Expansion of the Quayle Estate

Well, this is a long and sorted story so pull up a seat and try to understand this insanity. About two years ago we were living what we thought was a semi-normal life. Jim had retired and was watching our grandson every day while our son and his wife, Faye, were both teaching full time. They were living in a nice new home they had built about two years earlier. But, semi-normal life was about to see a little twist (Ha!).

Jan (Bless her dear sweet soul) happened to mention to the kids that it sure would save a lot of time and money if they were to move in with us. We had this huge property that was becoming too much for us to handle by ourselves. They, having such a wonderful new home, were not the least bit interested. So, we were thinking of selling and moving up to the Sierras when Jan retired. While we were looking at mountain real estate Jeff and Faye were thinking about the future. They were wanting to enlarge their family and Faye didn't want to work full time any longer. A few quick calculations showed that this scenario would make finances pretty tight, so guess what??? The next thing we new they had sold their home and moved in with us. Thus began the expansion of the Quayle Estate.

We started by remodeling the existing house. It was in dire need of some help anyway. We totally gutted our master bedroom and bath, reworked electrical, installed additional insulation, added an indoor laundry and closet, removed an old "cottage cheese" ceiling and paneling from the walls, repaired some dry rot, installed all new drywall and texture, installed all new fixtures, new flooring and carpet... and this was just the start! This new master bedroom and bath were to serve as our little apartment for the next fifteen months while we remodeled the rest of the house, tore down the garage, and constructed an 1115 square foot addition.

The new addition was to be finished by the time the new baby arrived. Yep, you heard me right. Jeff and Faye were now expecting baby number two. This gave Jim new motivation and "pressure" because the baby was due in June. Needless to say Jim has yet to experience what real retirement is like. June came and went and we had a precious new baby girl in the house with all kinds of construction going on. It also seemed like every time we turned around there were construction delays. The roof framer decided he didn't want to do it. So, we had to find another one in the peak of the construction season. The doors and windows were delivered too soon and were stacked wrong, so they were ruined and had to be reordered, the electrician decided he was too busy and this was too small a job to waste his time on so he bombed out. Jim ended up doing the entire elecrical job himself. On and on it went. Guess when we finally moved in? Halloween! And we still had things to finish (we still do). But, at least we were settled in by the holidays, and it has been wonderful to finally get back to a "semi-normal" life. What a joke!

The Scoop on Jan

Jan works as a teaching assistant at a middle school, and deals primarily with troubled students... not an easy job! She has been doing it since our kids went to middle school... about fifteen years. Some days are more rewarding than others. When she is not busy with kids she helps the office staff with various projects.

At home she is the "administrative officer" of our family. She is as efficient and organized as they come. It is awesome! But her real passion is giving. If you give the smallest hint you like, want, or need something she is on it like bees on a honeycomb. She is amazing!! If we were to ever win the lottery she would go crazy doing things for others. But, for fun and relaxation she enjoys reading, and going to movies. She also loves munching on grand kids (and her husband) of course:)

This next year is going to be an interesting one for Jan. She is going to have two surgeries. In January she is going to have surgery to remove a cataract from one of her eyes. She will also get a new lens implanted so that she will not need glasses any more. Any kind of surgery is no fun, but she is excited about the prospects of not wearing glasses. Her second surgery will hopefully occur in May or early June, and will not be nearly as much "fun". While we were dating, many years ago, she broke her ankle pretty bad and had to have a metal pin put in. Over the years this has caused arthritis and the deterioration of the cartilage in the primary joint in her ankle. So, they are going to go in and remove the pin, and fuse her ankle together. Needless to say, we are not planning any long trips this summer! I (Jim) am studying up on some nursing skills. I will be serving her a lot for a change... She is looking forward to that part too. Keep us in your prayers for all this stuff. Maybe we can get out and have more fun in 2008.

Our Current Situation

The photo below was taken on a cruise to Alaska in August 2004. We have always wanted to visit this awesome state, and it was in celebration of my (Jim's) retirement. I served as a Senior Landscape Architect and Project Manager with the California State Park System for over 28 years. I am now spending my days munching on grandchildren (My favorite pastime), working with a para-church missions group, remodeling our old house, constructing an 1115 sq/ft addition to the house, working part time as a handyman/electrician, working part time as a customer service representative for a flooring company, doing general maintenance and clean-up around the property, sitting in the spa, and of course making regular trips to the Chiropractor......just to name a few. Jan hasn't retired yet. She keeps saying "next year"....I'm not holding my breath. She loves her job anyway, praise the Lord.

Our Starting Point

Our Journey started about 42 years ago in a gorgeous place called Yosemite National Park. Jan and I were both attending a church week-end retreat. Little did either of us know that event would alter the course of our lives. We fell in love at first sight and have never looked back. There is just something about the glow of a campfire, if you know what I mean. That week-end we were able to witness the last historic fire-fall performed in the valley. But, the fire actually fell into our hearts that beautiful starry night as we sat in the middle of a meadow to watch, and it has been burning ever since. Of course there has been "hotter" times than others, but the fire just wouldn't be as interesting if it stayed at the same intensity all the time. It has definitely been an interesting journey, and this is the place we can share a little bit of it with you. We hope to add more pictures to this site for your enjoyment. Let us hear from you too! This isn't intended to be a one-way street.