WHERE THERE'S SMOKE...

The following pictures of the Rim Fire made possible by local news photographers covering the event.

Carstens Fire: June 16 (unattended campfire)

http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=824



Aspen Fire: July 22 (lightning)

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3552/">http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3552


Rim Fire: August 17 (illegal fire by a hunter)

http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=889




None of these fires were or are of immediate threat to our family.

The Carstens and Aspen fires did not destroy one structure. Those firefighters are amazing.

The Aspen fire did lay a smoke blanket down for a couple of weeks. The air is clear again.

The Rim Fire looks like an atomic mushroom cloud. That smoke is blowing northeast towards the Reno area.

135 POINT 1

Today was the first time in my life I ever drove 135 point 1 miles to work...


Many more days like this to follow...


But it will not become a habit.

SAN ANDREAS' "FAULT"

My wife has left me again....

This time to Salinas to fill in as District Manager for at least three months.

The bad thing there is no Amtrak from Fresno to Salinas.  Sure wish there was.

The good thing she is only 160 some odd miles from home.

However, I am on the North American plate and she is on the Pacific plate.  The San Andreas Fault runs through San Juan Bautista.

I drove from Salinas to work for the first time.  I left the hotel at 4:30 a.m. and got to work a little after 7:00 a.m.  The odometer read 135 miles.




Yawn.

SOME LIKE IT HOT...

Yeah, it's hot but not as hot as it is in Palm Springs, Phoenix, or Las Vegas...

Our thoughts and prayers to the families of the 19 firefighters in Yarnell, Arizona...

WASH N DRY

For several months now, we have been without a dryer.  Due to a power surge, the circuitry boards fried.  In trying to order replacements, we find out it would cost over $300.00 to replace the boards.

Ain't gonna happen.

Luckily, we have a clothesline and we managed to hang certain items and allow Mother Nature to do her best on our play clothes and sheets.  Oftentimes, we had to rely on my MIL's dryer to take care of work clothes and towels.  An inconvenience, but this, too, shall, pass.

For the past couple of months, we have been shopping for an electric dryer.  My MIL happened to come across two dryers for $99.00 at the Salvation Army.  On May 11, we stopped by and looked.  Just our luck, the one electric dryer was marked "sold" earlier in the day.  Dang!  The other dryer?  Gas.  Double dang.

May 19, we went to Lowe's to look at dryers.  They were about to have their Memorial Day sale with 10% off.  Being a veteran, I get an additional 10% on top of that!  We decided that we would make a purchase next week to take advantage of the 20%!

Well, just the other day, my wife informed me that my MIL purchased us a brand new dryer....and...a brand new washer from Sears.  My MIL could use a brand new washer and dryer, but out of the kindness of her heart, she decided to purchase both of these for us for our "new" home.

It was delivered today.  My wife is happy!


Thank you, MIL! 
P.S. You can use "ours" anytime!

"COMMENCEMENT"

Commencement...we awaken in our home to the sounds of chirping birds.

I turn on the television to a country western music channel. Playing is John Denver's "Back Home Again."

There’s a storm across the valley, clouds are rollin’ in
The afternoon is heavy on your shoulders
There’s a truck out on the four lane a mile or more away
The whinin’ of his wheels just makes it colder

He’s an hour away from ridin’ on your prayers up in the sky
And ten days on the road are barely gone
There’s a fire softly burnin’, supper’s on the stove
But it’s the light in your eyes that makes him warm

Hey it’s good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long-lost friend
Yes ’n’ hey, it’s good to be back home again

There’s all the news to tell him, how’d you spend your time
What’s the latest thing the neighbors say
And your mother called last Friday, “Sunshine” made her cry
You felt the baby move just yesterday

Hey it’s good to be back home again - yes it is
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long-lost friend
Yes ’n’ hey, it’s good to be back home again

Oh the time that I can lay this tired old body down
Feel your fingers feather soft upon me
The kisses that I live for, the love that lights my way
The happiness that that livin’ with you brings me

It’s the sweetest thing I know of, just spending time with you
It’s the little things that make a house a home
Like a fire softly burnin’ supper on the stove
The light in your eyes that makes me warm

Hey it’s good to be back home again
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long-lost friend
Yes ’n’ hey, it’s good to be back home again

Hey it’s good to be back home again - you know it is
Sometimes this old farm feels like a long-lost friend
Hey, it’s good to be back home again

I said hey it’s good to be back home again...

We now live "up here."  From 171 to 2,952...that's 2,781 feet of elevation change.

Good to be back home again?

Yes, it sure is up here!

The commencement begins now.  We can officially anchor down...


Nothing like watching a sunset from our front porch...

"FINAL"S WEEK

With a lot of schools preparing for the end of another school year with final examinations and commencment exercises, here is our version...final week.

Monday, May 13, 2013

My final Monday commute.  Uneventful day both ways.  The widening of the 99 continues north of Chowchilla.  They started this project in mid-July 2012.  Doubt I will ever come by this way again, but when I do I am sure it will be a major improvement.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I purchased gas at the Merced Costco for the final time.  This month alone a gallon has shot up $0.22 per gallon.

We work out at our health club for the last time. The best little gym in California. We will miss the staff.

Another commute day done and over with.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

My last commute drive from Merced. 

On my way to work, there is a cross at the end of the southbound offramp from Avenue 24.  I stopped to pay my respects to the pedestrian that was killed back on February 8, 2013.  Her name was Vitalina Jimenez of Madera.  It was her body I saw on the road.

I stopped at my favorite Starbucks next to the Holiday Inn Express on the corner of West Herndon and North Motel Drive in Fresno to order my usual grande black coffee and to say good-byes to the baristas.  When my commute allowed, I would walk into this Starbucks every Friday and before I have a chance to order, it is already there next to the cash register waiting for me.  Simple routine.  However, this time I caught the baristas off guard.  The looks on their faces when I entered.  "No, it is not a Friday, but it is my 'Friday.'  This will be the last time I come here and I just wanted to say, 'Thank you for the great service, and I will see you later.'  Oh, and could you make it a venti this time."  I paid $2.25 and left a $0.75 tip.

After approximately thirty-one thousand fifty "flying solo" miles later, it is over and done.

For our final meal, we dine at Pinocchio's in downtown Merced.  What a great place to eat.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

The three hundred forty-ninth day.

We do laundry the first thing in the morning to use up all of the money on our laundry card.

The movers come to pack and ship.  Luckily, there isn't that much for them to move on such a hot day as today.  Our apartment was nothing, but bare necessities.  All we had to purchase was a 32-inch flat screen, DVD player, and a microwave.  A vast majority of our stuff was relocated to P38549 before moving to Merced.

We return the keys to the property manager and sign some paperwork.

Looking back, we never took a dip in the pool nor did we ever sit in the spa.  With the spa being at a tepid 80° it just wasn't worth our time to soak in it.  We spent only one weekend in Merced around the holidays due to my wife's office party. 

There are fine eateries in Merced.  Too bad Big Bubba's Bad BBQ closed before we had a chance to take advantage of the free birthday dinner.  I really was looking forward to it.

We will NOT miss the train whistles, the sirens, the traffic, and the helicopters flying overhead.  The "Sunday drives" from P38549 to Merced will not be missed either.  It was if we were literally "camping" at P38549.  Packing up clothing and gear for our weekend jaunts.  Yes, we forgot some items, but shrugged it off. "Hey, it will be for only a couple of days," or "Hey, just five more days."  No more counting down.  Every weekend we took stuff to P38549 that we knew we would never need in Merced again.

Our moving days are officially over and we didn't have to lift a finger, yet alone a box.  We can settle down and enjoy the rest of our lives together.  Next comes retirement and then off we go to other adventures.  We are looking forward to having fun whether it be making our house a home or venturing out on a cross-country trip or just fishing.

Our only obstacle is where to hang all of our clothes.  My wife's clothes will DEFINITELY fill up the main bedroom closet, while my clothes will just fit in the laundry room closet for now until we sort things out.

IN-N-OUT B"URGE"R

I had an In-N-Out "urge."

We didn't feel like cooking, and I didn't feel like eating leftovers.

For the first time in three years and without objection from my wife, we drive to the In-N-Out Burger in Merced, and I order a double-double and two orders of fries for myself.  My wife did not partake.

So, my streak is snapped, but my wife's streak continues.

Damn, those fries sure did taste good!

I came this close to order a chocolate shake.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda...

Life goes on.

THE GRAND FINALLY

It is official...

We are moving from Merced to our "retirement home" in the hills...

CHASED BY A RAINBOW

On my morning commute to Fresno from Merced, the sun was peeking over the Sierra between the cloud cover.

Glancing to my right, I spot a rainbow "chasing" me as I drove down the 99 all the way to Fresno.

I tried to look for that "pot of gold" but saw nothing...

But...

As I looked around...the sun rising over the Sierra with the rain clouds hugging them...I was driving in my pot of gold.

Still driving and still...


Having fun.

BEFORES...AFTERS...



This was the porch...





























This is it now...

 















This was the water heater location...


























This was the laundry hookup...





This is the "tween" look...























This was one of the entryways into our bathroom...























This is the knotty pine drawer and casing for the new pantry...





Plenty of storage space...


















What was the bathroom entry, is now a coat closet...

























That dowel ain't going anywhere now.



There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are happy....

EASTER SUNDAY

MEIN LEBEN

Pictured is me and the author of the book we are holding, "Mein Leben."

The book is a remarkable story of his life and I am honored to have this book autographed by him.

Klaus was born in Germany, served in the German army and was a prisoner of war in the Ukraine until 1949.  In 1957, he immigrated to the United States, where he worked as a farmworker, operated his own sign business, and served on the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce Board.  After retirement, he worked as a ski instructor and tour guide in Yosemite.

Even better, he and his wife are our neighbors...

A YEAR OF FIRSTS ONE YEAR LATER...

It has been exactly one year since my FIL's passing...

A lot has happened in the span of this year...some good...some bad...

He is missed, you can see it in my MIL's eyes and my wife's eyes...

He will never be forgotten...

I am sure him and my father are smiling down upon us...

And that is what we have to do on this day...

Smile today...
And everyday thereafter...

I miss them both...

I wish they were both here to see our cabin in the woods...

I am sure they would approve of the surroundings...

Gone now is the "year of firsts"...

Time to start living...

WHAT IF? WHY?

Before I ate my bowl of organic cereal with almond milk, I turned on the radio to get the latest traffic and weather reports on KMJ 580 like I always do.

There was a report of an vehicle and pedestrian accident on the southbound 99 at Avenue 24 in Chowchilla occurring around 6:00 a.m.

As my wife and I got dressed for work, I kept an ear out on the latest on that accident.  The report was the same. 

I kissed my wife goodbye and got into my truck for my daily 52-mile one-way commute to Fresno.  My radio was tuned into KMJ 580.  The latest update was that there was a fatality due to a pedestrian trying to cross the lanes of southbound 99 and that CHP and medical crews were on the scene.  Time on the clock 6:32 a.m.

The early morning traffic started to back up about a mile from the Avenue 24 offramp as I drove in the number one lane.  Many impatient drivers decied to ride the shoulder to get to the Avenue 24 offramp or take the Avenue 24 1/2 exit and take the backroads to bypass the backup.

As I made my way under the Avenue 24 overcrossing, I spotted the emergency vehicles, CHP, tow truck, and a news van off on the right shoulder.  Traffic cones had been placed to preserve the scene.  Time on deck 6:50 a.m.

While slowly moving past the scene while driving in the number one lane and the median, I noticed skid marks that led to a white car off on the right shoulder.

Then I saw a very grisly scene I never say on any freeway...human entrails.  I spotted a shoe, a piece of athletic warmup pants, and parts of what I thought to be an arm and leg, and the yellow tarp covering the body of the deceased.  There was blood everywhere.  It was not a pretty sight.

I saw a second set of skid marks leading to a dark-grey Mustang with the rear facing the guardrails on the right shoulder and two individuals standing close to the vehicle.

There was also another vehicle parked just past the Mustang on the right shoulder.

As I made my way past and accelerated, my thoughts and prayers were of that person's family.

I got to work and tried to monitor the updates of that accident.  Reports came in giving few details.

At first, my thoughts were that woman was crossed the northbound lanes, scaled the median shrubbery and tried to run across the road.  Road conditions at the time I was driving were light fog and slick roads.  She may have lost her footing, slipped on the slick road, and fell into oncoming traffic.

Later in the day, I read the full account of what had happened...

A 43-year-old woman was driving northbound on the 99 when her red GMC pickup ran out of gas.  She egressed her vehicle and walked up the offramp to overcrossing over the 99 to purchase a gasoline at the one of the gas stations in the area.  She was seen walking around 6 a.m. on the right shoulder of southbound 99, south of Avenue 24 undercrossing.

Meanwhile, a 24-year-old male driver from Chowchilla was driving a 2001 Saturn southbound at about 60 mph in the fast lane.

The pedestrian tried to cross the the southbound lanes of the freeway, walking east across the southbound lanes. The male driver saw the pedestrian running with a gas can directly ahead of his vehicle. Before he was able to stop, the front of his Saturn struck the pedestrian.

The woman was ejected onto the roadway, where she was struck by two more cars.

What if she had taken the Avenue 24 overcrossing back to her vehicle?  Why did she cross from the right shoulder?  What if she had filled up with gas before leaving Madera?  These "what ifs" and "why" questions don't have answers.  Was she going to work?  Was she going to pick up someone from work?  Was she taking an early weekend trip to visit relatives?  These questions only her family knows.

Our condolences to her family.

MAKING IT A GOOD DAY...

If I ever had one of those days, it finally happened.

I needed gas, so I went to Costco to fill up and got only ten dollars and some change since I forgot to transfer money into the account.

Then, I stopped at Starbucks to get a grande black coffee not knowing my gift card only had $1.25 on it.  I was fortunate enough to get some change out of my vehicle.

Then, as I got into my vehicle, I spilled Starbucks coffee on my khaki pants.

Then, as I made it up the stairwell and used my swipe card to open up the door to the office, I dropped that coffee.

Then, my boss calls in to say that she won't be in due to her child's illness.

Then, as my day progressed, I sent two letters via email to the wrong people.

Then, my computer decides to go south on me.  A call was made to the IS Department at corporate to address the issue.  I wasn't the only one in the office with the problem I was experiencing.

Then, while walking to the break room with my lunch in my hand, I guess I did not push down the lid enough and all of my lunch splashed on the tile floor.

So, no coffee, no lunch, no boss, two mistakes.  It was finally time to go home.

Around Avenue 12 while heading north on the 99, while driving in the number two lane, a CHP pulled up beside me. 

Where in the heck did he come from? 

I thought I was going to get pulled over, but he sped on past me. I glanced at my speedometer.  I was "hovering" above 75 mph.  The speed limit on this section of the 99 is 70 mph.  Maybe the CHP was giving me a "warning."  Whew!

While driving in the number three lane south of the 152 and 99 interchange, I happened to glance to my left and noticed a vehicle with a very old gentleman in the passenger seat.  I would say in his nineties.  He was waving his red Marine Corps hat at me as they slowly made their way past me.

As the vehicle moved forward ahead of me, I noticed the circular Marine Corps sticker on the back glass on the passenger side.

I thought to myself, "I had a bad day.  Time to make it a good day."

So, I accelerated up to and next to the vehicle.  The old man and I made eye contact, and I rendered a salute in his direction.  His reaction was that of a little kid.  He was smiling from ear to ear still enthusiastically waving his Marine Corps hat.

As they made their way west on the 152 and my way north on the 99, I smiled for the first time today. 

I don't think I will ever see him again, but I hope I made his day.

He sure did make mine.

2 BUCK CHUCK

Alas, it was bound to happen...

Trader Joe's has hiked the price of the Charles Shaw wine (owned by Bronco Wine Company) from $1.99 to $2.49 in certain areas of California after holding steady for 11 years.

Let the new names "pour"...

"Up" Chuck?  Naw....

A VISITOR

There lurks a creature...

It roams our backyard in search of food at night...

It is not a bear, a deer, a feral pig, nor a coyote...

It trips our motion sensor on our floodlight and this alerts us to its presence...

It sometimes looks inside our rear sliding glass door...

Everytime I try to get my camera, it scampers off...

It is a magnificent looking creature...

I will get my picture...


Correction, I got my picture...

2013 RESOLUTIONS

Weighing in a 214.6 pounds, with platinum highlights in his scalp and facial hair including nostrils...

Resolutions:

Have fun...
Wake up and go!
See the sun rise...
Start living...
Get out, get going, and gitr' done...
Lose 10 pounds (again)...
Eat healthier in moderation...
Gain 10 pounds (again)...
Hike more...
Lose 10 pounds (again)...
Call my mother often...
See old friends here or there...
See the sun set...
Have fun...

Now, if you are triskaidekaphobic, it is going to be a very long year for you...

And if you are paraskavedekatriaphobic, there are only two this year...September and December.

Oh yeah, gas checks in at $3.359 per gallon at the Costco in Merced...maybe $5.009 this year in the Golden State.

2012: A YEAR IN REVIEW

January
1: Gas $3.499. Weight 218.
2: Christmas lights come down.
2: Trim on the Hole in the Wall complete.















3: Gas $3.499.
3: Gas $3.539.
6: Gas $3.579.
18: REI Mt. Whitney presentation.
20: Badly needed rain arrives for the first time since October 2011.
21: IL's 56th anniversary.
23: Enter the Dragon.
23: Gas $3.599.
23: REI Mt. Whitney presentation.
25: I finally "beat my wife" in ping pong, 21-19.
27: Scorpion kill #1 on the dining room floor.
29: New Balance MT479s. My first pair of New Balance. So long, Nike.
31: Scorpion kill #2 on the guest room floor.

February
1: REI Mt. Whitney presentation.
5: That Game 46. Uncle T, Er, TheOs, Tre, Steve, wagga, brett.
6: Gas $3.639.
7: Scorpion kill #3 on our bedroom floor.
8: Gas $3.659.
10: Gas $3.699.
15: Gas $3.799. A 10 cent spike!
15: FIL in hospital.
16: Gas $3.819.
16: Haircut.
17: Gas $3.89. An eight cent spike!
19: Scorpion kill #4 on the dining room ceiling.
20: Gas $3.939.
21: Gas $3.959.
21: Wife gets a physical.
22: FIL diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
22: Gas $3.999.
23: Gas $4.059.
24: Gas $4.139.
24: Scorpion kill #5 on front patio.
25: Walk-thru of the mountain cabin.
25: Signed paperwork for the mountain cabin.
26: Gas $4.159.
27: Gas $4.219.
27: The oncologist confirms that my FIL may have pancreatic cancer.
28: My second ping pong victory, 21-10.
29: Acupuncture.

March
1: Gas $4.199. Down a whopping 2 cents since the spike!
5: REI Mt. Whitney presentation.
9: Holistic doctor consultation.
10: Dad -- 5 years.
12: Gas $4.219.
12: EKG.
13: Dad laid to rest -- 5 years.
13: Ping pong victory #3, 21-17.
13: EKG results: abnormal.
15: Gas $4.199.
16: W"hit"ney.
17: Rain, but snow in the mountains.
17: Spa cleaned and water changed.
18: One inch of snow on the ground during the late afternoon hours.
20: Wife has basal cell carcinoma in the middle of her forehead. Outpatient surgery. Stitches.
22: My wife gets a mammogram.
23: REI dividend arrives.
26: July 25 confirmation for Whitney.
26: Physical.
26: Scorpion kill #6 on our bathroom floor.
27: Stitches removed.
28: FIL passes away.
30: Purchased a blood pressure cuff.

April
2: Memorial services for my FIL in Oakhurst.
3: FIL cremated.
3: Wife to dermatologist.
3: Lewis Creek hike.
4: Gas $4.159.
6: Cardiologist.
7: 4-Mile Hike. 5.21 miles. 3:19:00.
8: Easter: The beginning of many "firsts" for all of us without Penthero.
9: Scorpion kill #7 on our bedroom floor.
10: Dropped of paperwork for the colonoscopy.
10: Wife has skin surgery to remove small growth on left thigh.
12: Gas $4.139.
13: Holter monitor on at 3:00 p.m. for 24 hours.
14: Holter monitor off.
15: Ping pong victory #4, 20-13.
16: Gas $4.099.
16: Colonscopy prep for wife.
17: Treadmill for me.  All okay except for the high blood pressure reading.
17: Colonoscopy for wife.
19: Gas $4.059.
19: Hair appointment for both of us.
19: Mom drops off Trouble, the male family cat. Doesn't want to get him newtered.
20: Opened up PGE account for new place.
21: BroIL and AllA announce a possible move to Portland, Oregon.
21: Inspection of the mountain cabin.  Asbestos found underneath the floor tile. No deal.
22: Mowed and weeded.
23: Colonoscopy prep for me.
24: Colonscopy for me.
24: Wife has stitches removed from left thigh.
25: We drive to MIL house fearing she had fallen.  All is okay.
26: Dermatologist visit.
27: Gas $4.039.
28: House hunting.
29: Mowed MIL's yard.
30: Scorpion kill #8 on dining room floor.
30: First skin biopsy (punch biopsy) on left side of neck performed by the dermatologist.
30: What a month...

May
2: Signed paperwork on the P38549.
4: Gas $4.079.
5: Butterfly Festival in Mariposa. Me, wife, MIL, and Toby the dog.
6: 40th day memorial service for FIL at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Fresno.
7: Roofing bid.
7: Gas $4.099.
8: Scorpion kill #9 on guest room ceiling.
10: Sutures removed from neck.
10: Second skin biopsy (punch biopsy) on lower left back by the dermatologist.
10: Gas $4.159.
12: Gas $4.199.
12: MIL give me FIL's cowboy boots.  10 1/2 EEE.  Fit perfectly.  I shall wear them proudly.
13: Mother's Day.  Me, wife, BroIL, and SIL at MIL for dinner.
13: Helped MIL remove some of FIL's things.
14: Wife gets the Merced job.
15: I wear my first pair of cowboy boots.  EEE makes a big difference.
16: Subie gets a flat on passenger rear.  Got it fixed for no charge.  Imagine that!
16: Gas $4.219.
17: Dermatologist visit:  Atypical nevus.  More removal
17: Truck gets new tires.
18: Wife visits Merced office.
18: Follow-up to my physical with my holistic doctor: Blood pressure medication prescribed.
19: Scorpion kill #10 on kitchen counter.
19: Gas $4.199.
19: Merced "tour" to look at places to live.
21: Frisco bound.
23: We find an apartment in Merced.
24: Truck gets a front-end alignment and brakes.
24: Sutures removed from lower left back.
26: The packing begins.
26: MIL gets a new car:  Kia Optima.

30: We become "renters."
31: Sutures removed from my neck....again.
31: The last commute.

June
1: Move to Merced.
3: Moving finished.
4: Wife starts new job in Merced. I start my drive from Merced to Fresno.
5: FIL's 79th birthday.  In memoriam.

9: My aunt's birthday.
9: Gas $3.959.
11: Escrow closes on P38549.
12: Gym rats we become at Brenda Athletic Club in Merced.
13: Gas $3.899.
14: Haircut.
16: Gar(b)age Sale #1. Man, was it hot!
17: Scorpion kill #11 on the front patio.
17: An "uneventful" Father's Day.  Breakfast at MIL's.
17: 107° in Merced!
18: Cable installed in the apartment.
23: Upper Yosemite Falls and Lookout.  9 miles.  6 hours and 15 minutes.
26: Gas $3.599.
28: New kitchen faucet installed at the apartment.

30: Gar(b)age sale #2.

July
4: Sonora (Mi Pueblo) and Modesto (Trader Joe's).
7: Four-Mile Trail and Panorama Trail.
10: House goes on the market.
12: New Vasque Breeze hiking boots.  Size 11 wide.
14: Our fifth anniversary. We go to Moss Landing and dine at Phil's Fish Market. Great food and service.
15: Problems with a go-kart and kids.  Andrew, 15, Matthew 13, Brian 16.  Andrew and Matthew rake the gravel they messed up.  Brian is an at-large.
16: First moving load to P38549.
18: Dentist for both of us.
19: Sprinkle in the San Joaquin valley.

25: Whitney. 18 hours and 30 minutes.  Seven up!  Four first-timers.  Start 1:40 a.m.  End 7:10 p.m.
28: Sugar Pine Railroad Moonlight Special with my wife, MIL, NikKi, ChrisTina, and JaDen.

August
11: BroIL and SIL move to Portland, Oregon area.
11: Movie:  The Campaign.  SUKT!
12: We dine at Pinocchio's in Merced.
15: Wife's birthday.  We dine at Pocket 8's Sushi Grill.
18: MIL gives away two of the four kittens.
18: We look at travel trailers in Fresno.
22: Our gym set is now in consignment and are removed from our garage.
24: Gas $4.059.
27: Gas $3.999.
31: Purchased a Troy-Bilt XP 2800 gas-powered high pressure washer for P38549.

September
1: Cleaned out the garage and shed at P38549.
2: Pulled carpet and removed the cottage cheese ceiling in the bedrooms at P38549.
2: Cleaned off the front porch with the power washer.
6: Purchased a used Lopi Liberty woodstove for $100.00.
7: Our first night at P38549.
8: Household goods move to P38549.
9: Painted the fascia around P38549.
10: First commute from P38549.  42.8 miles.
12: Haircut.
15: Herb plants, honeysuckle, black walnut, and pomegranate relocated to P38549.
16: Roof and fiberglass removed from P38549. Solar tubes installed in bathroom, laundry,kitchen, and garage.
16: Water shut off at BRW.
17: Power shut down at BRW.
17: A "threat" had been communicated.
17: Cleansing diet start.
19: Cleansing diet end.
19: New roof up on P38549.
22: Greenhouse moved to P38549.
23: Mantel up and garage rearranged at P38549.
24: Car oil change.
26: Gas $3.979 at Costco.
26: Gutters up on P38549.
27: We purchase a Frigidaire Gallery 30-in 5-Burner Freestanding Convection Gas Range (Stainless Steel) at Lowe's for 20% off for P38549.

29: Mariposa Tomato Festival.
29: Chicken wire up on the hearth.
30: MIL's birthday.
30: Downtown. Clovis Antique Festival.
30: Movie "Trouble with the Curve."

October
1: Our first week at P38549.
1: Rocks on the hearth.
1: Gas stove delivered.
1: Truck oil change.
2: Rocks on the hearth.
3: Rocks on the hearth.
4: Rocks on the hearth.
5: Gas $4.299.
5: Rocks on the hearth done!
5: Chimney for stove installed at P38549.
6: Brought back ironworks from old house.
7: Front porch covered, furniture moved into living room, and curtains hung.
7: Fired up the Lopi Liberty wood stove.
13: Trash (fiberglass, tile, carpet and pads) removed and taken to the dumpsite.
15: Got the coryza.
16: Gas $4.379.
18: Insulation blown into the attic at P38549.  Partial.
19: Propane gas tank installed. Gas range up and running! First meal: cabbage and polish sausage.
20: Stung six times by meat bees (yellow jackets) while moving a dead branch.
20: Wood delivered.
22: Insulation project completed.
23: Gas $3.949.
26: Gas $3.899.
27: Blower installed on Lopi Liberty stove.

November
2: Gas $3.859.
3: Spa, dishwasher, water heater, wine cooler, pass-thru cabinet, and clothesline relocated to P38549.
3: Living room and hallway painted at P38549.
6: Gas $3.779.
9: Gas $3.699.
10: An inch of snow falls on P38549.
10: Light fixtures, ceiling fans, door locks, toilets, and blocks relocated.  Painting again. Mantel stained.
11: P38549 water heater installed and "new" light fixtures.
12: Hearth rocks given the "wet" look. More painting.
12: New battery for the Subie.
14: Gas $3.599.
14: Our cellphone bill got smaller.
17: IKEA in West Sacramento.
17: Rain and plenty of it.
18: Table and chairs assembled.  Bathroom and soffit painted. Windows cleaned. Backyard squared away.
22: Thanksgiving at P38549. Me, my wife, JayMi, KC, NaNa, BIL, SIL, Britt, Uncle T, Aunt C., Tre.
24: Got an orange Light My Fire spork and a metal Camelbak sports bottle.
25: Another day in the life. Breakfast: Uncured bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, brown rice, coffee, toast with honey.  Lunch: Turkey sandwich and broc-cauli salad. Dinner: Steak, baked potato, baked aparagus, green beans and garlic basted with olive oil.
25: The last of the move from old house.  Pass-thru cabinet, hoses, tomato stands, cinder blocks.
28: Goodbye, old house. End of chapter, turn the page...
28: Purchased a Porter-Cable 8-Amp Belt 3x21 Power Sander.

December
1: Replaced MIL's old toilet with one of ours from BRW.
7: Gas $3.479.
8: My wife's office Christmas party at Strings in Merced.
9: New wipers for the truck.
12: Gas $3.459.
12: Haircut.
16: Got a 8-foot Christmas tree for P38549.
17: The Christmas lights and decorations go up on the tree.
19: Water pipe freezes, but quickly resolved with the propane torch at P38549.
21: Hot water heater and dryer fizzles.  Both due to power outages and surges. End of the world? Yeah, right.
21: Planted our old pine tree from the old house along the side of the road to P38549.
22: Over 2 inches of rain fell in Oakhurst.
22: Family Christmas party in Cypress, CA. My first visit to Orange County since July 2007. Went with my wife and MIL and spent the night there with relatives. It was a great time!
25: Christmas. Shirt, work pants, REI travel clock, guardian Buddha, Kobalt vises set and screwdriver set, flashlight (me and my flashlights), USMC wallet, Lowe's gift card, rice crackers, boots. Believe it or not, no REI gift card!
25: Had to drive to Merced in order to be ready for work on December 26. Sucks.
26: Gas $3.259.
27: Coryza again...sniffle, sniffle.
31: Planted Papou's tree in our front yard.

The lowlight of the year was my FIL passing away on March 28.  We never got the chance to fish with him after getting him new fishing poles for Christmas 2011.  We never got a chance to use our fishing licenses, either. 

The highlight was Mt. Whitney and P38549!

Pushups:  95,200 (1,211,900)
Crunches:  124,400 (1,580,200)
Pullups:  5,245 (35,350)
Bardips:  5,280 (34,880)
Vertical knee raises:  5,290 (21,950)

For another year, no fast food.

What happened in 2012.