Who Dat, Who Dat Birthday Boy?
Style & Stuff | Posted by Jannie on 8 February 2010 @ 7:47 AM 45 Comments
(The way it was, 1997)
Jim Darling!! I realize that as I unveil more and more of your extreme talents, the sheer wonderment of you is likely to start making my blogging buddies puke. But that’s a chance I’m willing to take.
For instance, this room you built with your own two hands, the first of our 4 additions to this once-humble bungalow — how sweet is this space!?! Even tho it’s now a bit torn up as we morph it into a master bedroom, its all for the greater good.
(Stained glass window install, 1995)
And how sweet are your model railroad buildings!!
Yes, peeps, directly below is a MODEL, one of many Jim has scratch-built since I met him. From sills to roofcap, his H.O. scale “M. Chase & Sons” abandoned general store stands about 5″ high. Jim named it after Kelly’s godfather. He also named another little structure after my dad!
(Puking yet?) 
Alas, Jim, the unveiling of your Uniquely Jimmy Disco Steps will have to wait for a future post — too much too soon might send readers running in disbelief that any one mortal could be this awesome.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Jimmy!!! We love you more than anything.
Jannie and Kelly.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoox
(San Diego, 2005)
On 8 February 2010 at 7:56 am jingle said,
full of wisdom and life,
I feel refreshed while looking at the gorgeous pictures of your home, love is priceless,
your blog is full of love,
Happy Monday!
On 8 February 2010 at 8:53 am Anne said,
I gotta say I am lovin’ LOVIN’ the large pictures! No puking over here. Happy Birthday to your awesome hubby! May you bring him as much joy as he obviously brings you.
On 8 February 2010 at 8:55 am Glenn Buttkus said,
Happy Monday, indeed, and Happy happy birthday to the Jimster, Jimbo, Jim-bone of Jannie’s dreams, the master builder. My goodness, that model of the abandoned general store is beyond incredible. That sort of detail is almost impossible to achieve. He must have the eye of an eagle, and the steady hands of a surgeon. And yes, as jingle said, it is always grand to have more of a tour of the Austin Funster Palace, past and present. Love is the common demoninator for Funsterville, and Miss Jannie is chock-full of it! I guess that is the primary thing that brings us all back day after day, your love of life, husband, daughter, music, jogging and blogging.
Thought I could sneak in first yet again, but the old fat man is late, too late, and Jingle gets the prize. Most of you are too young to remember the WILD BILL HICKOK TV series with Guy Madison and Andy Devine. Devin’s deputy was named “Jingles”.
On 8 February 2010 at 8:58 am Glenn Buttkus said,
Dang me, ought take a rope and hang me. Miss Anne snuck in too, making me “third” already. Perhaps I type too much, or maybe the cyber keyboards are already just a-humming as the peeps are focusing on Funsterville.
On 8 February 2010 at 10:31 am Ben said,
I love your home! Very picturesque. I read your story about your father giving up farming in an older post and I really connected with it. I lived in Minnesota for a few years and my best friend there was a 76 year old farmer. We’d meet for coffee twice a week and talk, and I’d always try and help him on his farm. It’s so tough on them, when they have to stop doing what they’ve always done, and grown to love.
On 8 February 2010 at 12:04 pm Talon said,
Beautiful craftsmanship!
Have a fabulous day, Jim! But with Jannie and Kelly at your side how could it not be?
On 8 February 2010 at 12:06 pm Hilary said,
Hey Blue Bunny .. that’s a sneaky thing to pop in at the end of the comments .. I just have this sneakin feelin that you might be 3rd in line?! On the other hand there’s dem dogs and the squirrel …
But that man Jim – no wonder there’s love there .. little models, stained glass – always loved that, always working up a ladder, or sorting out railway sleepers for the next project. Great to see the remodellings over the years .. and that wonderful picture of the big man and his lovely little sprog of a daughter Kelly. Just hope you’re having the most wonderful of birthdays – and Kelly’s made a cake for her Dad? Can I come over for tea – cold and gloomy here to say the least, with a sprinkling of snow – so a cuddle with BB would be good, though I do have Hardwick up the road!
Have a fantastically happy day .. love to all – your CD plays on!! Hilary
On 8 February 2010 at 12:42 pm Dot said,
Happy Birthday to Jim!
On 8 February 2010 at 12:46 pm Mama Zen said,
Happy Birthday, Jim!
Um, Jannie, can I borrow him? I wouldn’t mind having a stained glass window!
On 8 February 2010 at 12:52 pm Jannie said,
…
Hello.
Jingle!! I think the plants are very refreshing. And full of wisdom that comes from the Great Almighty. Ahhh, lots of love all ’round. Happy Monday too! And all the days this week!! And all weeks!!!
Anne!! Yes, the Big Pix are fun, fun, fun! Reading this again, I really rather wish I had not written puke. But there it is, and glad you’re not doing it. I took a balloon bouquet to him at work, he said he was touched. With more in store today for him too.
Glenn!! Aint that model something! I still don’t know how he ever has the patience to build those. He does use the OptiVisor which lets him see all those small bits better, but still. I could not do that art! The only thing I’ve ever heard of Andy Divine is in that Jimmy Buffet song “Pencil Thin Mustache.” I very much like what you say about love being the common denominator here – I really am aiming for that. And mirth.
Ben!! Welcome!! So glad you popped in, and for your very thoughtful comment. Dad has scaled back a bit of late — planting less garden, not making hay for sale anymore, just for his own stock. But yes, there will come a time when he will give up more and more of the endeavor. But not until he’s at least 85, I say!
Talon!! That man is good with wood, that’s for sure. Kelly’s real excited about his birthday, you know how kids are with surprises. And the thought of cake and candles!
Hilary!! Yes, please do pop over, will you — there’ll be steak and cake a plenty. Wine too. It was pouring rain earlier, but sunny now. We’re ready for you!!! BB is quite the jokester I think (just now read what he wrote. He keeps me hopping that bloging manigir of mine.) Love to Hardwick too.
Dot!! Thanks, I will for sure tell him you send regards.
Mama Z!! Oh yes — borrow away!
We’ll come to OK where Jim and your guy can work on your house while you and I chat, drink coffee and slave over our hot computers. Baby Puppy and Kelly can take turns playing and sparring.
xoxoxo
On 8 February 2010 at 1:27 pm Lynn said,
Happy Birthday, Jim!!!!!!!!!!!!! Somebody is proud of you and rightly so. It is a gift in itself to be surrounded by so much love.
On 8 February 2010 at 2:46 pm Sami - Life, Laughs & Lemmings said,
See, there really ARE phenomenal guys out there. How lucky you (and I) are to have snaffled one!
By the way, my Dad would be floored by the model general store. He’s a model railway enthusiast.
Happy birthday Jim!
On 8 February 2010 at 3:50 pm vered | blogger for hire said,
Well, he IS amazing! You are a lucky lady (but you already knew that)
On 8 February 2010 at 3:51 pm Fatibony said,
The large pictures are looking awesome Jannie love them all…..Happy birthday to your fabulous hubby…… Enjoy the rest of week ***
On 8 February 2010 at 5:22 pm Patricia said,
What a lovely birthday tribute to share all the talents…
Happy Birthday JIM
not to hone in but my guy helped me clean up off the garage floor 5 gallons of chicken broth….Oh these talented and artistic folks they just knock folks right off their feet.
On 8 February 2010 at 5:49 pm LL Cool Joe said,
Happy birthday to your very talented husband!
Love the model!
On 8 February 2010 at 7:55 pm Thomma Lyn said,
Awwww, what a love-filled and precious Birthday post for your sweetie! Happy Birthday to Jim! He sounds wonderful and amazingly talented — just like you, dear Jannie.
xoxoxoxo
On 8 February 2010 at 8:34 pm Jannie said,
…
Whooooo.
Lynn!! Do I seem kind of proud? He does have a lot of virtues. Steak now munched. He’s on the phone while we prepare us room for cake!! And I’ll be sure to pass on your lovely greeting, thanks!
Sami!! I would love to hear more about your dads model railroad interest ! Does he have a whole layout? Does he go to conventions?? Do he and his buddies meet locally?? It is quite the world of modeling !
Vered!! And there is so much more to him, many levels of Jim greatness. I am lucky, and I know you are too.
Fatibony!! I know — Large Pictures, whoo- hoo!!! I’m so in my glory with these. I am having a ball going through all our old ones, the digital ones I managed to recover and the old pre- digital ones to scan. Heaven! Have a beautiful rest of your week yoo!
Patricia!! I still can hear the splash, swoosh and crash of your chicken broth, you poor thing. And maybe you’ll set a new trend in chicken flavored cardboard? Cake in a few minutes here!!
LL Cool Joe!! Why thank you so much kind sir, so many awesome birthday greetings for that man of mine. Yeah that model! This was scanned from a picture of it taken years ago, but when I get a good camera going again, I’m looking forward to shooting some awesome macro shots of his stuff. And of flowers. And stuff. You know– little stuff.
Thomma Lyn!! Ahh, gee. Thanks. And I’d be highly surprised if your man is not every bit as talented, sweet, funny, sensitive and wildly wonderful as you!!!
On 8 February 2010 at 8:45 pm Jeanne said,
Jannie —- what a great idea, to take a picture of Jim’s models built from scratch! And since I saw a BUNCH of them at your house last week, I’m thinking you should take pictures of each one, and frame them — they’re beautiful enough to grace a special wall in your palace!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE JIM I DIDN’T GET TO MEET, SOB SOB!
On 8 February 2010 at 10:38 pm Momisodes said,
Wow! He really is amazingly talented. Those are quite impressive pics.
Happy Birthday Jim!
On 9 February 2010 at 6:44 am Sire said,
I’m a bit of a handyman myself, but I couldn’t do half the stuff Jim does. That model is really awesome. No puking on this side of the woods either. I hope you gave Jim a really special birthday present
On 9 February 2010 at 9:12 am Tess The Bold Life said,
OMG I love that room…love it and all those plants…I’m in heaven. What talent and what joy. Oh did I mention the body!
Happy Birthday…I know you’re all having fun!
On 9 February 2010 at 9:47 am Nadia - Happy Lotus said,
That is a beautiful room and I love the stained glass window. What a talented man!
And how sweet of you to honor him on here. Happy Birthday, Jim! May you have a year filled with lots of blessings!
On 9 February 2010 at 10:29 am Jannie said,
…
Jeanne!! I think the trick would be to put the little models on domed pedestals around the house, with beaming lights on them, and provide magnifiers for the viewers’ pleasure. Won’t it be great when I get a good camera working again to get some close-ups of his model artistry!! Our “palace,” lol! Sorry too you and my working-hard man did not meet. You will on video here one day!
Momisodes!! Yes, he never ceases to amaze me with his myriad ideas and talents. And general sweetness.
Sire!! Jim will admit he learned as he went, over the years. His first house remodel, he put in carpet first!. Yes, I bought him a lovely bunch of little things from the DIY store for his pressie.
Tess!! Thanks. I am getting some photos of the various stages of building of that room, to scan and show you all. Jim’s body? Yes! Gravity-defying buttocks and legs that just won’t quit. He actually did a bit of modeling in the 70s!
Nadia!! Thanks. We kind of designed it as we went and it took 2 years from the pouring of the slab until we got the carpet, but it was fun. Ahhhh, how sweet, I will for sure pass along your lovely blessings to him.
xoxoxoox
On 9 February 2010 at 11:15 am Cookie said,
Wow Great details! When are you going to send him over here for a week or so???
Happy Birthday!
On 9 February 2010 at 12:50 pm K said,
Happy Birthday!
I have a Jim too. They must all be wonderful.
On 9 February 2010 at 1:43 pm MiaHysteria said,
Happy Birthday Jim! I absolutely LOVE the work you’ve done and, like many others, as soon as you get bored there or run out of things to do, you are welcome to come tinker here any time!
Enjoy your day!
On 9 February 2010 at 6:54 pm J.D. Meier said,
Happy Birthday to Jim.
The model is fantastic. I love attention to details like that … Talk about skills in action.
On 10 February 2010 at 12:31 am Jeanne said,
Jannie,
I’ll be back to comment properly later but it’s 1:30 am now. So, for the moment, I just wanted to ask you to wish Jim a very happy birthday!!!
Jeanne
On 10 February 2010 at 5:08 am Lance said,
Hey Jannie,
So…where is the cake???
Happy Birthday Jim!!!
Jim the Builder Man!! (do you ever rent him out?? we have this kitchen that could use some remodeling…)
Although – shirtless Jim just might freeze up here (brrr….aren’t we due for those two weeks of summer pretty soon???)
On 10 February 2010 at 5:47 am Jannie said,
…
Cookie!! I forgot to ask him last night when he’ll be available to lend you a hand. Probably next week!
K!! Jims seem to be a wonderful species with built-in awesome capabilities. I’ll be sure to pass along the birthday sentiments.
Mia!! Jim will be at Cookie’s next week, but maybe your place the week after next!? Enjoy yours too! Your day , that is.
J.D.!! Skills. And action sums up Jim to a tee, with big lashings of love and stick-to-it-ive-ness in everything he does.
Jeanne!! Your comment seems super-proper to me!! And I’ll be sure to heap your birthday greetings on Jim. He’s got a wonderful pile of them here.
Lance!! There’s still a bit of that chocolate strawberry cake left. We’ll save the last slice for you. Nope – never let that Jim, The Builderman out. Ever. Next I’m gonna have him tear down this house and build it higher.
On 10 February 2010 at 7:43 am Lance said,
Dear Jannie,
That cake…sounds delicious!! Did Jim the Builderman build that too!! (or was it Jannie the Cake Goddess!!)
Since it was the Builderman’s birthday…my money is on the Cake Goddess designing this super tasty yummy awesome cake-aliscious cake!!
YUM!!
Woo-super-hoo!!
And – happy house tearing down and building up and everything else in between!!
On 10 February 2010 at 7:47 am Lance said,
Oh…and one more thing Ms. Cake Goddess,
Please make sure that young little whipper snapper Kelly doesn’t sneak that last piece of cake before I get there!!! (now…hmmm…how would I best travel? plane? train? automobile?) (gosh…that sounds almost movie-like) I think WE WILL BE FAMOUS!!! (all because of a piece of cake!!)
woo double super hoo!!
On 10 February 2010 at 9:40 am Chris said,
Happy Birthday to the Jim-Meister!
On 10 February 2010 at 11:53 am Jannie said,
…
Lance!! And Lance!! Jannie-the-cake-Goddess didst PURCHASE said cake at a local purveyor of such items. I’ve got the last piece all wrapped in organic tin foil and blue ribbons for you. (In case anything happens to me, it’s in the bottom right corner of the little freezer out in the new garage.) I think you should bicycle here, very good for your health this time of year. But, hey! Aren’t we already famous!??!!!!!
Chris!! Thanks super-extra-lovely lady!!! I’ll tell him!
xoxoxoxo
On 10 February 2010 at 5:18 pm Natalia said,
Late to the party am I?! Happy Birthday!
On 11 February 2010 at 3:01 am SnaggleTooth said,
I hope Jims Day went well, n he didn’t spend the whole thing working on the update thing!
Your home, as well as the so cool tiny abandoned store are truelly brilliant!
I love building little stuff like that- but have been working for some one else way too hard lately, n shoveling too!
Those tiny boards n fresh eggs sign just make it-
On 11 February 2010 at 6:22 am Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord said,
Hey, Jannie!
Before I forget, Blue Bunny is eating the pansies. It’s not the squirrel. Don’t tell BB I told you, but I think it might lead to harder stuff… (smile)
Happy Birthday to your amazingly talented, wonderful (and he can dance, too?!!) and supportive husband! You realize people will be after him now to do clones, right?!
May happiness fill your household always.
Lots of love,
Megan
On 11 February 2010 at 9:04 am sheila said,
AWWWW, Happy Birthday Jim!
On 11 February 2010 at 10:52 am Jannie said,
..
Hey, the party is still going on here! Did you all get enough beer?
Natalia!! Thanks, Jim is just floored by all this birthday love that keeps on giving.
Snaggle!! Someday I’d like to take close-up pix of his wonderful model craftsmanship, when I have a camera that will do so. I keep getting a system error on my current one. Oh well, it’ll all get worked out! He really is an amazing artiste, as you can see. You know if you move in here, we’ll build you your own guest house!
Actually, we have now built out as far as we can on out lot. We never really saved up money or took out a loan we just built as time and money allowed, and I actually think we put a lot more thought into it what way, instead of rushing it.
Megan!! I know! I know!! I’ve seen BB out there munching the pansies, but I don’t let on. He thinks he’s pulling a joke on me and Jasmeene. What a funny one that BB. Can he dance!?!? Boy, wait til you see him on video some day. Dance steps like none other I’ve ever seen. Get in line for a clone, you’re the 16th on this post alone!
Lots of love to you too, Sweetie!
Sheila!! Thanks. He’s totally down with all this love.
xoxoxo to the millionth, and beyond.
On 11 February 2010 at 3:42 pm Tammy said,
Hey sister. Okay, I am slow on the uptake and severely confused, it is because of the statistics class. Anyway, am i hearing you correctly? Are you tearing down this beautiful room? No. I have got something twisted right?
On 11 February 2010 at 7:07 pm kt@serendipity said,
hi there jannie
thank you so much for your visit!
yes, that is my mantra wherever and whenever i am.
what sweet family photos of yours, by the way.
keep on singing, jannie
kt
On 12 February 2010 at 4:01 pm Jannie said,
…
Hay, Tammy! Nope we are not tearing it down. Just changing the inside. Jim has redone the fireplace entirely. And built closets in those back corners. And a closet where a window seat was. Closets are great in a bedroom. How are the stats?
KT!! Hi, thanks for following me back here. You are the lady of the “Keep Calm And Carry On,” mantra mirror, as I recall. I had to keep that in mind earlier as Kelly was being a bit of a handful. Great to see you. And yes, I’ll keep on singing. You can bet on that.
xoxo
On 12 February 2010 at 5:05 pm Tammy said,
That is what I meant by tearing it down Jannie. On no. I am sad about that. The room is gorgeous. Your Jim-bo is certainly a talented man. Happy late birthday to the birthday boy.
Stats? Well, so far I have an A, and I just took the mid-term yesterday…but it causes me a lot of grief and high blood pressure from all the cursing and pounding.
Oh, blue bunny has been…….oops……blue bunny is sooo cute isn’t he?
On 14 February 2010 at 5:27 pm Jannie said,
…
Tammy!! Yay on the A!! I think I might have scraped through with a C in stats. Sounds like you have no worries with that. Once the room is a bedroom , with flooring and everything, I think it’ll be nice. Flooring is a lot better than a bare slab with paint spills here and there. Happy studying!