The birth of Orange Krate...

[arod55]

Orange Crate, I found the perfect bike for you. Its made by Giant, and its called a Simple. How do I know this, well it my daily driver ha,ha.

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by arod55

Orange Crate, I found the perfect bike for you. Its made by Giant, and its called a Simple. How do I know this, well it my daily driver ha,ha.

Looks like the perfect bike too! No frills and built to ride hard.

[Orange Krate]

Our darling Orange Krate finally has a real California Birth Certificate and tags!

My wife agreed to run up to the AAA and pick up my personalized plates while I was at work. At lunch time I get a cell phone text saying she loves me and an attached picture below. She was teasing me with the new plate procurement. What a great lady she is.

I got home that night after a laborious commute and put the plates on the car and took a hurried photo (below #2).

More daytime shots coming soon. I smell a Vegas run in the works!

[Orange Krate]

I have been visiting Chevy Mall and ordered a couple of things. T-Shirts for his and her, 1/16 Scale IOM 2010 SS Camaro, Camaro poster and Calendar... more coming. I am going to remodel my garage and get some new Camaro theme stuff up. Orange Krate will feel more at home.

[Orange Krate]

We have two dogs which are unbelievable cool family members and great dogs by all standards. Both were basically rescued dogs. As my wife says... "Cheapest, best dogs we have ever had."

This little girl who is a little over a year old is Wee Wee. She is a Jack Russell terrier (or mix thereof). This is what she looks like when she runs out to greet me when I come home. I will post her adopted brother "Bandit" when I get a better shot of him running to me. Both dogs absolutely love going "bye bye" and when you say those magic words they not only expect to go for a ride they demand it! Sharp as tacks both dogs. They are not currently allowed to ride in Orange Krate but one of these days I may just give in. I am a sucker for kids and dogs.

I have already given a father and his teenage son a ride in Orange Krate and I didn't even know them. They were friends of my brother and the Dad said the new Camaro was his dream car and he asked if I could pass the "contagion" along to his son by taking him for a ride. Both left with that infectious Permagrin thing going around.

[bossbunny]

Love the pictures! And that bike is pretty cool! And your wife is so pretty! Thought I'd just drop in and see whats going on in your world and got hooked reading. Your plates turned out good! I'm so glad you finally got your baby and are getting to enjoy her. Gorgeous car, but I'm biased about orange.

[SSE 4 2SS]

Originally Posted by Orange Krate

We have two dogs which are unbelievable cool family members and great dogs by all standards. Both were basically rescued dogs. As my wife says... "Cheapest, best dogs we have ever had."

This little girl who is a little over a year old is Wee Wee. She is a Jack Russell terrier (or mix thereof). This is what she looks like when she runs out to greet me when I come home. I will post her adopted brother "Bandit" when I get a better shot of him running to me. Both dogs absolutely love going "bye bye" and when you say those magic words they not only expect to go for a ride they demand it! Sharp as tacks both dogs. They are not currently allowed to ride in Orange Krate but one of these days I may just give in. I am a sucker for kids and dogs.

I have already given a father and his teenage son a ride in Orange Krate and I didn't even know them. They were friends of my brother and the Dad said the new Camaro was his dream car and he asked if I could pass the "contagion" along to his son by taking him for a ride. Both left with that infectious Permagrin thing going around.

Cool looking dog, and I love the name... my dog doesn't get to ride in my car and I doubt I'll ever give in on that one...... but... I think you can understand why... Great looking car, and I really like some of the items you've acquired lately... I may have to get a Brandi calendar... Satch would not fit well...and I just saw in BB's thread where you miss whataburger, if you're ever in the Austin or San Antonio area for a conference or convention or whatever, give me a shout ad I'll make sure you get to Whataburger, and if time permits, we'll make the Friday night meet at TGIFridays...

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by SSE 4 2SS

Cool looking dog, and I love the name... my dog doesn't get to ride in my car and I doubt I'll ever give in on that one...... but... I think you can understand why... Great looking car, and I really like some of the items you've acquired lately... I may have to get a Brandi calendar... Satch would not fit well...and I just saw in BB's thread where you miss whataburger, if you're ever in the Austin or San Antonio area for a conference or convention or whatever, give me a shout ad I'll make sure you get to Whataburger, and if time permits, we'll make the Friday night meet at TGIFridays...

Looks like I am headed to Texas at the end of April or first part of May!!! They are having a Health and Human Services National Disaster Management Summit and I will be attending. It is just west of Dallas and more information is coming. I would love to hook up with you and any other great Texas Camaro owners! That would make my day for sure. Remember, if any of you come to So Cal area I will be honored to show you around the lower half of the State!

[SSE 4 2SS]

Originally Posted by Orange Krate

Looks like I am headed to Texas at the end of April or first part of May!!! They are having a Health and Human Services National Disaster Management Summit and I will be attending. It is just west of Dallas and more information is coming. I would love to hook up with you and any other great Texas Camaro owners! That would make my day for sure. Remember, if any of you come to So Cal area I will be honored to show you around the lower half of the State!

I'll still be off recovering from the Camaro Fest II... Keep me in mind, Dallas is only a three hour drive, or less if the bears are eating...

I'ld be happy to meet up...any excuse to drive... and the Twins will be here by then... so.... I may need an excuse to get out of the house...

[Orange Krate]

I just arrived back home.

Today I drove Orange Krate to his first memorial service down in Temecula, California (near San Diego). An acquaintance from work passed away on Jan 1st after being diagnosed with mesothelioma in September past. "Ollie" as he was nicknamed, knew no natural enemies from what I could tell. His memorial was packed and standing room only. His immediate family small....his extended family hundreds!

Ollie hailed from Maryland but transplanted to So Cali upon his retirement. I had met him through our mutual part time jobs. Although only crossing paths perhaps half a dozen times, we got to chat about fire service, emergencies and disasters, and developed a rapport. His style and humor were truly that of a "character". He was the type of person once you met him you never forgot him. A true rare breed these days. Ollie had many accomplishments in his life including serving in the Navy, becoming a policeman, fireman, police chief, fire division chief, and logistician in his last and final job.

Ollie had a reputation for keeping his cars immaculate (fireman in him) and in perfect shape. To that end, I totally detailed Orange Krate last night at 10 PM and then arose at 5 AM in order to drive the 130 miles to be on time at the memorial service. I am sure Ollie would have loved Orange Krate and would have approved of his spotless, freshly clayed and waxed body. Ollie will be sorely missed by his family, extended family and myself.

R.I.P. friend.

[SSE 4 2SS]

Originally Posted by Orange Krate

I just arrived back home.

Today I drove Orange Krate to his first memorial service down in Temecula, California (near San Diego). An acquaintance from work passed away on Jan 1st after being diagnosed with mesothelioma in September past. "Ollie" as he was nicknamed, knew no natural enemies from what I could tell. His memorial was packed and standing room only. His immediate family small....his extended family hundreds!

Ollie hailed from Maryland but transplanted to So Cali upon his retirement. I had met him through our mutual part time jobs. Although only crossing paths perhaps half a dozen times, we got to chat about fire service, emergencies and disasters, and developed a rapport. His style and humor were truly that of a "character". He was the type of person once you met him you never forgot him. A true rare breed these days. Ollie had many accomplishments in his life including serving in the Navy, becoming a policeman, fireman, police chief, fire division chief, and logistician in his last and final job.

Ollie had a reputation for keeping his cars immaculate (fireman in him) and in perfect shape. To that end, I totally detailed Orange Krate last night at 10 PM and then arose at 5 AM in order to drive the 130 miles to be on time at the memorial service. I am sure Ollie would have loved Orange Krate and would have approved of his spotless, freshly clayed and waxed body. Ollie will be sorely missed by his family, extended family and myself.

R.I.P. friend.

I'm truly sorry to hear of the passing of a friend, and in my case, a brother firefighter.

I had 25 years on the job, as a FireFighter Paramedic. There are few vehicles on the road more cared for than the average fire engine...

R.I.P. Ollie, Brother... I'll be sure to tip a cold one in your honor...

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by SSE 4 2SS

I'm truly sorry to hear of the passing of a friend, and in my case, a brother firefighter.

I had 25 years on the job, as a FireFighter Paramedic. There are few vehicles on the road more cared for than the average fire engine...

R.I.P. Ollie, Brother... I'll be sure to tip a cold one in your honor...

Thanks SSE! I have been a paramedic since 1983. Continue to maintain my paramedic license here in Calif, a firefighter (1978-1983) and wildland fire crewman. Hope to meet you in person and buy you a brew and we can both toss a couple back! Cheers to Ollie.

PS - Ollie responded and worked at the WTC incident. One can only guess he may have contracted this disease from that response like so many others.

[SSE 4 2SS]

Originally Posted by Orange Krate

Thanks SSE! I have been a paramedic since 1983. Continue to maintain my paramedic license here in Calif, a firefighter (1978-1983) and wildland fire crewman. Hope to meet you in person and buy you a brew and we can both toss a couple back! Cheers to Ollie.

PS - Ollie responded and worked at the WTC incident. One can only guess he may have contracted this disease from that response like so many others.

I keep my paramedic up also, you never know... especially in the oil field, we could all be out of work tomorrow...

I also look forward to meeting you. My offer stands and if you are here in April, I'll drive up to Dallas just to go to dinner with you... and yes, To Ollie, I'll tip a cold one with you... anytime...

It's a shame how much 9/11 keeps on affecting so many. 343 is an important number, but it Truly was only the beginning...

[CynAgain]

Wow! This is a great thread! Thanks for sharing your story. I just wanted to stop by and say Hello!