Our Story (85 Percent): Our Life Lately

My commitment to writing regularly has suffered so I’m consolidating the activities of the last month into one blog posting.

Lance is coaching a second season of basketball. His team, the Gryphons, have had a disappointing season thus far, having only one their first game. We are starting to question Lance’s coaching abilities. It seems to be a repeat of last season when his team won their first game and lost every following game. We are having fun and making new friends. Lance coaches 8 and 9-year olds, and because he enjoys it so much, he will continue to coach while Brandon advances in the league until he is 14 years old. It is rewarding to watch these kids grow up and to know the impact you have made in their lives. Brandon is irrefutably the best player on the team. The Gryphons will be playing the Running Rebels on Saturday. This is the only team they have beaten, but Brandon had to make a decision because a conflict arose. He is scheduled to lead the pledge allegiance and flag salute with his Boy Scout troop at the Fountain Valley High School Baseball opening ceremony. There will be more basketball games and so Brandon will miss the game, and honestly, without Brandon, the chances of winning become very slim. Brandon is also now registered to play in the Boys and Girls Club (off season) and for some reason, he wouldn’t play without Lance coaching him so Lance agreed. We have determined that if the team at the Boys and Girls Club have similar ratings/standings (another losing season), then it is definitely Coach Lance’s coaching abilities.

Because of the commitment to coaching, it has been very challenging to juggle the boat. Lance tries to make it to San Diego every weekend, but he doesn’t have the two full days. He is so talented. He installed new instruments on a wooden display. It is gorgeous. He also began working on our upstairs bedroom. He installed two windows that just give us the most glorious ocean view. He also installed four porthole windows that actually open that will help circulate the air. I’m hoping the bedroom will be completed in the next few months so that the dogs and I can accompany him to San Diego regularly. He is going to create a custom bed. He continually leaves me in awe.

It’s slowly coming together. In a few years, the boat will be ready for charter services. As the name dictates, Lance will be chartering Tide the Knott for small, intimate weddings.

No windows yet

First two set of large wiindos installed

Outside view of the windows

Stabilizing port hole windows

Outsie view of large and port hole windows

wooden frame for gadgets

before the wooden frame

Finished wooden frame and instruments

The last two months have been stressful as my future was at a crossroad. I have been in my current position as the assistant to the CEO for 11 years, and I am damn good at what I do. In fact, there is no one better. I don’t care if that sounds arrogant because frankly, it is true. However, I have maxed out at my salary range, and an opportunity presented itself for a new position in another department. I applied. I interviewed. I was left with a big decision. I didn’t know what to do. I frantically called Lance who was in San Diego, and after several failed attempts, we connected. He told to stay in my current position because I have such influence, power, flexibility, and freedom in my current job. I have so much trust in Lance. He could tell me to do almost anything, and I would do it. I trust his judgment and his wisdom. It was a very difficult decision, but I was motivated by one thing: Retirement. I am trying to expedite my retirement so that I could spend my time with Lance, my kids, and the family. After two grueling months of weighing pros and cons, I will remain in my position until I retire. I feel happy and relieved with the decision.

My three CEOs that I have assisted in the 11 years

I am the boss!

I have also been playing with retirement scenarios. I’m a bit passionate about this, but with the numbers plugged in, the goal stands as Lance will retire at the end of August 2024. He will be 65. I will continue to work until December 2025. I will be 53 when I retire. Mia will be three months shy of turning 18 and six months short of graduation. I am so excited I can taste it. It is not that far off….nine years.

Dylan and I ran the Surf City Half Marathon on Superbowl Sunday. This race is meaningful to me because it was my first half marathon, and it was also the course, I received my PR in. I ran it in 2:07:20. I was pleased with the time. LA marathon is about 5 weeks away. I have two 20 mile runs, one 18 mile run, and then I start tapering down.

Dylan shows off bling

Lance and I not only support Wildlife SOS, but we are now foster parents to a baby elephant named Mbegu. Her story is sad. She was left behind by her herd when an elephant in her herd killed a villager. The villagers became enraged and killed an elephant. The herd stampeded out and poor Mbegu was left behind. The village was so angry and they wanted vengeance. They attacked baby Mbegu with spears. She was frightened and ran into a classroom at a school where the kids began throwing rocks at her. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust came and rescued her. She was only 7 weeks old. Now, this is truly an amazing organization that rescues orphaned elephants in Kenya. I know people think we are nuts, but I don’t care. It is our money, our time, and our choice.

When I received my raise, the first thing I did was increase my financial commitment to Wildlife SOS. I love my elephants.