Okay we're officially tired

Jenn and I have been working to get the house ready to go on the market.  We're almost there.  My in-laws have been a tremendous help.   Thanks guys.  Yesterday, Daddy Schuppe and I re-hung shelves, fixed cabinet doors, towel racks, and even replaced a very old step ladder in our attic.  Our day basically was get up early, Jenn make breakfast, work, work with Mom and Dad Schuppe,  stop for lunch, resume work, trip to Lowes, work some more, another trip to Lowes, dinner with Schuppes (Kristin, Mom, and Dad), work some more, and finally call it quits around 9ish.  Needless to say we both collapsed on the couches and woke up really early this morning.  Sounds like a productive day!

Props to David and Antoinette

When growing up there were times that I wondered what it would be like to not be from such a big family (6 total four girls and two boys). Thank goodness it did not take me long to realize how blessed I am to be from such a large family where the love for each other is so evident. It really shows when a family crisis occurs. Both my big sister Antoinette and brother David have really helped Mom and Dad get through a very difficult week with his bladder infection and cancer diagnosis. Thanks you guys. Its odd, as a kid I don't remember ever being alone. Even in the few home videos we have, I am always being carried by or pulled along by one of my family members. One of the benefits of being the baby of the family I guess. Its nice to know that this love is always there for me and anyone in our family. It seems I am doubly blessed as my extended family shows this same family bond.

Move over James, Borga is back home again

The end of this week finds me going home to Augusta (home to the funky soul singer James Brown) solo to be with my Mom and Dad. As I have mentioned, Daddy Cap has been going through a rough time with his health. This past week has been quite rough as he was in th emergency room twice. The latest episode involved his foley. This was accidentally removed and not replaced. Dad had so much pain in his bladder that he asked Mom to go into the ER which is so unlike Dad. The goal for this week is to focus on getting his bladder infection resolved and getting his health back so he can start his treatment for bladder cancer. I must say, he looked very good last night. I was able to have breakfast with him this morning despite jumping in/out of conference bridges and IM chats for work. We had very nice conversation and it was nice to have him ask how things are going with Jennifer and I with respect to our transition.

I am quite happy to work from my parents home even though it gets crazy. Jennifer is quite amazed at how I have this uncanny ability to stay focused with so much going on around me but I guess that is the life of a software engineer. It also helps to have an IPhone with radio tuner that plays really cool radio stations from around the world ;-). I am almost looking forward to the slower pace of life when we go to Germany. Who knows maybe when I land my next software gig, it will be the same. It will be interesting to see if there is a noticeable difference. At least I will have the opportunity to have a beer with my lunch.


Tomorrow I am hoping to get Dad out into some fresh air and out of the house. I am also hoping to patron my favorite little eating establishment in downtown Augusta, the Blue Sky Kitchen. You would probably stay clear of any restaurant that serves both Korean bbq and classic Southern dishes but the quality is good and consistent across all dishes in this place. Jennifer and I really enjoy eating there and love to visit downtown. Perhaps I might go with my sister Antoinette and her boyfriend Robert.
Here is a pic of the James Brown statue in gorgeous downtown Augusta.

Jennifer, My Better Half

My wife Jennifer has among many interesting characteristics the love of themes every season when she decorates the house.  I thought a Warhol of her would be fitting for a woman of many themes.  I actually put Klause, Jenn, and myself through the Warholizer process.  Jennifer wins hands down sporting that Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis style.

Got the Biting the Plumber Blues

Our dog Klause Miro is quite the character. He is a rescue dog and apparently has issues with anyone in the service industry (I think it's the uniform) and simply does not do well in these service call scenarios. Take yesterday. We had a plumbing nightmare (probably warrants another blog entry) occur where we basically had to have our 59 year old cast iron plumbing replaced in our kitchen area (yeah, not cheap). I really was hoping that since the plumber was dog-friendly (has two dogs) that Klause would have shown an ounce of restraint with him. Unfortunately, it didn't happen that way. Klause bit him on the soles of his work boots and on the calf muscle as he was sniffing his leg. I must have apologized a thousand times to the nice Bulgarian plumber. Anyhow, Jenn and Grandpa Schuppe had to court him off to McDonough so the plumber could work in peace. I imagine it must have made the plumber feel better after he wrote the big, fat invoice for the work. Thanks Klause for making an already dicey situation even worse! Jennifer and I joke that we need to find a way for Klause in biz talk...to be a part of a revenue generating profit center and not strictly a cost center. Still drumming the noodle on that one.

Why The Borga Files

Why the name The Borga Files? Well I have often wondered why I was given such an unusual middle name (Antonio Borga Caparoso). As I was going through the mental exercise of naming my blog, it had sort of nice ring to it. If anything, it's unique for a blog url which is a good thing.

The Not-So Good News about Dad

My Dad has been fighting his diabetes and renal failure for most of the year and his been going in and out of the hospital. His last bout with this happened last week as he was recovering from exploratory surgery. It seems he got a bladder infection and was being kept to observe his condition. Fortunately, he was released from the hospital yesterday as his kidneys recovered and began functioning properly. However, from a biopsy performed last week it was discovered Dad has in fact Urinary Bladder cancer. This is not good news as he has all the classic symptoms. He is meeting with his urologist Tuesday to determine what is the course of treatment and to field any questions. Personally, I am anxious to hear the state and grade of the cancer. Daddy Cap will be in our thoughts and prayers. Here is a picture of Dad and Mom with some of the kids in San Diego for their 50th wedding anniversary.

A New Year and New Beginnings

This year starts out rather interesting.  We have had several relatives in town visiting us for Christmas and New Years so we have had plenty of excitement.  I think Jenn and I realize how truly blessed we are with family and close friends as we look to transition to Landstuhl, Germany.  There are so many good things about Atlanta that sometimes we wonder if we have made the right decision as we are both excited and also tentative on our decision. In the end, I feel we have made the right decision and wherever it is we are called by the Lord to go, we will go.