and relaxed on the deck. Anna had a blast camping out in the backyard. We told stories and ate chips, ice cream sandwiches, watermelon, and cherries.

Praise GOD for keeping us safe!

This morning while driving to work, with my daughter in the back seat, I was just heading out of our neighborhood when, as I approached the turn to the main street I take to the freeway, a big-rig truck came through the intersection from the opposite side turning onto the same road I was going to turn on. Apparently he was going to fast for the turn and the truck rolled onto it's side and slid to a stop across the turn lane I would have been in, in another few seconds.

My first thought, and words out of my mouth, was "Oh my GOD!". Then I quickly turned into the mini-mart lot on the corner, parked and jumped out to go see if the driver was ok. He was kicking his front window out as another guy who was standing in the lot ran over and started helping pull the front window off. The driver got out and quickly moved away from the truck. When he saw that the truck wasn't going to ignight, he started cussing and hitting the truck in disgust. He then got his stuff out of the cab.

Since the driver appeared to be ok, I got back in the car and continued off to work. I told my daughter it was lucky we weren't in the turn lane yet when that truck over-turned.

I was shaken abit as I thought how close it was. I told my daughter we should thank GOD that we were still safe.

Father Daughter Day

Anna and I spent the day together. We went to church in the morning and she helped me count the offering after church. Then we went down stairs and enjoyed the food and fellowship that the church puts out after church every Sunday.

We went to the park around the corner from the house and played when we got back home.

View at You Tube
Anna climbed a tree (with some help)

then we headed home and Anna and mom made brownies. While the brownies baked Anna and I went to a big park downtown and fed the ducks and geese

then played at the huge play area for a while. Anna played hide and seek with another girl she met there.




It was a good Father Daughter day for the two of us.

Anna Kite Flying

Here is Anna flying her new Disney Princess Kite.

View at YouTube

We moved down the street to the park to see if we could get some better wind. The power lines are not as close as they appear in this video.

View at YouTube

If these videos don't stream well you can view them directly on YouTube via the links below each video.

New Birthday Scooters

We all are enjoying Anna's new birthday scooters. Sarah bought her the pink princess 3 wheeler, and she received the Barbie razer scooter at her party.

Here is Dad...

View at YouTube

Here's Mom...

View at YouTube

Sometimes YouTube videos perform better when viewed directly at YouTube. So, I put the direct links below each video.

The new deck is done!

For the last several weeks I have been building a new deck that wraps partway around the pool and comes up along the back of the house. It will allow us to step out of our new sliding glass door off our bedroom onto the deck. The top of the deck will match the floor level in the house. It took several piers embedded in footings at 32"cc and pressure treated 2x8's at 16"cc to support the weight of a future hot tub. Since framing is less than 10" clear from the ground I had to use pressure treated wood. I used chemical resistant screws, hangers, & angles to fasten the framing together.

I bought most of the hardware from the usual spot, Home Depot, but the wood and Trex decking were much less expensive at Berco Redwood. I used screws for everything, so there are no nails in this deck. I lost a week by buying the deck late on a Saturday so it couldn't be delivered until Monday. All I could do was move the decking to the back patio Monday night after work. Then look at it all week wishing I could start getting some of it down.

The first weekend attaching the decking was a cold one so I wasn't moving as fast as I would have liked. I was getting 5 rows of deck done a day. The following Saturday I finished the decking on the front side. Once I finish the far side I'll cut and attach the trim around the outside. The trim will cover the pressure treated wood still visible around the outside of the deck.

The framing is done and all I have left to do is finish attaching the decking (and cast a step on each side). I'll have additional progress photos posted soon. I've been using the film camera for most of the shots.

Christmas Eve 2004

Here is a funny video of Anna on Christmas Eve 2004.


see it on YouTube.

I had to take the video off of YouTube... We sent the video in to Americas Funniest Home Videos, and they responded with a contract! So, it's looking good that they may actually use it!