So, instead of golfing, I decided to re stain the fence surrounding the back yard. We had the fence put in three years ago when we had the pool installed and I stained the fence with a Behr Redwood stain with water repellent then and I still had about 2/3 rds of a five gallon can left. The wood had been sun scorched and much of the stain had faded or worn off. It isn't a task that you plan to do, it just sort of happens. Darla had another retirement party today from 1-3 PM at the house (this is where she offers her "retired" jewelry at 50% off and previews the new jewelry in the catalogue). She encouraged me to go play golf, but I played yesterday and money is a little tight right now because of the brakes we had done by the boys, so I stayed home and re-stained the fence. Darla gets a little goofy when her parties are on and was irritated that David and I were at the house. I went out to work on the fence when she left for the store at 11:30. When she got home, I innocently asked if she could put some sunscreen on my back and she about took my head off. She really wanted me gone. I was thinking of the tongue lashing I'd get if I worked all afternoon and sunburned my back. It was a no win situation and she came out and brought me some cold drinks when there was a lull in the party and was apologetic. Stressed a little bit?The golf club had a tournament at Ancil Hoffman this week, but this was the weekend we had planned to be in Las Vegas. Jennifer worked it out with John to trade this weekend for her birthday weekend, so we didn't have to spend $400 to go babysit. Jennifer will be out in Sacramento for her 29th birthday as her Mom is flying she and Dina (her roommate) out to help her install some ceiling fans. Of course, young Samantha will be in tow. At any rate, I missed the tournament and set up golf with Matt and Darren at Diamond. I shot 80, Matt shot 74 and Darren shot 85. I won the skins as I kept picking up the carry over skins. We had a good weekend.
Darla and I went to a couple's shower at Anthony and Erin's house in Roseville. Matt was there and Pete and Vicki showed up as well. They were expecting more people from the office, but they didn't show in the time that we were there. Anthony has a nice home in Roseville, two stories with a pool and the kids were all out swimming.
Darla and I walked for the first time since her injury last night and walked over to the video store to pick up a movie to watch last night. She complained about some soreness in her foot afterward and she hasn't technically been cleared to walk yet, but it was nice to stretch our legs.
Work is going great. We had a great July made even better by a mid year contingency check from one of our companies that came in mid July. It pushed us over budget for the year, which is awesome. We are up about 45% with this company and on track to write about $4,000,000 with them this year with a 7% loss ratio. Anthony writes a small artisan program with them and books about $30,000 in new business every month. Anthony has turned into a true superstar within the company and is third in the company in new business production through mid-year. He was my assistant just three short years ago and it is one of my best decisions to promote him. Pete had a great month in July and is tracking for the same this month. He has had four months this year over his personal best from his past three years, so things are truly looking up.
Darla's job is solid in spite of the failing economy and furloughs that abound with state workers. They are having to cut services in some instances, but so far the agency is doing good.
David and Daniel continue to work odd jobs this Summer. Dan is off on a week long vacation with his girlfriend, Becky, and her family. David was working tearing down an old metal shed in his Dad's backyard. He had a screw that was frozen and was putting pressure on the screwdriver and slipped and the sheet metal tore into his hand above the middle finger of his right hand (his driving finger Darla calls it). He had to rush to emergency and it took five stitches to close the wound. Luckily he wasn't in Canada or they would have given him a Band Aid and an Excedrin and told him that stitches are only done on Tuesdays. Shirley had an incident with a cut thumb and the medical tech at the Emergency told her they weren't doing stitches that day. And Obama and Hillary (Frick and Frack) want socialized medicine in the US. God be with us.
You can see in the pictures included with my post the cut back palm garden in the raised bed above the pool. I did that last weekend and the fence today. It took me four hours to stain all of the fence and I didn't end up with a sunburned back. Darla's party went well although she didn't have a lot of guests, but those that did come were buyers.
Finally, you see the picture of Winchester CC at the top of the blog (double click the picture to see this picture as it is intended). The Country Club was a dream of one of the area's largest home builders. He spent 20 years and countless millions building the course, which at it's height commanded $100,000 for a membership with a monthly fee of $600. It was one of the most exclusive country clubs in California. Unfortunately, the housing market killed the development. Homes were built there and the CC&Rs did not allow a home smaller than 5000 square feet to be built. The clubhouse (bathed in lights above) is 35,000 square feet and a jewel of design and engineering. I took a group of my agents there on Wednesday for $75 per player with a cart at noon. The course is 6,500 yards from the blue tees with a slope of 134. I shot 84 and thoroughly enjoyed myself. People always asked me why I haven't joined a private club. This is the best example I can find(plus I'm cheap). Can you imagine the angst these members feel as the course goes through bankruptcy? What will happen to their $100,000, plus they have to put up with guys like me, who drive up, plunk down $75 and play their dream course. I'm really not prepared to marry a golf course at this point in my life. There are far too many great courses left to play.
I hope you are well, happy and healthy. Be good and keep Jesus as the head of your household. Ciao.
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