Author: GreenThumb

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Choosing the Best Termite Exterminator

According to the LA Times, about 60-80% of homes in certain areas are infested with termites. Some (possibly sensational) sources have claimed that termites are in plague-like proportions in Southern California. So, unless you’ve had a regular inspection, there’s a chance you’ve got termites. 

With termites comes a lot of myths and mysteries. People are afraid of them. Or, they’re afraid the damage could be incredibly costly. Then, there’s the concern of the effects of harsh chemicals. That’s a lot for a homeowner to deal with.

However, with the number of termite companies around, it’s hard to know that you’re working with someone who knows what they’re doing. So, with dozens of termite exterminators in Orange County, how can you find the right one for you? If you are looking for a company that does termite extermination in Glendora, where will you go to find a business that you can trust your home with?

With a saturated termite exterminator market, reviews become as valuable as gold. It’s important to look at the reviews for each business you consider, and their particular methods and ethics. Grand Oaks Termite Control is certainly one of the best. 

Grand Oaks Termite Control boasts a 5-star rating on Yelp, with a 20-minute response time and a 100% response rate. So, when you contact them you can be sure you will get an answer within 20 minutes. And the reviews suggest that you’ll have a 5-star experience as well.

Just recently, Dianne P. said, “We called Grand Oaks Termite for a termite inspection. … Our house needed local subterranean termite treatment, wood repairs, and fumigation. Justin took the time to explain all the aspects of the work involved and answered all our questions. He is knowledgeable, professional, patient and inspires confidence.”

The rest of her comment explains how they made the process much less intimidating and easy to deal with, giving her a great deal while they were at it. There’s not much better you can expect from a business.

Jim. G. reported, “They also replaced and painted all the damaged wood. In my living room, termites had eaten up the laminate flooring. I had a bunch of extra pieces in the garage, so they ripped out the bad pieces and put in my replacement pieces. Floor now looks like new again! 3 days and done! All on schedule. I really couldn’t be happier.  Great work at a fair price with a 10-year warranty. Thanks guys!”

When scheduling an appointment with termite exterminators, my expectation is that the exterminator will just rid the house of bugs and that will be it. However, as you can see, Grand Oaks can go above and beyond the call of duty. To know that they care enough to help a client with the repairs, on such a quick budget, is quite impressive. 

This is why reviews are so important. They give you an idea of the kind of man or women you’re working with. So, when you look for your next termite inspection and extermination in Glendora or Southern California, make sure to check out Grand Oaks.

Grand Oaks Termite Control

110 S Worthy Dr, Glendora, CA 91741

(626) 538-4156

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One Family at a Time, One Case at a Time

Most people don’t associate family and the courtroom. Or at the very least, they do not wish to. Under perfect conditions, families never have to live life separately. They’re perfect. Unfortunately, marriages are made of people and people aren’t perfect. The rate of divorce has infamously risen to an unbelievable percentage. The national divorce rate is somewhere around 50% but recent studies have shown that California’s is sitting somewhere near 60%. 

Recently, we published an article on divorce mediation. Divorce mediation is when you and your partner forgo the fees and prices of a typical lawyer and go to a mediator who can help you come to an amicable and usually easier decision. As lovely an idea as it is, it’s not always practical for every family. It’s important to make sure that you and your family are protected when splitting ways during such an emotional and difficult time. That’s when it’s important to go to the right divorce attorney for you and your family. 

As such, the amount of divorce attorneys flooding the market is incredible. There are approximately 2,000 divorce attorneys in Orange County alone. On average, 33 people file for divorce every day. Tell me that’s not indicative of the situation. It also makes it so difficult to find the right attorney that you can trust, and who can handle the situation in an effective way. Divorce is an epidemic, and the attorneys are there to help guide you through the process. Dividing lives isn’t easy. 

Contrary to popular myths, divorce isn’t always even about splitting the money. Divorce also means setting up custody arrangements and asset settlements. You want to keep what is yours fairly and legally. That’s why you need a great divorce attorney. We’ve found that Shuff Law Firm has remained one of the people’s top choices of divorce attorneys in Orange County. Possibly the crème de la crème of divorce attorneys, Shuff Law Firm maintains a five-star rating. They always put the best interests of their clients first to bring every case to a resolution as quickly and effectively as possible. 

All of these glowing words sound impressive, but it’s important to hear it from those who went through with the experience. One such client of Shuff Law says, “My highest respect and regards for this law firm, in which I am extremely thankful for the level of professional care, support, advice, and representation I received during a most difficult divorce. Tamara is the first lawyer that actually understood the complexity of my situation AND took action.  Her support staff was caring and timely.  I highly recommend this law firm to all my friends and anyone who is need of understanding and intelligent help. I am forever grateful.”

As you can see, Shuff Law Firm is an excellent place to go with all of your family law and divorce needs. They’ll take care of you and fight for your best interests. If you would like to contact them, you can find them here:

Shuff Law Firm

2107 North Broadway # 301, Santa Ana, CA 92706

(714) 834-0175

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Changing Lives, One Case At A Time

It doesn’t take a genius to know that immigration law is complicated. Not only is there a melting pot of accurate and inaccurate information about the subject, but it’s difficult to find any individual without a pre-existing bias about immigration law. With all the polarized news surrounding this drastically misunderstood topic, it seems that people either welcome all immigrants with open arms or are drastically against immigration in general, legal or illegal. 

However, there are lawyers who went to law school for this exact reason. They saw the immigration situation unfolding before their very eyes, and they were determined to clear up any misunderstandings. They saw the citizens who wanted to live and work in the United States, to live a thriving life while contributing to the economy but were running into trouble and getting bogged down and discouraged by a messy immigration system. Luckily, one firm called K Nair Law Group has stepped up to plate and we couldn’t help ourselves but bring them into the spotlight once again. Headed by Kiran Nair, a leading immigration attorney in Orange County, K Nair Law Group is based in San Juan Capistrano.

Now I know what you’re thinking; you’ve talked about this subject already. And the fact is, you are completely right. And I don’t often talk about a business twice on this site, mostly because it’s rather repetitive. But this business honestly deserves it. Why? Because companies like these, who are doing good ethical work and fighting for justice are in high demand, short supply, and they need all the promotion they can get. 

Now it’s one thing to hear it from us, but we want to show you some of the clients that were more than satisfied with their K Nair Law Group experience. One client recommended this business with high confidence saying:

“I have known immigration attorney, Kiran Nair for about six years when I referred a family member to her who was in immigration court removal proceedings. Since then, I have referred many other friends and family and they all have only wonderful things to say about her. I have personally observed her dedication and compassion. She truly cares and seem to do above and beyond for all her clients. With high confidence, I shall continue to refer my family and friends to immigration attorney, Kiran Nair.”

It is one thing to see an advertisement for someone, but when you get a personal referral who has experience working with the business, it adds a whole new level of confidence as you make your decision on whether to engage with them in business.

Let’s look at one more review:

“After the first time we met with Kiran Nair we felt a comfort to the situation we had with my wife’s immigration status. Several Attorneys had turned us down, some we felt they were just there for the money, and some we felt they didn’t have the experience to work on our case. The same day we met Kiran we decided she would be the one taking our case, we knew we were going to invest into something that had a possibility to have a negative outcome. We were up for it, because Kiran gave us honesty, and showed us that our case was going to be difficult, but not impossible. 

Let me tell you that as I write this my wife’s case is closed, and she is now a permanent resident of the United States. We feel Kiran changed our lives, and thanks to her my family can now live in piece without thinking one day we could be separated. TRUSTING Kiran is now the best decision we could have taken we appreciate all she did for us, and for being there every time we needed to talk to her about any questions we had. 

Thank you Kiran Nair you will always live in our hearts, and we wish you all the success in you life.”

As you can see, Mrs. Nair is truly changing the lives of the clients that she takes on.

If you are in need of an immigration attorney, please contact Mrs. Nair at:

K Nair Law Group, P.C.

31897 Del Obispo St Suite 225, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

(949) 493-4150


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The Rise of Family Law Mediation Practices

The courts have a significant role in the resolution of disputes in any legal system. Often it is the first and most trusted system of adjudication that people will opt for when faced with a challenging situation. However, at the end of a court case, there is always a winner and a loser. This is not an ideal situation where the dispute is between family members. Families have opted to use alternatives to the traditional justice system to resolve any conflicts between members. One alternative is mediation.

The process of mediation is guided by a mediator who is usually a person well versed with the law. The mediator attempts to steer the parties to reach an amicable solution where both sides get what they want or at least a comfortable compromise. 

In the past year or so, Orange County has seen a rise in family law mediation practices. For instance, you will find a new family law practice in Irvine on every street corner. The mushrooming practices are a direct result of the increased number of family disputes such as divorce, adoption, succession, and other related matters. Parties to these disputes are quickly running away from costly court procedures, harsh penalties imposed by courts, and sometimes negligent attorneys. Mediation offers them a safe ground where both warring parties can go home satisfied with the final decision.

The rampant growth of Orange County divorce mediation practices can also be attributed to the new markets that have been created by an influx of recently enlightened clientele. Simply put, this is where the money is. By default, this causes a problem. 

A burgeoning demand for Orange County divorce mediation services will attract even the most unscrupulous of practitioners into the market. While it may take years of training and practice for one to become a professional family law mediator, the rapid growth of the shops indicates that most of these new practices are not properly equipped to handle or steer mediation proceedings effectively.  Consequently, mediations will be handled by practitioners who may be easily compromised or those who may miss the point of mediation entirely. Ultimately, the settlements reached will be oppressive to one of the parties to the process.

On the upside, new practices bring about a healthy competitive practice among mediators. Practices that cannot match up will eventually be forced to pursue other areas. Only the best will thrive. The competition drives the standards of practice higher and higher, which, in the end, is to the advantage of litigants. At this point, only elbow grease will get things done. 

Despite the uproar of new mediation firms, we have found that McNamee Mediations has remained in the upper echelons of premier Orange County divorce mediation firms. Its success is attributed to not just grit, but grit with a smile. McNamee Mediations boasts of many impartial settlements in their extensive service delivery. The practice has handled divorce and other forms of family mediation with the highest degree of professionalism and reverence to their clientele. McNamee Mediations is settlement-oriented and primed for even the most arduous of disputes. 

The legal system is dynamic and is bound to change in the near future. Mediation practices will come and go but only the best Orange County divorce mediation firms will survive the test of time.

You can contact McNamee Mediations at:

McNamee Mediations

4590 MacArthur Blvd Suite 500, Newport Beach, CA 92660

(949) 223-3836

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Stepping up Your Office Space – Pre-Owned Style

Last time we highlighted this office designer, we discussed how they were innovating the office space in this new age of technology. Being constantly interconnected through the internet changes the way we work together and influences the kinds of spaces we need. This change in workflow means we need a change in the workspace.

Already a pioneer of this changing workforce, Creative Office Design has figured out the optimal way to get pre-owned office cubicles into the hands of small businesses and start-ups. They focus on supporting these start-ups and small businesses by making the office affordable. After all, they know you want to focus your money and attention on other investments. 

One of the first rules of design is that good design is invisible. It works perfectly for you and will serve its purpose so that you can focus on the important details. One of their more versatile pieces, a height-adjustable table, demonstrates this nicely. While standing while working is a new fad, studies have shown that work engagement and performance increases while standing. Not only that, but there are a number of health benefits. A height-adjustable table can also aid in collaboration and allow the desk to be more versatile.

While they do offer gorgeous, brand new pieces that come in a variety of options, Creative Office Design is perhaps better known for their impressive selection of used furniture. Mitigating start-up costs while maintaining a professional standard is incredibly important for a new business. What people may not realize is that due to the nature of it, used office furniture usually remains in good condition. If it’s well made, it can outlive the original office space it was used for. That’s how they offer such a variety of used cubicles, desks, tables, benches, etc. And that’s also why you should consider going that route.

Buying used furniture to start is always a good investment in the beginning anyway because you never know where your business will take you. You may have to upgrade later. It’s always good to start small and allow yourself room to grow in the future. When this happens, you will still want your office spaces to be helpful and dynamic. But, continuing to save money is always the smart thing to do. Creative Office Design has thought of this too.

Creative Office Designs has come out with a new program to allow small businesses to receive their furniture without having to wait on long shipping. With the new ODS Express Program, you can get brand new furniture at a lower price in less than two weeks. This is also available throughout Orange County and the LA area.

From sharing office space to working on projects on the web, studies show that a well-designed office environment is very important for productivity. Creative Office Design focuses on providing the equipment and design tools to allow you to create the most effective space. And now, they’re excited to say that they are expanding and have used office cubicles for sale in the LA area!

If you are in the are, be sure to check them out:

Creative Office Design

15440 Laguna Canyon Rd #120, Irvine, CA 92618

(714) 328-7627

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Saving Water, One Lawn At A Time

You hear about it in the news, on TV, and basically on every corner of the internet. Water is a resource that needs to be preserved. This isn’t “news” to anyone, but it seems like you’ve done all you could do. You’ve set a timer for the shower, you stopped pre-rinsing dishes as much before putting them in the dishwasher. Heck, you’ve even cut down on your succulent collection. It seems like you’ve done everything imaginable cut down on your water usage. What else can one person do?

Think about sprinklers. They usually go off around the same time every day, usually during the hours you’re asleep. When a system runs automatically, especially during a time when most people aren’t even awake, it can be easy to forget how much water it’s using. Fortunately, there is a cheaper and much more energy-efficient alternative.

In this article, we’d like to highlight NoMow Turf. A fantastic company that is helping to keep Orange County drought-free by offering high-quality turf installation. Now I know what you’re thinking. Turf? Like the stuff they put on soccer fields made of tire and plastic? No way, that stuff always looks super fake.

Now that may have been the case in the past, but the astroturf industry has made leaps and bounds since its original prototypes and NoMow Turf is at the leading edge of this. When the drought was at its worst in California, artificial plant companies were forced to improve the aesthetics of their products. This is good news for the customers since the fake plant industry garnered significantly more competition than it had been blessed with in the past — and the astroturf industry was no exception.

Now there is astroturf made to be so realistic that you can’t even tell the difference. And it may sound hard to believe; usually, you can pin fake lawns from a mile away. But think about the industries that have benefitted from the fake grass industry in your area — ever seen dying grass in Disneyland? Exactly.

Let’s think about how installing fake grass can save you money: of course, you pay for the product and installation, but after that? Nothing. No water bills inflating during the dry season, no need for de-snailing products, no need to purchase fertilizer for patches that don’t grow in as well. After that initial payment, your work here is done.

Let’s also look at the reasons most people don’t invest in turf: It will look super artificial and weird. People will think I’m fake ‘cause my grass is fake. Or won’t the pieces of rubber get loose from it and give away the “authentic” look?

In reality, people will appreciate the fact that you are saving water more than they appreciate the authenticity of your grass. And in response to the second reason, I can understand the source: how we maintain the outside of our house tends to be an outward projection of how we maintain ourselves. However, if you are already projecting the message that conserving water is important by having turf, wouldn’t that be a positive thing? Artificial turf in Orange County has been increasing in popularity in recent years, and it’s not just a fashion trend — it has turned into a statement of environmental consciousness.

So whether or not you would honestly consider the turf option for your home, you can’t deny that it would be a huge step in the environmentally friendly direction. Fortunately, the California drought is over; let’s hope that more people switch over to turf to keep it that way. We want to thank NoMow Turf for doing their part in helping to keep out county and state beautiful and fully watered.

NoMow Turf, Inc.

26674 Vista Terrace, Lake Forest, CA 92630

(855) 968-8873

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Greener Pastures Await Right in Your Own Back Yard

Spring time is here! 

Studies have shown that spending more time outside can have a direct connection to one’s emotional aptitude and mental wellness. In fact, spending more time outside is the only natural way to receive Vitamin D, which is necessary for our nervous systems, and can cause major problems if left deficient. 

And what about those outdoor grilling lovers? So many people enjoy a good backyard barbecue but lack the surroundings for typical enjoyment. Why not choose to make your yard a place you can truly relax in and get back to nature?

This got us to thinking and we began researching the benefits of landscaping in San Diego. We came across five great ones that you can read about below and we found the business that is making waves in the industry.

Our featured company might just be the fix that you and your yard need, providing customized landscaping options to create the oasis of your dreams. Studies have shown that having your yard landscaped can provide many benefits, such as the following:

  • Making memories in a private outdoor space: Having a relaxing place to rest and catch up with your relatives in the outdoors can actually increase the amount of time the whole family spends outside.
  • People love a good outdoor venue: It is a fact that when you have a nice yard more of your friends will want to occupy that space with you because of how comforting and relaxing the feel is. This translates to you becoming the coolest neighbor around. After all, everyone loves the ‘hostess with the most-est.’
  • Property values: By taking the time to have your yard professionally landscaped you can actually increase the value of your home and property. Which means your initial investment can actually pay for itself even after leaving you feeling healthier, happier, and more at peace.
  • Positive effect on the outdoor environment: Usually, landscaping is done with such finesse that it increases the likelihood of other woodland creatures coming to enjoy your outdoor space, as well. This means more birds if you happen to be a bird watcher, or possibly squirrels, chipmunks and other smaller creatures. When land is prepared for its climate it can reduce stormwater drainage and runoff or other natural erosion that could lead to additional, costly repairs down the road. Mulching, and laying sod can also prevent flooding when those spring downpours that April brings finally begin.
  • Ability to enjoy yourself without judgment: So, what if you enjoy that cold brewski at noon, if the sun is shining you should be able to right? Of course, and with a well-manicured back yard you’ll be able to do so at any time of the day without facing scrutiny from onlookers. What about old Rover? Taking your dog to the park may be a good day adventure, but what if you want to enjoy some fetch without having to walk too far or make a dreaded commute through traffic just to have to leash your dog once you get there?

To accomplish all of this it takes a top-notch landscaping company. San Diego is full of imitators, but luckily for you, we have found the very best. If you would like to transform your ordinary backyard into the envy of all of your neighbors then you need to get in contact with:

Torrey Pines Landscape Co.

(858) 454-1433

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From Rags To Riches

Have you ever seen a shack so beaten down it looks like God himself dropped an anvil on it?

Secondary question: Have you ever seen that shack turned into a cottage so freaking charming it would give Fixer Upper a run for its money?

Well I have. And let me tell you, it was one of the most incredible things I’ve witnessed in my entire life.

Contractor Jim Teller works for an amazing remodelling company. Jim has an incredibly high reputation for bathroom and kitchen renovation throughout the greater Orange County Area. And let me tell you, this reputation is well-earned.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jim as his team put the finishing touches on his newest project in Laguna Beach. The project was an utter masterpiece, and it looked nothing like the original photographs.

“This is the original building. These were taken around four months ago,” he mentioned off-handedly, handing me the pictures while surveying his builders. Calling it a “structure” was flattering to say the least; the flooring was so decrepit you could barely find one square foot of uncracked linoleum. The wallpaper was peeling on all edges, not to mention covered in stripes and roses (ahh, the 70s).

So “makeover” could not do justice to the piece of art before me. Similar in size and overall structure, Jim had taken the frame of monstrosity and transformed it into pure beachside beauty. The old tile was replaced by vinyl beechwood, blending well with the neutral tones of the cabinetry. Sleek white paint replaced the zig-zag garden wallpaper that had previously terrorized the area, calming the overall feel of the entire kitchen space.

The bathroom remodel almost outdid the kitchen’s, for he almost tripled its previous size. The dark granite of the countertop complemented the modern-style sink basin, giving a clean look to the vanity area. The shower was made of the same dark granite, walled with glass in place of a curtain rod.

The most impressive part, in my opinion, was how he managed to get so much light into a room plated with dark, sun-absorbing colors. A short, wide window stretched from one side of the bathroom to the other, high enough to provide both privacy and openness to the space. Instead of a loud fan mechanism, Jim installed a rod to the window so you can easily adjust how much steam escapes the room. The color of the walls matched the light feeling of the kitchen, allowing any unabsorbed light to properly illuminate every corner of the bathroom.

Although the master bedroom, living room, and entryway also brought tears to my eyes, I can never get enough of a good kitchen and/or bathroom remodel. It’s not easy to bring so many aspects of a room together to form a cohesive theme, especially from room to room. But this is why any sort of house flipping or renovating requires just as much book knowledge as left brain creativity. And given his latest work, I can confidently say that Jim Teller is one of the best artistic rennovators of his time.

If you’d like to find out about work like Jim’s check out:

Inspired Remodels, Inc.

Lake Forest, CA

(949) 716-1938

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Beautifully Built Homes

Do you remember when you were younger and you would dream about building your “dream” home? (Pun intended)

You had every room perfectly laid out in your mind, every amenity accounted for, even that secret room hidden behind a bookcase door (we know, we all wanted that).

Then life got real. You realized that your perfect home is probably out of reach. No secret rooms hidden behind bookcases, no indoor pools, no super fancy kitchen.

Well, we want to invite you to start dreaming again!

As you know, here at CannGrow we feature some of the hottest, growing businesses in Southern California and today we have the pleasure of highlighting Sailhouse Custom Home Builders of Newport Beach.

Sailhouse is a premier real estate and development firm that does amazing work in and around Orange County. You can find them highly ranked on Houzz and today we want to give you a little tour of what they have done.

Buckle up and get ready to start dreaming again!

First up is an amazing open concept. You can see just how open they made this living room connecting it directly to the patio. It is an amazing place to host summer parties in beautiful southern California. And then in the “colder” winters, you can close up the patio and still get amazing natural light into the house.

Next, I want to highlight this incredible opening to a patio. I absolutely love the brick walls and then how the opening seamlessly connects the interior to the exterior. Imaging sitting on that porch and watching the sunset over the Pacific. Beautiful.

Okay, now here is one of my favorites, look at this amazing rooftop patio. I would absolutely love to have something like this at my house. Notice the fire place to the right. Imagine spending summer nights up here, gazing at the stars next to a cozy fire. This is the stuff dreams are made of.

Alright, I’ve got two more for you. This first one is simple, as it is just a door, but look how beautiful this. First, the coloring is superb. Then, the way door has the window in the top half and can open make it incredibly inviting. Most doors tend to keep people out, while this one screams “openness” and “friends are welcome.”

And we have now made it to our last one. This is another patio (clearly you can see what I would have in my dream house). This time we are in the backyard. The couches that surround the fire pit make for a great place to host and relax and I adore the large glass windows and doors that make it feel like you are connected to the inside of the house as well. This is one of the great perks to living in a place like Orange County where the weather is favorable for most of the year.

Well, I hope that this helped you to start dreaming again about your “dream” home! And as you can see, if you need someone to help you build yours, I would highly recommend that you check out Sailhouse. Southern California is proud to have them here and if you would like to contact them you can find them here:

Sailhouse Custom Homes

170 Newport Center Dr Suite 220, Newport Beach, CA 92660

(949) 281-6044

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The Booming Electric Car’s Impact on Electricians

“So, Darrell, how did you get into this business,” I inquired. I was writing a piece on small local businesses for our school newspaper and interviewing Darrell, a local electrician and the owner of an electrical company.

“Well, when all of my friends said, “Go to college,” I knew they were wrong. It wasn’t for me. Now, 10 years later, it’s 2018 and I’m glad I didn’t. While they are all scratching for pennies at the local café and diner I’m doing something I truly love with the electric company. Yeah, they may all have a liberal arts and science degree or something but I understood the trade businesses were where it was going to be at,” Darrell replied.

“That’s great, so would you say the expansion of the electric car business has impacted your sales in a positive way?” I inquired.

“Oh jeez, yes of course,” Darrell replied.

“Actually, I have a great story for you,” Darrell took a breath and then he smiled, “It was a nice summer day and I set out to a house call. I walked up the drive of this beautiful, new suburban house. I mean this place had a pool around back and must have been three stories! I rang the doorbell and this girl answered.  

I smiled and said, “Hi ma’am I’m here from Darrell’s Electrical, I’m Darrell, I received a call to come by today and install your new state of the art electric car charger.” You see, I knew this girl but couldn’t remember her name or how I knew her.

She said her name was Cindy and that we had gone to high school together. So, of course, I was very embarrassed. The name didn’t help me at all and it most certainly didn’t help that she remembered me. Also, she was gorgeous! I just couldn’t believe I didn’t remember her.  So, I said something like, “Cindy, yeah! I’m sorry, so where was that garage of yours?”

She showed me the garage and I set off to install the new charger. I had thought that whatever this girls husband did he must be really talented to afford a house like this. I’ve been in a lot of houses but this was by far one of the nicest and it didn’t hurt that they had a six-car garage filled with the nicest electric cars money can buy.

About two hours later I was wrapping up the installation when Cindy entered the garage and asked me how it was going.

I said, “Oh hey, it’s going good I’m almost all done here. Actually, is your husband going to be home soon? I usually like to get paid before I leave when I make house calls. Just so I don’t have to go through any sort of collection process. I hope that’s not rude.”

Then she asked me point blank if I remembered her and I thought, “oh crap! What should I do?” I decided honesty was the best policy, and said, “I should, I know, but I don’t. I may be the best electrician in town, but I’ve never been great with names. I am truly sorry Cindy.”

She laughed and turned and walked into the kitchen. She hollered at me to follow her and she’d write me a check since she didn’t have a husband.

I said something like, “Oh jeez I’m so sorry, the guy who called to set up the appointment, I just assumed…” Then she told me that was her assistant. I was so embarrassed I grabbed my check and split.

It bothered me the whole car ride home but finally, it hit me, this girl who spent all her time in the robotics lab and got into MIT was named Cindy but she had braces back then. Then I thought I remembered hearing something about her. So, I pulled out my phone and searched the name on the check, Cindy Thornton,” Darrell concluded.

I cut him off, “No way! Cindy Thornton?! The inventor of the electric car!“

“The one and only,” Darrell said.

“Wow. Cindy Thornton. Well thanks for the story, I can definitely use this,” I replied.

“Of course, it has been my pleasure,” Darrell replied.

“Oh, before I go, where did you say she lived again?” I asked. That would be quite the interview.

“Not a chance,” Darrell replied shaking his head.

“Darn, it was worth a shot!” I smiled.

“Last question, where can people find if they need some electrical work done?”

The Tradesman Electrician
31441 Santa Margarita Pkwy Suite A336
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
949-378-8334