It seems that as we grow older it is becoming increasingly difficult
to get everyone to meet at a common time. After all, the children now
are now married and they have responsibilities with their spouse's
family that also require consideration.
So we do what we can, make what
seems like never ending changes and strive to see everyone - especially
the grand kids - at least once during the holiday season. And we try
so hard to keep in mind that even though the times can be trying, we
are most thankful for a healthy and safe family.
Some days I just
want to pull the warm covers up over my head and stay in my toasty bed
as long as possible.
But the dog has other desires that require daily
attention no matter what the outside may hold in store. So I
reluctantly get up to an excited canine of 8o pounds that is overjoyed
to see me rise, get dressed and open the door for her. She rushes out
to see if the yard has been invaded. Alas, after a scan of the yard,
there is no sign of an invader and she then takes care of business and
returns to the door awaiting re-entry and the forthcoming treat.
Yes
she is spoiled. Loved and spoiled. And she knows it.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Siteground Announces Special Offers!
To start off the new business season when many clients look for a better hosting match, we’re launching a massive Migration Promotion. From September 1st till September 8th all new clients will be able to claim a free website migration, free domain transfer and a compensation of up to 6 months of their contract with the other host.
Why is This Deal Amazing?
Customers are reluctant to change hosts, even if they’re having a bad experience, for two reasons: the migration hassle and expected downtime; and the already incurred cost for prepaying the service. We have the perfect counter arguments to both: our expert team will do the migration absolutely for free, preventing any potential downtime, and we’ll compensate up to six months from their previous hosting contract. To top it off, we’ll also transfer their domain for free which will make things easier to manage, and includes a one year renewal of the domain. No migration hassle, no downtime, free compensation and free domain transfer!
Try Siteground for your Joomla or Wordpress site and be amazed.
Please visit my website - https://www.jdevtech.com
Saturday, August 27, 2016
OMG! Summer is comming to an end...
I can't believe how fast this summer went by. Just yesterday was the 4th of July and summer was in full swing. Now everyone is getting prepared for the cold that will surely be here in December, January and February. Brr!
Do you remember wearing several layers of clothes just to take the dog for a walk? Well I can't forget the procedure to get dressed for the outdoors. Just yesterday we were at the store and my wife was getting items to decorate the house for fall and the celebration of Halloween followed by Thanksgiving. I actually enjoy these two events but Halloween is by far my favorite. I would be happy if Halloween was followed by Valentines day since it is the harbinger of spring and signals the ending of winter.
There is what seems like forever between Halloween and Valentines day when the days get shorter and shorter until late December when we begin to see the sunshine catch-up with the darkness and the grey skies of a Chicago winter fade into sunshine. I think we all rejoice when we get those first days of 50 degree temperatures and the sun begins to feel warm on bare skin. It is interesting to note that 50 degree days in the fall are cold and the same temperature days in the spring are warm.
The seasons change and we are powerless to alter the passing of time. All we can do is accept the inevitability of winter and get ready for it. Hopefully we will be prepared for the change so when it happens we can continue our lives and meet our responsibilities. The change can happen swiftly.
The Farmers Almanac is predicting that this coming winter will be very cold. I pray that you and your families will be safe and warm throughout the Winter of 2016-2017.
Please visit my website - https://www.jdevtech.com
Do you remember wearing several layers of clothes just to take the dog for a walk? Well I can't forget the procedure to get dressed for the outdoors. Just yesterday we were at the store and my wife was getting items to decorate the house for fall and the celebration of Halloween followed by Thanksgiving. I actually enjoy these two events but Halloween is by far my favorite. I would be happy if Halloween was followed by Valentines day since it is the harbinger of spring and signals the ending of winter.
There is what seems like forever between Halloween and Valentines day when the days get shorter and shorter until late December when we begin to see the sunshine catch-up with the darkness and the grey skies of a Chicago winter fade into sunshine. I think we all rejoice when we get those first days of 50 degree temperatures and the sun begins to feel warm on bare skin. It is interesting to note that 50 degree days in the fall are cold and the same temperature days in the spring are warm.
The seasons change and we are powerless to alter the passing of time. All we can do is accept the inevitability of winter and get ready for it. Hopefully we will be prepared for the change so when it happens we can continue our lives and meet our responsibilities. The change can happen swiftly.
The Farmers Almanac is predicting that this coming winter will be very cold. I pray that you and your families will be safe and warm throughout the Winter of 2016-2017.
Please visit my website - https://www.jdevtech.com
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Time to smile!
I have been away for awhile but now it is time to update this blog.
This summer has been hot and the tomatoes are growing like mad. Last year it was cooler and they were very skimpy. Now if we could just keep the damn squirrels away from the garden life would be much easier. We have winter squash, cucumbers, zucchini, and peppers. Three kinds of peppers - Habanero, Gypsy, and bell peppers. They seem to be doing well and we are hoping for a good yield so we can share with our neighbors.
Now that the political conventions are over I feel like it is time to relax and stop taking it all so seriously. So here is an image that will depict my current attitude and I hope you will agree. When I look at this I just want to smile too!
Have a happy 2nd half of summer 2016!
Please visit my website - https://www.jdevtech.com
This summer has been hot and the tomatoes are growing like mad. Last year it was cooler and they were very skimpy. Now if we could just keep the damn squirrels away from the garden life would be much easier. We have winter squash, cucumbers, zucchini, and peppers. Three kinds of peppers - Habanero, Gypsy, and bell peppers. They seem to be doing well and we are hoping for a good yield so we can share with our neighbors.
Now that the political conventions are over I feel like it is time to relax and stop taking it all so seriously. So here is an image that will depict my current attitude and I hope you will agree. When I look at this I just want to smile too!
Have a happy 2nd half of summer 2016!
Please visit my website - https://www.jdevtech.com
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Its Summer at Woodhaven Lakes
For those who may be following my blogs, Woodhaven Lakes is just about fully cleaned up from last years tornado that hit the south west corner of the facility. And now we all get to pay for it through the ever hated - "Special Assessment". Right now we are not sure just how much that will be but expect to see it published later this year. They will most likely delay the "announcement" until after the best season of the park - Summer.
But the board still lives in the past and steadfastly refruses to step into the 21st century. As an example - I have taken my concerns about the limited WI-FI access to the executive director on more than one occasion. Her answer is always "People do not come to Woodhaven for WI-FI, they come to enjoy nature". Obviously she hasn't met my grand kids.
They do not like to come to Woodhaven because "the WI-FI is really crappy". It doesn't take a genius to recognize that the dependency on WI-FI is increasing rapidly covering all endeavors including education. Am I supposed to stop taking on-line courses so that I can come to Woodhaven? It seems to me that the management is stuck in the past and needs to take a pro-active infrastructure approach that includes expanding WI-FI access throughout the park, not just at the recreational facilities. The current availability centers around three recreational centers and if your RV is within 300ft of one of these you are fine. If not then you can "enjoy nature".
I hope this reaches the ears of other owners and creates a stir for more and better WI-FI access. Lets Leap into the 21st century at Woodhaven Lakes.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Woodhaven Lakes - 2016 Update
We just made our first visit to Woodhaven Lakes located near
Sublette, IL and wanted to update you on the recovery efforts from last
summers damage from a tornado that happened on June 22nd, 2015. Today
is April 27th 2016 and the park has made major progress in the clean up efforts over the 9
months since the tornado.
The mountain of wood chips is nearly gone and I estimate that a dozen or two truckloads remain. I believe that the target was to get things 'back to normal' by June 1st 2016 and great process has been made in the efforts to meet this objective. Owners were given 1 year to clean up their lots of the down trees and other rubbish left from the tornado. Most of them have done so but there still remains some who made the decision to 'walk away' or abandon their lots. Most if not all of these were owners that did not have insurance and found themselves having to foot the bill to comply with the associations 1 year time limit on their own. My experience leaves me to estimate that it may be less expensive to start over rather than to remove the debris.
But the prognosis is positive. The park looks great for the most part and we had a very nice time on our first visit of 2016. There are several people relocating their park model RV's to other vacant lots throughout the park. We have had two new neighbors so far this year from other parts of the park. The process I've seen is that the RV is moved and then the repairs necessary are performed at the new location. This methodology seems to work well and helps to get a fresh start after the RV is set into the new location.
Well that wraps up my 2016 report. If you are looking for a fun option for your family take a look at Woodhaven Lakes Recreational Park.
Visit Me @ http://jdevtech.com
The mountain of wood chips is nearly gone and I estimate that a dozen or two truckloads remain. I believe that the target was to get things 'back to normal' by June 1st 2016 and great process has been made in the efforts to meet this objective. Owners were given 1 year to clean up their lots of the down trees and other rubbish left from the tornado. Most of them have done so but there still remains some who made the decision to 'walk away' or abandon their lots. Most if not all of these were owners that did not have insurance and found themselves having to foot the bill to comply with the associations 1 year time limit on their own. My experience leaves me to estimate that it may be less expensive to start over rather than to remove the debris.
But the prognosis is positive. The park looks great for the most part and we had a very nice time on our first visit of 2016. There are several people relocating their park model RV's to other vacant lots throughout the park. We have had two new neighbors so far this year from other parts of the park. The process I've seen is that the RV is moved and then the repairs necessary are performed at the new location. This methodology seems to work well and helps to get a fresh start after the RV is set into the new location.
Well that wraps up my 2016 report. If you are looking for a fun option for your family take a look at Woodhaven Lakes Recreational Park.
Visit Me @ http://jdevtech.com
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Spring 2016
It is the first Monday of Spring 2016. It has been an odd spring
this year with 50 degree temps in February and 20 degree nights in mid
to late March the weather is all over the place. I have prepped my
snow blowers (yep I have two) for their summer stowage. I found a new 4
cycle fuel the does not contain any ethanol and is supposed to remain
stable for over two years. It is expensive but works well. I put a
quart in each tank and we will see how it works this year. I will let
you know when I get them ready for next winter. Of course without any
idea of what is to happen with the weather but I am hopping the cold is
over for the year.
As for the weather this spring - It is weird! Yesterday a high of 61 and tomorrow a high of 38. It is a wild ride and will be for another week or two. We are just holding on for May when it should stabilize and enter into a warming period. We are getting real tired of the chill even though it is much warmer than last March.
As those of you who follow this blog know, we have an RV at Woodhaven Lakes Recreation Facility in Sublette, IL and we are getting restless to begin our summer ritual of spending time at our RV. I really enjoy the mornings when the air is crisp and the sound of woodpeckers and owls are filling the air with their signature sounds. With each passing weekend I become more anxious about visiting Woodhaven Lakes. Just think about it - no Comcast, no AT&T Uverse, no land line telephones, and miles and miles of roads without a stoplight. We are still close to civilization when we want it.
We do enjoy plenty of walking and the peaceful quiet of the woods except for the holiday weekends. On holiday weekends the place is swamped with families out to enjoy their little bit of the outdoors. The facility management is rigidly entrenched and unless you are from the Naperville area their meetings are not convenient. This is why the views of the few hold sway over the facility as a whole They think they are 'protecting' us just as other totalitarian bodies often do. This is price owners have decided is the price we pay to enjoy the facilities as a whole.
I hope you will decide to take a weekend and come visit Woodhaven Lakes. They do have facilities for prospective purchasers so give them a call and set up a visit. At just over 2 hours from the majority of the Chicago area the drive is tolerable.
Please visit my personal site: http://www.jdevtech.com
As for the weather this spring - It is weird! Yesterday a high of 61 and tomorrow a high of 38. It is a wild ride and will be for another week or two. We are just holding on for May when it should stabilize and enter into a warming period. We are getting real tired of the chill even though it is much warmer than last March.
As those of you who follow this blog know, we have an RV at Woodhaven Lakes Recreation Facility in Sublette, IL and we are getting restless to begin our summer ritual of spending time at our RV. I really enjoy the mornings when the air is crisp and the sound of woodpeckers and owls are filling the air with their signature sounds. With each passing weekend I become more anxious about visiting Woodhaven Lakes. Just think about it - no Comcast, no AT&T Uverse, no land line telephones, and miles and miles of roads without a stoplight. We are still close to civilization when we want it.
We do enjoy plenty of walking and the peaceful quiet of the woods except for the holiday weekends. On holiday weekends the place is swamped with families out to enjoy their little bit of the outdoors. The facility management is rigidly entrenched and unless you are from the Naperville area their meetings are not convenient. This is why the views of the few hold sway over the facility as a whole They think they are 'protecting' us just as other totalitarian bodies often do. This is price owners have decided is the price we pay to enjoy the facilities as a whole.
I hope you will decide to take a weekend and come visit Woodhaven Lakes. They do have facilities for prospective purchasers so give them a call and set up a visit. At just over 2 hours from the majority of the Chicago area the drive is tolerable.
Please visit my personal site: http://www.jdevtech.com
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Superbowl Sunday 2016
We are waiting for the game to start early this evening and listening
to the banter on the TV in the background while we take care of other
matters. I would enjoy it better if the game was on around mid-day or
mid-afternoon. With a 5:30 CST start time it is getting close to
dinner time and I prefer not to be drinking and eating chips with salsa
or guacamole so late in the day. Oh well, these things are beyond my
control and I will just have to adjust and take some antacids when I can
remember to do so. Enjoy the event!
How are you celebrating the Superbowl Sunday this year? It would be nice to hear from some of you so we can share notes. Leave a comment and see what happens.
When walking the dog earlier today I heard the familiar squawk of geese and I thought to myself that early spring may be right around the corner. After all, the annual migration of geese do herald the change of seasons and we are really looking forward to warmer times. Come on Spring!
This winter was short but tough and may not be over yet. We lost a very dear neighbor when he was cleaning up after a storm that left a layer of snow covered ice. He was found in his garage and the loss has racked the neighborhood. It amazes me how many people come crawling out of the woodwork trying to take advantage of a grieving widow even before the dust has settled after such a tragic event. At one time these same people were counted as friends and this is how they repay the friendship. Amazing.
Take note of your close friends and make sure you family knows about your wishes as things can change in an instant and with out warning. I really hope you don't have to go through such an event under any circumstances but in any event be prepared as that is the only way to protect your loved ones.
I hope you enjoy or have enjoyed the game. I wish you good health and long life.
Please visit my web site @ http://www.jdevtech.com
How are you celebrating the Superbowl Sunday this year? It would be nice to hear from some of you so we can share notes. Leave a comment and see what happens.
When walking the dog earlier today I heard the familiar squawk of geese and I thought to myself that early spring may be right around the corner. After all, the annual migration of geese do herald the change of seasons and we are really looking forward to warmer times. Come on Spring!
This winter was short but tough and may not be over yet. We lost a very dear neighbor when he was cleaning up after a storm that left a layer of snow covered ice. He was found in his garage and the loss has racked the neighborhood. It amazes me how many people come crawling out of the woodwork trying to take advantage of a grieving widow even before the dust has settled after such a tragic event. At one time these same people were counted as friends and this is how they repay the friendship. Amazing.
Take note of your close friends and make sure you family knows about your wishes as things can change in an instant and with out warning. I really hope you don't have to go through such an event under any circumstances but in any event be prepared as that is the only way to protect your loved ones.
I hope you enjoy or have enjoyed the game. I wish you good health and long life.
Please visit my web site @ http://www.jdevtech.com
Saturday, January 2, 2016
2016 - A year of Challenges and Opportunities
Well here we are in 2016. What are your hopes for the year? Do you have any specific goals?
I have some very specific and some not so specific hopes for 2016. My specific hopes surrond the political situation we find ourselves in as this is an election year. Are you going to vote? If you are then that is great and I am proud to be associated with those who choose to be a part of the process regardless of to which party they choose.
However, I am concerned about those who fail to vote and express opinions such as:
The really sad point is that unless they step out and use the very right that was granted them by our Constitution (to be a part of the system and help choose the next leaders of our country) they may never realize any hope, any feeling of being part of something bigger than themselves, and any sense of helping to choose their own future. They will continue to feel hopelessness and surrender to those thoughts that keep them powerless.
So I ask you to talk to those who you know and let them know why you take part in our system and vote. Show concern for their feelings and express understanding so they will continue to listen to you. Let them know that their country needs their participation and how good it will feel when they do decide to take part and vote. You may not see results this year but your words will be planted in their conscience and will take root and grow into there active thoughts until eventually they will get involved and vote.
I hope you will be a part of our country and help us select the candidate that will take the helm of our ship and guide our voyage into the next decade. Please join me and pray for our country that it will be what it was meant to be and help stop those who wish to subvert our Constitution. And to bless us with leaders who understand and are devoted to defending our Constitution at all costs to themselves as did the original signors of the Constitution. They "Put it ALL on the line" when they signed that document. And now we again need leaders that will again "Put is ALL on the line". May God Bless America!
Please visit my web site @ http://www.jdevtech.com
I have some very specific and some not so specific hopes for 2016. My specific hopes surrond the political situation we find ourselves in as this is an election year. Are you going to vote? If you are then that is great and I am proud to be associated with those who choose to be a part of the process regardless of to which party they choose.
However, I am concerned about those who fail to vote and express opinions such as:
-
The process and the people are all corrupt!
-
It doesn't mater who I vote for the game is fixed!
-
Both parties do the same stuff so whats the difference.
-
No one has the fortitude to stand up against those who pervert the system.
The really sad point is that unless they step out and use the very right that was granted them by our Constitution (to be a part of the system and help choose the next leaders of our country) they may never realize any hope, any feeling of being part of something bigger than themselves, and any sense of helping to choose their own future. They will continue to feel hopelessness and surrender to those thoughts that keep them powerless.
So I ask you to talk to those who you know and let them know why you take part in our system and vote. Show concern for their feelings and express understanding so they will continue to listen to you. Let them know that their country needs their participation and how good it will feel when they do decide to take part and vote. You may not see results this year but your words will be planted in their conscience and will take root and grow into there active thoughts until eventually they will get involved and vote.
I hope you will be a part of our country and help us select the candidate that will take the helm of our ship and guide our voyage into the next decade. Please join me and pray for our country that it will be what it was meant to be and help stop those who wish to subvert our Constitution. And to bless us with leaders who understand and are devoted to defending our Constitution at all costs to themselves as did the original signors of the Constitution. They "Put it ALL on the line" when they signed that document. And now we again need leaders that will again "Put is ALL on the line". May God Bless America!
Please visit my web site @ http://www.jdevtech.com
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
A Yearly Prayer
What are your goals for this time of year? Mine are simple. I want to clear up any unfinished tasks that I can and then just shut down until after Christmas. I want to enjoy the time with my family and more importantly I want them to enjoy their time with me.
It is infinitely more important that the children, at all levels, see me as a wonderful role model and allow some of my values transfer to them albeit sub-conscientiously. As I get older it has become more important than ever to put forth a genuine effort to show the positive qualities to my grand children. After all I am their only grand father and if I don't no one will.
I hope you will join me in this goal. Be the best you can be and show your positive self to those you love. Reach out to the young ones and realize that they will be young for a very short while. It is at this precious time that you can touch them and have a chance to mold them to be their absolute best at all things throughout their life. They will remember your kindness and soft touch. Please be at your best and calmest - Enjoy your family.
So if I come to mind during your quiet times please utter a small prayer for a grand father that wants to be at his absolute best at this time of year and always when enjoying his grand children. It is the last chance for him to really make contact with another life that could go on for generations. Thanks!
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
December 7th - Pearl Harbor Day
Today is December 7th - a day we should all remember.
It is the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese that sealed our involvement in WWII. It took us awhile to get back in gear after the attack but once we did enter the war we didn't hold back or worry about what others might think. In fact we made sure others were convinced that we were the best and the worst in the art of waging war on our enemies. They were either with us or against us and there was no middle ground.
During the war we lost over 400,000 lives (almost 10 times that of VietNam) of our most courageous men and women in a struggle that would last 5 years. We as a nation were united in the cause of 'Winning' the war. It brought us together - all of us in a common cause to 'Win' the war. We shared a national will and spirit that was awe inspiring and led us to one of our brightest victories. A nation united can not be defeated.
So as we observe this December 7th I ask - Are we united in a common cause or divided into many groups each with its own purpose and cause. Do our differences divide us or can we overcome them to unite as 'One Nation' and strive together to be great again. I sincerely hope that we haven't let our differences divide us because a nation divided can not stand.
To be really united requires that our leaders stop the stupid bickering and work for the betterment of 'ALL' the people - not just their constituents. Quite a few have lost site of America and have given their efforts and concentration over to maintaining power regardless of the damage it does to our nation as a whole. These kind of shortsightedness is not limited to politicians. It affects just about every organization that 'begs' for Federal funding to sustain there purpose.
Here is a bit of 'Common Sense' - We hear a lot of talk about immigrants these days. I say we should concentrate on taking care of the homeless here before we give benefits to immigrants. Then once we solve the homeless problem, we can turn to helping immigrants. This makes sense to me.
I better stop before I get myself in trouble - you never know who is out there and how they may react to these 'Inflammatory Remarks'. Pray for America.
Please visit my site @ http://www.jdevtech.com
It is the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese that sealed our involvement in WWII. It took us awhile to get back in gear after the attack but once we did enter the war we didn't hold back or worry about what others might think. In fact we made sure others were convinced that we were the best and the worst in the art of waging war on our enemies. They were either with us or against us and there was no middle ground.
During the war we lost over 400,000 lives (almost 10 times that of VietNam) of our most courageous men and women in a struggle that would last 5 years. We as a nation were united in the cause of 'Winning' the war. It brought us together - all of us in a common cause to 'Win' the war. We shared a national will and spirit that was awe inspiring and led us to one of our brightest victories. A nation united can not be defeated.
So as we observe this December 7th I ask - Are we united in a common cause or divided into many groups each with its own purpose and cause. Do our differences divide us or can we overcome them to unite as 'One Nation' and strive together to be great again. I sincerely hope that we haven't let our differences divide us because a nation divided can not stand.
To be really united requires that our leaders stop the stupid bickering and work for the betterment of 'ALL' the people - not just their constituents. Quite a few have lost site of America and have given their efforts and concentration over to maintaining power regardless of the damage it does to our nation as a whole. These kind of shortsightedness is not limited to politicians. It affects just about every organization that 'begs' for Federal funding to sustain there purpose.
Here is a bit of 'Common Sense' - We hear a lot of talk about immigrants these days. I say we should concentrate on taking care of the homeless here before we give benefits to immigrants. Then once we solve the homeless problem, we can turn to helping immigrants. This makes sense to me.
I better stop before I get myself in trouble - you never know who is out there and how they may react to these 'Inflammatory Remarks'. Pray for America.
Please visit my site @ http://www.jdevtech.com
Thursday, November 12, 2015
As the holidays rush towards us..
It is now November 12, 2015. The day after Veterans Day. Vetrans
Day for me is a special day when I can say thanks to those you helped
make America what it is today. I pray for all Veterans, those that are
with us and those that are no longer, that they and their families are
well and that they never loose the hope for a better world and a better
America. If you are a Veteran than I salute you and say thanks.
Daylight Savings time has ended for the year and now I am back on Central Standard Time. It gets dark at 5PM and it will take a bit to get used to that but I am coping. The temperatures are turning colder, the leaves are falling and the house is a buzz with preparations for Thanksgiving.
We are blessed to have a family spanning two nationalities and three colors. We are all healthy and my wife is expecting her first great grandson in early December. So we have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to celebrate. So I invite you to also celebrate your family and be thankful for what you have this holiday season.
As a freelance web site designer I enjoy a great deal of freedom and have a great deal of responsibility to my clients. I always need to be cogniziant of what is best for the client and make decisions that align with their goals. Sometimes this is easy and sometimes not so easy. Sometimes inexpensive and sometimes costly. But I always want to do what is right for the client and keep the project moving forward not to just a good conclusion but to a great solution. Having satisfied clients is paramount to my success so I always strive to make sound decisions.
I specialize in working with Joomla as the foundation of my projects. Joomla is in a period of change and I expect this will accelerate as a new board has been seated to guide the project into the next generation. As these upgrades occur I feel it is important to keep client sites up to date when ever possible. Sometimes I run across compononets that are not in compliance with the newer versions and upgrading the clients site would break it.
That is where our site maintenance services become most cost effective because the client can rely on my expertise to keep them out of trouble and to get them upgraded when the tools used in their site are ready.
Thankyou for reading this blog entry and I hope you have a joyus Thanksgiving!
Daylight Savings time has ended for the year and now I am back on Central Standard Time. It gets dark at 5PM and it will take a bit to get used to that but I am coping. The temperatures are turning colder, the leaves are falling and the house is a buzz with preparations for Thanksgiving.
We are blessed to have a family spanning two nationalities and three colors. We are all healthy and my wife is expecting her first great grandson in early December. So we have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to celebrate. So I invite you to also celebrate your family and be thankful for what you have this holiday season.
As a freelance web site designer I enjoy a great deal of freedom and have a great deal of responsibility to my clients. I always need to be cogniziant of what is best for the client and make decisions that align with their goals. Sometimes this is easy and sometimes not so easy. Sometimes inexpensive and sometimes costly. But I always want to do what is right for the client and keep the project moving forward not to just a good conclusion but to a great solution. Having satisfied clients is paramount to my success so I always strive to make sound decisions.
I specialize in working with Joomla as the foundation of my projects. Joomla is in a period of change and I expect this will accelerate as a new board has been seated to guide the project into the next generation. As these upgrades occur I feel it is important to keep client sites up to date when ever possible. Sometimes I run across compononets that are not in compliance with the newer versions and upgrading the clients site would break it.
That is where our site maintenance services become most cost effective because the client can rely on my expertise to keep them out of trouble and to get them upgraded when the tools used in their site are ready.
Thankyou for reading this blog entry and I hope you have a joyus Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
And the seasons continue....
Well, we had to close the trailer as is necessary around the first of
October. If we were able to properly winterize it ourselves we could keep it
open till late October but the companies that provide winterizing will
not guarantee that they will get it done before the first freeze if you
wait past the first weekend of October to have the winterizing done by
them. There are a lot of park models and very few providers of
winterizing services. So our visits there are now done for the year.
I got a 2nd monitor for my desktop at home and had to re-organize the office to accommodate the expanded desktop space necessary. After a day and a half the wife and I have finished the movement of furniture and I am working with two 23" monitors. It is very nice when I can have both the source and the live view up on screens at the same time. No more switching between browser windows for me. It is an improvement and I am lucky to find the space necessary. If you haven't tried to use two monitors I highly recommend that you jump in. You will never go back.
It is important to get the monitors together and to verify that they both display colors correctly. Not all systems are dual monitor capable but a new video card is all that it would take to upgrade your system to allow two monitors.
Are you excited about Halloween? My bride is going nuts trying to get the front porch ready to excite the kiddies when they come for their treets. It is really cool what she has been able to create. It even gets me surprised when I walk up onto the porch. It will be fun to see the responses on the spooky evening. We wish you and your family a fun and safe Halloween.
The days are getting colder now and it gets dark so early. I can hardly wait till the time change when it will get darker even earlier. My dog is dumb and will go after anything that looks like a cat - especially a skunk. Skunks come out after dark and I need to walk the dog every evening and now it is dark when we are out for the nightly walk. I carry a flashlight to see what is in front of us and try to avoid what ever critter may be there. Once we have freeze the skunks will sleep more and come out less so the risk will be minimized but I will still need to be aware of our surroundings. It is a major issue to deodorize a dog after an encounter with a skunk and in the winter it is even harder.
Well I think I have said enough for this post so I will bring it to a close. I hope all of you have an enjoyable and safe fall and are able to enjoy Halloween.
Till next post - Be well and be safe.
I got a 2nd monitor for my desktop at home and had to re-organize the office to accommodate the expanded desktop space necessary. After a day and a half the wife and I have finished the movement of furniture and I am working with two 23" monitors. It is very nice when I can have both the source and the live view up on screens at the same time. No more switching between browser windows for me. It is an improvement and I am lucky to find the space necessary. If you haven't tried to use two monitors I highly recommend that you jump in. You will never go back.
It is important to get the monitors together and to verify that they both display colors correctly. Not all systems are dual monitor capable but a new video card is all that it would take to upgrade your system to allow two monitors.
Are you excited about Halloween? My bride is going nuts trying to get the front porch ready to excite the kiddies when they come for their treets. It is really cool what she has been able to create. It even gets me surprised when I walk up onto the porch. It will be fun to see the responses on the spooky evening. We wish you and your family a fun and safe Halloween.
The days are getting colder now and it gets dark so early. I can hardly wait till the time change when it will get darker even earlier. My dog is dumb and will go after anything that looks like a cat - especially a skunk. Skunks come out after dark and I need to walk the dog every evening and now it is dark when we are out for the nightly walk. I carry a flashlight to see what is in front of us and try to avoid what ever critter may be there. Once we have freeze the skunks will sleep more and come out less so the risk will be minimized but I will still need to be aware of our surroundings. It is a major issue to deodorize a dog after an encounter with a skunk and in the winter it is even harder.
Well I think I have said enough for this post so I will bring it to a close. I hope all of you have an enjoyable and safe fall and are able to enjoy Halloween.
Till next post - Be well and be safe.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Woodhaven Lakes - part 3
It is now August 24th, 2015 and the cleanup efforts are still
underway at Woodhaven Lakes near Sublette, IL. The EF1 tornado hit on
Monday June 22nd and nearly destroyed the south west corner of the
recreational facility. Many families lost their RV's and or campsites
and all of there posessions during the event. It is amazing that it has
been two months since the tornado and clean up is still continuing.
We all thank God that it happened on a Monday when there was a much lower level of attendance than is witnessed on the weekend and no lives were lost. It could have been much worse.
Those who have decided to stay and rebuild their recreational lifestyles are by now well towards the realization of their goals. But some have not been so fortunate and were wiped out to a point that is not recoverable. These people may decide to leave Woodhaven Lakes and just let the Association take possession of their lots and the effort to clean them up. Right now no one knows for sure what efforts will be brought to bear by the Association in this matter but it currently appears that they are not too compassionate towards those who decide to just walk away.
Here are the latest approximated stats:
It was a major hit to the park the likes of which Woodhaven Lakes has never before seen. It will take quite a while to fully recover from this event and the recovery efforts will extend into the 2016 season. Many planned projects were placed on hold and some of those planned resources are being used to fund the recovery efforts.
View my personal web site: http://www.jdevtech.com
Woodhaven Lakes Web Site: http://www.woodhavenlakes.com
We all thank God that it happened on a Monday when there was a much lower level of attendance than is witnessed on the weekend and no lives were lost. It could have been much worse.
Those who have decided to stay and rebuild their recreational lifestyles are by now well towards the realization of their goals. But some have not been so fortunate and were wiped out to a point that is not recoverable. These people may decide to leave Woodhaven Lakes and just let the Association take possession of their lots and the effort to clean them up. Right now no one knows for sure what efforts will be brought to bear by the Association in this matter but it currently appears that they are not too compassionate towards those who decide to just walk away.
Here are the latest approximated stats:
- 15,000 trees either damaged or destroyed
- 9,500 dump truck loads of debris
- 50,000 + cubic yards of mulch created by shredding (so far more to come)
- 40 Electric pedestals destroyed
- 900 lots damaged to varying degrees (approx 50% of lots)
- 1,400 lots with tree damage
- 281 damaged RV's have been removed from the park
- $536,000 thru July 31st. 2015
- $473,000 on tree removal only
- $36,000 on garbage removal
It was a major hit to the park the likes of which Woodhaven Lakes has never before seen. It will take quite a while to fully recover from this event and the recovery efforts will extend into the 2016 season. Many planned projects were placed on hold and some of those planned resources are being used to fund the recovery efforts.
View my personal web site: http://www.jdevtech.com
Woodhaven Lakes Web Site: http://www.woodhavenlakes.com
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Woodhaven Lakes - part 2
We went to Woodhaven Lakes over the 4th of July weekend to check out
the property. While our lot and RV were just fine many others weren't
so fortunate. There were areas of the park where access was still
highly restricted. But after viewing the areas we could it became clear
that the damage was simply devastating. Thank God that no one was
seriously hurt.
The park set up a staging area behind Woody's market where a semi-trailer sized shredder was located to shred the debris into a mountain of wood chips. We sat and watched the short bed dump trucks roll in one after another hauling debris from the south west sections of the park. We estimate 100 - 150 truck loads a day were being hauled into the shredding area where they were loaded into the shredder and converted into chips.
The cleanup event was started on or about the 25th of June and we were watching this on the 5th of July. So it had been going on for 10 days and there are still area's of the park that are closed except to those who have lots in them. I would be surprised if they finish this debris removal by the end of July.
It is sad that owners are unable to get anyone to start the clean up of their lots because everyone is involved in the clean up process. We heard that about 40% of the lot owners did not have any insurance and for those that do the insurance companies will cover the RV but not the lot in general. It is a real mess and we can't help but wonder just how many owners will just choose to walk away rather than face the extreme high cost of clean up and re-establishing their little piece of heaven.
Our prayers are with all the owners of lots at Woodhaven Lakes as we are sure the effects of this storm will last for a few years at a minimum. Please keep active in your prayers any one going through an event such as this. A tornado is incredible. We hope you never have to experience one.
Update - As of 7/19/2015 the chipping of debris at Woodhaven Lakes has generated over 200,000 cubic yards of mulch chips. And it is still going. My original estimate of 150 - 200 truck loads a day was low, the actual count is typically 400 + truck loads per day. We will be going out on the weekend of August 8 & 9 to enjoy the Mendota Corn Festival and will report back after that relaxing weekend. Hope it isn't too damn hot!
The park set up a staging area behind Woody's market where a semi-trailer sized shredder was located to shred the debris into a mountain of wood chips. We sat and watched the short bed dump trucks roll in one after another hauling debris from the south west sections of the park. We estimate 100 - 150 truck loads a day were being hauled into the shredding area where they were loaded into the shredder and converted into chips.
The cleanup event was started on or about the 25th of June and we were watching this on the 5th of July. So it had been going on for 10 days and there are still area's of the park that are closed except to those who have lots in them. I would be surprised if they finish this debris removal by the end of July.
It is sad that owners are unable to get anyone to start the clean up of their lots because everyone is involved in the clean up process. We heard that about 40% of the lot owners did not have any insurance and for those that do the insurance companies will cover the RV but not the lot in general. It is a real mess and we can't help but wonder just how many owners will just choose to walk away rather than face the extreme high cost of clean up and re-establishing their little piece of heaven.
Our prayers are with all the owners of lots at Woodhaven Lakes as we are sure the effects of this storm will last for a few years at a minimum. Please keep active in your prayers any one going through an event such as this. A tornado is incredible. We hope you never have to experience one.
Update - As of 7/19/2015 the chipping of debris at Woodhaven Lakes has generated over 200,000 cubic yards of mulch chips. And it is still going. My original estimate of 150 - 200 truck loads a day was low, the actual count is typically 400 + truck loads per day. We will be going out on the weekend of August 8 & 9 to enjoy the Mendota Corn Festival and will report back after that relaxing weekend. Hope it isn't too damn hot!
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Tragedy at Woodhaven Lakes, Sublette, IL
When writing these entries I try to be light hearted and keep to
subjects that emote happiness and pleasure from my readers. But
recently there have been some severe storms in Illinois that have caused
my family some initial distress and then after finding out that we were
unharmed, relief for us but sorrow for our neighbors and the residents
of Woodhaven Lakes in Sublette Illinois who have suffered mightly from
the EF-1 tornado that moved through the south and south west corner of
the recreational park.
Woodhaven Lakes is almost 1,700 acres consisting of around 6,000 privately owned lots for RV or camping usage. The park is or was heavily covered with trees mostly oak and pine and for those in the northern half the trees still remain. But in the southern half most of the trees are either down or stipped bare of their leaves and branches as a result of natures furry that was unleased the evening of June 22nd, 2015.
I am unable to really asses or confirm the extent of the damage due to what appears to be a communication blackout from the park but I don't know if this is intentional or simply a matter of the web site being overwhelmed by the over 4,000 owners trying desperately to get information.
The management of the park is elected and serve with little or no compensation. This is fine in most cases but when a disaster happens I am sure they are completely out of touch with the management tools required to establish an emergency response effort, especially with the widespread effects of this present disaster. This evening it will be 48 hours since the tragedy and I would think that a statement to the owners is due. They do have a website and what better way to post a statement than a static page on the Website.
As an owner of a lot at Woodhaven Lakes I feel that we are due a response from the management - maybe not details yet but at least a response.
I do know that our properies are safe and relatively untouched from the storm but we are unable to enter the park to really determine the state of our RV because the park is closed until further notice. I understand why it is closed, and I am sure that once it is safe to re-open it will be re-opened. What we don't know is when and hopefully we will get some information on what is going on soon.
We will keep those who were injured or lost property in our thoughts as the details get sorted out over the next few days. Pray for them and be diligently aware of the power of thunderstorms.
Thanks.
Woodhaven Lakes is almost 1,700 acres consisting of around 6,000 privately owned lots for RV or camping usage. The park is or was heavily covered with trees mostly oak and pine and for those in the northern half the trees still remain. But in the southern half most of the trees are either down or stipped bare of their leaves and branches as a result of natures furry that was unleased the evening of June 22nd, 2015.
I am unable to really asses or confirm the extent of the damage due to what appears to be a communication blackout from the park but I don't know if this is intentional or simply a matter of the web site being overwhelmed by the over 4,000 owners trying desperately to get information.
The management of the park is elected and serve with little or no compensation. This is fine in most cases but when a disaster happens I am sure they are completely out of touch with the management tools required to establish an emergency response effort, especially with the widespread effects of this present disaster. This evening it will be 48 hours since the tragedy and I would think that a statement to the owners is due. They do have a website and what better way to post a statement than a static page on the Website.
As an owner of a lot at Woodhaven Lakes I feel that we are due a response from the management - maybe not details yet but at least a response.
I do know that our properies are safe and relatively untouched from the storm but we are unable to enter the park to really determine the state of our RV because the park is closed until further notice. I understand why it is closed, and I am sure that once it is safe to re-open it will be re-opened. What we don't know is when and hopefully we will get some information on what is going on soon.
We will keep those who were injured or lost property in our thoughts as the details get sorted out over the next few days. Pray for them and be diligently aware of the power of thunderstorms.
Thanks.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Summer - Yea Summer!
Yep. Summer is almost here. It is now the end of May and things are beginning to warm up. It has been a rather cool and wet May but finally the trees are green and the grass is growing faster than the squirrels run from our lab on her walks. We spent the Memorial Day weekend at our RV in Sublette Illinois and had a very relaxing albeit a busy weekend. We were there for 5 days and only one - Saturday - was a rainy day.
Having a long quiet weekend was high on our wish list but it just wasn't about to happen. On Friday morning my wife's mother passed away and that started all the emotions rushing to the surface. Needless to say this event set the tone for the remainder of the weekend. Since my brother-in-law was taking care of all of her mothers needs he made the final arrangements.
We remained at the RV because the ceremony on Memorial Day was an annual event that has come to mean a lot to my wife. The closing playing of Taps brings tears to both of us but it really causes my wife to cry. It was her dads favorite memory of his military service to hear Taps at the close of the day.
Back to the weekend story. She wasn't about to miss the Memorial Day ceremony.
Then on to cleaning up our little RV lot after a winter that always leaves things in disarray. Branches down, leaves and other rubbish, the cleaning of the Shed which had been made a home by the mice, and the initial mowing of the grass kept us busy. Those damn rodents can eat through most anything and there is always caulking to do to cover the latest entry point. Next fall we will put out mouse baits to see if we can control it a bit better.
The spiritually moving Memorial Service which included the changing of the Flags, a 21 Gun Salute by the members from the local 'Amvets' chapter and the playing of Taps made for a very memorable day. I wish all of you could some day be part of such a simple but moving ceremony.
Our sympathies go out to those being affected by the floods in the Texas and other regions as the rains are really battering that area of the country.
So here we go into Summer. And as the song says - 'The living is easy....' (for some of us). Keep your neighbors in your prayers. God Bless You ALL.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Spring At Last
Spring - At Last!
Well the weather is starting to turn from the cold dreary days of winter to the brighter and stormier days of early spring. It is amazing how quickly the seasons change once they decide to get with the program.
Along with spring come the holiday's and I want to wish all of you a happy Pasech on April 3rd and Easter on April 5th. I sincerely hope you get to spend some time with your loved ones on these special days.
Do you have special plans for the spring?
I am really looking forward to the weather getting warmer so we can go
to our little RV and spend some time under the standing oaks that cover
our lot. The RV is a small (12 x30 ft.) unit with one bedroom and of
course indoor plumbing. We really enjoy the peaceful quiet mornings.
If you get up early enough you can hear owl's hooting, wood peckers
hammering away and of course you can enjoy the smell of clean air.
Whatever it is that excites you about the exiting winter and the rushing in spring I hope you have something in your life to look forward to enjoying. Share the time with those you love and create a special memory that will last much longer than you could ever imagine.
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog entry and best wishes to you and your family
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Welcome 2015!
Wow! It is now 2015. Can you believe it!
I just wanted to take a minute and wish all of you a Happy and Healthy 2015.
I am looking forward to big changes this year as my business continues to grow. We are getting ready to embark on a more professional marketing campaign and you will see some changes very soon so check back often.
Do you have any big ideas for 2015? I would really like to hear about your ideas, dreams, wishes and goals for 2015. Leave a comment below and let me and others know about what you are wishing for in 2015! This could be real cool.
I know we are looking forward to spring when things will again turn green and we can go outside with out dressing like a lumberjack just to keep warm. I do enjoy hockey and that is the one great thing about winter as far as I am concerned.
I grew up in southern California and even though we didn't have snow, I am sure if I had been here in Chicago you would have found me on a sledding hill from dawn till night.
Please enjoy your winter and share in my expectation of a beautiful spring!
I just wanted to take a minute and wish all of you a Happy and Healthy 2015.
I am looking forward to big changes this year as my business continues to grow. We are getting ready to embark on a more professional marketing campaign and you will see some changes very soon so check back often.
Do you have any big ideas for 2015? I would really like to hear about your ideas, dreams, wishes and goals for 2015. Leave a comment below and let me and others know about what you are wishing for in 2015! This could be real cool.
I know we are looking forward to spring when things will again turn green and we can go outside with out dressing like a lumberjack just to keep warm. I do enjoy hockey and that is the one great thing about winter as far as I am concerned.
I grew up in southern California and even though we didn't have snow, I am sure if I had been here in Chicago you would have found me on a sledding hill from dawn till night.
Please enjoy your winter and share in my expectation of a beautiful spring!
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Merry Christmas 2014
I have been quite busy and haven't created a blog entry in a while so I will try to catch up with this one.
Please don't be offended by this title. I am a Christian and celebrate Christmas with my family and friends. I hope you are able to celebrate your religion with your family and friends. This is a special time of year and in keeping with the spirit of the season I wish everyone peace and happiness now and throughout 2015.
Was 2014 a good year for you? For me and my family yes it was. No one is sick, no one is in danger of losing their job, and no one is without a warm place to live. We had a great Thanksgiving with 10 family members sharing the feast prepared by my wonderful wife. She is most definitely in her element when in the kitchen and derives great joy in preparing such nice meals for the family. Even the dog enjoys her cooking as she gets some of the left overs and of course the droppings.
The day was very busy with all the company and the carving, my task, and although it was fun it was nice once it was over. We just dropped and crashed. But after a good night’s sleep we were back at in on Friday - Black Friday. I am not sure why they call it Black Friday but we go out of our way to avoid shopping on that day. I can't say the same for one daughter - she gets exceptionally excited over the idea of 'getting a bargain' - no matter what the cost or the toll it takes on her psyche.
But that day is over and now we are making arrangements for the big Christmas feast. My wife is planning prime rib and ham for the main course and a slew of sides meant to please everyone’s tastes. Sorry but all the seats are full. I hope you also are planning on a joyous celebration. Here are some Christmas images for you to enjoy.
Winter is a daunting time for all of us.
Travel times go through the roof after every snow fall and we spend hours in the cold removing snow firm our driveways, parking spaces and sidewalks. For those of you who don't get to enjoy the snow it can be major work to clear it. Two winters ago we awoke one am to find drifts up to 5 feet deep outside our door. Of the three doors we have to exit our house only one was able to open. And by that door we did not have a shovel or any other implement to help with snow removal.
So we donned our cold gear and grabbed a couple of cookie sheet pans and went to work cutting a path from the front door to the drive way and down the drive way to the backyard gate and then to the porch where the snow shovels were stored. This picture shows what can happen if a window is partially left open in a blizzard like snowfall.
This took almost two hours and we were frozen. So we went in warmed up and then began again. This time we shoveled a path to the garage where the mighty snow blower was waiting. Only one issue remained - the snow was so deep the blower was almost useless. So one of us would move the top of the snow next to the path we cut with cookie sheets into the path where the blower could then move it out of the way. This continued until we finally got a path wide enough to get the car to the street. We were pooped to say the least. It took the next three days to move the snow off the entire driveway.
I am so thankful that this kind of snow fall doesn't happen very often but when it does it is a massive deal to get things back to almost normal. The real normal comes in the April time frame when the snow starts to melt. So know you know how much fun it can be to live where it snows.
I really want to wish you a happy and safe holiday and winter. Visit my web site at https://www.jdevtech.com and enjoy more blog entries. Take care - till next entry.
Please don't be offended by this title. I am a Christian and celebrate Christmas with my family and friends. I hope you are able to celebrate your religion with your family and friends. This is a special time of year and in keeping with the spirit of the season I wish everyone peace and happiness now and throughout 2015.
Was 2014 a good year for you? For me and my family yes it was. No one is sick, no one is in danger of losing their job, and no one is without a warm place to live. We had a great Thanksgiving with 10 family members sharing the feast prepared by my wonderful wife. She is most definitely in her element when in the kitchen and derives great joy in preparing such nice meals for the family. Even the dog enjoys her cooking as she gets some of the left overs and of course the droppings.
The day was very busy with all the company and the carving, my task, and although it was fun it was nice once it was over. We just dropped and crashed. But after a good night’s sleep we were back at in on Friday - Black Friday. I am not sure why they call it Black Friday but we go out of our way to avoid shopping on that day. I can't say the same for one daughter - she gets exceptionally excited over the idea of 'getting a bargain' - no matter what the cost or the toll it takes on her psyche.
But that day is over and now we are making arrangements for the big Christmas feast. My wife is planning prime rib and ham for the main course and a slew of sides meant to please everyone’s tastes. Sorry but all the seats are full. I hope you also are planning on a joyous celebration. Here are some Christmas images for you to enjoy.
Winter is a daunting time for all of us.
Travel times go through the roof after every snow fall and we spend hours in the cold removing snow firm our driveways, parking spaces and sidewalks. For those of you who don't get to enjoy the snow it can be major work to clear it. Two winters ago we awoke one am to find drifts up to 5 feet deep outside our door. Of the three doors we have to exit our house only one was able to open. And by that door we did not have a shovel or any other implement to help with snow removal.
So we donned our cold gear and grabbed a couple of cookie sheet pans and went to work cutting a path from the front door to the drive way and down the drive way to the backyard gate and then to the porch where the snow shovels were stored. This picture shows what can happen if a window is partially left open in a blizzard like snowfall.
This took almost two hours and we were frozen. So we went in warmed up and then began again. This time we shoveled a path to the garage where the mighty snow blower was waiting. Only one issue remained - the snow was so deep the blower was almost useless. So one of us would move the top of the snow next to the path we cut with cookie sheets into the path where the blower could then move it out of the way. This continued until we finally got a path wide enough to get the car to the street. We were pooped to say the least. It took the next three days to move the snow off the entire driveway.
I am so thankful that this kind of snow fall doesn't happen very often but when it does it is a massive deal to get things back to almost normal. The real normal comes in the April time frame when the snow starts to melt. So know you know how much fun it can be to live where it snows.
I really want to wish you a happy and safe holiday and winter. Visit my web site at https://www.jdevtech.com and enjoy more blog entries. Take care - till next entry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Comments (0)