Ready to pour

We're ready to pour our new decks. The cement crew will be here at 6:00 AM on Saturday morning to start the job. It will take two cement trucks with a third on call if we need it. The decks will be stamped that same day, and we should be able to lightly walk on them by Sunday. There are still some post-pour jobs (railings, a 220 outlet, light fixture, sealing the decks, gutters, etc, but Saturday will be the defining moment of the project.

Deck project

The demolition of the top and bottom redwood decks has begun. After the decks are gone, then the preliminary forms will be set so we can play with the size and shape of the decks and steps before permanent forms are made. It will probably be about a two week job (or so I estimate since our contractor Nar goes on vacation in two weeks!!). We also have to pick out the color of the cement that will be poured and the stamping that will be used. There will also be some electrical and plumbing work required, as well as new gutters and downspouts, and a sidewalk.

Raley Field

I really like going to Raley Field this year, they are so appreciative.

Dusty Baker night

On Saturday night, Dick, Tim, Craig, and I went to Dusty Baker Night at Raley Field as guests of Charlotte Davis. Above, Charlotte and Celeste get up close and personal with Dusty before his onfield ceremony. The River Cats lost the game, but it was fun seeing some Del Campo alumni and reminiscing about our high school days.

Lita's visit

Grandma Lita visited us for 8 days. We celebrated Cindy's birthday a day late by going to dinner at The Melting Pot. It was a 3-hour extravaganza of fondues, wine, meats, seafood, and chocolate desserts. Everything was yummy. Above, the ladies have cocktails at Alex and Onita's house before going to dinner. We spent Saturday at the St Francis Hotel in San Francisco and went to see Beach Blanket Babylon at Club Fugazzi. Grandma is planning on returning for Christmas.

Cathouse

We had our annual luxury suite for our Triple-AAA Sacto River Cats versus the Salt Lake Bees ballgame on Saturday evening at Raley Field (The Cathouse). The 'Cats won 3-2 and the hot afternoon finally cooled to make it a perfect night of baseball. I was one of several fans who threw out the game's first pitch, and we also got an informative behind-the-scenes tour of the ballpark beforehand. During the game, we ate Tri-Tip, chicken, hot dogs, and dipped veggies, while keeping the beer waitress very busy. Afterwards, there was a fireworks show beyond the right field fence that capped it all off. Great night of baseball and friends.

Bathroom almost done

Here's that same corner of the new bathroom stall that I posted on June 26th, that's the cool new corner seat and the hot/cold controls, (the actual shower head with extended hose is mounted on the opposite wall), so you can either stand and shower traditionally (over the head), or take a seat and use the extended hose attachment if you are feeling particularly lazy. This new step-in shower is much roomier. The bathroom is fully functional, but Nar still has to install the new framed mirror above the vanity, and a new medicine cabinet on the wall to complete the job which should be in two days. Next??...our backyard decking project.

Lindsay BrewFest

Lindsay enjoyed the 1st annual BrewFest at Caesar Chavez Park on June 30th with her "posse" (they liked the Jack Russell Brewery Blueberry Ale), then "horsed" around at the Folsom Rodeo, and finally to the July 4th fireworks display at La Sierra with her "Jack" Abby Mae. It is really hot, 104 yesterday and 106 predicted today.

Busy June

Cindy had her left knee replacement done on the 19th, and came home on the 21st. She is doing well and rehabbing it. Her right knee that was done on April 24th is now really solid. We started our bathroom remodel yesterday. That's it after it was gutted. In all, it will be about a 2 week job. Then, in a few weeks, our contractor Nar will start tearing off both backyard decks, frame the new ones, and then pour the cement. We hope to have it done by the first or second week of August. Tomorrow is my birthday, then Ryan on July 6th, Cindy on the 26th, and Aunt Madalyn on the 30th. Then, Lindsay in Sept and Alex in November. We'll squeeze in a week vacation to Santa Cruz in the midst of it all.

Reception at Embassy Suites

Leslie and JR's wedding reception was at the Embassy Suites overlooking the river at the Capitol Mall bridge. We stayed the night at the hotel after a sitdown dinner and dancing afterwards. Above are some of Dick's friends who livened up the party. The next morning, we enjoyed the complimentary breakfast, took a short stroll down the Promenade and then went home to get ready for the Sopranos finale.

Leslie's wedding

Leslie and JR got married on Saturday in the McKinley Park Rose Garden. It was a warm afternoon and the garden was very pretty. The ceremony was brief and conducted by Uncle Ted. Here are Leslie's parents Dick and Donna with the happy couple a few minutes before they exchanged the traditional "I do" with each other.

Anyone can comment now

Anyone, even a Jack Russell, can now add a comment to any post. Just click on "comment" and you can add your comment by simply clicking the "other" or "anonymous" bubble and then adding a comment. Even a caveman can do it. Of course, you can include your name in your comment if you want. The format of the blog has also changed. Feel free to give me feedback, I'm openminded, and just looking for a fresh look. And, as always, simply click on any picture to enlarge it.

Alex's surgery

Alex had ACL surgery on his left knee yesterday. Onita is nursing him at home with the assistance of the pain pump in his left hand that is inserted into his knee, and the cold therapy system which circulates cold water around it to minimize the swelling. He is planning on going back to work this next Tuesday, but will be on crutches for about six weeks. No weight is allowed on that leg. The complete rehab of the knee takes about a full year and it may return to its original strength. Alex is still contemplating surgery on his shoulder too, but the knee rehab will require his full attention. One thing at a time son.

Ryan's shed

It was very hot yesterday, but Ryan, Alex, and I assembled Ryan's new Rubbermaid shed in his backyard. It was a little like The Three Amigos meet The Three Stooges, but we persevered and, after Onita refueled us with sandwiches from Togo's, we finally solved the riddle of the roof and finished the project. It blends in very well with the house and yard. Ryan looks tired, but the shed is finally done.

Yard sale

We joined our next door neighbor in a yard sale on Saturday and sold a few items, including an old, long dresser, but an upright bedroom dresser we have had for 25 years remained unsold. Here, Cindy enjoys the morning air while supervising my sales efforts.

Get well basket

Cindy's co-workers surprised her at home with a cornucopia of goodies this afternoon that she really appreciated. Here she shows off the basket and sends a big THANK YOU!!! to everyone at work for their kindness and thoughtfulness. She's working diligently to get her right knee fully rehabbed so she can return to the office.

Cindy's knee surgery

Cindy had total right knee replacement surgery on April 24th at Methodist Hospital. She recovered in the hospital for about 50 hours and then was discharged back home. This snap of Cindy and Ryan was taken moments before we left for the hospital. Her rehab includes lots of specific exercises and rest. Thus far, everything is going normally and she is in good spirits. Logically, it makes sense to replicate the surgery on her left knee soon. We'll make sure that her right knee is 100% fine and then start serious discussions about replacing the left knee. If everything goes as planned, she should be fully recovered for a pain free vacation to Santa Cruz in September.

Train Trestle Fire

The main train track from Sacramento to Reno runs right behind my office and a 300 foot section of its bridge trestle caught on fire on 3/15/07 in the late afternoon and caused disruption to the highway, nearby businesses, and of course train service. It took 2 full days to put it out, and it sent a jet black plume straight up. It is estimated that it will be weeks before train service can resume.

Winning twosome

Marty B. and Marty A. pose for a victory photo in front of Marty B's new Honda after their stunning upset of Dick and Dean at Hoffman Park.

Hoffman golf

It was a gorgeous day today...bright sun, 70 degrees, and blue sky with no clouds...perfect for golf, so we played 18 holes at Ancil Hoffman. Lots of pars, but no birdies at all for us. Above, Dick, Dean, and Brif show their unanimity proclaiming me as #1 (only kidding)...it was a lot of fun and Dean got to break in his new Cleveland driver with some tape measure shots straight down the fairways. I teamed with Brif and we smoked D & D, but there will be rematches and they will undoubtedly seek their revenge. Maybe at Castle Oaks in two weeks???