Day 134 of 331 - More Cuts....

Howdy!

It's 10:18 PM. I finished cutting out all of the pieces for the third and fourth arches today. Tomorrow I'll install the columns, and hopefully the beams at the job site. On Monday I'll set up my drill press and start drilling the arch segments, splices, and dowels. Should be fun. Yesterday I spent most of the day setting up two 10 x 10 tent tops over our garden. I only got in an hour or two of cutting when that project was finished at about 4:30. Tomorrow will be exciting!

Good night!

Mr. Ballantyne - Master Builder

Day 132 of 331 - Back on Track

Hi! It is 10:44 PM. It has been six days since I received a contract - 90% of the money, actually - to do the Seever arbor. I spent the first two days trying to figure out how to get all of the tools and equipment I need to do this (and on-going) projects. Two days later, last Friday, I had figured out how much I could or should spend, after pricing the materials - as well as the basic tools - and purchased everything that I thought I needed. It turned out that one of the pieces was only an add-on, so I had to replace it with a full-fledged miter saw stand, which ended up costing about $40 more (after sales tax). Otherwise I met my budget exactly, and got everything I needed - the basics, at least - for almost exactly 1/3 of the amount I had projected.

I started putting the various tools together on Saturday, but didn't get the table saw and miter saw (and stand) set up until just after lunch on Monday (yesterday). I then proceeded to get the basic segments of the first arch cut out. In a few hours this morning (just about two exactly) I managed to get all of the pieces for a second arch - along with the accessories for the first and second arches - cut out. I then ate and went to Lowe's and purchased the remaining wood to complete the third and fourth arches.

I also have the dowels I need to connect all of the arch segments and splices for the two outside arches. If I determine to dowel the two inner arches, then I will have to purchase additional dowels. If not, I will simply bolt (and screw) them together. I have to cut the dowels to size tomorrow morning, along with cutting out the remaining arch segments. After that I will set up the drill press, and start drilling all of the segments, splices, connectors, and dowels. I'd like to start putting them together Thursday afternoon, and install the columns and beams on Friday.

To make a long story short, I'm now in business, and loving it. I had the idea today to start my Master Builder School, TALiaison, and allow students to pay for the school by working - enabling me to both attract students (their education will be free) and get free labor - a win-win. I'd like to do that next summer, a year from now, if possible.

Life is good, and I am on now, finally, on my way! I am soooooo thankful!

Good night!

Mr. Wright

P.S. I got up at 6:00 yesterday, and 5:30 this morning. It is now 11:15. I'm supposed to be in bed at 10:00!

Day 128 of 331 - Armed and Dangerous!

Howdy!

It is 10:19 PM. I stopped working at about 7:15. I purchased all of the equipment I need to complete my project, for just under $2 less than the $875 I had budgeted for that purpose. Pretty amazing! The only issue is that the stand I bought for the miter saw for $80 seems to be an add-on to another stand which I don't have! I was told by the fellow at Lowe's that it had everything I needed, but it would appear that he was misinformed. In any case, something good will come of this, so I am not worried about it.

I got the back porch cleaned off so that I can start working there tomorrow. I also purchased the remainder of the materials that I will need to make the two end arches. I will pick up screws tomorrow, along with the steel angles and expansion bolts I need to anchor the 8 -4 x 4 x 8' posts. I need to compare the Lowe's prices with those of Alliance Lumber that I used for pricing purposes, but I believe I am actually saving money. Some things (bolts, for example) appear to be more, but the lumber seems to be less, so that is great!

I'll get the stand and two additional 1 1/2" x 48" dowels tomorrow morning, along with the items mentioned above. I'll finish setting up my new table saw as well if I'm not able to solve the miter saw table issue immediately. In any case, I plan to be in production tomorrow afternoon! It is great to be in business! I look forward to planning, scheduling, and documenting the entire process! In order to know where I'm going, I must plan (predict) where I'm going, and record where I've been!

Life is good, and I am extremely grateful!

T. M. Ballantyne, Jr. - The Master Builder

Day 127 of 331 - Approach

Hi.

It is 11:03 PM. I'm tired! I got up at 4:15 after going down last night at 10:30 or so. Long day. I spent the day looking at power tools for my new project - including both used and new. We finally decided to allot $875 of the $1375 labor charge, leaving $500 for "profit." While some have suggested that I should just rent tools, and save as much money as possible, I learned that the cost of renting would in some cases exceed the cost of purchasing the tools outright.

What is also clear is that I cannot effectively plan and execute the project without knowing where or how I will obtain tools. It is my intent to carefully plan and carry out both the manufacturing and the installation processes; in order to do that I must have both the tools and the materials in place, ready to be used.

I plan to go get the tools in the morning, and order the materials in the next day or so. I am excited about the project, and especially about structuring and executing it by means of a planned and efficient process. I also plan to keep track of both the actual materials quantities and costs, in order to stay within the budgets allocated for each. This is a business, not a family activity.

Good night!

Tom Ballantyne - Master Builder

Day 126 of 331 - Break Through

Hey!

It is 10:32 PM. This morning at just after noon I picked up a check for 90% of the contract amount for my first arbor project. I finally came to terms with my son-in-law by cutting my price in half. It will enable me to a.) Refine my design, and the manufacturing/assembly process; b.) Have a project to show others for marketing purposes; and c.) Acquire some of the tools I will need to do future projects.

So, on the final day of the 18th week, I finally got a project. I believe this is the beginning of something very big. I believe this will allow me to begin the process that will culminate in the manufacturing and marketing of The Jewel. Everything I will do will be based on component systems that can be manufactured and assembled with maximum efficiency, and minimum cost. If the cost is right, there will be plenty of work. If the process is efficient, there can be plenty of profit, so long as I am wise in the expenditure of funds.

I will be prayerful and thoughtful as I work each day to build this business. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to show what I can do. It has been a long time coming; and I don't just mean these past 18 weeks. I mean these past 39 years! In the end, of course, the effort and the time will have been worth it. I have had many lessons to learn - as I will have many more going forward. This, however, has been a definite milestone in my life.

Today, Millennium - The Master Builder, a subsidiary of Millennium - The Architecture Company, is born.

Signed: T. M. Ballantyne, Jr. - TMB - The Master Builder

PS. This entire past week has consisted of me seeking to negotiate and close this deal. Today, it finally happened, although yesterday we basically reached the agreement. Today it was consummated.

Day 119 of 331 - Now What?

Hello!

Week number seventeen has come to an end. Interestingly, I am suddenly - this afternoon - re-interested in pursuing The Jewel. I would also like to get John Stockton's help - if he is willing and able. I'll send him an email tomorrow. I found today that Z-Corp has now developed a new plastics prototype (3d) printer. Using it John and I could create a physical prototype model of The Jewel system. I look forward to starting the virtual model and 2d drawings tomorrow. Does anyone know where we can get some money? Apparently I'm receiving a check for $500 for my trouble on the arbor project. So, my tithing has been paid back. It wasn't what I had in mind, but perhaps it will keep us alive for a few more weeks. I'd prefer, however, that the Lord's promise be fulfilled, and that He would "open the windows of heaven, and pour...out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." That is what I would prefer.

I am, in fact, expecting - even insisting - that it be fulfilled. I'll keep you posted, but I expect this to happen just as we have been promised. If those words don't mean anything, then everything that I have been taught to believe in is suspect. I'm sorry, but this isn't complicated. By any standard, failure to keep a promise is a reflection on the authenticity of the source of that promise. There is no other way to judge the matter. If I were violating numerous other conditions of the contract that would open the matter to further consideration - but I am not. I am endeavoring to be obedient on a number of fronts.

So, we'll see. We'll see....

Good night!

Mr. Ballantyne - Architect/Master Builder

Day 118 of 331 - Detour....

Howdy!

Well, I guess I have to be honest with myself and acknowledge that this entire project has not born fruit as I had hoped that it would. Tomorrow will mark the end of the 17th week since I began. Today the arbor project was canceled - just as I was about to prepare the final contract proposal. I remained optimistic, but the client apparently got cold feet somewhere along the line.

I was grateful for the opportunity, and believed that it would lead to my setting up a business. I could see how it would lead right to doing The Jewel as a natural progression. So I'm confused. I don't know where to go from here, but that is nothing new. I will simply ponder and pray, and see what comes to mind. I have paid tithing, endeavored to keep the sabbath, and striven to be grateful for what I have. Perhaps I have not been grateful enough.

I suspect that each of my children believes that he or she knows what I should be doing at this point - getting a job, basically. Not one of them has come to me and said, hey, is there anything that I could help you do? I believe that my bishop and other church leaders would say the same thing (they already have): Get a job. So, I suppose that is what it has come to - getting a job.

I have endeavored to use my talents to create opportunities - through the Rosson model and the arbor designs. I have worked long and hard for the past four months. It would appear that nothing has come of my efforts - while much has been learned, and much experience has been gained. I just don't know where to go from here, but I will give this some thought. I'll retire early, and arise early tomorrow.

I am happy to say that in spite of my disappointment, I am optimistic and grateful. I do not know what I have done that has resulted in my not being able to find work or generate income. This entire project was based on the notion that being true to one's self , and pursuing the music that stirs one's soul is the way to peace and fulfillment, and prosperity. Somehow, that has not proven to be the case.

Is it my unwillingness to do work of any kind that has prevented me from finding work of any kind? (That would seem to be obvious on the surface.) At one point Jan and I were going to look into driving motor homes, but it appeared that one could hardly survive doing it. On the other hand, if I could travel around and do models of great buildings while driving, that could be good. We might enjoy doing that together, but it wouldn't necessarily allow Jan to pursue her dreams - whatever they might be.

In terms of the Law of Attraction, it would appear that what I am attracting or getting back is no interest in what interests me. That then, must be what I am giving out. I must be so focused on what I want that I do not care about the wishes and aspirations of those around me. I am apparently not concerned with, nor am I doing anything about the things that interest others. In a word, I'm being selfish.

That is not a comforting thought, but one that I must face and analyze. Whatever the cost, I must learn the truth. It would certainly seem that the cost of not knowing it is much higher. There may be little for me to lose.

Sincerely,

Tom Ballantyne