Glad to be 80% done...

.... yes almost, but not quite finished yet.
Sunday was a long day outside working on the Patio cover and I have the Sunburn to proof it.

Happy the Painting is over and most of all, I have the two Lights up and ready receive the wiring... something that wont be any hassle at all. I'll do that this coming weekend and then, looking forward to sit down enjoying it at that stage. Meaning, it really isn't completely done yet.
There is still the Concrete Paint to follow, new seat cushions and some more fine-detailing to make it unique. Like the Medallions for the Light's.. Hand-painted for an extra effect, with a color to match our Sundial.

Reward for my hard work is set...

Still having the San Francisco Trip fresh in our minds, we are already looking forward for our next Trip.
Hotel plans are made for Summer, a Vacation at the Grand Canyon & Sedona Area. Throwing in an Old Flagstaff experience and a I-Max Film of the Grand Canyon, for good measures. Also as a late adding, a Pink Jeep Tour is included now too. Qing will be going "Off-Roading" through Sedona's Canyon... haha! A first for all of us, not sure if I should tell her beforehand?

Not until that Patio Cover is finished and done completely. So have to make this one short, need to get working now! Ahhh... the Joy of Life!

The last 200 miles, or so I thought...Part 8.

haha... of course the Trip must end with Part "8"!

So to continue... the last 200 miles and we are back home again. That was all well and dandy, until that certain "Move" I've mentioned in the previous Part 7.

Also, Qing had moved to the inside spot when we came back from the Restrooms. Our Food was already on the table and boy did we all devour this Food.. like we hadn't seen something edible for days. Back to the car and off we go heading east on Hwy 46 towards the Interstate 5, a roughly 60+ miles. A little over an hour we hit Inter. 5, which is our second to last.. with only Hwy138 ahead before arriving home sweet home.

Exactly 70 miles from Paso Robles it happened. For some reason, Qing was reaching for her "Purse". The one that wasn't willing to come with us and stayed behind at Carl's Jr. After five minutes of looking all over the car, while I was still heading south.. with no way to get "off" the darn Highway for another 12 miles or so? Finally a place to make a U-turn and back on the 46. Getting there, I called Information for their Phone number. Lucky me, they have more than one in this little town! "What Street is the one on.. Sir, that you looking for? Should I pull out my hair now? I had no idea.. next to the 46 Hwy I told that nice Lady Operator. That street couldn't be more than half a block long, with a couple Fast-food places and that's it.

I write the first number she gave me and thanks for Cell-phones when you need them. Two bars it showed and I could hardly hear the Guy that answered on the other side. Besides, I'm not even sure if "He" heard me?

I threw the Phone to the side (mind you, I was NOT mad at my LaoPo one bit) and told my Sweetheart.. I just go back and we'll see. I'd give it a 51-49 chance it is found by a honest Employee/Customer and held for our return.

See, if I was sitting on the inside.. Qing would have put her Purse between us. No way to forget it. Hence, she moved.. it was put on the wall next to her and easy to forget. Especially,while concentrating on "her" Drink and Tianchi's taking them to the car. I of course never even seen it after coming back from the Restroom.

I'm such a nice Person (coming from Qing)! Her face looked like she's ready for me to start yelling anytime soon. Why would I? I knew exactly how she felt, she didn't need "Fuel" to make her feel even worse. For me, it was only 150 miles out of the way. For her, it was all her ID's and Credit Cards.. that we need to cancel and re-apply for.

Back in Paso Robles and in Carl's Jr's parking lot, we went inside (nervously to a point she was shaking). The Manager was the first we saw and ask the embarrassing question.." Did you happen to find a Purse, a couple hours ago at one of the tables near the Restrooms"???

To our surprise, he states.. "We have actually found two today"! What colour was/is yours? A beige/purple Coach shoulder bag! Oh.. yes we do have one just like that.. the "Good Man" said! Of course he was a good man now and most of all an "Honest" one besides that. One more sign, there are definitely still honest People in the World.

Having the Purse back, I did not (really did not) want to drive the 46 again so soon. I decided to take the Hwy 101 instead, to the 166-5-138 and home.

This Trip, instead of having a not so good ending.. became an overall "Great" four days for all of us.. no doubt!

Hammer-Nail-Screws-Paint and who knows what?

Yesterday and half of Sunday, were dedicated ones more to building the Patio Cover on the side of our House.

Little did I know, that.. even though it is somewhat smaller than the one in the back.. it sure was some hard work. Here I thought, "Open" would be less work.. but not so!

I did managed to finish half the top and the front trim. Also paint the two front Post's and trim. The painting (by brush) took me a good two hours. I could have used a Paintgun, but I like to put on a nice and thick two coats for durability.. as a Gun would waste half of the Paint into no where's land.

I am not looking forward painting the top. Having just three sides left there, because I painted the very top layer as I put them down. Reason for that, I do not have to climb on top later.

Here are a couple Photo's of my progress...

Last day of Trip, but not without...Part 7.

As with every Vacation, it is always sad that it must come to a close and this one is/was no exception.

Everybody I'm sure have had bad "Monday's" in their Lifetime, that we want to forget quickly.

First let me tell you, going home the same Route (Hwy 1).. no matter how many times you have taken it.. it's always as beautiful as the first. Our plan was to stop for Dinner in Paso Robles ones more, but just by ourselves (no Family member this time)... take a break and fill our Tanks. From there it was 200 miles left for home, about three hours.. same as coming from home. I decided to take the same way/roadway as before, but this was to be changed by Faith. Boy, and did it ever!

Arriving in Paso Robles around 4:00pm, right on our schedule.. we looked for a place to eat. Passing a Chinese Buffet ones, we started to say/agree.. "Yes" let's go and eat there. So a quick U-Turn, only to find out.. their "Closed" on Monday's! I wasn't ready to waste much time looking for another, so Carls Jr. it was going to be.

This is where things took a turn and Faith threw us a curve. We ordered our Food and it was to be delivered to our table when done. So we picked a table, with Qing and myself on one side. I was sitting on the inside against a wall. Now, Tianchi needed to use the Restroom and I thought.. well I go too and wash my hands. Qing stayed back, but with us gone.. moved herself to the inside. This "Move" turned out to be very un-pleasant later.

I will explain later..

to be continued....

Time to say good-bye... Part 6

A good nights sleep later, it was going back to Monterey and saying good-bye to San Francisco.. but not before a good Breakfast first.

Staying at the Holiday Inn at the Wharf, had three (3) plus points and two negatives. The plus's; #1 being it was right next to the famous Fishersman's Wharf of course- #2 it was a great Hotel (nice room and clean)-#3 for having a Denny's right inside by the Lobby.
Now, for the two not so nice items!
#1 the Hotel charges everyone (or at least they try) $40 for Parking your car- #2 the Denny's must have won the "Slowest Service" award, in all the ones I've been to so far.
Solution for number one, park in the Parking Building right across from the Hotel... only $25!
For number two, measure the "Tip" by an Hour-glass! I think, we actually could have used a two hour glass in this case.

Anyway, it takes more than this to get "Me" upset. I don't let anything that small bother me, I just watch Qing's "Meter" while it's running!

So again we are on the Road heading south for the first time on this Trip. Monterey in sight, which should take no more than a couple hours driving. This day, we are going to check out Pacific Grove and go to the Monterey Aquarium along exploring Cannery Row's shop's. Having done those two, there was the only the Wharf left to check out. Talking about the Wharf in Monterey, I like to say.. that I really for some reason like it better, then the one in San Francisco. It has to do with having had most of Nancy's and Mine "Anniversaries Dinner's" here. They are all still there and look the same as always, with the exception of one. Our very first one "The Rouge" has changed for many years (10-15) now. This had been our number one along with the "Sardine Factory" coming in second.

This of course is only running through my Head, making sure it does not spill over to my LaoPo. Now having spend most of the day and getting late, it was time to check-in to our Hotel for the last night abroad. Finding a place to eat Dinner was the last stop, before calling it a day. California Kitchen was our choice, instead of Sushi.. that didn't tickle Tianchi's fancy.

Next day's plan, get up at 8:00am.. get to the "Free" breakfast and back down the Coast toward Home.

to be continued....

Ahhh... Spring is here and it starts to show!

I think it will be time soon, to be able to enjoy sitting outside ones again.. as it is getting warmer in the Evenings. The first surprise I get when stepping outside now, is I can see Puppies coming into Blum everywhere. They must have doubled from last year. They are covering half my backyard now, I think by next or two years from now.. they will cover it all. Wonderful for sure, especially when they are "Free"!

Second happening, is I started to put up my Side-Patio Cover. I still have to wait for one more Beam and I wont be able to be stopped till it's finished. It's really great, to have five (5) options where to sit and without ever leaving the "Park" so to speak. If you know somewhat about the Chinese Culture, you would know.. how much that means to Qing/my LaoPo. They love their Parks/Gardens and anybody that's been to China, knows.. their's are sooo much more beautiful by any means.

Thirteen years ago...

As I looked at the Calendar this morning, for some reason I was reminded of somebody that was close to me. Someone that came into my Life along with my late Wife (Nancy) thirty-five years ago.

Some of my readers will know, whom I am talking about. Before I mention "His" name.

Today is April 4th, a day I have not/can't or want to forget. As my Title points out, it was the year 2000 that I/his Mom/his beautiful Daughter and many of his Brother's and Sister's lost a special Person in their Life's. It was none other than "Gary V." and at a young age of only 28.

I don't want to go into details of "How and Why", but just to let "Him" know.. he's not forgotten by no means!!

Change of Plans... Part 5

While we were patiently waiting going up-hill before our descend on Lombard St., I decided the Hotel can actually wait and let's do Chinatown first. So we did just that, with a late Dim Sum Lunch on all our Minds. To my surprise, the Restaurant the "Golden Dragon" which happened to be one of the best in Chinatown a few years back... was no longer there. So the next best thing to do, was ask a Chinese Guy where is the best place for Dim Sum?

As luck would have it, the one he mentioned was only a couple Blocks away. During our wait to be seated (10 min.), we looked at some Photo's on the wall inside this Place and we're shocked to see... Obama has actually been here to eat. I guess, now this would most likely to be considered the "Best" in Town. Being seated, they give you a list of items and all we do is... check-off what we want to eat.

As usual, our eyes were bigger than our Stomach's. Counting the items, we had marked a grand total of 15 different items. This also shocked our Waiter, who recognized this was way too much for just three People. Kind of embarrassed, we managed to take off a whole two (2) items.. haha!

One item that stayed on the list, was "Chicken Feet"... no not for me or Tianchi! Qing likes them and doesn't have the opportunity to eat them often, so I made sure it stayed on. I really love to watch her eat those "Boney" little things with some skin on it. I don't have to tell you, we could have rolled out of there. For some needed exercise, instead of going to the Hotel now... it was off to the south-side of the Bridge. Park the Car, time to walk this Food off and walk that Bridge to the other side. Well, lets say 3/4 of the Bridge! I'm sure glad the Golden Gate could manage to hold that "Extra" weight we brought with us here.

By now it was close to 5:30pm and more than ready to get to Hotel and lay down a bit, before we go to the Wharf.

to be continued....

One week after Trip...

No time to relax, after returning from San Francisco. It now time to jump on our second Patio Cover on the side of our Home. I had started to pick up some wood and hardware before our Trip, now it's getting the rest and warm up the Tools.

Last weekend we bought Flowers for our (little) Fountain along with the Wind- Sculpture and Sundial with other things to make this part as cozy as the one in the backyard.

First I wanted to attach the Ledger to the House itself, but since this involves removing the Stucco.. it also needs a Permit for that too. So I decided to make it "Free" standing with two (2) beams and Qing likes that one to be "Open" for Plant-growth later. Much easier and faster, as I should have this up by May for sure.

It is after all, nice to have more day-light back in the early evening for some extra shifts.. you know what I mean.

Going North... Part 4.

As the day slowly came to an end and we all were pretty tired.. ready for a good night sleep. After having Dinner at "Bahama's" where I have been before of course, it was back to the Hotel to unwind and be ready for the next day's Trip to San Francisco.

Next morning about 8:30 we had a Breakfast (Free) and everything being packed up, it was off to head for the 101 Fwy north. About half-way to S.F., we stopped in Gilroy (the Capital of Garlic). You can't just bypass this little Town, if you are a lover of Garlic. Not to worry, we loaded up with plenty of Sauces/Spices to last for quite a while.

For the second time we arrived in Frisco a few hours early for our Check-in (I planned it that way), so we hit.. or drove over the Golden Gate Bridge as our first assignment. Thinking back a couple years, when I ones mentioned the Golden Gate Bridge to Qing.. she said; and I quote " What is so special.. it's only a Bridge" and we in Shanghai have many of those?

Haha.. of course she did not know, what made this Bridge so special to the World? Heck, I don't even know why? It is definitely beautiful.. no dought! Anyway, being on the north side.. I try'd to park so we all could get out for some Photo's. As luck would have it, I had to stay in the Car (double parked) and let Qing and Tianchi go out.. enjoy the view and take some nice Pictures. I've been here many times, ones even making it a "one day" turn around from Los Angeles.. when I was younger of course and single still.

That being done, I wanted to go and stop now on the south side. But, having traffic problems and it was almost 3:00pm, it was time to check-in ones more. Hence the Holiday Inn is right on the Fisherman's Wharf and near Lombard St. (where the Crookedest Road in the World is), we headed that way. I must tell you, the closer we got the steeper (going uphill) they become. It looked like 45 degree, but of course it was less! Hanging on the hill, it was one car at a time moving forward to the top. That might be fun for the People in the car, but your poor car I'm sure it's NOT!

Finally it is our turn to head "Down" this famous road, which takes about two (2) minutes. Just like an Amusement Park Ride, wait 45 min. and it's over with the blink of the eye.

to be continued....