LOST AND FOUND

Some times the projects we do at work are of a rather large scale, in other instances they can be not so large.  Last post I talked about a wine bar that would have fiber optic lights in a rockface edge.  Because the rockface edge is produced using a rubber mold, I wasnt sure how to run the fibers.  In all the time I have been in this profession I have never seen anyone who has tried this.  I did a little research and found nothing on the subject.
At Speck USA, we are usually on the cutting edge of the industry because we try new things (one of the reasons I love this job) so to help me out, last Friday I made a small mock up of the project.

one of the not-so-large forms

Monday morning we popped the mock up out of the mold and found that it would work just fine.  So I finished forming the small wine bar and ran the fiber optics.

I'm excited to see how this turns out

Then I turned my attention to another one of those large projects.  We have a big reception area to make.  It will consist of over 50 feet of countertop with the front wall portion down to the floor.  I am struggling with the logistics but I haven't met a challange in concrete I haven't over come.  Here is a pic of the blue prints I'm working off of, so you can get an idea of what I'm dealing with.

There's a big pile of hair on the ground here,
from me scratching my head trying to figure this one out

Tuesday I put a call into the architech on the reception desk job to clarify a few things.  While I await his return call I worked on something I had no problem understanding.  Smashing stuff.  The clients on the big 12 piece project were former owners of a well known salon and want the glass from their lotion bottles used as an inlay, so I get to crush the glass.

My ingenious glass smashing contraption

I also need to make some recess forms for the purpose of setting the wine holder columns on the wine bar.  (I know that probably makes no sense to you but trust me, it will be neato)  It is another small project.

Umm,  OK, whatever

Tuesday night I was once again behind the bar.  I enjoy the oppertunity to socalize but my favorite part of the night comes at closing time, (Usually around 10:30) because thats when my sister Debbie, my friend Danny and I spend a little time talking about God.  We always finish the night with a small prayer circle and offer each other good advice on how to make our weeks go better.

the three amigos

Wednesday I was busy forming and I had the overhead door open to let in some of the awesome morning.  Out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a dog run by.  That seemed odd because we are on a busy street and the nearest residence is quite a bit down the road.  I looked up to see a car go slowly past the door, obviously tailing the dog.  I started to head toward the front of the shop to see what was going on when the dog came past the door in the other direction, then the car came backing up past the door.

Suddenly the dog came back and ran into the shop right past me.  I asked the guy (Rick) in the car if it was his dog and he said no, he had spotted it darting in and out of traffic and was trying to get it off the road.  

I closed the overhead so the dog couldn't get back out and the two of us tried to corner the dog.  That turned out to be a lot tougher than one would think.

We tried calling very sweetly to the dog but he refused to pay us any attention.  It totally disreguarded whistles and it wasn't responsive to stearn commands either.  I got a pork chop from the fridge that I was going to have for lunch and tossed a piece in the dogs direction.  It ate that so I threw a piece a little closer to myself and the dog came closer.  I did it again trying to get the dog to come to me and held another piece in my hand, calling to the dog but it turned away and fled under the tables.

I told Rick I was going to get a phone book to call animal control.  Somehow, when I turned my back he was able to get a hold of the dogs collar.  There was a number on her tag, and her name.  Sierra.  The person on the phone was thrilled and rushed over to the shop.

Judging by her timidness, I was afraid that she may be abused but when the owners truck pulled up she was very excited to see him.  His name is Marvin.  He told us the dog is 19 years old, and deaf.  She had been missing all night so Marvin was very relieved to get her back.  Marvin, it turns out, lives part time in his truck.  His dad passed away recently and losing his dog on top of that was devestating.  When he open the door on the truck, Sierra couldn't wait to jump in and Marvin was truely overjoyed to have her back home with him.  My thanks to Rick for taking the time to help this poor animal find it's home and thanks to Marvin for loving her.

Marvin, Rick and Sierra

Then I had to get back to work.  We got the final coat of sealer on the two patio tables.  I think the green glass really pops on these pieces.

these should be a show stopper on the patio

That afternoon I went up to Iowa State University.  The second stage of the very large ongoing project up there was ready for templating.  I took this quick picture of one of the trophy case bases we had previously installed.  This view from in the large common hallway shows how you will be able to see into the offices through the case.

gonna take some very large trophies

Phase two consists of eight concrete benches that will match the cases in the hallway. (there are two more hallways after this one)  Here is a photo of the hallway.  You can see one of the benches in the foreground and a case base just behind the big tool box.

you would never know this is in a century old building

When I got home robyn wanted to plant a few small flowers in her garden.  I mean she wanted me to plant some flowers.  We also hung a tiny bird house to complete the garden

Is this heaven?  No it's our back yard

On my way into work Thursday I stopped to snap this beautiful sunrise.  I never tire of God's handywork that He gives me the eyes to see.  He loves to put me in places and moments that are awe inspiring.  Thank you Lord.

this actually may be heaven

Once at work I began forming the benches for the ISU job.  These should be completed rather quickly once the initial forming is done.

moving right along

Speaking of Iowa State,  we also got the final coat of sealer on the Cyclone and Hawkeye table for the charity auction.

The sealer makes the colors vibrant

I think these will draw in some big bucks for the charity

In desperate need of some R&R, I took a vacation day on Friday.  I wanted to extend the holiday weekend just a little longer, and I figured I could get some things done around the house on Friday while Robyn was at work.  The first thing I did was get the dishwasher unloaded, then I sat down and watched a marathon of Pawn Stars.  Then Robyn got home.  Well, at least I got some of that R&R that I was looking for.  

Later that evening my mom and dad arrived in town.  They are here to see my sister Sherry who happens to be in town to see her daughter Shonna and her new baby girl, Savannah.  Mom and dad stopped at our house for the night and then will head to Shonna's Saturday.  We had a beer and talked a little, but it was clear they were exhausted so it was off to bed.

Saturday we said our temporary good byes to mom and dad.

Ma and Pa make like babies and head out.

Robyn and I had plans to go to the weekly farmers market in Des moines.  We would join the family later.  Here's a pic from the top floor of the parking ramp, we were lucky to get parking spot.

just the beginning, it streches for almost a mile

I did learn a couple of things at the market.  First, you can get away with some pretty high prices if you're not selling fruits or veggies.  A couple of 9 ounce strawberry smoothies cost me 8 bucks.  I also learned that they sell the heaviest produce at the furthest end of the market.  

After carrying an 11.5 pound mellon for nine blocks through a large crowd on a hot day and up four flights of stairs, I have a whole new respect for mothers who carry a baby for nine months.

all smiles, pre-mellon

Afterwards, we went over to Shonna's.  We hadn't seen the baby yet so Robyn was excited.

Robyn with the baby, and Shonna the proud mamma

You know, everyone says that babies are cute, but alot of times they're just being nice.  But in this case Savannah is addorable.  The good looks obviously come from my side of the family.

sleeping like a baby

Most of the family had gone to see my brothers new house, so Robyn and I took the oppertunity to go find something for lunch.  We happened on a small resturant that is known for their tenderloin sandwhiches.  As it turns out, the sandwhich was pretty good, but there was a lot of grease in that place.  As a matter of fact, when we got back to Shonna's we were told we smelled a little greasy.

may I have a cup of grease, please?  And could you check my oil?

When we got back, everyone was there.  My sister Sherry I hardly ever get to see.  She lives in North Carolina.  My brother Steve who I get to see more often, but he lives in southern Florida half the year.  Among many other family members.  We played some catch with the football and Robyn even tried out the pogo stick. (not wise when you reach our age)  We sat down for a rest and I took this quick pic of Steve, Sherry and myself...

ok, maybe the good looks don't come from our side

Shonna was getting tired so we decided to head to my other sister's house, even though Debbie was at work, and play a little poker.  Because my mom is recovering from surgery on her broken hip and my dad dosen't get around to good due to several strokes, we opted to play in the driveway.  No steps.

poker by the light of the moon

There were some young ones there so the game didn't last into the wee hours like it usually does.  We packed up and headed for home

Sunday, the service centered around the string of kings that came after King David.  Saddly, they got progressivly worse, leading the people further and further away from God.  They were worshipping false idols and doing terrible deeds, things to detestable to mention here.  But God never gave up on them.  He sent prophet after prophet to point them in the right direction and warn them of the consequences if they wouldn't listen.

Over the next several hundred years the people fell away and God called them back to him.  This pattern repeated itself over and over again.

We can put ourselves in their shoes.

Just like Sierra, we wander away and get lost.  But just like Marvin,  God won't stop loving us and calling us back to him.  

Some of us will get lost for a short time before we turn back to God.  For many, we will be lost our whole lives before finding our true home in the Lord.  And some will never find their home, but just like Rick helping Sierra find Marvin, thankfully there are those out there, such as pastors and missionaries, who will spend the time and energy required to point the way for us.

I'm thankful everyday that God loves me enough to forgive all my sins, no matter how bad, and He holds the door open so I can jump back in.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day.  I have the day off so maybe I can get something done around the house.

Of course there is a House Hunters marathon on HGTV.   Time will tell.

Peace

Dan

HERE COME DA JUDGE

Another Monday rolled around and I had to go out and template a rather large residential bar and fire place.  It requires us to make 12 pieces.   Once back to the shop I began the forming process.  The first two pieces were easy..

The upper bar 

Tuesday I was called out to help prep another pool deck.  In this case we are pouring an overlay on top of an old pool deck.  Than we will stamp a nice slate look into the overlay and stain it.  Here is a before picture, I will try to post an after pic later.

don't drink the water

After the prep work was done I went back to the shop to continue forming the dozen piece bar.  I had to use a torch to melt plexi-glass into the desired shapes.  Don't worry, it's ok.  I played a welder on TV.

as Paris would say, "that's hot"

The next piece I formed was the wine bar.  It will have fiber optics and a rock face edge with wine holder columns on top.  We are even going to try to put fiber optics in the rock face.  Not sure how that will work yet.  Here is a photo of the start of the bar.

in the beginning...

Wednesday I formed up a small project for a client that wanted two patio tables with stainless inlays as well as glass.   Amber, grey and green were the colors of glass they chose.

is that emeralds in there?

The client asked that we make the glass inlays look a little like rivers or streams.  Once the glass was in place we were ready for concrete...

a river runs through it

Next I completed about 75% of the dozen job.  I am now waiting on the contractor for some needed items.

part of the dirty dozen

Wednesday night small group was postponed due to graduation commitments.  So, while I waited for American Idol to come on, (I can't believe Joshua is out) I re-read my devotional for the last couple of days.  

It talked about not bowing down to the ways of this world but to do what is right in the eyes of God.  I know that I fail here sometimes.  Actually, quite often.  Although I do boldly proclaim my faith, sometimes I feel frowned upon if I pray at a resturant.  Sometimes, in certain company, I may let an oppertunity to witness pass by because I feel imtimidated, and other times I find myself being judgemental of others when I know it's not my place to judge.

There is a great line in the devotional that should make me, and you, sit up and take notice.  It states, "You can't abandon the principles of God, and walk in the blessings of God."

If I pray aloud in public, and share Jesus with those who need it and accept others for who they are, then I am blessing them.  

All those instances are tests of my faith and when I can do these things, that's when I walk in the blessings of God.

 Thursday we flipped the patio tables and began processing them...

looking good

Then I ran out to the firepit job once again.  Someone forgot to put pea gravel in the bottom of the pit.  While I was there I snapped this pic of the finished project.  

stamped, stained and capped

When I returned to the shop I was asked to form a cap for a waterfall feature on the other pool deck we are repairing.  I posted a pic in my last post of the pool.

an easy one

Friday was spent getting the shop cleaned up and working on two bar tables that we are donating to a charity auction.  We do this every year.  They always draw in some big bucks.

cyclones

hawkeyes

I stopped by a local furniture store on the way home.  Last October I posted about our love seat having some problems and I took it in to get it fixed.  Well, they called to tell us it was done.  Yes, I said last October.  It has a lifetime warrenty on the mechanisams, but the steel had bent to the point of poking through the leather and we wanted that fixed as well as the mechanisams.  So you can understand why it took half a year to repair. (note the sarcasm here)

I was preparing myself as I drove there figuring out what I was going to say.  I didn't want to yell but I wasn't going to pay full price for the labor either.

I walked into the reception area and asked the lady behind the desk if I could pick up my couch.  She asked if it was done and I said, "I hope so, you've had it since Halloween but I'm not sure because I can't get your people to return my calls".

She didn't look up but started typing what had to be a book because she typed for a long time.  I didn't want to get in an argument with her because it looked like she might be able to hurt me, (she was a muscular gal) and I haven't been in a fight for more than a quarter of a century.  She got up and went to talk with someone at another desk, then came back and typed some more.

At last she handed me a piece of paper and told me to give them the number written on the corner.  Then I asked what I owed, knowing I was going to ask for a discount and got ready to defend myself.

She said, "no charge, we've had your couch long enough.  Sorry". 

Awesome!  I couldn't hit a girl anyway.

I went to the recieving dock and, after some confusion over the money, they brought out the prodigal love seat.  It was wrapped in plastic but I could see where they had tried to dust it off.  I read the reciept and it said two hours labor.  

I know!

When I got home and unwrapped it I realized how they were able to fix both mechanisams and repair the leather in just two hours.

Frankencouch

Saturday Robyn and I put up the decorations we bought at the thrift store in Pella the week end before

believe   joy   peace

Then we put some new plants in her flower garden and picked some weeds

weed free zone

Next we headed to Menards for 15 bags of mulch and some weed preventer paper to go under the mulch.  Here's a pic of Robyn loading the truck..

don't judge me, I do the driving

On the way home we stopped for a quick refreshment

a perfect pair

Then it was back to the grind.  We pruned the trees, removed the rest of the pea gravel, put down the paper and mulch, planted some plants and moved others, placed the big rocks and put in a little bird bath.

professional landscapers?

Sunday I was supposed to go into work so we skipped church. (We watched several messages online later that day so once again, don't judge me)  I got a call at 10 telling me they didn't need me so I went to mending an old family rocking chair that my sister Sherry brought from North Carolina.  Her daughter (my niece) Shonna is expecting very soon.  Sherry wants her to have it but it was coming apart a little.

Unfortunatly, my work bench is currently being used as a garage sale table, but as we all know I'm a multi-tasker.  Here is a pic of the work bench/sales bin.

looks like an Old Navy delivery truck exploded in my garage

While I was working on that and doing some yard work, Robyn and Nick finally got the guest bedroom painted.

a nice earth tone.

Just typing about all our activities is making me tired all over again.  

Another Monday is rolling around so I'm gonna hit the hay.  

By the way, thanks for not judging me, God bless you.

Peace

Dan

IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE

Monday morning I sprayed some colored texture on the bathroom walls.  We thought it would look cool, but you be the judge..

Ok, ok.  Step 4 was wrong

I will have to do something about that.

After work I stopped by my brother-in-law Mike's house.  That's when I was introduced to Evan.  It was hard for him to sit still, and he didn't say much but he liked it when I rubbed his belly.

Free Evan

He fell out of a tree when he was only three weeks old.  Mike's daughters found him under a leaf.  They have been bottle feeding him for a month and are just about ready to set him loose.  I'm worried about Evan because they live on a busy street.

When I got home I happened to look out the basement window and I spotted this guy trapped in the window well.....

I think I'll call him Timmy

I went outside and got a bucket.  I climbed down into the well with him.  Timmy was frightened and jumped off the walls and window, then decided to hide behind my leg.  I laid the bucket down on it's side and coaxed him into the bucket.  I knew he would leap out of the bucket so I lifted it up and dumped it quickly.

If you have a weak heart skip the next part.

The window well is just feet from my back yard.  The very yard where Calvin was watching the goings on from.  Saddly, Timmy decided to bounce directly into Calvin's waiting jaws.  I am too old to jump right out of the window well to stop the dog and all Robyn's yelling didn't stop Calvin from doing what comes naturally.

Some folks rescue babies, but the Griswolds feed them to the lions.

I tried to be a hero....  sigh...   bummer.

Tuesday morning Chris put the finishing touches on the Granite sink job.

Gonna be a tough install

Meanwhile, I put a coat of paint on the textured walls.

Step 5 and done

Tuesday night, before I had to bartend, Robyn and I asked Nick if he would quit his job.  That's a lot to ask him but the three o'clock in the morning thing was killing me.   Please pray with us that Nick can find a job closer to home.   Anyway, back to bartending.  After last Tuesday, I was kind of excited.  I hoped to make a little extra tip money because the Saturday coming up is Robyn and my 22nd anniversary.  I am making secret plans to surprise her.

alrighty then, it's gonna have to be a cheap surprise

Wednesday night we had small group.  It was great as usual, but afterwords, Robyn and I hung around and talked with our group leader and his wife a little about our feelings of being led to do something greater.  I told them that I wasn't feeling a sense of fulfillment at work.  I love my job but I have been having this nagging feeling that I might be in the wrong place.  

I was asked if I thought these feelings were of myself or of God.  I don't know the answer,  but it's also very coincedental that Robyn is having these same feelings where she is. 

I can say that the studies at church and in small group have been talking directly to our hearts as well as the daily devotional.  I believe that something is going to present itself and we will be required to take a leap of faith, and I'm sure we are ready.

Thursday Chris and I went to install the granite sink job.  It was extremely difficult to get our pieces in place around his $3000 granite sink with-out causing any damage to his sink or our pieces.  Here's a couple of pics..

 

recessed cutting board looks sweet

rock face edge goes great with granite

After the install, I had to run some lights to an electrician on a patio job we did.  On the way there I saw what I thought to be a great self employment oppertunity, and it reminds me of a story.

Goose-b-gone: nuisance wildlife control

Robyn shared a story with me about a pair of geese that were nesting in a big flower pot outside a resturant where Robyn eats lunch.  The mother goose would chase people around the parking lot trying to protect her eggs.  Because of the over population of canadian geese, they are becoming very urbanized.  The story goes on that all the patrons watched the babys as the began to grow.  Then one day, while people were eating and bird watching, two hawks dived bombed the nest and took the babies out into the lot and ate them...

Is it just me or is this a morbid post?  

It's just nature taking it's course.

It does go to show that the goose chaser guy is on to something.

When I got to the patio job, which is also where I built the firepit, I decided to snap a quick photo of the pit with the cap.

I think the cap should be a bit bigger

Then I had to run to another job.  We are repairing a pool deck and restaining it.  Although we do pour concrete pool decks, this one wasn't ours.  We have restained other concrete for this client and he asked us to fix the deck too.

looks good from afar

After work I was asked to stop by the church and repair a wall that some wild teen-ager accidently kicked a hole through.

hole-y

Friday I had to run out to the other firepit job.  The clients dad had accidently dragged a huge, heavy metal object across his new bar top and put a scratch in it so we resealed it.  I went out to buff it out and take down any tape and plastic.

that cap looks more proportional

looks like a good spot for a pina-coloda

I got home just in time to witness Robyn having a Griswold moment.  

Hobbs, our cat, gets two kinds of cat food mixed together.  One for hairballs and one for weight control.  Anyway, she was shaking the container to mix the two and the lid came off.  Catfood went everywhere.  We found it in the cabinets and in the dishwasher.

Calvin was Johnny on the spot to help with the clean up.

the bunny slayer/catfood vacuum

Saturday, we were up early.  It was our anniversary.  We drove an hour and a half to a winery.  They were celebrating their 6th anniversary with a free tasting, free tours, free commerative wine glasses and free food.  It's a good thing I didn't need those tips.  We met my brother Steve and his wife Bonnie there.  They were celebrating their anniversary also.

touring wine country

After the winery we stopped into the town of Pella.  We found a small resturant and had lunch then did some shopping.  Robyn found a couple things for her garden but they were a little over priced.  We bartered the price down some and left happy.  I will put them up later and show you a pic.  We then followed Steve over to see his new lake house.  It will take a little work but the price was right and the location is great.

I took a picture of an old barn on the property..

somebody get Steve a Garden Weasel

We left Steve and started heading back home, but we decided to stop in the hamlet of Pleasantville for some ice cream.  This town is extremely laid back.  I accidently embarrased myself when I locked the car with my key chain and it honked.  It echoed really loud because there wasn't another car in sight.  I'm sure it wasn't an unsafe neighborhood, as a matter of fact it was the only neighborhood in town.

It was very Mayberryish.

just laying around like a bump on a log

I had plans for us to go out that night to see one of our favorite singers performing for free at a local pub, but we opted to stay home, watch a movie and head to bed.

Sunday the service talked about how we find ourselves in sin.  Last post I said something about not understanding why King David did the things he did and how he got to that place.  It dosen't just suddenly happen.  No one decides on the spot to be an addict, or embezzle millions of dollars.  Those things start out small.  Like, I'll try cocaine just this once to impress somebody, or I'll only take a little of the money and pay it back later.  Unfortunatly, if we don't protect ourselves from those temptations they begin to grow.  And before we know it we are up to our armpits in the muck and can't find the way out.   

The answer is to look up.

The shed blood of Jesus can wash the muck away. 

 

If you're reading this and you think your stuck in your mess, ask Christ into your life right now and He will show you the way.  It won't happen over night but it will happen.

Sunday was Mother's Day.  Tradition has it that we meet up with another couple for brunch and bloody marys.  We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the weather and each others company for a while then went home.  Robyn went up to take a nap and I got some chores done.   Then it was R&R time.

surrounded by flowers on Mother's Day, ready for a nap

Me avoiding the temptation to over work

Peace

Dan