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Camp Layman, Plumas National Forest, 9/20/17 – 9/24/17

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Camp Layman, Plumas National Forest, 9/20/17 – 9/24/17

This year for our annual ‘guys’ camping weekend, the five of us headed up to a new spot we had never camped together previously. It was a gorgeous cabin-camping area called Camp Layman located in the beautiful Plumas National Forest.

The destination of these yearly cabin-camping trips is always different and picked by our fearless leader, Frank-buddy.  I generally don’t pay any sort of attention to where we are going other we will be camping in the Forest somewhere.

 

We generally take a similar route out of San Jose and head Northeast for roughly a 4-hour drive and then the last 1 hour of the drive takes us to our unique destination.  However, on the drive to this year’s cabin as we approached the 4-hour drive time the road became strangely familiar to me. As it turns out, ironically enough, Camp Layman is located just outside of a small town called Graeagle. Graegale is where we host our annual guys weekend golf tournament!

I instantly had a great feeling that the guys and I were going to have a great and fun experience because, having spent so much time in the Graeagle area, I knew the location was nice, the people are extremely friendly and we weren’t so remote that we didn’t have resources such as a locate grocery store, if needed.

 

Upon arrival we were greeted by the extremely friendly camp hosts. They provided us with all the camp information such as the amenities of the cabins, which did NOT include internet service, as well as other things we should know such a communal fire pit and BBQ area. The overall experience at Camp Layman was so wonderful because everything was so clean and taken care of. The camp hosts really encourage these sorts of communal activities and all of the cabins instantly became friends amongst each other.

The cabins themselves are super clean and have everything we need as we were ‘roughing it’. Inside the cabins, they have hot showers, a stove with plenty of dishes, a coffee pot, refrigerator and, for the first time in our cabin-camping experience, some really nice interior decorations. There were several beautifully hand-drawings handing on the walls.

Our cabin was 4-5-person capacity with four beds. So, before you jump to any conclusions about the sleeping arrangements how 5 guys and 4 beds works out, let me just say that, as in every previous year, I just end of sleeping on the couch. I actually prefer this because I like to spend all of my waking time chatting and having a good time with the guys so there generally isn’t much sleeping happening anyway.  Being a couch-dweller enables me to be in the middle of the action at all times.

There were roughly 15-20 total cabins at Camp Layman of various sizes and capacities.  Some looked like they could be 1-2-person cabins and then there was at least one cabin that was 10-12-person capacity. There was a nice little creek that ran out front of each cabin which was a nice little, subtle touch of ambiance.

The guys and I would spend our days hiking, shooting, conversing about politics, sports and family-life. Then each afternoon we would do a delicious BBQ for lunch. One of the other nice things about Camp Layman was that they provided a BBQ grill for each cabin. We always bring our own but it was nice to not have to haul out our BBQ. This was a nice surprise that allowed the campers more time to enjoy each other’s company instead of hauling gear.

In the evening’s each night the five of us would gather at the communal fire pit with our fellow Camp Layman campers and spend some really great time getting to know each other and sharing interesting stories.

 

 

So, in summary, let me please provide my ratings:

 

Location: Cromburg, CA = 8 out of 10 Steeler Stars

Cabin: Camp Layman = 9.5 out of 10 Steeler Stars

Fellow Campers: 5 dudes and 2 dogs = 10 out of 10 Steeler Stars

Food: 9 out of 10 Steeler Stars

Drink: 7 out of 10 Steeler Stars

 

I had a lot of fun guys and I look forward to next year!

Sincerely,

Kevin

Considering a Jack companion

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May 1st, 2017

Hey Honey Baby-Bella,

We miss you so much that you can’t believe it. The house is so empty without you.

We want to share some updates with you while you wait for us and play at Rainbow Bridge with all our beloved friends and family.

First of all, Jack says he misses his sister tremendously. I actually had to translate into English because his exact words were something like “ruff, ruff, woof, bark, woof, ruff”. He’s continually searching the house for you, but he obviously comes up empty in his search. It’s sad; frankly. Brandee and I are giving him extra-special attention because he deserves it and he’s being as strong as can be expected. We can tell from the look in his eyes, his body behavior and his overall attitude that he deserves a sibling.

Considering a sibling for Jack is in no way ever meant as an intention to replace you; that is never, ever possible in a trillion years. Rather, as Brandee and I have discussed ad nauseam, a sincere effort to enhance Jack’s quality of life. Also, as you certainly can appreciate, our families love for animals is tremendous. If we can help one other animal to have a better life then we want to do this in all sincerity.

Brandee, Jack and I have been so antsy here without you that it’s unbelievable and we want to focus this energy on doing some good. Therefore, we think adoption of a brother or sister for Jackson is the right thing. No way are we going to rush into any unnatural or unconformable adoption because the correct-match must feel right for all of us.

This all said, we have been to two animal shelters on Sunday and today at PetSmart to see who is available for adoption. Brandee and I are very open-minded as to whether Jack would like a feline or canine sibling and we are still 50/50 on the decision. We simply aren’t sure right now. One decision that we did discover was that it’s clear that he needs a younger sibling that he can play with like he did with you. You two were such a great brother/sister duo. I’ve been busy watching videos and reviewing photos of you two playing together and it’s truly heartwarming in this difficult time. Thanks for being such a purr-fect daughter!

As a quick side note I would like to share this quick mention about Brandee’s beautiful character. A result of visiting the animal shelters the past few days is that she had the great fortune to personally meet and get to know a bit of the background stories for several of the animals. Her compassion for wanting to help these animals to get rescued has resulted in her activism. Now she is sharing her experience with these shelter animals (named QUEEN and ROXY, in this particular case) on social media to share awareness in the hopes that someone will consider adoption. I think it’s absolutely wonderful and I’m sure you would agree Baaaabbbbyyyyy-Furr!

Oh, Bella, this is a very major decision for us because if we do adopt then we are fully committed. There are so many considerations, and almost guilt, even considering this so close to your journey to Rainbow Bridge. Please help guide us to make the proper decision whatever it may be.

We love you to forever and back again!!!

 

Love your forever family,

Kevin, Brandee and Jack

Letter to Big Sis in pet heaven at Rainbow Bridge

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April 30th, 2017

To: Big Sis in pet heaven at Rainbow Bridge

From: Your Bro

 

Hey Bella,

Disclaimer: This is your Mommy and Daddy writing on behalf of your younger brother, Jackson.

Ya see, I’m not so good on working the computer keyboard because I have paws and not human fingers, just like you, my beautiful sister. I’m sure you can relate even though you are feline and I’m canine, it’s certainly a RUFF situation. Get it, did you like my joke? Are you going to DOG me about it?

Hey sis, in all seriousness, I miss you so much but I have great comfort to know that you are comfortable in our ultimate together-forever heaven waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge. Sissy, you and I had been together for 9 years, if you can believe it or not. We have spent nearly every night together as brother and sister since the day Mommy and Daddy brought me home to live with you 9 years ago.

I wanted to share a few memories with you and ask a few questions while I’m at it.  Why is it that many times you would stand-guard between me and the doorway that would not allow me in the house? You know….like those times you would sit right smack in the middle of the doorway and I would have to wait outside and whimper until Mommy and Daddy would come save me from your terror. Were you trying to keep all of Mom and Dad’s affection for yourself? That was kinda rude Big Sis, but it was funny nonetheless. I hope you are nicer to me at Rainbow Bridge. 😊

Sis, it’s been very different in the house with Mommy and Daddy the past few days without you being here with us. We all so much enjoyed our time with you that we were in certain routines. For example, those times that you would come and rub whiskers with me was very precious moments that I pretended to be afraid, however, and in reality, I truly enjoyed.

Mom, Dad and I have simple Bella-routine items that give us great joy, yet also elicit extreme sadness that you are not here with us now. I’m still in the habit of sniffing around the house looking for wherever you might have hunkered-down but I can never find you anymore, it’s just habit. It’s also just habit that Mom and Dad continually look over to our couch, or your food bowl as if you are still there. It’s very sad actually and we all miss your physical presence immensely.

Sis, I want you to know that I also sincerely appreciate your mature mentorship as an older sister to teach me great values in the life of a pet. Such qualities as always control Mommy and Daddy’s emotions, or pets always eat on-time or play with me when only I want to on my schedule. Big Sissy, you and I had these humanoids trained like nobody’s business! We deserve a high four-pawed/and one dewclaw for that! Never once did they catch on to our language of ‘Bark this’ and ‘Meow that’. These animal code words worked for our effective communication smoothly and kept the parental units oblivious to our true intentions of driving them crazy with their desire to know what we were bark/meow-ing about. Shall we enlighten them finally at Rainbow Bridge?

The crazy human parents also used crazy names for both of us which I never completely understood such as “Jackson VonMunster”, “BellaRingMoskaDoody”, “Bella-A-Jackson” or even “Jack-A-Ringa”. What gives with these Mommy and Daddy-type people??? However strange they might be, I know that Brandee and Kevin always had our best interest, care and love as their top priority. They never spared any time, resource or expense to take care of us and I’m sure you are as grateful of them to be our parents as I am.

I will write you as often as I can with updates and, again, save a nice place for the three of us at Rainbow Bridge. Until then, please enjoy your pain-free, youthful energy revitalization among so many great friends and family until we meet again and cross Rainbow Bridge together.

 

Love,

Your loving Brother, Jackson

Letter to pet heaven in care of Isabella Annamarie Neal

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April 27th, 2017

To:

The Rainbow Bridge, Pet Heaven

c/o: Isabella Annamarie Neal

 

From:

Your loving Mommy, Daddy and Brother

 

Dear Bella-Ringa,

You are such a beloved daughter to Brandee and I, as well as a wonderful sister to your younger brother, Jackson. We trust that your lovely spirit has made the well-deserved safe passage to the most beautiful pet heaven one could ever imagine called The Rainbow Bridge.

While we miss you tremendously since you went to wait for us at Rainbow Bridge on April 27th, 2017, we have much comfort that you are no long in pain. It is comforting to know that at Rainbow Bridge you have great friends, family and a peaceful environment while we wait to see each other again before crossing the bridge together to live for eternity as a family.

“The [Rainbow Bridge] story describes a bucolic place “just this side of heaven,” where dogs and cats, bunnies and birds, all live peacefully among the gentle meadows and hills, running and cavorting together in the lush green grass.

They are all young again, in perfect health, and want for nothing – except the humans they loved. One by one, they wait for us at the Bridge, and when our time comes their eyes light up in indescribable joy as we join them, to cross the Rainbow Bridge together.”

Baby-Furr, you provided our family with nearly 15 years of beautiful times, great lifetime memories and your unwavering love. For this, Brandee, Jack and I can never thank you enough.

You entered our lives’ as a scrawny, nearly hair-less, wide-eyed baby at roughly 6 weeks of age. When we first introduced you to our backyard lawn and this thing called ‘grass’ you were frightened beyond belief. Do you remember? After a little time then you became very adjusted to the grass and, in fact, in the warm summer days you would go frolic in the lawn and roll around enjoying the coolness of the grass blades.

In your younger days, you spent much of your time sitting on Brandee’s laptop in our office just watching us work. Remember those nice summer days we spent together working hard together? Do you recall your strange interest in sleeping in Mommy or Daddy’s work chairs in your youth?

After becoming a young-adult, you certainly established your independent spirit that is forever your legacy. Did you know that Mommy setup a Facebook page for you where you became an international sensation with so many people that cared about your every activity? Maybe not since computer keyboards aren’t so conducive for your pretty-paws to type, they are much better for pawtograph’s.

The limited details of your upbringing that Brandee and I hardly even know is that you, as compared to your litter-mates, had to always fight for everything. And this you did well! This includes your early days as a kitten just to get healthy and survive at only a few weeks old. Then you had to fight to protect your naturally-instinctive territory (which was our collective home) where you might get it cat-fights occasionally. Lastly, when Brandee, Jack or I did something awful to you like touch your sensitive-tummy, you would lash-out with a vengeance. Mommy, Daddy and Jack have the scars to prove it! Do you feel that you owe us any apologies? Seriously, none needed, and we now wear these battle scars with as forever memories of your beautiful spunkiness until we meet again at Rainbow Bridge.

In your seriously rebellious years, you would disappear from dusk ‘till dawn. Mommy and Daddy will never ask wherever, or whatever, you were doing for all these hours each day because you always came home safe to us which was the most important thing in the world to us. Maybe you will share your secret after we all cross Rainbow Bridge together?

Oh, little-baby-furr-of-all-furrs, I will never forget the sweet sounds of Brandee calling you home because it was getting late and nearing your curfew. As you recall, Brandee would go into the backyard, shake a canister of your cat food and bellow, “Here kitty, kitty. Bella, here kitty, kitty. Time to come home.” And, right on cue, you would come prancing like a little princess and have dinner in the house with us.

Bellaringamoskadoody, did you ever really fight hard when we shaved you down like a little lioness for the summertime? We know that you are completely capable of putting up a significant resistance when you wanted to, but you seemed a little tame on these occasions. It seemed that you put-up a fake resistance to us just so that you let us know that you were still the boss. I hope you know Mommy and Daddy only did this for your personal comfort. In fact, we thought you looked quite sexy in your summer outfits.

In your elderly years, Ringin’-of-Rocka, this was actually the most precious of times for me, personally and selfishly. Although you had slowed down to never leave the yard anymore, Brandee, Jack and I got to spend more time with you which was such a precious prize for all of us. Brandee and you became so close that it was absolutely heartwarming to witness. You also were so “cuddly” with Jack and we loved to hold you so tight, so often. It was these past few months of forever moments that I will never forget and that I cherish most.

Our beautiful Bella, in summary, you are terribly missed because you were, and always will be, such an important part of our lives. We have all these questions posed above for you, as well as millions more. Your loving family so much looks forward to the future where we can be with you once again to ask you these questions to your pretty, furry-whiskery face personally as we often did with ‘bella-speak’. It’s such a refreshing thought that eventually we can spend eternity together! We love you SO much for your perfect companionship, wonderful personality as well as spunky spirit.

 

Love you the most until we meet again at Rainbow Bridge,

Daddy, Mommy and Brother

Kevin Neal Life Update 4/23/2017

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Neal Family Update

Brandee, Jack, Bella, the fish and myself continue to live a quiet life during our ‘home time’ together with each other over the past few months. As much as I’d like to share a wonderful story of happiness each time I share one of these Life Update blogs, the truth of the matter is this always can’t be the case.

Bella continues her slow journey to Rainbow Bridge eventually. She continues to have a spunky-spirit, at times and, that alone, motivates me to live out her days however she sees fit without my intervention. Of course, if she becomes in any obvious pain or distress we will certainly not let her suffer. However, until then Brandee, Jack and I are spoiling Bella rotten (as should be). Jack is such a terrific younger brother that senses something is amiss with his sister and he’s such a good boy. Please pray for Bella’s comfort.

 

Preparing for Summer 2017

In the Neal Family Casa, we absolutely love the summer time, probably like most of you, and we are starting to prepare some fun-in-the-sun come Summer 2017! We have a lot to do include cleaning the pool, preparing the yard and even re-configuring the house for entertaining. We really enjoy it and are looking forward to a great time with family and friends again this year.

Our typical summer consists of many BBQ’s, swimming and friendly socializing. I don’t expect that this year would be too unlike previous years but we must add something special each year. For this year, I think the concept of ‘Fun in the Sun” should be the theme. This simply means that the Neal’s will move our hospitality to pool-side, or close as we can to the pool. Previously our guests had to come into our house to gets items such as refreshing drinks, swim towels or snacks. For Summer 2017, we will move everything poolside to enhance the experience and make everyone’s visit even more enjoyable.

 

P3iD Cloud Business Update

There have been many significant updates on the business. Firstly, as we promised to potential investors when we officially launched the business on April 25th, 2016, we will act like a public Company with quarterly business updates; which we have done each quarter for the past year.

Secondly, it’s been fantastic to meet with, as well as re-connect with, so many great potential business partners to explore mutual business interests. As a general theme, I think it’s clear that no matter what size of Company you are, or how much resource is available to you or what vertical market you might think you own; the fact of the matter is that not one size fits all. An agile Company such as P3iD Cloud, using modern technology tools with an experienced team is precisely what the market demands. Especially in this era of cloud-computing and web-services mashup.

In this great time of mashup web service applications, the highest quality of Enterprise-type applications can be created in a fraction of the time, with greatly reduced deployment times as well as drastically decreased integration and maintenance costs.

The P3iD Cloud team is excited for the future and have a logo enhancement suggestion. We would like your opinion. Do you prefer the new P3iD Cloud logo of (A) or the current P3iD cloud log of (B)? Please leave your vote below.

(A)

(B)