Dennis retired General Contractor 0f 48 yrs.

**drdenny1946** · Feb 2, 2017, 01:37 PM

Hello everyone, I am Dennis and I have been retired for a while now after 48yrs. of contracting, mostly in northern Iowa but spent some time in Winslow, AZ.
When my wife retired from the military in 2014 we ended up back in Iowa two weeks later and from that day on I have wanted to be back in AZ. 38 years of fighting the cold in Iowa and another 20yrs. before that in Chicago was more time than I ever wanted to spend in cold, wet, snowy or icy area ever again.
I have been doing some wood working since my retirement but I 'did' spend more time in my welding shop making many things from used horse shoes and they sold fairly well there.
The one thing I have enjoyed the most after retirement was learning to make jewelry using silver, gold, beads and Swarovski crystals. I made many pieces of Native American jewelry while in AZ.
After moving back to Iowa I was planning on starting another jewelry business here but the 2000sq.ft. we bought in April of 2015 has kept this crippled up young man very busy with a total remodel. I have all the electric in except a few outlets on the exterior and my can lights for my large 3/4 wrap-around porch (84 ln.ft. on the outer edge). I installed all the new plumbing for the first floor but will have a plumber do the 2nd floor sinks, stool, tub and shower that goes in one of the four bedrooms up stairs.
Being handicapped (reason for my retirement) has really slowed down my ability to do all the things I use to do everyday, but with the great help at the VA here I am making great strides in having my strength returned and have managed to get off of all pain meds. except for 15mg a day.
That is way more of me than I planned on bending your ears with and if I bored anyone I apologize.
I am ready to learn a lot more ways of doing my special ideas I have with the help and knowledge of all the fine toolmakers, woodworker, and any other trades people or part time inventors as members.
Thank you for your ears and I will always be available for anyone that wants to chat a while or share their ideas with me.
Dennis, they called me Pops back in AZ sometimes, but the Navajos called me Chi (I think its spelled like this) meaning grandfather, do to my having more than 44 grandchildren, but my 13 children are the blame for all of them.