I do not say a proverb is amiss when aptly and reasonably applied, but to be forever discharging them, right or wrong, hit or
miss, renders conversation insipid and vulgar.
Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)
Well, we're back from Orlando with lots of new "stuff", new ideas and new contacts within the industry. We signed or will sign in the next few days distributorship contracts with mold makers like Petro, Riverview and Booth, and will also have a distributor agreement with paint maker Colors for Earth. For a fledgling company such as ours, those were major developments.
In short we will not only be using their products, we will be selling them to other ceramic studios and hobbyists.
Mom learned a lot about the industry, picked out some VERY STRANGE molds for us to buy, and started her creative thoughts about how to make what we are doing even more viable. Even though she was sick most of the trip, by the end she was making notes and talking enthusiastically about what we need to do next.
As for next, for us it includes our training by Duncan (a major color and glaze maker) to certify us as instructors ( a major plus for any people who actually come into the studio to learn crafts), a two day training session in Dallas in April to learn new painting techniques from Mayco (another color/glaze manufacturer) and the ceramics show that accompanies it. More
contacts there we hope.
So, reporting from his computer in a messy ceramic studio that needs LOTS
OF WORK,
Dad Posted on: Monday, March 01, 2004
It's All Worth It
It truly is amazing how the internet connects us all.
Today, I (Jchon) received an email that was sent via this website from a gentleman in New York. This was the e-mail: "I work in New York and found a wedding picture from around 1900 in my office while cleaning out. On the back it is written "Aunt Mary Paradise and John Paradise." Instead of throwing it away, I would like to send it to someone in your family who maybe could identify these people and send it to someone who would treasure this picture. I know it is a long shot that these are your close relatives. I can also scan it and send it to an email address. Believe it or not, I saw picture of Jchon and the man in the picture has similar "moon shaped" eyebrows. Finally, the picture was taken by Wetzel of Port Chester NY."
Isn't that amazing! I now have a scan of both the front and back of the photo, and the original will be in the mail on Monday.
I know many members of this family will have fun figuring out who this mystery couple is! Posted on: Friday, February 27, 2004
Off To Boot Camp!
After a short two-day delay, Anthony is at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) in-processing into the U.S. Army! What an exciting and scary time for Michelle & Anthony - I know we're all excited for them in this new phase of their life! Good luck, Anthony! Posted on: Thursday, February 19, 2004
Happy Valentines Day!
Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone was able to spend some quality time with the one they love. Posted on: Saturday, February 14, 2004
It's About Time!
That's right, after all these years and all the harassment, the time has finally come! Jchon & Dawn are expecting their first child - due in September!! Mother and child are doing great! Posted on: Monday, February 09, 2004
I WILL NOT ACCEPT THAT MY YOUNGEST SON IS 31 . . . THIS IS JUST A REALLY BAD DREAM . . .
BUT, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE REALLY OLD!!!
Posted by: Dad at 2:13:37 PM
Happy Birthday
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
William! have fun and enjoy. We love you! Hope school and everything else are going well.
Posted by: Michelle, Anthony, Tony, and Leo at 1:03:24 PM
PAT . . . MAY TODAY BE ONLY A SHORT PAST WITH A LONG FUTURE AHEAD . . .
Friday, August 27, 2010
THIS IS WHY WE GOT MARRIED . . . . I KNEW YOU WOULD FORGET HALF OF WHAT I SAID . . . .
Mom and I met 40 years ago Sunday. We married 35 years ago today. Mom has forgotten at least 10 anniversaries . . . probably more . . . It is supposed to be the husband who messes them up.
So, to the kids without whom our lives would be less fulfilled, . . .
To the grandkids we are doing our best to spoil . . . .
To a wife who, when grandma Crawford was alive called "the Bobbsey Twins"because we were almost always together, in spirit if not side by side, (Most of you will probably have to look on Google to see who they are.)
To a wife who has laughed with me as we finished each others thoughts and/or words . . . or for that matter, just laughs with me . . . (Okay, at me as well.) . . .
To a wife who has steadfastly stood at my side, not just when we were without challenge, but every time SHE KNEW I needed her most, whether I knew or not . . .
To a wife who struggled to make a home and happy life for six kids who she (we) said our sole purpose in raising them was to know if something ever happened to us, each would be able to face the world with confidence and an attitude of "THERE IS NOTHING OUT THERE I CAN'T DO!!!) . . . and each can . . .
And to not only my wife and partner, not just here and now, but forever and ever . . . the only woman in the world I could ever say is hands down, my VERY best friend. . . .
May everyone reading this post, family or not, find a soul mate who is so much a part of you that whether you are holding hands together or 25,000 miles apart, you remain one in the universe around you as we do, with nothing separating us in mind and spirit, only time and space . . .
To my wife . . . I an SO happy you took a chance on me, blemishes and all . . . you stood by when needed and gave a little shove when needed, (Okay, sometimes a REALLY hard push.) and let us evolve into who we are . . . two as one . . .
Not recalling the number of year we have been together is nothing compared to knowing we will always be together, throughout time, two as one . . .
Pat, you are, and without hesitation I say, will always be . . .
MLLB
Posted by: LAUGHING LAUGHING LAUGHING DAD at 1:59:22 PM
oh geeezzz..
Friday, August 27, 2010
You guys get so hung up on dates...59/60...30/35...it's not the years the count, but what you do in them...(whew....got out of that one!)
Posted by: Mom___ at 9:01:46 AM
Ummm...am I not counting right?
Friday, August 27, 2010
I thought this was 35 years?
Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Daughter___ (Christie) at 7:51:55 AM
30 years....wow
Friday, August 27, 2010
As I was standing there next to Dad 30 years ago, I knew I loved him, I knew I wanted to spend my life with him and raise a family with him. I knew it would be exciting, full of work, but with lots of good times and love. What I didn't fully understand was how much our love would grow and change over the course of the next 30 years.
Today, it is SO much bigger, the depth is so much deeper and the friendship is so much broader. He truly is my very best friend.
We have been through all the words of the vows, the richer and poorer, the sickness and health etc, but still it doesn't matter...as long as we are doing whatever it is together, then the world is right.
Thank you, my husband, for making my life the envy of many woman and for always being there for me. I love you more than you can know (but you do..:) )
Posted by: YLLB at 7:37:34 AM
Just trying this to see if it works....
Sunday, August 22, 2010
This should be posting a link to the Kohl's Cares site where you can vote for my school to get $500,000. Please go vote!
Posted by: Teacher___ (Christie) at 6:44:04 PM
Some Corrections To Frankie's Post
Monday, August 02, 2010
I have just posted a revision of Frankie's original post. Most of the things changed were typographical and grammar. I did make some changes that more accurately describe what Frankie has himself said to me.
In my last post I think my views are clear.
Posted by: A Very Proud Dad at 1:04:48 PM
For Those Of You Who Have No Clue About My Last 8 Months
Monday, August 02, 2010
I am going to lay it all out for all to know why my attitude is not right towards other family member right now so here goes:
On November 2nd of 2009 I severed my spine and was partially paralyzed for 38 days. During this time I had multiply seizures. My spine put me in more pain and I was more scared than I have ever been in my life. I thought my life was over. I also found what a true wife and best friend are to me (Simone the wife and Kevin Holt the best friend).
On 9 December 2009 I went in for full spine fusing surgery. I had 4 blown disks and 3 ruptured vertebra. They implanted 18 inches of metal into my back and fused the lower section. I did regain my feeling but lost 60% of my mobility and lost all my core muscles due to this surgery. My life changed forever.
After returning to work after 5 months of being in so much pain, I started a new job with the Warrior Transition Unit of Ft. Carson. During this time I was helping to save a fellow soldier life who attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the 3rd floor. In doing so I put myself back in the Hospital for tearing 3 muscles in my lower back.
In June, 2010, after 4 years in braces I had realignment jaw surgery. While leaving the hospital I was hit in the face by a door and broke my jaw in 16 spots and now have 4 plates and 18 screws holding my lower face together. I had not eaten solid food in over 7 weeks but heard of Dad’s issues and rushed to clear as much time as possible to help my family with their situation.
I continue to have issues in my back and have lost over 17 pounds. I hadn’t eaten for three straight days but got in my truck with family and friends in tow. This is what I do for my parents and family in times of need. I stop my life and go to their side to help fix any and all things possible.
I believe I did this with no regrets at all and would do it again in a heartbeat. My life has been a living nightmare for a long time since my injury, but nothing will stop me from helping those close to me, be they family or friends, when in need, as should all other family members who can.
We all have money issues as well as other things in our way. I want everyone to remember when I was flat on my back, Simone and William were taking care of me (or watching so I didn't do something to reinjure my spine). This stopped Simone from working for a long time. Money was lost, but this week I was lucky to be able to help out my parents right away.
William, if Simone and I have not said so, thank you for your help. It made it possible for Simone to return to work and help with our money issues. I would also like to thank Simone, who helped me understand what a true partner for life was. Any partner who will sit there and watch their loved one cry in pain during one of my seizures on the floor in the middle of their house and not flinch, put their life on hold as well as their child’s, to help in the recovery of their loved one is by far a life-long partner.
Kevin, bro, my friend for life. You, man, also stopped your life to help Simone with my issues. When things needed done you were there and still are there for us. You are also a wounded in Combat Vet who puts his personal medical issues aside to help my family in any way possible. For this my friend I thank you.
I know there are family members who also find their life to be hard, and clearly have problems. But try to understand mine for the past 8 months with many more to come. I will be leaving for Korea in 10 months and will be away for a year. So while Americans are sleeping in their houses with your loved ones next to you, remember two people in this family (Anthony and I) will miss that. That is where my feelings come from and I ask you to understand that. I do not wish to alienate any of my family,
All I ask is that everyone step up and do all you can for your family as well as your extended family. I have lost a parent and it sucks something bad let me tell you. You look back at all you did and did not do for them during the time on this either. I will never wake up crying again because I could have done more.
Now you all know where I am coming from and why I can be so harsh. I hope this will help other family members understand that sometimes my mouth gets into gear before my brain does. I expect everyone to do their part, and Dad has made it clear you all do.
Thanks Dad and Mom for being there for both Simone and I in our time of need as we will always be there for you. Just ask and we will do our best to fix anything we can.
Posted by: Frankie at 12:10:05 PM
I didn't know...
Monday, August 02, 2010
I knew most of what you described - but not the extent! Goodness gracious!
I love reading this post though - it's awesome to "hear" the passion you have for your family. Truly awesome.
I have this image of you in my mind from back when we were in middle/highschool... and to juxtapose that image with the image you paint of yourself in recent years is... well, it's cool.
Certainly makes me wish we lived closer to you guys - I really believe my boys are missing out by not having a relationship with their Aunt, Uncle & cousin! (although JJ still talks about all 3 of you)
We certainly need to see what we can to plan a trip to Colorado!
I AM NOT EVEN GOING TO SAY shhhh (31)
JJ's Birthday
Frank & Pat
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