The rest of April was spent working feverishly on the house. Little did we know that all those wax-on, wax-off muscles would be used so vigorously as we move from room-to-room, cleaning, patching holes, sanding, painting, etching concrete, renovating a bathroom, replacing fixtures, a new kitchen floor, weeding and power washing the exterior. We live in a really neat neighborhood. All of our non-valuable things we want to get rid of are set by the road next to a sign that says “FREE”. They magically disappear within days. Thankfully the summer heat has not yet set in and we can work in comfortable temperatures and the house is looking great!! So, if you know someone who is interested in renting a really nice house in a water-privileged community, have them give us a call!!
Chris managed to get a few days in Chicago doing some photography and trade show work that helped to fund the repairs.
The daily cost of a rental car began to add up so we started our search for a replacement truck. We soon found that all the used trucks, that filled our specifications, were not to be found. Zip, zero, nada! Even new trucks were few and far between. Melaleuca, Inc. has, as one of the perks of membership, a vehicle savings program that finds new or used trucks and usually gets a good discount over what a private party could negotiate. We’ve purchased vehicles through them twice before to great advantage. They, too, could not find our special truck. The search continued.
As you may recall, we were taking care of Max and Little Miss while Jessica attended OCS in New London, Connecticut. The end of April found us heading north, with Max, for the graduation festivities. The reunion of Jess and Max was fun to watch as they cavorted on the floor. One must remember that Jess had been living in an environment likened to one notch from a prison for 17 long, cold, dismal weeks of officer boot camp. Rolling around on the floor with her best buddy was a welcome relief from marching in the snow and having every movement scrutinized.
Chris managed to get a few days in Chicago doing some photography and trade show work that helped to fund the repairs.
The daily cost of a rental car began to add up so we started our search for a replacement truck. We soon found that all the used trucks, that filled our specifications, were not to be found. Zip, zero, nada! Even new trucks were few and far between. Melaleuca, Inc. has, as one of the perks of membership, a vehicle savings program that finds new or used trucks and usually gets a good discount over what a private party could negotiate. We’ve purchased vehicles through them twice before to great advantage. They, too, could not find our special truck. The search continued.
As you may recall, we were taking care of Max and Little Miss while Jessica attended OCS in New London, Connecticut. The end of April found us heading north, with Max, for the graduation festivities. The reunion of Jess and Max was fun to watch as they cavorted on the floor. One must remember that Jess had been living in an environment likened to one notch from a prison for 17 long, cold, dismal weeks of officer boot camp. Rolling around on the floor with her best buddy was a welcome relief from marching in the snow and having every movement scrutinized.
Jessica and Max messing around.
The cool, soggy weekend passed quickly and soon it was Tuesday night, the 5th of May, when we attended the formal, graduation dinner/dance at a nearby casino. A good friend of Jessica's, Jaime Trout, flew from Mobile, AL to attend the dinner and graduation. Chris and Jay actually cut a pretty decent rug on the dance floor.
Jay, Chris and Jessica at the graduation dinner/dance.
(Photo by Jaime Trout)
Jaime and Jessica at the dinner/dance.
The next morning dawned warm and sunny and was perfect for welcoming 84 newly minted “Butter Bars” into the Coast Guard. Everyone looked very spiffy in their dress white uniforms with all the new gold showing proudly. Kevin and his wife, Sarah, drove up for the ceremony and he presented the commission to his big sister. Even Jay got all gussied up and participated while Chris got some great photos.
Jessica walking to her seat in the Coast Guard Academy auditorium next to her friend Gus.
The graduating company taking the oath.
Jessica recieving her commission from her brother, Kevin.
L-R: Adm. Kunkel (ret), Kevin, Jessica and Jay
The happy, proud family after the ceremony.
L-R: Sarah, Kevin, Jessica, Chris and Jay
Back home to continue the search for a truck and more home improvements. Finally, just as Jay was about to panic and actually buy a new (read expensive) vehicle, the Melaleuca guy found the perfect 2007, one ton, diesel, extended cab, long bed, 4 wheel drive, Duramax Allison transmission, pickup truck with towing package. We wanted a GMC again but had to settle for a Chevy. We were not overjoyed about the bright red color but by this time we were so desperate to find a vehicle with the important features that we couldn’t be fussy about color. As it turned out this truck was top-of-the-line and loaded with leather interior; 12 position, heated, electric seats; in fact – everything you can think of is electric and automatic. While driving, we spend half our time discovering new “goodies” that we just never dreamed of having in a vehicle.
Oh, did we tell you the truck was located in Florida? So, on Friday, May 15th, Southwest flew Jay to Jacksonville where the dealership picked him up in the new truck. An hour’s test drive later, he was at the dealership, completing paperwork and preparing to drive it home the same day. Jay dreaded the long drive home since, in Ol’ Blue, his hip would hurt after an hour’s driving. He was impressed with the truck within the first two hours on the road. The infinitely adjustable seats allowed him to drive the 19 hours home – pain free.
After two weeks of driving it, we are in love with “Big Red”. It is comfortable, powerful, beautiful – did we say comfortable? It is more than a truck. We have pre-programmed lumbar support and seat position, gas and brake pedal and outside mirror settings for Jay and Chris individually. Believe it or not we even have the upgraded Bose, surround-sound, eight-speaker stereo system tuned to – are you ready for this – our now favorite WMZQ Country radio station. All we need is a gun rack mounted in the rear window. Chris has never been a country music fan but is finding, if she can get past the vocal twangs, that the beat of the tunes is more to her liking than the current rock/pop/hip hop - yuk. Yee Haaaa!!!
Oh, did we tell you the truck was located in Florida? So, on Friday, May 15th, Southwest flew Jay to Jacksonville where the dealership picked him up in the new truck. An hour’s test drive later, he was at the dealership, completing paperwork and preparing to drive it home the same day. Jay dreaded the long drive home since, in Ol’ Blue, his hip would hurt after an hour’s driving. He was impressed with the truck within the first two hours on the road. The infinitely adjustable seats allowed him to drive the 19 hours home – pain free.
After two weeks of driving it, we are in love with “Big Red”. It is comfortable, powerful, beautiful – did we say comfortable? It is more than a truck. We have pre-programmed lumbar support and seat position, gas and brake pedal and outside mirror settings for Jay and Chris individually. Believe it or not we even have the upgraded Bose, surround-sound, eight-speaker stereo system tuned to – are you ready for this – our now favorite WMZQ Country radio station. All we need is a gun rack mounted in the rear window. Chris has never been a country music fan but is finding, if she can get past the vocal twangs, that the beat of the tunes is more to her liking than the current rock/pop/hip hop - yuk. Yee Haaaa!!!
Big Red at the dealership in Florida.
With Kevin no longer at our home to receive and forward our mail, we were forced to obtain a mail-forwarding service in Florida. Since we bought the truck in Florida it was easiest to register it there. To that end we are changing our residence to FL after we rent the house.
1 comment:
Jay, the fact that your hip hurts may be something you want to look at. I had a bad hip diagnosed as a labreal tear and an operation for that did not work. I will could only walk a couple hundred feet before having to stop for ten second rest. An MRI on my abdomen showed the hip as well and there was a blockage in the femoral artery. A great doctor placed a stent in it and I was up and roaring a month later. Feels great now. I too could not sit without pain for long periods. The problem is, artery blockages might be in more than just they leg (the heart for example) so you need to examine this!
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