123quattro

Hi Paul,

Sorry to hear you and your wife have been working yourselves so hard. Here's to regaining your health. Best wishes.

john

AO

Paul-
Good choice. Your work is top notch. Those that have it can attest. But your well being is more important. Take a vacation, get lost, and don't think about it for several weeks. THen start a new plan with solid working hours and leave it at that.

JEC_31

Health and happiness come first, x10.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That said, from a business standpoint:

Problem: too much incoming work for current capacity.

Need: more capacity.

All work is hand-crafted - need more craftsmen and craftswomen.

I would recommend that after the break, before going back into it, finding some worthy apprentices and put them through rigorous training. Once they can meet the high requirments of the craft, open up the floodgates and let the work come in.

If you get a decent sized crew of dependable artisians, hopefully you can get them skilled to the point where you can focus your energies on the designs rather than working your own fingers to the bone.

Just my 0.000002 cents.

Best wishes!

- Josh

Champagne

Thank you all again for your warm wishes and support and to all those who sent in emails.

I have been asked if Linda and I will be at the OCIC in Dallas in 09.
Not only do I plan to attend, but God willing, I will participate with "how-to" demonstrations.
I have always considered myself as part of the DFW crew, even though I'm 6 hours away. So I will be there lending a hand.
If things go according to plan, we will schedule to install a few sets of seats at the show. Saving on shipping for those who will have their seats done, and giving me a chance to show first hand how I like to do these things.

Paul

perrys4

Bummer, I was looking forward to a new interior and paint. As others have said, your health comes first! Take care.

checkmate1996

+1 - I hope everything is OK with your wife.

MGW-Fla

Wise decision Paul, you'll have to learn to pace yourself. Your commitment to excellence carries over to your hard work & overworking yourself. We're all only human. You'll have to just learn to say when. It'll all still be there tomorrow, but most importantly, you & Linda will be there too!

Chuck Z

Paul, I am saddened to read the news but trust me I understand. I hope all will be well with you and your wife (the really important things in life). Best wishes.

Flott Leben

Paul,
You need to do what is best for you and your wife's health; everything else is secondary. I sent you a PM on my order. Good luck with the vacation!

Jim bailey - 928 International

Several years ago I knew a Kiwi guy who was a genius with the english wheel he could and did fabricate ANYTHING out of metal. He would always be there to help out a friend. His small shop was stuffed full of projects ....full custom bodies , a quad cab 34 Chevy truck , Healy body repairs on and on . He worked alone nobody else would do it right . Saw him one Saturday welding up a trailer for a friend (a total waste of his skills) he never said no to anyone ..........couple days later he shot himself. A couple hundred people showed up at the funeral I only wish Bruce had known how many friends he had... it seems that going to work with YEARS of unfinished projects was just too much. He could take care of only one customer at a time which meant all the others had to wait ... even if THEY were O K with that it still was a burden. Sorry about the hijack , I just wish Paul and his wife all the best and respect his ability to say NO.

ROG100

Paul and Linda,
A very brave choice from a very difficult situation.
I know it will work out well in the end and we will still be ablle to get your great "works of art" when we need them.
Tough decision but the best one for you and Linda.
Get rested and come back and shock the 928 World with your new creations.
You and Linda are more important than the leather work.
Best regards,
Roger & Zane and the Tyson Family.

RyanPerrella

Thats a pretty sad story Jim. I wouldn't be surprised to hear of other such stories.

Really, why work 80 hours a week, everyone in america thinks the French are lazy with 35 hour work weeks, and 12 weeks vacation. Why is that crazy? This is your life, you only get one, why be a slave to money and other people. Do what makes YOU happy!

SeanR

WOW,

Just read this. I can't say I am shocked. After talking to you, Paul, at 3rd coast in '06, you were telling me about the work load, and I Know it has only increased in the past year.

Everyone needs a break, and I know you have not had one in a few years. Don't feel bad buddy, take some time off and I hope when you get back to it, that I can get a couple of things done. I missed the cut off on the shifter for no fault but my own. I did happen to pick up that 4 spoke steering wheel in blue that you did for Roger last year, and I love it.

Take some time off for you and the wife, relax and do the things you need to catch up on. Hell, if you need to, hire some immigrant help to slow your own work load down. You in Texas.

Fogey1

Open, prompt disclosure is one of the things that make you a class act, Paul.

Enjoy your vacation or retirement, whichever it may be. Life's too short to make yourself crazy (unless that's what you love to do. )

blown 87

Paul, you and your wife are a class act.
If there is ANYTHING I can do to help you, just let me know.

Greg Nettles