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.

Julia gets her training wheels

Wonderful news, late but still great to know.

With months and months of study, classes, freatting and frowning followed by tests and exams and more worries, add on a couple days followed by yet more delays, ya know originals only, sign in blue pen please. Presto she has her trainee license to go to work and be stressed out like the rest of us.

We are proud of you Julia .....

Ross Lake Vacation Results

Off to Ross Lake for the 3rd Annual Retired and Grumpy Cop Camp out... Fishing was great, weather was great, camping on Cougar Island was great, all was great.... Bobby and friends have been fishing here at Ross Lake Resort since 1975.

To see photos of the 2008 trip Clicky Here.

A salmon BBQ Spectacular

On the last weekend of the June to my surprise the sun appeared in the Seattle sky. Julia and I were invited to a BBQ to beat all others. We went to a Tom and Martha's absolutely fantastic home on Lake Washington. Here we sat on the dock and sipped drinks and visited. Later, when the sun on the dock was intruding on our shaded location we moved to the shade of the house. Tom set fire to the BBQ and placed the salmon on the heat. Soon after we were enjoying delicious perfectly cooked salmon, yes it was expertly seasoned with garlic. Martha prepared darn near everything else that made it possible for Tom to present the salmon to the table. The two worked way to hard and each complemented the others talent perfectly. Everyone brought a little something delicious to make the day perfect. When the food was properly devoured we all watched as Birthday boy Greg, who is now 60, open his birthday cards, I was amazed at his ability to open and read each card at such an advanced age. Lisa, his lovely wife never helped him once :~). Ann and Dave can not be left out here either, Dave in his pastel tie-dye shirt and Ann with her urban streets runner's road rash provided excellent conversation starters. Really you didn't need to do all that to make me feel comfortable, but thanks you anyway. I had a great time visiting with everyone and look forward to many more gatherings.

Click here to go see all the pictures.

Swiftwater Certificate

Well at long last can say I have my swiftwater certificate. Battered and Bruised I have a great respect for the cold fast moving waters of our local rivers. I knew rivers were hazardous, heck I have rafted the Grand Canyon, done several Eastern Washington raft trips, and even paddled my kayak 100 miles of the Missouri River. I learned a lot about how a single person floating in a river current will feel. Now imagine falling off your inner-tube or out of your raft. Wow, cold and nearly impossible to stay above water even with a river life jacket. Absolutely impossible for weak or non swimmers without life jackets. With thermal protection and a helmet I had an ice cream type headache most of the time we were passing through rapids.

Vacation Prank Season

See what some have to deal with when they return to work after a little vacation.
CLICKY HERE

Boater Education Card On-Line

20 and under and want to drive the jet ski or boat????
This summer new age restrictions and the Boater Education requirement took affect in Washington State. Washington is one of the last states to require this card. You will need this education card to drive a motor boat, unless you have one from another state or Canada. This card will also satisfy the requirement in the other 50 states and Canada waters. If you already took the Coast Guard Auxiliary course and can still find your certificate, that counts too. There are several ways to get educated. Of course I can teach you by talking for 8 long hours or you can go to one of the two FREE sites the state added. I listed them below, if you want to pay for the class room option because you love to sit on hard chairs and watch cheesy power points that option is available too at the State Parks Class Schedule site.

Below are the two sites that do not charge to teach you the boater information needed to pass the exam and the EXAM is FREE. After passing the exam print out two copies of the certificate, keep one and mail the other to State Parks with the application form and $10.

I have the state books that have the study material. Both my boys were able to study the book, do the pretests and go straight to the test receiving a passing score.


Two FREE EXAM sites.

1) Online provider: Boat U.S. Foundation Online Boating Safety Course
Study material needed: Online Course Manual
Practice test available: Yes.
Practice quizzes are offered after each section and allow unlimited free tests.
Pay online for the education card: No. Boaters need to mail the application form, copy of completion certificate and $10 fee.
Cost: No charge
Customer Service: (800) 336-2628

2) Online provider: PWC Safety School.com
Study material needed: JetSmart Safety Handbook
Practice test available: Yes. Practice quizzes are offered after each section.
Pay online for the education card: No. Boaters need to mail in application form, copy of completion certificate and the $10 fee.
Cost: No charge
Customer Service: (206) 682-3699

Here is the link to the Boater Safety Education card APPLICATION

April, May and June showers bring Julia Flowers

Rain and more Rain! Wonder if the sun was ever going to shine. Well here are a couple photos to lead us towards summer. This is RAIN....




















This is a discovery of sunshine late one day.























This is Julia's Flowers in beautiful bloom on the first day without rain and a little sunshine.

Bicycle Ride to North Carolina

Will McMahan, a member of Grandma K's Church has set off on a little bicycle ride. Share his adventures by clicking on the picture to visit his Blog.

Key Art Award -

Julia's nephew Rob Hammond and his friend Andre are up for awards in the Motion Graphics category at the KEY ART AWARD. This is for their work on the "trailer" for the movie Shoot'em Up.

More later