Definitely my favorite home on Preview this week in Orange and Villa Park!
Waking up to this was pretty amazing, especially from these awesome kids of mine. So sweet, so thoughtful, so Kelly, so Lauren.
Taking my 82-year-old demented dad-in-law on an outing of any kind is usually akin to a preshooler anticipating a visit to the happiest place on earth. Only instead of visiting a mouse called Mickey, this outing provided dad with something much, much more grand, including a trip on a train.
These types of trips with dad are less frequent, though no less meaningful. Although the progressive supra nuclear palsy has greatly diminished his speech and motor skills, it’s his brain that continues to surprise. Memory is a curious thing; sometimes it comes back in unexpected ways. More about that in a moment. But first, let’s discuss clam chowder.
Anthony’s Grotto, in San Diego, serves some pretty flavorful chowder and I knew dad would love some. Two napkins, one in his lap, the other, tucked in his shirt, I placed the spoon in his right hand and let him go at it…for approximately thirty seconds. Figured his chowder would be a bit tastier if it actually made its way into his mouth. =) So, there I sat, next to him, patiently feeding dad, one spoon at a time, each swallow as delecatble as the next. Caviar, step aside please. Clam chowder is its own delicacy.
As we tool around the harbor after lunch, Steve drives up to the USS Midway as close as possible. (A bit too nippy for dad to walk around outside) Dad, a Navy man himself, served nine months as Lieutenant Senior Grade on the USS Essex during the Korean conflict. Not able to remember nor speak of his experiences on the Essex anymore, upon seeing the Midway, out of nowhere, he hollers “9!” “Ok, dad, ’9′.” Drive a block or two, “9!” After quickly googling the Essex per iPhone (quite a wonderful device for dementia translation!) I discover the significance of number 9: In 1952, she was reclassified CVA 9, the year dad served. Oh, wow. Memory definitely unexpected.
What better way to cap off a day togehter than our journey home, via Amtrak. Single window seat, I sit directly in front of dad, doing my best to examine his thoughts. What will he remember about today? Midway? Clam chowder? Having our picture taken? I suppose these thoughts don’t really matter, yet I think about this kind of stuff often when I’m with him. Mostly though, I give him a kiss on the cheek, take him by the hand, and try and see the world through his eyes and his mind. It’s quite lovely, really.
Started in Sept, 2009, SONY, with help from Steven Zimmer, introduced a scholarship program for deserving students & faculty who use technology in giving back to their communities. Very cool way to intergrate higher education and corporate business: working together for the benefit of others. Novel idea. 
Practically in my backyard… Hiking with friends makes for a sweet Sunday!
Need window washing? House cleaner? How about a handyman, tree trimmer or hey, real estate agent! By the looks of this list, one of these things is not like the other. With the exception of that real estate chick, those other people actually provide a PHYSICAL service. House cleaner CLEANS the house. Windows are physically CLEANED by a window washer. And real estate agents provide what?? Exactly my point. When it comes to real estate door hangers, does one actually pay attention to the above picture? If one WOULD like a FREE market analysis of their property, would you call this chick on her business card for that?
Well, one hundred houses later, I’ll be sure to let you know. Bear with me. It’s only a beginning. So why the door hanger? Simply put, I wanna reach out because I care. If I don’t and you need the type of service I can provide, how would you know? That said, if you throw them away, I completely understand. Just know this, behind the door hanger there’s a lot more to me and what I’m able to do – for you. =)
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