Category: friends

The front yard project continues. Part of the plan is to use re-purposed stones and rocks and pavers and retaining wall stones through out the yard. Since the yard is so big, that means many many MANY stones.  To provide an example, I give you what I did yesterday.

Saw a Craigslist ad for free retaining wall stones in Palo Alto. Got on the phone with the guy to get the address and off I go. Get to this place in Palo Alto where the owner is removing retaining wall stones and bamboo (lots of bamboo) to eventually get access to and replace a common fence with the neighbor. Anyway, there were a TON of stones there. So many that I had to make two trips because the loads were so heavy that my truck was going to scrape bottom if I tried to fit it all in there at once.

So there were 72 “small” concrete retaining wall stones, each weighing in at 27lbs each. 72×27=1944 pounds. Throw in the 9 “LARGE” concrete retaining wall stones, each weighing in at 57lbs each! 9×57=513 pounds. 1944+513=2457 pounds. Or just over a TON of stone. I won’t even include the 20 step stones and one huge round stone in the calculation.

Now take into account that for each stone I had to lift it…

Once to pick it up and put it on the dolly – one ton

Once to pick up from dolly and put in truck – one ton!

Once to move from truck to driveway – one ton!!

2457 x 3 = 7371 pounds = 3+ TONS!!

and at least once more to put it in the yard.

 I need a hot tub soak!!

Its hard to believe that our little blog that started as a way to document my bike rides and family stuff is still kicking 10 years later. Way back then our buddies the Champagne Crew started a family blog and I thought that was super cool. I got the quick demo and tutorial from Big Al and away I went.  Our blog is simple and exactly what I wanted it to be.  Over the years we have chronicled the ups the downs, the highs the lows, the peaks and valleys of our life.  Not so much the down stuff.  Only when needed to tell our story, and besides, our life is mostly up!

Over 750 blog posts. Almost 1000 comments to the various posts, and almost 100,000 lifetime page views! Not bad for a blog that was really only supposed to be for the family. But with internet searching and our word of mouth, I guess many others have stumbled upon JimsJoint at one time or another. 

Its very difficult living so far away from Kate and Frank and Parker.  We miss them soooo much. Since we are not the richest people in the world, we have to spread out our trips, otherwise we would be flying out to see them every other weekend. When we saw Kate and Parker last, is when they came to SoCal to see Kelly. We planned the next trip for Florida in February 2014 when Kate and Frank and Parker would be in a timeshare that they got for a week. Well, with Kate going to school now, that plan got axed. Rather than wait for february to see everyone, we looked at the earliest flights that would let us see our grandson ASAP! Of course ALL of the flights around the holidays have sky high prices, but we were able to snag some prety good fares on a trip the week before Thanksgiving. GOOD ENOUGH!! Lets go to North Carolina!!

Since this was more last minute, Kate and Frank couldn’t really take time off from school and the Marines. That was ok with us since we were really there to see Parker anyway. Sorry Kate and Frank!  Its PARKER TIME!! Things turned out really well.

Took the red eye flight out of SFO Monday the 11th. Layover in Atlanta and short flight to NC, rent the car and we rolled into Hubert right before dinner time.  Let Parker time begin!

What can I say?  The kid melts my heart. Such a happy, smart and healthy baby boy! He’s 16 months old and full of energy. Always moving, exploring, trying things out and testing everyone’s patients. The kid likes to climb and would rather stand on top of an upside down box than sit in it.  Not only does he want to stand on top of the box, he wants to show you how he can JUMP while he’s up there! So dang cute!!  Parker talks a lot but only he knows what he’s saying.  He’s got some words down. Dadda, pow pow (with his rifle), hello, hi, momma (rarely). But when he’s talking I can swear that there are some “grandpas” in there!  He will ask you a question and point somewhere. Who knows what he is asking but is asking something!!

As it turns out, Frank had just had surgery on his foot so he was on a 30 “convo” to get better.  Kate was neck deep in school and couldn’t take time off. So our job was to babysit Parker!! WOOHOO!!

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Kate went to school early.  Since Frank was off work for a month he would go over a buddies place and go out and sit in the woods all day. They call it hunting. So from 6am until around dinner time, Parker was all ours.  We really didn’t need to do too much since Parker was just as happy hanging around the house with us as we were with him.  Our days went something like this. Up at 6am to say goodbye to Kate and Frank. breakfast with Parker then some play time until around 9am. If we are lucky we all get to take a morning nap with Parker. Up around lunch time and have some lunch. Play around, read some books, talk some. Parker likes showing us all his toys so we spend plenty of time checking them out. He shows us how to use them and what they do. Some days we get to squeeze in a short afternoon nap. Those are the best! If things worked out well, he is up and refreshed right around the time Kate and Frank come home in the afternoon. Then its quiet time (or as quiet as things can be anyway) until bed time.

It snowed the first night we were there so we woke up to a snow dusted North Carolina. A perfect reason to stay warm and cozy in the house. We did find some time to get out with Parker on other days.  Sometimes it was just a simple walk around the block, or a shopping trip over to the Food Lion to pick up some groceries. The weather eventually got better (and warmer!) which enabled us to get out to the local playground one day. Although Parker was a little small for the “big kid” playground, that didn’t stop him from climbing on almost everything! Good thing grandma was there to watch him. She and Parker did all the slides together. Good times for sure!!  Our big trip with Parker was the day we took him to the Aquarium. All the while Parker was a real good kid. Never a problem and always good. Sure there were times when he was grumpy in the carseat, but who wouldn’t be? All in all we relished each and every moment with our grandson.

We got to meet some of Kate and Frank’s friends while we were there too. Kate hosted a little party and had a few of her college girlfriends over. The also had friends over for dinner on a couple of nights. It was nice to meet Kate and Frank’s friends. Its nice to see them making social connections with some great people.

I guess our best day out with Parker is the day we went to the Aquarium up at Pine Knoll Shores. Only about a 40 minute drive up the (east) coast. We stopped for lunch on  Emerald Isle, then made our way up towards Atlantic beach.  Such a nice drive. The aquarium was nice. Not too big not too small. If we had let Parker run through it like he wanted to, we would have been out of there in about 5 minutes! I think we all enjoyed the exhibits. We did point out the different fish, sharks, turtles and all the other wild life. It may have been sensory overload for the little guy.  It was still a very enjoyable day for all of us.

Evenings were quiet times around the house. Kate had to study some nights.  Its very strange watching Sunday night and Monday night football.  The games start 8:30pm east coast time, and by half time I’m ready to fall asleep. I don’t know how people can watch the game and then get up early the next day, much less GO to a game on the east coast.  You wouldn’t get home until 2am !! But its early nights at the Lee house anyway so by 9pm is was usually lights out.

Eight nights went by too fast and before we new it we were packing to head home. Our last morning with Parker was like the first. Full of love. When we said goodbye as we were heading out the door, Parker waved his little wave and melted my heart one more time.

Friday night we went out to dinner with Michelle and John.  After dinner we headed over to Ardenwood farm to pick some blackberries.  Took this self pic as the sun was setting. After we had a bag full of berries,  we decided to get some vanilla ice cream and head to Downingville and have some berries and ice cream. On they way home we saw some GREAT and very unusual (for Fremont)  lightning strikes hitting the Pleasanton Ridge area. When we got to John’s house, him and I went out into the yard to try to capture some of the strikes on video.  WOW!!  The storm pass right over head and we were able to see a great lightning show.  Here are the top 3 videos taken with the Droid

Lightning #1

Lightning #2

Lightning #3

And you can always check out all my vids at the jimsoint youtube channel

  Its somewhat of a tradition to try to get a ride in on (or as close to) the winter solstice. Over the years we have had some cold, wet and windy solstice rides.  Got a text from Steve yesterday suggesting we go for it.  Even though weather forecasts called for rain all week long, we did have a short window of  good  (not great!) weather.  We saddled up and hit the trail late afternoon, hoping to squeeze in a ride both before the rains came and before the sun went down.  It is the shortest day of the year ya know. : )

We pretty much had the trail to ourselves as we made our way towards the bay on Alameda creek trail this cold and blustery winter’s day. It was a wind assisted ride out.  Having a strong tail wind on the ride out meant only one thing. A strong head wind faced us on the way back. Ugh!!

We made it to the end of the trail. Took a short break, took a couple of commemorative pics, and headed back, against the wind.  As luck would have it we started to get rained on just a bit.  It was getting dark on the trail so we scooted off  and  onto Fremont Blvd for a quick dash home. God was on our side because we hit every green  light on the way home!

Check out those rosey cheeks on Steve !!  Not over heating on this ride eh  Steve?

Put another solstice ride in the books!

***note*** – shout out to our good friend and riding buddy John.  He got into a backyard brawl with a raccoon last week and f’d up his finger.  John is on injured reserve for 10 weeks and not allowed to ride. We miss you buddy! Get well soon.

My friends give me grief because I would rather pay someone to do a home repair rather than try to do it myself. Seems every time I try to tackle something around the house,  I end up making things worse!  There are many MANY stories.   I’ll just give you my top three, in no particular order.

One day, years ago, I noticed the Dining room table was wobbly.  A quick look under the table showed that there were only 3 screws securing the table top to the base. No Problemo! Mr. Fixit to the rescue.  I grabbed a few more (6) screws and proceeded to secure the table. It wasn’t until I was done and ready to show off to Barb that I realized that I chose screws that were just a little  too long,  and now had 6 screws poking up through the table. “sigh*  Covered the stupid holes with a bowl so I wasn’t reminded of my ineptitude. *sigh*  Sold the stupid table at garage sale after kitchen remodel.

One day, a few years later, I noticed that our toilet was running.  A quick look showed that all that I needed to do was to replace the handle. Easy! Went to the hardware store and got a new handle and proceeded home to do the easy change out. Since we are talking original toilet handle, it wouldn’t come off that easy! I tried WD-40 to loosen things up but darn if that handle was on there tight! OK. I give one good hard push and …..CRACK!!!!!!!  The toilet tank cracked and water proceeded to flood the bathroom. *sigh*  $2 handle turns into $100 toilet  *sigh*

One day, a few weeks ago, I decided to power wash the house in preparation for Kelly’s grad party. I borrowed Armando’s pressure washer, got a quick lesson and off I went. So I’m power washing the house like a mad man. Loving the power! Its really working well. Then , right when I’m almost done, the pressure washer loses pressure. I look over at the pressure washer and notice smoke and water everywhere!  Quickly turn everything off and notice that I got the hose too close to the motor and melted it. causing the hose to spring a leak.   *sigh*   borrowed pressure washer turns into $60 hose replacement *sigh*  So I try to replace the hose and I can’t figure out how to get the old hose off! *sigh*  Sorry Mando!

So next time you need something done around the house, give me a call!

A week or so ago Kate told us that she was invited to attend a lunch with the Commandant of the Marine Corp and the Sargent Major of the Marine Corp.  A very big deal for any Marine.  The Commandant,  General James Conway, was on his way to Iwo Jima to attend a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles in American History.  But before going, he had lunch with Kate!

Kate called us after, about as excited as I have ever heard her.

Of course, its an honor to attend a lunch with the Commandant. It turned out that Kate was one of twenty-five Marines that attended the lunch.  One long table.  Kate grabbed a spot in the middle, figuring the Commandant would sit at one end and the Sargent Major at the other.  As everyone else started to fill in, she realized that the seats directly across from her were still open.  When the guests of honor arrived, thats where they sat.  General Conway directly across from Kate, with the Sargent Major of the Marines, Carlton Kent,  to his left.  Talk about nervous excitement!!

So Kate had a nice lunch. Fish, rice and veggies, with the boss’s  boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s  boss. I’m talking 4 star general people!!  She said they were both  really nice and friendly and conversational.  The topper to the whole day came when the Commandant presented each Marine with a “Commandant’s Coin”. There is a tradition for Marines to collect “challenge coins”. Challenge coins are commemorative coins that mark duty station or promotion or battles. We bought Kate her first coin . It was a 4th recruit training battalion coin. Marking her time at Parris Island. She has collected similar coins along the way.   The Commandant’s coin may be the most prized of all. 

Way to go Flaherty! WE ARE PROUD!

A  big, huge, LOUD shout out to Kelly.

WOOP WOOP!!  WOOHOO!! YIPPEE!! YAY!

  Our first born has done the family proud. She  just completed all requirements and earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from California State University East Bay.  A college degree.  *sigh* ~  NICE!   Can’t tell you how proud we are of her. She has shown real dedication and commitment.  Along the way, she  became a national champion water polo player. Kelly acquired knowledge and fundamentals to take her anywhere in life she chooses. She has made memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.  She has made her daddy proud!

Grad ceremony in June – party to follow

Great job honey!

Every once in a blue moon we have a weekend where we live the high life. Friday night we went to a party in Woodside. TOL was a company that Barb worked for over 10 years ago.  The company was bought out by some larger company. The two original owners of TOL  continue to have yearly parties for all of the ex-employees. Very VERY cool.  This year the party was at the house of one of the owners.  The house was maybe the biggest I’ve ever been in. Billiard room, Library,  Swimming pool, tennis court, all on a huge piece of property just this side of highway 280. We had nice time visiting with some of Barb’s old friends. It was fun!

Saturday morning bike ride was great. Sunny and warm, little wind. 

Saturday night we were off to the Shark Tank for Linda’s surprise party. Tim had reserved a penthouse suite for 50 people!!  Tri-tip, mashed taters, corn on the cob and a 5-0 shutout of the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins!! It doesn’t get any better!!!

Sunday mass then over to Vandy’s for brunch. Two (or was it five?) bloody marys and a great meal with friends.  Vicky was in the process of making home made minestrone soup. Lucky for us, she dropped off a big pot at our house for our dinner. BEST SOUP EVER!!! Throw in some NFL football and a NCIS marathon on TV, and it makes for a perfect weekend!

Its been a long journey for us. Starting in 1994 and continuing today. We have come so far, survived so much, LEARNED so much, and have been touched by compassion and friendship of friends, family, doctors, nurses, everyone! We are blessed

The good vibes continue, thanks to you.