LOPEZWERKS

Josh Graduates

The day that we thought was so far away creeped up on us and surprised the heck out of us. Josh graduated Fremont Christian School after having attended elementary, middle and high school for the last 10 years. It's hard to imagine that he cruised on through every year with no issue but that's my kid! He has always been serious about everything and even though he needed some guidance and pushing at time he persevered and made it. To say that we are incredibly proud of him would be putting it mildly.

As he enters the next chapter of life I am certain that the teachings he received at FCHS will have prepared him well for Academy of Art. I look forward to being there every step of the way as will Claudia to guide our son through his college years and after into his launch in his professional career then possibly marriage. I don't want to get too ahead of myself but I am very excited for all the great things he has coming his way. He deserves it, he's earning it and he will be successful! He's our baby boy and we will always be here to guide him.

I love you boy! God Speed Son!

I'm still here!

It's been a while since my last post and I must say that at times it feels as if I have given up on my little blog but I'm here! I still enjoy it but I've been busy! This is more for me anyway! It's a way for me to communicate my thoughts and record them so that I can look back years later and know what was going on.

So to catch up on the latest from my last post. My sister Bonnie and nieces Theresa, Stephanie, Yvonne, Alejandra & Christian came up for a visit. We had a blast and did SF and ate some great food and had some great drinks. Theresa made us some very tasty Pozole (Mexican soup) and it was Yummers!

We completed the bathrooms and interior trim work on the house as well as some exterior clean up. Removal of 9 trees! And a huge stump.

My childhood friends came up for a visit and had a blast! We did SF nightlife and had a great time with George, Mary, Steve, Stephanie and Steven. Great times!

Have hung out and gone out to dinner with Jimmy & Barbie which is always a treat.

Had professional pics taken of the boys that need to be framed still but nonetheless we have them! I just for back from camping with Nico and his 4th grade class. Fun, fun, fun! Well that's is for now. There is so much more but I will save it for another post.

I'm still here though!

A New Year Has Begun

As we begin a new year I look back at the past year and think to myself wow, we've done so much! The regular day to day stuff is one thing but the recent move and remodel is something else entirely. We've been blessed with the opportunity to do yet another house "our way"! It's something we just love doing! We are so close to completing the inside and soon we begin the outside.

2011 also marks 20 years of being with my soulmate, life partner, lover, best friend and wife Claudia. It was 20 years ago that we met and began dating and I knew then that she was the one just months into it. 2011 is also the year that my oldest son Josh graduates high school and ventures off to college. Wow, college! It's been a great ride so far and together Claudia and I will accomplish all of our dreams! I'm a fortunate man!

May you all have a blessed year!

Happy Birthday Son

Today Josh turns 18. It was 18 years ago that my life changed forever. You don't realize how little you know about life until you have children. I used to think that I had the world figured out but nope. I didn't! Joshua has taught me patience, compassion, non conditional love and understanding to name a few.

I am proud of the man you've become! In my heart you will always be that happy little boy that was always so smart and so curious about everything. I can still here that beautiful voice of yours from when you were 2 asking so many questions about so many things. Such a bright little boy you were then and now such an intelligent young man. I've always said you were put on this earth to accomplish amazing things and I believe that today more than ever. Thank you for being "you" son and thank you for being a tremendous role model to your brothers. I love you!

Lowe's Comes Through

Well today was the day I went all gangsta and walked into Lowe's and told them I was canceling the quartz counter top order. All in all we've been waiting for about a month to get everything installed and the 3rd party stone company just dropped the ball "big time".

So today I challenge the Lowe's manager to go to the vendor with me and open up a can of whip ass! He said "let's go!" I was like hell yeah homie! We went, we kicked some ass and in the end we got them to commit to installing on Wednesday 12/22/2010 at 10 am. While at the countertop vendor we/I touched on the subject of monetary compensation. I was shocked that the Lowe's managers agreed and supported my ask.

They asked that we complete the install and that they would honor a suitable compensation and bill back the countertop vendor. We were tasked with figuring out a palatable financial compensation amount that would satisfy me and my Salvadorean Princess. She likes $1,000 so that's what we'll hit them for on Wednesday. This is not how we wanted to start our 1st day of vacation.

Kitchen Redo Update

Well, it's been about 3 weeks or so now that we started the kitchen remodel and when it seems that there is very little to do to complete it you look around and realize that you have quite a bit to go before you label the kitchen done.

As one can see based on where we started it's clear that we have made tremendous progress in going from drab to fab. It's been fun and the best part of all is that we get to enjoy a brand new kitchen excluding the dish washer and fridge.

To think that we still have a lot of work ahead of us but as good friend Barbie said it's good that we are doing this at the front end rather than the back. I agree, no matter what house we picked the same would be true. We would certainly be tearing whichever house apart early on. We did it the last time and found that it was nice getting it out of the way. Hopefully the final touches will be completed by the weekend ant which point I get to start on the bathrooms. Wait til I post some before and after of that mess. At least it's mainly tile work in there and paint.

Stay tuned because there is much more to come!

Kitchen Redo Almost Complete

We've been going full tilt on the house so far and it seems we are working on a lot of things simultaneously. We've got work going in the master closet, living room, dining room with the biggest project at the moment being the kitchen. In 5 days we gutted the old kitchen, ripped out some damaged drywall and installed new. Josh and Claudia assembled the new cabinets and Chris and I installed them. We've installed the microwave, oven, stovetop and dishwasher. I am currently finishing up the sink cutout and install and should be functional by tomorrow. Hard to believe that in one weeks time we have a new functional kitchen! Over the long 4th of July weekend we will be doing more of the finer finishing touches like tiling the backaplash, installing crown molding and cabinet handles. So far this old house is starting to look like a Claudia and Mando style new house!

The Old vs The New!

Last week the relic that was the original pump that came with the house from what looks to be a 70's vintage finally croked! It was a good thing because it wasn't moving much water. We knew this was going to be the case soon and as much as we couldn't afford it we are glad to have a new pump. This thing is powerful! It feels more like a jacuzzi than a pool now! ha..ha.. Next is the filter and the damn pool plumbing.

Hello New Kitchen

Although this isn't our actual kitchen we are getting one very similar and we can't wait. Demo begins tomorrow and hopefully if all works out by Sunday we
will be back with a new kitchen in white with stainless steel appliances. Can't wait.

Off the Grid

Okay so I've been off the grid for a while but with good reason. We moved! We've been working on the new/old place for a while and it's been very taxing to say the least. We have ripped out walls, expanded rooms, layer wood floors, had carpet installed and next the kitchen! I have a lot of work to do before even getting to the outside. When I do make it out we will be doing some paving around the pool as well as painting the outside of the house. I wish we knew how to pace ourselves but we don't! It'll be a while but there will be some before and after shots like these. The old 40 year old living room and the newly painted and floored living room. More to come!