Thanksgiving Remembered

A very sad Thanksgiving today, knowing that George was not with us. He was supposed to be in White Bear Lake, MN having dinner with Laurie, Dennis, Alexis, & Timothy. Debi and I had dinner at my house with a prepared meal from Albertsons. Here is the Thanksgiving dinner from last year at Elmcroft. L-R: Emily Odell, George Rumbold, Dorinda Rumbold, Andy Rumbold, John Rumbold, Rachel Odell, Doug Odell, Karen Odell, Jacob Odell.

We miss you George.

Probe underway in reservoir accident

Woodbridge man who died in Seymour remembered as helpful community member
By Susan Hunter, Editor
Valley Gazette

SEYMOUR - Family and friends speak fondly of Woodbridge resident GeorgeRumbold, 66, who died Nov. 13 after his car skidded off the road and slid into the Peat Swamp Reservoir. Police are trying to piece together the events that led to the untimely death.

The state Medical Examiner has ruled accidental asphyxia due to drowning as the cause of Rumbold's death. He died at Yale-New Haven Hospital, according to Seymour police, hours after being pulled from his pick-up truck, which was submerged in the reservoir.

Police and fire department personnel and emergency medial technicians responded to the accident on Haddad Road at about 10:50 a.m. A passerby had called police after finding the fence down at the reservoir, which is operated by Birmingham Utilities, and discovering the truck overturned in the water. The passerby tried unsuccessfully to get Rumbold out of the pick-up truck and called 911. [This man, Marlow Tinari returning from New Haven, was first on the scene and called 911. He took it upon himself to jump into the water and up onto the overturned truck with hammer in hand. His attempts to break the glass were unsuccessful due to the resistance of the water. He could not see through the water due to the oil and gasoline floating in the water. George carried cans of gasoline for his chain saws. Bob Anastasio, George's good friend from the transfer station arrived shortly after but did not recognize his friend's overturned truck. He left the scene as emergency personnel arrived. - John Rumbold]

Police and emergency crews tried to pry the passenger side door open with crowbars, also without success. Then an American Automobile Association tow-truck driver, who learned of the accident while he was parked at a Seymour business, used the winch from his truck to hook onto the side of the pick-up and move it closer to shore. This enabled fire department responders to use the jaws of life to pry the driver's side door open, according to reports.

Ken Woodward, the tow truck driver, said the Seymour business owner heard about the accident over a police scanner and alerted Woodward. He said he had worked in the Amity area and knew the location of the reservoir. "I had a vehicle that could possibly help them," Woodward said, so he drove out to the accident site.

Using his winch cable and j-hooks, he pulled the pick-up truck out of the water so volunteer workers could free the driver's side door. When the pick-up truck crashed into the water, it turned upside down, crushing the roof and jamming the doors, Woodward said. "I was bummed out that he didn't make it," Woodward said. "I have to commend the Seymour volunteer firefighters. They jumped in and did what they had to do and put themselves at risk."

Rumbold was extricated from the truck and given advanced life support by Seymour Ambulance Association personnel. He regained a pulse after arriving at the hospital, police said, and was listed in critical condition in the intensive care unit. He died late that afternoon.

According to a preliminary investigation, police said Rumbold's vehicle, a 1990 Ford F-250 pick-up truck, was traveling in a southeasterly direction on Haddad Road. For an unknown reason, the pick-up truck failed to negotiate acurve, said Seymour Police Lt. Paul Satkowski, and left the travel portion of the roadway.

It slid down an embankment, overturned and landed in about four to six feetof water, trapping Rumbold inside.

The road surface was wet at the time from recent rains and covered with leaves and pine needles. "Speed is not considered to be a factor at thistime," Satkowski said.

A familiar face in town
Rumbold's son-in-law, Dennis Blandino, said his father-in-law would have gone out of his way to help, as Woodward did, had he found someone in trouble. "He would have done something," Blandino said. "He wouldn't turn his back on anybody."

Blandino and his wife, Laurie Rumbold Blandino, Rumbold's daughter, live inWhite Bear Lake, MN.

In their grief, they are trying to make sense of the tragedy that took the life of the grandfather of their young children.

Rumbold loved his country, Blandino said, and wouldn't think twice before writing letters to government leaders about the loss of American manufacturing jobs and other issues.

His strong views were always tempered by tact and a good-natured acceptance of other people's viewpoints. "I don't know anybody more patriotic than George was," Blandino said.

Friends, family and acquaintances are struggling to understand how a man so familiar with Haddad Road, who typically drove slowly and was safety conscious, could have met with such a fate.

"He was a religious zealot about wearing a seat belt," said Joe Hellauer, administrative officer for Woodbridge. "I feel badly for him. It's a toughway to go."

Rumbold was well-known in Woodbridge for delivering wood, pruning trees and trimming hedges.

Because of the nature of his work, he often made several daily trips to the Woodbridge landfill and was probably on one of those trips when his car left the roadway last Tuesday, Hellauer said.

Rumbold had worked in a managerial capacity for U.S. Electrical Motors, formerly in Milford, Hellauer said, and for the past several years, he was self-employed as a handyman.

He did yard work for the Hellauers a few times a year, and was on their property just two weeks ago Sunday trimming apple trees.

A Seymour police department reconstructionist is investigating the accident, Satkowski said. There are no known witnesses to the crash. Anyone who was traveling in the area of Haddad Road before the accident or who may have seen something is asked to call the Seymour Police Dept. at 881-7600 and ask to speak with Sgt. David Parratt, the lead investigator.

A memorial service for Rumbold took place at Trinity Evangelical Church in Woodbridge on Monday. An obituary appears in today's issue of the ValleyGazette.

Accident Investigation

The cause of the accident in which my brother George died is still under investigation. The toxicology results of the autopsy will be another five weeks for determining if he suffered any kind of medical affliction although he had no history of any medical condition. The police are still conducting their study of the vehicle for possible mechanical failure. The speedometer was stuck at 25 mph so speed is being ruled out as a factor. When I visited the scene last Sunday, I noticed that the right hand tire skid mark in the pine needles was off the traveled part of the lane and it was very straight. This means that he was not trying to turn away from the reservoir to follow the curve of the road. It also means that he was not centered on his lane. However, as a careful driver he may have been giving a wide berth to oncoming traffic on this winding road. We found a small piece of metal which I am thinking could have been part of a motor mount. It was found over a hundred feet from the incursion down into the bank of the reservoir which is indicated in the photo below. My speculation at this time is some kind of mechanical failure or some medical problem causing him to loose control. In the photos you will notice that the wire fence had already been repaired. The family may look into possible legal action for the failure of the city and/or water company to install a guard rail on the road. We have been told that many vehicles have gone into the reservoir but this is the first fatality.
Click images to enlarge




Note that the fence has been repaired

My Big Brother

From the memorial service today:

My brother George was born three years and three days before me.
We were never very close growing up.
I knew why and he knew why but we never talked about it.
Our parents favored me over George and he resented it.
George was not a big brother to me growing up. I never looked up to him in those days.
He didn’t protect me or guide me as a big brother often does.
He looked to me as the smart one and himself as the not so intelligent one.
He completed junior college and I ended up with a masters.
George was the extrovert. I was the introvert.
He had many friends – I have few.
I can’t remember any friends from more than fifteen years ago.
George has five friends that he has know since he was fifteen.
And dozens more over the years of his journey.
I moved around a lot. He stayed put.
He was the lucky one. He had all the fun.
After all, George, it wasn’t me that shot out Miss Russell’s barn windows with the BB gun.
I never had a BB gun!
I was stringing a wire from the attic window across the lawn to the tall pine trees for improved reception on my crystal radio.
And, it wasn’t me that had to confront the Woodbridge Police at 1 AM in the barn loft to shut down the party.
I was probably sleeping and dreaming of trigonometry formulas.

In reality, I just had the knack to sit and read a textbook
He was good at sitting and talking with friends – and sometimes dancing wildly.

I always thought of George as an eccentric. A dear eccentric.
But he was much more than that;
George was ordinary and simple, complex and extraordinary.
A friend. Caring. Offering to help. Full of good humor. Always a patriot. Never taking advantage of anybody. Complaining and then looking the other way when somebody took advantage of him.

In maturity we became closer.
We had families to share – cousins to bring together.
During the last two years we became very close out of necessity to care for our mother.
After her passing last year we spent six months together in Woodbridge preparing mom’s property to market.

Sometimes, I helped him with his activities – riding in his truck over Haddad Road along Peat Swamp Reservoir to the transfer station a dozen times. He taught me how to fall a tree.
Since I returned to California, we talked once or twice a week. I missed our rides together.

We talked about mom’s property that George was caring for; or estate matters that I was handling. But, he would talk on about his client’s activities; trimming Mrs. So-and-so’s bushes, falling Mr. so-and-so’s tree, the so-and-so’s cellar clean-out, or the little annoyance he had at the town hall.
I had no idea who these people were. I got to know them through George. They were his clients. They are his friends.
We would talk on until he ran out of things to say. I never ended the conversation. I was absorbed.

I have my clients. He had his.
My clients and friends needed help with their financial lives. Businesses and individuals call me about their taxes or financial futures with question like defined benefit plans versus defined contribution plans. Or, what is the alpha of one mutual fund compared to another.
George’s clients and friends need help with their daily lives. A bush, a tree, a cluttered garage, some firewood. Maybe just a long talk about something on their mind.
I suddenly realized that there was no difference in what we were doing. We were both meeting the needs of people.
Except that his clients could understand what he was saying. My clients have no idea what alpha is or what cliff vesting is.
I may have book smarts but George had compassionate intelligence far above my learning.
I envied him.
I looked forward to our calls.
Many times I would call him but it was nice to see his name displayed on my ringing phone. What new adventure was he in today? Did I have enough time to share it all? I always made the time.

Finally, I had my big brother. Somebody to look up to.
Now, George is protecting and guiding me from on high.
I know that he is preparing the way for me.
Look after mom like you always did.
God be with you, till we meet again.
I Love you.

Accident Scene

Sunday the family visited the accident scene to place a cross and flowers. George's two daughters, Laurie adn Karen, their husbands and five grandchildren attended. Also in attendance was George's cousins Charlotte and Thom Kearns, his finance Barbara Stewart and his nephew Andrew Rumbold. We also met Ken Woodward, the tow truck driver at the scene. George's good friend Bob Anastasio from the transfer station also came by. Click pictures to enlarge.


Granddaughter Rachel

George Storrow Rumbold, 1941-2007

George S. Rumbold, 66, of Woodbridge, CT departed this life on Nov. 13, 2007. Born July 13, 1941 in New Haven, CT. He was a lifelong resident of Woodbridge. Lifelong friends and recent aquaintences respected and admired George for his selfless caring and humor; his steadfast patriotism and friendship. He was the beloved father of Laurie Blandino and her husband Dennis of White Bear Lake, MN and Karen Odell and her husband Douglas of Pawling, NY, five cherished grandchildren; Alexis, Timothy, Rachel, Emily and Jacob. He is also survived by his brother John Gordon Rumbold of Irvine, CA. He was predeceased by his Father John S. Rumbold and by his mother Adelaide Congdon Rumbold. He was also predeceased by his former wife Elaine Rumbold. He leaves behind his beloved fiance Barbara Stewart of Mendham, NJ. A Memorial Service will be held Monday Nov. 19 at 2:00pm at Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 33 Center Rd, Woodbridge. Contributions in George's memory may be made to Autism Research Institute, 4182 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA, 92116.

Woodbridge man pulled from reservoir dies

New Haven Register, Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Lauren Garrison, Register Staff

Seymour – The Woodbridge man whose pickup truck plunged into the Peat Swamp Reservoir off Haddad Road Tuesday morning died later that afternoon at Yale-New Haven Hospital, police confirmed Wednesday.

He was identified as George Rumbold, 66, of 118 Ansonia Road, Woodbridge.
An autopsy conducted Wednesday morning determine that his death was caused by asphyxia due to drowning, according to a spokesman from the state Medical Examiners’s Office.

According to Seymour police, a preliminary investigation revealed that Rumbold’s 1990 Ford F-250 pickup truck was traveling on Haddad Road when it “failed to negotiate a curve, left the travel portion of the roadway, slid down an embankment, overturned and landed in approximately for to six feet of water trapping Mr. Rumbold inside.”

Police noted the road, which has many curves, was “wet at the time from recent rains and covered with leaves and pine needles.”

Police do not believe speed was a factor in the accident.

There are currently no know witnesses to the accident.

Anyone traveling in the area who may have seen the pickup before the accident is asked to call Sgt. David Parratt, the lead investigator, at 881-7600.Rumbold’s family could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Driver pulled from pickup submerged in reservoir

New Haven Register, Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Woodbridge man spent 22 minutes underwater
By Elizabeth Benton, Register Staff

Seymour – A 66-year-old Woodbridge man was submerged about 22 minutes Tuesday morning in a reservoir off Haddad Road after his pickup truck plunged into the chilly water.

The man was without a pulse and was not breathing as emergency crews pulled him from the truck, Seymour Ambulance Associate Chief Scott Andrews said.

Crews performed CPR and advanced life support as they took him to Yale-New Haven Hospital. The man’s pulse returned on the way, and he was listed in critical condition in the hospital’s intensive-care unit later Tuesday, according to police.

There were unconfirmed reports late Tuesday night that the man had died.

Police did not release the man’s name, but are expected to do so today, pending notification of his family.

Andrews said emergency crews were called to the scene at 10:49 a.m. by a passer-by. At that time the truck was upside down in 3 to 4 feet of water.

I was unclear how long the driver may have gone without air. Andrews said there may have been air pockets inside the cab of the truck.

The cold water may have increased the man’s chances for survival. “With a cold-water drowning, that slows all the body’s processes down. The colder the water, the better the chance of survival as they warm him,” Andrews said.

Emergency crews used a hydraulic tool to open the truck while still in the water. Once the unconscious driver was extricated, teams used a basket to pull him onto the embankment.
A tow truck operator driving past the scene also stopped and offered his wrecker to help stabilize the submerged truck as they pulled the man from the water, Andrews said.
“As chaotic as the scene seemed, everybody worked really well together to gain access to the patient to get him out of the water,” Andrews said.

Police are still investigating how the truck landed in the water.A small amount of gas from the truck spilled into the reservoir, and state Department of Environmental Protection officers were called to the scene. Birmingham Utilities President John Tomac said the reservoir has not been in use since 1984, and the incident will not affect water quality.

Note from John Rumbold:
It was reported that when my brother arrived at the emergency room he had no brain activity and his body temperature was 70 degrees F. The emergency room team worked on him for over four hours but he ultimately suffered another cardiac arrest and could not be recovered.

Good Samaritan helps pull truck from reservoir

Helicopter photo


by News Channel 8's Annie Rourke


Posted Nov. 13, 2007Updated 9:30 PM
Seymour (WTNH) A tow truck operator jumped into action to help a person that had careened off the road into the Peat Swamp reservoir in Seymour.
Ken Woodward heard about the accident from a Seymour store owner who was listening to a scanner.
"I know it's out in the middle of nowhere, maybe they couldn't get there in time, maybe I can help whoever's there, you know, it was just something that came over me, I had to do it," Ken said.
Woodward jumped in his AAA tow truck and drove to the scene, arriving just as the fire department was pulling up. Chopper 8 captured the rescue from overhead. The pick-up truck had swerved off Haddad Road and slid down a ten-foot embankment, flipping upside down into the reservoir.
"For some unknown reason, he was unable to negotiate the corner, the curve, and went off the road, into the reservoir," said Lt. Paul Satkowski of the Seymour PD.
Paramedics jumped in the water, desperately trying to free the driver trapped inside, but one door was wedged into the embankment and the other was stuck in the muck and wouldn't budge. With precious seconds slipping by, Ken Woodward turned his tow truck around, hooked up the cables and dragged the victim's truck out enough to free the driver.
Woodward says he doesn't know what made him go to the reservoir, but his intuition told him he might be able to help. Tonight, Seymour police are calling him a hero, saying his help gave that driver a fighting chance.
"Our hats go off to him, without his help and assistance, the outcome could've been a lot worse," said Lt. Satkowski.
The victim is in critical condition. His name has been withheld pending notification of his family.

Here is the link to some video: http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?s=7352755
It may not be up for very long.

Revised Family Tree

Click to enlarge

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Click image to enlarge.

This is where the Santiago Fire is located in respect to my home. Keeping the windows closed helps to keep the smoke smell and ash out of the house. On the right side of the picture you can see Santiago and Modjeska canyons which have been in the news. Modjeska canyon is named after Arden the Helena Modjeska (mo-jeska). Helena was a famous Shakespearean actress from 1888 to 1906. The home is now a park: www.ocparks.com/modjeskahouse

Fire at Dusk

Today the Santa Ana winds came on with a fury for the first time this season. These are east to west winds that blow down the Santa Ana River valley in Orange County. The winds gust up to 50 MPH (100 MPH in the mountains) and are accompained by relative humidity in the single digits. The Malibu Canyon fire started at about 5:30 this morning, reportedly started by a high tension power line being blown down by the winds. Late this afternoon a fire started near Orange and is reported to be headed towards Irvine. Fortunately, I live in a very urban part of Irvine with little in the way of open space forest. Here are some pictures taken from my street.

Liberal Media Bias

Another fine example of liberal media bias.

MSNBC headlines:
White House urges Social Security cuts
Bush administration urges Social Security cuts
Report: Fix requires combination of benefit changes and tax increases

FOX News headlines:
Bush Administration: Tough Decisions Await Social Security
Bush Administration Says Social Security Fix Lies in Cutting Benefits or Raising Taxes
The Bush administration said Monday the only way to permanently fix Social Security is through some combination of benefit cuts and tax increases.

CNN was silent on this news. I guess they don't feel that the looming Social Security trust fund bankruptcy is important. The reports on MSNBC and FOX are the result of a new study by the Treasury Department which says among other things:
"Social Security can be made permanently solvent only by reducing the present value of scheduled benefits and/or increasing the present value of scheduled tax increases," the paper said. The Treasury paper said that while other changes to the giant benefit program might be desirable "only these changes can restore solvency permanently."

I find it interesting how MSNBC made it appear that the President is recommending cuts in Social Security benefits. Interesting how the liberal media bends the truth.

Lots of Excitement in Woodbridge

Woodbridge Villiage, Irvine, CA that is. Just to show you how exciting my life is (by the way Melissa, what's a vacation?), here is my latest news.

Hot water heater started leaking. It was original in the house - 21 years old. Got it replaced under home purchase warranty. The deductible and upgrades cost me $400. Yes, I know - I could have had [insert name of illegal alien here] do it for about the same price including the cost of the hot water heater.

And the straps are for earthquake protection. Not that anybody cares if my hot water heater falls over. Just to make sure I have 40 gallons of water available for drinking during the weeks it will take me to hack my way out of the rubble. Oh, and I guess that broker gas line could be a little problem. Fortunately, I don't smoke.

Elmcroft back on the market

After a change in listing realtor, the property is now back on the market.
http://www.raveis.com/epropdetail.asp?STATE=CT&ID=39879CB9-08D3-4D3C-AB57-B7A85DF474B4&PG=2&LASTPG=2&TOTAL=8&FROM=propfind&KEY=2020071&FSTKEY=2020071&LASTKEY=1957663

Painting

The posting by Melissa and Rob of Luke painting his room reminded me of the time that Jonathan painted his room - without help from an adult.
Jonathan was about 2 or 3 years old. I had been painting his room in the evenings. I always used oil-based paint for the trim because I am a purist. Or, maybe just a nut.
So, I was in the habit of leaving the paint can, paint thinner, paint bucket (for mixing the paint), the brushes, etc. out in the hallway for the next evening's work. One afternoon Jonathan took it upon himself to finish up. He had been watching me and apparently taking coupious notes. He opened the paint can with the little opener thing. Then he poured some paint into the paint bucket. He didn't quite understand the thinner concept but he realized it was a clear liquid so he got some water form the sink and poured it into the bucket with the oil-based paint. Then he mixed it with the mixing stick. Then, with brush in hand he proceeded to paint the wall in his room. Kind of like what Luke did except it didn't spell any recognizable words.
Now, don't try this at home. Oil paint mixed with water makes a mess on the wall and is almost impossible to remove.

Avoiding Phone Hell

I found this great web site for instructions on bypassing those Interactive Voice Response systems. Check it out.
http://gethuman.com/

Riddle

What former US President pardoned a fugitive who had been living in Switzerland for 17 years to avoid prosecutiion for not paying $48 million in taxes, tax fraud and illegal oil deals with Iran? Another hint: The fugitive's ex-wife had given over $700,000 to Democratic causes including $40,000 to a New York Senator's campaign and $450,000 to this former US President's library fund.

Earned Income Credit

Ok, Andy asked the question and I can't help but to respond. Especially if it is a matter of taxes or financial planning.
The Earned Income Credit (EIC) has been a part of the tax code as long as I have been preparing taxes - about ten years. Most of you have never heard of it because you earn over the income limit to qualify.
Think of a bell curve. If you earn very little you don't get any EIC. If you earn too much you don't get it either. In the middle you could get about $4,000 even if you don't owe any taxes. This is a refundable credit which means you get it even if you don't have any withholding or don't owe any tax. You just have to have earned income. It's like a hand out. No, it is a hand out. A non-refundable credit can only be taken against taxes owed.
You may be asking why Congress enacted the EIC. Why did the senators and representatives that YOU elected want to give some of the taxes you pay to low income people? Well, it was seen as an incentive for people to go to work. No earned income, no EIC. Then, I suppose, once they started to earn more and become mainstream workers the EIC is reduced. Can it be abused? Sure, just like any other tax regulation that has its primary purpose to effect social behavior.
Let's suppose I have a client who is a single mother with two children. She receives Social Security survivor benefits for herself and her two children because her husband had passed away. She has the ability to work but she chooses not to. I advised her that if she went to work and only earned about $14,000 that she would get another subsidy from the government in the form of $4,000 of EIC. Suppose she does that. Then she moves in with boyfriend who earns $40,000. My single mother client can still get the $4,000 EIC because it doesn't matter who in the household earns lots more money. Then my client tells me that she and boyfriend are planning to get married. Uh oh! With a combined income of $54,000 they would not qualify for the EIC. Zaap goes the $4,000 just by saying "I do." I advise my client not to get married.
Why would I give my client such advice? You would probably think that it would go against my political philosophy. Well, I have to act in the best interests of my client. That comes first in my professional life.
Suppose a single mom with two kids living with boyfriend doesn't have the ability to work. Well, she gets advice to come up with a bogus home business. It just so happens that she comes to me for the tax return and whatta you know, she has earned $14,000 from her home business. Strangely enough she doesn't have any expenses for this business. I emplore her to come up with some expenses to reduce the income to pay less tax. She keeps insisting that she has no expenses. She knows the rules of the game. She qualifies for the $4,000 EIC. This is a big red flag for us tax preparers. Most of the time people cheat by claiming less income than they earn or more expenses than they incurred. But, claiming income you didn't earn to qualify for the EIC is also tax fraud. What do I do? First you should know that low income people are not my target market. It is too much work for too little pay. H&R Blank can do a fine job for these people. I will politely tell her that I can't help her and direct her to the closest H&R Block office.

The Duck Won

Thanks to all of those who called or wrote to their Congressperson, the illegal alien amnesty bill died in the Senate last week. This bill was wrong from the start and it was mostly predicted that it would fail. Nevertheless, the conservative talk radio circuit was credited with a large influence in getting this wrong-headed legislation squashed. By the way, there is no real liberal talk radio circuit. Why? Because nobody listens to that garbage. It's all about making money folks. If it don't sell it ain't gonna be offered.

It is understandable why the liberals want amnesty for illegals. They see large cadres of future voters. But, it boggles my mind when some conservatives including the sitting President are in favor of this amnesty. I understand that they want cheap labor for their business owner constituency. But, are they really thinking ahead to all those future liberal voters?

The answer to illegal immigration is simple. First, enforce the 1986 law by fining and jailing employers who hire illegals. And, don't tell me that employers can't determine who is illegal. All they have to do is sign up with the Social Security Administration and then go online to verify the last name of employees against SSN's. This enforcement will cause hundreds of thousands of illegals to self-deport. Once the word gets back to the homeland the flood of new illegals will dry up. Next, carry out the law passed last October and build the double fence from California into Texas. Lastly, amend the constitute to stop the automatic citizenship for anchor babies dropped into this country by illegals.

One more thing. I have heard several liberals say that the illegals pay taxes. This is simply not true. Firstly, a lot of illegals work in the underground market, get paid in cash and never have taxes withheld. Then most of those that have either stolen a Social Security Number from a dead person or obtained a TIN and have taxes withheld are getting the withholding refunded and if their income is between $10,000 and $19,000 and they have two children, they get a $4,000 Earned Income Credit from the Federal coffers. So, not only are these individuals not paying taxes, they get a check for $4,000 from the taxes that you pay.

My last question. When are you going to get angry enough about all this to vote these liberals out of office?

El Mirage Dry lake Bed

My friend Ray invited me to join him and his son at El Mirage dry lake bed and OHV area. This is in the high desert north and east of Los Angeles. The elevation is about 4,000 feet but it is the desert so the daytime temperatures were about 95. Saturday evening was cool for excellent sleeping in Ray's motor home. I did a few excursions on one of Ray's dirt bikes. Also in the group was Greg Smith and Ray Reibling from NDT Systems where I worked back in the early 90's. I helped get my friend Ray (Bowman) a job there. So, Greg and I did an excursion on a couple of ATVs. No pics of the ATVs but we did some steep hill climbing that was lots of fun. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Dry lake in background

It looks Like A Duck And We Ain't Gonna Take It Anymore

Today the US Senate put forth a bill of amnesty for all the illegal aliens in this country. The proponents of this bill claim that it is not amnesty because it provides that illegal aliens must earn their citizenship.

Statistics show that the majority of illegal aliens in this county are from south of the boarder. Statistics also show that these individuals have a very low incidence of applying for citizenship when they can compared to aliens from other countries. Why is this? The answer is obvious. They are not interested in becoming citizens. They want jobs so they can send money home to their family. (Money flowing from the US to Mexico from immigrants is the second largest source of funds for Mexico after oil sales.) They want a better life. They want free education for their anchor babies. They want free health care. They don’t want citizenship because they don’t need it to get all those other benefits. There is also a large portion of these people that want to retake the land that the US took from Mexico three hundred years ago. Why would they want to become citizens of the US when they believe that the land will be a part of Mexico again some day.

So, what does this bill do to foster amnesty. Upon this bill becoming law every illegal alien who came to the US before January 1, 2007 could immediately apply for work authorization with no cost or questions asked. In the single stroke of a pen all twenty million illegal aliens in this county no longer have any fear of being deported. They become legal aliens. There is no requirement in the bill for any of them to apply for citizenship – they don’t have to earn anything. They don’t have to return home and then come back again. They don’t have to pay the $5,000. They are suddenly all legal.

This will do exactly what the 1986 amnesty bill did – draw another estimated one hundred million illegal aliens across our boarders. Who will pay the entitlement costs for these new illegal immigrants and the twenty million already here? The middle class, that is who.

US Senator Jim DeMint:
"But the little we do know about the bill is troubling. According to reports, the bill contains a new 'Z Visa' that allows those who entered our country illegally to stay here permanently without ever returning home. This rewards people who broke the law with permanent legal status, and puts them ahead of millions of law-abiding immigrants waiting to come to America. I don't care how you try to spin it, this is amnesty."

You must contact your representative in Congress and tell them you are not being fooled by this sham bill. Turn off the TV and do your civic duty to save this country. http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Three Generations on The Queen Mary

My father John S. Rumbold (center, taking a shot) aft port side October 14-19, 1936 somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean on a westbound voyage.

Me (John G. Rumbold) November 1993 Long Beach, CA when my mom and I did a tour. Notice that stairs have been installed for the tours now that classes are no longer separated.

John A. (Andy) Rumbold & Dorinda Rumbold May 2007 Long Beach, CA.

Walk on the Lake

Andy and Dorinda are visitng for a week. They arrived Saturday afternoon. Saturday evening we went to seethe moview "Breach" at the Starplex where the tickets are $1.50. Today we went to the 11:00 AM service at Chrystal Cathedral (www.crystalcathedral.org) where Dr. Robert Schuller and his sone Pastor Robert Schuller officiated. Then we went for a walk up to and around North Lake in the Woodbridge Village area of Irvine.

Click to enlarge.

Dining Set

I got this dining set today after spending a few weeks searching on Craigslist and the local furniture stores. This was a floor model on sale. And, just in time too. Andy and Dorinda are arriving on Saturday and they are probably expecting to have an occasional meal. I had sold the dining set I bought in 1989 when I moved last year. It was a brass base with glass top. The brass on the chairs had turned black which one might have thought was the style rather than the age. So, it would have been time for a new set anyway - after 17 years. This is Prairie View dark oak. You can Google that and see some of the other pieces. This is 42" x 60" and the top pulls apart to reveal a flip up leaf that extends it to 78".

Click to enlarge. BTW - this is a stock photo, not my dining room.

Spring Time in California

Yes, even out here where it never snows we get spring flowers. This is the walk up to my front door. Lots of color to brighten the day. Click on image to enlarge.

Easter - OK, a little late

I went to Crystal Cathedral for the evening Easter service. This picture from my cell phone is not too good but it shows that the entire stage was filled with flowers. Even the cross was covered with flowers.

Auction March 30

NOTE: THIS ITEM IS UP FOR SALE ON SATURDAY, MARCH 31
The Duke and Dutchess of Leeds are going on the auction block March 30 at Eldred's in Dennis, MA. Check out the link: http://www.eldreds.com/sales/detail.php?itemID=104602

I think it will be simultaneous on live Ebay but the estaimated value is very low so perhaps not worth watching.

Very sad to think of the many years these two looked over us in the music room.
Also see the tall case clock for the June auction at Eldred's
http://www.eldreds.com/sales/detail.php?itemID=105846

Pictures have Arrived

The 436 slides from Elmcroft that we had digitized have arrived. We probably threw away more than that of slides that we could not identify or slides from various trips to Europe that mom took. I will try to post some on Snapfish. At some point I will catalog them all so that future generations will know what each one is.

Isn't Andy cute? ................Those were the days - snow at Elmcroft

Office Guest Chairs

These are better overall views of the office to give you all an idea as to why I cannot put the desk in the middle of the room. Besides, all the wires hanging under the front edge would look aweful. I have a surge strip under there, a few of those power modules and lots of bundled wires. So, I got two guest chairs tonight just in time for my first two clients on Saturday. I had seen these at Office Depot a week ago and they told me they were $25 each. I shopped a bit and went back last weekend only to be told that they were now $54 each. Tonight I drove all over the place looking for something - even Ikea - and couldn't find anything decent for less than $80. So, I went back to Office Depot annd asked the price again. The lady told me $54 again and then she said that two weeks ago they were on sale fo $16.99 each. I offered her the $16.99 and after checking with the manager I got them for that price. Yes, yes, I know. Now I have enough money left over to buy a new task chair for myself. Ok, one thing at a time.

Home Office at 50% +

The Rumbold Financial & Tax Advisory home office is well on its way to completion. All the computer gear is now connected, functional, and neatly tucked in around the edges. The cable modem, wireless router, external backup hard drive, printer server and the two printers are all located in the wall unit to the right. The computer, scanner and new flat monitor are on the desk. I avoided having to have a new cable outlet put in the wall behind the wall unit by running the cable from the opposite wall under the edge of the carpet. Next I need to tackle the bookshelf and get all the files organized. Then hang my diplomas and a few pictures.

SETTLED!

The two little fern plants that Andy and Dorinda gave me up on Cape Cod are now settled in their new home in the greenhouse window of the kitchen. They made it across country on the floor of the passenger seat although I had to bring them in at night to keep them from freezing. Imagine, I took the southern route across country to avoid winter weather and I ran into winter weather.

The moving van arrived Saturday morning and so far I have set up sleeping, bathing and eating facilities. I also got a washer and dryer so I can do laundry. Next is getting my office set up so I can start meeting clients. My three piece black wall unit doesn't fit so I will have to take it apart and use two of the pieces separate. But before that I have to get my internet service set up.

ARRIVED!

I arrived in California at 4 PM PST today. Most of the entire trip was in cold rain. When I left Andy & Dorinda's on Monday it was raining all through PA but overcast and mostly dry down through the backbone of Virginia and into North Carrolina. The trip from North Carolina to Houston on Tuesday took about 14.5 hours and was mostly rain, heavy at times. When I left Houston on Thursday it was raining. The freezing rain was in the north of Houston. When I got to San Antonio there was ice covering the trees and big icicles hanging from the the street signs. There was a lot of ice piled on the sides of the freeway. When I left Las Cruces, New Mexico at 5 AM on Friday it was raining and 34 degrees over the Continental Divide. It rained heavy all the way through Phoenix and across the California border. When I got to Orange County this afternoon, it was sunny and 70 degrees. I'm a little dazed right now. My furniture arrives tomorrow morning.

Many thanks to Andy & Dorinda for the room on Sunday night. Sorry for the short visit. The visit with mom's friend from Sumatra on Monday evening was very rewarding. Part of the letting go process. Also, many thanks to Melissa and Rob for the room on Tuesday and Wednesday night and for the wonderful tour of NASA. A new chapter now begins and I place my trust in God for what the future brings.

Mission Control Center Houston

Melissa and Rob took Jonathan and I on a private tour of the NASA Houston space center. We toured the simulators for the Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS). Then we were allowed into the Mission Control Center (MCC) for the ISS. We also toured the mockup training building for the space shuttle and ISS. Click on pictures to enlarge.

ISS MCC ....................................Sitting at the ADCO console
ADCO = Attitude Determination & Control Officer (One of Melissa's roles)


Shuttle MCC ............................. Old Apollo MCC


Shuttle mockup ....................... Robot arm mockup trainer


Payload bay mockup

Grace Goodell

Grace Goodell is a friend of mom's from the days in Sumatra in the 1930's and Malaya in 1947. Grace and her husband Val came to Boenot, Sumatra in 1935. My mom and dad had been there since 1933. Grace, Vall and their three children had a harrowing escape from Sumatra in 1942 as the Japanese were occupying the island. They managed to get a boat around the cape of South America and about a day out from New Orleans their ship evaded a German torpedo. Grace is 98 years old, still drives and is very lively. We had dinner together in her retirement community in Hendersonville, NC. Then we went back to her apartment and I showed her the DVD movies from Sumatra. She identified the man at the beginning ad Bill Giddings. We also looked at the picture album of Sumatgra photos. We both had a wonderful time and parting was a sweet sorrow.

California Bound

After a very tumultuous year, I have decided to return to California and pick up where I left off. I have secured a part-time consulting assignment with my previous employer - Cemtek Environmental and I hope to secure other consulting assignments with business owners that I know in the area. These assignments are and will be in line with my personal financial planning career ambitions. I will also be greaing up my tax practice by springboarding off the 25 clients I currently have in California. I have a home in Irvine under contract. It is a small home with a den that I will use as an office for my tax practice until I get it going in a few years and can afford a real office. Strangely enough, the home is in the Woodbridge area of Irvine.





I will be driving across country, leaving on the 15th and stopping at the Greens for a day or two.