Mui Caliente!

Hot! huuuuuuuwh!
I'm not unique here, we are all feeling it in the northwest. I downed 64 oz of water yesterday and still was thirsty. Atleast, I had something cool. I have a good friend who's AC went out on his $40,000 high end truck, he's spending the day tinkering to get it fixed. Played tag with the boys last night at 11:30 I think the the temp at midnight was 85 degrees.
I know we are wimps anymore, so glad I don't live in Florida. Nor Arizona anymore...
Preston went to Vacation Bible school last night with the neighbor kids.
Me, I talked to my reconnected friend Amy all night. Can't get enough of her. She just makes me smile.
I think tonight the lake is calling my name...
You know, I just am rambling today, but life sometimes leads us that way. No real issues going on and I don't need to manufacture something. Glad to make headway on mom and dad's place in prep for the big event on August 8th to purge the 37 plus years of accululation.
I am hoping to take Gary for a 4 day trip to New York to celebrate his 21st! If not there, some place fun, just us and another great memory to look forword to creating.
Thanks Chris, for helping your sister out this week.
Pray for Paul, he needs some rest and time to recover from a mild stroke. A deffinate wake up call for him.
Well, I think I will get back to life and stop rambling on, but hope all is well in your lives, God Bless... stay cool.

It's Friday!!!!

Well, it's been awhile since I posted, but not so much because I didn't have something to say, just that on my post settings for some reason, I accidentally defaulted to another language...Hinu! No offense to the Hindi's, I just didn't know how to change it back to something I could read let alone understand.
I am especially happy about today. I really enjoy the summer festivals, but there is a particular one of interest to me, The Bellevue Art Festival. I go to it every year. It is a Mini Disneyland experience for me. 300 plus juried artists show their stuff in one place. It is a artistic collage of stimulus to my art appreciative senses...say that five times fast!
I always find something interesting, purhaps a new technique I notice and always with a opportunity to network, and speak with other artists. To share ideas, and just take it all in. I usually treat myself the weekend, but since I am heading down to Oregon to help out my parents, I am limiting it to just Friday. In fact, I am doing this alone, Preston is at the sitter. He's going to the trout farm today. And me, I will off to Bellevue sortly. Ah yes, Happy Friday!

Blip.FM.com

A friend of mine told me about this website called BLIP.FM, Wow, how cool!
I can download endless music possabili

No worries...It's Just Paint!
...and a lot of it. Over the last few weekends, I have been taking on a huge task. I have been painting a enormous house (approx. 4,200 square feet!) Plus a 3 car garage to boot.
Well, 80 gallons of paint later, it is nearly done. I need just to finish on side of the house in trim on the upper gutter area. YeaH!! A sudden rain storm had me stop short. It will be done by Wednesday eveing, at least that's my goal.
I am not complaining mind you. Afterall, this was a barter of sorts. A good friend helped me get a business venture started a while back and well, this was his payback. I think it is good that services are still a viable way to exchange between friends. And if I was ever afraid of heights, that's no longer an issue. It's a good thing I like to paint. No mural this time, but still a work of art!

Neighborhood Spirit

Last night after work, I was blessed for a rare night of not having to cook OR better yet, not having to clean up! My neighborhood had a block party, complements of of the City of Renton. A very good Jazz band played, there was face painting, plenty of food, door prizes, a fire truck for the young kids to climb all over, a football game, and plenty of time to relax and get to meet more of my neighbors. All in all a fun time. This was sponsered by the city I live in. Not bad I'd say. A good time for sure. One of the council members is on a quest to serve 5,000 cups of lemonade with a smile this summer. A worthy goal. My city sponsers several events throughout the summer. It's a nice community building event. Anyway, hope all is well in your neighborhood. Make it a great day.

Friends

I offered my house up to invite a dear friend of mine and his family to stay with me for most of the summer. They were seeking temporary refuge to relocate to a more affordable housing situation before the fall. At first, I have to admit I was worried how the dymanics would all work out. I already have my oldest son staying for the summer (not at all complaining about that!) and a nephew and my youngest son in a 3 bedroom/ 1 bath house. But in reality, it has been a great blessing for me to open my home in such a way. So far, so good. Infact, thanks to Travis, I have a newer set of washer and dryer he was able to salvage from a construction job site of his and furnish my son's out building/clubhouse/ extra bedroom, with newer carpet. He also rescued my oldest son from a dead alternater in Seattle when I was out of town on Sunday.
I don't know who is blessing who. Then again, I never kept score. I am grateful to finally be in a position to be a blessing to others... it certainly has been recipricated. It is good to have and be a friend.

Finally some rain!

My grass sure could use it. I have been a little frugal with the watering this summer. Well, as you can imagine no water, no green. So, as I woke up to overcast clouds and a light sprinkle, I am not complaining. We have had so much sunshine since I came back from Europe, it's been rediculous. I don't think it has rained for over 2 months. The last time I checked I didn't have a San Diego address?...
You know that song, "Take it easy", by the Eagles, I all the sudden feel I can relate. I have met so many women lately it's crazy. I definately am going to slow way down. I am no Don Juan, and besides, balance is always good. There are too many wonderful lady's out there. If someone ever says to me where are all of the good women? I'm just going to shake my head. I am patient though to sift through the sand to find the "Right fit". I am in no hurry. My friends and family can attest to why I should not be in such a hurry. But hey, it sure is nice meeting new people and I know when it will be right. Hope your day is great. And, a little rain is alright by me.

July 5th

4th of July

Hey, I don't know about you, but I am very grateful for the blessings I have living in this country. I enjoyed my day with friends at his lakeside home. Mt. Rainier in the background great smoked ribs, chicken, desserts, the works! A good bon fire, and enough fireworks to rival any town USA fireworks display. It was a good time for all. My oldest son bought a used car yesterday. It's not his first car, but it is his first 5 speed. With that in mind, he isn't the best stick driver in the world. In fact, he just began to learn five minutes after he bought the car.
He's getting it, after a few stalls at intersections. Hey, anyone who's ever driven a stick knows about that experience...
Anyway, he just called me from Seattle, stuck trying to go up a hill. I am too far to help him, but I sent a friend to help him out. Let's hope it goes well.
Me, I'm spending the afternoon in Yelm, a small town 30 miles south of my house, near Ft. Lewis. My sister is visiting her daughter (my niece)for the weekend. So, I feel a little helpless in this. I pray it turns out well.