PBBR

Well...I have no pictures as I am too tired to hook up the video camera, play with the video, upload the video, etc. The Pickle Bucket Boat Races (PBBR) is coming up soon - June 19th. 

Anthony and I took our 2nd version of our yacht out in the pond today. It floated?!! We went in on the South end and went across the pond to the North end; a success. 

The kids watched, cheered us on and Alexia took video. 

We still have some work to do but we at least have a floating concept. 

~ Jeffery

Trailer

We are getting closer. I believe the above is very close to what we are looking at for a trailer at the MN State Fair. 

1. Pickle guy is finalized as our character. He needs a name yet but he is final. 
2. Our new name is final - The Perfect Pickle. 
3. Our logo is final - can be found in the very middle of this image with company name and pickle guy from #1. 
4. We are very close to finalizing the look of the trailer. 

There is still a lot of work to do but we are making progress. 

~ Jeffery

During - Patio progress

More to come soon....

~ Jeffery

Precious

Recently Alexia had a softball game in Scandia. After the game we decided to go visit Amanda. The kids were great, I really enjoy seeing their reactions as you can really see they care for Amanda and they miss her. We said our peace and took off. I never expected what happened next because Evan has never met Amanda. He has seen pictures of her and has heard us talk about her but they never actually met. 

On our way home (about a 20 min drive)...

"Daddy, can we go pick up Amanda now?"

"Daddy, where is Amanda?"

"Daddy, Can we call Amanda's Mom?" - why? - "So we can ask where she is to go pick her up."

We talked about Heaven, about Amanda being "up" in Heaven...

"Daddy, can I go up in the sky, so I can bring Amanda back home so we can go pick her up?"

We talked about this over the next 30 minutes after leaving her site. He also was visibly sad and upset for the fact that we could not go pick her up. 

I love you Amanda and we all miss you!!  

~ Dad

Cute Kid Story

I have been working from home due to the work being done on the patio. One moment I stepped outside to discuss something with the contractor and below is what I heard...and saw...

The neighbor kid (3 years old) is playing in the yard by the street, the Mom is sitting in a chair reading. 

"Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom"

"Ok, go then."

Down come the pants, on the spot, next the underwear and he did just that, he pee'd in the yard. Right on the grass. 

I could not help but laugh! :) 

~ Jeffery

Before

I have been thinking about a patio for years, this year it is finally coming. Here are the before pictures. 

~ Jeffery

The Perfect Pickle 2010

This year at the MN State Fair we will have a new look, new character, new logo, new feel all to go along with our new location! Images here are concepts, you are getting an early look at our potential new look. 

Concepts created by Joyce. 

More to come on Joyce. 

~ Jeffery

SNOW

Yes it is snowing, May 7th, 2010 - Minnesota!!!

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Sent from my mobile device

Trailer

For those of you that visit the MN State Fair...The Pickle guys are making some changes this year. 

The Preferred Pickle will now be The Perfect Pickle!

And we also will have a NEW location. We will be in a trailer on the far West end of the Fair about 1/2 block from Martha's Cookies West of the Grandstand. 

Here is a concept drawing of our booth! 

~ Jeffery

Bamboo

Bamboo from China, across the vast Ocean by boat, to a warehouse on the East Coast to Jeff's place on Wed. 

Can't wait. 

~ Jeffery

One chair done!

About a year ago my neighbor asked me if I was interested in their patio set, for free. During one of our hail storms the hail damaged 90% of the straps on the chairs. Hmmm, at the time (still am sometimes) I was always looking on Craigslist for deals. I asked myself...could I fix these and have a nice set? It is a beautiful set, iron, solid, nice look, etc

The color was fading on the chairs and cushions, there were basically no straps but I thought hey it was free. I then sat on them for a year wondering how the heck does one fix a vinyl strap that wraps around part of the chair twice. I was lost. 

I went from store to store...nothing, I checked the Net, nothing. A couple weeks ago I started checking again and bingo I found a site that sold the vinyl I needed but most importantly they had videos on HOW TO FIX IT!! 

I bought 100' of vinyl, some spray paint and went to town. Just tonight I got 1 chair done, I have 4 left to go. The satisfying thing is it worked. I actually sat on it and it held me. haha. 

The trick to vinyl is to boil it for 2 minutes because then it stretches real easy. The 2nd trick is all the tips they tell you to do multiple straps at a time to save you some time, that is true up until the time where you take the straps out of the boiling water. 

I did 3 at a time, pulled 3 out, added the rivets, went to the garage, stretched the first one, bingo. Went to stretch the 2nd one and it was cold already and way to short! Back to the boiling water. 

Any rate...I am happy, accomplished and resting in my new chair. 

The cushions probably need to be replaced but that is for another day. They don't look toooo bad right now and they are functional. :) 

~ Jeffery