I am Diane Dennis...

When my (now-ex) husband Curtis and I started our suspended ceiling T-Bar construction business in 1995 (C and D Acoustics), we were very fortunate that our supplier, Cal-Ply of Redlands, totally supported us 100%. The people there "took us under their wings" and taught us so much.

Although he had many, many years of in-the-field construction experience, I didn't know a darn thing about it and he didn't have any experience with the office and paperwork side of the industry.

The paperwork was overwhelming to say the least. Many thanks to Bob Baxter, Cathy Northcutt and Barbara Walker (all three of Cal-Ply Redlands), for showing us the processes involved with generating preliminary notices, which release to use when, how to process progress invoices, etc.

In 2000 I (Diane) started this website because there was so little out there at the time to help contractors to succeed. I started out with posting information based on our and other contractors' experiences and gradually I added downloadable construction forms.

I was amazed at the response I received, it showed that there really was a need for the information and forms that I was posting here.

From 2000 through 2004 I ran the office portion of our construction business and did everything I could to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for the website.

Finally in 2004, due to the very lacking pool of potential *good*employees, Curtis closed the construction business and went to work another T-Bar company in San Diego which allowed me to focus on the website 100% after I finally got everything closed out for his business.

Our son's deteriorating health (read more here) and my Fibromyalgia dictated that I needed to be home as much as I could to be available for him. This website and the incredible amount of support I've received has allowed me to do that. :)

I used to publish a monthly newsletter but our son's health and increasing needs caused me to have to cut back severely on that (currently I publish no more than once per quarter unless there are form updates).

Although I've had to cut back I still plan on keeping on "forever" (100,000+ orders and still going), until I'm no longer of this world. It's the only thing that has allowed me to work with our son and bring him along as far as I have.

With all the time I spend with him and his needs, there's no way I could hold a full-time job out of the house.

In December of 2006 we moved our family from California to Washington, sight unseen, with the goal of getting help for our son.

While I miss California (I was born and raised there) I absolutely love the island we "landed" on. I really don't like the house we bought (we bought it online - something I will never recommend), it's old and rickety, and needs SO much work, but the move made so much difference for both Cameron and Shelby.

I sincerely hope that you find this website useful. I am always open to suggestions, comments, questions, complaints, etc. so please feel free to email me!

Have a great day! :)
Diane Dennis

P.S. As mentioned I also have a beautiful, smart, talented, loving, giving daughter and I am so fortunate to have her. :) She maintained straight A's in both California and Washington, she scored incredibly high on her PSAT and SAT, finished in the top 10% of all Washington state students, and is now out exploring her opportunities. I am so very proud of her. =)