Christmas Eve

The Regal Beagle - Francis.







Pictures from Christmas at Ashley and Bryce's apartment with the newest Hales.

UPDATE: The full series can be found:
http://flickr.com/photos/fisker/

Pictures from Mammoth in December

A few pictures from our three-day weekend with Pattie and Chris in Mammoth.

The Weather Turns

Warm winds began the week, but winter arrived today. As I drove up Mountain Ave. a little before 8 am this morning, I drove by the Coffee Bean which had SNOW on its outside patio umbrellas. This shot was of a tree and lawn right outside of my office window. In seven years, I've seen it cold in Upland which is just below the mountains, but this is the first time I've seen snow.

The Holidays End

The re-organization continues at the Hutchins' household. This last weekend, we took down the Christmas lights, put away the mantel decorations, dis-assembled the fake tree and tried to cram it into a storage box that was only large enough for it before the box was opened the first time. All this accompanied with a little sense of melancholy at the demise of the holiday season and the absence of family.

We also tackled a rearrangement of the game room. The aquarium had to be moved to the end of the room which necessitated emptying 2/3rds of the water. In front of the pine table, we placed the two person couch and shifted my chair to the side by the bar. It really opens up the area; we really like it. Unfortunately, our two long-lived goldfish did not survive the move!

Saturday, we attended Compass Bible Church's first Saturday night service in our new location and then had a great Italian dinner at Cosmos around the corner. We're not sure if this will be our preferred service time or not, but Mike's preaching was excellent as always.

With more free time on Sunday, I forged ahead with straightening the garage. I'm glad to say I can now see the work surface of my workbench and the laundry table has room to actually fold clothes! And after the chores, I was able to watch two NFL post-season games that I had DVR'd in about 2 hours.

A Funeral and Celebration

Carolyn woke me up the other day around 2 am. She hadn't been able to sleep and had been on the Internet and visited our blog where she noticed a comment from a prior co-worker, Pike Oliver, that another co-worker, Jim Maloney, had passed away and his funeral was today. Jim was only 53 with a wife, Janet, and three children. Jim had had health problems over the years, but still he was relatively young.

I drove over to Fullerton from work and Carolyn joined me from home. I was amazed at the number of people who filled the sanctuary. Probably between 300 and 400 people came to celebrate his life. It was touching to hear his son Russ (20 years old) talk about his dad and the fun and chaos that would surround their camping trips. I found out that Jim was quite the outdoor cook with great BBQs or dutch oven cooking on camp outs. Friends and neighbors talked about his generosity, his inclusion of other kids as extensions of his own family, the way he coached baseball or taught kids how to surf and business associates spoke of his good mind and ability to sell anything.

After the five preplanned eulogies, comments were elicited from the audience. The last one spoke to the heart of the matter. Jim had had a heart issue about a year ago and on a business trip after his recovery, this gentleman asked Jim if he was certain of his destiny if he were to die. Jim said he thought so, but was asked if he wanted to know with certainty. It appears Jim accepted the Lord within months of his death.

I met numerous friends and associates from my years with Southwest Diversified and Interra before and after the service. Faces often recognized even with the graying of hair with names sometimes having to be elicited. It was good to re-acquaint ourselves and learn so many others are believers.

But, beyond renewed contacts, the conversations prompts me to seek out more opportunities to just be with others, to create memories, and to love those around us.

A Quiet New Dawn

So 2007 began with bright skies and the quiet of a suburban world sleeping and enjoying a day off. My internal clock only allows a limited sleep-in however, so I was up by 7:15 and soon reading the paper and making coffee.

I made sure that Carolyn got up by 8:00 so we could continue our tradition of watching the Rose Parade in our pajamas, but the champagne didn't make its way into the OJ during the parade although it was consumed later in the day. The float which featured two fire breathing dragons was my personal favorite.

In between several football games and a diet busting snack platter of cheese, crackers, guacamole, chips, adult beverages and the occasional chocolate, we even managed to continue our de-clutter challenge. Clothes have been given away, magazines searched for good travel articles, financial papers filed, etc. Carolyn has straightened her art room and begun organizing her knitting projects. This will definitely be a continuing goal for 2007.

While I detailed no resolutions for this new year, I do have some goals in addition to the house organization already mentioned. First, to continue my weight loss (19 pounds in 2006) and increase my aerobics (I try to walk 30 minutes at lunch) and strength (maybe lifting weights). Second, to complete reading through the Bible in a year. John Elliott gave me a Daily Bible and Carolyn and I should keep each other accountable to stay current (I am as of day 2). Third, to read more and watch television less which will be easier after the football season is over. I have several new, good books awaiting my perusal on my bedstand. Fourth, with the help of Dennis and Steve, paint the sailboat and sail more often and further offshore. Lastly, to get out and about more, walks in the harbor, short weekends away, movies during the week, day trips to visit Ashley and Bryce, the sort of things that eliminate stress, foster closeness and create kind memories.

I trust your 2007 will be one of growth, happiness, and completed goals.

A Strong Wind Blows

Carolyn thought it was raining last night after we had heard the wind brushing trees against the house. She went out on our deck and found that our jacuzzi lid was open! It had been closed earlier and I couldn't imagine why or who had opened it.

As I went out on the patio, I found both umbrellas from our deck (the second story) and our patio table overturned. The wind had been so strong that it had uplifted both of them along with opening the jacuzzi cover. In addition a large terra cotta planter had been blown over and broken. Our own little Katrina!

Luckily nothing major was broken (like the glass patio table) and we just collapsed the umbrellas and locked down the jacuzzi cover and called it a night.

We've had our share of house issues (several which would be solved with a larger master bath and closet on the deck off of Ashley's old room) and we don't need anymore.

Here's hoping that in 2007, we stay dry and secure in our little home.

The Year Past

The year ended quietly with a New Year's eve spent at home after a dinner out at the new Lucille's BBQ newly opened in the Orchard shopping center on El Toro Road. They serve enough that Carolyn and I could split a platter and still have enough to take home.

Late November and December has been filled with: Thanksgiving with Wanda and Lisa in Yosemite; our anniversary (number 33!); Carolyn's birthday (number XX); a short three day weekend up at Mammoth with Chris and Pattie; a company Christmas/Holiday party; a CBC Christmas party; shopping and wrapping presents; a Christmas eve day sermon by Bryce; meeting Bryce and Ashley's new dog, Francis, and spending the day exchanging gifts and enjoying an Indian feast; a quiet Christmas morning at home with Wanda; and the final three day holiday for 2006 with football and munchies.

I actually have photos of some of those events and will work to get them posted.