Shop Stuff

There's real progress on the "green truck" which is not green, yet. It has a new, beautiful big block installed.... and as of today, runs great!!! Now it's finally ready for PAINT! (and we CAN do that!)

This is the time to get a restoration done - the shop isn't as busy or crowded and the word's getting around that we can do some pretty nice stuff.

We really enjoy the restorations.

Jeremy bought this truck and had it painted - the blue is super-metalic and we painted a bedliner in the back. It looks great!

When someone comes to Jeremy and asks him to buy their vehicle, he always considers it. Sometimes they aren't willing to drop their price enough to make it do-able, 'cause Jeremy always pays attention to resale value, but when they do, we end up with a lot of vehicles. He never announces what he's done, either, so it's anyone's guess why he purchased which one. It's usually guy-emotional, you know - something no guy is going to share and I'll probably get clobbered for blogging it. But I love my man for more ways than we share and this is one of 'em!

Maaco Convention

Before we say goodbye to 2009, we need to remember overlooked major highlights... like Jeremy's trip to the Dominican Republic with the Driven Brands and Maaco convention. He saw George Forman and football coach, Dick Vermeil, as well as all the corporate folk we get to talk to every week. He really enjoyed spending time with Elias, who attended training last October with Jeremy and won the Rookie of the Year award for taking over a running center.

It is true that Jeremy jumped out on the dance floor one night and no one's let him forget it!

The resort was beautiful.

Jeremy returned rested and excited about all the cool things we could do with our Maaco shop. Since his return, we've aggressively gone after fleet accounts and now paint the Kaiser Permenente vehicles - plus we're set up for government vehicles, which was a process I won't soon forget! Even more business has come in this winter from Jeremy's contacts buying and selling parts and car lot salesmen. The whole shop is happy when our boss is happy!!

A Snowy trip home

We got caught in the sudden snowfall on Tuesday, December 29th. It was absolutely gorgeous for the first hour and then the traffic got noticeably heavy for the second hour and the third hour on the drive home from Scappoose was a big questionmark of exactly HOW LONG would it take to meander the last few miles? The 205 freeway was at a standstill, so we took 122nd, but with the 15 mph progress and the multiple lights, it felt slower than snail pace. These pictures were taken back at the "absolute gorgeous" stage on Hwy 30.

These pictures will always be significant for me for a deeper, darker reason. This was the first of two days of reckoning for me on how ignorantly I could hurt people's feelings and how helpless I am to make everything right. Made me look twice at times I felt offended and held a grudge. Maybe 2010 is the year of Forgiving. Regardless, I am glad to leave 2009 behind. It has to have been the most labor-intensive year of our lives so far.

The Fancy Feast with the Roast Beast

...and the thrilled participeests

Christmas 2009

Every year feels like "the best Christmas yet". I remember when I was 10 getting so excited I stayed up all night to wake dad and mom at 5am. Setting it all up Christmas Eve is so fun. This was probably the best year ever for finding deals, since everything went on crazy-sale. I found metalic colored "treasure boxes" for stocking stuffers - my favorite twist on turning the focus back on Jesus along with the manger.

This year all four kids were thrilled with the whole day. Trinity adds a lot, being four, now. The boys attack the day like a surprising great find, but she remembers and talks about every detail over and over building up anticipation. And nothing beats adding to our own memories and creating something wonderful.

A-Bear

Our Aidan turned 9 years old on December 20th! He enjoyed the rush of attention, no doubt. He'd be the center of every event if he could, I think.... as it was, he took full advantage and had a GREAT WEEKEND!!

1st Employee Christmas dinner Party

From left to right:

Charlotte, the masker, Dennis, the bodyman, Laura & Jeremy, Carol & John, the salesman, Cary, the detailer, Jeff, the painter, and Jeremy Hull, the sander.

Merry Christmas Maaco crew!

Say "CHEESE!"

Getting a family picture for Christmas is always an adventure. This year might have been more adventurous than most.

Thanksgiving 2009

Memorable.

Family.

Gratefulness.

Delicious.