Well, it probably won’t last that long, but it should last the rest of my life.  A couple years ago, Debbie and I went downtown for the annual Garrison Days (a very large craft show in the town park in Beaver).  I saw these markers made by "Carved in Stone," decided to save my pennies, and then promptly lost their business card!  Anyway, last month (9 June 2012, to be exact), we went down for Garrison Days and they were back, so I ordered myself a little birthday present.  It just arrived a few hours ago (15 July), and I am quite pleased with the result:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z242/WBHenry/100_2386.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z242/WBHenry/100_2387.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z242/WBHenry/100_2388.jpg

Debbie and I haven’t decided just where it will be located (flower bed, driveway entrance, lamppost, etc.), but I did want to post a couple pictures now.  This particular rock weighs about 100 pounds.  The carving is quite deep in this hunk of Pennsylvania sandstone and should last for many years to come.

Very striking. Congratulations on a fine acquisition.

From the title, I thought you might have bought your tombstone.  I see no problem with making such arrangements beforehand, but it would’ve prompted me to wonder if something had hurried the decision along.  In any case, it would hardly make a good birthday gift.

This is excellent!  Congratulations on a striking birthday present.  Now if only I had a house with a yard to put one in!

This is quite stunning!  Congratulations on a fine birthday present.

Excellent!  I love it.  Something I had never thought about.  It’s definitely going on my "list".  Thank you so much for sharing.  I know you must be so very thrilled to have it.  What a wonderful birthday gift

...awesome!!!

That is great !

Splendid! What heraldry is all about.

A very good use of heraldry!

Of course, now we need the vendor’s name, online presence if any, and some really strong backs!

Excellent!

That is beautiful and so well done!  Although it weighs 100 lbs, I’d recommend some way of securing it to prevent someone from walking away with it.  I’ve heard of headstones being stolen, and they also are very heavy.

Beautiful!

—Guy

Kathy McClurg;94672 wrote:

Of course, now we need the vendor’s name, online presence if any, and some really strong backs!

You betcha!!! :D

I have a call in to the local franchise operator who did mine to see if there is a list of "authorized dealers" for these throughout the country.  So far, even I haven’t found any such list on the web.  Will get back to you as soon as I know more.

(BTW, no strong back needed here.  My vendor delivers!  Hee, hee!  And when it’s time to move it, I have three kids.  Life’s good!)

WBHenry;94682 wrote:

Hee, hee!  And when it’s time to move it, I have three kids.  Life’s good!)

Yeah, and I’d be Mom out there worried as heck they’d drop it on their feet!

WBHenry;94682 wrote:

And when it’s time to move it, I have three kids.  Life’s good!)

In my case, the rock probably outweighs all three of my kids combined! 

Kathy McClurg;94689 wrote:

Yeah, and I’d be Mom out there worried as heck they’d drop it on their feet!

Don’t worry, Mom!  All three are in high school or college, are student athletes, and have the muscles to spare!