CountryPlans Forum

General => General Forum => Topic started by: MountainDon on December 02, 2008, 01:16:56 AM

Title: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: MountainDon on December 02, 2008, 01:16:56 AM
I was sitting in my half finished, half furnished, but warm and cozy cabin in the mountains on Saturday reflecting on life and how fortunate I have been. Coming across the Country Plans plans website a couple years or so ago while in the early planning stages of our cabin building was one of the high marks. I could have likely managed to arrive at this point in time without the CP site and this wonderful forum, but it would not have been as enjoyable a journey.

This is simply a heartfelt Thank You to John for having this place for us. A Thank You also to all who have shared ideas, made suggestions, laughed at errors and offered praise where praise might have been due.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 02, 2008, 01:52:18 AM
...and thanks to you for helping to keep it running semi smoothly.  :)
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: Jochen on December 02, 2008, 02:34:23 AM
MountainDon,

I second that. John without you, your help and the Forum you created I would not have built my Cabin. Your plans gave my the technical input and the Forum with all his members gave me confidence. Thank you John and thank you to all the others which participate in this Forum as well.

Jochen
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: jb52761 on December 02, 2008, 08:00:05 AM
What a nice thing to say. I have to agree. For the past few years, this web site and forum has become an everyday addition to my morning coffee.... ;).....jb
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: PEG688 on December 02, 2008, 08:32:06 AM


Diddo , great site thanks John :)   ,,,,,,,,, and Glenn for not banning me for life a few years ago  :-[    :)  [cool]
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: ScottA on December 02, 2008, 09:18:59 AM
I agree. I got alot of inspiration and confidence for my project from country plans. I learned alot as well. Thanks to everyone involved.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: apaknad on December 02, 2008, 09:56:23 AM
i totally agree. thank you john. although i had toyed w/the idea of building my own home it can still be a daunting task but seeing what others have done on this site gives me the confidence to do it. the price of the plans if you use them are reasonably in reach for us not so wealthy people and the fact that you don't have to use john's plans to be a forumite and recieve ideas and help just shows the integrity of the spirit of john's ideas and also the contributers and administraters. i am not only have a better understanding of building techniques and ideas but feel i have made new friends also, and that to me means as much as learning how to build a house. you are all truly an inspiration and i am a better person for knowing all of you.

dan
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: HomeschoolMom on December 02, 2008, 10:22:22 AM
I know that Monday mornings are my favorite time on this site as usually there are plenty of updates from the weekend work.  I love the pics too!  This site is a validation that what I want to do can really be done.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 02, 2008, 10:30:52 AM
Quote from: PEG688 on December 02, 2008, 08:32:06 AM


Diddo , great site thanks John :)   ,,,,,,,,, and Glenn for not banning me for life a few years ago  :-[    :)  [cool]

I could see through that rough edge military facade to the true PEG who is the heart of the technical side of this forum... :) 

Your desire to help others betrays your tough side.

I want to thank me for not banning myself weekly.... it is a fact that I edit, modify and delete myself more than any other forum member... you guys ...mostly ... only get to see the good stuff. heh

I seldom modify or delete anyone else's postings - maybe once every few months.  More often to show a pix or something with no mal-intent on my part. d*

I pretty much leave it to John or Don to monitor or edit ones who disagree with me - esp. off topics.  I feel I would have a conflict of interest if I did it and I am not one for censorship.  John has given us very few limits to follow on this forum... his main requirement is that we keep it decent and considerate of others.  Considerate of others does not mean things will always tickle their ears.  Sometimes things people need to know for their own good are not that desirable to face. :(

One of my main concerns is that in what is usually a male dominated type of forum, that the women and young ones feel comfortable participating here as well.

When I was a kid, many of my questions were ignored and belittled by those who didn't want to deal with it .... or some who were afraid I would be able to do their job, two of those I can think of off the top of my head.  That will not happen here. 8)

Weekly to monthly I ban spammers for life but most of you never see them.  >:(
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: phalynx on December 02, 2008, 02:26:38 PM
I whole heartedly agree.  This "community" has proven itself more valuable to me than I could ever express.  I saw the forums while looking for house plans and couldn't believe all these people just working on the same goals, helping each other out.  Then, I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw the pricing for his plans.  I thought to myself, I better order quick before he changes his mind. 

My first post, I remember thinking to myself, I'll be just fine as long as that PEG guy doesn't answer me!   d*  I was in for a shock.  But as they say, the truth hurts sometimes.  Glenn has been extremely useful even when humor was all that was on my mind.  All of you, and John especially, THANK YOU!
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: CWhite on December 02, 2008, 03:28:52 PM
"One of my main concerns is that in what is usually a male dominated type of forum, that the women and young ones feel comfortable participating here as well."

This is a "male dominated type forum?

Hmmmmm, hadn't noticed.
Christina
;)
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: fritz on December 02, 2008, 04:03:43 PM
I usually don't type  "me too"posts....but from the warm confines of a place I am proud to call home:

"me too"

Thanks to all who contribute here.  My lifestyle would not be possible if not for you all.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 02, 2008, 08:57:27 PM
Quote from: CWhite on December 02, 2008, 03:28:52 PM
"One of my main concerns is that in what is usually a male dominated type of forum, that the women and young ones feel comfortable participating here as well."

This is a "male dominated type forum?

Hmmmmm, hadn't noticed.
Christina
;)

Thanks, Christina.  If you didn't feel comfortable here we wouldn't have had the privilege of seeing your work of art come together. 

Of course the women control the forum and us guys just like to hang out here.... heh

Thanks for being here. :)
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 02, 2008, 08:58:54 PM
phalanx, I may be funny but looks aren't everything....


I know --- old one... [slap]
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: rwanders on December 02, 2008, 10:30:53 PM
Many thanks to John and the whole incredible cast of characters on these forums!  They are the best source of realworld information and caring guidance I have found on the web. I really enjoy reading everyone's adventures in building and all the other aspects of lifes so generously shared here.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: Alasdair on December 02, 2008, 10:49:44 PM
Aye.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on December 02, 2008, 10:50:08 PM
I'd feel guilty if I didn't drop a note of thanks too, considering everything I've learned here. :)

I've drifted through many forums, and this one stands way out from the crowd. The internet holds a lot of info, but there's a surprising number of times when you can't find a solution to your particular dilemma, and it's great to have this place to fall back on. ;)
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: firefox on December 03, 2008, 01:16:04 AM
Yup, PEG is definitely a keeper! Someone around here has to keep us in line!  I am at a loss for words, so I will just end with Thank You all!
Bruce
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: considerations on December 03, 2008, 10:07:07 AM
A "rough edge military facade" saves a lot of time when one is just looking for a clear answer, not a humungous list of general options. 

I think many of us come here because we have a "dream" of financial and lifestyle self-sufficiency, and sometimes a little splash of cold reality from more experienced members is exactly what helps us actually accomplish the dream...with minimal damage to ourselves, our wallets, and our families. 

If PEG didn't give a -----  he would remain silent.  When he makes a statement, I can depend on it.

The fact that I survived  getting my 6/12 roof up and covered proves it. 

As for John R.,  all I can say is I do not think I would be so close to having a permanent house/cabin/ habitation type structure (ok its a little hard to classify) on this land if there had been no Country Plans forum.

So yup - Group Thanks!

Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: sharbin on December 04, 2008, 10:49:07 AM
You reflect exactly my sentiment towards John, Glenn, and all the other forum bodies. Thank you all for this warm/informative/helpfull/freindly and great place.

Sharbin

Quote from: MountainDon on December 02, 2008, 01:16:56 AM
I was sitting in my half finished, half furnished, but warm and cozy cabin in the mountains on Saturday reflecting on life and how fortunate I have been. Coming across the Country Plans plans website a couple years or so ago while in the early planning stages of our cabin building was one of the high marks. I could have likely managed to arrive at this point in time without the CP site and this wonderful forum, but it would not have been as enjoyable a journey.

This is simply a heartfelt Thank You to John for having this place for us. A Thank You also to all who have shared ideas, made suggestions, laughed at errors and offered praise where praise might have been due.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: CREATIVE1 on December 04, 2008, 12:40:55 PM
Building your own home can sometimes be pretty straightforward, but when it's not, as in my case, a forum can be a tremendous help.  Since I'm just now getting ready to build after two years of trials and tribulations, I can honestly say that all of you helped me through some pretty dark times. Soon I'll be posting pretty pictures and asking answers to questions I don't even know I have yet. :D

By the way, I've never posted on another forum, so you guys must be pretty great.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: John Raabe on December 04, 2008, 11:39:35 PM
Thank you one and all. You have "warmed the cockles of my heart".  :D

Just where are my cockles (http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/10/messages/676.html) anyway?

That this forum has evolved into the helpful community that it has says much about the folks who choose to spend many of their free hours here. The spirit of supporting each others projects is something I hoped for but was not at all certain would happen when this whole thing started ten years ago.

Jeez, time flies. Countryplans circa 1998 (http://web.archive.org/web/19981111190603/http://countryplans.com/)

These archives are from the WayBack Machine listings for this site (http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.countryplans.com).

Thanks to everyone who has helped someone with an idea, an encouraging word, or just a jiggle of the funnybone. All of these are part of the evolution of a project (and of a life). The Journeymen and Senior members especially deserve our thanks. These are the folks who have done the most to build this community.

So, thanks to all and here's to a creative, productive and fun 2009!
(https://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/jraabe/seasons-greet.gif)
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: speedfunk on December 05, 2008, 09:44:39 PM
ME TOO   :)
   8)
I've been to many , many places on the internet lol.  Like another poster said this place def sticks out as a gem.  The combination of real world knowledge and good humor make it a very special place .  The people here are not scared to follow their own path and the projects and things that they create always impresses me. Thanks all and happy holidays..
peace
Jeff
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: MountainDon on December 05, 2008, 10:33:18 PM
Hey John, The Wayback Machine is way cool!  Thanks for that.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: xecutech on December 06, 2008, 01:53:20 AM
Ok, dumb question here, but who/what is PEG. At first I thought it was a person, but now it seems to be an acronym for something?
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 06, 2008, 02:21:11 AM
PEG is a machine.  A highly advanced building information computer that can also spit out full sized perfect models of furniture, houses and framing. hmm

Naw... I'm just messin' with ya. [crz]

PEG is the initials of our number one professional master craftsman here, who freely volunteers a lot of his time to help lots of our members complete their dream projects.  No guarantees of course.  Like me, he is just a volunteer.  d*
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: xecutech on December 06, 2008, 02:27:13 AM
Thank you Glenn for the clarification. I had just seen a post from him and realized the dumb question I just asked!  d*

You guys are great. The way you all always seem to take the time to answer questions is refreshing and makes me feel even more comfortable tackling a project like building my own house. Thank you.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 06, 2008, 02:40:05 AM
Our pleasure.  :)

Just trying to use the Internet the way we feel it was meant to be used, and to help as many as possible to beat their own little corner of the system.  hmm

I should trademark that statement.  [crz]
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: apaknad on December 06, 2008, 10:02:42 AM
glen, i think your first description of PEG might be closer to the truth. has anybody ever seen the PEG? are there any pics of him/her/it? might be a secret organization of robots who create perfect furniture to collapse the furniture building companies and eventually take over the world by promising things they can never deliver to an unsuspecting populace(no wait, i think somebody already did that). ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: phalynx on December 06, 2008, 10:49:21 AM
PEG is remarkably missing from this thread lately.  Let's see if I can call him using the super secret code.

I want to frame a house using 2x4's 48" o/c and need to run a 2" pvc pipe horizontally in the wall.  Can I do this and will it pass code?
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 06, 2008, 11:19:14 AM
(https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b299/PEG688/July8thGlennandSassyvisit2.jpg)

It worked There is PEG and Enny with Glenn and Sassy.

Looks like I should have left the beach ball in the car instead of trying to hide it under my shirt.... d*   [crz]

Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: phalynx on December 06, 2008, 11:27:45 AM
Glenn,  where's YOUR sandals?  And just why do you have something in every single pocket on your person?
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 06, 2008, 11:36:48 AM
You can't see the pockets behind me or under my shirt.  I collect stuff.  I might need it in emergency.  Do you see the two flashlights?  I may decide to explore a mine.  I may have to cut my way out of a dungeon.  Never know when you might need that tip cleaner or razor knife. 

Earplugs? hmm may have to shoot something - you don't want to see me deaf do you?

Sandals.... too much chance of tearing off a toe running through the brush.  You never know when the black choppers may appear. [crz]
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: PEG688 on December 06, 2008, 11:37:17 AM
Quote from: phalynx on December 06, 2008, 10:49:21 AM


I want to frame a house using 2x4's 48" o/c and need to run a 2" pvc pipe horizontally in the wall.  Can I do this and will it pass code?



Shouldn't be any problem there.  rofl


Computer eh [rofl2]

 
P.E.G would be a acronym for Polyethylene Glycol 


In woodworking it main use is :

PEG has also been used to preserve objects which have been salvaged from underwater, as was the case with the warship Vasa in Stockholm.[13] It replaces water in wooden objects, which makes the wood dimensionally stable and prevents warping or shrinking of the wood.

It has many other uses see :


  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_glycol

I don't happen to be that P.E.G , Glenn's answer about PEG being my initials is the closest . 


Seems I'm both loved and hated here rofl

But then again this threads not about me , but the site.

Carry on. 
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 06, 2008, 11:40:08 AM
I don't see any hate here PEG.  Only fear.... [rofl2]
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: phalynx on December 06, 2008, 11:48:19 AM
PEG, Hate?  Come on.  If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have found the picture of your in your work uniform.  Glenn,  I fixed it so no one would mind your beach ball. 
(http://www.ouramericanadventure.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/glenn.jpg)


Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 06, 2008, 12:13:21 PM
HO Ho ho.

Watch chu talkin' 'bout, Willis? hmm
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: PEG688 on December 06, 2008, 02:37:57 PM

OK who do I send the cleaning bill for my laptop screen?  Humm,  a French Viking who'd a thuk [rofl2]

Ho Ho Santa  rofl
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: John Raabe on December 06, 2008, 06:25:25 PM
(https://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/jraabe/team-cp.jpg)
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: MountainDon on December 06, 2008, 06:35:53 PM
 rofl rofl rofl
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: apaknad on December 06, 2008, 07:53:39 PM
i am speechless. ???
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: MountainDon on December 06, 2008, 07:55:11 PM
Glenn should be pictured with a chainsaw at hand, his favorite tool.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: PEG688 on December 06, 2008, 08:58:31 PM
Humm this thread is going down hill , fast!  d*
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: FrankInWI on December 06, 2008, 09:46:55 PM
it's so much the community that I really appreciate... oh yeh, I do love the real live samples of these dreams coming together.. board by board
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 06, 2008, 11:24:25 PM
[chainsaw]
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on December 06, 2008, 11:31:30 PM
Here's a bigger one, Glenn . :)

(https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v667/AirsoftAndy/team-cp.jpg)
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 06, 2008, 11:35:46 PM
Thank's Andrew.  I always like to have a big one. :)

Ummm,  uhhh, PEG, what did we do to deserve this? hmm rofl

These Photoshoppers are getting out of control. I wonder if they could get Monica Lewinsky to pose with us.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: PEG688 on December 06, 2008, 11:41:27 PM
Quote from: glenn kangiser on December 06, 2008, 11:35:46 PM

  #1: Ummm,  uhhh, PEG, what did we do to deserve this? hmm rofl

  #2: I wonder if they could get Monica Lewinsky to pose with us?




  #1: I think we're to nice  d*, we don't get no  respect I tells ya , (Think Rodney Dangerfield (sp) )

#2: Two lines come to mind.

   a) Be careful what you ask for  d*

   b)  At least we'd look thinner if Monica was in the photo. 

Sorry Monica  ::)  :-[
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: phalynx on December 06, 2008, 11:53:31 PM
It's all about the community.......  Thanks for having a sense of humor.  I propose a community portrait.  A thread where we post a pic of each of us and us photoshoppers will just add the next pic into the pic.  I think at the end, we'll have one HORRIBLE picture.. :)   d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d* d*

I always wanted to see what a post of animated gifs would look like..  :)

Everyone,, look carefully, you can see the CPU power increase on Glenn's computer.  If you look even carefully, you can see his wattage rise and use up more of his solar power!!!  I am SOOOOOOOO evil.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 07, 2008, 12:04:26 AM
Phalynx, I already have to reset Firefox every 10 minutes to keep it from hogging all of my resources and running my fan full blast....I'm going to have to add more batteries to view this thread....
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: Jens on December 07, 2008, 10:37:05 PM
Add my thanks in there as well.  The internet is such a great plethora of information, but sometimes getting the info that you need can be difficult at best, and the best thing is to be able to discuss things with other like-minded folks.  You are all constant inspiration to me as well.  If I had any money, John, I would donate some to the site because I think it would be a shame for it to ever run dry.  Thanks for bringing us together.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: Clear Creek on December 08, 2008, 06:57:40 PM
I just wanted to add my thanks. I enjoy coming here and seeing others building their projects and realizing my dream as well.
Learning from others and having a good sounding board to ask questions. It's a great place to be.
Bob
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: John Raabe on December 08, 2008, 11:10:00 PM
I hope no one minds but I have hijacked Phaylnx's and Ernest T. Bass's creative images and made it into a Season's Greeting card for the main page of CountryPlans (http://www.countryplans.com/). Look at the top to the right of the header.
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: phalynx on December 08, 2008, 11:11:32 PM
All I can say is EXCELLENT!!!!   :)
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: MountainDon on December 08, 2008, 11:20:57 PM
 [cool]
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: glenn kangiser on December 09, 2008, 01:23:15 AM
You may scare some potential new member, John... d*
Title: Re: A Very Special Thanks to John (Raabe) & Others
Post by: lonelytree on December 09, 2008, 01:36:02 AM
Late again.... so sorry. d*

I really do appreciate people taking the time to enlighten, respectfully correct, and relate their experiences. I wish all that willingly donate their time and efforts the best in their own lives and endeavors.

Special thanks to John, and all the people that have taken the time to post pictures and relate their construction experiences. I have spent many a night just looking at their projects and respect the effort required for them.

Be safe.

Thanks,
Mike