Pool Frolic

The new pool has been broken in quiet well. Love using my home for gatherings and parties. The first set of photos are from my dad's birthday and the second set is from the 4th of July. Thank you to those of you who prayed that my pool would be finished by the 4th.

Trip to LA Photos

I wanted to share a few funny photos I took while driving down.

About the time I saw this truck, I was ready to have my travel coffee mug filled up. The problem was I could not figure out how to pull along side this truck and get a re-fill. The driver was of no help either, he would not slow down.

Here I drove with the Cartel, not the drug cartel (don't know how to spell that) but tomato cartel. When I drove down there were countless trucks that were empty and had no tomatoes, if fact I did not see one traveling southbound that had tomatoes. One the other hand, all the trucks traveling northbound were filled to the top with tomatoes.

I could not believe what this truck was advertising, dog poop cleanup. What in the world, you have got to be kidding. If you own a dog, you need to clean up after your dog. Why have a dog if you can not clean up it's poop. We could use this service at work because people have the nerve to walk their dogs on the PE fields and not clean up after them. We step in it, the kids step in it. As the pick up says, "Glitch!".

This job could go on the Dirtiest Jobs TV show.

One evening Ann and Becky hosted a gathering so I could see some dear friends. Oh what a joy and encouragement it was to see each of them. Here we have Alan, Karin, Becky, Dimi, Ann and Jerre. I have known most of them for 15 years!

On my last day I was able to visit with my dear friend Selena and her family. It was the first time for me to meet her children. What a sweet family. I so enjoyed my time with them. Selena was a big component in my new life as a believer way back in 1992. She was so encouraging and helped me get involved in the Bible study on campus. She still is a huge encouragement to my heart and walk with Christ.

Here is Selena's mom. I lived with Selena's parents for a few years when I was starting my teaching credential program.

Here are Selena's cutie pies again. They all just finished their swim lessons.

Memory Lane

A few weekends ago I took a trip down to Los Angeles to visit with some dear friends. June 30th was the 10 year anniversary of being back in Northern California from moving from Southern California. Time has gone by so quickly. For some reason this trip down to LA was filled with memories of my time in LA. I will try to remember now some of what I remembered 2 weeks ago. There are so many other memories of sweet times with beloved sisters and brothers in Christ, church life, ministry, work, and so much more.



The drive down I-5 has many stories of it's own. There was the time that a cantaloupe truck lost it's load and melons were rolling all over the highway. As I slowly drove by I scooped up two and I tell you they were the best melons I have ever eaten. Then there was the time that one of my college volleyball buddies flew down to see me and drove home (back to Northern California) with me. One this time home there was a tornado warning in the central valley. All the traffic was stopped and a highway sign told us to tune into a certain am station. The station said something like, "there have been some tornadoes spotted in the central valley. If you are in your car and you see a funnel tube, get out of your car immediately and go lay in the irrigation ditch. Leave your car behind". Or the time my dad and I drove back earthquake relief supplies to Northridge and we were escorted by the highway patrol over the Grapevine. There was not one other car on the highway. Kinda eerie.



Jerre (one of my roommates from the Wilbur House) and I went down to the CSUN campus. I needed to go to the bookstore to get a wall banner and a sweatshirt. We parked right outside of the Kinesiology building and I wanted to go in and check out the Center of Achievement. The CoA and the Kinesiology was such a huge part of my time down in LA. God mightily used my first semester in the Kinesiology department to bring me to Himself to be saved. In walking in the building I could not find the entrance to the CoA. The place has gotten so big and expanded, not only the CoA but the whole Kinesiology building. Some of this was due to the earthquake in '94, some to have basketball and volleyball teams go to the NCAA championships, and so much for the donations to make the CoA a better place. I finally was able to find the entrance to the CoA, it was where it used to be but just everything was built up around it. I knocked on the door and a kind grad assistant answered the door. I introduced myself and told him of all my years working at the CoA and asked if I could take a tour. Wow, the place was huge. There now was 3 separate pools for specific disabilities and rehab, classrooms, offices, stretching room, weight room, cardio room, lobby and so much more. I was so blown away. We dreamed of some of the changes when I was there but we did not have the funds, it was just a dream or a wish. I asked about one of my dear co-workers and I found out she still worked there. I was able to leave her a note and she contacted me one day as I was leaving LA. I could tell you story after story of my time in there but it really would not have any significance to you.



The best part of my trip was connecting up with some dear friends that I keep in touch with but we just don't get to see each other very often. Each of these folks have been so instrumental in my walk with Christ, many of them were from my CSUN days and the Grace on Campus Bible Study. There were so many that I would loved to have seen while I was there but there is just not enough time or energy to fit everyone in. It was so good to see everyone. On each meeting we caught up, shared stories from the past and encouraged each other in faith and where each of us are at now. I thank God for rich times like these with dear brothers and sisters in the Lord.



My next post I will share a few photos that were taken on my journey.

He Knows My Name and At the Cross

My heart often is greatly moved and encouraged by the words men and women put to music. Last Sunday was another example of God revealing how incredible and compassionate He is towards me, His beloved child, in whom He died for. The songs that I would like to comment on are: He Knows My Name by Tommy Walker and At the Cross by Darlene Zschech. Please forgive me if I have posted on either or both of these songs in the past (I know I posted on He Knows My Name during the pool project but I don't think I gave any real heart feedback). Here are the lyrics to both of the songs.

He Knows My Name, by Tommy Walker

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call


At the Cross, by Darlene Zschech

Oh Lord You
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

Each of these songs affects me in different ways depending what is going on in my heart at the moment that I sing these songs and the contribution of certain musical instruments. Just look at words of these songs, so very amazing who God is to His beloved children. The personal pronouns and verbs are strong in this song. "I have, He formed, He knows, He sees, He hears and He calls". He is my Maker, He formed my heart, My life is in His hands, He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls, He hears me when I call, He is my Father and calls me His own and He will never leave me. What security to put my trust in Him.

He knows me so well, better than I know myself. He knows my every thought, not just some, not only the good and honoring thoughts but each and every one of them. He knows my joys and my struggles. He sees the tears that have fallen (or the tears that have not fallen outwardly but inwardly in my heart). He hears me when I call for help, guidance, escape, forgiveness and for renewed hope in the cross. What a promise that He will NEVER leave me, no matter where I or my heart go.

Oh and to know that He loves me. Not just that He loves me but to know that the God of the universe loves me, that I am precious to Him, He knew He was going to the cross to die for my sins, that He knows me. Again what a promise, even when life as we know it now is over, and God is standing before me in Heaven, I will know that He loves me.

56

My dad, brother in law and sister have all taken up the game of golf. They have talked me into considering playing, mainly because a 3 some is not allowed at some golf courses but 4 is always fine. I would make 4. The very first time I played on a course we can't count. It was all a baseball swing, using volleyball mechanics and the ball was rolling down a bowling alley. The second time I played will be considered the first time that I have played. I scored a 56 on a 9 hole course. I did well at the beginning and end and had a little bit of trouble in the middle. At this point, I don't think I am going to get addicted to golf but I will enjoy a game here and there when my family is going out. Nice time to enjoy the outdoors and hanging out with my family.

Image taken from Google Images.

Before and After

Thought you might enjoy the before and after shots so you did not have to scroll way down the blog page. I praise the Lord for the home that He has given me. My prayer is that my home and my new pool will be used greatly for His service and for the furtherance of His kingdom.

By the way, I have been in the new pool several times to get a little workout. For me, it is not the best pool for lap swimming. My laps go like this, if it were put in words, "push off from the wall, stroke, stroke, stroke, stroke, flip turn, push off, stroke. . . " I swam for 20 minutes and did about 70 laps. It's a great pool for those who don't swim well and laps or water aerobics.

Finished Pool Product

Sorry for the delay in posts. Life has either been busy or lazy. I've been traveling, helping my sister and family move from Fresno, hosting gatherings at my home, or relaxing, enjoying the farmer's market, catching up on my Bible reading and other reading, praying, preparing for VBS next week, exercising in the morning. Thanks for sticking with me. I have heard that many of you do read my blog, thank you.

If you would like to go for a swim, have a picnic, catch up or have a belly flop contest, give me a call and we will set up a time. More posts to come of fun in the pool.

My sister Jen thinks I should name my pool, if you have a suggestion please leave a comment.

Day 8 Pool Project- LAST DAY

The pool is being re-filled as I type out this post. Not quiet enough water to swim yet, enough to wade. The surface got a good acid wash and several washes. All the acid and rinse water was sucked out. My feet really liked the feel of the surface. Not rough at all and pretty smooth. After being in the pool for a few hours teaching swim lessons will be the real test on my footsies.

I sure like the combination of the surface, tile and the copping.

Filling the pond. It will take awhile. The company estimated 24 hours. My hope is for less but I also don't want to worry about the pool all night long.

I think the surface kinda looks like a somewhat black sand beach. Use your imagination.

All of the final details were put in place today. The light was installed, the eye balls put back into their sockets, the concrete finished and deck-o-seal put between the last section of concrete and the copping. Tomorrow, I will check out the chemicals, start up the pump and get the cover on so it will be a decent temp for Saturday's party. The final photos will be of the pool completely filled and people swimming around.

Thanks for hanging out with the blog with each day of the project. Now it is time to come over and hang out in and around the pool.

Day 7 Pool Project

Today started out early, the fellows were here to start work at 7:30. I was ready for them but I don't know about my neighbors. They cancelled yesterday because it was too hot, not too hot for the workers but for the curing process of the plaster and pebble. I got a huge laugh out of this truck that they backed up my driveway to my gate, the name for the large tank is called the "Ditch Witch". If you even look closely, you can see a witch on a broom flying by the moon.

The first part of the job was the prep work. They wrapped all the new tile, copping, and concrete work. Then they strung belay rope across the pool and tied them down to anything secure in my yard: a pillar to the patio overhang, the orange tree, the potato bush, a block from the retaining wall. This was a suspension system that they could hang some of their water air lines, the suction line and the line that sprayed the finish onto the surface of the pool.

As they were prepping the area, they brought out a 10lb. bag of sugar. I did not see where the sugar was put into the process but it was there for some reason. Maybe it helps to give the stones a shine.

Finally, some plaster and pebble is being applied. It was a dark goop.

All the fellows (4 of them) in the pool wore these funky four pronged platform shoes to protect the plaster they were working with. The shoe was connected at the toe like a cross country skiing. Another fellow was working along the edge of the pool and another fellow was outside at the big mixing truck. A pebble finish is mixed on site and each job is different depending on the color. I think there was a slight breeze outside and the fellow mixing must have been standing in the direction the wind was traveling because he was completely blue and looked like a big smurf. He was blue from head to toe.

After the goop was sprayed all over the pool the men quickly started to trowel the whole pool, starting with the sides and the bottom last. There was two thick layers applied to the sides of the pool and one thick layer on the bottom and they troweled each section separately.

After the sides of the pool had been troweled the sides were sprayed down to reveal the pebble finish. They continued to trowel to get make a perfectly smooth surface.

These are the "ditch witch" and the "mixing truck" out front of my house. Notice, I still have not quite finished the front yard, the Bermuda grass needs to be killed and sod put in. The grass has to be completely dead before I can move on. Continuing to kill the grass will give me time to get some funds under my belt to then finish the project.

At this stage you can sort of see the color of the pebble finish. It is cloudy now, tomorrow the acid wash will help with the luster of the stones. Actually, from what I have read online, it will take a couple of weeks to have the pebbles really shine. Over the next couple of weeks, I will need to brush the pool a few times a day. Some of the pebbles and plaster will fluff off, leaving a nice pebble finish.

My new steps.

Nice clean lines and curves. There is something about that.

Here are all 3 of the steps.

The website for Stonescapes has a picture of what the stones will look like after they are all polished. The water color of my pool will look something like the sample to the right. There are many factors that help the color become what it will be: shade, light, sun, clouds, and blue sky. I will have to take a dip in my pool on Thursday and imagine I am at a beach with a black sand beach. The pool is almost finished!

Way and Steps

"The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps" Proverbs 16:9.

Today is a classic example of this verse being worked out in my life. I had my "way" planned out as to how today and the next days played out. But the sovereign God of the universe planned my "steps". My "way" today included having my pool plastered with the pebble finish and then to travel down to Fresno for my sister's birthday and my niece's first ballet recital. This morning the pool company called and said that they would not be out today due to the heat and they would be out tomorrow. The LORD knows why my "way" has been changed, I may never know why but I can completely rest assured that my "steps" will be the way He wants my steps to go. Maybe the heat has an affect on how the plaster adheres or holds up, maybe I have missed a horrific car crash by not driving to Fresno. . . the possibilities are endless.

Some New Worship Songs

At church recently, we have sung some rich worship songs that have moved my heart. I want to share some of the lyrics with you. What an awesome God who has bought us and we are able to serve Him.

The first is by Tommy Walker called He Knows my Name by 1996 Doulos Publishing
with Jeremiah 1:5"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee" in mind.

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

Chorus
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

Chorus
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and He hears me when I call


The next is He Is Ever Over Me by Bob Stomberg, 1994 Stream Mountain Music

I will lift my eyes
To the hills and their Creator
Who made all heaven and earth
For He watches me
Will not sleep, no never slumbers
He's ever over me

Chorus
As I come and I go
I am safe, for I know
That His care is sufficient for me

Winter warmth and light
And a shady place in summer
He's ever over me


The last one is very powerful and displays some of the attibutes of my God and Savior. You Are God Alone by Billy and Cindy Foote, 2004 Billy Foote Music.

You are not a god created by human hands
You are not a god dependent on any mortal man
You are not a god in need of anything we can give
By Your plan that’s just the way it is

You are God alone from before time began
You are on Your throne You are God alone
And right now in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne You are God alone

You’re the only God whose power none can contend
You’re the only God whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God whose worthy of everything we can give
You are God that’s just the way it is

Unchangeable, unshakable, unstoppable that’s what You are

Wishing For My Pool Today

102 reads the thermometer outside, it's cooler inside, slightly. Wishing the pool was filled today so I could jump on in and splash around in the cool water. The thought of taking a plunge in the pool was on my mind when I worked outside this morning. There have been many of times that I have been baking inside or perspiring profusely outside that I have used my pool to cool off. Not today but maybe on Wednesday!

Joey is 1

Happy Birthday Baby Joey!!!


My baby Joey love or as I call him, Joe Joe, turned 1 year old two weeks ago. I was so excited to spring out of my last day of work that I headed the very next morning down to Fresno to celebrate my nephew's 1st birthday. He is so cute and becoming such a big boy. He loves pointing at things and saying something in baby talk, he loves having books read to him, snuggling and playing with his toys. He is such a boy. What a joy he is.

My Trinity love is 3.7 years old. She is growing up to be a wonderful little girl. She is so sweet and eager to learn anything out in front of her. The question Why bounds out of her mouth several times a minute. Tag, exploring and reading stories are some of her favorite activities.

Jen has season passes to the Fresno Zoo. I have heard stories of the visits to the zoo for over 3 years now. On the actual day of Joey's birthday I finally was able to go to the zoo with the kids. The Fresno Zoo is a nice zoo, not too big but just right for the little ones. The zoo has a string ray exhibit and we were able to feel them.

Joey is starting to really feel comfortable with me. Wednesday night and yesterday, Thursday, I was down visiting with them and we played and played. Yesterday we pretended to take a trip on Joey's new airplane to Hawaii. We played in the sand, went surfing, snorkeled, ate luau pig, sun bathed and explored. Trinity has an incredible imagination and she enjoyed her trip to Hawaii with Auntie. Jen took us to a water park in Clovis. We played in the water for a few hours. Another good fun time with my loves.

The day we went to the zoo, we were able to feed the giraffes. Very incredible to be that close with nature and God's creation. Joey fed the giraffe for the first time. He is a little reserved with his emotions but he enjoyed himself. He kept pointing up to the giraffe and making a baby grunt (I know he was saying something, we just can't understand it yet).

Once Trin Trin and I got this down we were both feeding the giraffes at the same time. I think these fellows were enjoying a leaf at the same time instead of waiting their turn.

Trin and I had our arms out like the big condor. She was giggling the whole time. You have got to love the heart of a child, so precious.

Here is papa with his two grand children. Dad had not been feeling well and had some stuff going on but I honestly and really believe the turning point for him was going down to the birthday party, being with his grand children and his family.

Joey had no problem dipping into his cake and trying to eat it. Cake and frosting was everywhere. Trinity was just the opposite for her 1st birthday, once she got a little bit of frosting on her hands she started crying. Jen told me the day after Joey's party that his dirty diaper was filled with green and blue.

The party ended with a few memorable stories that will always be part of Joey's 1st birthday celebration but we keep that between family.

My family and my loves are a huge blessing from the LORD to me.

Day 6 Pool Project

Yeah, I know have a real step to walk out my slider down onto. Very exciting. It's still quite a step down but better than down on the ground. Somehow, my by cat, Lassen has been in all of the photos that I have taken of the step.



The concrete is all back in place now. It makes all the other pieces look like then need to be redone, but that is NOT going to happen any time soon.


The pool company has to come out and saw into the new concrete to make the distance between the pool copping and the concrete exactly the same as the rest of the pool. I wonder why they did not leave the space in the first place. I am not a concrete pro though so their reasons are the best reasons.

I am getting pretty excited for this project to be over. Even though we are day 6 of the project, in actuality from start to now it has been 10 working days or 2 weeks. Monday is the plaster with the pebble, Tuesday acid wash and start filling the pool. Almost there.

What a praise it was that my sister Amy was able to come over and be here while the work was being done yesterday so that I could be in Fresno to babysit my niece and nephew. Makes me break out in my favorite song at both of my sister's weddings, "We are family, all of my sisters and me". Thanks again Amy, you were a life saver (a minty wintergreen or a fruity orange).