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