Running on Empty!

Occasionally, time seems to stretch out forever in front of you. Things move slowly, and the pace of life can be quite leisurely. Then there are times when events and tasks seem to bunch up like river water against a big boulder, pushing and shoving; mixing and swirling. This June was fairly sedate in pace. I managed to get some key projects done, and was feeling like I was in control. The end of the month changed all that.

On the 27^th, Kim took three high school kids down to a special “Summit” camp at Sonoma State to learn how to establish a youth court here in our high schools. While she was gone I spent the weekend prepping and painting the barn, a big job I have been contemplating for a few years. Over the next two weeks it was non-stop for both of us. All good stuff, that we wanted to do, and it did get pretty darn hectic.

To summarize: Kim got back from her Summit, the Sunday I finished the barn. We left for San Luis Obispo that evening (overnighted with brother Don in Modesto) to help Maggie and Lucy move out of their apartment and into summer quarters (John and Jeanne’s Pismo house).

After the big move, we helped J & J get their Los Osos house ready for rental with interior prep and painting. We finished and headed back home just in time to help decorate the Rotary 4^th of July float and catch a few hours sleep. Up bright and early (well, ok: not so bright!) I headed to Loyalton for the Parade and BBQ, our club’s biggest work day and largest fundraiser. Kim stayed in bed as she had been up all night evacuating from both ends! A long day (‘till around 4:00 pm) and a short night’s rest found us packing, and departing for our two week journey to Idaho with Rotarian friends Larie (short for Lairmore) and Katie. We spent the night in Elko with Glen and Casey and gradually got into the rhythm of the road.

I’m in Ponderay Idaho right now at my Uncle John and Aunt Nancy’s place on Lake Pend Orielle (pronounced Pon-de-ray) about 60 miles south of the Canadian Border. We are heading home tomorrow, so it is time to reflect a little.

Our day of moving the girls was very hectic and a little stressful. We arrived around noon, and jumped right in hauling furniture and supplies, then came the cleaning, and detailing. When the manager came over for the inspection He complimented us and it looks like the girls will get the full amount available back on their deposit.

We got up early to see Lucy off to
the ranch. Here she "cowgirls Up".

Next day was more restful sort of. We awoke at 5:15 am to see Lucy off to her ranch job. She has early and long days working at the Westfall ranch in Los Olivos (about 45 minutes south). We got up early both mornings to see her since she was scheduled to work both days.


We spent the rest of the day hanging around Pismo, helping Maggie get her front tires repaired, and doing a polish job on Merdy’s headlights. They were pretty yellowed and fogged up with age, but after I applied the restoration kit, they looked like brand new. Not only looked better, but she’ll be able to get more illumination out of them at night as well.

Here is a "Before" shot.

Next day we headed to Los Osos and started prepping to paint the interior of the house. Jeanne and Kim had purchased the paint and other supplies the day before. John and I dug in pulling outlet plates wiping down walls, and pulling carpet. Then it was up and down ladders, cutting and rolling the walls. We got the front of the house done, one bedroom cut, and one bedroom rolled before we called it a day. That left only the master bedroom untouched. John finished the job the next day after we left. All in all it was a busy work day. 

Here is "After" polishing.

The best part was dinner at the Sidecar Restaurant in SLO (suggested by Maggie). John and Jeanne were our generous hosts as we started with some well earned cocktails. The food was delicious and unique. Kim had Cuban Grilled Romaine salad, John and I had a hanging steak (looked like a beautifully cooked skirt steak to me), Maggie had vegetarian (vegan) lasagna. Must have been the bourbon, but I don’t remember what Jeanne had!

John shows off the skirt steak. Bourbon was good too!

Next day (July 3^rd) we made the long pull home starting at 7:00 am. We made it home just in time for a Teleconference on Rotary Membership, and to make it to Loyalton to help decorate the Float. But that will be in my next post!!

Kim and our good friend and fellow Rotarian
Gail "Virus" Ellingwood sipping a little wine during a
break in the decoration. Gail is District Governor next year.

That’s All!