Monday, June 30, 2008
Picked up a hot tub this weekend
We visited Dawn's mom on her birthday, and we took home her hot tub that she doesn't use any more.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Kitchen cabinets and painting at Dad's
While I was in California, Dad and Gerald got the kitchen painted in preparation for cabinet installation. Then I brought up some helpers for Saturday.
Painting Grandpa's bedroom:
While the kitchen cabinets are being installed:
Moving on to the guest room:
And the living room:
We have yet to see if our work has passed the long term inspection process.
Painting Grandpa's bedroom:
While the kitchen cabinets are being installed:
Moving on to the guest room:
And the living room:
We have yet to see if our work has passed the long term inspection process.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Visited the Brady's
After I finished up at a job site in Ontario, California, I took a drive down to Poway (almost to San Diego) to visit with Jeff, a guy I attended College with (over 20 years ago! What's up with that?!?!?).
I got to meet his wife (Pati) and kids (Luisa, Celina, Jon and Diego) that I had never seen. They are all younger than my kids, almost like Jeff and Pati picked up where Dawn and I left off.
When I left, I was told in no uncertain terms that next time I should bring my family (at least Dawn).
I got to meet his wife (Pati) and kids (Luisa, Celina, Jon and Diego) that I had never seen. They are all younger than my kids, almost like Jeff and Pati picked up where Dawn and I left off.
When I left, I was told in no uncertain terms that next time I should bring my family (at least Dawn).
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Flying to Ontario, California
I had to visit a customer site to solve a problem with my software.
When arranging my flight, it appeared I could book a flight on Northwest out of Pellston, but my company's travel department couldn't book me a seat. So instead, I was sent out of Pellston on United. On the surface, it appeared better travel arrangement, as there was only one stop (in Denver), as United recently added the Traverse City (TVC) to Denver (DEN) leg as a non-stop flight.
However, our flight was a bit out of the ordinary, as not long after we reached cruising altitude, the pilot indicated he was shutting down the left engine due to excessive vibration. After a discussion with Corporate, they decided to divert to Minneapolis, where we had an 'interesting' high-speed landing, what with 3 fire trucks lined up to meet us. After that, the plane load of passengers spent a couple hours (mostly in line trying to rebook flights).
While we were doing that, the pilot had the engine examined, took it for a spin around the tarmac, and pronounced everything OK, blaming the vibration on the fins not fully sliding to their outward position upon engine start. So about 50% of the people that landed in Minnesota took off in the same plane.
Ninety minutes later we were in Denver, and had lost about 3 hours on our schedule.
When arranging my flight, it appeared I could book a flight on Northwest out of Pellston, but my company's travel department couldn't book me a seat. So instead, I was sent out of Pellston on United. On the surface, it appeared better travel arrangement, as there was only one stop (in Denver), as United recently added the Traverse City (TVC) to Denver (DEN) leg as a non-stop flight.
However, our flight was a bit out of the ordinary, as not long after we reached cruising altitude, the pilot indicated he was shutting down the left engine due to excessive vibration. After a discussion with Corporate, they decided to divert to Minneapolis, where we had an 'interesting' high-speed landing, what with 3 fire trucks lined up to meet us. After that, the plane load of passengers spent a couple hours (mostly in line trying to rebook flights).
While we were doing that, the pilot had the engine examined, took it for a spin around the tarmac, and pronounced everything OK, blaming the vibration on the fins not fully sliding to their outward position upon engine start. So about 50% of the people that landed in Minnesota took off in the same plane.
Ninety minutes later we were in Denver, and had lost about 3 hours on our schedule.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's day at the farm
Got Russ (and Hanna) taking care of grilling lunch:
While Rach wants to learn to drive the four-wheeler. Of course, several rides had to be given that day!
Hanna is keeping track of what Grandpa got for his gift (a slide show photo frame)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Finished hanging Drywall at Dad's
Gerald and I helped Dad finish all the drywall in his house while Dawn cleaned up our mess and documented the day. He has a contractor coming this week to mud and prime all the rooms.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Spent the day on Mackinac Island
Russ, Kelly and their kids came up from Phoenix with Kelly's mom, and we enjoyed a carriage ride arranged by Amanda (with the help of Jack -- Thanks Jack!)
More pictures to be unloaded from the camera
More pictures to be unloaded from the camera
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Happy Anniversary to us!
Well, it's only been twenty years. The day slipped by without much ado, as the celebration of choice Dawn made was to have us take the kids to Disney in August (instead of the cruise for two that I gave her for another option).
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Another weekend on Dad's house
We finished hanging drywall in 3 1/2 rooms:
Master bedroom (upstairs):
Dining, Living and stairs:
And over half of the guest room:
Master bedroom (upstairs):
Dining, Living and stairs:
And over half of the guest room:
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Fixing plumbing
Last weekend Bruce pointed out that the old humidifier valve over the water heater was leaking. Finally got around to fixing it (putting a cap in place of the valve), after catching and dumping water for the last 3 days.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Open house + Dress making
Last weekend we had an open house to recognize Adam's graduation from Ferris. Numerous photos are below.
Tonight (Tuesday), Rachel and I were working late into the night to finish her costume to wear to Renaissance Day, where her class was taken to Castle Farms in Charlevoix.
Check out what we managed to sew together over the course of 10 evenings and a weekend:
Tonight (Tuesday), Rachel and I were working late into the night to finish her costume to wear to Renaissance Day, where her class was taken to Castle Farms in Charlevoix.
Check out what we managed to sew together over the course of 10 evenings and a weekend:
