2016: A YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY 2016

1: MIL cataract surgery post-op.
2: Post-New Year's Day party: My wife, GaRy and JaNell, ToNy and BeVin and AuDrey and SawYer, Klaus and Gail, Uncle T and Aunt C.
3: Christmas lights come down.
3: We make our first batch of tonic consisting of garlic, habaneros, horseradish, ginger, and other ingredients.
4: Gas $2.359.
4: Weight 215.8. Let the games begin.
4: Doctor appointment for heart palpitations. EKG normal.
5: Early.
5: The first rain of year. 2.70 inches. All hail El Nino! It rain so much that the rain was running off of the bluffs north of Fresno.
6: Early.
6: Gas $2.399.
6: Truck in shop for steady check engine light. Guess the oxygen sensors replacement was not good enough.
6: Rain 1.88 inches which includes one inch of snow.
6: We go to the gym for the first time since October 21, 2015. The gym has been renovated since then with new paint scheme and our rates went up $15.00 per month. Two of my favorite equipment (pullup/bardip/vertical knee raise station and the T-bar) are gone. They say that new equipment will arrive shortly. We will see if that comes to fruition. I guess I will have to build my own pullup bar at home!
6: The door jambs are up between the den and MIL hallway.
7: Early.
7: Rain 0.35 inches.
7: My uncle and aunt's 1,000 acres of farmland is sold at auction.
7: Gym.
8: Solo.
8: Sprinkle 0.01 inches.
8: I almost lost it on the black ice on the way to work near Serpa Canyon Road. I spotted an accident up ahead and tried to slow down and dang near became part of the accident. Whew!
8: Gas $2.379.
8: My uncle and aunt's farm equipment is sold. The end of a family era.
8: The "moon" is installed on the west bay window.
9: Sprinkle 0.01 inches.
9: We install a sheet barrier to keep the rain from ruining the Upper porch.
9: We plant trees: our Christmas sequoia in the "holler" and a total of 12 trees consisting of numerous crate myrtle, dogwood and redbud trees throughout the property.
10: Rain 0.03 inches.
10: We cover the swamp cooler and clean the flue. We purchase a chimney sweep kit.
11: Gas $2.339.
11: Tworking.
12: West bay window seat frame in place.
13: Sprinkle 0.01 inches.
13: Gas $2.279.
13: Wood trim applied to west bay window.
14: The 2,000,000th crunch.
14: Cardiologist visit. Echocardiogram.
14: One-half cord of oak wood delivered.
14: More trim applied to the west bay window.
14: Rain 0.02 inches.
15: Rain 0.40 inches.
15: Gas $2.279.
15: Trader Joe run.
15: Baja Fresh night.
16: Rain 0.11 inches.
16: Subie oil change.
16: Planing complete of all ponderosa pine planks.
18: Rain 0.78 inches.
18: The shed door is complete with ponderosa pine planks.
19: Lowe's purchase: 250-foot roll 14-2 with ground.
19: Rain 1.13 inches.
19: Rocky Cut rock slide.
19: I was interviewed by an ABC30 news reporter about the drive back home.
20: Sprinkle 0.01 inches.
20: Had to take the scenic route via Road 211 to work and back.
20: Gas $2.179.
20: West bay window seat installed.
21: Tule fog.
21: Today would have been my FIL and MIL's 60th anniversary.
22: Truck is out of the shop.
22: Gas $2.119.
23: Wasted day.
23: No drive day.
24: Fixed driver side rear flat on Subie.
25: Early.
25: Tule fog.
25: West bay window seat completed.
25: Received a letter in the mail stating that our naturopathic doctor will charge $120.00 per visit. States that will reduce the backlog of seeing patients and providing top-notch care. Yeah, bullshit. The thinning of the masses. Only the rich will be able to afford healthcare.
26: Solo.
26: Gas $2.059.
27: Early.
28: Early.
28: All the rough cut ponderosa pine has been squared and sized and ready for tongue and groove.
29: Solo. My wife to take MIL for a checkup for her eyes.
29: Lowe's purchase: 12 2x4x8s, 5# box of 3-inch screws, plastic sheeting, gloves, kitchen sink gasket.
29: The rough cut ponderosa pine tongue and grooved.
29: Haircut.
30: We groove the remaining rough ponderosa pine planks.
30: Rain.
30: We clear out the den in preparation for the wood planks.
30: Rain 1.00 inches.
31: Snow. About an inch.
31: Rain 1.42 inches.
31: No drive day.
31: Rain: 11.09 inches. 2014: 1.92. 2015: 0.26.

Pushups: 6,700
Crunches: 7,800
Pullups: 0
Bardips: 0
VKR: 0
Miles: 0

FEBRUARY 2016

1: Rain 0.11 inches.
1: We are "black iced" in. No work. Treacherous driving.
1: We reposition the plastic sheeting on the Upper and intall trim on the northwest corner.
1: We go for a short hike without the dogs beginning at the southern terminus of Lewis Creek Trail up to Corlieu Falls. Our first hike of 2016.
2: The sensor for the blower on the wood stove needs replacing.
2: Gas $1.999.
3: Nosebleed. Right nostril.
3: Lowe's return: gloves.
3: First six rows of ponderosa pine for the den flow is laid down.
4: Another six rows of ponderosa pine laid down,.
5: Gas $1.979.
5: Chipotle night.
5: Horizontal tank delivered...finally! Was to be delivered the week of November 30, 2015!
5: More flooring laid down in the den.
6: Replaced gasket on right kitchen sink.
6: Cleaned house in preparation for our guests for the Superb Owl 50 game.
7: We move the pool table slate to the bar area of the den.
7: Superb Owl 50. Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos. GaRy, Uncle T, Klaus and Gail, my wife and I watch the game. Tre came at the start for during his lunch break at work. Congratulations to Peyton Manning and the Broncos.
9: EriKa's 26th birthday.
9: More flooring laid down in the den.
10: Gas $1.899.
10: The last of the ponderosa pine floor is laid down. All that is left is the steps into the den.
11: Coming down with a cold. Sore throat.
11: Lowe's purchase: Three pint cans of stain (weathered oak, classic gray, driftwood), three paintbrushes.
12: Lowe's purchase: Five quart cans of weathered oak, two gallons of polyurethane.
12: Home Depot purchase: Seven quart cans of weathered oak and two gallons of polyurethane.
13: We pick up the floor sander from SmithWorx Rents.
13: Hutch is moved from the den to the kitchen.
13: The sanding begins.
14: Valentine's Day. More sanding.
14: First coat of polyurethane applied to den floor.
14: Steps project leading to the den completed with the ponderosa pine and oak trim.
15: Second coat of polyurethane applied to den floor.
15: We return the floor sander.
15: Gas $1.879.
15: To Home Depot and Lowe's to return the weather oak stain.
15: Baja Fresh day.
15: Upper windshield stripping came loose.
16: Third coat of polyurethane applied to den floor.
16: Pre-stain applied to all bay windows and door from MIL side into den.
17: Used steel wool (by hand) and a buffer for the den floor to give it a sheen.
17: Canned lights installed on west side of den.
17: Medium walnut applied to certain trim on bay windows.
17: Piano and some of our furniture moved into the den.
17: Classic gray applied to one of the doors on the east bay window seat.
17: I refurbished the old pine table that housed our CDs.
17: Our living room is "livable" again!
17: Rain 0.17 inches.
18: Rain 1.12 inches.
18: Canned lights installed on the south side of the east side of the den.
19: My wife finishes staining the east bay window area.
20: Burned two wood piles.
20: My wife finishes staining the west bay window area.
20: No drive day.
21: No drive day.
22: Gas $1.859.
22: Upper stripping of windshield came loose.
22: Windshield repaired.
22: My wife teleworks.
23: My wife has surgery to remove the wens in her scalp.
23: We treat ourselves to lunch at South Gate Brewing Company
23: The last of the canned lights instaled on the north side of the east side of the den.
24: Wood trim applied to den stairs and around gas stove and remnants of the stone for the gas stove installed at the end of the chimney.
25: Gas $1.859.
25: Trim applied to entryway from the house into the den. Tile now surrounds the upper portion of the chimney.
26: Gas $1.859.
26: Lowe's purchase: can of medium walnut stain, laytex gloves, paint brush, kitchen trash bags.
27: We begin assembly of the billiard table. We have a PTPTP...pool table put together party. GaRy and JaNell and AuDrey, my wife and I have a blast with burgers and chips.
28: I erect a barrier to keep Drake from scaling the wire fence adjacent the south porch.
28: We put together the billiard table. GaRy, my wife and I play 9-ball. My wife gets the first break, GaRy the second shot since he was the mastermind to putting the table together, and I get the third shot. GaRy wins. I play 8-ball against my wife and beat her. Seems she can win in ping pong so it is right I beat her in 8-ball.
28: No drive day.
28: We sample our first batch of tonic brew. Spicy but not too spicy.
29: We play 4 games of pool (3 8-ball, 1 9-ball) on leap day. I win all four.
29: Rain 1.40 inches. 2014: 5.20. 2015: 3.11.

Pushups: 5,200
Crunches: 6,200
Pullups: 0
Bardips: 0
VKR: 0
Miles: 2.50 / 1:00

MARCH 2016

1: MIL experiencing dizziness and weakness. Ambulance summoned. Vital signs okay. No ride to the emergency room.
1: Banister post installed in the den.
2: Gas $1.999.
3: Tule fog.
3: We both go to the dentist to have our semi-annual checkup. All is good.
3: Sprinkle 0.02 inches.
4: My wife has the staples removed in her scalp due to the removal of the wens.
4: Rain 0.72 inches.
5: Paul delivers the eight 16-foot 3x6 wooden beams we ordered. Later in the day, my wife and I relocated the beams to the south porch.
5: Dimmer switch installed for billiard lights.
5: Wiring connected for the billiard lights. Rack 'em.
5: Liquor cabinet installed.
5: We have a "pool party" with JayMi, GaRy and JaNell, ToNy and BeVin and Sawyer, my wife and me.
5: We play billiards for the first Saturday night.
5: Rain 2.55 inches.
6: The bridge is "washed out" downstream.
6: Drake still getting out near the greenhouse by climbing the gate. Another sheet of plywood to block.
6: We go for a hike with the dogs on the In-N-Out Trail near Bass Lake.
6: Rain 1.35 inches.
7: Finally over my cold.
7: My wife teleworks. Solo me.
7: Gas $2.059.
7: My wife reports it snowed!
7: Rain 0.93 inches.
8: Early.
9: Early.
9: We attend a retirement seminar at the Betty Rodriguez Library on Cedar and Shields.
9: Baja Fresh night after the seminar.
10: Nine years later.
10: Early.
10: Gas $2.079.
11: Early.
11: Lowe's purchase: dimmer switches, fifty 6-inch lag screws and washers.
11: Baja Fresh night. Twice in one week!
11: Rain 1.95 inches.
12: Rain 0.04 inches.
12: Bar is installed. Countertop to be installed later. The bar is clearcoated.
13: No drive day.
13: All beams sanded and clear-coated.
13: Bay windows sanded with 400 grit. Nice and smooth.
13: Nine years later.
13: Rain 1.04 inches.
14: Rain 0.23 inches.
14: Had to purchase a new tire for the Subie. Driver side rear could not be fixed.
14: Subie fails smog.
15: Truck oil change.
16: Gas $2.159.
17: Lowe's purchase: TV wall mount, sheet of OSB plywood, six 2x4x8s, paint trays.
17: Bar top delivered.
17: Bar stools delivered.
18: My wife removes drywall from the "office."
18: Haircut for both of us.
19: Beams are up. Barstools assembled.
19: No drive day.
20: Worked on the Subie to change the intake system.
20: Garden in west holler rearranged and water redirected.
20: No drive day.
21: My wife teleworks.
21: Lowe's purchase: 25-foot HDMI, 14/2 with ground wire, gloves.
21: Home Depot purchase: 25-foot HDMI.
21: Subie passes smog.
21: Rain 0.37 inches.
22: Sprinkle 0.01 inches.
22: Gas $2.299.
23: We take MIL to the airport for her flight to Portland, OR.
23: My wife and I dine in Panera for the first time for breakfast! I ate a egg and sausage sandwich and she ate oatmeal and quinoa.
23: I purchase a pair of sawhorses from Sears.
23: The second of glass rack for the bar is in place.
23: The bar top for the sink area is installed.
25: The closet framework for the future office/spare room is erected.
25: Bar lights installed.
25: Electrical outlets on the bar counter are on! Bring on the blenders!
26: Dump run.
26: My wife applies the first coat to the sink bar counter top.
26: We get our fishing licenses.
27: No drive day.
27: My wife applies the second coat to the sink bar counter top.
27: OSB plywood bar floor in place and my wife applies two coats.
28: Gas $2.379.
28: Rain 0.06 and a little bit of snow falling.
29: Trimmed my Van Dyck just a bit.
29: Ceiling fan up in den.
29: Drywall applied to the wall behind the bar.
29: Teleconference with financial planner.
30: Bar sink drain hooked up.
30: Platform erected above water heater in den.
31: Brakes acting up on the truck. Had to drive MIL's car.
31: Gas $2.439.
31: Outlet installed on platform above water heater for Sierra Nevada sign, DVD player, and DirecTV.
31: TV wall bracket installed above west bay window.
31: Copper tubing installed from sink.
31: Rain 9.30 inches. 2014: 2.40. 2015: 0.62.

Pushups: 7,600
Crunches: 12,000
Pullups: 0
Bardips: 0
VKR: 0
Miles: 7.12

APRIL 2016

1: Lowe's purchase: Two hanging brackets for the mirrors.
2: Hung the mirror with the shelf in the den above the piano.
2: We look at trucks and trailers in Fresno and Selma.
2: Movie: 13 Hours.
2: MIL returns from Portland. Plane was due at 5:15 p.m., but due to mechanical issues with the plane in Phoenix, her flight did not land until 10:52 p.m.
3: I disassemble some of the siding and trim to allow to work behind the TV wall bracket to reinforce.
3: My wife mows the grass. Now begins the mowing season.
3: I water the plants and fruit trees. Now begins the watering season.
4: Today is Square Root Day. The square root of "16" in 2016 is "04." 04-04-16.
4: Outlet installed for the TV in the den.
4: Dimmer switch installed for the ceiling fan in the den.
5: Gas $2.459.
5: Another outlet installed for Sierra Nevada sign.
5: Copper tubing installed for coaxial cable and HDMI for TV in den.
6: More copper tubing installed for bar sink.
6: Bar top is pre-stained.
7: Water hooked up to the bar sink.
7: Bar top sanded.
7: Teleconference with our financial planner.
7: Baja Fresh night.
8: Gas $2.479.
8: Rain 1.61 inches.
8: One of the ponderosa pines next to the trailhead across the street has been chopped down. It was marked #26.
9: One year with Sasha and Drake.
9: Rain 2.11 inches.
9: I move my officer's sword from behind the bar to the top of the doorway leading to the backyard.
9: We hang my coat rack birthday gift from Uncle T at the entranceway to the den.
9: No drive day.
10: Rain 0.12.
10: We have dinner at Uncle T's and Aunt C's along with RoN and SuSan. Venison tacos.
11: Aunt D's 96th birthday.
12: All dimmer switches in place for all of the lights in the den.
13: Gas $2.419.
14: Railing up for the den steps.
14: Crown molding made from ponderosa pine installed along the south ceiling of the den.
14: Baja Fresh night.
15: Lowe's purchase: doorknob, picture hangers.
15: Two coats of clear applied to handrail and counter top.
16: Replaced door knob on backdoor. Drake had managed to always open the door due to the handle. With a knob, that gonna happen anymore.
16: Replaced the truck gate latch.
16: Weedwhacked the west and east holler.
16: My wife tears down the remaining drywall in the Office.
16: My wife clears some of the brush along the road.
16: Pool party: My wife, GaRy, and me. Cutthroat.
16: No drive day.
17: We relocate the garden in the west holler.
17: No drive day.
19: Gas $2.419.
22: Door between MIL side and den installed.
22: Rain 0.48.
22: Lowe's purchase: three can lights, metal cutting blade, door knobs (2 interior and 1 exterior), gloves.
23: Sprinkle 0.01.
23: I install door knob to the north den door and to the east door.
23: More garden work relocating posts and fencing.
23: No drive day.
23: My wife and I play 15 games of 8-ball. She won 8 of the games.
24: Fishing at Bass Lake. Four spots and not a bite.
24: We see a bald eagle in flight west of Miller's Landing at Bass Lake.
24: I hang the large mirror on the south wall of the den.
25: Sprinkle 0.03.
25: We consult with our financial advisor at Panera. We sign the paperwork for our retirement.
26: Gas $2.419.
26: Lowe's purchase: 1 gallon of Valspar Ultra bistro white interior satin.
27: Office is textured.
27: Sprinkle 0.01.
27: Lowe's purchase: paint roller sleeves and door hinges. We pick up the knotty pine interior door we ordered last week for the office.
27: Baja Fresh night.
28: The "Office" is painted bistro white.
29: Gas $2.439.
29: KC and EriKa visit.
30: Fishing at Bass Lake at Willow Creek: GaRy, me, my wife, KC, and EriKa. GaRy catches the only trout...a 16-incher.
30: Rain 4.37 inches. 2014: 2.46. 2015: 2.89.

Pushups: 11,000
Crunches: 7,600
Pullups: 0
Bardips: 0
VKR: 0
Miles: 0.0

MAY 2016

1: Fishing at Bass Lake at Willow Creek: Me, my wife, KC, and EriKa. My wife catches an 8-inch trout and is released.
1: KC and EriKa leave.
1: More garden work.
1: The lower bar wall is painted.
2: MIL toilet stopped up.
4: Gas $2.419.
4: Haircut.
4: The electric fence arrives. This will be for Drake to keep him from doing his "Houdini Routini."
5: MIL toilet fixed.
5: Rain 0.11.
6: Rain 0.35.
6: Baja Fresh night.
7: Sprinkle .07.
8: Mother's Day.
8: Electric fence installed.
9: Las Vegas via Highway 58. Marriott Grand Chateau Room 3134. We get a rental car: Chrysler 200.
10: Las Vegas.
11: Return from Las Vegas.
12: Erected a compost enclosure near the garden.
13: No drive day.
13: Weedwhacked while my wife mowed.
13: Composter relocated to west garden.
14: Siding removed to make room for bathroom window relocation.
15: Bathroom window relocated.
15: No drive day.
16: Gas $2.439.
17: Cabinet to hide the water heater in the den is installed.
19: Door to office installed.
20: Gas $2.439.
20: KC and EriKa visit.
21: Family hike (Mist Trail/John Muir Trail loop): Me and my wife, KC and EriKa, DusTin and SaRah, TyLer and KelSey, LesLie, Uncle T and Aunt C. Uncle T and Aunt C were unable to keep up with us and turned around just short of the bridge. This is the very first hike with anyone on my wife's side of the family. It was SaRah's first visit to Yosemite.
22: KC and EriKa leave.
22: No drive day.
23: Lowe's purchase: 250-foot roll of 14-2 with ground, toilet, hinges, bathroom door, Durock (8), Durock screws, sponges, pegboard accessories, galvanized pipe, elbows and couplings.
24: Grassfire #1: Near Road 200 and the 41 on the southbound side.
24: Gas $2.439.
24: Rain 0.14.
24: One of the two ceiling beams are now secured tightly.
25: Rain 1.16.
27: Gas $2.439.
27: I purchase two pairs of Riggs workpants at Work World.
27: Lowe's purchase: screws, hinges, pegboard accessories, poison oak herbicide.
27: Baja Fresh night.
27: Grassfire #2: Off Road 211 (Road 200).
27: The wiring is complete in the office.
28: We tear down drywall in the mudroom and bathroom.
28: My wife mows the yard.
28: No drive day.
29: MIL, my wife, and I go to Fresno to look at trailers.
29: Lowe's purchase: tile samples.
30: We tear down more drywall in the mudroom and bathroom.
30: Swamp cooler cover removed.
30: No drive day.
30: Sasha and Drake love chicken broth with their dry food.
31: Early.
31: Toilet drain flange relocated. Holes drilled for water pipes.
31: The water line to the swamp cooler is relocated to the top of the cabinet which houses the water heater for easy access.
31: The swamp cooler is turned on for the first time.
31: The Subie has another radiator hose malfunction.
31: Rain 1.83 inches. 2014: 0.54. 2015: 1.87.

Pushups: 8,900
Crunches: 5,900
Pullups: 0
Bardips: 0
Vertical knee raises: 0
Walk/hike/run: 10.00/6:00:00

JUNE 2016

1: Early.
1: Drywall erected in mudroom so that we can tear down the bathroom drywall.
1: Grassfire #3: Highway 41 and Road 417 near Chukchansi Casino. Chevron Incident.
1: Subie has another leaking upper radiator hose.
1: 100.4°.
2: Early.
2: Gas $2.459.
2: Purchased a new upper radiator hose for the Subie.
2: Rewired the bathroom.
2: Subie has a cracked radiator. New one ordered from Rock Auto.
3: Early.
3: Truck oil changed.
3: 102.0°.
3: Uncle T delivers two cedar logs.
4: Bathroom drywall and framing taken down.
4: No drive day.
4: 101.5°.
5: Bathroom floor removed.
5: No drive day.
7: Primary Election Day.
7: Gas $2.439.
7: Shower basin, shower door, and shower plumbing arrive from Lowe's.
8: Lowe's purchase: 3 sheets of 3/4-inch plywood, sconces for bathroom.
8: Copper pipe in place for the vanity.
9: Subie radiator arrives from RockAuto.
9: Came down with another cold. Sore throat.
10: Lowe's purchase: shower valve.
10: We work on the bathroom renovations.
10: Old bathtub removed. Framing begun on new shower.
11: Bathroom renovation. Toilet replaced and relocated.
11: Greenboard drywall installed on shower and cement applied to cracks.
12: Rain 0.34. Lightning and thunder, too.
12: Shower door and hardware installed.
12: We take our first shower in our new shower.
12: No drive day.
12: All drain pipes and water fixtures installed. No leaks.
13: Subie radiator changed.
14: Gas $2.459.
14: We receive a Notice of Violation from the Madera County Animal Control regarding an incident with Drake.
15: Lowe's return: shower tower and shower valve.
15: Lowe's purchase: Dog run chain and hardware, squeegee, RainX for shower door, pipe insulation (6)
15: I call the Madera SPCA in regards to the Notice of Violation. Interesting.
16: One of the circuit breakers for the kitchen fizzles out and is replaced.
16: Installed new knotty pine door for bathroom.
16: Fixed shower valve. It was missing a disk that was to be between the shower valve and the scald control.
17: Gas $2.459.
17: Costco and TJ run.
18: Sent package of facial cream to my mother in Japan.
18: Dogs are taken to the veterinarian for their rabies shots.
18: Replaced kitchen faucet. The old one kept leaking and it was an accident waiting to happen.
19: Tore down some of the 2x4's in the ceiling.
19: Weedwhacked while my wife mowed.
19: Dog run installed in the east "holler."
19: Dinner at the Iron Horse BBQ for Father's Day.
19: A buyer purchased the leather sofa, chair and ottoman for $500.00. So long.
19: We play 3 games of 8-ball on Father's Day. My wife wins 2 out of 3. So much for letting me win.
20: Costco: we purchase a 43-inch LG flat screen and a Yamaha sound bar.
20: 100.4°.
21: Goodbye leather couch, chair and ottoman. The buyer removes them from the premises.
21: 102.4°.
22: Gas $2.459.
22: 100.0°.
24: Baja Fresh night.
25: DaNiel gives us a bid on the Upper.
25: Paul delivers our rough cut 1x8x16. About 50 in all.
25: Two runs to the transfer station in North Fork.
26: Replaced JayMi's showerhead with our old one.
26: 100.6°.
26: No drive day.
27: My wife "tworks."
27: Gas $2.439.
27: 105.1°.
27: Some greenboard installed in bathroom.
28: A 1,000 pushup day.
28: Some ceramic tile installed in the shower.
28: 104.2°.
29: A 1,000 pushup day.
29: 104.2°.
30: A 1,000 pushup day.
30: 102.7°.
30: The entire interior of the bathroom is tiled.
30: Shower alcove built to house shampoo and soap.
30: 100° days: 11 days. 2014: 3. 2015: 9.
30: Rain 0.34 inches. 2014: 0.01. 2015: 0.03.

Pushups: 13,500
Crunches: 7,700
Pullups: 0
Bardips: 0
Vertical knee raises: 0
Walk/hike/run: 0.00 / 0:00:00

JULY 2016

1: Gas $2.499.
1: Lowe's purchase: 5-gallon olive sawdust paint, 5-gallon of white bistro paint.
1: Haircut.
1: 102.6°.
2: TV installed in den.
2: Painted the Hardie siding.
2: Cut the rough cut into 8-foot sections.
3: No drive day.
3: I put up the siding along the bathroom window.
3: My wife washes my truck and MIL's Kia.
3: Painted the Hardie siding.
3: 100.8°.
4: My MIL, JayMi, my wife, and I enjoy BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, and salad.
4: We played one game of 8-ball on the Fourth of July.
5: Early.
5: Purchased two rear tires for truck at Walmart.
5: Tile applied on the showerhead side outside of the shower.
5: Bathtub is plumbed for the overflow.
6: Early.
6: Borrowed GaRy's trailer for a run to Madera and to Lowe's.
6: Madera run to pick up office furniture and take back to Fresno.
6: Lowe's purchase: Dog run cage, 3 4x4x10, 8 2x10x10, 6 Hardie sheets, 1 12-foot Hardie plank, Z-bar, brackets, 4x6 window.
7: Gas $2.539.
7: Early.
7: Lowe's purchase: plastic shelving rack, electrical ceiling box.
7: Bathtub fixtures installed.
8: Early.
8: Baja Fresh night.
9: Installed drywall on bathroom ceiling.
9: Sound bar hooked up in the den.
9: More reinstalling of the siding on the west side.
9: Shower glass switched.
9: No drive day.
10: Drywall and insulation installed on the bathroom walls.
10: More reinstalling of the siding on the west side.
12: More drywall installed in bathroom.
13: Gas $2.489.
13: Grouted shower tile.
13: More drywall installed.
13: Lowe's purchase: 6 2x4x8, insulation, paint rollers, metal plates.
14: Our ninth anniversary. Dinner at South Gate Brewing Company.
14: 103.1°.
15: Some drywall up in bathroom and hallway.
15: 101.3°.
15: KC and EriKa visit.
16: More drywall up in bathroom.
17: Bass Lake Pine Point to mingle with family.
17: KC and EriKa leave.
18: Lowe's purchase: metal plate protectors, drill bit holder. We pick up 15 1x4x10s and half roll of Tyvek.
18: Pain along my spine and right arm. Thumb, forefinger, and middle finger numb.
19: Gas $2.459.
19: Right arm numb along with my thumb and two fingers.
19: Chiropractor for both of us.
19: Bathtub plumbing installed.
19: Work on the upper roof begins.
20: Bathtub piping installed.
20: Dermatologist visit for my wife.
21: Serpa Canyon Fire.
21: Bathtub is running.
22: Gas $2.379.
22: Eight years.
23: Planed the rough cut pine planks.
23: Dinner at Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino with MIL and JayMi.
23: 101.1°.
23: Our first bath in our new bath tub.
24: Finished planing all of the rough cut pine planks.
24: No drive day.
24: 102.7°.
25: Wife teleworks.
25: 103.6°.
26: Early.
26: 103.8°.
27: We take MIL to airport for her trip to Portland, OR, and then to Dallas, OR.
27: Early.
27: Gas $2.299.
27: Chiropractor for us.
27: 106.3°.
28: Early.
28: Gas $2.299.
28: Doctor appointment for the both of us. I also get X-rays.
28: 106.0°.
29: Early.
29: 106.2°.
30: We erect a wire roof over the dog run. Drake cannot get out now.
30: 105.4°.
31: We paint the siding and trim boards.
31: No drive day.
31: 101.5°. Nine straight days of 100° temperatures.
31: Another batch of tonic is made.
31: 100° days: 13 days. 2014: 13. 2015: 8.
31: Rain 0.00 inches. 2014: 0.03. 2015: 1.23.
31: A dry month.

Pushups: 6,000
Crunches: 5,800
Pullups: 0
Bardips: 0
Vertical knee raises: 0
Walk/hike/run: 7.86 / 3:00:00

AUGUST 2016

1: We purchase a 4-person Camp Dome 4 tent and a footprint from REI. My wife purchases REI convertible hiking pants.
1: 100.4°. Ten straight days of 100° temperatures.
2: 100.0°. Eleven straight days of 100° temperatures.
2: Subway tile around the bathtub.
3: Gas $2.159.
3: Chiropractor for both of us.
3: Drywall up in the bathroom and the subway tile grouted white.
3: The 100° streak ends. Eleven straight days.
4: We meet DaNiel, SumMer, and TedDy.
5: Bloodwork.
5: Wi-fi installed.
6: Dallas, OR bound via Interstate 5.
7: Our twin nephews celebrate their first year.
7: No drive day.
9: Newport, OR.
10: Camped in northern California with our new tent and sleeping bags.
10: Vanity installed in bathroom.
10: Harbor Freight: Miter stand saw.
11: Home again.
12: Lowe's purchase: DeWalt table saw.
12: We pick up MIL at the airport.
13: No drive day.
14: To Pacific Grove Monarch Resort to celebrate my wife's birthday.
15: My wife's birthday. The children get her an Intex Mariner 4 four-person rubber boat.
17: Lowe's purchase: Rectangle steel gable vent, OSB, 2x4x96 (6), crown molding.
17: Baja Fresh night.
18: Sheetrocked office closet.
18: Dinner at Ducey's at Bass Lake with GaRy and JaNell.
19: Installed baseboards in office.
20: No drive day.
20: Tongue and grooved ponderosa pine planks for hallway.
20: We decide to go with a contractor to work on the Upper.
21: Bathroom lights installed. Very bright!
21: Ripped cut ponderosa pine planks.
21: No drive day.
22: Early.
22: Lowe's purchase: Gloves, pliers, bathroom hardware, heater box ordered, carpet ordered for the office and master bedroom, stain.
23: Early.
23: Knotty pine trim installed around office window and the old trim from the mud room closet is installed around the new office closet along with the closet bar.
24: Early.
24: Gas $2.299.
25: Early.
25: Trim around the bathroom door and window.
25: Office closet shelf installed and closet doors from the old coat closet installed in office closet.
26: Early.
26: Haircut.
26: Heater installed but not hooked up and bathroom backsplash installed.
27: Used drywall screws to secure the plywood flooring in the bathroom, office, and hallway.
27: Prestained and puttied the nail holes in the window and door trims of the bathroom and office.
28: Ripped the remainder of the rough cut ponderosa pine planks.
28: My wife sanding seals and clearcoats the bathroom and office window trim and door trim.
28: Used drywall screws to secure some of the plywood flooring in our bedroom.
28: No drive day.
29: Gas $2.359.
30: Crown molding up in bathroom.
31: 100° days: 6 days. 2014: 3. 2015: 5.
31: Rain 0.00 inches. 2014: 0.00. 2015: 0.01.
31: Another dry month.
31: Lowe's purchase: 10-gallon Shop Vac, Shark Vacuum, laser level, pneumatic nail gun, screws, nails, four 8-foot long baseboards
31: Three center drawers installed in the vanity.

Pushups: 1,600
Crunches: 2,400
Pullups: 0
Bardips: 0
Vertical knee raises: 0
Walk/hike/run: 2.75 / 1:00:00

SEPTEMBER 2016

1: Truck hits 200,000 miles at 6:30 a.m.
1: Gas $2.359.
1: Dentist for both of us.
1: Bathroom crown molding done.
1: Bathroom Hardie board applied on the floor.
2: We take in my Trek 6700 for repairs at REI and we purchase a Novarra mountain bike for my wife.
3: We clear out the office and bedroom of all furniture except the bed.
3: Screwed down the plywood flooring.
3: My wife grouts the bathroom floor.
3: My wife paints the trim.
4: No drive day.
5: We disassemble the bed.
6: Carpet installed in office and master bedroom.
7: Gas $2.339.
7: We begin our "circuit training" by running up the stairs and around the vacant lot adjacent our property. The dogs enjoy the exercise, too.
9: Truck oil change.
9: Baja Fresh night.
9: Lowe's purchases: paint, full-length mirror, and other things.
10: Cut the bathroom baseboard to length.
10: Hung full-length mirror in bathroom between vanity and toilet.
11: Screwed down the plywood in the living room.
11: My wife paints the west and north walls of the bathroom (light blue) and the north wall of the office (light green). Hung two pictures in the bathroom.
12: Early.
12: Gas $2.399.
12: Had to take my wife to the doctor.
12: Bike rack ordered online.
13: Early.
13: Gable vent ordered online.
13: Lowe's purchase: gas stove, knee pads, screws, painting supplies.
14: Early.
15: Early.
15: Gas $2.439.
16: Early.
17: Trimmed closet doors and bathroom door and rehung them. No more scraping the carpet or rugs!
17: Assembled the weight tree to store our weights.
17: No drive day.
18: Tongued and grooved all of the remaining ponderosa pine planks.
18: No drive day.
19: My wife teleworks.
19: 100.9°.
19: The Thule 912 XTR bike rack arrives.
20: Passing lanes on SR-41 near 22 Mile House are now open from mile posts 11.7 to 13.4.
20: Gas $2.479.
20: Bike right attached to truck.
21: Truck "warsht."
21: We get our bikes from REI. My Trek 6700 went in for a long overdue tuneup and hers was a brand new Novarra mountain bike.
21: Sprinkle! A mere 0.01 inch.
21: The Power Tower arrives. Time for pullups, bardips, vertical knee raises, and pushups.
21: Bathroom towel cabinet in place.
22: Bathroom towel cabinet installed.
22: Some pieces of tile around the bathtub in place.
23: Gas $2.479.
23: Baja Fresh night.
24: We take the chainsaw in for repairs and purchase "Conan": a very heavy wedge for wood splitting.
24: Wood logs around the premises split and stacked.
25: Power Tower assembled.
25: No drive day.
26: Our new laptop arrives.
27: We cancel our gym membership.
28: Gas $2.419.
28: Harbor Freight purchase: tarps and gloves.
28: Chipotle night.
28: More drawers and doors installed in vanity and cabinet.
29: Lowe's purchase: Two 10-foot 1/2 inch galvanized pipe.
29: Baja Fresh night.
30: MIL birthday. Dinner at Chukchansi Casino.
30: 100° days: 1 day. 2014: 3. 2015: 3.
30: Rain 0.01 inches. 2014: 1.27. 2015: 0.37.

Pushups: 3,600
Crunches: 3,600
Pullups: 5
Bardips: 0
Vertical knee raises: 0
Walk/hike/run: 0.00 / 0:00:00

OCTOBER 2016

1: Garage sale.
1: We fire up the new laptop.
1: We ride our bikes for the first time.
2: Garage sale.
2: Bathroom vanity and closet stained and lacquered with first coat.
3: Early.
3: Gas $2.399.
4: Early.
5: Early.
6: Early.
6: Gas $2.379.
7: Early.
8: The remaining drawers are lacquered with their second coat and all of the vanity and cabinet receive their second coat of lacquer.
9: All the drawers and the vanity are filled. No more boxes.
9: No drive day.
10: Portions of the roof extensions for the Upper installed.
10: My wife cleans out the refrigerator.
10: Installed some 1/2 inch OSB in the south porch attic.
10: Electric blanket is engaged.
11: One-half cord of wood delivered.
12: Gas $2.439.
13: We prep the upper with plastic sheeting in preparation for the "storm" coming.
14: Haircut.
14: Rain 0.03 inches.
15: Rain 0.82 inches.
15: We attach extension stringers to the upper rafters.
16: No drive day.
16: We move the pavers to a different location in the backyard. We now have room to roam north of the house.
16: Rain 0.43 inches.
17: Wife teleworks.
17: Gas $2.359.
18: Lowe's purchase: 22-foot ladder and accessories.
18: Baja Fresh night.
19: Chiropractor for both of us.
20: Gas $2.339.
21: KC and EriKa visit.
22: Last of the stringers attached to the Upper roof. Plywood down, paper down, rolled shingles down, and tar down. KC and EriKa help us out and their assistance was greatly appreciated. It would have taken my wife and me another three days, but we all did it in two total days.
22: No drive day.
23: KC and EriKa leave.
23: Upper stringers and underside of roof painted.
23: Temporary door built for water heater.
23: No drive day.
24: Rain 0.27.
25: Subaru windshield replaced.
26: Gas $2.339.
26: JayMi's birthday.
26: Drake bites our neighbor Gail on the leg and breaks the skin.
26: More pine trees are being cut down.
27: Rain 0.53 inches.
28: Rain 1.02 inches.
28: Baja Fresh night.
29: Fascia board installed on north side of the Upper.
30: We move the doghouse and Power Tower onto the south front porch.
30: No drive day.
30: We watch our first Netflix movie at home: London Has Fallen
30: Rain 1.38 inches.
31: Sprinkle 0.01 of an inch.
31: Wife teleworks.
31: Gas $2.319.
31: Rain 4.49 inches. 2014: 0.96. 2015: 0.98.

Pushups: 5,300
Crunches: 4,200
Pullups: 90
Bardips: 0
Vertical knee raises: 30
Walk/hike/run: 0.00 / 0:00:00

NOVEMBER 2016

1: Sprinkle 0.24.
2: Sprinkle 0.01.
2: Cubs win the World Series by beating the Indians!
4: Gas $2.319.
4: Truck oil change.
5: Last of the fascia on the Upper installed and the rest of them are secured.
5: No drive day.
6: Platform near the Upper cooler is constructed and painted.
6: No drive day.
8: Election day.
9: Gas $2.299.
11: To the Sacramento IKEA.
11: Stayed at Sheraton Four Points.
11: Dinner at In-N-Out!
12: Purchased mattress, file cabinets, chairs, and other accessories.
12: Chipotle night.
13: Assembled file cabinets and office chair.
13: No drive day.
14: Wife teleworks.
14: Gas $2.279.
14: We see the Super Moon.
17: Gas $2.259.
19: We move the oak firewood pile to the back gate.
19: We construct a fire pit.
19: No drive day.
20: No drive day.
20: We clean the house.
20: Rain 0.40 inches.
21: Sprinkle 0.09 inches.
22: Sprinkle 0.01 inches.
22: Foggy.
22: Gas $2.219.
22: One cord of wood delivered.
23: Sprinkle 0.03 inches.
24: Thanksgiving dinner: Me, my wife, MIL, JayMi, KC, KlaUs and GaIl, SaSha & Drake. Uncle T and Aunt C and Tre and KenNedy and NiKo join later for dessert.
25: The Five Ninerth. No. 60 if counting the first. Party: My wife, MIL, JayMi, KC, Uncle T and Aunt C, Tre, TyLer and Kelsey, DusTin and SaRah. I get a utility knife from JayMi, a polo shirt and book on tools from my MIL, and a drill and worklight from my wife, and a K-bar letter opener from Uncle T.
26: No drive day.
26: Rain 0.70 inches.
25: We stack the one cord of wood, we cover up the cooler, plug up the no longer used gray water vents on the roof, and clean out the rain gutters.
27: Rain 1.24 inches including 1/2 inch of snow (later melted).
28: Appointment for me at a new doctor office in Oakhurst.
29: Gas $2.179.
29: Chiropractor for the both of us.
30: My wife buys an artificial tree for the office to get rid of the "Charlie Brown tree."
30: Rain 2.80 inches. 2014: 2.36. 2015: 5.36.

Pushups: 5,600
Crunches: 6,600
Pullups: 320
Bardips: 0
Vertical knee raises: 0
Walk/hike/run: 5.24 / 2:02:00

DECEMBER 2016

2: Gas $2.179.
2: Chipotle night.
2: Haircut.
3: No drive day.
3: My wife works overtime, while I stay at home with the dogs.
4: Bathroom wall heater operational.
4: No drive day.
4: Christmas lights hung.
6: Gas $2.199.
6: Hallway light switch relocated and a receptacle is installed in the hallway. This receptacle will have a night light so that we can see the dogs in the late evening and early morning hours.
7: Sasha and Drake's second birthday. I cover their evening meal with Purina's Beyond Natural Beef and Apple Puree with Vitamin A and Zinc.
7: Sprinkle 0.01 inches.
8: Rain 0.56 inches.
9: Gas $2.199. I purchased the 91 octane at $2.399.
9: Baja Fresh night.
10: Took truck to Lit'l Joe's for the check engine light issue.
10: More lights hung.
10: Deep sink faucet needs repair. Need to buy a replacement.
10: Rain: 1.36 inches.
11: More Christmas lights hung.
11: Sprinkle 0.01 inches.
12: Check engine light (CEL) on Subie comes on...again.
12: Wife teleworks.
12: Truck fixed.
12: Subie in for repairs due to check engine light.
13: Replaced MIL's deep sink faucet.
14: Gas $2.259.
14: Bathroom fan installed.
14: Hallway electrical completed.
15: MIL to Dallas, OR.
15: Rain 2.76 inches.
15: Subie repaired.
16: Rain 0.97 inches.
17: Christmas shopping in Fresno: Big 5 (Oakhurst), Whole Foods, Eddie Bauer, Lowe's, Trader Joe's, REI, Macy's, and Kohl's.
17: We purchase a live tree at Lowe's.
17: Chipotle night.
18: We decorate the Christmas tree.
19: Early.
19: Gas $2.199.
20: Early.
21: Early.
22: Early.
23: Rain 1.12 inches.
23: The truck is fixed due to a faulty coil on cylinder #2.
24: Rain 0.05 inches. Including graupel.
25: Another white Christmas for two years in a row!
25: Christmas dinner consisting of homemade meatballs, homemade bread, ham, yam and green bean salad, and pomegranate and cranberry sauce. We also receive pie from our neighbor GaIl and a yule log from her sister JenNifer.
25: Precipitation 0.13 inches.
25: Gifts: Coffee mug, thermometer, pillow (Happy Campers), Roku, slippers, Dockers, Queen greatest hits CD, pullover sweater, pajama bottoms, pen light.
25: No drive day.
25: KC, EriKa, my wife and I play one game of 8-ball.
25: We watch "The Imitation Game" and "Siege of Jadotville" along with watching "Stranger Things" on our big screen television in the living room with the Roku we got from KC and EriKa.
26: Precipitation 0.09 inches.
26: No drive day.
27: Precipitation 0.06 inches.
27: Gas $2.279.
28: Earthquake with aftershocks after midnight. Epicenter: Hawthorne, NV.
28: The truck check engine light comes on again.
29: Gas $2.299.
31: We look at Chevrolet and Dodge trucks.
31: MIL returns from Dallas, OR.
31: Rain 7.00 inches. 2014: 5.41. 2015: 8.84.

Pushups: 5,800
Crunches: 6,800
Pullups: 475
Bardips: 0
Vertical knee raises: 30
Walk/hike/run: 13.37 / 4:45:00

2016 TOTALS:
Pushups: 80,800
Crunches: 76,600
Pullups: 890
Bardips: 0
Vertical knee raises: 30
Walk/hike/run: 48.84 / 20:40:30

OVERALL
Pushups: 1,628,700
Crunches: 2,072,900
Pullups: 39,330
Bardips: 37,970
Vertical knee raises: 25,070
Walk/hike/run: 243.45 / 94:14:12


2016 Resolutions:
Have fun. Yep!
Lose 10 pounds! Nope
Get out and hike more. Not quite
See more movies. Not really
Get the house renovations D-O-N-E!!! Still a work in progress. At least the bedrooms are done.

2016 Highlights:
2,000,000th crunch. (01-14-16)
ABC30 news interview. (01-19-16)
First commute to Fresno and back via Road 211. (01-20-16)
Gas is at $1.999. (02-02-16)
Gas $1.979. (02-05-16)
Gas $1.859. (02-25-16)
Pool table assembled (purchased 07-03-14 and delivered 08-21-14). (02-28-16)
Playing 8-ball and 9-ball on leap day. (02-29-16)
Playing billiards on the first Saturday in our home. (03-05-16)
Seeing a bald eagle in flight in the wild at Bass Lake. (04-24-16)
Going to Las Vegas via Highway 58 and staying at the Marriott Grand Chateau. (05-09-16 to 05-11-16)
Hiking with family on the Mist Trail/John Muir Trail Loop. (05-21-16)
Purchase a 43-inch LG flat screen and a Yamaha sound bar. (06-20-16)
Sold the leather couch, chair, and ottoman. (06-21-16)
We take a bath in our new bathtub. (07-23-16)
Truck reaches 200,000 miles at 6:30 a.m. (09-01-16)
We purchase a Novarra bike for my wife. (09-02-16)
Carpet is installed in the office and bedroom. Check these two rooms as completed. (09-06-16)
We purchase a new gas stove. (09-13-16)
Thule 912 XTR bike rack arrives. (09-20-16)
The Power Tower arrives. (09-21-16)
Our new laptop arrives. (09-26-16)
We ride our bikes for the first time. (10-01-16)
We see the Super Moon. (11-14-16)
We construct a firepit. (11-19-16)
Playing pool on Thanksgiving Day for the very first time. (11-24-16)
Playing pool on 11-25-16. (11-25-16)
Sasha and Drake's two-years old. (12-07-16)
White Christmas. (12-25-16)
KC, EriKa, my wife and I play one game of 8-ball on Christmas Day. (12-25-16)
We watch "The Imitation Game" and "Siege of Jadotville" along with a few episodes of "Stranger Things" on our big screen television in the living room with the Roku we got from KC and EriKa. (12-25-16)

2016 Lowlights:
Drake bites our neighbor Gail. (10-26-16)

2016 Movies:
13 Hours (04-02-16)
London Has Fallen (Netflix) (10-30-16)

Special Events:
We have a post-New Year's Day party at our home (01-02-15).
Superb Owl 50 at our home (02-07-16).
First Saturday night billiards party (03-05-16).


Total cement siding planks purchased since 09-27-13:
09-27-13: 12
11-23-13: 22
03-02-14: 30
03-17-14: 15
06-28-14: 10
01-12-15: 7
Total: 96

Total cement siding sheets:
06-28-14: 10
12-05-14: 11
03-20-15: 35
Total: 56

What happened in 2016.

EARTHQUAKE DRAKE...

Do animals really sense in impending earthquake? We witnessed firsthand that they do, at least Drake anyways.

I awoke around 12:15 a.m. because of Drake barking and pacing around the house. Sasha was on her bed with her ears down. I grab a flashlight to see if there may have been a bear or deer or raccoon outside. Nothing.

Then, I felt a "thump" and heard the rattling of glasses in the cabinet. Earthquake. It was just a shudder and nothing more.

I soothe the poochers down and retire to bed.

Then around 1:13 a.m. I hear Drake barking again. I get up. Go outside. Nothing.

I go back to bed...

Then I felt another "thump." My wife was fast asleep.

The quake was centered near Hawthorne, NV. The magnitudes ranges from 5.5 to 5.7.

ANOTHER WHITE CHRISTMAS...

Thanks to the one-half inch of graupel that fell late Christmas Eve, we experienced another white Christmas for a second year in a row.

The below is the cause of me not attaining my weight loss goal of 10 pounds.

Oh well, these were delicious.

The pie was baked by our neighbor GaIl and the yule log was baked by her sister JenNifer.

Also, mix in homemade meatballs, baked ham, garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, yam and green bean salad, pomegranate and cranberry sauce, homebaked rosemary bread, and black olives. Believe it or not, no rice!

MORE THAN PI...

3.14 in case you didn't know.

Well, we received 3.41 inches of rain in a 24-hour period.

The streams are flowing on both sides of us...

Nice...

TERRIBLE "FOURTWEENERS"...

What the?  Hey, can we get some sleep around here.  It is our birthday for Pete's sake!

In human years, that's two years old. Today is Sasha and Drake's second birthday.

When we got the dogs in 2015, they both weighed around 30 pounds. Now, Sasha weighs around 70 and Drake weighs around 60.

Whenever I do my pushups in the morning, Drake comes over and does his version of pushups what yoga practitioners refer to downward-facing dog. He sometimes puts his front paw on the back of my neck as to say, "You are not doing them right. Down further!"

And if that isn't enough, when I do my crunches both dogs are in my face and Sasha decides to straddle my belly and plop down on top of stomach. Seventy pounds is a lot of weight.

Their world revolves not only around us, but also a ball I purchased months ago. Both Sasha and Drake love that ball. Whenever we are outside working around the house, they retrieve the ball and place it behind us. When we turn around they are both looking at the ball. They want us to kick it or throw it. Drake usually is the first to retrieve, but if he is not, he takes the ball away from Sasha and brings it back to us. He needs more work on the retrieving part as he drops it the all several feet away from us. Sasha will then pick up the ball and drop it at our feet.

Sasha can be a little sneaky. They are not allowed into our bedroom, but sometimes when my wife gets up in the middle of the night, Sasha comes darting in to lick my hand to tell me she has to go outside. Before my feet hit the ground, she is out of the bedroom, and lying on her back in the living room to get her tummy rubbed before heading outside. Meanwhile, my wife comes out of the bathroom wondering what all of the commotion is about.

Drake has calmed down considerably and is not the "HD" (Houdini dog) he used to be. He loves to "hug" when I am sitting at the dinner table. Whenever I move my hand, he moves his head under my hand to move it which results in his version of a hug. He still manages to wriggle through my MIL's doggy door. Don't know how he does it but he does it. Meanwhile, barrel-chested Sasha is left outdoors by her lonesome. Poor teeng.

They were treated to their normal food with an extra bonus...Purina Beyond's Natural Beef & Apple Pureee with Vitamin A & Zinc...they loved it when I poured it over their food. They were also treated to two very large beef ribs.

Sasha snaps her jaws whenever she wants attention and throws in an occasional "yip." Drake thumps his tail like a bass drum to let us know all is good.

Sasha also likes to come behind me between my legs to get the doggy rub. She loves it.

They are the best "poochers" in the world.

Happy birthday Sasha and Drake!

"NONO"VEMBER...

Only 2.80 inches of precipation as compared to 5.36 inches last year and 2.36 inches in 2014.

We did receive 1/2 of snow on November 27, 2016.

Let's see what happens the next five months...

THINGS TO DO (OR HOPE TO DO) TODAY...

Breakfast at the Coarsegold Miner's Grill...

Take my wife and our two dogs, Sasha and Drake, out for a hike to Bass Lake via the In-N-Out Trail...

Have an americano Starbucks coffee...

Have a bowl of Reimer's ice cream...

Eat at the Hitching Post in Ahwahnee...

Play 8-ball or 9-ball...

Order and eat (sharing included) a large all-meat pizza from the Pizza Factory...

Fire up the firepit...

Watch any Netflix movie I want to watch...

Have fun...

HAPPY 241st BIRTHDAY, USMC!

"SOAK"TOBER...

The rains came...all 4.49 inches of it fell for the month of October.

For October 2015, 0.98 inches, for October 2014, 0.96.

This has been the wettest October in recent history.

Here's to a repeat of another wet season or even more?

NETFLIXED...

We signed up, we logged in, and we watched...

London Has Fallen.

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN...

For the first time in over 10 years for me and for the first time with my wife, we both rode our bikes around the property.

It was awkward for me at first. They say you never forget how to ride. Well, I disagree. My leg got caught on the rear carrier as I tried to swing my leg over. Then, I start out. It took some time before my proprioreceptors kicked in to "high gear" and I was able to stabilize

It has been years since my wife had ridden, and she, too, had some difficulty learning the mechanics of gear shifting and braking. I kept telling her for braking, "Right rear, left, front."

We let the dogs run with us, and Drake didn't know what to make out of the new bikes. At first he seemed trepidatious but soon accepted the new "items" into the family. Sasha? She didn't care one bit!

Hard to imagine I used to ride in "century" rides for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team-In-Training. Man, do I have a long way to go before I ride another "century."

We all had fun!

GYM NOT

We cancelled our gym membership. We got tired of the promises of new equipment. New owners purchased the place telling current and new members of new changes and new equipment.

Well, this was back in January 2016. The only "change" was installing a batting cage in one of the racquetball courts. Bad move. Membership plummeted. The only two racquetball courts in town became one.

We purchased a Power Tower that has four stations: pullups, pushups, vertical knee raises, bardips.

It arrived on September 21. It will satisfy our requirements for upper body strength. We are currently doing circuit training with our runs around the property and up and down the stairs.

A VERY DRY SUMMER...

The summer solstice began on June 20, 2016. The autumnal equinox will begin September 22, 2016.

It hadn't rained since June 12. That was 101 days ago until today.

Considering all of the rain we received last fall, winter, and spring, it finally "sprinkled" on the final day of summer, September 21, 2016.

We are hoping for a repeat...of rain as we did last year.

ZEN DEN...

This is still a work in progress, but the progress is nearing completion.

MORE PROGRESS

The work continues...

Before...

After (work still in progress)

CARPET YOU BET

After over four years (September 2, 2012 to be exact) of ripping up the old carpet and the old sub floor, after rug hopping to get around our bedroom, after screwing in the existing plywood to remove the creaks and squeaks, after installing the baseboard and touching up the screw holes, after vacuuming all of the crud from trimming the rest of the old sub floor, we finally have carpet installed in the spare room (aka Office) and our bedroom.
Our initial plan was to install tongue and groove rough cut ponderosa pine planks throughout the house as we did in our den. After visiting my wife's brother and wife in Dallas, OR, in August, we opted for the carpet since their house has carpet in the bedrooms and wood flooring throughout their home.

No more rug hopping, no more splinters in our feet, no more scorpions lurking in the corners (they don't like carpet, but they do like popcorn ceilings which we DON'T have), and no more musty smell from the dust and debris.

It sure did feel good walking barefoot!

We are happy! We done did good!

We can officially check off "complete" the two projects for the house: the Office and our bedroom...

The bathroom, kitchen, and living room will be next...


Before...

After...

The Office...

200K

The truck rolls over the 200,000 mile mark at 6:30 this morning.

It has been a great truck...I hope it lasts another 200,000 miles...

2FERNOT

Another dry month.

Not a drop in August.

That is two months in a row.

Not good.

Well, there is September...

WIFEY WE BE WIFI!!!

We get wified!

ONE HUNDRENDED...

The 11-day streak of 100° came to an end today. It all started July 23.

The temperature gauge reached 99° today.

It has never been this hot at 3,000 feet.

Our hope is that there are no more streaks like this.

JDURLY...

The driest July ever...

No precipitation.

What El Nino? Maybe, El Nono!

Thirteen days of 100°+ temperatures for July. Nine days in a row since July 23.

The average high temperature for this July is 98.6°. In 2015 it was 94.9°. In 2014, 91.5°.

Then, there is August...

Yes, global warming indeed.

SERPA CANYON FIRE..

http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1343

The first one...

This one is 2 miles away, but if the winds pick up later in the day, the fire may spread towards us.

Mix in dead pine trees...

NINE YEARS LATER...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY WIFE.

We have dinner at South Gate Brewing Company.

J1U0N0E°...

100° days: 11 days (1, 3, 4, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
2014: 3
2015: 9

Rain: 0.34 inches (06-12-16)
2014: 0.01
2015: 0.03

June started out with a boom and ended that way. It got up to 105.1° on 06-27-16. The lowest high was 75.7 on 06-15-16. It got as low as 38.5° on 06-16-16. We live at 3,000 feet elevation.

June was a hot one for the record books. We thought that the temperaturs would be mild like it was between 06-09-16 and 06-18-16. Then 06-19-16 came around and hit hasn't dipped below 90° for a high since then.

The dogs are fine with the heat since we do have that kiddie pool. We try to limit play time to prevent them from becoming overheated.

Then there is July, August, and September...

All of the rain we received has given rise to vegetation which has now turned to beige.

What will the fire season be like this year?

BATHROOM RENOVATONS...

Another project begun...

PRESIDENT OBAMA

The area is anticipating the arrival of the First Family this weekend.

The first family is scheduled to touch down at Castle Airport in Merced tonight, and are expected to leave Sunday afternoon.

The first visit by a U.S. President since President Kennedy in 1962.

We will NOT be going to Yosemite this weekend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

Today would have been my aunt's 90th birthday.

Probably sloppin' hogs with my uncle Up There...

OF BROTH, BUTTERFLIES, AND KIDDIE POOLS

Sasha and Drake love chicken broth with their dry dog food. It is a better alternative to the bacon fat I have been putting in their food.

Sasha and Drake enjoy chasing the butterflies fluttering in our backyard. It is a sight to behold as they try to capture one. Quite hilarious sight to see as they chase them down.

When my MIL got us a kiddie pool last year, the dogs were reluctant to get in. They would rather drink from it than play in it. Well, this year, we filled up the kiddie pool and the dogs were more than anxious to dive in and have a grand old time. The recent rains flooded our seasonal creeks and we turned the dogs loose in the water. This year, the kiddie pool will definitely get more use out of those two.

FIRST GRASSFIRE..

The first grassfire was spotted on the southbound 41 near Road 200 this morning during our commute to work...

A cigarette? Perhaps...

With all of this El Nino rain, the grass and brush grow taller...

When the rain stops everything dries...

Along with the dying ponderosa pines due to the bark beetle infestation, a powder keg is waiting to explode...

All it takes is one lightning strike, one ember, one careless cigarette flung out of a vehicle...

It was unnerving in 2014 when we had the Junction and Courtney fire near our home...

We are hoping for a "wet" summer...

VIVA LAS VEGAS!

For the first time, my wife and I drove a Chrysler 200 rental car to Las Vegas and stayed at the Marriott Grand Chateau while on company business.

I was not impressed with Las Vegas. The food at Bubba Gump's was good and the service was great.

While my wife "worked," I dined at the Flamingo, at Pete Rose's Bar and Grill, and at the Harley-Davidson Café. The service sucked and the food was terrible.

The prices for the all-you-can-eat buffets in the other casinos were over $25.00.

When we left Vegas on Wednesday, May 11, we stopped at South Point Hotel Casino and Spa. I was impressed, especially when I saw the marquee display the all-you-can-eat buffets at very reasonable prices!

Hmmm...maybe next time.

FINALLY IN FLIGHT.

While my wife and I were fishing just west of Miller's Landing at Bass Lake, I spotted something I had never seen in the wild. I have seen them in pictures...

I spotted a bald eagle in the trees. I kept noticing it was diving towards the road. I had remembered I spotted a dead grey squirrel in the road near the spot the eagle was. I assumed it was road kill.

I alerted my wife to the spectacle. It was perched in one of the pines, then it would swoop down to the road a couple of times. Whenever a car approached it flew back up into the pines. I thought may it was a young eagle taking to flight for the first time.

It swooped down one more time and took to flight. It started to fly towards us and we noticed it had that grey squirrel in its talons.

What a magnificent sight to see our national symbol in the wild. It was incredible.

INCORRIGIBLE...

We are contemplating turning Drake in to the kennel.

Escape antics. Nothing could keep him in. When he is with me, he is always by my side, just like Sasha. It is when he is left alone, he scampers off. No fence can keep him in. No gate could keep him in. As skinny as he is, he can wriggle his way in or out of any enclosure. My MIL has a small doggie door for the cats, Pixie and Ziggy, and for the dog, Toby. These pets are half the size of Drake, but yet Drake manages to wriggle his way in. He climbs the wire fencing around our property as if it were a cargo net for me.

Aggressive behavior. When we first got Drake, he was timid and shy. One day back in November 2015, a person delivered a cord of wood for us. We, at least I, thought Drake would turn and run away. He did not. He almost bit the person in the groin area. At first we thought the person was bitten, but there were no signs of any bite marks.

Also, whenever family and friends come over, Drake becomes aggressive...barking and baring his teeth. We had to constantly warn folks not to approach him unless my wife and I are present. Once he got to know you all was okay.

Whenever he breaks free, it is a matter of time when one of our neighbors or a total stranger is bitten by him and a lawsuit ensues.

He and Sasha are constantly playing together. It will be sad to let him go. Sasha would not have a play partner. When we turn them loose in the ravine, they run rampant. They play their version of tag and romp through the creek. They are like dogs possessed, but they always have a wonderful time when we turn them loose.

There is Toby as a potential playmate, but he is a small dog and does not possess enough energy to play with Sasha who is twice his size.

It would break our hearts to take Drake away. When we got Sasha back in April 2015, the handler told us that her brother was trying to prevent the handler from taking Sasha away. After leaving the pound, we decided to turn around and get him.

Electric fence is an option, but what if that doesn't work. We contemplated enclosed dog runs, but that wouldn't be right. We contemplated tying him up around the tree when he is left unsupervised, but that is no way to treat a dog.

Then there are the coyotes at night. If Drake is out and about, we don't know if he is able to defend himself or get attacked and killed.

We do have neighbors with high-powered rifles. What if he strays too close and they shoot him?

We just cannot keep him anymore.

7 DOG YEARS LATER...

Seven dog years have passed since we got Sasha and Drake.

The two have been a wonderful addition to our family.

No shoes or slippers have ever been destroyed. They love pig ears, peanut butter snacks, chewy bones.

Sasha is a water dog. She loves to squat down in it and chomp at the water. Drake is not so much a water dog, but he will jump in and jump out of the water.

Drake was almost renamed "Houdini." He has managed on several occasions to climb the wire fencing around the yard and roam about. Our concern is that he may hang himself while trying to get out, or once he does, we fear he may attack other dogs or people. Drake is not comfortable around strangers. He wasn't comfortable with me at first but wherever I go, he is right there beside me. We have tethered him around a tree as punishment, but he manages to wriggle free from his collar. We thought of taking him back to the pound, but somehow we just can't bear to do that.

Although we haven't taken them camping with us yet, there will be a time when we do.

CHOPPED

One of many of the majestic ponderosa pines that surround our property has been chopped down due to the bark beetle. It was one of many of the ponderosa pines up and down our street that were cut down. The tree that was chopped down near us was #26.

Two ponderosa pines on our property are also infested and it will be a matter of time when they, too, will have to be chopped down.

It is not known at this time if #27 and #28 will be marked on our property.

It is also not known if there already exists a #27 and beyond along our street.

MIRACLE MARCH MONSOONAL MAKEUP MADNESS...

9.30 inches.

Yes, it is a lot of rain for the month of March around here.

But these rains since November 2015 are NOT enough to put a dent in the four-year drought.

We need four more years of "wet."

FEBRUARY FIZZLED...

Only 1.40 inches fell in our neck of the woods as compared to 5.20 inches in 2014 and 3.11 inches in 2015.

NAME CHANGING OF THE GUARD...

Ahwahnee Hotel: Majestic Yosemite Hotel.

Yosemite Lodge at the Falls: Yosemite Valley Lodge

Wawona Hotel: Big Trees Lodge

Curry Village: Half Dome Village

Badger Pass Ski Area: Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area


We will still refer to them by their original names.


Delaware North should just let it go. They can claim it was their legacy in Yosemite.

RACK 'EM

The pool table we purchased from my wife's cousin in Kansas City back on July 3, 2014 and delivered August 21, 2014 has finally been assembled.

GaRy and I painstakingly assembled the table without the use of how-to instructions. A lot of the assembling was trial with some error and just getting dang lucky.

The first game was three-way 9-ball between my wife, GaRy, and me. GaRy won.

My wife and I play 8-ball and I won. She can beat me in ping pong, so here is my chance to get even.

The table is a Brunswick with black cloth and leather pockets. It came with two sets of balls (regular and marble print), four cue sticks, one bridge, 8-ball and 9-ball rack.

I made a cue stick rack using some of the ponderosa pine remnants.

The evenings will be getting better for the both of us, as well as our guests who come to visit.

$1.999

Whoa!

Filled up at Costco and saw the price was $1.999!

When was the last time gas was at $1.999? I don't even recall.

28.1686

For the month of January, we received 11.09 inches of rain, as compared to 1.92 in 2014 and 0.26 in 2015 and we got one inch of snow on the final day of January 2016! Imagine that!

There is still February, March, and April...

Oh, 28.1686 is metric in case you didn't know...

CELEBRITY ME...

http://abc30.com/traffic/hwy-41-closed-near-road-406-due-to-rockslide/1165409/

I am a star!

The rock slide occurred at Rocky Cut.

Last night, my wife and I had to take the back roads, Road 400 and 415, to get home. After working out at the gym, we stopped at Raley's to get some groceries and dog food. As we were loading the car, ABC30 news report Brian Johnson asked for a traffic/commute report. I obliged.

This morning, Highway 41 was still closed so we had to take Road 211 to get to work. Another first!

2,000,000...AND COUNTING

Today marked the 2,000,000th crunch. Come a long way since November 1, 1997.

Three million? Possible.

But I am going to focus on the pushups...

Currently at 1,550,200...only 449,800 to go until 2,000,000!

END OF A FAMILY FARM...

My cousins decided to sell the family farm. The end of an era. Another farming family has relinquished the dirt they farmed for over 70 years.

The pictures below are just some of the memories. All good.

"EL DILUVIO"

All hail El Nino with a whopper of a "diluvio."

We got 2.70 inches yesterday and 1.88 inches today. To put this all in perspective, in 2014 we received 1.92 inches of precipitation for the entire month of January, 2015 we received 0.26.

Now, you know the rest of the story.

Last night while driving northbound to home, there was a black line of low clouds and a curtain of rain pounding on the bluffs near Highway 145.

We thought a tornado was about to touch down.

As we got past Avenue 15, we noticed the bluffs just north of Fresno had water cascading down the ravines and across Highway 41 in three places.

The flash flood had to be at least 3 inches. We never had seen that before since moving here in 2007.

We get home and our garden in the ravine was flooded...again. I need to take advantage of that. Building a dam would only weaken the driveway resulting in some major problems driving to work. Then I am thinking, why not build a dam further "upstream" and use the silt and debris for our garden.

The "Cascades"