JFife

[Mike, this hijack will rapidly be coming to an end.....I'm gonna see if I can pull some links of some granite wholesalers for ya] http://www.woodleys.com/library/woodley_homeTheater.pdf In this PDF, at the top of page "3of18", is a collection called 'Coal Creek' and below the entertainment center is says, "walnut with black stain", but that is the color I like. So people in your area are going with a true Ebony/black color?? Boo. Think I'd just save and paint my cabinets black. My parents, sister, are both just finishing new homes, and they had their cabinets painted white, which I couldn't comprehend. I agree, Maple is beautiful. If bored, you might scan this website I've linked to. This is the only place I've found that has furniture I like. When you look at their room (office, bedroom, theatre, etc) you have to click on the "woodley collection" to see the stuff they actually make. The rest they just distribute.

Hey Scott, I'm looking at some furniture--and what I found that I like is walnut wood, with a "black stain"......but it's not really "black", right?? I wondering if what I was looking at was a typo or something. Actually, it was what I'd describe as a tobacco/walnut color stain (of course on the walnut wood, everything looks quite rich and dark). Try and post and pic, then I'll tiptoe back out of Mike's granite thread:)

Sup Mas! First off, Jarrod--that is nice!! And I love those fawn colored cabinets....is that clear on maple?? And was this a remodel or a new home?? Looks really good. Mike, granite is one of those things that you can find a heckuva lot cheaper than what you are seeing at EXPO, etc. A friend just did granite.....$100 at EXPO and he found it for $50. Trick is, you have to look for people that wholesale it. Obviously, that price is having "seams" at the corners, etc. But a good installer should be able to make the seams look seamless (close). Another---I've seen concrete tops on some of the design shows (the cool shows, where they actually do neat stuff) that were really nice. But I've actually heard this costs more than granite.

...Delco folks being the exception.

How many hoods has Phil Ackland cleaned?? According to your philosophy, Barry Bonds would be the greatest baseball coach of all time. Michael Jordan---a dynamic success as a basketball businessman (not serious, for those unaware). Just because you can "play", doesn't mean you can "coach". If you have some "industry leaders" in mind that are offering teachings, I'd be happy to hear about it. Otherwise, the only people I've ever heard of would be considered moderate successes at best IMO.

RyanH, ...Again, you have a truly brilliant mind in regards to political and social issues. Perfectly said. I certainly hope you'll move forward with your gifts in this aspect and get politically involved (i mean, actually holding a position). You have too good of a grasp, and are too young, to be on the sidelines at this point. .02 jf

....LIBERAL JEFF--MORE CONSERVATIVE THAN ME??? Who'd a thunk it?? Yep, not into the death penalty. I'd have preferred up to the point of his death he'd begged for forgiveness and mercy, and admitted his faults. Death is so.....eternal. I'd prefer a process where the person admits their crimes, is allowed to ask for forgiveness and mercy, and as our gift, we use them for human testing of some kind in regards to medicine, etc. They'd have an opportunity to give back something with their life worthwhile, that otherwise wouldn't happen.

Neil, Fine job!! Looks really good. That is some horrific news about your emp, hope he gets up quick. Have a good new years, jf

Mike--I'm only answering so it didn't seem that I ignored your question. I couldn't have less of a clue. I just have the free--and don't have any other experience with other sites. In other words, you couldn't ask a worse person, LOL:) Maybe Beth can advise, BTW, a couple of my workers are pretty young and they are the ones that put me onto this stuff.....they also mentioned www.bearshare.com

www.limewire.com Been meaning to get an mp3/ipod/zune, haven't got around to it. Just listen to the music at my comp.

LOL, though it was subtle, I think I followed!!:) Happy Holidays, jf

Congrats Scott!!!! Now we know why you haven't been posting much lately, LOL:) Glad for you and the wifey!! ..Sorry you won't get to go turkey hunting this year, LOL:)

Yeah Neil, that last shot at the tip of the lake is the money maker. And maybe another slightly to the right. The back of that home is so impressive!! Almost as impressive as the work you guys did to it!! Gets my vote to win the contest, even without "afters".

LOL, anxiously awaiting your sermon, Paul:) Busy as well today, I'll try and hit you back this eve if you see this, jf

John T, Off subject, but FWIW, I've been around you on these boards for about 7 yrs now, you're a straight-up guy, don't hide behind agendas, and are a super-positive force in pwashing, for which I applaud you. I kinda wish you didn't have to wear so many darn hats, and I wish you didn't have to keep so many different people pleased. I think that sucks for you, but that's my opinion, through my eyes. Just wanted to throw that out---your name gets lumped in with other names a lot, in a negative connotation, and I think you get a raw deal. Nuf said, my opinion only. That is an AWESOME idea about Mexico!! Not sure if I like it or not, or agree with it, I'd have to analyze/consider/weigh it, but it's a fabulous idea. Heck, we wouldn't even have to guard a border.....they do a FINE job of that!! (don't like south americans) Rod was worried about the corruption,etc.....well, we could just leave Mexico kinda like one giant "Las Vegas".....anything goes! Very interesting, creative idea.

LOL, unreal. An entire org. changes where it is holding a convention, etc. in order to TRY and line the pockets of three members. While it holds no merit for me, I truly cannot understand how any reasonable, logical, person would look at this and say, "cool! Glad to be a part of it! Here is my $350! Train the builders to do what I do! Can I help you guys make money any other way, and you guys turn around and sell me out again?? 'Cause I'll do it." I think what is happening is that they see the UAMCCCwhatever is going to take over the pwashing side of things, i.e. commercial, washing, etc. The only angle PWNA has left is to go after decks, so they are trying to allign with a big brother, nadra. I think they will be ONLY focusing on wood in the future....thus the nadra route. It's not a bad play on the part of the PWNA---it's sinking and so it has grasped onto nadra for help...and members.

I'll stop ruining your thread

LOL, that's funny Jeff:) (LeCour----what are you talkin' about?? THAT'S FRENCH!!!!:))

.....and poor little Celeste, done posting for the year:) She probably wouldn't have anything constructive to say anyways:)

It works great Charlie. If you are new to this, you don't know the rest of the story---PWNA has "alligned" with NADRA, and they are going to work the angle of "you builders are missing the boat here--you need to be maintaining your decks as well". Coincidentally, PWNA is run by a for-profit group that outsources education in such matters. So they've basically leeched onto NADRA, and are letting NADRA spread their message, and have a captive audience that can afford to pay to take their training courses/have employees take the courses, since they'd want to jump right in big most likely if they have the pockets. In essence, PWNA is being used as a pawn for a small group of people to try and make money with an educational program to pimp out to those that want to pay. Anyone want to step in here and correct/re-state anything I've just said, or would this be considered fairly accurate?? Thing is, the guys doing it couldn't make their franchise ideas work, so this is their next crapshoot at the easy money.

Well-said ScottK. And Jon, you'd actually be defined as a "commie-kraut".:)

I don't know that the psycho-analysis field is ready for you just yet, Rod. Stating Jeff is fearful due to the fact he doesn't like being hassled by not being able to find the English instructions on something is laughable. Rather, I say you are fearful of possibly stepping on a toe, or hurting a feeling, so you float freely with an "anything goes" attitude, accepting of everything. If you never confront or object to anything, you won't have many enemies (a la France). That's fear--when you do nothing but straddle fences. To me, this isn't a big deal. I like the other languages....easier to tune out. But--just like with employees--subordinates must quickly learn their place, and know what will and will not be accepted, and is expected---or else the next thing might not be so small. Like I said, to me language is no big deal. Don't notice it. But what if we had an influx of Middle Eastern immigrants where the men are used to hiking up their moo-moo's in the middle of the road and taking a crap in the middle of the street?? Will we cordially accept this culture? Or a middle eastern guy slaps his wife around a little---against our laws, yes, but accepted and customary for him in his culture?? He's your new friend Rod!!:)

The bad thing about money/gifts is that they'll expect it every time, which may be fine if they'll get you more work. LOL, what I'd probably do is offer to cook them dinner and invite them over to show them how thankful I was, knowing they'd probably say, "oh, that's not necessary--just trying to help you out." Accepting Outback coupons is one thing--accepting a dinner invite is something else---but you still come out like the good guy. I'm sorry, I know that sounds manipulative, but you are my concern, not them, and I'm trying to save you money.

...And to think I thought you'd trust me, Celeste:( Trying to find someone on an equal maturity level:) Hey Don, have you read Emyth yet?? I jump into it--it's more about running a functional business than about marketing. Definitely my pick as the #1 read. Not sure if you can download it or not from a fileshare site. If I may suggest (yes, painfully speaking from experience), read/listen/learn as much as humanly possible on RUNNING/OWNING a business before Spring. IMO, FAR more important that marketing. Believe me, you'll market yourself into a corner if you don't have the functions/operations to get the work done. People say, "I'd LOVE to have that problem!", but you wouldn't. Not being profitable is the same either way----I'd MUCH rather not be profitable because I'm not doing any work, than to be doing work, but my biz isn't profitable for some reason. EMYTH!! Or any other books about biz strategy.....though they aren't as fun to read. Good luck,

LOL, Don---are you just trying to save money or something, or sick?? Noticed earlier you said you'd been in PJ's for a few days straight. Little bummin' never killed anyone. Hey Jarrod--no offense, but does your wife have any sisters??:) 18-24 would be about right, I'm 30.