Monday 6 May 2013

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!

37 comments:

Di said...

Go Julia - full of admiration (and not a little envy) here. It sounds like hard work, but fun as well. It must be so good to be working together as a team with joint results (no pun intended!). And the smell of freshly sawn wood - bliss.

Mind you, you're a bad girl for wearing what I understand was a very nice new top for the job :) Perhaps with your first month's wage you should invest in a set of overalls - in a natty shade of purple or summick :)

Hugs, Di xx

Belinda Basson said...

Wow 7 days and you are still talking to each other at the dinner table! Well done.

voodoo vixen said...

I tips my hat to you Missus! Way to go Julia!! Those saws would have me freaked out... the idea of losing concentration (oh look at that lovely knot in that piece of wood) and a finger or two gives me the heebie jeebies but i am sure Mr Dunnit has trained you well!! ;)

Kimbo said...

Sounds like very hard work but just look at those baggy jeans - who needs a gym x

Cardarian said...

Well you were talking like a pro - I didn't understand half of the things you were saying! Looks like you are more then just an apprentice! Enjoy your new job and have fun, you will have to do crafting on Saturdays and Sundays!!
Lots of hugs,
Cardarian

Carmen said...

Is it wrong of me that I really like the colours in your dust covered shirt? I'd buy that. Oh dear - I really am into my grunge!

Congratulations on your new part of the job - I understand the chat on holiday as Craig and I are the same, though I can't confess to know what he's talking about.

Looking forward to the piccies. Am in awe at your use of those big old machines! Yikes!

Kirsty.A said...

Wow. What an exciting / scary change! NOt least working all day together. P and I are in the same business, but I'm very glad we don't teach at the same school! Look forward to seeing the pics

misteejay said...

Big scary cutting things...eeK!!

Well done you on giving it a go and don't forget the photos.

Toni xx

Squirrel x said...

Go girl! Hugs Sxx

Annie said...

I am seriously impressed Julia. A new challenge does us all good from time to time and I'm sure it will be good for the old grey matter too.
Looking forward to seeing a few snaps soon.
Hugs,
Annie x

Robin Panzer Art said...

Wonderful post Julea! You must feel so wonderful acquiring new skills and helping the family business! You go girl!

roffeycreations said...

How fabulous - I always though I'd like working with wood - but I mean whittling or something - LOL.. good on you Julia - Mxx

Candace said...

Wow, how fantastic to learn a new skilss. Good luck with this wonderful adventure and hoping you continue to get on working together too x

Queenie Jeannie said...

Well go YOU!!! This means you get more "allowance" for crafting goodies...right??? *smile*

Gill Edwards said...

Thats great going. Its nice to work together so long as you get on okay. Hubby and i would argue like mad so dont think it would work for us. I wish you luck.
Gill x

Angie said...

I take my hat off to you ...working with the other half is not easy ...but my guess is that the fact that you cant talk helps....bet it makes you fit.xx

Monica said...

Working together is OK if you have defined tasks and you know who is the bossin that situation. Sounds like it is workiNg out fine. You Go Girl!!

Redanne said...

Wow Julia, I am so impressed! Way to go girl....... Hugs, Anne x

Bernice said...

Wow - it sounds like hard work but very impressive - just be careful with those big saws - it reminded me of the day I had to ferry DH off to casualty with the top of his finger in a towel! - unfortunately it couldn't be reattached either - so just be very, very careful!!
Bernice

Helen said...

Wow, go Julia!! How impressive - not only that you are tackling a new career, heavy duty machinery and all, but working with Mr Dunnit - hope it continues to work out for you both!!

Alison Scott said...

Fantastic that you are now the Apprentice, so long as he doesn't to a Sir Alan and fire you.
Mind you, I don't know how you can work with him. Stevie and I met through work (we started training same day) and he always worked at one end of the call centre and me at the other cos I couldn't listen to his voice all day and then at night too. ;-)

ria gall said...

Hi Julia
how wonderful that you and your DH can be a real winning team and work so well together. You will both appreciate each other in a different way and that can only be a good thing
Ria

Hettie said...

Good for you Honey! I may get you to make me some new bay windows....hate our plastic ones - have done since they were installed!
xx

Kath Stewart said...

I'm sure you will be the best Apprentice in the world and if you like...you can come and join in the DIY mayhem here anytime...many hands make light work...sending hugs kath xxx

CraftygasheadZo said...

Wow you go for it! I love the idea of it being crafting on a huge scale, and having seen some of your DH work it must be amazing to see how it all comes together! Enjoy! Take care Zo xx

JoZart Designs said...

I am seriously impressed, somewhat envious ( I love wood and have not yet worked with it except to try turning at a craft event) and overwhelmed, on your behalf, by the challenge. It is creativity on a larger scale, it's proof of the strength of your marriage that you can work together, and I'm sure the boss will be flexible with days off too!
Well done and good luck!
Jo x

Morti said...

WTG Julia! Having worked for two years on a full house renovation, I'm very familiar with the satisfaction of a job well done, and crafting in the true sense of the big-scale word. V impressed, and not just a tad envious either...

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Julia,

Very cool! I bet the sawdust smells heavenly too.

Can't wait for a tour of the workshop - and wouldn't that count as your workdesk?

Peace,
Kay

Anonymous said...

Wow - how wonderful that you are able to work together for the better good of the business. I am an employee of our farming business (even get a pay slip!), but really don't do any more than taking cheques to the bank, collecting drugs from the vets, doing some filing (very occasionally!), being on-call for emergency food/hot drinks and sometimes I actually help move animals up the road. I also sit in on meetings, listen to Rich talking about grass/protein levels etc for hours - and, well, it seems I do quite a lot. AND I wear overalls most days - you must get yourself at least 2 pairs. Ali x

Rossella said...

I am so impressed, enjoy!
Rosie x

fairy thoughts said...

Wow Julia
what an amazing opportunity for you, you really are a Jill of all trades aren't you, I look forward to seeing your desk this week will it be covered in dust?
janet

Dianne said...

Oh oh hope you can get to your desk, well soon once you have yourself together.I sooooo excited for you both,life changing but soooo exciting and you look at good mess and that's okay, hope your muscles work themselves out soon, and have a fabulous week, I'll be back tomorrow, to hook up with the best blog in blog land:):).. we can wait till you have amin to get to your desk lets just hope you can LOL...

Ohhh Snap said...

I'm so excited for you : D. Sounds like it's a win-win. Circular saws are rather terrifying to me as well. And think of all the crafting skills you are learning!

peggy aplSEEDS said...

wow, i'm impressed, Julia!

Lynn Holland said...

Ive been in business with my other half for 30 years and he talks to me as if I am a fully qualified boilermaker/welder. I probably am just not on paper.

Winnie said...

That is a fun picture! Glad you are enjoying it! I am a MAJOR klutz, so I doubt I would be allowed to help if it were me. My late hubby used to hide my x-acto knife from me. Now, my current hubby, he offers to use it for me.. Ugh. Power tools are banned anywhere near me. Love that you are working together!

donnalouiserodgers said...

I had to check out LLJ's reference to Herculean efforts as us middle children are also
a) competitive and I needed to know if you really are working harder then me
b) nosy as nosy could be
c) did I mention incredibly nosy?
so congrats on your apprenticeship,may it yield greater profits, and whilst I would not presume to know any more than any one else on this matter; other than we have been there and worn the tee shirt;... given a choice we would never again employ staff,

we would go it alone or learn how to do it in the family, cos there is nothing as stressful as employing Jo Public. And it is no mean feat to disempoly...if ya know what I mean

oh my - is the 'opinionated' thing part of the middle sibling syndrome do you think?