Bags on.

by the Artist

Off to a brand new week after a different sort of "last week". Our Lead (who is never gone) was on his honeymoon, the Carpenter had to be on site 8-5 (yes he added a new layer of tired), and the weather was not kind (no.. it was downright nasty). It sleeted, it rained, the winds blew hard off the lake, and Friday wrapped up with a nice snow squall. And this is April?

I stopped by the project site today and took the photo for this post. It was in the 30's (still) and there was a good chop on the lake. I promised I would shoot fast! Yes.. please humor the photographer!

We've got quite the eclectic crew right now. Two brothers, a songbird and a scholar. Let me explain. The brothers are our nephews. One is our Lead and the other is his younger brother who has been with us since last summer while he looks for a job in his chosen field of construction management. He has been gaining great hands on experience in the meantime.

Our "scholar" is our newest crew member. He came on about a month ago. He lives on the great Mississippi River where he enjoys exploring it's nooks and grannies. And he is working towards getting his doctorate in Geography! 

Our "songbird" is actually a long time sub. He can usually be found up on scaffolding singing classical aria's. He always has a smile on his face and keeps the crew laughing. The "scholar" said one day at lunch that the "songbird" (not how he referred to him) was the "spice" of the crew. What does spice do? Makes things flavorful and interesting. yep that's him.

So now the crew is back together and "bags on". The weather report for the week is a definite warming trend, (oh please!) and the Carpenter can take a step back (I'm hopeful). 

The photo of the crew is minus our "songbird"!

Wishing upon a star...

by the Artist

Such busy days. I know.. I write about this a lot. But it's true. For both of us. The Carpenter continues to put in 12 hour days- 60 hour weeks. I'm being conservative with those numbers. Owning a small construction company and needing and not finding additional excellent crew members for the past three years has taken it's toll. But there is a light at the end of this tunnel! We have a new crew member starting very soon. 

Hang on Mr Carpenter! Hang on.

Because the Carpenter has had to continue to do on-site project management, order/pick up supplies, put out fires, and have his "bags on", he spends most evenings catching up on paperwork, meeting with prospective homeowners, setting up meetings, and in the case of one evening this week… build a bath vanity for one of our current projects. 

I came home at 9 PM and he was out in the shop building with music blaring (thank goodness our neighbors aren't close!), building the vanity from scratch. He could do this in his sleep I know. He worked till 1 AM, came in to catch some sleep till 6 AM. Headed back out to the shop to prepare for an 8 AM delivery. 

I know I've written about this before… but for those who haven't read that post.. back in the mid 1990's we rented a large commercial space in North St Paul Minnesota. It had a showroom (which showed our custom furniture and cabinet work) and a huge work space as well as office. The Carpenter spent many late nights there alone working. I'd wake up at 2 or 3 AM and he would still not be home. We lived in Woodbury at the time which was a good 30 minute drive to the shop. I am glad he is just outside our back door now. I can at least look out the window and see the shop light on...

I look forward to when he can project manage, build custom cabinets (during daylight), and not have to pick up a hammer on site.. (unless he wants to.) I myself enjoyed a job where I didn't do the design.. I directed the peeps who created the design. I wish this for the Carpenter. I'm going to wish upon a star tonight. And say a prayer!