What I've been drinking....

It's good when I'm sick.....I'm sick.

What to do......

I've been working in the housing industry now for almost 3 years and one thing that I've come up with is, it's not very stable. When I got started, there was more work than there was people to do the work. Now, everything is so slow. The only thing keeping us afloat is remodels. It seams that people are willing to stick endless amounts of money into their existing houses, but when it comes to moving or building a new house, it's not happening.

That fact has got me thinking. What am I going to do next? I love the work that I do but the job security isn't really there and the job itself, is really taking its toll on my body. I've got a stiff back all the time, my knees hurt constantly. I've even got tendinitis in one of my knees. As age 30 approaches I find myself thinking more and more about what I could do next. I'd like to stay in this industry but in order to make any money you need to be in a trade long enough to be able to "prove" yourself. I've done that with my current trade. My company knows that I do good work and they recognize that by not cutting me when there is no work, and by giving me raises when there "isn't any money to be given." I'd like to stay with the company and maybe move into a sales position but I don't see the two current salesmen moving on anytime soon. In all actuality I don't see anyone above me moving on anytime soon. Therefore, I'm kind of stuck.

My brother tried having his own business but unfortunately he had to sell it off because it wasn't a steady enough "paycheck" to make it worth it. It makes me sad because I would have liked to see him succeed with it and it would have given me "hope" that maybe I could have gone off on my own, but I don't see that as an option now.

I do have faith, though, that an opportunity will present itself and I'll be able to move on and remain happy with my career choice. I am open to suggestions, too.

Poor Wild.

I got to go to the Wild game tonight with my bro Todd. They played, and lost to the Anaheim Ducks. (4-2) As I was watching the teams warm up, I never realised how many players the Ducks have that I LOVE to HATE!

Lets go through the list......

Doug Weight. A player I remember from my sports cards collecting days. He was always a decent player, but seemed to have a bully attitude.

Rob Niedermayer. A player that I remember from the '03 playoffs. When the Wild lost to the Ducks.

Todd Bertuzzi. A bruiser from the '03 playoffs, who played for Vancouver. During a Vancouver-Colorado game, on March 8, 2004, Moore fought Matt Cooke in the first period. Late in the third period, Bertuzzi began following Moore down the ice and tried to start a fight. When Moore ignored him, Bertuzzi grabbed hold of Moore's jersey, and punched Moore in the side of the head from behind. Bertuzzi then pushed him down headfirst into the ice.
After lying on the ice for several minutes, Moore was removed on a stretcher. Moore suffered three fractured vertebrae in his neck, a grade three concussion, vertebral ligament damage, stretching of the brachial plexus nerves, and facial cuts.

Chris Pronger. One word. Goon.

Bertuzzi had two goals tonight against the Wild. Every time he or Pronger touched the puck, though, the crowd booed. The only redeeming part of the game was the Wild's two goals in the second period. They were at 10:43 and 10:47. 5 seconds apart! Awesome! Oh, and Boogaard played. There was only one fight, and it was a poor excuse for one, too.

Ah well, still a good time.

Ice Fishing Report.

Slow.....

Went out on Prior Lake the weekend before new years.

Saturday, 12-29, with Eric, Zach, Eryn, and Liz. It was pretty eventful. We were shocked to find 16 inches of ice on the lake. After an hour of getting the kids set up to fish, they wanted to go home. So Eric took them home and came back with Zach. In that time I actually caught fish. I had about 6 or 8 bluegills. Nothing worth keeping, but still, at least I caught something.

Sunday, 12-30, I went out again on P.L. This time with my Dad, Eric and Uncle Dave. Dave was catching bluegills, and Dad and I each caught a Crappie. We only stayed out for about 2 hours.

This last weekend I went out to Carl's lake to Todd's permanent fish house. Which, by the way is coming together nicely. It's not done, but it's at least out of the wind and warm.

Friday night, 1-4, I got skunked. Not one fish. While right across the house from me Todd was bringing them up once every 5 mins or so.

Sunday night, 1-6, Mel and I went out to Todd's house again. This time I had a little better luck. I think I caught 5 or 6 Crappies. Todd spent the whole day out there and caught a bunch of Crappies and a Northern. To bad the Crappies are a little on the small side. They're good eatin'.

This weekend is the Sportsman's Show, at the St. Paul River Center. Maybe I'll be able to get some tips on what I might be doing wrong, or on what the fish are biting on, cause it's not been anything that I've been giving them.

What I've been working on

I made these shadow boxes for Mel and I, Mom and Dad, and Al and Kathy. Rustic cherry with a glass door.



I made a coffee table for Pauline. Rift and Quartered red oak with "country" legs.




I also made three crosses. Two were rift and quartered white oak, and one was rustic maple. I forgot to take pictures of those though. Oops.

So that's what I've been busy doing lately. Now that their all done I need another project.....Maybe a kitchen...

"That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown"

Merry Christmas.

I'd say it's time for an update!

I've been a little busy lately. That in combination with the projects I've been working on have all been Christmas presents, I haven't had much to talk about. So let's see....

I installed, sanded, and coated a floor for my parents neighbors. Had some help from Todd on the install and some help from a couple of guys from work on the sand/coat. It turned out fricken sweet!

I've been making wooden crosses for Christmas presents for a few people. (they don't read my blog) All the other stuff is top secrete till after Christmas. Then I'll have a full report on what I've been making.

Work is about to drive me off the deep end. The owner is a jack ass and half the employees don't have licenses or cars, so those of us who do have to cart them around. SUCKS!!!! They had their Holiday party last Friday but it was for "employees only." They said that we could bring our spouses but they didn't "buy" food for anyone but the employees so we'd have to pay for them. I thought that was pretty rude, so I didn't go. They the owner called me on Saturday morning to find out why I didn't come. WTF!!!1! I didn't come cause you all run the business like a bunch of damn commies!! So, the long of the short of it is....anyone know of a place where the housing market doesn't suck and I could get a job?

Well enough of that. I had to take Monday off to take care of my wife and so now I have to work on Saturday to make up for the hours I missed. Crappy but at the same time not. After Saturday, I'm off through Wednesday. My cousin Bryen is going to been in town from San Fran, for Christmas, so I'll get to seem him and the family on the 24th and then again on the 28th. We're having a Grill 'n' Chill at Eric and Holly's. Ah, just like old times. I can't wait. Eric, there is a list of things we'll have to do, you realise. Snowball the shed, blow up a grill, have a lot of beer, maple sausage, and of course, since we haven't seen B in a long time, ask him if he's broken any glass tables lately.....I think I might get punched for that last one.....


Well that'll have to do for now. Oh, if anyone wants we're going to the 11:00 pm service on Christmas eve, at our church. All are welcome to join us.