Gotta Keep A Runnin

I was talking with my mom and my sister on the phone.  Conference us all together, that was a first.  Need to get us all setup with video, it would be more fun.   It was great to catch up and I get to see my sister next week.   Really looking forward to hanging with her and the family.

Work is super busy, but that’s not new.  I have some serious travel coming up through the rest of the year.  Looking forward to it as it will give me a chance to spend some time with our awesome team members.  I need to do it more, but it is tough.

I was perusing through my older post and I what I learned is that I need to get out and take some pictures.  I used to be so good about it when I was hiking all the time.  I need to get back start doing both again.  If I would get my ass out and hike, I am sure I would find something to take a picture of.

I started a new project this last week.  This has been a challenge but fun and worth the effort.  Back in the day, talking 20+ years ago, my parents gave us an oak dining room table.  I think they had it while I was growing up, so it’s at least 40 years old.  We used it for years; I even sanded it all down and re-stained it at one point.  Well long story short it was time for something new .

About six months ago we got a new table and chairs and the old table has been down on the garage taking up space.  I couldn’t get rid of it.  We have had it so long and I knew I could do something with it or give it to one of the boys. 

As luck would have it, Candy turned me on to barn quilts.  Google it and check it out.  So I figured I could use this table to make a barn quilt table.  Yes I am so original.   So this is my adaptation of the Lemoyne star quilt block.  I drew out a couple of ideas on paper so I could figure out my placement and colors.  

I will say working with a larger medium is a bit more of a challenge.  

First thing I did was to take the table over to the shop and take it all apart.  I pulled the top off the base.   This table used to expand and you could add two leafs to it.  I glued it together so now it will just be a round table.  I then took my sander with some 80 grit sand paper and sanded the top and all around to remove any stain.  Once that was done I blew it all off and then wiped it down with a cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining dust or dirt.

I used a string, stick pin and pencil to draw out the outer edge. Then used a tape measure, yard stick and a long piece of trim wood to draw out the lines.

I applied white paint that we already had in the garage.  This is the paint that we used to pain the kitchen walls.  It was still good and I have enough so why not.  I painted table with two coats of the white and let it dry.  Then I brought the table home and placed it on our dining room table.

I drew out my design using my tape measure and pencil.  This project requires a little math so be ready.   Once it was all drawn out, I started adding my colors.  This project goes a little slow as you have to tape off each area and apply several coats.  This only allows me to get one or maybe two squares done  a night.  Now I know where the term “waiting for paint to dry” came from.

Catching up

It has been a few weeks since posting anything to the blog. A lot has gone on, that’s for sure.

We celebrated Clark’s Birthday, My Birthday, a trip to Florida and then Texas. Clark turned 21 on September 30th. We all met at the Golden Bee and had drinks and dinner. A couple of people came from the office, Candy and I along with Clark and his two friends. We had a good time and kept everything under control. Clark was heading out afterwards with friends to go bowling. Wow, hard for me to believe that he is 21. Guess that means I am getting old.

Candy and I snuck away to Sanibel Island for a week. The majority

of our trip was spent hunting for sea shells. Had a blast! Had a chance to do some fishing and bike riding. We rented a condo a block from the beach. It had a pool and we could fish in the canal out back of the unit. 

We checked out several of the beaches searching for shells. A couple of mornings we were on the beach at 5 AM with our headlamps on. It really paid off one morning; we walked the trash line, following a storm. When I tell people I am going shell hunting they look at me a little funny and wonder. Then I show them a picture.

Experienced sheller's walk in a sort of a crouch, the better to see their quarry and the easier to grab it. The posture is known as The Sanibel Stoop. On a busy day the beach is populated with arthritic looking tourists who all appear to be searching intently for a missing contact lens.

We didn't collect any live shells, and believe we found a bunch of them. I found two large lighting whelks, but they had inhabitants and threw them back.  And imagine that there a people there every day of the year doing the same thing, collecting shells.

We collected a large variety of shells including: Lightning Whelks, Lettered Olives, Conchs, True and Banded Tulips, Drills and more.  We have several ideas on what we plan on doing with them.  I would like to make another wreath and roof another bird house.

On our bike rides we saw a few critters.  We saw turtles, lizards, a snake, birds and we got to see an alligator when we drove through the wildlife reserve.

One morning on the beach I bet we came across over 100 jelly fish dead on the beach in the morning.  First of all they freak me out, don't really want to piss on myself.  But being that they were dead I guess they were no issue.  This is just another example of how different every day on the beach is.

While we were in Sanibel I celebrated my 51st Birthday on October 7th.  We spent the day searching for shells, riding our bikes and doing a little window shopping.   We enjoyed a nice dinner and then kicked back by the canal having a cocktail.  51, guess that means I am getting old.  Think I said that already.  hmm.

As soon as I returned I was back out again traveling to Austin for work. It was a needed trip as I hadn’t been down to office in a while. It was great to see everyone and actually got some work done, so I would say it was a good trip.  I have to say there is just so much to do, and my advice to you is focus on the things that make money, don't get caught up in bullshit.

I can't say that I got a lot done this weekend.  I spent time over at the shop but didn't really accomplish anything.  Spent most of my time just cleaning and putting tools away.  I did make a list of things that I need to do, and it is never ending.  Painted a green bowling ball chrome.  Why do you ask?  Well I am going to do another dime ball.   I have done two so far, one penny and one dime ball.   In the picture, the dime ball is on a stand that I got at the flea market for a dollar.   Painted it black and there you go.

I have found that it is best if you paint them chrome or bronze if you are going with pennies or dimes.  Guess it would depend on what your application is.

I am looking to expand my storage space and bring in a shipping container.  A friend was storing a couple of cars at my shop on the side and they are now gone.   Does this make me a hoarder?  Candy agreed that we need one as well so I am going to say no.  But you know I bet I have room for two, maybe I can get a deal.  Shit, I am a hoarder.

Over the last week Candy has been working hard to clean out our dining room.  She moved all of the soap supplies to the basement after cleaning out the basement.  Looks great.  Now that she had some room back I bought her an old wagon while I was at the auction on Saturday.  

Today we went out for lunch and the to Petco and Michael's.  Candy picked up up a small bail of hay and some pumpkins gourds to decorate it with.  Hard to believe that fall is here, but it is.  The leaves are starting to fall and the temperature has dropped.

I will say that this is the best sleeping weather.  We have doors out of our bedroom and out to the patio.  At night we leave them open and you curl up in the blankets and sleep great or at least I do.

I guess that is all for now.  We plan on starting out diets and walking daily again tomorrow.   Looking forward to it as I always feel good when I get to the office after walking a couple of miles.  Gives you some time to think about what it ahead of you.

Chili's

Getting ready to watch the Bronco's play the Lions, in Detroit.  figured while I had a few minutes, I could catch up on the weekends events.

We boogied out of the house about 10:00 AM on Saturday and drove across town to the Flea Market.  Did a quick walk through and didn't see anything.  I don't no why I have so much fun looking at and for junk but I do.  Candy enjoys it, so it works out well for both of us.

We headed out and made the drive down to Pueblo for the Chili Festival.  We walked through and checked out all the vendors and there was a lot of them.  Candy had a pork chop on a stick and I had a cup of corn.  The place was packed and we arrived about 12:30 PM.  We found parking pretty easy, but the amount of people was surprising. We bought some Pueblo chili's that were already roasted and peeled.  I used to buy a bushel and then I would have to clean them.   Going this way is easier as I will probably only use the six small bags I got.  We got three mediums, two hots and one extra hot.  I am going to be making some awesome green chili this winter.

Friday night I did some looking on Craigslist.org to see what I might find in Pueblo since I would already be in town.   Well I did find some old junk that I wanted to look at, so on our way down to Pueblo I called the # and left a message we would be in town and if I could look around.   We met up at his property at 3:00 PM.  Candy was a little freaked out because of the area as well as buying off Craigslist.   So we met the guy at his address.  It was a RV/Mobile home repair business. It was just outside the mobile home park, which he owned as well.

He was pretty cool and he opened up his shop to let us in the back.  When we got out back, it was about an acre, just loaded with old farm implements.   I will be going back to get some more items as there are lots of things I can do with what he has.

We walked around and looked at all the different old tillers, disc harrows, cutters, harvesters and more.   It was a blast.  We came across what I think is an old cement or some type of industrial dump cart.   I have searched the web high and low trying to find a picture of something similar but haven't yet.  It all seems to be original and it is in excellent shape.

We had always talked about trying to find a mining cart, but man they are like 3K.  Candy spotted it and when she pointed it out, I was like yes.   It was tucked away where it wouldn't be easy to get out.  It weighs a bunch and no way Candy and I would be able to get it out.   

The owner went got his truck and chains.  We had to drag a couple of large disc harrows out of the way.  Then we were able to just roll it out.  It is in working order and was pretty easy to move on the 36 inch wheels.  We loaded it up in the back of my truck.  Luckily the guy had some ramps so that made it easy to load.  

I also grabbed a couple of old steel wheels that are about 5ft in diameter.  I plan on going back soon and getting more.  I have several uses where I could use them.  There are some other cool items that I am interested in as well.

This picture shows one of the steel wheels I snagged.  I am also showing off, my sunflowers.   I made a second one today.  We placed them to the left and right of the big wheel on the backyard fence.   I think it looks pretty cool.

Who know's maybe I am getting a little bit crazier as I age.  But it is a lot of fun to take some of the old steel and re-purpose it into something else.   My welding skills are starting to improve and I still have all my fingers.

Flea Market

For the last couple of weeks on Saturday, Candy and I have been going out to the Flea Market.  We have a pretty good time walking around and checking out the vendors.  It is like a big outdoor garage sale.   I have picked up some decent items for little money.

I picked up a Viking Sprinkler Alarm head for $5.00.  It will look pretty good hanging in the shop.

last week I found a barn hay trolley and got it for $25.00.  Not sure what I am going to do with it, but I am sure I will find a use.

jeez

So what is up.  I have been super slammed as of late.  Plus I have been trying to get my distance in.  I think I crossed the 100 mile today.  My truck went into the shop on Monday, so it made it an easy decision that I needed to walk.  It should be back on Thursday.

This last weekend Candy was out with friends to Denver for the day.  This gave me some extra time to mess around at the shop.   With my time, I created another piece of yard-art.  Another flower but this one is about six feet tall.  It is my Kansas Sunflower.  It should look pretty good through the winter.

For this piece I used:  18' diameter tiller wheel for the flower head, an 8 ft. Studded T Post for the stem and the base is a heavy duty brake rotor.  

The stem was a re-used from when I had posts and chicken wire around some new trees we had planted.  They have grown enough that earlier this summer I pulled the posts.  That was a job! I had twelve of them to pull.

The brake rotor was a freebie that picked from a car dealership in the scrap pile.  The tiller wheel came off of E bay.   I actually bought four of them so have some more flowers to make.

I cut off the bottom of post where I wanted it.  Then I cut a groove in the brake rotor so that it would accept the T post.  I took the wire wheel  to the tiller wheel.   Welded the tiller wheel to the post.  Then welded the post to the brake rotor.   Then I welded on bolts to the post so that it will hold three wine bottles.

Took some black and yellow spray paint to it.  Shazam, there you go!

Building out the Squadron

I have been expanding my WWII aircraft squadron.  So far I have built a Mustang P-40. Douglas SBD Dauntless and a  Mitsubishi Zero.  I am getting quicker at making these.  I sat down and knocked the Mitsubishi Zero our in about an hour.  Each time I cut one out, I learn a new trick to make the process quicker and easier.

From top to bottom we have the Douglas SBD Dauntless, Mitsubishi Zero and the Mustang P-40.

Framed Art

Back in May I created a decoupage project on canvas.  I used a picture from an old Star Wars poster book we had.   I painted the canvas a bronze color then added the picture and glued the gears and clocks on around it.   It has been sitting in the dining room since May, this weekend I picked up a frame for it.   I hung it in my office next to my Star Wars film canisters.

Now that it is framed and hanging, I like it even more.

3D Paper Airplanes

When I was in the sixth grade I had a teacher who turned me on to these 3D paper airplanes.   I can't remember the teachers name, now that I am writing about it.  It will come to me....

It only took me a few minutes to find what I was looking for on Google.  Being I was off yesterday and looking for something to do.  I printed a couple off and started cutting and gluing them together.   Building these two took me about three hours total.

If you would like try your had at one of these you can visit: http://users.ece.cmu.edu/~koopman/airplanes/

Once they were done I sprayed them with a clear satin urethane.  I figured this would help with adhesion as well as strengthening the whole structure.  I have about four more plans for different types of airplanes.   I think they will look pretty cool hanging in my office or shop.

Labor Day Weekend

I cheated and got an early start to the Labor Day weekend.  I took PTO on Friday so we could go to the State Fair.   We left the house at 10 AM and stopped and met the boys at the office.   We had a quick breakfast together at the greasy spoon next door.

On the way down to Pueblo, we stopped in and visited the Corvette Center.   I have my car there having some more work done to it.  Will probably be another few weeks before it is ready.  So while there I asked if they had a scrap pile I could dig through.   They did and I scored on some pretty good scrap for my yard art.  Picked up a cam shaft, several brake disks and some other assorted parts.

The Fair was nice, we were there at 1 PM.  Found free parking close to the gate.  Did the tour, animals, 4H, arts, midway and several food vendors.  All in all I think we spent 4.5 hours there.  Had a good time.

Saturday we spent a good portion of the day at the Auction House and then the Flee Market.   I scored some pretty decent deals, of course more stuff to make yard out of.   Picked up an old jack, old detonation meters and the coolest item was my X Ray On warning light.   I think it came out of the airport because they were also auctioning off old school bag/suite case scanners.  Didn't need them, but the light was cool.  The light flashes red when it is plugged in, the light inside makes the red lettering glow.

I was going to build another flower for the yard with the jack I picked up.  Instead I decided to use up the denotation  boxes I snagged.  I bought 4 pieces, two denotation boxes, one amp gauge and another box like the denotation boxes, but labeled with heating.  They were a buck a piece.  So I decided I would make a box to hold them to go along with the X Ray On warning light.

I cut the wood, then holes to hold the control boxes.  Screwed it all together and hit it with some yellow paint.   I used scrap wood that I had saved and yellow paint that I already had on hand.

Added the control boxes and the amp meter once it was dry.  I think it looks pretty cool.  I have no idea what I am going to do with it.

Don't get me started.......

@nallyeric really dig your part in the @macklemore video.