One week later

One week later, with the rain I was able to stay focused most the week and accomplished great things.

Recapping... We moved the center island stove to the east wall, moved the dish washer to the north wall, moved the refrigerator to the west wall. Rewired the stove, dishwasher and refrigerator. Moved the gas lines to the west wall and added a nifty BBQ port on the patio. Added an electrical outlet for the patio by the fish pond. Re plumbed the refrigerator water to the west wall. (Almost, one connection to go) The floor needs the old center vent pipe holes repaired, sanded and re stained to Cherry. The Cabinets need to be stripped, sanded and re stained to a nice rich warm color.

Vacation Rain

This week I was on vacation, had big plans to go hike or camp or canoe or kayak or most anything. But the weather was not to have any part of my fun in stead it rained and rained and rained. Which turns out OK because I choose to remodel the kitchen. Yep two weeks before school starts I tore it all down. I decided to move the center island stove to the outside wall. This moves the dishwasher to the north wall, which moves the refrigerator to the only remaining east wall. To accomplish this I needed to move the gas pipes, move wires, move water pipes and repair plaster. Then if that was not enough I choose to redo the flooring and cabinets too. Hmmm silly me 5 days into this and I have one tenth of the work done. Kids know I am crazy now and mostly just grumble about the mess, worry about finding the food and dishes to eat the food on. Teens, don't mess with their food! Here is a sneak peek at the mess. This first photo is the old location of the appliances and the lovely Julia helping in the kitchen. The second photo is a glimpse at the new order of the west wall, notice the range hood, under that is were the stove should end up. Oh and don't forget the temporary kitchen. Enough yakking here I need to get under the house with my pipes and wiring toys.

Deck party starts vacation right

On Saturday Night August 16th after a little work on the weekend Julia pointed the way to Ann's wonderful deck. This started my one week of vacation during August. On the deck we found Ann, Dave and Julie already enjoying the summer evening. The evening was a perfect warm calm evening with lively conversation well past sunset. A spectacular moon to rise over the lake topped the evening off. This was a great evening with superb company, a perfect start to a week of vacation.

Weekend Drive to Alta Lake

On Saturday the 9th Julia, Corey and I took a little drive to Alta Lake and whacked some weeds on Julia's property.

The drive was great and while Seattle cooled off with rain and thunder showers we soaked in the Sun shine and debated about running away forever.

Corey helped keep the car from floating away while Julia and I took our turns at wacking weeds.

It would be so easy until the snow sets in then we would come running home seeking warmers Seattle rain.

Photos have arrived!

Corey and Arron Return from the East.

Corey and Arron took a driving vacation to Yellow Stone.

Clicky Here to see the photos in the web photo album.

Recruiting -- Baltimore Style

Over the past few years it has become harder to find new police applicants. Many Departments across the nation are facing staffing shortages and budget cuts. Unique and inventive ways are being looked at by almost every department. Some try web advertisements on job search sites others approach high schools and college students and some are using old ideas that have been freshened up.

Most departments have a program called CHIEF-FOR-A-DAY or SHERIFF-FOR-A-DAY. Typically this means some lucky honor student at the local grade school or other honorable young person gets to hang out with the big boss and tour police buildings, ride in police cars and helicopters, pet K-9 dogs, eat a fancy lunch and other fun stuff. In this unique twist the City of Baltimore Police has started a new recruiting campaign. They are actually approaching business men and inviting them out on patrol in hopes the experience will spark an interest to joining the department. They call their new program COP-FOR-A-DAY. I am thinking this is an idea that might catch on around the nation.

Check it out CLICK HERE GO THERE.

It's about me - you likely know the story

This is the youtube link
...now I know were Corey's friend Eric learned his dance moves.

Dance

Dance outtakes

Don't forget to smile ear to ear.