WEDDING AND A FUNERAL

Friday night Robyn and I thought it would be nice to go out and get a bite to eat at a chinese place called Wok in Motion she had heard about.  The food was ok but the air conditioner must have been on the fritz.  They had several fans placed around the resturant but they weren't doing the trick.  But the most unusual thing we noticed was that they only had tea in bottles.  I don't think I have ever seen that in a chinese resturant.  Being the cheapskate I am, I went with the free water.  Anyway, after dinner we went to the bar next door.  I had some concrete tables in there that I wanted to check out.  The place is called Tonic and it was a full house.  We were able to get a seat at one of my tables.  Here's a picture of us with our elbows on the table...

Ok, I guess this isn't the best pic of the table, but she is hot!

Saturday we had a wedding to go to.  My nephew Deano was getting hitched.  Robyn put me in charge of the gift.. 

It took me a couple tries, but I finally got the gift they registered for.

 It was an outdoor ceremony and the weather wasn't cooperating.  It rained all morning but quit just in time for the wedding, unfortunately the humidity took it's place.  However the wedding was beautiful.  Here's some pics

No, he wasn't "pulling her finger"

The deal is sealed with a kiss

After some sweaty "I do's" we went to the shelter house for a reception.  That's when we recieved a call that a close family friend had passed away and the funeral was Sunday.  Everyone decided to head up to Sioux City on Sunday morning.  We thought it would be better to go after the wedding.  So we said our congratulations and went home to pack.  This would also give us an oppertunity to see our niece's new baby.

The trip up was mostly uneventful, but as they say 'there are two seasons in Iowa..winter and road construction' and this ain't winter.  We had several long delays but when we hit I-29 the flooding was the real issue.  Canyon, Calvin and Hai rode in the back with the seats laid down so they were able to sleep  most of the way...

Dog days of summer?

We call him our foriegn exchange student

I have never seen an interstate sand-bagged like this.  The water was higher than the road.  The river is actually several miles to the west.

Like bumpers at the bowling alley

Once we arrived in Sioux City the true scope of the disaster became evident.  Here are some pics to give you an idea..

The employee entrance at the river boat (wear golashes)

Need a boat to get on I-29 from Hamilton Blvd

You may want an upstairs room at the inn

After witnessing some of the devastation, my brother Dave invited me to take a tour of his work.  They fabricate the equipment that is needed to make concrete pipe.  Pipe for main sewer lines or other construction projects.  Here is a picture of just one small area in his factory..

My whole shop could fit in this one room

Afterwards we all headed home to get some much needed rest (except the boys, they slept all the way there) 

Sunday was the day of the funeral.  Our friend Marty was discovered dead in his home Thursday, the day after his 51st birthday. The autopsy showed he had stomach cancer.  He never told a soul.  Marty grew up across the street from us.  He was like a brother.  My brother Steve and he were best friends.  In this picture from right to left (I know thats backwards but work with me on this one) Are me, sporting an awesome moustache, my younger brother Dave, my older brother Steve and our fourth brother Marty.

I guess white pants were all the rage in the eighties

At the funeral the pastor talked about how we all like beginnings.  How Marty loved to ride motorcycles. The anticipation he might have at the start of a ride.  How there is that excitement of the unknown.  But to have beginnings, we must have endings.  He talked about how when one thing ends, there is another beginning waiting to happen.  Although Marty won't have another beginning here on earth, he is just starting with the most spectacular beginning in Heaven.  Rest in Peace Marty, ride the wind.

  Marty had several friends that rode bikes with him.  One brought a picture of him on his bike, riding to Sturgeous.  He looked very happy.  I didn't bring my camera to the funeral, of course, but I had to try to get a video of this special thing that happened at the funeral.  The quality isn't great but maybe you can see what is going on..

With the funeral over we went to visit my niece Ashley and her baby Peyten Jade Petersen.  She is as cute as Robyn's face says she is...

I hope Robyn dosen't want one

After a quick visit with Family and friends, it was time to hit the road.  Here's a pic of mom and dad's back porch.  That's my sister Diane with her grandbaby, Bentlee.

I wish I could have spent more time here

Robyn and I decided we would take a back road home to avoid this...

gridlock in the countryside, roadwork sucks

And this is very picturesque...

now thats open road!

Of course these back roads bring out the worst in me when it comes to impatience.  Farmers never seem to be in any hurry at all and I have important things to do, like...um.. well, you know.

  Canyon and Hai rode back with my brother Steve and sister Sherry.  All I had on board was Calvin and an antique display case my dad made to hold the last few model railroad trains he had left from one of the coolest set-ups ever.  I remember going down in the basement as a child and checking out the model railroad he had built in a whole half of the basement.  There were mountains with tunnels, rivers and bridges, a depot (complete with a station that had no roof and you could see a person sitting on a toilet in the bathroom), country side and city.  Multiple trains ran all at the same time.  The controls were located at an opening in the middle of the set-up.  Dad had to stoop down so he could walk under and get to it.

   I passed my brother and a farmer that was going WAY to slow (the speed limit) when I came up on another car very quickly.  I noticed that it said SHERRIF on the back of his car.  As luck would have it, he pulled me over right next to a field of cows.  Calvin has never seen a cow up close like that and he went beserk.        

  As the cop walked up to my open window he heard me and Robyn hollering at Calvin to settle down, he heard Calvin barking like he was a border collie rounding up the herd, and the sound of a loud crash as Calvin jumped through the glass on the antique display case.  How Calvin didn't get a single cut is beyond me.

  The officer said how's it going?  I said, well I'm coming home from a funeral, my dog just smashed the unreplaceable antique case my dad made, and I've just been stopped by the police...how are YOU doing?

  He let me check on Calvin before he cuffed me.  Actually, he knocked down my speed to 10 miles over (I may have been near 80 mph) but it was still $119.

That's Barney Fife behind us

Here's a picture of my sister Sherry and brother Steve telling me how glad they are that I passed them only moments before coming up on the fuzz (that's 60's slang for police).

me asking if they want to split the ticket, them laughing

That brings us to the end of another Griswald adventure.  But as we discussed earlier,  after every ending comes another beginning.  I wonder what is in store for us.  Here's to beginnings...

The sun always comes up tommorow

By the way, Canyon found it quite humerous that I got a ticket and he has no plans of helping me pay for it.  ...Yes, I asked.

Peace

Dan

HOLY HOTTNESS

Sunday after church Robyn and I made a trek out to the furniture store to see some nic-nacs she liked for the bedroom.  Here is a pic of Robyn at the furniture store.

UhOh.  She has that I want it all look.

Saddly, the stuff she had picked out a couple of days ago was gone.  But I think she was feeling better when we picked out some really cool lamps for the night stands next to the bed.  Check em out..

They look great.

On the way home we stopped by a fruit stand and got some mellon and some sweet corn.  This is a great time of year in Iowa.  The fresh picked sweet corn is awesome.

Monday it was back to work.  The heat wave we have been suffering through continues.  Heat is bearable but the dang humidity makes it hard to breath.  We don't have air at the shop, but luckily we are surrounded on three sides with other stores.  It dosen't get to uncomfortable in there.  There is a lot of sweating going on though.

With humidity it was like 117 outside

You know it's too hot when the sidewalks and streets can't take it.  I spotted this on the way home.  I heard there were some of the same problems with the streets around town.

Too hot to fry eggs, they would just melt away

Tuesday at work I started putting these stainless steel inlays in some tables for a bar downtown.  They got the beer distributors to help finance the tables.  Smart.

These will be some neat tables

The heat continued Wednesday.  At the shop I began making this massive table for a bar in Lawerance Kansas.  It will be over 18 feet long and appear to be suspended between two posts.  It will be a fun road trip for the install.

I need walkie talkies to communicate to the other end

Thursday was more of the same sweltering heat.  Canyon and his friend, Hai (he has been staying with us all summer) decided to work on their tans.  Here is a picture of them getting ready for bed.  They each have a stuffed toy to sleep with.

Aww, isn't that cute

Thursday was also the beginning of the Home Show Expo.  About a dozen builders are involved and we were asked to make countertops for one of the houses.  Here are a few pics of our work.

This bar has a rock face edge

Bathroom with concrete vessel bowl

Bar with fiber optics and a concrete poker table

The guys from work and I went out for a few hours to check out the competition.  Not to brag, but there were no real challengers.  We wanted to see all the houses but it was too hot so we went and got some dinner and a couple of cold beers then called it a night.  

Robyn and I have a wedding to go to Saturday.  It is outside in a park, let's hope the heat breaks.  I will let you know.

Peace

Dan

ABUNCHASTUFF (part two)

WAIT!  Don't read this until you have read the previous post.  I once again had to post in two parts because this silly blogger is very tempermental.

Thursday after work I asked my lovely wife out on a date.  She said yes.

Ready for the party to begin

I will let her tell you where we went..

While we were there, we came across some guys playing a new yard game.  I looked a little like bochie ball (not sure on the spelling there) and a little like chess.  It is called kubb,  pronounced kube.  One of the guys handed me a card with kubb info on it.  It is refered to as "viking chess".  After watching a couple of games I think I am figuring it out.  I'm going to make my own kubb set and start a new rage among my family and friends.  I have to play, I mean it is called "viking chess" after all.  Here is a quick video of them playing.  See how long it takes you to catch on...

I went in to check out the winery and found this party room.  We are going to find out what it rents for and maybe put it to use.

more fun than a barrel of monkeys

Friday at work it was business as usual.  You can see that we have some concrete to pour by the number of forms on the tables.

a lot of work to do

Saturday morning Robyn had to work so I went to work also.  I had a small side job to do putting shoe in a kitchen that just had new vinyl put down.  I was able to get a great stain match to the cabinets.

the shoe fits

Then I went to my shop and made a frame for the mirror that goes with our bedroom set.  Once it is painted the set will be complete.  Afterwards, we had an invitation to go to a picnic/tailgate party and an Icubs game.  It was pretty hot but the free food, free drinks and free game tickets lured us in. 

 First I stopped by the christian book store to find the book we need for our next small group study.  I drew a blank on the name of the book.  I tried to call our small group leader but he didn't answer.  I tried his wife with the same result.  I even tried Robyn but she was in the shower getting ready to go to the game.  

So I asked an employee if he could help.  He said he would look it up if I could remember anything from the title.  I said it had the word prayer in it.  He gave me a funny look and I realized that the word prayer in a christian book store wasn't really narrowing it down much.  I said maybe there was a question mark in the title but that didn't help either, so I told him I would search around and see if it came back to me.

As luck would have it there was a section marked 'Prayer'.  Go figure.  I noticed a book called "To Busy not to Pray".  Eureka!  That was it.

I went up to the counter and told the guy I found it.  I said the word prayer wasn't actually in the title and neither was a question mark.  He said that he had a better story.  He said a woman came in looking for a book, but all she knew about it was that there were flowers on the cover.  He didn't tell me how long it took but said they found the book.  There were no flowers on the cover but the author's name was Daisy.  I didn't feel so bad after I heard that.

Then it was tme to head to the game.  Our friend Joleen got us the tickets.  It was pretty fun.

do those glasses make my face look fat?

After the picnic we took our chairs to the car and went into the stadium.  There was a fairly nice breeze blowing through the mezanine, so we sat at the tables up there.  Actually, they are some of the best seats in the house, right behind home plate.  Check it out..

Joleen and Robyn

It was pretty hot so we didn't stay for the whole game.  As we made our way to the car, Robyn took this pic..

a big dork and a big shirt

All the heat really wore us down, so we relaxed a little and now it's nighty night time.

Thank you Lord, for the people you put in my life.  Thank you for the chance to talk to them about you.  Thank you Lord for the way you put me in places where I can witness your beauty and be a witness for you.  Thank you for all the joy you bring into my life.  Thank you Lord for being mine and letting me be yours.  Amen

Peace

Dan

ABUNCHASTUFF

Robyn and I thought it would be nice to relax for a day or two so we didn't do much until Saturday the 9th.  Then we finally got the second coat of paint on the bedroom furniture.  Afterwords I told Robyn about an ad I saw from Menards offering laminate flooring for 68 cents a square foot.  That was the cheapest I had ever seen it advertised.  We almost bought some a few months ago for 99 cents but I couldn't pull the trigger, now I'm glad I waited.  We are trying to get the house in shape so we can sell when Canyon graduates. (We are working slowly since we have a couple years)  We were able to get all the flooring we needed along with a new vanity top and sink, tile for the master bath, a new mirror, two ceiling fans, and faucets all for a little over $1000.  And we got it all for no interest for 12 months.

A truck load of goodies

That was enough for one day so we headed off to bed.  Here is a picture of our bed...

It's like where's Waldo..  Where's Hobbs?

Sunday we had to work the cafe at church.  We love the oppertunity to serve.  But more than that we love the music.  Here is a video of my favorite song at church..

The music is fantastic and this blog dosen't do it justice, however the messages are even better.  We are just starting a series on different religions, like the Muslims, because it is important to be informed and not just depend on hearsay to form our own opinions.  You can always see the message at pointofgrace.com.

After church we put the bedroom furniture back where it belongs.  We added new handles and refilled the drawers so we don't have to live like hoarders anymore.  Here is a before and after picture.

This was never going to come back in style

almost hard to believe it's the same dresser

We then capped the week-end off with a bath and haircut...  for Calvin.  My sister said he looked fat, but there was a much thinner Calvin under that mass of hair than she realized.

looking svelte

Don't call him fat.  He already has a complex because Robyn told him his nose was too big.

Monday it was back to work once again.  Me and Ben, the new kid, were sent out to Lake Panorama to install some concrete barstools.  What?  Yup, concrete barstools.  They are just like wooden barstools except you can't get a sliver.  They match a concrete bar we installed last fall.  Check them out..

Belly on up,  what can I get ya?

We also had a high top table to put on the patio we stained.  This place is rather unique.  You may never see a patio/pool area like it.

concrete patio and table..... interesting don't you think?

When I got home I was informed that the dryer didn't seem to be working as well as usual.  Thinking the vent may be clogged, I pulled the dryer out.  Now, we have one of those laundry closets.

Hey!  I found my missing sock.

  

It is just big enough for the washer and dryer and nothing else.  The dryer hooks directly into the vent in the wall, no hose.  I think it wasn't completely connected...

Yikes!  I've seen road kill that looked better.

So I cleaned it up and checked the vent on the dryer as well as the wall.  It was all open so I hooked it back up.  So far it is working nicely.

On my way home from work Tuesday, I saw these two kids by the side of the road.  I had to stop and ask what it was all about.

telling the world

She was in ninth grade, supposed to be in eighth.  He was just a kid passing by that she asked to help hold the sign.  I asked why she was doing it and got a surprising answer.  She said that she used to have a complex about herself, but now knew she was beautiful and she just wanted others to know that they didn't have to suffer the way she did.  Everyone should know that they are beautiful.  Wow.  I asked if she was doing this as part of a church group.  She told me she dosen't go to church very often.  I was shocked to hear that she just decided to take a day of her summer vacation, with out any prompting, and spend it on a busy corner touching hearts.  I told her she rocked.  I said that it was one of the coolest things I had ever seen.  I also told her about the teen ministries at Point of Grace.  I told her she would love it.  I told her she was beautiful.  I told the boy he rocked too.  I wish everyone had her heart.

Wednesday I was sent over to the house where we did the tennis court to clean up after the stone guys who were finishing the big concrete bar.  Here is a pic of the completed tennis court.

nicer than Wimbalton..Wimbolton.. Wimbil..  you know.

When I got back to the shop we got ready to pour some countertops.  Here is a video of Chris teaching the new kid, Ben, how to mix concrete.  Ben needs to get more in the mixer and less on himself.

While they mixed the concrete I broadcast some limestone and pea gravel into the forms so we could achieve the look the client asked for.  Here are the molds ready to pour.

It takes talent to toss rocks out like this

Oh shoot.  My blogger is acting up again.  I have so much more to share with you.  I will see if it accepts more videos and pictures tomorrow.  Maybe I need to find a new blogger.  Anyway,  until later then..remember, you are beautiful.

Peace

Dan

FIRE IN THE SKY (PART TWO)

This is a continuation of the previous post.  This technology is too good for it's own good. My apoligies if the videos don't work, I will include a little explaination of the videos beneath them, just in case.

I left off with a little rain on Sunday night as we waited for the fireworks.  The light rain stopped just in time for an awesome display.  Here is the excitement I promised you...

                                                      

WOW!  That was a lot of fireworks and a great end to a fun filled day, but Robyn and I were ready for some shut-eye so it was off to our humble abode.

The next day was July Forth.  A holiday and that means no work.  Well, it's supposed to mean no work but Robyn had other ideas.  She decided that this would be a good day to finally get started on painting that bedroom set.  So we began the process of priming.

all sanded and ready to go

Robyn tries to make it look like she's doing all the work

Actually, she was doing all the work, but I was working too.  It takes a lot of effort to find a good hiding place where she can't find me while she does all the work.  Once everything was primed we had more on our agenda.  We had to fly to the Amazon to water the flowers.  Here's some pics..

lush

green

swiss family Robinson would be jelous

tropical vegitation

The beautiful area behind the Ludwig's house is way sweet.  It's like a park.  It took us a couple of hours to get all the plants watered then we ran over to my sister's house because mom and dad were back in town and we suprised my sister with a family get together grill out at her house.  I don't think her Fourth of July plans included that but warmed to the idea. (She really had no choice)  

After some burgers and a couple cold beverages, we had to get back home and complete the first coat of paint on the bedroom set.

watching Robyn work makes me tired

After all that work, we decided to sit out on our patio and watch the Waukee fireworks display while we enjoyed a glass of wine.

this kind of work I can do

On Tuesday, at work I was able to draw on my memories of the Amazon when I was asked to put together a couple of planters for the showroom.  I am now an experienced horticulturist.  Take a look..

very tropical

When I got home from work, I was given an update on Canyon's (whom shall be called Lil' Griswald) exciting day.  He want's to list his car for sale since he can't get a liscense for 6 months.  But it has a full tank of gas, so he and his liscensed friend Casey thought it would be a good idea to drive it around and use up the gas.  Well, he has already tore out the stero, broken the taillight with a football and discovered a antifreeze leak.  Now it get's relly hard to sell because, the story as they tell it is that while they were driving around somebody pulled out in front of them.  In order to avoid a collision they swerved and hit a curb.  What happened next can only happen to a griswald.  Here is a pic that is self explanitory..

Oh no you didn't

The airbags deployed.  No one was hurt, thank God, but after a little research I found out that it would cost more than the car is worth tp replace them.  Kind of makes you wonder what will happen next, dosen't it.  He thinks he can get replacements at a salvage yard but I can't even imagine pulling the dashboard and steering column out and reassembling them, with an explosive device added to the fun.  I will keep you posted on the adventures of Lil' Griswald.

Wednesday at work we began this project.  It is the concrete vase to replace the mystery project from a few posts back.  Here is a photo layout of the procedure so far..

you think that's a mess?

now that's a mess!

Looks like the floor of a slaughter house.  Once it was ground off the bottom the real excavation could begin.

You can see the shape of the vase.

an archeological dig

Almost there

ready for polishing

I will have pics of the finished project and installation later.  It's gonna be very unique.

Wednesday night I had to tend bar, there was a little excitement.  I had five police men, a cadet, and a mental health crisis unit all there together for over two hours.  The good news was that none of the clients choose that time to leave.  So I actually had a good night.  

I suppose you are wondering why all the public servents were at the bar.  It wasn't a costume party.  Someone thought it would be a good idea to call the cops on a single gal who appeared to be crazy.  She was sitting all alone but told somebody she was with her wedding party.  She claimed to have Jesus and God sitting with her.  The guy that called the police had first asked me to call because he thought she needed some help.  I said she wasn't hurting anybody and if she thought she could get God and Jesus to attend her wedding party she was the lucky one, so I wasn't going to call.

After a couple of hours the police got a hold of her mother to come and get her.  The police knew her and said she had a history of mental illness.  

Later that night my sister stopped up to the bar to visit me.  I told her the story and she told me that lately she had been having feelings that she should do something with her life that helped others.  I know that feeling.  She was worried that her current job offered her the insurance she needs and a job that would be in line with helping others might not.  I explained that she could keep her job and volunteer on the side.  But I can understand where she's coming from, I would love to be able to help others much more than I can now.  I have often dreamed of coming into enough wealth that I could volunteer full time.  Philanthropist Dan, that's what they would call me.  However, I'm not sure how the Griswald effect would work into that.  It would make for some great stories, I'm sure.

I read a daily devotional and I thought it was neat how my sister's feelings and the devotional tied together that day.  Here, you read it and see what you think..

I love this devotional, it is always relevant

So, what's your destiny?  I believe mine is to write words that reach into peoples hearts and point them in the direction of Christ, but in a way that is easy to grasp.  Words that make you think and words that make you feel.  There is one thing I'm positive of and that is that whatever my destiny, I'm going to be doing it with the one I love.

Does this make Canyon destiny's child?

What a fantastic and enjoyable week.  I can't wait for the continuing saga to unfold.

Until next time...

Peace

Dan