IT’S A GREAT DAY...

It's a great day here in Orem, Utah. It was a Merry Christmas here at the Leavitt household. The traditions of giving and receiving were gladly celebrated and the eyes of our children were glowing with joy.

The Leavitt’s Front Yard

On a fun note the big hits of the gift giving season were Soccer Boppers. These are blow up boxing gloves that lessen the impact and somehow trigger the giggle nerves of the users. Whether 6’6” or 4’1” the emotions are the very same. Protective waist gear is always recommended for the taller of the two, but both end up laughing out loud while enjoying the moments together.

THE SPIRIT OF GIVING - I had a few treasured moments this Christmas. The first came on Christmas Eve as I left the grocery store at about 11 AM with the ingredients to our next day’s Christmas feast. I was prompted to pick up another turkey, but I shunned the thought. I put it away thinking that it was foolishness and went on my way to another store. Afterall, there were still more gifts to be purchased. For the next 5 hours I was re-receiving the prompting to buy another turkey. As I made my way down the roads of Orem, Utah and through the crowded stores my thoughts kept returning to the turkey and suddenly the family came clearly to my mind that I was to make my offering.

As I continued to go from store to store, making my way down my shopping list, my thoughts kept returning to the family that was to receive our turkey and peaceful feelings accompanied the promptings. I daydreamed a bit and the added to my list the pan that they would probably need to cook the bird in, and then the stuffing that would have to go inside of it. None of this dinner would be complete without a bag of potatoes to both be boiled and mashed. I was both excited and yet still thought it a bit crazy because I knew that this family was okay. I had just worked along side with them at the Crowther family project discussed at length in last week’s MMM. Surely they appeared to be fine on the outside and yet the promptings were clear as day; They needed the Leavitt’s to buy them a turkey for the holiday event.

Later that evening I finally returned to our nearby grocery store and found the biggest turkey still in the store. With Christmas just 7 hours away I was surprised to find the bird, pan, dressing, and potatoes still available. It was fun to walk in knowing that this food was not to be eaten by me or my family. I really felt giddy inside with the joy of Christmas filling my thoughts.

The Leavitt Kids Christmas Morning

The cashier, of whom I knew well, looked at me and gave me a little ribbing as to my putting off the purchase till the last minute. I looked at her and shared that it wasn’t for me and instantly I knew that she knew the work that I was about. And with that glimmering glow I left the store troubled only with how I was now going to present our gift. I immediately ruled out the “ring and run” method as this was a gift from the heart from messenger to receiver. I knew that it had to be a face to face gift offering. That being said, what was I going to say when I knocked on the door?

My fear was replaced with confidence as I headed forth not knowing exactly what I would do or say. After my knock the door opened and I asked the young girl of whom I knew very well if her mother was home. She came to the door I wished her a Merry Christmas and shared that it was the funniest thing because as I was in the store I was prompted to pick up a turkey for her family as well as mine own and asked her if she would accept it. Her eyes teared as she said “Yes.” I then passed through the 4 bags and she gave me one of the biggest hugs I have ever received. I then wished her family another Merry Christmas and left down the stairs knowing that I had just been a part of something very special. I’m certain that I will never be privy to the details of the how’s or way’s that my efforts contributed to their Christmas, but I know the gift was directed from above.

THE JOY OF RECEIVING - Christmas morning brought with it lots of joy as the presents under and around our tree were unwrapped. Whether or not it was a remote control car from Santa, or a beautiful doll for Haily, none was left out of the joy of being remembered by others this Christmas morning. Throughout the morning I was the action cameraman trying my best to capture it all on video. As the kids were winding down with their presents, my lovely wife Shelly encouraged me to come sit on the couch and open a special present from my Sister-in-law Sherri.

Most of you MMM readers don’t realize it but I also send out the weekly notices to my family and friends. I know that most of them could care less about AFCI’s and none of them understand and alien user name like “voltage drop.” But Sherri is different. She goes to work each week and looks forward to hearing that it is a great day here in Orem, Utah. She is one of those patient ones that prods me the hardest when it becomes a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday Morning Messenger. She also loves my family, wife, and kids very much.

As I sat down to open my presents Shelly handed me Sherri’s present to me that was obviously 8.5 x 11 inches in size. As I tore the wrapping paper off I was greeted by a wonderful cover of a very special 3 ring binder featuring the MMM logo and the title that read “Michael’s Marvelous Moments... November 2, 1998 to December 13, 2004.” Below that title was the most recent Leavitt family picture.

Sherri had taken the time to go through every posted MMM since 1998 and she extracted all of the Leavitt family moments contained within. To think that my weekly words had any impact on anybody other than myself totally caught me by surprise. I was amazed as I strummed through 114 pages of standard Word text separated week by week, year by year. As I dropped onto any page my mind was immediately taken back to the emotions of the moment that I had when I originally typed them into my computer. I have always felt that the scriptural prophecy that “Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.” out of small things great things shall come to pass, and “Michael’s Marvelous Moments” is a truly a great thing that came about by continuous small efforts. My eyes filled with tears of joy as I sat there with my new present in hand. To think that someone would take that much time to create a special memory for me and for my posterity was truly a great Christmas present.

BIRTHDAY NOTES:

4 birthday’s in 2 weeks is an amazing feat. Little Aaron had a house full of kids as we celebrated his 7th birthday on the 21st. We had a super heroes theme with a Super Aaron cake and superhero themed games. We tried to make it special knowing that just 4 days later would be Christmas. Christmas brought about the celebration of Jesus’ birth. This week we look forward to my Younger sister Becky’s birthday on the 27th followed by bringing in the new year with our 8 year old daughter Haily’s December 31st birthday...

What a whirlwind of family events!

NOTICE TO ALL FREE PROMOTIONAL READERS: We encourage you to visit our website and pay to become a full access subscriber. This will provide you with access to all of the back issues since 1998. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE

CPSC, Robertshaw Controls Company Announce Recall of Certain Models of 7000 Series Gas Control Valves

I must admit that this recall is really troubling for me as a home inspector. We see these valves everyday and never have I taken the time to learn how to date each style. I researched further on the Robert Shaw site to see just how to go about it...

What is the 7000 Series Gas Valve Voluntary Recall?

Robertshaw Controls Company, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), is instituting a voluntary recall of products in the Robertshaw TS-11 series. The voluntary recall applies to certain 7000 Series valves and certain 7000 Series components that were produced between February 2003 and September 2004 – about 390,000 7000 Series Valves.

These products can be identified by date codes 0306 through and including 0436. These valves are used in gas appliances, including residential space heaters, wall heaters, boilers, fire places, pool heaters, infrared heaters and furnaces, and commercial heating applications such as commercial cooking appliances, fryers, commercial water heaters and poultry brooders.

Under certain circumstances, if the pilot light in products that use the valve goes out, the valves could stick in an open position, permitting gas to continue to flow. This could result in a gas explosion and fire, which could potentially result in severe personal injury and/or property damage.

What is the 7000 Series gas Valve Voluntary Recall?

The voluntary recall applies to certain 7000 Series gas valves and certain 7000 Series components that were produced between February 2003 and September 2004. These products can be identified by date codes 0306 through and including 0436. These valves are used in gas appliances, including residential space heaters, wall heaters, boilers, fire places, pool heaters, infrared heaters and furnaces, and commercial heating applications such as commercial cooking appliances, fryers, commercial water heaters and poultry brooders.

To view a list of the Robertshaw model numbers for valves that are being recalled, please check the scroll down menu below. If you have one of these products, please call our recall hotline at 1-800-232-9389, or register for the recall online.

The complete list of Robertshaw and Uni-Line part numbers that are being recalled...

To see the bigger views click on the pages. To view the PDF please click on the link below Robert Shaw Recall

TOP 10 TOOL LIST

• 1) Panasonic Cordless Screwdriver
  
• 2) SureTest #61-155 Circuit Analyzer
  
• 3) Streamlight Stinger HP
• 4) Little Giant Ladder
  
• 5) Protimeter SurveyMaster SM
  
• 6) Fluke VoltAlert 1AC-A
  
• 7) Raytek MT MiniTemp
  
• 8) Risco Reader Key
  
• 9) HP iPaq 3715 w/Digital Camera
  
  • 3D Inspection Pocket Report Writer
    
• 10) Fujitsu P-1120
  
  • Windows XP Professional
    
  • 3D Inspection Office Management Software
    
  • Adobe Acrobat Professional
    
  • Firehand Ember

VALUED RUNNER UPS

• 1) Ideal 61-056
  
• 2) Palm Pal
  
• 3) Fluke LVD-1
• 4) Telesteps 12.5’ Ladder
  
• 5) ThermalScan IRC 2000 Infrared Camera

Last week’s Inspector Wish List drew a couple replies of omitted items. When I read them I wholeheartedly agree that they should be added. The first item is an mp3 player...

Michael, you have left off your list a cool mp3 player like the iPod or the Rio Carbon. These allow the easy ability to carry the songs with you and either listen to them with headphones or through the radio with an FM transmitter accessory. These units are rather pricey, but I have yet to hear anybody who owns one complain. They are definitely a luxury item. Bob Julian - Little Rock, Alabama

I agree with Bob. The mp3 players are a great luxury item. I have found similar joy when using my iPaq Pocket PC. They have a built-in mp3 player and although the interface is inferior to my daughter’s Ipod it still plays all of my playlists.

The second item is a GPS. This stands for a Global Positioning System. If you live in an area other than northern Utah where you need a map to navigate then this tool is an absolute must. Here is what Byron Duerkson had to say about it...

I believe that you left a good GPS that tells you where to go, where you missed the turn, and how to get there. This is a great tool as you inspect in new areas and take trips. In my area it is easy to get lost and the GPS would really come in handy.

I could have saved about 30 minutes searching the other day when Mapquest gave directions. The rutted back roads weren't labeled 1/2 the time so the printed message wasn't much good, a satellite fix I presume would have put me in the driveway a muddy, rocky one that I shifted into 4 wheel drive for. Lousy roads, lovely home.

May you and your family enjoy a blessed Christmas season. I enjoyed your story of the wonderful help to a bereaved family near you who had lost their wife and mother. Actually it was difficult to read the last few lines because my eyes kept fogging up. Truly it is more blessed to give than to receive; actually we also receive, a warm good feeling and we too are blessed. Again thanks so much for all of your help and advice. I’m looking forward to our next conference in your country. Byron Duerksen - Lake County, CA

WINDOWS QUICK LAUNCH BAR

DONNA FIX 3D Technical Director

The "Quick Launch" area is usually directly to the right of your Start button. To add a program icon here, first locate its icon using My Computer or Explorer, or on your Desktop or Start menu. Then click and drag the icon to the area of your taskbar next to the Start button. When your cursor shows an I-beam in the taskbar, release it to add the icon there. Now clicking the new icon automatically launches that program. How convenient!

As an example, suppose you want to add 3D Inspection System to Quick Launch: Locate the 3D Inspection System icon on your Desktop. Then using your left mouse button, click and drag it to your Quick Launch area. When the I-beam appears, let go. Now you have a miniature 3D icon n your taskbar that you can click whenever you want to open 3D.

You can rearrange the icons you’ve added to Quick Launch by clicking and dragging them within that area. The I-beam indicates the place to which they will move once you release the mouse. You can remove items from Quick Launch by right-clicking and deleting them.

If you don’t seem to have a Quick Launch area, you may need to enable it. Do this by right-clicking an empty area on the taskbar and clicking Toolbars and toggling on Quick Launch. (Or you can enable it and other items from your taskbar Properties).

Donna Fix is the Technical Director for 3D Inspection Systems. Donna welcomes computer questions, tips, and comments and she can be reached at Donna@3DInspection.com .

For those of you looking to make a 3D Inspection System software investment in the remaining days of 2004, I encourage you to visit the 3D portion of my website and make the purchase from me on my website. Purchasing the software now instead of waiting till January will also benefit you in your ability to write it off for this year’s taxes. If you are needing that little push or incentive, then read on...

NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECIAL: I am offering a 10% discount from now through the end of this 2004 year. This special is available on my cuatom form sets and super bundles offered on my website. Take for example the Super Deluxe Bundle #1 that normally retails for $1,755.00. and includes the complete 3D offering and all of my residential form sets. With this special you would save $175.50 from that already special bundle priced amount. That is quite a discount and it will end at midnight on December 31st.

Michael: Please see our new paper on PPT retention levels. Comments are welcome. Do you have our paper on deck ledgers? Our next short course is: “Design of Code Conforming Decks and Inspection of Existing Decks” February 1-2, 2005 in Tampa, FL. For details, visit: www.deckexpo.com/success_seminar.html

Thanks, Frank Woeste, Ph.D., P.E.

Here is the way the article starts....

Most discussions about the transition to the new preservative treatments have focused on the fact that the new treatments are more corrosive to metal fasteners in laboratory tests, and thus hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners and connectors are recommended by the lumber industry. Another change that we have noticed, at least in our test area of southwest Virginia, is the chemical retention levels. Specifying or buying preservative pressure treated lumber (PPT) is no longer as simple as looking for 0.25 or 0.40 on a stamp or tag.

PRIOR TO 2004.....

To see the bigger views click on the pages. To view the PDF please click on the link below PPT Lumber

Do you have any pressure treated lumber information to share?