Schmalvin, as he is affectionately known, is yawning. However, it kinda looks like he is laughing too. :)
12.30.2006
My sentiments exactly...
Schmalvin, as he is affectionately known, is yawning. However, it kinda looks like he is laughing too. :)
12.27.2006
Picking fleas
Christmas has officially come and gone, and so has (almost) my yearly cold/flu/coughing crap. I still can't shake the cough part of it. I am getting really tired of waking up at 2:00 am coughing violently. That irritating tickle that won't go away until you almost permanately cough up a lung, or puke, or worse. GOOOOOO Airborne!
Our week begins today and is thankfully thus far slow. Last week, while I was really sick, and should NOT have been out on properties, we had our first kid's club activities on our properties. We made these Christmas tree things with construction paper and then Christmas cards out of the same construction paper and old Christmas card fronts. It was really funny how all of the adults got really into it. On one property, however, we think it was because they had been sucking down a little too much weed. So, they would be happy picking fleas off of a wet schnauzer if we gave them the opportunity.
Our week begins today and is thankfully thus far slow. Last week, while I was really sick, and should NOT have been out on properties, we had our first kid's club activities on our properties. We made these Christmas tree things with construction paper and then Christmas cards out of the same construction paper and old Christmas card fronts. It was really funny how all of the adults got really into it. On one property, however, we think it was because they had been sucking down a little too much weed. So, they would be happy picking fleas off of a wet schnauzer if we gave them the opportunity.
12.11.2006
oh the pests...
We have finally finished the roach treatments on all of the properties. We are now in the process of hiring a new on-site manager for each one....and, let's just say that out of the last 10 that we have sent by the properties, only 2 have returned and said they are interested. And, what part of THIS IS A PART TIME JOB do you not understand??!? It amazes me how many people utterly fail to read and/or comprehend the job description--even when I email it a second time! We have had SO many people asking if we have benefits....not for a $200 rent credit!
11.27.2006
The humble side of town...
I heard a phrase today that I have decided to use from now on to describe the apartments in the area formely known as the hood. "The humble side of town." Sounds better eh?
Today began the long task of roach treatments. Roaches were fleeing everywhere, running for their lives! It still gives me the heeby geebies. We went into, yet, another vacant apartment today, and I am not joking when I tell you that there were literaly spiders covering every square inch of the entire ceiling in the 1000 square foot apartment. I gave up counting at 52. And this, coupled with the 24 roaches I counted in the bathroom alone, wandering around gave me one more thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Good pest control.
We have begun to align our forces creating strategic aliances with several of the residents, especially the property gossips, in order to obtain information on numerous residents that we suspect of foul play. The best alliances are with kids. You be suprised at how far a $1.00 toy will go and how much information it can gain you. Last week we raided the dollar store and came out with $127.48 of bribery. These can also be good to give away during apartment showings. Get in good with the kids, and you are home free! Parents want their kids to be happy, and when they are happy on your property, you're the applications come in!
One apartment community we sprayed today has eight apartments with, at last count, 56 residents all Samoan, and all related. We have almost their entire extended family living within the confines of these walls. Which is amazing not just due to the sheer number of them, but also the sheer size. When each person averages 300 pounds, 1000 square feet does not go a long way. They are so cramped in there, it is no wonder they all have holes in the walls from all of the fighting. And, they are just not small holes, I can fit my entire body through these holes if I want to. And, I love how they try and hide them behind the sheets hanging on the wall--nice cover. One apartment is so bad, we have to replace three doors, and use an entire piece of sheetrock just to do the repairs.
As I walk these apartments and get to know each resident, it continually amazes me how people live and what conditions they subject themselves to, some out of desperation, some out of addictions. Those that are the addicts don't keep me up at night, however, the kids that are living in these situations and are subjected not only to these living conditions, but also to their parents addictions, makes me understand even further why our kids in society are so screwed up. I went into an apartment of a crack addict today, she has three kids. The oldest daughter, no more than 20, has become a crack addict herself. The middle son, a senior in high school, has just come back to live with his mom because of "issues" with the dad. Can only imagine what those are. Anyway, he seems to have his act together as well as can be expected. He wants to become a cosmetologist. Everytime I see him, he is watching his little brother, who appears to be about 7. He is always on the phone with his friends, yet never seems to be able to see them because he is always watching his brother, doing the laundry, washing dishes. Very sad. All while his mom is in the back getting high with his sister. Can you imagine what it would be like for the little one if he was not there? Their house is so filthy, there is old food lying out, roaches crawling all over it and the countertops. And, the mom is standing in the middle of this mess yelling at us and telling us she does live like a pig. Her house is normally clean. She'll spray for the roaches herself...don't worry. Yeah right! Just like she takes care of the rest of her life...
This my friends, is the humble side of town.
Today began the long task of roach treatments. Roaches were fleeing everywhere, running for their lives! It still gives me the heeby geebies. We went into, yet, another vacant apartment today, and I am not joking when I tell you that there were literaly spiders covering every square inch of the entire ceiling in the 1000 square foot apartment. I gave up counting at 52. And this, coupled with the 24 roaches I counted in the bathroom alone, wandering around gave me one more thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Good pest control.
We have begun to align our forces creating strategic aliances with several of the residents, especially the property gossips, in order to obtain information on numerous residents that we suspect of foul play. The best alliances are with kids. You be suprised at how far a $1.00 toy will go and how much information it can gain you. Last week we raided the dollar store and came out with $127.48 of bribery. These can also be good to give away during apartment showings. Get in good with the kids, and you are home free! Parents want their kids to be happy, and when they are happy on your property, you're the applications come in!
One apartment community we sprayed today has eight apartments with, at last count, 56 residents all Samoan, and all related. We have almost their entire extended family living within the confines of these walls. Which is amazing not just due to the sheer number of them, but also the sheer size. When each person averages 300 pounds, 1000 square feet does not go a long way. They are so cramped in there, it is no wonder they all have holes in the walls from all of the fighting. And, they are just not small holes, I can fit my entire body through these holes if I want to. And, I love how they try and hide them behind the sheets hanging on the wall--nice cover. One apartment is so bad, we have to replace three doors, and use an entire piece of sheetrock just to do the repairs.
As I walk these apartments and get to know each resident, it continually amazes me how people live and what conditions they subject themselves to, some out of desperation, some out of addictions. Those that are the addicts don't keep me up at night, however, the kids that are living in these situations and are subjected not only to these living conditions, but also to their parents addictions, makes me understand even further why our kids in society are so screwed up. I went into an apartment of a crack addict today, she has three kids. The oldest daughter, no more than 20, has become a crack addict herself. The middle son, a senior in high school, has just come back to live with his mom because of "issues" with the dad. Can only imagine what those are. Anyway, he seems to have his act together as well as can be expected. He wants to become a cosmetologist. Everytime I see him, he is watching his little brother, who appears to be about 7. He is always on the phone with his friends, yet never seems to be able to see them because he is always watching his brother, doing the laundry, washing dishes. Very sad. All while his mom is in the back getting high with his sister. Can you imagine what it would be like for the little one if he was not there? Their house is so filthy, there is old food lying out, roaches crawling all over it and the countertops. And, the mom is standing in the middle of this mess yelling at us and telling us she does live like a pig. Her house is normally clean. She'll spray for the roaches herself...don't worry. Yeah right! Just like she takes care of the rest of her life...
This my friends, is the humble side of town.
11.22.2006
Hangin' in the hood...
We are back this week hangin' in the hood, fixin' apartments again. We will begin roach treatment next week on all of these properties...and you would thought these people just won the lottery! The are SO excited that we are actually going to be treating their apartments--and ALL at the same time. It is amazing how much these people HATE this guy. It is so rewarding that these people love what we are doing for them, and it is something very simple!
Our MOE photo is attached from Friday's awards show. It was really fun! And, mom was up on stage as a presenter! It was our first advertising experience as Cambridge Management Group....what a thrill! Click on the photo to view more photos!
I hope everyone has a safe Thanksgiving!
Our MOE photo is attached from Friday's awards show. It was really fun! And, mom was up on stage as a presenter! It was our first advertising experience as Cambridge Management Group....what a thrill! Click on the photo to view more photos!
I hope everyone has a safe Thanksgiving!
11.13.2006
the commercial toilet paper dispenser
please note, the key is in the lock for added protection and removal of paper...
the roach in question....
Attached is one of the photos I promised. Please note the numerous roach eggs on the plug. See the roach peeping out of the outlet? Bleh!!
11.12.2006
Where are you winter?
Today was another warm day....we are having unseasonably warm weather, and I am tired of it. While I do not necessarily need it to be 30 degrees, I do like a little "winter-like" weather! We have another santa ana brewing, and if I am not careful, I think my skin may just flake off due to the 0% humidity. As I am typing, I just happened to look down and notice that I look as though I have old lady hands. I wonder if I were to participate in one of those tests where someone is shown just my hand to try and guess my age, if they would think that I have the hand of an 80 year old woman.... my knuckles look like elephant knees...
must. have. moisture.
must. have. moisture.
11.10.2006
Holdin' down the hood....
Today was a slower day down in the hood. We only had one property to walk today, so not so much exposure to the throngs of roaches that I have seen over the last few days. I got a really good photo of them today, and as soon as I download the 545 photos from my camera, I will get it posted, along with the toilet paper holder.
I haven't been able to come to terms with how these people have managed to survive with so many pests. They apparently are able to live in some sort of harmony, no matter how disgusting it seems. I can't imagine swating roaches off of your body at night as you lay on your bed trying to get some rest.
We are getting mostly favorable reactions from people, though a few are a little wary of us, mostly because of their questionable legal status. Most people though are welcoming us with open arms after unleashing their barage of (usually) 20 minutes worth of complaints and ramblings regarding their living conditions and their sheer hatred toward the owner. One woman in particular today captured my mom's attention for 30 minutes until she was able to finally peel herself away from her.
Another man was very proud of his one bedrooom apartment with no less than eight people living in it. They had done a favorable amount of "decorating" on their own, and if his shiny polyester toupee is any indication, his taste in "decorating" leaves little to be desired. I tried as nonchalantly as possible to take a photo of this lovely hair piece because, quite frankly, I have never seen such a toupee. The gleam of the sunlight off of it nearly blinded me. And, I am not sure if he realized whether or not you are supposed to cut it and style it for your head, but it appears that he has started wearing it out of the box because it is really shaggy on the back and sides. It is jet black and is a nice contrast to his rosey cheeks.
I haven't been able to come to terms with how these people have managed to survive with so many pests. They apparently are able to live in some sort of harmony, no matter how disgusting it seems. I can't imagine swating roaches off of your body at night as you lay on your bed trying to get some rest.
We are getting mostly favorable reactions from people, though a few are a little wary of us, mostly because of their questionable legal status. Most people though are welcoming us with open arms after unleashing their barage of (usually) 20 minutes worth of complaints and ramblings regarding their living conditions and their sheer hatred toward the owner. One woman in particular today captured my mom's attention for 30 minutes until she was able to finally peel herself away from her.
Another man was very proud of his one bedrooom apartment with no less than eight people living in it. They had done a favorable amount of "decorating" on their own, and if his shiny polyester toupee is any indication, his taste in "decorating" leaves little to be desired. I tried as nonchalantly as possible to take a photo of this lovely hair piece because, quite frankly, I have never seen such a toupee. The gleam of the sunlight off of it nearly blinded me. And, I am not sure if he realized whether or not you are supposed to cut it and style it for your head, but it appears that he has started wearing it out of the box because it is really shaggy on the back and sides. It is jet black and is a nice contrast to his rosey cheeks.
11.09.2006
Life's little pleasures...
Life has taken an interesting twist over the last week with the takeover of 72 units in what I will affectionitly call "the hood." And I mean it in the nicest way. This recent turn of events has been both a blessing and, well, a lot of work. This owner is what I would call a "slum lord," although not by design. He really tries to do his best but is just too bogged down with his "real job" of buy and selling real estate to really do a "quality" job.
No one would be able to imagine what we have seen over the last week....and really what we encounter on a daily basis in this job. So, I have decided to start posting a few of the most..uh...charming stories that we encounter. And, I have a lot of 'em to tell, just from these properties and it has only been a week!
The first one that I have to post is from today. There are many of them that I will get to over the next week, but this one struck me as both hysterical, and odd...
We have walked a total of 5 communites thus far, all of which have had MAJOR issues on them. Everyone has been dealing with a lot of their maintenance issues on their own and "jerryrigging" them back into functionality. Everywhere we went, each apartment we saw, it was the same thing. Many of them tried to use the same parts that were there originally, just duck taping, slicing, or nailing their way back to functionality. This one apartment we went into today had something completely different. I am not sure where he got it, and I am assuming he probably stole it, but he had installed a commercial toilet paper dispenser in his bathroom, complete with the key in the lock for added effect. My mom and I are not sure if there is a toilet paper theif running rampant in south east San Diego, but, rest assured, his paper is secure!
Our job over the last few weeks has been somewhat depressing and overwhelming, but today we were able to laugh a little bit and marvel and the people's ingenuity.
Will post a photo later....
No one would be able to imagine what we have seen over the last week....and really what we encounter on a daily basis in this job. So, I have decided to start posting a few of the most..uh...charming stories that we encounter. And, I have a lot of 'em to tell, just from these properties and it has only been a week!
The first one that I have to post is from today. There are many of them that I will get to over the next week, but this one struck me as both hysterical, and odd...
We have walked a total of 5 communites thus far, all of which have had MAJOR issues on them. Everyone has been dealing with a lot of their maintenance issues on their own and "jerryrigging" them back into functionality. Everywhere we went, each apartment we saw, it was the same thing. Many of them tried to use the same parts that were there originally, just duck taping, slicing, or nailing their way back to functionality. This one apartment we went into today had something completely different. I am not sure where he got it, and I am assuming he probably stole it, but he had installed a commercial toilet paper dispenser in his bathroom, complete with the key in the lock for added effect. My mom and I are not sure if there is a toilet paper theif running rampant in south east San Diego, but, rest assured, his paper is secure!
Our job over the last few weeks has been somewhat depressing and overwhelming, but today we were able to laugh a little bit and marvel and the people's ingenuity.
Will post a photo later....
11.01.2006
Life is finally settling down.....YAY!
We are FINALLY getting back into a more normal routine now. Although, I am not quite sure what that is. We have not had a normal month yet! We just moved into our new office and are finally "settled" as of this week. It is hard to believe that it has only been about two months that we have been up and running officially. It seems like forever, probably because all of the chaos that has ensued since we left...or rather since we gave notice to leave last May. I know that I often mention that I like living on the edge, but I think hanging on by a toenail is a little too close to the edge for comfort! My toenails are worn off...
I don't think I have ever moved so much in my life....I moved, Gary moved, and THEN Kendra moved! And, both of them have a HUGE amount of books, or a lead ball collection, one of the two. Thank goodness for dollies. We should add "Professional Movers" to our business cards.
Keeps us out of trouble I guess.....
I don't think I have ever moved so much in my life....I moved, Gary moved, and THEN Kendra moved! And, both of them have a HUGE amount of books, or a lead ball collection, one of the two. Thank goodness for dollies. We should add "Professional Movers" to our business cards.
Keeps us out of trouble I guess.....
10.05.2006
It's official....
My car is totaled. So, the good news is that my new car JUST arrived today. I was not expecting it until November, so that was a nice suprise. Now comes the fun part of dealing with the insurance companies, getting paid, and financing the new one...again.
At least I wasn't hurt...
KM
At least I wasn't hurt...
KM
9.20.2006
Holy Moly! It's almost Halloween!
I bet ya all are wondering what the Morris' have been up to lately....right? Anyone still there? Hello? Well, if anyone is still reading this, here is a brief synopsis of what has been going on over the last few months.
1. workin'
2. movin'
3. workin'
4. partyin'
5. crashin'
6. workin'
Workin': Self explanatory.....lots of work with the new business and all.
Movin': I just moved up to North County to be closer to work and our properties in Riverside County.
Partyin': Sean's birthday, Misc. family members of Sean's, my Aunt Debbie's 50th, and KENDRA IS 30!!!! OOOOOOLD! I can't
believe it!
Crashin': I, unfortunately, just got into a car accident in by brand new car. And, I have to tell you all about my saga with this car with the black cloud. Purchased in July 06', I drove the car for approximately 3 weeks when suddenly, I had no second
gear in my car. yes, my friends, NO second gear. So, you can imagine what it was like to drive down the road--
probably looked like my car had hydrolics! Car was turned in and kept for repairs for over a month. Car returned to me
and wrecked three days later. Yes, folks, I think I am not meant to have this car. My saving grace: Toyota had offered
to replace my car because of the transmition problem back in July, and thankfully, I took this option. So, in November, I
will be getting ANOTHER new car....ahhh, a happy ending!
Our new business is going really well, and we feel very blessed. Kendra passed her contractor's license test, so we will be getting the maintenance portion of our business up and running by the end of the year. For all those of you in the area, we will be doing maintenance on not only our apartments and homes under management, but also on people's homes in the area that need light maintenance at a lower cost.
I can't believe it is almost October! I am excited about Fall and the holiday season..as always!
I am going to try and keep up with my blog a little better so that everyone can keep up to date with what is going on in my life...if anyone is still reading that is.
I am determined to get the video of the yellow polka dot bikinis up too. Maybe this weekend...so check back!
KM
1. workin'
2. movin'
3. workin'
4. partyin'
5. crashin'
6. workin'
Workin': Self explanatory.....lots of work with the new business and all.
Movin': I just moved up to North County to be closer to work and our properties in Riverside County.
Partyin': Sean's birthday, Misc. family members of Sean's, my Aunt Debbie's 50th, and KENDRA IS 30!!!! OOOOOOLD! I can't
believe it!
Crashin': I, unfortunately, just got into a car accident in by brand new car. And, I have to tell you all about my saga with this car with the black cloud. Purchased in July 06', I drove the car for approximately 3 weeks when suddenly, I had no second
gear in my car. yes, my friends, NO second gear. So, you can imagine what it was like to drive down the road--
probably looked like my car had hydrolics! Car was turned in and kept for repairs for over a month. Car returned to me
and wrecked three days later. Yes, folks, I think I am not meant to have this car. My saving grace: Toyota had offered
to replace my car because of the transmition problem back in July, and thankfully, I took this option. So, in November, I
will be getting ANOTHER new car....ahhh, a happy ending!
Our new business is going really well, and we feel very blessed. Kendra passed her contractor's license test, so we will be getting the maintenance portion of our business up and running by the end of the year. For all those of you in the area, we will be doing maintenance on not only our apartments and homes under management, but also on people's homes in the area that need light maintenance at a lower cost.
I can't believe it is almost October! I am excited about Fall and the holiday season..as always!
I am going to try and keep up with my blog a little better so that everyone can keep up to date with what is going on in my life...if anyone is still reading that is.
I am determined to get the video of the yellow polka dot bikinis up too. Maybe this weekend...so check back!
KM
7.28.2006
Three seperate posts to come...
1. Our family reunion......3 words. yellow. polkadot. bikini. SO FUNNY!
2. Camping last weekend.
3. New business.
We have been working A LOT lately, as per my last post. But, it is due to come to an end on August 15. We will then be officially "up and running." I look back and am wondering where the month of July went. It has been really hot here--100+ and I feel like I am in Texas with all of the humidity and heat. It has been hard showing apartments and convincing those that are moving here from out of town that "you really don't need it here, and most places don't have a/c anyway. Generally it is only 70-80 degrees here in the summer. It is really just an unusual summer here, honest!"
We currently have over 50 units and still growing. We are way ahead of schedule, considering we haven't even left our last job yet. We are steadily growing, and are happy with our current progress. Keep you fingers crossed and prayers going for us next week. We have spoken with someone who has over 300 units. And, that in conjunction with what we currently have, and what we have coming in next month would take us almost to the size of our current company in less than three months....we are really excited to even have the opportunity to bid on these properties. We are very thankful!
Thus ends this post and begins the long task of uploading photos and videos to flickr and youtube.
KM
2. Camping last weekend.
3. New business.
We have been working A LOT lately, as per my last post. But, it is due to come to an end on August 15. We will then be officially "up and running." I look back and am wondering where the month of July went. It has been really hot here--100+ and I feel like I am in Texas with all of the humidity and heat. It has been hard showing apartments and convincing those that are moving here from out of town that "you really don't need it here, and most places don't have a/c anyway. Generally it is only 70-80 degrees here in the summer. It is really just an unusual summer here, honest!"
We currently have over 50 units and still growing. We are way ahead of schedule, considering we haven't even left our last job yet. We are steadily growing, and are happy with our current progress. Keep you fingers crossed and prayers going for us next week. We have spoken with someone who has over 300 units. And, that in conjunction with what we currently have, and what we have coming in next month would take us almost to the size of our current company in less than three months....we are really excited to even have the opportunity to bid on these properties. We are very thankful!
Thus ends this post and begins the long task of uploading photos and videos to flickr and youtube.
KM
7.05.2006
....anyone still there?
I know I haven't posted in a while.... and here's what I have been up to.
1. working
2. working
3. aaaaand, working.
It has been no rest for the weary since we gave notice about 6 weeks ago. Our company is offically up and running, and I have "left" the company. I use"left" loosly because I am still there pretty much full time right now to help Matt through the transistion. We are currently ahead of our goal of new business in the first month and are pushing with all of our might to keep up with both jobs. We are all working 7 days a week, 12-14 hour days during the week. But! It has never been so worth it! It has been fun and hard at the same time. But all of this hard work is all for us and NO one else. It makes it all worth it!
Oh! and we also got a new puppy! I will post pics of him soon!
KM
1. working
2. working
3. aaaaand, working.
It has been no rest for the weary since we gave notice about 6 weeks ago. Our company is offically up and running, and I have "left" the company. I use"left" loosly because I am still there pretty much full time right now to help Matt through the transistion. We are currently ahead of our goal of new business in the first month and are pushing with all of our might to keep up with both jobs. We are all working 7 days a week, 12-14 hour days during the week. But! It has never been so worth it! It has been fun and hard at the same time. But all of this hard work is all for us and NO one else. It makes it all worth it!
Oh! and we also got a new puppy! I will post pics of him soon!
KM
6.05.2006
And we're off!
We officially launched Cambridge Management Group, Inc. on April 17, 2006...and now the world can know. We have given notice at our current jobs and are venturing out on our own. I am so excited!
Kendra and I "officially" leave on the 21st and 22nd respectivly, although we will probably be around most of the summer through the transition.
Cambridge Management Group, Inc.....I love the sound of that. We have gotten our business card prototypes last week. Now that was an amazing experience....It is finally here. All of our planning has paid off, and we are finally ready to launch our business!
And, we are ready to take referrals! So bring 'em on!
More to come!
KM
Kendra and I "officially" leave on the 21st and 22nd respectivly, although we will probably be around most of the summer through the transition.
Cambridge Management Group, Inc.....I love the sound of that. We have gotten our business card prototypes last week. Now that was an amazing experience....It is finally here. All of our planning has paid off, and we are finally ready to launch our business!
And, we are ready to take referrals! So bring 'em on!
More to come!
KM
5.29.2006
Camping!
S and I had an incredible adventure this weekend camping at Lake Cuyamaca. Unfortunately, we did not realize that it was still winter in (almost) friggin' JUNE!! It was colder than anyone would have ever believed...I could see my breath AT FLIPIN' ONE O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON! And, because it is flipin' JUNE, we were NOT prepared in any way, shape, or form. I had a small sweatshirt and sweatpants, and S had a Chargers sweatshirt (mine, as we all know he is a Raider's fan) and a thin pair of pants. Let's just say he was desperate enough to wear the Chargers sweatshirt. It. was. that. cold. We pretty much huddled together the whole weekend with the friends we went with. AND, we couldn't have an open fire....soooo, no way to warm ourselves up. Yeah. Brilliant huh?
I did get a few pics on Sunday when it warmed up a little during the day. Note the small sweatshirt.
Overall, it was great to get away. And, an even bigger bonus was that I lost about 5 pounds from shivering so much!
km
I did get a few pics on Sunday when it warmed up a little during the day. Note the small sweatshirt.
Overall, it was great to get away. And, an even bigger bonus was that I lost about 5 pounds from shivering so much!
km
5.17.2006
5.15.2006
5.09.2006
flamage...
S and I are planning a camping trip over memorial day weekend, and i am so ready to get away (if even for a few days). I just got this new camp stove/grill thing because, according to S, my old one was not good enough. Well, let me tell ya folks, he can't complain now! this sucker is 90,000 btus (30,000 each burner x3), and if you are not as well versed as i am in bbqs now, I can tell you that is a LOT of flamage. (this thing is even rated for disaster preparedness! now you all know where you can go for a home cooked meal when we have no power or gas!) anyway, let's just put it this way....I walked down the isle to the built in gas grills and their btus were at 20(something),000.
And when S fired up that sucker the next day, the flames stood FOUR INCHES HIGH (no joke!) I walked in the door from work, and I hear from the balcony, "you should see the flamage on this puppy!" To which i replied," guess you can't complain to me now can ya?" To which he responded, "now it's almost TOO powerful..."
i just can't win can can i? :)
km
5.05.2006
A letter to Lyle....
Page 1
The call went out. Like a beacon in the night. Mayday! Mayday! All Hall’s on deck! And, as any respectable Hall, I responded immediately. I was being called up! There is no greater honor in this family. I was needed.
Hall here, reporting for duty!
Today’s assignment…..write a short piece about Lyle Hall. I sat down, ready to put pen to paper. I cleared off my desk, pulled out my best stationary, my best pen, cleared my mind of everything non-Hall. “Such a task should be given to a novice,” I thought, “For writing about another Hall is effortless.” But with pride, I know this family has much to be proud of and thankful for, and I will perform this duty with all honor it is due.
Suddenly, it occurs to me. Who is Lyle Hall? Have I ever met such a person? I know I have attended all family events as prescribed per the Hall Family Code (excused absences aside), but I did not think I knew this person known as Lyle Hall. I wracked my brain, torturously, writhing in my chair as I struggled to think of a time, any time, where I had met this person. I interviewed other Hall’s relentlessly, under glaring spotlights, thinking, “If they would just tell me who this person is, I can complete my assignment, my task, the honor that has been bestowed upon me!” But, no! I could not find anyone who could give me any information! I scrutinized photos from every family event, every chance meeting. Nothing. Surely, there is something in our history. They say he is turning 50 for crying out loud!
I pushed harder.
More photos, more interviews, more deliberation! Frantically, I pulled photos, arm over arm, throwing them over my head as I searched and searched! The time is getting closer! I must make my deadline! I cannot let my family down!
Then I find it. The room darkens except for a small halo of light flowing down as if a light is shining down from heaven. The angels are singing! It is there, right in front of me! I need search no more! I delicately pick it up with both hands, carry it gently to the table as the memory gently flows back to me as effortlessly a warm summer breeze gently blowing, encasing me in pure warmth.
It is him, that Lyle Hall!
He is there in the photo, lying in a hammock snoring.
This is my only memory, but I have it! I know who he is! My task is complete, my job here done. I know no more, but I know who he is. I run to all Hall’s and tell them of my great joy, and they too remember!
Calls go out. There is rejoicing from San Diego to Savannah!
We have found our lost Hall!
May he now never leave us.
Page 2
Lyle,
From the Morris family to you, we wish you an amazing birthday filled with joy and love.
May you know you are truly loved.
And, may you show up at this year’s reunion, so help you God!
Love,
Linda, Kendra, Kayla
5.01.2006
A relaxing weekend.....
The older I get, the more I yearn for a day of doing nothing but staying home and doing, mostly nothing. There is something very theraputic about cleaning your house and doing all of the things on your to do list. Call me crazy, but it keeps me sane. In the job that I have, if my work is nuts and my car is in disarray, if I can at least come home to an orderly house, I am in a much better frame of mind.
Off to the rat race once again....
KM
Off to the rat race once again....
KM
4.30.2006
Funniest Video Ever
I finally found this video again...I was crying by the time this thing was over! Enjoy!
4.27.2006
My new blog page
I have created a new blog page until my WONDERFUL, AMAZING, TALENTED sister gets my permanent one up and running on my webpage. until then...hopfully this will work and give me more features. we'll see.
KM
KM
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