Category Archives: Jesse

Painting Vol. III

Here are more painting pictures. YEAH!!! These are from my other sister Carla:



Jesse, trying to break my window. Jeff watches on.


Anders, painting away!


Anders and Ian painting away!


Melissa and Scottie D. painting the east side of the house.


Anna painting!


Teresa cutting some plastic as Willy and I hold it.


The north wall.


Alisa and Erica painting the front “porch”.


Jeff and Terrence painting.


Teresa painting.


Teresa painting.






Alisa and Erica painting the gate. Terrence supervises.


South wall.


I think Shannon is in there somewhere.




Note the excellent scallop work that Carla did!


The front porch.

Painting Vol. II

What lies below are a few pictures my sister Teresa took of the painting.



Yep. That is Jesse trying to break my front window.














More Jesse trying to break my window.


Another angle of Jesse trying to break my window.

There may be more action packed painting pictures coming your way in the future! Try to contain your excitement.

Painting!

The great national nightmare, or maybe it was just my nightmare, is finally, virtually over. The 2 day house painting party this weekend is over and my house is painted!

Just a couple splashes of paint here and there, and hanging a few things up and it is over.

So thanks a million to my amazing Saturday Painting Crew:

  • Jesse
  • Teresa
  • Baier
  • Will
  • Ben
  • Monica
  • Jeff
  • Scottie D.
  • Melissa
  • Porter
  • Dalton
  • Anders
  • Ian
  • Mom
  • Shannon

Equally as great was my awesome Sunday Painting Crew:

  • Willy
  • Jesse
  • Derrick
  • Teresa
  • Carla
  • Jen
  • Evie
  • Layla
  • Jay
  • Kelly
  • Anna
  • Anthony
  • Alisa
  • Erica
  • Shannon
  • Jeff
  • Terrence
  • Mom

I’m in such good spirits that I’ll even thank the people that just stopped by to gawk:

  • Terry
  • Grandma
  • Sherrie
  • Steve
  • Andy (In fairness Andy would’ve helped if there were any work left to do).

 
Since I wasn’t able to photograph anything on Saturday on Sunday because I was covered with paint, at this time I don’t have any pictures of the actual painting to share. However, I do have some pictures of the aftermath. Some of the things might make you wonder about the cleanliness and skill level of my people. You should know that many of them are highly skilled painters: Derrick, Baier, Carla, and to my admitted shock Willy (to name a few), but everybody contributed on some level. Therefore, imperfections, spills, messes, I actually love these things. These are reminders that on one beautiful fall weekend 15 people on Saturday and 19 people on Sunday decided to come to my house and help me paint rather than do something that society may have considered more fun and more interesting. Society can go suck an egg!

I call it the house that love painted and that is even at least partially true. If nothing else, I have at least a healthy start to my Birthday Party Invite List. Don’t worry, there will be other chances to earn a coveted invite to The Party of 2016*. Not many granted, but I’m sure those chances will be out there.

Any way, here is a collection of photos of my Painting Party Aftermath:



A piece of tape leftover from where Alisa and Erica did a crackerjack job of painting the front porch!


An unintended sweet design left behind from Carla painting the house numbers!


Paint left behind from where my frog rain gauge sits. Possibly left from when Anna or Willy painted the rain spout? Actually that is probably my spill.


That cardinal even looks sweet on the brick.


Normally I would be sad if my beautiful, lush lawn looked so downtrodden and pathetic, (I pay good money for somebody else to fertilize it for me) but this is actually a sign of how many people were there painting my house at any given time. Can’t hate on that.


Cleaning out paint trays lead to this sweet white streak of grass.


The gold paint. The finishing touch that really adds some flair. Alisa and Erica also knocked it out of the park with this paint and my gate. Shannon also rocked the front threshold with this paint.

Another awesome aspect of this painting project was how much equipment I was loaned. One neighbor Stan loaned me 2 scaffoldings. The other neighbor Roger loaned me a ladder.


Stole the idea of using dish tubs to hold paint from my mission trip to South Dakota. Fortunately while painting cedar siding sucks, it doesn’t suck as bad as painting stucco.


More than a few people were infatuated with my house’s “nipple”. It is my kitchen vent. Don’t be weird, creeper. Either way, Anders and Ian did a dynamite job of painting it.


Just a few of the ladders that were used in the project. Not pictured is 1 of 2 family heirlooms used in during the project. A ladder my Grandpa Bennett bought in 1969 to paint the house at 415 Greene Street.


A few of the rollers that survived usage by Teresa the Roller Killer.


It took about 10 gallons of cardinal paint, 3 gallons of white paint, and 1 gallon of gold paint to complete this project.


Lots of experimental painting was done by me on this project. Some paint tools are excellent. Some are a waste of money. Such a waste of money.


On Saturday night I bought a gallon of gold paint and a whole set of paint brushes to use with the gold paint. When the time came around to use the gold paint, all those brushes, except one had been used for cardinal. This solo cup is an artifact left behind by Alisa and Erica from painting the gate gold.


Earlier this year I moved this wood pile from where it is pictured to the brick patio for use in the Firetub. I have had exactly zero social fire tub fires this year. Will and Ben moved the pile back to its original location. Very thankful I didn’t have to do that. Although since I am retiring the Firetub this fall, I should have one last social fire soon. What will become of the Firetub? Stay tuned. Same bat time. Same bat channel.


The other family heirloom that was used in this painting project. This step stool also belonged to Grandpa Bennett. When it isn’t being used in painting projects, it holds frog statues. It will no doubt be used when I complete Fall/Winter House Project #2 sometime soon-ish.


This was the Painting Party Cafeteria. Many a burger and dog were consumed here over stimulating conversation. Such as what do you do when you have to go to the bathroom on a 100 mile run? Loyal Instagram followers will recognize the chairs I stripped and painted John Deere colors and the plastic chairs I did a very poor job of painting Iowa State colors. The bench was built by Teresa. It normally is housed between the cherry trees and holds rain gauge no. 2 and more frog statues. Naima enjoyed her time in the cafeteria. Especially when Evie tried to bribe her with a hot dog to go on a walk.


This dog. She was in heaven with so many people around. She converted a couple of kids that were afraid of dogs and was a wonderful playmate for Layla and Evie as well. She even tried to help with the painting.


I set up the tent for its annual airing out and as a place for children to play. I think Jay might have been the one who played with it the most. Willy and Jesse helped set it up. It is always my pleasure helping people learn survival skills.


Naima’s tail got an extra shade of gold when she tried to help with the gate painting.


The best part of painting during the fall is that it doesn’t matter what happens to the flower that surround my buildings. I would have photographed the hosta that Melissa dumped (much to the chagrin of Scottie D.) quite a bit of white paint on, but we all know that hostas are weeds. So who cares what happens to them? Not this guy!


I did almost all the scraping myself. Let me tell you, scraping cedar siding is the worst. Here is just a small sampling of the piles of scraped paint chips that surround my house.


I think I had 5 paint trays going all at once on Sunday. Might have been 6.

So once again. Thanks to everybody that helped me with this project!

If you are wondering what the house actually looks like now, you might have to visit**. Or maybe that will be covered in a blog post in the future. I don’t know what the future holds.

*Actually, I can’t guarantee that the party will be that great***, but the invitations will be very amusing to at least 3, maybe 4 people.
**But don’t ring my doorbell, that freaks me out.
***Although the partial party playlist was endorsed by Anna and she knows about such things. I’m sure.

Phonetos – Vol. 1

Although I haven’t touched the real camera lately, I have sorta documented some stuff with my cruddy camera on my phone. Thought I would post some of those from the last few months. Remember, these are taken with a cruddy camera phone.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve already seen many of these. Feel free to carry on.



Best donuts. Ever.


Our waiter at Pig Ate My Pizza. Carrying Naima’s favorite toy.


This was apropos of that weekend. I love John Cusack.


Iowa State Relay for Life


Such a great game!


Naima had Willy protect her while we watched the ISU-Oklahoma game.


I still don’t think they’ve done anything about this building.


Dre’s Birthday. Watching a little March Madness.


Layla’s Melancholy Lion.


Network Engineering Night at Welch Ave.


Missouri.


Cousins.


First birthday party I’ve been to that was on the grounds of a federal prison.


Naima.


New love. Rico’s Tacos.


ISU Spring Game.

Confirmation Sunday with my Confirmation Mentee Mitchell.


Derek. Winner of this year’s Roundball Oracles.


Uncola at the Otho Pub.


Carla’s Art.


Logan really enjoyed his first Adobe experience.


Jim. The last night of bowling. Ever.

Dinner with a member of the Illuminati.


Miss May.


Bulletin from Pastor Sarah’s amazing Superhero Sermon Series.


The wall from the Citywide Youth Group.

More soonish…

Still Laughing – 2015

Still haven’t really got back to posting much lately, but let’s face it, I really haven’t even touched the camera much lately. I’ve been crazy busy with weddings and graduations and church activities that my free time has been at a premium lately.

When I have had free time, I’ve been devoting it to my BASEMENT PROJECT. A project where I have been returning things that don’t belong to me, re-assigning ownership of some things AND downsizing my own possessions. Although to those that have seen the basement in its current state it might not look like I’ve made much progress, but those people didn’t see what it looked like before this whole process began.

In fact, I made it to the point where I was able to actually set up the GHETTO HOME THEATER. With a couple of donations from Jesse and a couple purchases from Amazon, there is a functioning theater in my basement. However, that is all that can be said about it. It functions. It is definitely a work in progress.

On Saturday I was able to have a soft opening with Russell,Baier, Dre, and Dae Hee in attendance. We watched NIGHT CRAWLER. I feel it was a success that could lead to a couple more soft openings.

Hopefully there will be an actual grand opening when it is “finished” and the GHETTO HOME THEATER will be re-branded the UNION STREET THEATER. Perhaps a double feature of a kid friendly movie for those types that have reproduced and closing with A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. Which I consider to be child friendly as well. That might just be me though.

Well, any way, I should post some pictures. Here are some tulip pictures from Pella.


Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Tulips in Pella, 2015.

Maybe I won’t wait so long to post again. But maybe I will.

ROUNDBALL ORACLES YEAR 11

Wow! What an amazing season of College Basketball. Especially in the state of Iowa. Almost everybody has something to cheer about:

The Iowa State Cyclones won the Big 12 for the second straight year. They are looking to make good on Hoiberg’s promise of a national championship.
The UNI Panthers won whatever backwaters conference they are in.
Iowa returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006. They have a chance at their first tournament win since 2001. Gold star for Iowa!

There are all sorts of great potential matchups all over the place:

Fred Hoiberg could coach against one of his NBA coaches in the second round.
Iowa State and Iowa could play each other in the Sweet Sixteen.
Another possibility would be a dream point guard matchup between the best 2 point guards in the country in Monte Morris and Kevin Pangos.
The Elite Eight could feature a rematch of the 1944 Final Four game between Iowa State and Utah.

However, if you want to place your name on the List of Immortals like these people:

Roundball Oracles Champions

2014 – Brandon Kahler
2013 – William McAlpine
2012 – Lowell Davis
2011 – Carrie Baier
2010 – Mark Wolfram
2009 – Mark Wolfram
2008 – Mark Wolfram
2007 – Tim Peterson
2006 – William McAlpine
2005 – William McAlpine

All you need to do is contact me and I’ll get you the information posthaste.

The only “buy in” is pride. First place does win a trophy. The last place trying adult, also wins a trophy. Small chance there will be a traveling trophy this year, but I’m not made of money. Maybe some of the rest of you need to start kicking in on the bills around here. I’m looking at you Naima.

In case you need a refresher on how last year’s Oracles did, look below.

Rank    Oracle Score    Correct    Champion Last Year
1. Brandon Kahler 255 40 Florida 18th
2. Michael Augustin 241 42 Florida 31st
3. Paul Golden 235 41 Michigan State DNP
4. Jordan Toot 228 39 Florida 9th
5. Jon DeWaard 224 39 Florida 5th
6. Mark Wolfram 222 38 Florida 8th
7. Lowell Davis 216 40 Florida DNP
8. Andree Jauhari 210 38 Iowa State 28th
9. Derrick Gorshe 208 38 Iowa State 14th
10. Carrie Baier 205 37 Michigan State 19th
11. Robert Henning 205 36 Florida 10th
12. Bill Wentworth 204 38 Florida 15th
13. Nate Miller 203 36 Iowa State DNP
14. Frank Meiners 201 38 Michigan State 11th
14. Jesse Howard 201 37 Kansas 3rd
16. Corey Faust 200 36 Iowa State 7th
17. Humble Narrator 196 36 Iowa State 33rd
18. William Mcalpine 196 38 Florida 1st
19. Angie DeWaard 191 35 Arizona 6th
20. Sean Clubine 189 36 Syracuse 13th
21. Carla Stensland 189 35 Iowa State DNP
22. Ben Baier 188 35 Arizona 32nd
23. Jackson Faust 185 36 Florida 16th
24. Michelle Haupt 181 35 Arizona 26th
25. Elizabeth Nordeen 181 35 Iowa State 21st
26. Russell Kennerly 180 34 Florida 24th
27. Olivia Baier 178 34 Arizona DNP
28. Jason Baier 175 35 Florida 24th
29. Tim Peterson 175 34 Iowa State 22nd
30. Becky Perkovich 175 35 Iowa State 27th
31. Shawn Lockner 173 33 Wisconsin 4th
32. J.J. Baier 164 24 Michigan 29th
33. Ryan Halvorson 163 33 Arizona 18th
34. Dawn Krause 149 32 Arizona 23rd
35. Will Baier 147 23 Iowa State 34th
36. Sara Lockner 143 28 Florida DNP

Like I said, if you want in and have some extra pride to spare, you know where to find me.