Paramedic Pops

Home Sweet Home

2009-04-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to California!!!! Well we made good time through the dessert and arrived in Suisun city around 5:30. The house, which we only had a few pictures of, it very nice. The bedroom layout will take a little to get used to. I made a few wrong turns in the night...lol. Not a lot of grass to speak of here but I guess that's a good thing as i won't need to mow much....lol. We have found our way around town and located the important stuff like Wal-Wart, a grocery store, and a several restaurants within minutes of the house. We no longer have to travel 25 mile runs to Wal-Mart or 65 mile runs to Staples or a movie theater like we did in virginia. We splurged and bought a new sofa and love seat which in now the only thing in the house. We don't know when the movers are coming yet. It might be as late as Monday. I'm hoping they can find a crew for Saturday since I fly back to Virginia on Wednesday.

our last day

2009-04-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

We're up having coffee getting ready to hit the road soon. We'll be off line until Thursday or Friday. California here we come!!!!!!!

750 miles behind us

2009-04-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

Well we modified our initial travel plans to make a longer trip today and a shorter trip tomorrow. Today's 11 hour, 750 mile journey had us traveling through Texas, New Mexico, and into Arizona stopping for the night close to California in Kingman, AZ. The views through New Mexico were absolutely breath taking. We took several pictures along the way. We both decided that we could retire in New Mexico without a problem. We stopped at a few touristy spots along the way.

Tomorrow's trip looks like 620 miles reaching our final destination in Suisun City, California

A little bit closer to California

2009-04-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

Day 2 of driving had us traveling through Tennessee and into Arkansas with a stop in Little Rock. Most of day 2 was rainy with yet another Tornado Watch. It was a shorter trip with traveling 520 miles on Interstate 40. We crossed the first time zone as well which saved us an hour.

Day 3 was again highway driving Interstate 40 from Arkansas, through Oklahoma, and into Texas. It rained again most of the morning but the sun came out once we got into Texas. We made a quick stop in Oklahoma City to see the national memorial at the Federal Building Bombing. It was a quiet walk in the rain to reflect on our nation's past but was something we wanted to do.

Oklahoma was very scenic with Indian reservations lining the highway each with there own Casino. I was amazed with the views through Texas as we drove for several hours with nothing but cattle fields for as far as the eye could see.

Tomorrow's trip will take across New Mexico and into Arizona.

Be sure to check out Cynthia's Blog for some photos

Travel Day #1

2009-04-10T16:47:00.000-07:00

Well we have made it to Knoxville, TN!!!!! Our movers finally finished loading the truck at 11:45pm last night after the first crew left at 5:00. It was looking like we were going to have to load the truck ourselves. We hit the road this morning at 9:00am and made the 600 mile trip in 10 hours. We made a few gas stops and dog breaks along the way. Peanut (the cat) did wonderful. He was pretty vocal for the first few hours but finally settled down. The weather was wonderful with temps near 70 although we drove the last hour through a Tornado Warning with heavy rains and a few fender benders along the way. After a hopeful relaxing night we'll be off to Little Rock Arkansas in the morning. Stay tuned as we continue our journey.

Moving Day!!!

2009-04-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

Well our move is in full swing. The packers came on Tuesday and after a full day and half, 7 people packed all our stuff into 230 boxes....lol. About 45 of the boxes came from the Craft Room. The moving van arrived today. All 53 feet of it. After an hour long traffic jam on the main road the driver managed to get the truck down the road. The moving crew is running a little slow with a majority of the house unpacked and it is 12:30.

Our first cross country trip will start tomorrow with our first stop in Knoxville, TN.

We certainly have some cleaning to do after the house is empty. Lots of dog hair and a few treasures the cats have brought in. So far we are up to 2 birds and a mouse.

Both Cynthia and I will try to keep our blog and Facebook pages updated as we cross the country. So stay tuned and we'll keep you all up to speed.

Our Feathered Friends

2009-03-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

Four years ago when we bought this old money pit, sorry, I mean older house loaded with character, the flashing on the side of the sun room was missing. Well a nice feathered family had moved in and over the past 4 years we have enjoyed listening to the babies. As we needed to prepare the house for sale, it was time to replace the flashing. Since no babies were home, it seemed like a good time to fix it. Well it only took about a week or so before mom and dad took a cruise by to check out the family home that has been passed down to them for years. Both Cynthia and I were upset when we saw the birds wondering where their house went. So today I decided I would make them a replacement. Hopefully they will be satisfied with clear select pine, classy angles, and front porch. Cross your fingers for them!!

Home Sweet Home

2009-02-21T04:57:00.000-08:00

Well we have a house in California. With the real estate market in the crapper we have decided it would be safer to rent a house rather than buy one. We have searched around and found a nice 4 bedroom, 2 bath house with a 2-car garage and fenced in back yard. The house is about 1,800 square feet and was built in 1989. The home owner was willing to allow the pets with a rather large pet deposit.

Our moving dates are still up in the air but our cross country trip is planned and our first stop along the way will be Knoxville, TN. The other stops will be Little rock, Ar; Amarillo, Tx; Flagstaff, Az; than home sweet home in Suisun City, CALIFORNIA. The house is about 20 minutes from my work and about 15 minutes from 2 potential hospitals that Cynthia is looking at.

Once we finalize our dates we'll let you all know.

Good Bye 2008

2008-12-31T12:12:00.000-08:00

Well, 2008 is coming to close. I'm sitting here waiting for the septic truck come and pump out our full tank. Oh joy. On a brighter side the weather this week was good enough to get the Harley out for one more ride before spring. That's not the case today as the wind is gusting near 50 and the shingles off our roof can be found all over the back deck and in the pool. And the hits just keep on coming...lol. Were hoping in a few weeks to put the house on market in preparation for the big move out west. Dates are still a little up in the air but expecting to leave here at the end of May. Were really looking forward to our 5 day drive across the country with 2 dogs, 3 cats, and the ferret. So we will sit back, enjoy our home brewed Latte and see what 2009 has in store. We hope everyone had an enjoyable year and we look forward to keeping in touch. Stay warm!!!

Moving Dates

2008-12-16T08:02:00.001-08:00

Well our dates are not yet set in stone, but it looks like our Change of Command here in Virginia will be on Friday May 22. If all goes well with the movers, we will hit the road on Saturday. Our travel plans are still up in the air but it looks like our first stop will be Louisville, Kentucky. Day 2 will end in Topeka Kansas. Day 3 will be in Lakewood, Colorado visiting the grand babies and family. Day 4 will be Salt Lake City, Utah with our 5 day trip ending where ever we decide to live.

Were hoping for Change of Command in California on Friday June 12th.

Our travel plans will depend on where we can find lodging that will accept the 2 dogs, 3 cats, and Bandit the Ferret.

2008-12-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

Well I've been slacking on my blog this month. We have had a busy month getting ready for Jacqueline's wedding and preparing for our Craft Show. I sold 3 Adirondack chairs and a custom stove/refrigerator combo at the craft show and just finished it before we left for Florida.

Weekend Paint Job

2008-11-02T07:59:00.000-08:00

Well, after 3-1/2 years I have finally got around to some painting on the exterior of house. Despite how much I hate to paint I am fairly pleased with the outcome.

Before pictures...

And now the After Pictures...

California Housing

2008-10-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

Well, we've looked around at housing options for us. The Coast Guard has owned housing available which would be cost effective but they only allow 2 pets and do not allow pools or hot tubs. That doesn't sound very good. The animals might have to draw straws....lol. Travis Air Force Base also has housing. Travis allows pools and hot tubs but they also only allow 2 pets. Not good for the animals. Our last option is to rent on the economy. First we will have to receive permission from the Coast Guard not to live in their owned housing. The housing allowance for Vallejo is approx $1,740 which is about $300.00 more than we get here on the shore. Average rent for a nice 3 bedroom house with a garage runs between $1,800.00 and $2,200.00 a month plus utilities. It will dip into our pocket a little more but I would have room for a wood shop, Cynthia would have a craft room, and the pets would be able to stay together.

The Sector in San Fransisco, my boss, is having an Officer in Charge conference in South Lake Tahoe next month and have offered to fly me out for the conference. I guess I will get a chance to look at the unit and get a better idea of what Vallejo has to offer.

That's about it for news now. It will be a few more months before we know for sure when our Change of Command will be here and there.

Stay tuned!!!

California Here We Come !!!!!!

2008-10-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

Well Uncle Sam is sending us to Vallejo California. Vallejo is located approx 30 miles northeast of San Francisco on San Pablo Bay. Station Vallejo is a large Small Boat Station with an active duty crew of 30 and 12 reserves and I think 3 boats. I will be assigned as the Officer In Charge. As we get more facts and dates we'll provide updates along the way. We should be moving sometime in May or June.

High Angle Rescue

2008-09-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

We had a high angle rescue a few weeks back where a man had suffered a possible stroke while working on top of a building at the Perdue Chicken Plant in town. Getting to the patient wasn't too hard but getting him down was a different story. We had to call for a Tower Truck from Maryland about 40 minutes north of us. Once they got to the scene getting the man down was a piece of cake. I transported him to the hospital.

Post Storm News

2008-09-21T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Well the Tropical Storm didn't do much here on the Eastern Shore. Our neighbor lost a large pecan tree while I was at work. The fire department showed up with all the fire trucks and woke up Cynthia who had worked the night before. She wasn't very happy to awake with the street full of fire trucks and chain saws making the dog bark non stop. We're hoping to here from Uncle Sam by Friday as to where we are going but I wont hold my breath.

Anyway, all is well with us.

Tropical Storm Hanna

2008-09-05T04:15:00.001-07:00

Well it looks like TS Hanna has her eyes on the east coast making landfall in NC and moving just about over the top of us. The last TS that hit hit the Eastern Shore brought about 10" of water into my little Coast Guard Station. This storm looks like is going to impact us Saturday morning with the brunt hitting mid day. As luck would have it we are scheduled for a mid afternoon lunar tide. I'm expecting water to flood my newly renovated building....ugh. I attached a few before pictures and will most likely spend my Saturday in Wachapreague waiting for the inevitable....lol. Cross your fingers and wish us luck.

The Great Parksley Pumpkin Patch

2008-08-18T15:43:00.001-07:00

Last fall we put 2 small pumpkins on the front steps to be festive for the season. In May, we finally got around to cleaning the front yard and pressure washed to old rotten pumpkins off the steps. Low and behold, a few weeks ago I was mowing out front and discovered a very long weed growing across the front walkway. After deciding not to mow it down it was discovered to be a pumpkin vine. The 2 vines coming from a single stem are now approx 20 feet long and have 3 little pumpkins on the way with several buds in the works. We am so tickled to have pumpkins growing in the yard and we can't wait until the fall harvest.

Rocking Chair

2008-08-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

After being up most of Saturday night standing by at a church steeple fire followed by an abdominal pain ambulance call I managed to complete the rocking chair for my American Girl collection. I still have some hand sanding to do before it is stained but the weekend was productive.

Chincoteague Pony Swim 2008

2008-07-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

Well the Chincoteague Fire Department had their annual pony swim the other day. As I have for 3 years now, the Coast Guard was on site to oversee the operation and had the best seat in the house. The tides were early this year and the swim took place around 9ish this year. With weather fore casted in the mid 90s it was nice to see it happen early this year.

Weekend Work

2008-07-26T09:37:00.001-07:00

Well the weather has cooled off a bit allowing work to commence in the wood shop. Fridays project was an Adirondack chair for Cyndy at the ER. Saturday I finally got around to building the doll cradle that Cynthia wanted. It took about 4 hours and I'm pretty pleased with it. I'm hoping to start my "American Girl" rocking chair on Sunday if Ambulance duty is slow.

Hazzy, Hot, and Humid !!!!!

2008-07-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well the heat index for the second week in a row has been over 100 forcing me out of the workshop and in to the pool. I do have a pending baby buggy order that is waiting for paint before I can mount the wheels.

Some of my other projects have been for the American Girl Doll collection and include a Canopy Bed and Dresser. If the weather will cool a bit, I will start my American Girl rocking chair.

I also have a special order for a child's size Adirondack Chair.

Transfer Season

2008-07-20T18:59:00.000-07:00

Well after an adventurous 3 years it's time to look ahead to our next transfer around June 15, 2009. Our next transfer should be for approx 2 years pending my advancement to Senior Chief (E-8). The first list of openings came out last month and were still waiting for the final list; however it doesn't look like any changes will effect us. We've done some local research on the available spots as to who will accept Cynthia's nursing license and who will accept my Paramedic certification. After long a discussion we decided not to request Station Maui, Hawaii and Massachusetts will not honor my Paramedic Certification.

So here are our choices as of today...

#1 CG Station Lake Tahoe, Ca.

#2 CG Station Vallejo, Ca.

#3 CG Cutter Cleat- Philadelphia, Pa. (a 65 foot ice breaking tug boat)

#4 CG Station Hobucken, N.C. (this is a slim chance but is being used as filler)

#5 CG Station New Haven, Ct.

We have to submit our final request by the 15th of August. We should know where we are going by the end of September provided we get one of the Officer in Charge jobs listed above. If we strike out with an additional Officer in Charge job than we'll have to wait for the Executive Petty Officer (second in command) job list to be posted. If we have to drop back into an XPO job than we will most likely end up between somewhere Florida and South Carolina.

Cross your fingers for us....lol.

Me in a nut shell.

2008-07-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

Paramedic Pops is a Chief Petty Officer in the U. S. Coast Guard currently serving as the Officer in Charge of Coast Guard Station Wachapreague on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. I have been in the Coast Guard for 20 years and we are scheduled for transfer in June of 2009.

When not working for the Coast Guard I am a Nationally Registered Paramedic volunteering with the Parksley Volunteer Fire Department in Virginia. I have been actively involved in Emergency Medical Services for 23 years and upon my retirement plan to be a full time paid paramedic.

My favorite hobby is woodworking. I build hand crafted children's toys and have completed several major renovations to our little house in Parksley including a complete kitchen renovation, two bathroom renovations, an enclosed sun room for our hot tub, and a split level back deck that wraps around our swimming pool.