LAST CALL

Wednesday morning at work we polished the piece with the large river rock in it.  It has a natural creek look to it.  I think the client is going to be very happy with it.  Check it out...

lots of color

I also was asked to make a stand to display our concrete vessel bowls.  I used some extra maple and fabrcated a spinning post.  It turned out really cool.

a microwave tower??

Wednesday night we had small group.  Robyn and I have rejoined our old group for this study.  I will not be leading however, my good friend Terry has taken the helm.  This study will take 31 weeks and we will study the entire bible story, chronilogi..  cronolo..  as it happened through time.  You see, the bible books aren't necessarly in the order they happened so this will help us understand the bible better.

Thursday I installed the copier cabinet at the main office.  It fit perfectly.  While I was at the main office I measured the small pass through window.  I have been asked if I can make some kind of door to fit the opening.

take note of the copier..

These guys are making use of all available desk space.

you can see the small window in the background

Thursday night Nick didn't show up at my work.  I couldn't reach him because his phone was out of minutes.  I wondered if he might have been overwhelmed at the offer to stay with us.  But I suspected there was just some confusion on which day he was moving in with us.

Friday I was sent out to template a kitchen for a new job.  The client wants the island to be one piece.  It is over 11 feet long and almost 4 feet wide.  Thats a bigger piece than we would usually do but we are always up to a challange. 

Island?.. that's more like a continent.

I got back to the shop and began the layout.

It seems even bigger here

Nick called and told me he would be there at 5.  He was pretty excited.  I told him I had a side job to do for a friend on Saturday and he asked if he could help me.  I can always use an extra set of hands.

Saturday morning we headed over to the job.  My friend told me she needed me to put up some crown mould on cabinets her husband had installed.  

Simple.  

Not.

She had the most unusual trim I have ever seen.  I told her I wasn't even sure what it was for.  But that wasn't all, I also needed to put in missing filler strips, install toe kick, and shoe, I needed to make a base to go under the wine fridge and a panel above the microwave.  And I needed to case two doors and install the base in the kitchen.  As far as the crown mould goes, it wasn't like any I have ever put in but she said she had the plans somewhere and would find them for me.

So Nick and I began putting on toe kick and shoe.  That went pretty quick.  I also cased one door and began basing the kitchen.  We measured for the fridge base, fillers and microwave panel, took some trim pieces and went to my shop to do some fabricating .

My little helper brings in some tools

When we got back my friend told me she couldn't find the plans.  I asked where the cabinets came from and she told me the place was no longer in business.  I asked how long ago the cabinets were installed.  She told me it was 4 years ago.  Wow!  Obviously time was not of the essence on this job.  But I wanted to get my part done.

In these next two pics you can see how much better it looks with the fillers in place.

these spots are hard to clean

much better

We were losing daylight so we called it a day.

Sunday morning Nick joined us at church.  I hope he grows to like it and continues to go.  It may be the thing that helps change his life.  A little Jesus never hurt no one.

After church we went back over to my friends to finish the job.

I made a suggestion on how I would install the "crown mould" and she said go for it.

it sits flat but gives a finished look

I installed the fridge base and used some of the crown trim to make this nice microwave panel..

looks store bought

Then she askd if I would base the bathroom too, and the two upstairs baths and the family room.  I also need to hang two doors and case them.  This job was not going to be complete today.  But after waiting over 4 years, another week wasn't a big deal.  

At 4 o'clock I had to head home because Robyn and I are starting a class called Financial Peace.  A christian based class on how to get out of debt and begin to build wealth.  It was offered at Point of Grace, although they don't have any affiliation with it.  Hopefully it will help us get our finances in order.

Monday I got the forms built for the massive island and kitchen

almost need binoculars to see that far

I also began building the doors for the pass through window.  I'm going to do two small by-pass doors.

these pieces will be the tracks for the doors

Tuesday we poured the big island (from now on refered to as Hawaii) and the two other pieces.  We did the same technique we used on our office desks.  But we used a light brown base and added two darker brown tints swirled in.

the top of these will look way cooler

I had to tend bar Tuesday night, but the gal that cuts our hair offered to come over and give Nick a free hair cut so he could look good for job interviews.  Very nice of her.  Here is a pic of Shelly from a while ago when she was giving Robyn a cut and color.

getting all dolled up

Shelly offering the free hair cut isn't all that has happened since we had Nick move in.  My sister has offered Nick a place to stay once in a while if he wants to get away from me every now and then.  My brother has offered to help with groceries or what ever we may need.  But the most amazing thing of all is Robyn's unemployment check was raised by 50 bucks and we aren't even sure why.  The hand of God is at work here.  All the Glory to God.

good things are happening

Wednesday we began to process the swirled pieces 

they look even better than our desks

Russ at work on Hawaii

Wednesday I was asked to lead small group because Terry was out of town.  Before we could head out I needed to print the study sheets e-mailed to me by Terry.  For some reason (maybe because I'm a griswold) my printer took this moment in time to go on vacation.  Remember I told you to take note of the printer earlier in this post.  That was because I wanted you to see what a working printer looks like.  I fumbled with it for a while, then asked Canyon if he could help me.  It was like a Nascar garage.  Canyon was under the hood and I was laying in a puddle of grease underneath the rear axel.  

I can kick the tires with the best of em, but darn it Jim, I'm a carpenter not a mechanic!

Canyon tried a few tricks but this is one stubborn copier

I called someone from the group and they said they would print them for me.  

We were studying about Abraham this week.  The story of God asking him to sacrifice his only son is heart breaking.  But Abraham follows the call faithfully, figuring that God will raise Issac from the dead.  That sacrifice never happens because God intervenes.  We learned that it was a test of Abrahams faith but that it is also the very same location where Jesus, God's only son, would be crucified 2000 years later.  Robyn and I are awe struck at Abrahams faith and only hope that we would be as faithful if God calls us.  And it's odd because I do feel called, I just am not sure where He is calling me to go.  Right now it's like a distant voice, I can hear it but can't quite make out what it is saying.  Stay tuned.

Thursday we installed the countertop with the river rock aggregate.  In this pic the undercounter lights make the tops look different colors but that is not the case.  The tops look awesome.  See what you think...

looks sharp

We also got Hawaii ready for sealer.  It looks incredible.

marble?  no, concrete.

Well,  it has started to snow again and it is beginning to pile up.  They may call me in around 4 in the morning to opperate a shovel again so I will draw this post to a close.  In closing I ask everyone to listen for that far off voice, because He calls on all of us.  When we hear it I pray that we will have the faith of Abraham.

Oh, and does anyone one wanna buy a used printer?

Peace

Dan

WWJD

Let me start by answering my sister's request that I post the daily devotional from Jan. 16th. (her birthday)  It's a good one..

Re-read it until it speaks to you

To love Him is to serve Him, and serve our fellow man.

Sunday was the big game, and I had a front row seat.  Saddly, Robyn wasn't feeling up to making the SuperBowl feast so we ordered pizza.  But we did have a fire in the fireplace, cold beer and a comfortable chair.  On top of that it was a pretty good game  What else could a guy ask for.

perfect

Monday we started putting together the booth for the Home and Garden show.  We bought two booths so we would have more space, and we designed the lay out of the booth to fit that area.  When we got to the Iowa Event Center and located our space, we were surprised to find that the two spaces were seperated by a giant pillar.  (It didn't show that on the blue print)  After some tense moments they allowed us to relocate to a better area.  We were next to the big landscape companies so we wanted them to see our pond cap.

they laughed at our pond...

...but not the cap

Tuesday I built a sweet coat rack to match the cabinets in the office.  I had an idea for a topper for the rack that I would work on later.

made with scraps

We also finalized the aggregate lay out for one of our clients.  This piece is over 9 feet long.

sheets of river rock

Tuesday night my sister stopped up to the bar to visit.

Lite beer makes her tense

Wednesday I was told that the guys at the main office needed a cabinet for their printer.  Yippy!  I get to make another cabinet!  I had just enough leftover maple to fabricate a nice cabinet.

coming together

I also used a little time after work to make a candle holder for Robyn.  She has some square, glass, tea light holders and asked if I would make a holder for the mantle.

a glass mix concrete

And I started my coat rack topper

difficult to cut with a jig-saw

Thursday we polished and stained some of the concrete floor at the shop as a sample for prospective clients

makes even the roughest floor look cool

We also threw together some stainless steel inlay samples for a client.  They are thinking of doing some long countertops.

all those pieces are in the concrete

Friday I finished the printer cabinet, now we need to make a top.

The grain is stunning

I also painted my rack topper... I think it is a real work of art.  

They laughed at Picasso too.

After work I presented Robyn with an early Valentines present.

C'mon baby, light my fire

We were supposed to attend an event for married couples with our small group but it was postponed.  The group decided to go out to dinner.  Robyn and I volunteered to go early and get in line for a table. (they don't take reservations)  We put in our name and waited at the bar.  The place was jumping.

they may need a bigger bar

Soon everyone showed up and we were seated.  Some of the girls ordered fancy drinks with names like 'Flying Tropical Turtle' and 'Gorilla Sweat' or something like that, near as I can remember.  I pestered the waitress until she took our picture.

all smiles

I kept my attempted diet in the back of my mind and ordered grilled salmon on a bed of wild rice with a side of broccoli.

tasty and good for you

Robyn ordered onion rings on a bed of meatloaf and texas toast.  I think she was teasing me.

Tasty, but probably not so good for you

While we were eating, my sister Debbie sent me a text.  She said my parents were in town, and so was my sister Sherry from Virgina.  After dinner I ran out to my nieces to visit everyone.  

Debbie, Sherry and Mom

Saturday morning it was my shift to work the Home and Garden show.  The booth looked great.

Getting ready for the show to start

It was a really good show.  I actually made some sales and got several leads.  People are awe struck by some of the things we can make.  I love it.

After the show I got a call from a friend, Nick.  I've known Nick for more than 25 years.  We worked together at one time and his life has had many ups and downs.  For the past 2 years Nick hasn't been able to get any work.  He is in a real bad place.  He asked if we could hang out for a while.  

I knew that the temperature was going to be near zero and he said he wasn't sure where he was going to go.  He was being asked to leave the house he had been living at and had no where to stay.  I called Robyn and she thought we should let him spend the night with us.

My very good friend

On the way home he told me a story that I want to share with you.

Nick is pennyless so he walks down to the employment office every day looking for a job, no matter the weather.  He also finds a way across town to my sisters everytime it snows to shovel her driveway.  (she dosen't ask him to)  On this day he gathered up some pop cans to redeem for bus fare so he could get to Debbie's house, because it was snowing.

At the redemption center someone left a cart with some cans.  Nick waited and asked several people if the cans belonged to them.  All said no.  After 15 minutes someone said it was Nick's lucky day and told him to take the cans.  They totaled a little more than 6 bucks.  A jackpot to Nick.

He walked to the bus stop but on the way decided to take another route.  He grabbed a different bus and at the very next stop a young man got on.  He asked to be taken to his destination and the driver said it would cost $1.75.  

The young man said he didn't have it and the driver told him he had to exit the bus.  

Nick stopped the guy and asked how short he was.  He said he didn't have any money.  Nick payed his fare.  Nick told me he thought he was supposed to be on that bus at that time.  I love his heart.

A buck and 75 cents.  Nothing to you and me.  But for Nick it was almost a third of everything he had.  Would you give a third of all your savings to a stranger who you would never see again?

...serve our fellow man.

That night my family came over to our house to play some cards.  

I just had a bad beat by the one counting his chips

Sunday we had to serve at church so we got up early and Nick came to help us out.  After church we dropped Nick off by the bus stop.  I told him to call me and we left.  Robyn asked if we going to pick him up later.  I said I hadn't planned on it.  She was worried about him.  Me too.

We went and met my family for lunch and then said our good byes.

That night I had to go help tear down the booth, it was a late night.

Monday at work we assembled the pond at work and got the showroom all put back together.

not room for much more in there

It was snowing again and we were short on guys, so I was asked to go run a shovel.  I mean an actual shovel.  With out exaggeration, I'm pretty sure I shoveled over a mile of sidewalks.  I felt like I had Popeye arms.  When I got home I wasn't excited about doing my own driveway.  

Debbie called and said she couldn't get ahold of Nick.

Tuesday he called me from JobService.  I asked where he was staying.  He said at a meth house.  He was staying in the basement keeping away from the drugs.  He wanted to know if he could stop by the bar and maybe play some cribbage with me.  (I could tell he just didn't want to go back to that house)

I called Robyn and told her Nick was coming to see me.  She asked if I was ok with him staying with us for a while.  I love her heart.  Nick is going to stay in our basement until he can get back on his feet.

He moves in Thursday.  We could all use your prayers.

...serve your fellow man.

Peace

Dan

PIZZA HUT 1, PIZZA HUT 2...

As if God himself wanted to see how I was doing with my "diet", our small group decided to get together Sunday afternoon for a meal and some fellowship.  We met at Appleby's.  It takes a while to find seating for 14, so we had about a 15 minute wait.  This particular small group hasn't all met together for a few months so it was nice to all see one another again and hear new stories as well as remember old ones.

the gangs all here

As far as my so called diet goes, all I will say is I didn't order a lean pocket.

Sunday evening we had to wash Calvin's feet.  Because it has been so unseasonably warm it is muddy out back and his feet smelled bad. (I really need to scoop the yard)  I'm pretty sure Calvin was confused when we put him in the tub, but only got his feet wet. 

The fur on his feet is not usually darker

Monday at work I finished the other office desk.  My boss liked this one better than the first and comadeered it before anyone else could.  The corragated steel front gives it an industrial look.

making himself at home

I also got the blue print cabinet installed.  It blends right in with the office.

everything in it's place

You probably heard a loud crashing noise Monday night.  It was me falling off the diet wagon, HARD!

temptation always looks so dang yummy

Tuesday at work I began work on the desk cabinets for the main office.  It will require only 7 cabinets but I was asked to get them done by Friday.  I love a challange.  

We also laid out the walk way panels that will be in our booth at the show coming up.  It shows a few of the floor styles and patio stamps we can do, as well as some of the colors there are to choose from.

People will be talking about our booth for a while

Tuesday night I tended bar.  A friend of mine came in and we discussed some topics he had been wondering about.  He felt that there were some people he knew who had bad feelings toward him.  I asked why he thought that.  He said he just felt it.  I tried to offer him some help.  

Sometimes we let our feelings lead us around by the nose.  I said that maybe he should talk to whomever he was refering to, not in a confrontational way, but just as a friend.  I told him that we shouldn't pass judgment on people because of their looks or the feelings we get from them, but try to engage them in relationship building conversation.  (He told me later that they talked and he was wrong, and there were no ill feelings)  

There is something we can all gleen from this situation.  We should all humble ourselves and realize that no one is better or worse than ourselves. Don't let your feelings dictate your direction.  If you look down your nose at others, like the homeless, or if you think someone is in a league above you, like a wealthy politician, you will live your life missing the oppertunities to meet some incredible people.  Their stories could affect your life in a very positive manner.  You also miss the chance to share God's love with them, and you may be the only person in their lifetime who could share that hope..

Though Calvin's eyes say differently, they love each other

Wednesday I finished up the drawer bases for the main office.  Chris put two coats of finish on them and made the maple look beautiful.

I would love to build cabinets all the time

Thursday I put the finishing touches on the rest of the cabinets for the main office and sent them in to be sealed.

pretty grain

I was reading my brother Steve's blog and he lovingly said his brothers (David and myself) were "goobers".  I asked where that term comes from but have not heard back yet.  I am making the assumption that it is a term used in Florida, where he currently resides, that refers to guys in baseball caps.  I say that because in both photos of David and me we are wearing them, and quite frankly, we look like goobers.  You make the call...

Ya, I can see the goober here

Now, if you have ever seen the old TV program, Mayberry, you know Goober was a character on the show.  Of course Goober had a brother named Gomer.  Gomer also had his own show, Gomer Pyle.

All this to say that if I am Goober, this makes my brother Steve Gomer, but once again I'll let you make the call...

Nope.  He's a goober too

Friday we installed the desks at the main office.  I made the dead line.  They were thrilled to get them.  I could tell by the way they sat in their chairs and spun around in circles, with huge smiles on their faces.  My only regret is that I don't have more cabinets to make in the forseeable future.

good looking office

The company owner didn't know we were doing this office, and when he suprised us and stuck his head in the office, he wasn't as thrilled as the rest of us.  SpeckUSA also removes snow in the winter and we haven't seen alot this year.  His only remark was that we had better get some snow to pay for these desks.

Friday night his wish was granted...

winter strikes Iowa

By Saturday morning the desks were paid for several times over.  I don't personally remove snow for SpeckUSA but I do have to shovel my own driveway.  I watched the snow fall throughout the day, wondering if it would ever cease.  By 4 in the afternoon I couldn't wait any longer and went out to clear the drive.  We got a lot of snow.  A LOT!

Tuesday it was 60 degrees!

Thank God for friendly Iowans.  My neighbor, John was out doing everyones sidewalks and helping my other neighbor dig his car out of the end of his driveway.  As he made his way back home he stopped and finished up my driveway.  The weather here can be awful, but the people are awesome.

Thanks John!

The Super Bowl is tonight, and although my beloved Vikings are no where near the game, I will still watch.  Not necessarly for the game, but for the commercials,...  and the tail gate food.  

The heck with the "diet"!

Peace

Dan