1-4-3 means I love you

Do you remember pagers?

They were like cell phones,  except they didn't make calls, or play games, or.... ok so they really weren't like cell phones,  except that those who had them took them everywhere and it was a way to reach them.

Oh,  I know how to explain it better.  You know on Grey's Anatomy when they are about to get it on in the break room,  or there is an emotional moment about to be revealed at the bar,  when suddenly that little black box starts beeping?   THAT is a pager.

source

Well... the way it worked,  was you dialed the pager number,  then a second number which would appear on the pager screen.  In the case above could be a room number, or a medical code,  although I think theirs are probably more high tech.  So if you left your number,  the person with the pager would know to call you.  you could also page 911 to let someone know it is an emergency.

My favorite though was 143.  1 for I, 4 for Love, and 3 for you.  it is my favorite because even in the early days of wireless technology,  where we couldn't even send letters electronically,  but only numbers,  people were still finding a way to check in at random times to say I love you..

With the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday,  there will be a whole lot of I love you going around.  Cards, candy, flowers, stuffed bears with pink tutus.  And we will look at it and say thank you, display it for a week or 2 and then trash it.   Well,  compost the flowers, put the card in the recycling, and donate the bear.

This is where the Idea for a 1-4-3 sign came from.   They make a great gift,  because it is saying I love you in a creative fun way,  but it is also something that He or She can keep out, in the bedroom, living room, kitchen, cubicle,  or anywhere.   It is a conversation piece as well.  People will be sure to ask,  "What does that mean"? and you will be able to say,  "oh,  it means I love you,  so and so got it for me."

See this in My Etsy Shop

So go get some flowers, and chocolate, but save the stuffed bear the humiliation of being the latest on a Goodwill shelf in 3 months,  and pick up a piece of hand made art that will light up your love life for years to come.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Back to Juarez

Thats right,  Juarez Mexico.  That is where these pictures were taken.  2 years ago I was able to go there and build a house for  a family in need.  Casas Por Cristo,  which translates to Houses because of Christ, is an organization that provides housing for free to families that are selected by local pastors in Mexico.

In 30 Days I will be going back to build another house,  for another needy family,  and share with them the wonderful news of Jesus Christ.

I am behind in my fundraising though,  and I am asking you if you would be willing to help.

The trip costs $1,100,  and I have been raising money for a few months now.  If all my blog followers donated 2 dollars,  I would reach my goal.

Here I am holding Alan,  an orphan in Mexico who spent the day on my shoulders

examply of housing available in this area of Juarez

Frame for the foundation of the new house

Me on the back side of the house attaching the blackboard

Each house gets a plaque over the door with the house number

the completed project.

Would you be willing to join with me and help me raise the remainder of my funds needed to return to Juarez, and build another house for a family in need? You can using this donate button which donates to my Etsy shop, all proceeds of which are currently being used to help fund my trip.

Thank you for your support!

-Mitch

New Work Space

Yesterday I was reading a blog that I follow,  and they posted pictures of the progress of their new studio they are building. (If you do not already,  you should totally follow Edi's Blog) clicking that link will take you to the post of her studio progress.

Reading it though,  I thought about how I recently revamped my workspace,  although on a much smaller scale . and realized,  it is an interesting topic for a blog post.  We often get to see the product,  but not the space it was created in.  For me it was all about moving inside.  I work in a detached garage for most of my projects,  but with the Maine Winter,  it is nearly impossible.  Paint just doesn't seem to dry at -5 degrees.

I have a basement which has been used mostly for storage the last 3 years.  I always noticed this box on the ceiling that I assumed contained an air duct of some sort,  when I checked recently though,  I found that it was just a box,  and held nothing.

So I ripped it out.  It took up a ton of head room,  and I can now actually stand in that sections of the basement.  While ripping it out I realized that the wood it was made of was beautiful wide rough cut wood,  and I couldn't possibly just get rid of it in the name of space.

I Glued the broken edges back on,  and I had beautiful good as new wood.

For Christmas this year my parents got me a home depot gift card.  I used it to buy all the 1x2 lumber I was going to need to turn the old box into my new work bench.  Making room under the box did mean moving the stuff that was stored there,  so now the basement looks like a tornado hit it.  I will be tackling that soon too.

I only had to cut the planks from the box a little to fit them into my design perfectly.  They make up the actual work space.

Upcycled wood makes a great work bench,  and I now have functional indoor space to work through the winter months until I can get back into the garage in the spring.

Winter Farmer's Market

Chances are,  when you think of Maine and winter you do not think Farmers  Market.  I know I certainly dont,  so when I heard there was one going on Saturday,  we had to check it out.   It was hosted at the Urban Farm Fermentory in Portland.

 There were plenty of local farms represented,  and root veggies up the wazoo.   Keep in mind we have nearly 3 feet of snow covering the ground right now,  so these farmers are working extra hard to produce crops,  AND they look amazing!

 We even bought 2 pounds of tomatoes.  Since we are in the middle of a Whole30,  fresh veggies are sooooo appreciated.

 Aside from Frank Barone giving me the stink eye,  I think everyone was having an amazing time.

 Afterall,  when you live in Maine,  and can get a farm fresh spread like this,   whats not to love?

Do you have a Winter Farmer's Market in your area?