What up Bitch!

What up bitches! Been a while, I know but get over it. 

So much stuff going on, but my lazy ass has a problem getting consistent in writing it all down. So work is crazy, which is the way we like it, as long as it is crazy good work. That's the goal, keep customers happy, deliver and you have a true partnership. 

But anyway, so what I have been up to. Lets go with some bullet points, and then I can remember what to come back and write about. As I get older I have been working on my memory. I just stopped listing to people, and wow I have less shit to remember.

• The Boys (Ameon & Lockland)
• Work
• Fancy Dance Bustle
• Not real Lego, but just as good.
• Rad Runner Riding & Tune up
• Weather
• Walking
• VHS to Digital Conversion
• Travel
• Food
• Zoo
• North Bros. Tree Stands
• My Tunes

OK, So I have some topics to write up and share.  Now I am not sure where to start.  Need to go take a few pics and download some things that I can share.  

I finished working on my American Indian Fancy Dress Bustle.   It took me a while to complete and I could have done a better job.  It was also a messy project with feathers floating around the room, from the cutting and trimming I had to do.   Well it's done, need to take some pics to share.  It's in the basement letting everything dry/set.   I found a place to hang it, and that's what I am waiting on before I take the pics, as I have two other pieces that will accompany it on the wall and think it will be pretty bad ass.  So more to come on this, later this week.

Big week at work for me coming up.  I have several team members flying in as we are have what is called a Sale Kick Off i.e. SKO for short.  It is a lot to prepare for and I want to make sure that is worth everyone's time and brings value.  It's a diverse group so what my apply to some may not apply to others and vice-versa.   Main thing to remember is, Dennis keep your cool.  Not that I wouldn't, but it can be very stressful. 

Well if I have to knock an item of the list I will go with an easy one.  Let's start with my lamps and the North Bros. Tree Stands.  I have written about these before and shared several pics.   

Well I did a couple things that were new this go around.  Instead of going with the original back and
gold, I opted for Blue/Gold and Green/Gold, and I have to say I am extremely please with the results on these.  

I also came up with a way to turn the smaller stand into lamps as well.  I was struggling with how to mount them.  For the larger stands a 4 Inch ceiling lamp holder works great, with just a little modification.  For the smaller ones I couldn't find any 2 inch lamp mounts that would really work for my need.   I came across some metal cups a while back, and figured out a way to mount them.   They work great and the smaller lamps take up a smaller footprint, which is great as well.  

I have included pics of the process, well the paint process.  I dissemble them and then bead blast them to remove unwanted paint and rust. Then any remaining clean up, I hit with the my wire wheel on the my grinder.   I soak the parts in acetone to give them a final clean before painting.  First I apply the solid colors, in this case Blue and Green, once dry I then apply the Gold, using a paint pen.   Once everything is dry, I then hit it with a coat of urethane to seal the pieces.    Then we move to assembly, I leverage all the original bolts and nuts when I can.   I usually place them in the tumblr for 48/hours and that clean up nicely.

reassembly is pretty easy and I am please with the outcome.  I have know idea what I am going to do with all these, but I do have fun bringing them back to life. 

Staycation

Golly gee, time sure does fly! Last week, I treated myself to a staycation and boy, did I get stuff done! On Monday, I was at my workshop all day, getting heating installed so I can stay toasty while working on projects during the winter months. I am putting in a 20ft radiant heating solution.  This will hang from the ceiling.  A crew was there running the gas line and prepping the heater installation. But, wouldn't you know it, they discovered a missing part on Wednesday! So, they had to order it, which slowed things down a bit.  Guess they will be back on July 5th to hopefully wrap this up. Had a full house with

the workers.  I took a picture of all the vehicles that were parked in the drive.  It was three individuals but they each had there own transportation.

On Tuesday, a friendly electrician came by to work on the wiring for the shop heating. They got their part done, but will have to come back once the heater is up. I spent most of Monday sprucing up the shop - mowing, weeding, and trimming those pesky little starter trees. The place is looking spiffy now! I met with some furnace repair folks on Tuesday and Thursday to get estimates for replacing our old house furnace and adding some much-needed A/C.

I did manage to get one item off my list that has been pestering me.  In the front of the Shop there is a power pole and there has been a line down for at least six months.  I called the city and they checked it and said it wasn't there's and that it was not a live wire.  They suggested I call the cable company.  Well after many a calls and not luck, I finally took matters into my own hands.  So instead this wire laying all over the ground it is now wrapped around the stop sign and out of my way.  Maybe this will get some ones attention and they will fix it correctly.

Since I had time at the shop waiting on the work to be done and finished up with the yard work, I cleaned up and painted our Frisbee Disc Golf Basket.  It was gray and showing it's age.  I think it looks better in red.

In the evenings, I've been diving into my Batman Lego Shadowbox project. It's got almost 4,000 pieces, and I'm still not done! Fingers crossed I'll finish it this week because it's shaping up to be super cool!  Pictures will follow once I get it completed.

I also ordered a couple of rad Rad E-bikes (see what I did there?). They're
different from our other E-bikes - lighter and foldable for easy transportation. We're planning some exciting day trips to the mountains to discover new trails to ride.  They had arrived so I spent one afternoon putting them together.  Did a couple of test runs and I think we are good to go.  So we will look for you on the trails.  My other E-bike is becoming my daily driver when the Colorado weather permits, which is most of the time.  I ride back and forth to work, use them to go to the grocery store.  Candy even used hers and took one of the dogs to the vet for shots. 

Been doing some research on E-bike rentals in the area.  Seeing pricing from $69 to $99 for two hours and $130 to $150 for four hours.  With the location of my shop, a block from Red Rock Canyon, 3 blocks from Old Colorado City, one block from the road for Gold Camp Road and Cheyanne Canyon and a direct bike path to Garden of the Gods I think it would be the ideal place to setup a E-bike rental, service and sales business.  In addition I have the parking needed as well.  Who knows, maybe that's what I can do when I retire someday, if the someday ever comes.

On Wednesday morning we got out for a nice little hike.  It was early and there was no one else out yet or at least we didn't see anyone else out.  We stopped by the Beaver pond to see what new progress he/she has made.  Our little dog Lilly went with us and she had a great time jumping in the water. 

One day, we pedaled our way to the zoo, which I just adore! We go early in the morning, around 8 AM, when they start feeding the animals. This way, we get a great view of them before the heat sends them off to hide from the sun.  Maybe someday I will be able to take the grandkids back to the zoo with me. 

The zoo was followed up by a couples massage (Candy got it for me as a Fathers Day present.)  I haven't had a massage in over a year or more.  The masseuse had to wake me up when she was done.  Then we headed out for dinner.  It was actually like being on vacation, it was a great day.

All in all, it was a swell week! Sure, I took a break from work, but I still kept an eye on my emails and handled a few things. After all, you can never truly escape work, can you?

Shinedown - Through the Ghost

Trying to get back in the groove of blogging and thought I would start off with music I am listing too.  This is one of my faves and wanted to share.

Speak of the devil

Look who just walked into the room

The guilted and faded

Notion of someone I once knew.

All the perfect moments are wrong

All the precious pieces are gone

Everything that mattered is just

A city of dust

Covering both of us

Did you hide yourself away?

I can't see you anymore

Did you eclipse another day?

I used to wake up to the color of your soul

Did you hide yourself away?

Are you living through the ghost?

Did you finally find a place

Above the shadows so the world will never know?

The world will never know you like I do

So many silent sorrows

You never hear from again

And now that you've lost tomorrow

Is yesterday still a friend?

All the bridges we built were burned

Not a single lesson was learned

Everything that mattered is just

A city of dust…

The Berry Business

Things started out great this year with the berries and our small garden.  We had a great harvest of raspberries and were just starting to get some really nice and plump blackberries.  We had Bell Peppers, Jalapenos and Tomato's growing in pots.  All had fruited and almost ready to be picked.

Then one day we get a hail storm and it just beat the shit out of everything. Maybe next year.

A Field of Flowers

I was treated to a spectacular view of colors today.  As I was walking this morning I came across this area of wildflowers.  It was so pretty I had to take a picture.

Date Night

When I got home from work the weather was still nice.  I talked Candy into going for a little vette ride.   We headed over to a little brew pub for a beer and snacks, but they were closed.   Then we headed over to another brewery close by.   I was lucky to get a spot in front where I could keep an eye on things.

We each had a beer and Candy had fish and chips and I had some chicken drums.   We sat outside and weather was nice, the sun was setting over the mountain.   It was nice to be outside. Once we were done eating we headed back to the shop.

Queen - We Are The Champions GO USA

Sitting on the back porch this evening.  It is trying to rain, but only getting a few sprinkles.  Good thing I watered this evening. 

Watching the Olympics and all I can say is GO USA.  Congrats to Michael Phelps along with Katie Ledecky.  Wishing Simone and Gabby D. the best.

Looking at the medal count for the USA, I think that calls for a little Queen.


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I LOVE the USA and Queen so this is like a double whammy for me.  So proud of our athletes.  The life long level of commit is to be admired as well as the amount of time, effort and the sacrifices that the athletes and their families have made.  GO USA

While we were sitting outside, the sun was setting with some clouds hanging low.  The sky was bright orange and was a pretty awesome site to see.  Almost looked like the sky from the big fire a couple of years ago.

I took this picture on my phone.  Came out OK and really shows the colors.

During a commercial break the news announced that the forest department has lifted the ban of fires.  This is great news as I am planning to go camping later this month.  I am ready to go and Candy said she would go with me for two nights.  I am sure that Donkey will get to go.  I know she will have a blast.  I need to dig out the tents and our gear and make sure everything is in working order.  Always be prepared!

Weekends Over

On Saturday we got up and went out to the flea market.  That’s always a good time.  We walked around and checked out the booths.  Came across some cool stuff but didn’t buy anything.  One thing that did catch my eye was an old wind generator.   I took a picture and will add this to the list of things I would like to make.  Mine would be for decoration, but I think it would be pretty cool.

Then we headed over to the farmers market and walked around.  We grabbed some lettuce and a few other items.  From there it was off to Wal-mart to pick up a few other items.  It was hot out on Saturday, so when we got home I aired up the swimming pool and filled it with water.   It sure felt good to jump in off/on and cool off.  This is the third time this year I have done this and if the heat keeps up I will be doing it again.

We are in what they call here the monsoon season.  It is warm during the day and we get some rain in the late afternoon that helps cool things off.  It rained on Saturday afternoon and started early today and has been overcast.

I wanted to plant another raspberry plant this year so I ran over to Home Depot this morning and bought the saddest looking plants.   I knew it was late in the year but these looked pretty bad.  I talked them into 75% off so I they were a $1.50 each.   I bought two raspberries and one blue berry.  The  blue berry plant was much better looking.   We also picked up some Shasta daisy’s.   We brought everything home and I went to work planting.

The raspberries are looking a little better now that they are in the ground and have gotten some water.   I cut off the dead leafs and cleaned the plant up.  Hopefully they will take and produce next year.  While planting Candy grabbed a picture of me planting her daisy’s. 

This evening we were sitting out back and we had a really nice red finch on the feeder.  I have been keeping the camera on the porch so that it is close and I can capture some of the wildlife.

Out on the trails.....

Pebbles and I got up and took off for a little hike this morning.  It was a little cool out, but I was dressed for it.  Pebbles didn't seem to mind as far as I could tell.   We did just about 5/miles and she was off the leash for the most part.  She does really good except for when we come across other pooches. 

My fitbit blew craps and isn't working any more.   So I am back to using my Garmin GPS.  I actually think I will prefer using my GPS as I can route it out on Google Maps.  It will also allow me to track my elevation.

I started a new spreadsheet to track my distance and my meals.  If I can just get in the habit of using it daily I will be off to a good start.

Pebbles took some time to check out the creek this morning.  She was all wound up after getting in.

The Devil

Tonight I partook in a couple of cocktails,  I went to plug it into my fit-bit log and when I looked at the total I was reminded again about the evils of alcohol.

Back at it......

I got a little work done tonight over at the "The Shop".   

Wow, not change subjects, but the weather changed in a a day.   Started out at 60 degrees yesterday and by 5 pm it was 25 degrees. Today it just as cold and we had about 3 inches of snow.   We are expecting it to be colder tomorrow and more snow.  You have to love Colorado.  I think I have said that before.

So tonight I cleaned up a few more wrenches.  I put another coat of stain on the mallets and handles.   They should be ready for paint in a day or two.  I cleaned up a couple more movie canisters and got them in primer and paint.

I have already gotten a few comments about my Star Wars movie canister, so I am looking forward to finishing the other two episodes.