Build Day!

Saturday I had the chance to build with the Columbus Habitat chapter. The day started at 8:30 and after a quick talk, we broke into several groups to begin our task for the day: Putting in the floor joists. It felt good to be out on a construction site and I definitely got in a good workout hauling the 16 foot boards while trekking thru the mud. I also got to put in some time toe nailing in the boards, and lucky for me, they gave me plenty of extra nails, as I went thru quite a few. Who knew that nails bend so easily? By the end, I had the technique down. Hopefully I can get another build day in although it will be hard to schedule it in. I recommend everyone go out and help on a build site. No prior experience or skill (see me) needed.

M. Nevel Esquire

Thanks to Mike Nevel, Esquire for his support. I have worked with Mike the past 2 years at LimitedBrands with Real Estates Payable. Mike and I went to DC a couple of weeks ago (see March 18 post, Mike is on the far right) and had a good time. There were some good shenanigans and Mike positioned himself for the vp position on the YAD board. Not sure what the position does, but I am sure Mike will do a good job.

Thanks to the Palmers

Thank you Marv and Geraldine for your generousity. The Palmers are cousins on my mom's side and we have had the pleasure of planting their flowers the last couple of years. We always look forward to see what color flower Geraldine brings us back from Bordines to plant for the year. They have an amazing house and enjoy spending the day out on their back patio. They have a wonderful marriage - Marv makes sure that whatever Geraldine wants, he provides. There is no limit.

A friend is like a four leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have

I would like to thank Mindy Seidler for her generous donation and for being such a good friend. We met almost 6 years ago as new hires at Goodyear Tires. While living in Akron was an experience, it was much more enjoyable hanging w/ Mindy and she is the one who got me into snowboarding. Although I moved to Columbus after only 2 years in Akron and Mindy moved to Chicago shortly thereafter, we have remained good friends. She truly appreciates my unique sense of humor, or at least acts like she does.

Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there

I would like to thank Arnie, Judy, Lara, Erin and Ilana (and all the pets) Sussmans for their generous donation. The Sussmans have been friends of the family for as long as I can remember, since Lara and I were in playgroup together and I rebelled against all planned activities and did what I wanted to (I guess I have been a rebel since way back when). They let us store hundreds of flowers in their backyard last year and even watered them for us (the dog also helped out by watering the flowers). If you ever want to go to Honey Tree, give them a call. Unfortunately, Erin is not able to join us on the bike trip this summer, but rumor has it she has started training now for next year's trip.

Thanks to the Brickners

I would like to thank Phyllis, Gerry and Lily for their generous donation. Years ago, they hired my brothers (and mom) and I to plant flowers, as we were planting the flowers for their condo entrance and many of the condo owners. They are super nice and are now good friends of the family. We are able to joke with each other, and we occasionally give Phyllis a hard time, but only to keep her on her toes. I wish all of our customers were as easy going and took as good of care of their flowers.

Good Riddance!

"Good Riddance" I believe were the exact words said when my boss approved my leave of absence. Just kidding. He is glad to have me in the department and will surely miss my unique sense of humor. It is now official: My 3 month leave of absence from LimitedBrands has been approved, starting May 10th and ending August 12th. It will be nice to enjoy a teacher's summer vacation. If only I could get winter, mid-winter and spring break vacations.

Thanks Fuzzy Cuzzy (Cousin)

I'd like to thank my fuzzy cuzzy (her words, not mine) Elissa for her donation. Elissa is a very sweet and caring individual who always looks for the best in people. While the bike trip does not go thru Scottsdale, I will be thinking of her while biking thru the 110 degree Arizona weather.

Trip to DC

I spent the last couple of days at a conference in Washington DC, and while not directly related to the bike trip, it was a good time and I am going to share some of the fun stories. First off, I want to recognize the generosity of Mandy Friedenberg, from Detroit, who made a donation to Bike and Build on the spot in appreciation of my St. Patrick’s Day outfit (see picture below).

The conference was a good precursor to the first couple of days of Bike and Build, where people from across the country will come together and spend time together and share ideas. I was able to put the advice to use from Tynisa Henry (see Feb 17, 2008 post). After cleaning my plate at dinner, I was still hungry, but resisted taking the chicken from the ladies from Cincy sitting next to me. Luckily for me, by buddy Mike overslept and came down to dinner late. He was able to get a meal, and not wanting him to eat alone (because I care), I too got another meal to eat.

Some individuals were not as friendly, which was a shame. Sat down at an empty table and was told that they were reserving the table for other members of their constituency. Mike and I still sat down. One of the ladies looked at us and said “I don’t want to sit here” but still sat down. To subtly protest, we finished the meal, and then got up and moved to another table, where we sat down and ate another meal! However, being the gentleman that I am, I waved goodbye as I left.

The "other" Shapiro on Bike and Build

If you have made a donation and I have not thanked you for it, it is not because I am ungrateful (that is definitely not the case). There is actually another Shapiro (Rebecca) who is a leader on the Southern US trip. She also is a wolverine (University of Michigan) and rowed there as well (small world). It is possible that your donation was credited to her account instead of mine. Please let me know so that I can have it corrected. As if one Shapiro isn't more than enough, there are two of us...

Take that Mother Nature

Despite the 16 inches of snow and level 2 snow emergency, I still went to the gym this morning to get my workout in. The spinning class was cancelled (obviously) as there were only 3 people in the gym, but I did the workout anyways. On the plus side, I got to choose the music I listened to. Also got a workout wihle driving back home from Costco, helping several cars that were stuck in the snow. Its storms like today that I wish I had a plow on my truck. While we will experience lots of different weather conditions on the bike trip, I don't think a blizzard will be one of them (at least not in Arizona in July).

Thank you Wendy!

Thank you my cousin Wendy for her generous donation. I do not see her often, as she lives in NYC and I live in Columbus (and Detroit on many weekends), but did have the good fortune of seeing her in Chicago recently at our cousin Resa's bat mitzvah (Mazel Tov Resa, again). If anyone lives in Philadelphia and is in need for a nanny, contact Wendy at http://www.nannyagency.com/ and she will hook you up.

Confirmed!

I have verbally confirmed all of the build days that I am responsible for:

Asheville NC - Mountain Housing - Thanks David, & Asheville Habitat - Thanks Missy!

Maryville TN - Blount County Habitat - Thanks Tony and Crystal!

Colorado Springs CO - Pikes Peak Habitat - Thanks Paul!

Durango CO - Durango Habitat - Thanks Michaela!

We are looking forward to help build houses.

Won't you be my neighbor? - Mr Rogers

Thank you to my (parents') neighbors, the Lebovics for their donation. They have been our neighbor for several years, and are great neighbors to have, especially with all of the landscaping supplies that we have (thousands of flowers). Right before they moved in, I was their daughters' camp counselor at the JCC (small world). While we have more cars on our driveway then them, they have a new car every month, since he works for GM (or as my mom says: Because the ashtray is dirty-and he doesn't even smoke!)