Bramer family ~ October 2007

One year has already passed since this photo was taken. In honor of the 50th wedding anniversary on November 1, 2007, for my mother & father in-law, we had family photos taken at Spring Grove park in Jamestown, MI, in October 2007. My dearest friend, Sandy took time out of her schedule to to do a photo shoot with us. I brought my camera along also to snap pics of the kids. Sandy and I own matching cameras, but she has since acquired an even finer tool!

In this photo: Bramers: Dave, Vicki, Courtney(next to Vicki) & Kelsey(left of post); Jelsmas: Mary, Scott & Christine(right of post); Bramers: Bob & Joyce; Bramers: John, Kim, Jessica(right of post), Nick(left of post) & Nate.

The photo shown on our blog includes Nick Liza and Pola 'Amy' Rhee. Nick and Amy lived with us from August 2007 - June 2008. Nick went to school 4th - 10th grade with Courtney. His parents are missionaries in Quito, Ecuador. He lived with us his first year of college to save money. He is in his second year of studies at Kuyper College & Calvin College. Amy was an exchange student from Seoul, South Korea, and was a senior at Calvin Christian High School. It was her 3rd year in the US, her 2nd year at CCHS, & her 1st year with us. Amy's first year in the US was spent in Many, LA. This year she is at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA.

additional photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13570&l=6dc6a&id=592504345

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54608&l=7feb4&id=592504534

Counter Intelligence

Earlier this year we installed a custom concrete counter top created by Dave Bramer (that's my husband). The creation began in our utility barn and involved the whole family, including our 2 exchange students. Using refrigerator boxes we traced a template and he built a frame/mold out of masonite board, re-rod, wire & lots of welding. We are talking heavy duty! This was built upon a large work table he trailered in from his hydraulics shop. He created multiple sample blocks for us to make our creative decision. This alone was a time consuming process. Each 12" x 12" x 1.5" tile required a frame, the right blend of concrete, stones, colorant, ash, broken & crushed glass. Bubbles were cast out using a hand air gun; think Rosy the Rivetor! Then the correct humidity & balmy temperature needed to be maintained, all while the snow was flying outside. Each tile needed to be ground, sanded& polished with a 'hand' held power tool, using multiple grades of sand paper & buffers. Dave was feeling the 'grind' in his back, arms, legs & feet! He didn't have the hot tub to relax in because for the first time ever, we had drained it to cut down on expenses. The kids & I donned safety glasses & gloves and smashed out any frustrations by breaking medical glass & bottles into large steel bins. Since the counter-top was poured with the top being the bottom of the mold, all the flat pieces of glass were placed by hand, then sprinkled with chunks of glass. The concrete was mixed outside by using buckets, a shovel & a small mixer, then transported by wheel-barrow a few feet into the barn and shoveled into the mold and troweled smooth. Keep in mind the temperature outside was hovering around the freezing point! From our pictures you can see we are wearing winter clothes. Once the concrete was level, Dave made like the rivetor, climbing under the table when necessary to 'air hammer' out the bubbles. He had created a 'curing' tent of tarps wired to the overhead door frame & ceiling. Think of a temporary sauna. It took a week or two to dry to the correct cured state needed to unmold & flip it. Flipping an 800+lb,10' long x 38" across and 60" round on one end and 2" thick, irregular shaped hunk of concrete is no small fete! Straps, pulleys and prayers were required...lol. Before this large piece of concrete art could emerge as a finished counter-top, Dave needed to enter the tent of black dust. There were hours upon hours of tedious grinding, sanding & polishing.

Introducing the new counter-top would require some man power, make that multiple 'man power'! Dave was able to load the structure onto the styrofoam lined yard trailer hauled by the John Deere tractor. Carefully, he maneuvered it as close as he could to the deck. From there it took seven healthy men to inch it off the tractor and onto cardboard to save the polished edges. The plan of action changed a few times. It was difficult to grasp because of the irregular shape. This team needed to maneuver across the brick walk way, up 2 steps leading to the deck, under my 'New York' clothes line which runs by pulley from our deck to the barn, make a 90º turn, missing the hot tub, then squeeze through a 4' space with stairs at the back side, then make the length of the deck and turn through the sliders & into the dining room/kitchen, utilizing 6' of deck space, which is above our walk-out basement one story below. You don't just plop down an 800+lb object onto cabinetry. Dave had already reinforced all of the cabinets when he ripped out the old tile counter. Carefully, these men gently inched this incredibly large piece of artwork onto its final display in our kitchen. Wow, it is so unbelievably awesome! THANK YOU!

There were some discretionary issues of structure that needed to be decided before the final sections could be created. Discussions of changing a raised ledge of the bay window behind the sink, deciding on a new sink & fixtures, which appliances were desired - although we couldn't purchase these just yet & finally the backsplash. We ordered a stainless steel sink & purchased new satin chrome fixtures. With this Dave had a template and went to work creating the next phase of the counter-top. Trial and error did occur with the need to customize around the L shape, the sink, bay window & cooktop. This section needed to be poured in pieces to accommodate everything. One tear-out & re-do did occur. I let Dave make that decision, since it was his hard work! I am ultimately pleased that he did. I picked out a neutral tone of slate tiles using 2" and 1" squares for the backsplash and a trim which hides the joint lines that conjoin the sink portion. We are loving the new look. We did find a great deal on a new microwave that has so many bells & whistles that I have yet to figure out. I think the kids know more about it than I do and our kitchen is pretty much a ONE CHEF kitchen...ME! We still need to replace the double oven and the cook-top, and would like to replace the dishwasher with a quieter one. The fridge is ok, but we could really use this one downstairs. I have an appliance place that has fantastic deals...if they would just get the rest of my preferences in on their 'scratch-n-dent' trailer!. In the meantime we can wait. It's a shame appliances just are not made the same as they used to be. Those harvest gold and avocado appliances lasted FOREVER! Now you can get fashion colors and not worry they'll be out of style...they won't last that long!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26005&l=c06e6&id=592504534

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26188&l=0c4e9&id=592504534

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=55660&l=a218a&id=592504534

more coming...

Dad's blessing with a gauze dressing

Tuesday, September 9, my dad Louie was able to say 'good riddance' to the tube implanted into his kidney for 8 months. It has been replaced a couple of different times during procedures to rid his body of cancer. It has been a source of discomfort for many months. Since January he has had 5 surgeries. As he stated, "I am going for the gold, so whatever I have to endure to beat this, I will." Dr. Curry, his colleagues & staff have been tremendous in their knowledge, care & skill.

He and Mom stopped by after they left the hospital. His gauze dressing had already failed in the 25 minutes it took to go thru drive-thru & drive to our house. Since I had given them all of the large size gauze that I had in my house months ago, we improvised. I will leave it to 'your imagination' :-)  He is currently CANCER FREE! I am confident he is planning a holiday to the north country to their house in Nahma, near the shores of Big Bay de Noc, as soon as the hole in his back heals. I wish I had snapped a picture of him playing granddaughter Courtney's 'new' 1972 Finnish made acoustic guitar while grandma Arlene was soaking her aches away in the hot tub.

~Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.~ Psalm 95:2

Breakfast 'American' style

Labor Day~a day usually concluding a weekend spent with family at our hide-a-way home in Nahma, MI, which involves 6-8 hours of travel, including watching the Mackinac Bridge walkers. It might be spent watching the main parade in my hometown of Belding, at the Labor Day Celebration.

September 1, 2008, with my dad Louis still recuperating from his last cancer procedure, the biggest celebration is no cancer! The girls kept busy with friends most of the weekend. It was our surprise when my cousin Jim Kochenower, called on Sunday night. "Could we meet Monday morning for breakfast?" He is a pilot with American Airlines and would arrive late Sunday night with a Monday lunchtime departure. He & his wife, Rona & three young children have relocated from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Provo, Utah, where family roots are. It's a good thing he can use his American wings & fly. His parents, my dad's oldest sister Doreen & husband, Bob are in Provo. Jim's sisters & brother & their families are dotted around the world. Brother Corin in Provo, sister Brenda in San Diego, sister Kim in Okinawa, Japan, sister Amy in Arizona. We last visited with Jim on a layover in January, when my dad spent a length of time in the hospital. It's easy to understand how blessed we are when a few moments can be shared.

Usually Grandma Arlene makes a big breakfast, this day it was still 'her treat' but at Arnies Restaurant. Thank you, Mom! Grandpa Louie wasn't feeling up to the ride to Grand Rapids, so Mom drove in from Belding with my dad's sister Cathy. They greeted Jim at the hotel. Although it was only a little over an hour we were able to visit, share some news & create a memory. We cut the visit short to take Kelsey to the ER for breathing difficulties, a condition she is already being tested & treated for. After 3 hours of tests & waiting she was given the green light. In irony, I think if Jim calls to so say he is flying in, which I hope he does, we'll plan on meeting at the hospital cafe!