View Full Version : Bummed out
While working in my shop this past Friday night making a jewelry box for a co-worker to give to his daughter, I had an accident and lost three fingers on my left hand. I'm not bummed about the fingers, they're gone and life goes on, but the fact that this box was to be engraved with the EGA and given to Don's daughter so that she could use it to send some personal things to her husband who is currently serving in Iraq. Now I don't know when I will be able to finish it, and I feel like I let her down. I also have three other memorial plaques that will have to wait that I give to others in this area who have lost someone that was in the Military, any branch, that has sacrificed for us.
Thanks for listening. Just needed to vent some frustration, and I know my friends here wouldn't mind if I vented to you. My wife is still shook up, and it wouldn't be fair to put this on her shoulders right now.
thedrifter
11-06-06, 07:31 PM
Always listening!
Prayers are Outbound with a little luck!
Ellie
Thanks, Ellie. Once I'm able to get back in my shop, I'll post a picture of my memorial plaque, it's nothing fancy, but is free of charge to any member or their families that are serving or have...
yellowwing
11-07-06, 07:20 AM
Looks like you got to makes some adjustments.
That seems to be one of our 'things' as Marines; Whenever we're in a tough situation, we can always remember when we lived through tougher. Or if we can't remember, we know a Bro that has been in worse.
I really ain't wise enough to know how healthy that is, but I'm sure there are others that are.
Semper Fi
jinelson
11-07-06, 08:13 AM
Brother there is no doubt in my military mind that you will adapt improvise and overcome and your work will continue. This is just a temporary barrier in the road that you will get past. Thank you for doing what you do and keep on keeping on.
Semper Fi
Jim
Osotogary
11-07-06, 08:57 AM
rb1651-
I don't know if I am explaining myself properly but seems to me that you were putting your spirit into this project. In other words more than just your craftmanship was going into the creation of this jewelry box. If what I have said is true... nothing in this world can take that away from you. The jewelry box has your spirit. Somehow I have the feeling that you will be able to use this box for your own healing process and you will complete your project when it is the right time.
Have you ever heard of "decoupage"? (spelling). I think it is, in the most brief of terms, the process of taking any picture, placing it on a piece of wood, tile etc., painting this decoupage solution on it and the wood. When it dries it will look like the picture was painted on the wood.
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/decoupage/a/012201a.htm
Basic Techniques 101
Decoupage is one of those crafts where the finished product is sometimes deceptive. Depending on what you make, the finished product can be so stunning that it appears to be professionally painted. By looking at the finished product, you would think decoupage would be complicated, but it isn't.
Decoupage is actually quite simple! If you can cut and paste, you already know most of the techniques involved. Basically, you cut out pictures; you glue the pictures onto an object; and then cover the object and pictures with a few coats of glue/decoupage medium to protect it.
Of course, you can buy supplies and other items that are made specifically for decoupage. One of the nice things about this craft, however, is that you can also use supplies that you probably have laying around the house right now.
Who knows? This might be a good and creative enhancement to what you have already created.
May God speed your healing process.
What are you going to line the inside with?? Red felt?
Adios for now.
Gary
Osotogary
11-07-06, 09:48 AM
rb1651-
Idea.
Is there anyway that you can create a jewelry box to look like a Boot Camp footlocker? (No engraving will be necessary) Finding a small lock and lock hinge might be a task but, then again, maybe not. (Some 1/2 inch plywood, super adhesive, little nails, hinges, dark green paint etc.) Find an appropriate picture to decoupage on top of the jewelry box.
Adios for now.
Gary
outlaw3179
11-07-06, 09:49 AM
Damn RB thats sucks man...Semper Fi Marine.
Gary, thanks for the input, I'll try that. I know that I could make it somewhat simple, but I am designing it to resemble a pirates treasure chest. Kind of a double meaning, if you follow what I'm trying to accomplish. Don't worry about me being able to overcome, although I am deeply touched by the concern and support, after all, we have all already adjusted and overcome by earning the Title Marine. It's just this sense of guilt that I'm dealing with right now because of not being able to deliver this gift at the time that I said I would. Patti, the young lady that this is for, understands it will be late and has been very supportive of me since the setback. Rest assured it will be completed, and it will be the best work I have ever done.
Thank you all again for your support and ideas. They are very much appreciated.
jgorosco
11-07-06, 09:06 PM
No need for guilt RB, I am sure they understand. Have you considered looking for another craftsman in your area to help out? Also I hope you aren't left handed or the other Rosey Palm is gonna have to get de-virginized. Good Luck and sorry for the tastless humor.
crate78
11-07-06, 10:10 PM
Man, that's gotta suck!
Being a Marine, I know you'll adapt and carry on. I know it's a small consolation, but I've been missing my left index finger to the second joint since I was 16 months old. It's never slowed me down any. The only down side was it kept me from a couple of officer programs in the Corps, including flight school.
Good Luck!
crate
No need for guilt RB, I am sure they understand. Have you considered looking for another craftsman in your area to help out? Also I hope you aren't left handed or the other Rosey Palm is gonna have to get de-virginized. Good Luck and sorry for the tastless humor.
:) LMAO!!! No need to feel sorry. Already have my friends here calling me stumpy. And yes, I had thought about asking someone else to take over, but this is something very personal to me, and I want it to come from me. I see the sergeon this afternoon to find out what needs to be done to repair my index finger and what's left of my pickie, so I should have a pretty good idea when I will be able to complete this mission I have put myself on. (And by the way, since I still have some of the pinkie and all of the index and thumb, I should still be able to golf next year. At least I won't have to worry about over-gripping the club!! LOL) :thumbup:
Thanks again to all.
Osotogary
11-08-06, 09:22 AM
rb1651-
Can you create some kind of gift certificate or authentic proof of ownership certificate for the jewelry box using your computer....maybe printing it out on parchment-like paper? This might be a neat addition to your completed project.
rb1651-
Can you create some kind of gift certificate or authentic proof of ownership certificate for the jewelry box using your computer....maybe printing it out on parchment-like paper? This might be a neat addition to your completed project.
Great idea!!! I hadn't thought of that. Thanks very much for the suggestion. :thumbup:
Time to go see the Doc. I'll let you know what he said.
FistFu68
11-08-06, 01:09 PM
:usmc: YOUR A GOOD~MAN,RB!TO THINK OF OTHER'S;INSTEAD OF YOURSELF.THAT'S VERY RARE THESE DAY'S,AND SPEAK'S FOR ITSELF AS TOO HOW MUCH CHARACTER ;YOU HAVE AS A MAN! :usmc: SEMPER~FIDELIS
Thanks, FISTFU68. Isn't that what being a Marine is all about? We all decided at that one point of lives when we went to earn the title, that it ain't about "me", it's about everyone else. It's a commitment that I still try to adhere to today.
Anyway, seen the Doc and he's quite pleased with the progress and how clean the wounds are. (My wife, being a nurse, seems to greatly enjoy cleaning them for some reason. :scared: LOL) He's refered me to a hand specialist that I'll see tomorrow just in case there's anything else that can be done. I'm already getting ready to get back at it ASAP. Got the shop cleaned today where the police and rescue units kind of trashed it trying to find the fingers, so as soon as I see him, and if no more surgery is required, and the stitches come out (45 total) I'll be on it.
Gary, again thanks for the great idea on the certficate. Made one up today as soon as I got home. And yes, red felt on the inside trimmed in gold, thanks to my wife. Updates will follow, and hopefully some pics of the completed project soon.
thats sucks rb
but, Good Luck with that sounds like you'll be just fine...
Semper Fi! Brother
:thumbup:
3531marine
11-08-06, 11:05 PM
Rb I Know How Ya Feel. I Was Running A Piece Of Wood Through My 6 Inch Jointer-planner This Summer No Push Stick . The Wood Jumped I Didn't Took My Left Index Finger. I Unpluged It Haven't Touched It Since. My Wife Is Also A Nurse I Feel Your Pain. Good Luck Mike
3531marine, the ladies tend to get that gleem in their eyes when it's time to clean the wound, don't they? :scared: Sorry to hear about your finger. Do you get the phantom pain? That's something that's going to take some time to get used to for me. At times I still feel my fingers and I have to remind myself that they're not there. Doc said that's normal, so it's just something to live with. When I think about someone like Shawn Seeley I realize that what happened to me ain't squat.
Take care, and again thanks to all of you for letting me talk this out with you. It da** sure helps.
Seen the hand specialist yesterday. Looks like another small setback. Got to have more surgery n Tuesday. He's going to remove a little more of my pinkie and fuse the last joint on my index finger since the socket is shattered. Good news is that i had Don, the father of the woman I am making the jewelry box for, came over last night and insisted that he help with the project. We finished making the cuts needed, so this weekend we can begin assembly. I'm extremely excited because it looks like I will be able to finish the reoject on time.
Gary, I experimented with the overlay as you suggested, and I will be doing that instead of engraving. It looks great! Thanks so much for the input. I'll post pics hopefully next weekend and share our project with all. (Gary, I hope you don't mind that I will be including your name on the Certificate of Authenticity since the Emblem and Certificate are your idea.)
Had what I hope is my final surgery today on the stumps and index finger. They ended up fusing the final joint on the index as the bone was pretty much shattered. They also rounded the stumps to make it easier for the prostetics. (sp?) Anyway doin' good, but baffled the doc when I asked if they could give me battery powered fakes. When he asked why, I told him the vibrations would be good massage therapy. ;) Doc blushed and the wife smacked me!! Go figure. :bunny: 10 days 'till the sutures come out, and back to the shop I go. Can't wait!!
Osotogary
11-17-06, 09:28 AM
rb1651-
(Gary, I hope you don't mind that I will be including your name on the Certificate of Authenticity since the Emblem and Certificate are your idea.)
If it is not too late, I'd rather that my name not be included in the Certificate of Authenticity. This was and is your project, I merely offered a suggestion. I hope that you understand where I'm coming from and don't take my refusal in a negative way. I'll be happier than a pig in swill to see the photos of your completed project. That, right there, will be good enough for me.
Adios.
Gary
USMCBOXER
11-17-06, 09:42 AM
Continued prayers and good thoughts with you and your family on this my brother. Keep your spirits up as you have. :thumbup:
10thzodiac
11-17-06, 10:15 AM
Deeply sorry to hear of your injury brother, we are all counting on you, so Marine, regroup and help us carry out the mission !
"We have been doing so much with so little for so long we are now capable of doing anything with nothing" ~ A United States Marines Motto
You have allot left, now God Speed and Semper Fidelis
The brotherhood
10thzodiac
rb1651-
(Gary, I hope you don't mind that I will be including your name on the Certificate of Authenticity since the Emblem and Certificate are your idea.)
If it is not too late, I'd rather that my name not be included in the Certificate of Authenticity. This was and is your project, I merely offered a suggestion. I hope that you understand where I'm coming from and don't take my refusal in a negative way. I'll be happier than a pig in swill to see the photos of your completed project. That, right there, will be good enough for me.
Adios.
Gary
At your request, I'll remove it, and rest assured, there are no bad feelings. Rather, there is nothing but gratitude for your suggestions. It will help to bring closure to one of the most important projects I haave had the opportunity to work on. I won't be able to finish this week as I planned since they totally encased my hand for the next 10 days, but it will be done by the 1st of December.
A little safety tip: referring to my post yesterday, ensure that the effects of the nighty-nite gas is completely gone before attempting to engage your brain housing group!! The wife is finally talking to me again, if you consider the threat of a more serious appendage removal for a smarta** comment talking!!! :scared: