The Apprentice

You read, don't you, about people who experience a change in their circumstances that utterly alters their lives.  well, here's a brief tale....
Whilst on holiday, and because we are self employed, Mr Dunnit and I talked a lot about business, costing and production.  It has always been apparent to me that I have the sweet side of the Partnership - sales, book keeping, fun deliveries in the big white van...sitting on my butt looking busy. 
We talked about hiring a semi skilled operative.  Loads of pro, loads more cons.  The workshop is in a farm building on his parent's land.  There are problems like no rest room...(alright for him, he uses his Mum and Dad's home for tea breaks and rest breaks...but we can't ask them to accomodate others, huh!).  So I had a life changing idea.  Anything I could do?  I know that it's physically strenuous and very very skilled, so you'll understand that I was a bit nervous.  Well.  Colour me surprised.  He took me up on the offer and we've 'worked together' for about seven days out of the last ten or so. From his point of view, it's another body to help with the repetitive and mundane parts of the job.  From my point of view, it's exercise and a lot of it!  Oh, and dust and not a small amount of it.  I've got safety goggles, ear defenders, gloves and a mask.  Glamorous it ain't.

 But so far, I'm loving it.  The noise is amazing..we don't talk once the extractor is turned on.  There's some hand signalling if I make a mistake or don't understand...but there's no point talking (shouting).  With a mask on and ear defenders, no chance of hearing or lip reading.  I like using the mega big band saw and the very frightening circular saw.  Last week I used the spindle moulder to help make mouldings to pin around glazed panels on loads of doors that we had made earlier!  It's like big time crafting with a genuine result.  No procrastinating in his workshop I can tell you.  I might be allowed to take a few photos next week.  Actually I was allowed last week, but I was so damn tired I kept forgetting.  I'm going to assume that I'll be fractionally less tired this week on the basis that I'm getting used to it.  Ask me on Wednesday; if my desk remains untouched, we know there's a problem!