Celeste

Part of what I think may be being missed here is not whether or not the job CAN be done with this unit but HOW LONG he can do business with it. Once upon a time there was a guy who had a company that used a GARDEN HOSE and was successful with his methods. He's not been around for awhile meaning (a) he's busy as a one-armed paper hanger with his garden hose method or (b) it just wasn't meant for the long haul. I won't speculate - maybe he still lurks? What some of this boils down to is - it's going to take you longer to achieve the results that a higher flow machine will provide. Time is money so the longer it takes you to finish that $250 job, the less you are netting at the end of the day. It's a slippery slope from there - you're not making what you potentially could, therefore you can't grow at a decent rate (meaning upgrading to a more efficient machine). I have to agree with the Duckman on how you are setting up your future - you HAVE to set yourself apart from the rest of the world that can go get a machine like that - it is why there are professionals and diyers. Celeste

What beautiful babies - the puppies are precious too :) What fun your home life must be!

Katie, Give me a call tomorrow :) Celeste

Has anyone wondered just how many people would be so interested in the capitol hill jobs if their salaries were "normal" and their retirement package was like an average worker's? Honestly, if the pres were not to get such unbelievable perks in and after office, you think they'd fight so hard to be one? Or if they'd be more responsible when they were in office? Celeste

Speaking from a place of one who was put into a home 9 years ago by a "predatory lender", we have absolutely taken FULL responsibility for the high interest rates that we are paying by DOING WHAT IS NECESSARY TO STAY IN OUR HOME. I did the actual closing documents and read the fine print so I knew going in that if we ever had a change in circumstances, we might struggle. We (husband/wife) chose to start our own business - we have worked our ***** off to make ends meet, which, as you know means your taxable income is sort of puny those first years. NOW, because of all of the "other" people who don't have a decent work ethic or enough integrity to take care of themselves, not only are we still going to be paying nauseating interest rates, but still won't be able to reach our goal of refinancing because (a) the market value is crap AND (b) lending rules are less apt to allow us to do so. So here we are - doubly screwed by stupid politicians and deadbeats. Wonderful. You know what will happen - we will continue to work like hell to make our business stronger, continue to pay and be productive citizens. Will there ever come a time - in either administration - where an average hardworking family won't get boned every time they turn around?

We have posted them previously years ago I'm sure - been on our website for years. I don't put a lot of our work on the forums anymore - like to give specific permissions :)

Thad - photos requested will be to you today! Celeste

I won't go so far as to say that Palin won the actual debate but she sure didn't fall flat like most had predicted. I will say that I was a little disappointed at the number of shots fired by the Dems at the Republicans. I would have preferred a more positive, forward looking arena over than the "he did this" / "no, he did that" stuff.

What she said. ROFLMAO Celeste

LOL, there is now Scott! We're going to give Rick's test zone a try but on a larger scale. We're planning on installing a half dozen or so various hardwoods in a section of our deck that is scheduled for rebuild next spring. Not only will these boards and their stains get a standard exposure testing but also "real world" abuse of traffic from dogs, kids, dirty boots and plant watering. Now to accumulate the wood and time to get it built! Celeste PS - For Ready Seal users, which tint should we put down for testing - what's your favorite or the most popular?

Len, it's always great to read a post where the contractor finds the silver lining :) When you get too slow there, take a ride up here - we need you! Celeste

NObama versus McPain....what a choice :(

Is there a weatherometer that simulates damp mildew ridden conditions for several months in a year accompanied by humid full sun? Love the comparison but can't see how those conditions would apply to decks in the soggy south or ice covered north? BUT - if you are simply showing the maintenance capability for applying a toner over a semi, COOL :)

No speech for Celeste - we left at 9:00 am.

I found 3/4 of them at the same table at 11:00 pm :) The final quarter appeared shortly thereafter. The networking at this event has been awesome and the event hasn't even started yet. Ron went missing 25 seconds after he met me....wonder what's up with that?

Are you guys coming by our place tomorrow night?

Hey John, We're currently set up in the bed of our truck - which isn't nearly as scary as getting a trailer stuck :) Do you have a small portable unit that you could temporarily plumb up to a tank in your truck bed...or better yet, on a rented gator? Celeste

Sometime in the upcoming week we'll be putting various stains on boards - what I will be interested to see is about 48 hours after staining, we're going to cut the boards to see the penetration. I'll make sure I do good pics like yours :) Celeste (Except I have no Defy or Ready Seal or Benny Moore - it will be WT, A/C, TWP )

You should have them send you the sample pack - install something with the same "color" content as the rest just to be more even. I would imagine that such a darkly pigmented product may potentially last colorwise a bit longer than the others? But any color I'm certain is going to provide the traffic test :) Celeste Oh, PS, wiping one's own furniture is so much more fun than hands & knees on a hot deck :) Go Judy!

Rick, I love what you've done, however am curious as to why you chose such a dark AC stain to use?

Welcome Don! We've done a few doors here in the Carolinas - your experience will be very welcome! Celeste

Thanks Randall :) Now put it on your list of things to do once a day! And if your wife is on a different IP address (maybe from work?), ask her to click as well!~ Celeste

What does all of this have to do with Angie's List?

Nice pics in the ad in Cleaner Times there Alan :) Those projects are beautiful! Celeste

Hey Hey :) We're up to #3 today!! (Still down 12 from the #1 site) but at least our banner is showing!!