Pietenpol-List: my project tribute (long)

[matronics]

Original Posted By: stephen labash
Ok=2C this is not a question - more of a personal story I guess.I started my Piet in 2001 with the purchase of plans and 4 rough sawn spruce boards from McCormicks in Madison. At first I went at it pretty steadily=2C building most of the fuselage in about a year. My wife and I had been married for quite a few years already and hadn't had any kids - nor were they really in our imediate future.We moved homes in 2003 and my project got stored at my in-laws place for the winter. The only thing I had completed at the new home was the turtledeck - which to this day=2C I'm not happy with. Problem was=2C I couldn't get it into the basement at the new house and the garage wasn't heated. Once it's at some other place than home=2C it's hard to motivate yourself to go work on it. So it sat there for a couple years. I did complete the tail section. And in 2005-06 I built the wing ribs and tore down a couple corvair motors. Most of the corvair parts are here now=2C ready to be assembled.My first boy was born in 2006. We had 4 miscarriages up until this point and figured we'd never have children. Actually=2C we were in the process of adopting. Since then=2C the project has done nothing but collect dust. It's hard to find time (and money) once you have young children around. Well=2C it's 2009 and I'm finally getting back to work on it again. I bought some material for wing spars and have been prepping to make the center section. Last year my father in law had a heart attack and through the treatments for it=2C found out he had a rare form of cancer. He lived with us for 3 months because he needed contant care and his wife worked nights. I can't say enough about how my wife stepped up and took care of him. This is what they mean in the bible when they say "Honor your father and mother". It's been a rough year or so with a roller coaster of emotions=2C hospital and nursing home visits. He's currently recovering from hip surgery due to his hip deteriorating - due to the cancer. A couple months ago=2C I found out my wife was pregnant again - this was a huge surprise (blessing) since we were pretty much sure we didn't want another child at this point. Hmm=2C how'd that happen=3B). Three weeks ago=2C I was put on part time work - just escaping a round of layoffs. The economy finally caught up to me. Then just two weeks ago=2C my mother found out she has pancreatic cancer. Statistics say she'll be dead within a year.Why am I saying all of this? Not to show anyone that my life is worse or buisier than others. It's because of what I've been doing since I started building my wing ribs a couple years ago. I asked family members and friends to build one rib=2C sign and date it. Only a few of them did it=2C including my wife=2C my dad=2C mother and father in-law. So I built most of them. But at that point=2C I wanted this airplane to mean something to others - not just me. I recently asked my father in law to think about the N-number and how he'd like to see it - someting that would mean something to him. He was a garbage man all his life and he loved it - so=2C someday=2C I'll have something about that on the airplane - N-number or otherwise. I've recently asked my mom to help me build the center section to which she agreed. It's my way of creating memories with these poeple - hopefully something they'll remember too. Anyway=2C my project is on the slow track for sure=2C but I'm ok with that. If it wasn't for all the other things in life=2C maybe it would be further along but hey=2C life happens to all of us. Someday=2C I hope to finish this thing and fly it=2C commemorating all the people and efforts that have gone into it along the way. Until then=2C I'll just keep on building at some pace - slow at times=2C fast at times..If you're project isn't progressing as fast as you want or maybe you've lost interest=2C do something to make it special - and take your time. It's not a race. Life happens.Sorry for the rant=2C just feelin nostalgic tonight I guess.Tom B.Brooklyn Park=2C MNcreating memories with my mom - working on the center section ________________________________________________________________________________

[matronics]

Original Posted By: TOM MICHELLE BRANT
Tom,Thank you for putting so much into proper perspective. Hats off to you. ----- Original Message -----

[matronics]

Original Posted By: Dallas
Unless they've got a snorkel, mask and fins.Just to make this relevant--Got my tank halves resinedtogether today. It weighs 13 lb with valve, fittings andfuel gauge.Clif>> That's never a good place for anyone> John>> No offense, but the best place for some people is floating face-down in a > lake.>________________________________________________________________________________Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 23:46:38 -0700 (PDT)

[matronics]

Original Posted By: "vman1922"
I see that Piper listed it as a substitute for the Cub- among other woods.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: my project tribute (long)

[matronics]

Original Posted By: helspersew(at)aol.com
Thanks for the post! My hat is also off. That a way to make positives out oftroubles. May God Bless and ease your family's burdens.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: my project tribute (long)Date: Mon, 05 Oct 2009 07:47:54 -0400