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It looks like there are lots of changes on the front for us.
One of our sons is joining his father on the farm which brings about the process of dissolution of the farm corporation that Jim has farmed in with his brothers for the past 30 plus years. Along with eager anticipation of the freedom to do things solely our way comes apprehension at some loss of financial security. In addition the split will necessitate purchasing or building a new farm/shop yard. It's long been my wish to work from home and we are negotiating on an existing property with a fairly new house and two shop buildings. Should we close on it I will be working towards moving Kel-T-Grafix to that property. Business wise, most of my projects come from word of mouth and surrounding areas, the move will actually place me more geographically centered to the area I cover.
I've got really mixed feelings about all this. While I am very excited about the idea of not having to commute as well as the opportunity to restructure my shop, I am feeling very nervous about leaving the home I spent the last 32 years raising my family in, as well as the shop which although old and draughty, has been the first thing I ever had that was mine. The move will only be 6 miles from my home and 13 from my shop, but it feels like a whole new world. I guess I have become comfortable in my zone.
On the family front we will be welcoming twin grand daughters in February which may well mean stepping up my grandparent responsibilities. In April Jess and Rodd will move to Moose Jaw where he has become a member of the police force. Hopefully this will launch her dream of becoming a professional photographer as well as bring her closer to home where she can perhaps help me out sometimes with my business. In July we will open our home and hearts to our newest daughter in law.
I have committed to two workshops this coming year, in February I will be attending Bill Heug's advanced gold workshop in Santa Fe along with a couple of great gals. In April I'll be joining a bunch of talented folk at Shane Durnford's workshop. There are a couple of pretty big projects looming on the horizon and I'm soon going to have to make a decision as to whether I can handle them with everything else taken into consideration.
It seems like a lot of big changes at once and there are a lot of other major variables playing out their hand at the same time. 2008 is going to be a big year for accepting changes, changing paths and roles and adapting to new circumstance. It's going to be a ride!
How about you?
[ December 27, 2007, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Kelly..It sounds like you are going to be going through some major changes. I wish you luck, but also know that you guys won't need luck. You already have the skills and knowledge to make a major change and make it happen successfully.
Shirley and I made our major change this past fall and have not regreted a moment so far. Looking forward to 2008 and all it will bring.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
2008 will also be a year of transition at our house and business.
Our second business, Giggle Ridge is for sale, with buyers supposedly in the wings, waiting for when spring arrives... only a couple months down the road locally. That sale would free up our summers, making for big changes after operating it for 8 years.
The sale of that business will kick off the start of construction of our long awaited new house... and true to form it won't be an ordinary building. It will be both challenging and very fun to be sure. We'll work on that project in slow moments between other projects.
We are in the planning/starting stages for two good sized projects and one very large one in our shop.... they should keep us busy through the fall of next year at least... a good place to be business wise and we are grateful!
We are also committed to hosting four Router Magic Workshops this year, something I am looking forward to with great anticipation! The planning for those events is already well underway.
And we are in negotiation on some other very cool projects which will be a LOT of fun as well.
We are thankful for everything we have enjoyed in 2007.
2008 looks to be a great year in Yarrow...
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8739 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Raymond..My plans are much less ambitious than yours. I am aiming at making coffee on Jan 1...Jan 2 is another hurdle!!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Lots of new things in store for me for 2008.
I've decided to go for a fitness training certification so I can get paid to beat the crap out of people.
I have a friend that's ready to go full bore with the electric powered motorcycle business I've mentioned in other threads. We finished the first prototype right before I left town for Christmas, it was a blistering success (literally, it's WAY too fast) and only needs a little re-gearing to tame it - less speed more POWER RAWR! RAWR! RAWR!!
Mom and I have already started planning our candy/chocolate making strategy for Valentine's Day. We tested the market for Christmas by displaying some product at her office. She's a massage therapist and shares an office with a few other ladies that do skin care. We sold out of everything without even making an effort to move it, their clients snatched it all up and asked for more.
So.... 3 new business ventures for me..
and quite possibly a new love interest too.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Kelly, You will be fine....and you will love working from home. I understand your hesitations, the unknown details, but the comfort you feel now will be so much more rewarding once you are at home. Your shop will still be your place, your gallery, your creative space, a place that is uniquely your own. You simply walk next door when the kids/grandkids come (or they can help you in the shop, but still have a cookie break at Grandma's later.) Working from home will free up more of your time, less driving, a better, more content and comfortable way of life. You will have the best of all worlds. Kelly the artist, Kelly the sign manufacturer, Kelly the Photographer, Kelly the glass crafter, Kelly the fun and good friend, Kelly the best Grandma in the world, Kelly wife and partner to Jim, will have it all....right there at home. Happiness will abound.....(and you can do laundry while working!) Okay, I'll shutup now....I just know good things will come from your move. Your kids are grown, and the memories of your old but very happy home are imbedded in your heart forever. Now it is time for you and Jim to do what you want/need to do. You will make the right decisions for you.
-------------------- Susan Banasky Source Signs Nanaimo, British Columbia sourcesigns@shaw.ca
When in need....go directly to the "Source"!
Proud Supporter of this "Knowledge Network"! Posts: 1323 | From: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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Aww, 2008, I turn 50! Que la @#$%^&* and then some! But on a good note, my Husband will be returning back to work, after being on a leave of absence for a bone marrow transplant. And I will take it easy for a while. I plan on raising my prices, taking less work and get better aquainted with my 50 year old bones. I hope Dan has a house warming party. I'd just love to see what Dan's Dream house will look like.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3820 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Kelly, your new plans sound awesome! Go for it! All of it! You'll wonder why you waited so long.
I'm uncertain where things are headed for me biz wise. I'm still building so many skills and don't know where to apply them to quite yet but really desire to use them intertwined with income somehow! Perhaps it's not the year for big changes in my biz quite yet..
I'm going to continue to tinker with my house when time, skill and funds allow. I desire major improvements inside this year.
I had a small taste over the fall/winter on being a larger part of Cody's school moreso, something I've missed very much over the last 3 years. I was a big part of his kindergarten class when I had the 2nd income (married then) to cushion my time investment with him. His response to me working in the school or in his class has a very positive impact on his work ethic. And it's my way of giving back similar to the way they've given to Cody and his somewhat high needs over the last couple years. I hope I can make it happen. The kids don't forget when mom comes on field trips or helps in the class.
I'm going to watch for any woodworking courses that would cater to someone in my current status. I need the practice with tools and the understanding of frameworks.
All I know for sure is, it's going to be another year for considerable growth, no matter what I end up doing. The more I know the more I want to know. I so desire to kick the door wide open to constant new opportunity. When I'm learning, I feel like I'm alive! Been there done that stuff, I suffocate.
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Hey, as a hapless loser, you can guess what I will be doing. Ain't it great?
Oh, it looks like we are getting Toby a little bitch to snuggle up with. He likes that idea. Mom isn't so sure....
Thanks for asking!
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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I called a realtor friend of my husband and we will be putting an offer in on some property that we can live in and run the business out of. If we get it, we will have to pack up stuff out of a 2000 sq. ft building that I have been renting and was getting too small. Then there is our home.
We have lived on the property since 1971, in a trailer first and then build a house in 1977. We have a 3000 sq ft. home and a farm with 4 horses, 9 cats, an indoor riding arena and another barn that is 20 x 40. You can't even imagine the junk that we have accummilated in 31 years.
I want to rent the house out but Garry wants to sell. It will be easier to move if we rent. We can just take our good old time moving and then look for renters when we are out.
For what I have been paying in rent for this building, the utilities, and internet service, I should be able to afford another payment until we decided what to do with our existing home.
For anyone moving and looking for boxes. The best boxes that I have found are fry boxes from your local fast foods. They are usually the same size and it makes it esaier to pack and store until necessary.
I'm off to Home Depot. Got to get some paint to paint the livingroom.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Laura, will you be using movers? If so, they loan out their perfect sized boxes for everything imaginable for free.
Having moved many times on my own vs movers, I'd never do it without them again, no matter how many good friends were avail to help.
After living that long in one spot, you have some super duper upcoming garage sales ahead! Wish I could come over and shop! My mom's sale of her farmhome after 35 years in one spot had us opening the entire house for her garage sale. Just too much crap to move outside on tables. We had staff (all the family helped), nametags, you name it. She had saved every single heart shaped chocolates box dad had ever given her. I loved her hat collection the best.
[ December 28, 2007, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: Donna in BC ]
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For my kids we'll be moving into a larger home next month with lots of backyard for my 2 little ones. A treehouse is on the list along with a recessed trampoline.
The wife gets a remodeled kitchen with all the bells and whistles.
I've sold the '70 El Camino. The garage has a small oil spot where my baby used to be. I'm hoping for an investment grade car for fathers day....Hemmmmmiiii Cuuuudddaa....spliiiit winnnndowww veetttee....doooonuttts..
-------------------- Mike Duncan Lettercraft Signs Posts: 1328 | From: Centreville, VA | Registered: Oct 2000
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I think I want to make a new road sign for myself, one with a very retro-50s look. And put in a small parking area out front. I also plan to get one of those electric fences installed around my picket fence in the back yard, to keep the new puppy away from the highway and so I don't have nightmares about her getting hit. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I did a re-fi on my house because the vast majority of our net worth is the assets in the greatly appreciated house and cottage we bought 5 years ago. I've bought in to the theory that moving some of those assets to a second arena will be to my advantage both for the security of liquidity (I will put some or all of it where it's instantly accessible) if I need funds in an emergency, as well as for wealth building potential, since my appreciation on the home is all mine, no matter how much I owe on it, so investing the equity I've already accrued leverages that first investment for exponential increases.
I looked into purchasing commercial space, & decided I need to wait a few years, but this months re-fi was also a strategy to have a down payment for a building already accessible when the time is right.
Since buying a building is on hold, I was able to renew my lease without unreasonable price increases (a great concern I've had since I've tripled the square footage & heard that some landlords exploit that situation) and I've finally been able to rent a second space in my same building, to allow for a long anticipated expansion & aquisition of a CNC router. (I'm also looking forward to Dan's next workshop to help prepare me for the world of routing)
I am also looking forward to the expected return of a very talented young former employee who left for awhile & plans to return to Island Sign this March. I missed his contributions for the last year... but with far less hours of labor to help me in 2007, I just barely managed to out do my sales (& profit) totals from 2006 when he was on board... so, I fully expect 2008 to be my best year yet with lots of growth in my business, as well as personal growth.
posted
Wow there are some big plans out there. Good luck with all of them.
My company is growing. I now have 3 employees, 2 them part time. The shop is clean and so are the books. Brianna come back from down under on the 14th.
My near future plans include getting a booth at a tradeshow which will run at the end of march. We are already building elements for it which will have include a 10x10 tradeshow booth. Last year I was there on a limited capacity and did very well. With our own booth and cool designs I'm hoping for great opportunities from the inve$tment.
We are just finishing a set of backlit displays..I'll post pics soon. The client came in for a visit and loved our work and progress..and promptly ordered a bunch more. We will then repeat the jobs for his new store in May.
So...at some point in 2008 ..I'd like to pay myself. I think that's a good goal.
-------------------- Gerald Lauzé FeatureWorx Creative Fabrication 206-19148 27th ave Surrey BC Posts: 264 | From: Cloverdale ( Surrey ) BC | Registered: Mar 2006
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My first priority is getting to the point where my doctor will release me from physical therapy, which is really cutting into my productive time and driving me crazy. Fingers crossed that will happen Jan 8.
Then it's time to get down to business and work on increasing my sales figures even more in 2008. No equipment changes planned, but more focus & better use of my time. I'm really enjoying the dimensional stuff I've been doing along with designing promotional materials.
Health wise: I plan on at the least walking in, (although I'd rather run in) the Walk for the Cure in May. My doctor cringed when I asked about running that soon, which I took as a challenge. We joke a lot so I'm fairly sure he knows that if he tells me no, that just means I'm going to do everything I can to prove to him that I can do it. I also plan to wear out my old bicycle to the point where it just makes more sense to buy a newer, lighter one this summer.
This morning the president-elect of Business & Professional Women of PA called to ask me to be 1 of her 4 membership directors for the state when she takes office. I'm very active at local & district levels but was planning on waiting another year before I went for the state level.
And I can't wait to go back to my Red Cross activities. Recovering from double ligament reconstruction doesn't exactly make responding to fires & disasters a good idea.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I haven't got any plans. I haven't written down any goals. I need to focus. I lost my focus about August and I am sliding down a slippery slope and I can see myself sliding but can't seem to stop it.
Later folks, I have to get organized here.
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
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I returned home on January 1 after surgery for removal of a colon tumor that was cancerous. So much for being a Vegetarian? Actually it involved Genetics. On the 3rd I received the pathology report as CLEAR. I am recovering at home with my son caring for Dad. Happy New Year for me. For Sure!!!!!
[ January 08, 2008, 10:19 PM: Message edited by: Jerry Starpoli ]
-------------------- Jerry Starpoli Starpoli Signs... since 1952
845-795-2438 Posts: 446 | From: Milton, NY US | Registered: Jun 2000
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This year will hopefully continue where we left off in 2007. I now have 3 full-time employees and feel very blessed to work side by side with them. We really have a lot of fun and laughs during the day and we still manage to make a few signs!
Business has grown and we are designing more 3D shaped signs lately. More challenges this year with electrical displays, digital full color on almost everything we can think of, and a new website! Signmagicinc.com is up and running!
We are painting the front of the shop two-tone beige on top, chair rail, and tan on bottom. Plans for a brochure are in the works and I may just take a vacation this year! I also turn 50 this June. My little girl keeps me young and makes me smile when I get home. She will be 5 in February. I haven't posted in a while since I haven't had many questions lately. I follow some of the problems others have posted and learn something everytime I log on.
New Year's resolutions seem to motivate me to grow as a signmaker and try new things. I am looking forward to what our team will accomplish this year and will probably be asking more questions as we tackle new sign challenges.
Good Luck to everyone in 2008.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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Currently fabricating a small block Chevy heater/generator in my Adirondack weekend getaway. Risers from a marine application creates domestic hot water and heat for living comfort through baseboard heaters. Waldo, as we call it is being calibrated to run on Hydrogen. Hydrogen is made on demand rather than having a need for a storage container. A generator is turned by the motor and wired to feed electricity back into the street. A cash cow. The means to create Hydrogen on demand is available on line, the metering however is somewhat tricky.
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We joke a lot so I'm fairly sure he knows that if he tells me no, that just means I'm going to do everything I can to prove to him that I can do it. I also plan to wear out my old bicycle to the point where it just makes more sense to buy a newer, lighter one this summer. 
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