Happy Thanksgiving

Some of the neighbors may have noticed that we didn’t make it up to Lake Byrd this weekend. I’m currently working on a large reception desk project that we will be delivering to a marina in Atlanta next week. With this project there was a lot of work to do in a short amount of time. As such, I needed all available days (and weekends) to get this project delivered on schedule. The good news is that we’re on schedule to finish in time for delivery.

Since we weren’t up at the house this weekend and thus don’t have any house updates, we’d like to tell you a little bit about us.

About Jake

I was born and raised in rural western New York in a county that had more cattle than people. I began my woodworking journey in our high school shop class and found that I really enjoyed it. I went to a local state college where I received an associates degree in building trades – construction, majoring in carpentry. After college, I found my way to Rochester, NY where I worked on a framing crew framing up houses. On the weekends I would drive 2 hours to the Adirondack mountains and work on log cabins with a friend from college.

From Rochester to Atlanta

Next, I ran into an old friend from our church back home and he told me I should move to Atlanta. He already had a job lined up for me. I thought this was strange as I hadn’t seen him in 4 years but sure enough, he made a call and the guy on the other end said “when can he start”? I put in my notice and headed to Atlanta in my little two door car packed with tools and one bag with clothes. I remember my portable table saw would just barely fit through the passenger side door in this car (seen below).

Atlanta work

In Atlanta, I worked as a remodeling carpenter for a bit until I took a job in the corporate world as an estimator. It was during this time that I met Oceana. I found my way back into construction as an estimator/project manager for a local remodeling and home building contractor. After a year there I felt it was time to go out on my own. It was 2007 and it seemed like a great time to start a construction company. Haha. Hindsight is 2020. Regardless of the great recession, I started and grew my company which I operated until we moved to Florida in 2014.

Looking to refine my skills

In Florida, I started a new company where I found my way to the large homes of Palm Beach Island and Jupiter Island installing cabinetry and millwork. After 2 years, I was ready for a new challenge. I wanted to take my woodworking to the next level and I thought I could do that by working on yachts. I was right. It was the challenge that I was looking for. I worked for a yacht woodworking company for 4 years before going out on my own earlier this year, just at the beginning of the global pandemic. My timing at starting companies is impeccable. I offer custom woodworking services for yachts and homes for good clients. Yes, I’m picky who I work for. Also, I’m working to build my own line of furniture in my spare time (what spare time?!)

About Oceana

Oceana was born and raised in Hawaii and lived there until she was 16 when her family moved back to Atlanta to be near the rest of their extended family. She went to school for esthetics and became a licensed esthetician. She started out performing skin care services before taking on a job working as a laser tech performing laser hair removal. She went back to college for cosmetology graduating in 2014. In her downtime between semesters, she would help me build cabinets in my shop.

Moving to Florida

We relocated to Florida after Oceana finished with her final exams in early 2014. In Florida, she found work as an assistant to a stylist before becoming stylist and color specialist. She worked in Jupiter for a few years before taking a stylist position at a health and wellness center. After a year there, she was ready to go out on her own. She rented a suite in Jupiter and has been there for 2 years now.

Gardening, chickens, and remodeling

In her free time, Oceana likes tending to her garden and hanging out with our ducks and chickens. She also evidently enjoys remodeling 85 year old houses with me. Haha.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We were married in August of 2006 and will be celebrating 15 years this coming year. Maybe the house will be done by our anniversary! Well, there you have it. Now you know a little more about us. We hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. We were invited to Oceana’s clients house for a catered Thanksgiving feast and we had a great time. I’ve included a photo of us because it’s the first time in many years that I’ve been this dressed up.