I know everyone, it's been a while since I've posted. Mainly because I have been very busy taking care of work issues and also taking two intense classes this semester. I'm taking Organizational Behavior and Social Psychology, both require LOTS of reading and writinng. And remember, these are both upper level, so the expectation of writing and research is much more than writing down some thoughts.
Maria has still be trudging along with her daycare. She has 8 full-time kids and I still, even after her doing this for 15 years, don't know how she does it. It certainly is no where near my cup of tea. But she's always smilin' and loves what she does....so she keeps trudgin'.
Joey and Tom. Well, they are back in school and seem to be very well. I tell them both they need to make their education a priority, but remember, they're 17 and 16, so we all know they "know everything", so Dad is just a screaming ninny.
Joey graduates June 2009 then will go into the USMC. He should leave for Basic Training sometime in June 2009. He's back into his streneous exercise/diet program, so he's on that kick and that's almost impossible to get him to listen to reason about being so fanatical about that....again, remember he's 17.
Well, the 2009 RV-Dreams Rally....Maria and I have decided we WILL attend the Rally if it's West of the mighty Mississippi and if we can swing the time period. Remember, Joey is going into USMC Basic and there is no way will Maria and I miss taking him to do that very emotional wave good-bye. Believe me, I'm fine with just saying Bye and give him a hug and say...."about time you grow up!" But oh no...Maria won't let me get away with that. And of course, there is no way will I miss his graduation from Basic.
I remember when I went into the Navy. I was dropped off at the hotel in Fresno to stay the night because we leaving at 0300 the next morning. I said goodbye to my grandparents, mom and aunts/uncles and off I went. BUT (there's always a but), I forgot my running shoes, so my Mom and Aunt brought them to the hotel and of course, had to go through the goodbye all over again. After that didn't see anyone for the next 4 months. I was fine and I made it....but believe me it is different when it's your kid. No way will I miss that time.
OK, I know you're thinking...hey Steve...don't write a novel once a month. I know...my standard statement...I'll get better.
Safe travels!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Fun, fun and more fun.....
Well, the day started off with a bang. The alarm clock went off at 0645 that was intended to wake Maria up so she could get up and get going to start the preps for her "End of Summer Party" with her daycare children and parents.
Now, as you all know this type of thing isn't my cup of tea. But I knew it was the right thing to do to support Maria. So I waited until everything was set up (LOL!) then I went over. Again, she went all out with a 75 foot blow-up dragon obstacle couse and a 35 foot high blow up water slide (you know the blow up "bounce house" things). She held it at the park at the end of our block and we were there with noone else around. So that was nice. ALL of her kids showed up and most parents, but as usual some parents dropped their kids off for FIVE hours and then picked them up!
OK, I'm going on my soapbox. This was an event for the kids and parents, NOT a "daycare day". Some of these parents treated this like a "birthday party" event, and I just don't understand that. I could rattle on, but won't.
Maria had a great time with the kids, and at the conclusion of this fun-filled time were TWO pinatas, the kids (and Maria) had a good time. I guess that's all that counts.
And yes, our boys (Joey and Tom) helped her set-up and tear-down, although Joey wasn't too thrilled, but he knew it wasn't an option. (I know all you parents out there know what I'm talking about....).
OK, so now time for Steve! So after all that way too much excitement, I went home got ready to meet some of my Sailors at the Grizzlies Game in Fresno. They are the minor-league baseball team for Fresno. The played the Sacramento River Cats, and unfortunately, Fresno lost....bummer.
But here's the best part. My Mom is the HR Director for Karsyn Construction in Fresno and Karsyn has a season luxury box suite! So each game Karsyn gets 10 tickets and 5 VIP parking passes and the owner, Joe, gave me tickets for the game. So I asked all my Sailors and 8 of them went with me. We had a great time. That was the first time most of them had even been in a luxury suite, so they really enjoyed it. I will get tickets again next year and we'll go again.
So this Saturday was a fun-filled day. But certainly not as fun as if we were in our RV either on the ocean or the Sequoias. Speaking of that, we're scheduling a trip for 3-5 October to the Sequoias.
As always, safe travels to all.
Now, as you all know this type of thing isn't my cup of tea. But I knew it was the right thing to do to support Maria. So I waited until everything was set up (LOL!) then I went over. Again, she went all out with a 75 foot blow-up dragon obstacle couse and a 35 foot high blow up water slide (you know the blow up "bounce house" things). She held it at the park at the end of our block and we were there with noone else around. So that was nice. ALL of her kids showed up and most parents, but as usual some parents dropped their kids off for FIVE hours and then picked them up!
OK, I'm going on my soapbox. This was an event for the kids and parents, NOT a "daycare day". Some of these parents treated this like a "birthday party" event, and I just don't understand that. I could rattle on, but won't.
Maria had a great time with the kids, and at the conclusion of this fun-filled time were TWO pinatas, the kids (and Maria) had a good time. I guess that's all that counts.
And yes, our boys (Joey and Tom) helped her set-up and tear-down, although Joey wasn't too thrilled, but he knew it wasn't an option. (I know all you parents out there know what I'm talking about....).
OK, so now time for Steve! So after all that way too much excitement, I went home got ready to meet some of my Sailors at the Grizzlies Game in Fresno. They are the minor-league baseball team for Fresno. The played the Sacramento River Cats, and unfortunately, Fresno lost....bummer.
But here's the best part. My Mom is the HR Director for Karsyn Construction in Fresno and Karsyn has a season luxury box suite! So each game Karsyn gets 10 tickets and 5 VIP parking passes and the owner, Joe, gave me tickets for the game. So I asked all my Sailors and 8 of them went with me. We had a great time. That was the first time most of them had even been in a luxury suite, so they really enjoyed it. I will get tickets again next year and we'll go again.
So this Saturday was a fun-filled day. But certainly not as fun as if we were in our RV either on the ocean or the Sequoias. Speaking of that, we're scheduling a trip for 3-5 October to the Sequoias.
As always, safe travels to all.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate!
I had some very bad news at 0630 on the morning of Saturday, 16 August 2008. One my Sailors, HM2(AW) Athan Scott Allen had died while on a command detachment to Fairbanks, Alaska.
I have known Athan since 2003 when I met him at my last command. He was our command's Hospital Corpsman and a great "Doc" he was. When I heard in 2006 that he was going to the same squadron that I would be going to (where I'm stationed now) I was very excited. He was a great Sailor, Corpsman and friend to everyone.
I told my Commanding Officer that I wanted to be the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) (the military that walk to the front door and notify the PNOK/SNOK). That was by the far the hardest thing I've had to do. But I felt it my duty because I was close to him and I am his Leading Chief Petty Officer.
So I've been helping his wife get through this time and assisting her with all the appropriate arrangements. We are no where near coming to conclusion, it will probably be a good 6 months before I have all her benefits 100% completed, but I'm with her until it's completed.
It's been my honor to know Athan Allen and help his wife and daughter through this time.
I ask that all my readers say a prayer for Athan's wife, daughter, mom & dad and family and friends as they go through the grieving process.
The United States Navy has lost a true patriot!
Thank you Athan for touching the lives of those you came in contact with. You will truly be missed. Good bye Athan, you were loved.
I have known Athan since 2003 when I met him at my last command. He was our command's Hospital Corpsman and a great "Doc" he was. When I heard in 2006 that he was going to the same squadron that I would be going to (where I'm stationed now) I was very excited. He was a great Sailor, Corpsman and friend to everyone.
I told my Commanding Officer that I wanted to be the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) (the military that walk to the front door and notify the PNOK/SNOK). That was by the far the hardest thing I've had to do. But I felt it my duty because I was close to him and I am his Leading Chief Petty Officer.
So I've been helping his wife get through this time and assisting her with all the appropriate arrangements. We are no where near coming to conclusion, it will probably be a good 6 months before I have all her benefits 100% completed, but I'm with her until it's completed.
It's been my honor to know Athan Allen and help his wife and daughter through this time.
I ask that all my readers say a prayer for Athan's wife, daughter, mom & dad and family and friends as they go through the grieving process.
The United States Navy has lost a true patriot!
Thank you Athan for touching the lives of those you came in contact with. You will truly be missed. Good bye Athan, you were loved.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
We've been busy!
I realize it has been exactly four weeks since I last posted. Well in the last four weeks we have all been very busy. Lots to catch up on.
Me: My usual working.....2 years, 1 month and 14 days until I retire from the USN! Also, I completed my last two college courses (Marketing MGMT and HR MGMT). I have now started to more; ORG Behavior and Social Psychology. Both classes are interesting and I'll have fun with them.
Maria: She's had 9 full time kids during the summer! I still don't know how she does that, way too much for me. The kids range from 1 to 12....that's alot of drama in the house, but she does it.
Joey: Well, his car was hit from behind by our neighbors brother. They weren't even on our block, they were about 1/2 mile from our house. Joey is fine but the car has a huge dent in the trunk and it won't close, so we have it tied down. His insurance company has not been very good, so I'm getting involved Monday. He worked the entire summer for one of our neighbors that has rentals and needed some work. Well our neighbor is a very handy-man guy, so he showed Joey how to install windows, lay wood flooring, tile bathroom, plumbing...quite a bit of work. I wish I knew how to do all that, it sure would save me a bundle with our home. But he's had a good time and made $8.00/hour!
Tom: He's completly recovered from his appendectomy on 7 July. He recovered quickly and was back to his self within a week. During the last few weeks he has spent a lot of time with his friends and cousins. He has also been a big help for Maria with her daycare. He has been practicing his driving, and should have his driver's license around the end of next month. He's a good driver, so I'm sure he'll do good on the test.
We had our niece and nephew for a few weeks during the summer. They were here at different times most of the time, except for last weekend when they were both here. Maria took the kids and my Mom to the portrait studio to take "grandkids" photos. They weren't too happy about it, but the got through it. This will be the last opportunity we would have as Joey graduates in June 09 and then going into the Marines. So my Mom wanted to get that done. OK, mission accomplished.
One bad thing to report is that we have not been RVing. We're not happy about that at all, but with Tom's surgery in July and then we had our niece and nephew..we just couldn't get away. But I'm pretty sure we'll be going in a few weeks. Our plan is to make it over to Morro Bay and also Sequoia National Park.
Well, that should catch everyone up, and as I've stated before...I'll try to get better about posting to keep everyone informed on what's going on.
Me: My usual working.....2 years, 1 month and 14 days until I retire from the USN! Also, I completed my last two college courses (Marketing MGMT and HR MGMT). I have now started to more; ORG Behavior and Social Psychology. Both classes are interesting and I'll have fun with them.
Maria: She's had 9 full time kids during the summer! I still don't know how she does that, way too much for me. The kids range from 1 to 12....that's alot of drama in the house, but she does it.
Joey: Well, his car was hit from behind by our neighbors brother. They weren't even on our block, they were about 1/2 mile from our house. Joey is fine but the car has a huge dent in the trunk and it won't close, so we have it tied down. His insurance company has not been very good, so I'm getting involved Monday. He worked the entire summer for one of our neighbors that has rentals and needed some work. Well our neighbor is a very handy-man guy, so he showed Joey how to install windows, lay wood flooring, tile bathroom, plumbing...quite a bit of work. I wish I knew how to do all that, it sure would save me a bundle with our home. But he's had a good time and made $8.00/hour!
Tom: He's completly recovered from his appendectomy on 7 July. He recovered quickly and was back to his self within a week. During the last few weeks he has spent a lot of time with his friends and cousins. He has also been a big help for Maria with her daycare. He has been practicing his driving, and should have his driver's license around the end of next month. He's a good driver, so I'm sure he'll do good on the test.
We had our niece and nephew for a few weeks during the summer. They were here at different times most of the time, except for last weekend when they were both here. Maria took the kids and my Mom to the portrait studio to take "grandkids" photos. They weren't too happy about it, but the got through it. This will be the last opportunity we would have as Joey graduates in June 09 and then going into the Marines. So my Mom wanted to get that done. OK, mission accomplished.
One bad thing to report is that we have not been RVing. We're not happy about that at all, but with Tom's surgery in July and then we had our niece and nephew..we just couldn't get away. But I'm pretty sure we'll be going in a few weeks. Our plan is to make it over to Morro Bay and also Sequoia National Park.
Well, that should catch everyone up, and as I've stated before...I'll try to get better about posting to keep everyone informed on what's going on.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Alive and Well....
As my title suggests, we're all doing fine. Thanks to everyone who had Tom in your thoughts and prayers. He's doing very well now and back to his teenage boy antics. So we know he's doing better.
Joseph has been hard at work this summer with our neighbor who owns many rentals. Joseph has been helping him restore/remodel them. That's great because he gets paid a reasonable pay and also learning great skills that he can use when he owns his own home.
Maria has been working very long hours with her daycare. She's very busy, I think she has 8 kids...WOW...that's just too much for me. But she does it and she loves doing it.
Me--well I've been busy with work and school. This next week is my last week for summer session with Columbia. I have been taking Human Resource Management and Marketing Management. I just completed my HR research project and I need to fine-tune my Marketing project and turn that in today.
So I will be free from school from 26 July to 10 August. Not very long, but I'll take what I can get. Next semester I'm taking Organizational Behavior and Macroeconmics.
We are planning an RV trip 2 and 3 August..maybe. We need to see what our kids are doing, but we may go to San Luis Obispo (Morro Bay) and stay for the weekend.
Hope all is going well with all the RV families.
As always, I wish you safe travels!
Joseph has been hard at work this summer with our neighbor who owns many rentals. Joseph has been helping him restore/remodel them. That's great because he gets paid a reasonable pay and also learning great skills that he can use when he owns his own home.
Maria has been working very long hours with her daycare. She's very busy, I think she has 8 kids...WOW...that's just too much for me. But she does it and she loves doing it.
Me--well I've been busy with work and school. This next week is my last week for summer session with Columbia. I have been taking Human Resource Management and Marketing Management. I just completed my HR research project and I need to fine-tune my Marketing project and turn that in today.
So I will be free from school from 26 July to 10 August. Not very long, but I'll take what I can get. Next semester I'm taking Organizational Behavior and Macroeconmics.
We are planning an RV trip 2 and 3 August..maybe. We need to see what our kids are doing, but we may go to San Luis Obispo (Morro Bay) and stay for the weekend.
Hope all is going well with all the RV families.
As always, I wish you safe travels!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Happy Birthday Joey!!
Today is the birthday of our oldest son, Joseph. He's 17!!!!
We're getting ready to take him out to dinner, his choice. This is a tradition we do, either we go out to eat, their choice, or Maria makes dinner, their choice. Either way it's always good food!
So tonight we're going out to eat, just don't know where yet. Joey worked today for our neighbor who has rentals and he just got home. He'll decide in a few minutes then we'll be on our way. I hope he chooses our favorite Mexican restaurant, La Fiesta. I could really go for a carne asada burritto today.
BTW, in 37 days our 2nd son, Thomas will be 16. Can't believe they're so old....that means I'm getting older...!
We're getting ready to take him out to dinner, his choice. This is a tradition we do, either we go out to eat, their choice, or Maria makes dinner, their choice. Either way it's always good food!
So tonight we're going out to eat, just don't know where yet. Joey worked today for our neighbor who has rentals and he just got home. He'll decide in a few minutes then we'll be on our way. I hope he chooses our favorite Mexican restaurant, La Fiesta. I could really go for a carne asada burritto today.
BTW, in 37 days our 2nd son, Thomas will be 16. Can't believe they're so old....that means I'm getting older...!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Update - Work & School
It has been 30 days since my last post. Not good --- I know.
The boys finished up this school year on 14 June and now they are a Senior and Junior in high school. Joey graduates June 2009 and Tom in June 2010.
I'm in summer session with Columbia on-line and taking HR Management and Marketing. Both very interesting classes...but LOTS of work. I have weekly tests and papers to write. But so far so good. I have 8 more semesters and that is taking 2 classes and maybe 3 for one or two semesters. Problem is Columbia didn't take all my transfer credits from SDCC so I need to redo a Humanities and Upper English. But I'll get through it and move onto the MBA.
Maria is hard at work taking care of her child care business and of course all things at home. I don't know how she does it all, it would drive me nuts. But she's got LOTS of energy and motivation so she perseveres through the tough stuff.
Haven't been on an RV trip since Memorial weekend. Between my school and Maria's work, we just haven't found the time for it. The boys are having fun with their friends over summer; swimming, paintballing....teenager stuff. But behaving well.
We are having friends visit us from Oregon on 5 and 6 July. We are bringing the motorhome from storage and parking it in our "RV parking" next to our house for the weekend, plug it in and it will be nice for them to stay in. It's only for one night. Then I'll take it back to storage on Monday.
We have a 18 X 45 cement slab that we poured next to our house that we used to park our quads and trailer, worked great for a few years, but this last year we sold both quads and trailer. (That hurt in the beginning, but now....well it's just "stuff"). But its use is really RV parking with an electric plug for 20amp. That works well for what we need it for A/C only. There isn't any need to use anything else when you're parked 3 feet from your house.
It sure will be a good selling point when we sell the house!!! I want to upgrade to a 50amp plug and maybe tap into our sewer line. I'll have to see what city regs say about that.
The reason I don't permanently park it at our house is because I don't like the look. We have a few neighbors that have their RV next to their house (and there's plenty room for it) but I just don't like how it looks. Something very strange about having this BIG motorhome parked between 2 houses...again, just don't care for the look.
So I pay the 20.00/month to park it on the base. I like it there because we use the base facilities to wash it, service it, etc. Also that is our "base" when we leave/return. I take it out from base storage and park it in their RV park (not much to write home about) and then get it all cleaned and go to the commissary and exchange and get what we need for the trip. We rarely bring anything from home. We have the "staples" in the motorhome and then get what we need just for the trip from the commissary or the exchange and get rollin'. It works for me.
Future plans: We are still committed to selling our house in 2010 and getting on the road in Sep 2010 (when I retire from USN). Our plan is to get on the road and then I start my MBA while we are camp hosting. We will set off to "Explore what I served to protect!"
Stay tuned for the next update!
The boys finished up this school year on 14 June and now they are a Senior and Junior in high school. Joey graduates June 2009 and Tom in June 2010.
I'm in summer session with Columbia on-line and taking HR Management and Marketing. Both very interesting classes...but LOTS of work. I have weekly tests and papers to write. But so far so good. I have 8 more semesters and that is taking 2 classes and maybe 3 for one or two semesters. Problem is Columbia didn't take all my transfer credits from SDCC so I need to redo a Humanities and Upper English. But I'll get through it and move onto the MBA.
Maria is hard at work taking care of her child care business and of course all things at home. I don't know how she does it all, it would drive me nuts. But she's got LOTS of energy and motivation so she perseveres through the tough stuff.
Haven't been on an RV trip since Memorial weekend. Between my school and Maria's work, we just haven't found the time for it. The boys are having fun with their friends over summer; swimming, paintballing....teenager stuff. But behaving well.
We are having friends visit us from Oregon on 5 and 6 July. We are bringing the motorhome from storage and parking it in our "RV parking" next to our house for the weekend, plug it in and it will be nice for them to stay in. It's only for one night. Then I'll take it back to storage on Monday.
We have a 18 X 45 cement slab that we poured next to our house that we used to park our quads and trailer, worked great for a few years, but this last year we sold both quads and trailer. (That hurt in the beginning, but now....well it's just "stuff"). But its use is really RV parking with an electric plug for 20amp. That works well for what we need it for A/C only. There isn't any need to use anything else when you're parked 3 feet from your house.
It sure will be a good selling point when we sell the house!!! I want to upgrade to a 50amp plug and maybe tap into our sewer line. I'll have to see what city regs say about that.
The reason I don't permanently park it at our house is because I don't like the look. We have a few neighbors that have their RV next to their house (and there's plenty room for it) but I just don't like how it looks. Something very strange about having this BIG motorhome parked between 2 houses...again, just don't care for the look.
So I pay the 20.00/month to park it on the base. I like it there because we use the base facilities to wash it, service it, etc. Also that is our "base" when we leave/return. I take it out from base storage and park it in their RV park (not much to write home about) and then get it all cleaned and go to the commissary and exchange and get what we need for the trip. We rarely bring anything from home. We have the "staples" in the motorhome and then get what we need just for the trip from the commissary or the exchange and get rollin'. It works for me.
Future plans: We are still committed to selling our house in 2010 and getting on the road in Sep 2010 (when I retire from USN). Our plan is to get on the road and then I start my MBA while we are camp hosting. We will set off to "Explore what I served to protect!"
Stay tuned for the next update!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
