Memorial Day Birthday Party Pics. . .

Worth The Investment?????

Back in March we invested in a lovely new stage trailer.

Actually, it's an old parade float that has sat abandoned and forlorn for at least a decade and we rescued it. . .


Today, for the first time, we took a really good look at it so we could decide how to transform it into something that we can actually use. . .


We came to the conclusion that it needs a lot of work. . .



While they were working, Rob made the comment that no one else [in their right mind] would do this. . .



I think the reason that other sound companies wouldn't do this is because they don't have the skills, the tools and the know-how that these guys have that can turn a parade float into a stage trailer!!



Besides, a "real" stage trailer would cost between $70,000 and $250,000 (or more) . . .



This project has a long way to go but I'm willing to bet that when it's done it will look as professionally built as "the real thing" but it will pay for itself before the summer is over. Seems worth it to me. . . (easy for me to say, I won't be the one doing all the work . . . )

Armed And Dangerous. . .

Can't See The Flowers For The Weeds. . .

I've never had a green thumb. In fact, I kill even the hardiest house plants merely by my presence. A few years ago Kristin staged an intervention and planted some hardy perennials in my front yard and, surprisingly enough, they actually keep coming back!

Unfortunately, the weeds keep coming back too.

It's hard to enjoy the beauty of the flowers when they are surrounded by weeds so I've decided it's time to take serious action. If I can saddle and bridle a horse then, surely, I can annihilate a few weeds, right?? Right??? On Monday I hope to post at least one picture of my progress.

In the meantime, any and all advice is welcome. . . Anyone???

What If. . .

It's no secret that our business isn't something I would have chosen for myself. In fact, when I'm feeling snippity about it, I refer to it as "Rob's dream, not mine". I would MUCH rather do this than work for someone else, however, so I find ways to make it better (that usually includes some kind of spreadsheet. . . ). I gave Rob a metaphor one time to help him understand why I don't get as excited as he does about certain aspects of the business (the parts of it that he loves usually make me want to throw up just a little. . . ).



IF we had taken MY path, and, say, I started directing a children's choir right after college and it became fairly successful and it took a huge amount of time and dedication but it required Rob's willingness to play the piano, would he be willing to do it??? He would be very capable of doing it. He would even be very good at it. But would he love it? I'm pretty sure we all know the answer to that one.



This metaphor has been very helpful over the years in communicating to Rob why I often feel the way I do about certain aspects of the business. It's not meant to make him feel bad or to pat myself on the back or to be a Martyr, it just helps him see my point of view a little clearer. Most of the time all I have to do is say, "Children's Choir" and he kind of gets it. Besides, it's not like I actually had that opportunity or would have taken it if it had presented itself. . .



The point is, last evening I had one of those "what-if" moments at The Civic Center. Rob and Kurt were running sound and lights for a presentation called RAD or Race Against Drugs. I sat next to Rob at the mixer and watched him follow the script, adjust the faders as necessary and cue the music without skipping a beat. He was good at it but he wasn't enjoying it. I sat there and watched about 70 kids sing and dance and act their little hearts out while their director very capably kept everything flowing. The thought crossed my mind more than once that this very well could have been a path I might have taken 20 years ago. (Just for the record, I'm very thankful that I didn't!)



After the show, I asked Rob if he would have been willing to run sound three or four times a week for me if this had been "my dream". The look on his face and his hesitation said what his words couldn't. We both laughed about it as we realized it was a good visual for the metaphor I've used over the years about children's choirs.



I honestly don't regret the way my life has turned out and the paths I've chosen. In fact, most of the time I'm very thankful for what I do and the opportunities I've been given. If I could go back 20 years, knowing then what I know now, would I do anything differently? Probably a few things (like take better care of my yard!!) but I wouldn't change the end result. . .

Final Project. . .

One of the only difficult things about homeschooling Zach has been keeping track of credits for his high school transcripts. He doesn't go off to PE class so I have to think about the days he gets exercise or works out in some way so I can gather enough "hours" for a PE credit. It's the same way with Art and Technology. While we do quite a bit of intentional work in these areas, one of the pros of homeschooling is that real life experience can count for at least part of the credit.

This year Zach has worked with Rob quite a bit out in the shop. First of all, they built the shop. Zach learned all about planning, constructing and even electrical work. He also helped build cases and had a hand in just about every project Rob has worked on in the last 12 months. He has measured, cut, nailed and constructed. I believe he's learned a great deal in the process. I have no problem giving him a credit in Wood Shop this year.

All of that said, I am considering this latest venture Zach's Final Project. I may even have Rob give him a final exam! I won't go into any detail until the project is finished but here are a few hints:

I'm thinking this will look good in his portfolio!!

Family Camp at Quaker Hill 2010 . . .

F.T.S. . .

Well, it looks like my truck has Flat Tire Syndrome. I've had at least 6 flat tires in the year that I've had my truck so today I decided to take matters into my own hands. When I realized that my tire was once again totally flat, instead of relying on someone else to rescue me, I read the manual and changed my tire. In all honesty, Zach did a lot of the work and the neighbor across the street supervised and gave advice but the point is, I no longer have to worry about getting a flat when I'm alone! Of course, I still have to rely on my good friends at Les Schwab to patch up my tire, but it's good to know that I can change it myself in a pinch!!

And with this post, I can officially say my blog is caught up!!! For now. . .