Winter Log 2004-2005

My poor horse is dying.  After 200,000+ miles its time to say goodbye.  I never had one problem with the engine EVER, but everything else started to fail.  From transmissions, to 5 master cylinders, and a front end that was damaged by too much off road use, it was time to get rid of my beloved Explorer.  It took me many places and was more dependable then not.
Enter the next generation.  I always liked the Dodge so I got a 2500 Ram with a high power Hemi engine.  This will pull all my trailers and be my ranch truck.
We have begun to settle in to our new home and have started to make a few changes here and there.  The first major change is to remove the flower wall paper from the ceiling of the bathroom.  I get out of the shower and forget which way is up sometimes.

Also we have some work to do in the barnyard area of the Ranch where we have the horses.  Yes I said horses.  Susan had Cappy before we met, but back in July I got a horses and his name is "Fire".
Speaking of Fire, we had our first fire for the winter in our fireplace.  I know it is a small note, but for Susan and I it was pretty nice.
Here Susan holds her horse Cappy as he is sedated.  You can't see it in this picture but he has a bloody knee.  My horse Fire kicked Cappy when they got a bit too close.  The special truck belongs to the Horse Doctor.

December 2004

OUCH!  Speaking of knees... about 5 years ago, I had a bad accident at work where I fell on my left knee.  I have always had problems with it since but I REFUSE to just give up.  I exercise and continue to do athletic activities because I will not baby it.

Going up some stairs my knee just buckles and I hit the ground.  I couldn't move so with my cell phone I called for help.  The emergency services picked me up and took care of me.
Here come the rains and the rains came harder then they ever have in anyone's living lifetime in California.  It turns out that this winter season will be the second most rainiest season on record since the 1880's.

Unfortuneatly, our new home does not have a great dranage system.

January 2005

My new truck was put into service as I went to the local fire station to fill sandbags.  The guy in the blue and his son actually stole two of my sandbags when they jumped into their car.

Everyone around yelled and cursed at the guy as they sped off in their car.

But Karma takes its cost, as he left his brand new shovel behind.  Everyone there told me to keep it, so I did.  Good trade.  hehehe  Everyone laughed, yet still shook their heads how he could have been so brash.
In Pasadena, the Devil's Gate Dam overflows.  There is just soo much water everywhere and it is not stopping.
Here is the side of my barn and one of the locations where you can see a few of the 25 sandbags I have in place.
Between storms I get a chance to ride.  Here I take Fire out for a walk around the property.
We had a small sparrow get caught in the barn, so Susan and I took him to a bird rescue.

February 2005

We are Grandparents?!?!!  Yes we are.  Celes is born on February 17th 2005.

March 2005

Our Son Justin marries Holly while Celes wakes up from yet another nap.

April 2005

You can't see it in this picture, but again Cappy is hurt.  He tore his lip open on a hook in the barn like he was a fish.  We had to take him to a horse hospital over a fifty miles away.

These are just some of the many highlights of the winter break.

Of course, I can tell that 2005 will dominate my time with work as we have moved to a new facility, and we have been reorganized.  Also, the demand for my skills at work are put to the limits.  It's going to be a very busy year.

I know I will not be in the tower as much in 2005, but I have started to work in the background by attending the meetings with the board of directors and working with the Angeles National Forest public information office directly.

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