Termite Treatment

Tuesday, June 30th

DFW Pest Control was out to the house to check our pear tree out front for termites.
The tree does indeed have termites. The exterminator states termites are normally found in the ground and their job is to keep them from coming ...inside...my home.
I told him I didn't want to loose my tree to termites either.
He states DFW Pest Control does not treat trees for termites, but he would put down some termidor around the tree and the exterior of my home and call it a "complimentary" ant treatment.

YEAH!!! Hopefully no more termites!!

More info about DFW Pest Control can be found here: http://www.dfwpest.com/

Karl - New Address

Karl Kuklenz
10851 Montfair Blvd.
#4303
The Woodlands, TX 77382

http://www.alexansterlingridge.com/

American Legion Auxillary

Today I submitted my application to the local American Legion Auxillary - Unit 21
They are a newly formed organization and are a part of the local American Legion - Post 21

http://www.post21.org/index.html

* The women of the American Legion Auxiliary make a difference in the lives of all Americans.
* They are dedicated to the education of children, organizing community events and assisting our nation's veterans through legislative action and volunteerism.

* The American Legion Auxiliary is the world's largest women's patriotic service organization with nearly 1 million members in 10,100 communities.
* Auxiliary members are a unique group of women, joined in fellowship of volunteerism, patriotism and dedication to veterans, young people and communities.
Eligibility:
* A woman who is eligible for membership in The American Legion is also eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary. The mother, wife, daughter, sister, grand-daughter, great-grand-daughter, or grandmother of members of The American Legion, and deceased veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during the listed war eras.

I am eligible through my dad's service in the US Navy.

He was active duty December 15, 1955 through December 03, 1959.

He then was in the US Navy Reserves: December 03, 1959 - December 14, 1961.

Termites

Today, I was walking to get the mail and stopped in the shade of our pear tree in the front yard.

I was removing the roofing paper around part of the tree.
Remember we were trying to take care of our pesky squirrel - August 24, 2008

http://the-kuklenz-family.blogspot.com/2008/08/pesky-squirrels.html

There was no longer any poison around the tree, so I was removing the paper
To reveal......termites!!!!
Oh yeah! Something else to deal with!!

I called DFW Pest Control, as they do an annual treatment on our house in December.
Looks like we are going to have to expand and include the yard too.

There is a great deal of damage to the tree all the way around.
DFW Pest Control will be out next Tuesday to exterminate those little "buggers"

Texas Tomatoes

My tomatoes are starting to turn red

Below is a photo of the other side of that beautiful tomato.
I think the birds are standnig on the tomato cage and eating them.

I don't think I was meant to grow tomatoes!

I'm Quoted

I contacted our local newspaper last week, to get a small blurb put in the paper about The Colony Women's League upcoming garage sale fundraiser. Yesterday, the Community Editor - Blaine Crimmins, called me and interviewed me. He said he wanted to do it as a feature story, after viewing our organizations website and finding out that we were a newly formed organization. Below is the direct link for the article:

http://www.colonyleader.com/articles/2009/06/17/the_colony_courier-leader/news/550.txt

Lewis Black - Amsterdam

Doug arrived in Amsterdam today and upon check-in noticed that Lewis Black will be performing at the Carre theater tonight. http://www.theatercarre.nl/site/voorstelling.php?vid=155 He purchased a ticket and will be attending this performance.

Lewis Niles Black (born August 30, 1948) is a Grammy Award-winning American stand-up comedian, author, playwright and actor. He is known for his comedy style which often includes simulating a mental breakdown or an increasingly angry rant, ridiculing history, politics, religion, trends and cultural phenomena. He hosts Comedy Central's The Root of All Evil and makes regular appearances on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart delivering his “Back in Black” commentary segment. When not on the road performing, he resides in Manhattan and also maintains a residence in Chapel Hill, N.C.

For more information on other Lewis Black performances: http://www.lewisblack.com/

Karl Got a Job!

Karl interviewed with General Electric in The Woodlands,TX last week for their open research scientist positions. There were three positions available, 2 permanent positions and 1 contract-for-hire postion.

Karl has been offered the contract-for-hire position, while the process for the permanent positions continues. This will probably be an evaluation of his talents and he hopes to be offered one of the full-time positions in the near future. His pay will be $32.00/hour = $66,500 year.

Karl will be relocating to The Woodlands at the end of July when his apartment lease is up in Huntsville.

CONGRATULATIONS Karl! We know you will do great things!!!

Below is the job posting from Careerbuilder for the Research Chemist position.

Business:GE Energy Infrastructure
Business Segment:Energy Infrastructure - Water
About Us: GE looks for innovation everywhere. What do you see? For more than 125 years, GE has been respected for its performance and innovative spirit. GE people worldwide are dedicated to turning imaginative ideas into leading products and services that help solve some of the world's toughest problems.Start your career on the right path. Join our results-oriented team at GE Energy today!
Role Summary/Purpose:The Research Chemist provides direction and assistance to work group in order to meet assigned objectives. In this role, you will work within defined parameters to make decisions, apply concepts to issues of moderate complexity, and resolve issues through immediate action or short-term planning.
Essential Responsibilities:
* Research, develop, commercialize, and support innovative treatment programs for hydrocarbon processing in Chemical, Refinery and Oil Production applications with short-term and long-term business impact
* Develop and run test methods for simulation of the industrial processes
* Assess and validate market needs through direct interactions with external and internal customers including, Product Applications, Product Management and Sales teams
* As part of the development team, contribute to idea generation, conduct experiments, and review results
* As a project leader, lead technical development effort including planning and execution of experimental approach, analyzing data, monitoring and communicating project status, and aligning resources to achieve goals and hit project milestones
* Execute the design, analysis, or evaluation of assigned projects using sound scientific principles and adhering to business standards, practices, procedures, and product / program requirements
* Provide technical product support, customer service and non-routine problem solving for above industrial applications
* Learn and apply Lean Six Sigma processes and tools for solving problems and to develop high quality, innovative technology solutions that meet customer requirements and needs
* Provide technical guidance, direction and training to new and experienced technologists and technicians
* Provides timely communications on significant issues or developments
Qualifications/Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or other chemical/biological science with at least 3 years of industrial experience as a researcher in advance technology programs .
Why join one great company when you can join many?
When you join GE, you join a company made up of 5 exciting businesses. Experience personal growth and competency development as part of the GE team. GE's Energy Infrastructure segment is leading the field in the development, implementation and improvement of the products and technologies that harness our resources such as wind, oil, gas and water.

GE Energy is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy as well as with renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and alternative fuels. www.gepower.com

Water & Process Technologies, a division of GE Energy Infrastructure, is an industry leader in solving the world's most pressing water reuse, industrial, irrigation, municipal, and drinking water needs. Through desalination, advanced membrane, separation solutions, and water reuse and wastewater management and process technologies, GE delivers added value to its customers. GE provides value by improving performance and product quality, reducing operating costs, and extending equipment life through a broad range of products and services that are designed to optimize total performance; protect customers' assets; prevent fouling and scaling; and safeguard the environment through water conservation and energy reduction. Learn more about GE Water & Process Technologies!

The position is located in The Woodlands, Texas. The Woodlands is known for being one of the 1st master planned communities in the US. Our beautiful suburb offers a wide range of housing options with everything at your fingertips in a wooded setting just 30 minutes outside of the city of Houston.
Come see why we love The Woodlands!

49th Birthday

Happy Birthday to Doug!!

June 10th is Doug's 49th birthday. He started the day by going to the dentist...No cavities!
He returned home and opened his cards. Jackie made him a cute card, I crafted one with my CRICUT and he received one in the mail from his parents.

He then opened his gifts from me.
1) He received a one year subscription to the NTSB Reporter.
This is a monthly publication that follows airplane accidents for the final outcomes.

2) Gift cards for Wendy's and Taco Bell. His two favorite lunch hangouts.
3) Five new DVDs, I'm sure he'll use them on his next trip out of town.

Jackie got him a hot wheel car (Red Buick Grand National) Doug has been complaining that he driving a "beater car" ~ his 2000 Ford Mustang! Everyone in the family has offered to take it off his hands, but he hasn't relinquished the car to anyone yet. But he continues to talk about everyone driving new cars than him: Me (2005 Ford Expediton) Jill (2007 Toyota Camry) and his parents (2006 Buick Lucerne).

We topped off the day with a wonderful dinner: shish-kabobs on the grill, home-made potato salad, home-made pasta salad, home-brew beer and a slice of birthday cake!!

Master Bath Update

The floor has been grouted

The tile around the tub has been grouted.
The tub front has been replaced.

TO DO LIST:
1) replace the toilet
2) trim boards cut, painted & installed
3) seal the tile

Wedding Countdown

There are only 200 more days until Jill and Josh's wedding.
Wedding plans are coming along nicely.

Updates were made to the wedding website today.
Check them out at: http://www.jillandjoshua.com/