5.12.2026

Jim sanded all the doors today...

Then he got the spray gun all ready to go and started painting the back side...

Finishing up...

Beautiful!

It was a gorgeous day and we're supposed to have some rain on the way, so Jim did some grass cutting and trimming...

High 63.7/Low 34.8

 

5.11.2026

Jim trimmed the Formica on the cabinet shelf today... 

Cleaning some glue off...

Using a different bit for the edges...

Putting it into the cabinet...

Setting it into place...

Even though we will have to take things out again at some point, I couldn't wait to start filling it up!

Starting to put a coat of primer on the other side of the doors...

All painted...

Jim prepping some wood - he'll be making the toe boards for the cabinet next...

Pieces glued and drying...

High 58.4/Low 36.2 

5.10.2026

 

Happy Mother's Day to all - hope everyone had a wonderful day!  It's the first one without Mom here, but we're focusing on all the time we were able to spend with her while she was here.  

Freezer update - After Jim put the new control board in, the freezer is back in business!  In fact, it gets colder than its zero setting.  Jim is keeping the sensor inside to keep an eye on it, but we're so happy that we don't have to buy a new freezer!

Yesterday, Jim sanded the other cabinet doors...

 Then he did the millwork for the hinges...

Today, Jim started attaching the Formica to the other shelf...

Done and drying under lots of weight...

Starting to prime the backs of all the doors...

Finishing up...

I like how Jim comes up with ways to use things as long as possible - he can keep brushes in good shape for months by wrapping them...

Rolling it up onto the plastic wrap...

Wrapping the other way to completely seal...

5.9 - High 50.3/Low 34
5.10 - High 64.6/Low 49.5

5.8.2026

After a coat of polyurethane yesterday, Jim sanded the shelf... 

Jim found the right hinges to order more this morning, and then doublechecked the fit with his mockup board...

Then he used the ShopSmith to drill the holes...

First door in progress...

Trying it out...

Perfection!

Both of these doors have hinges on...

Then another coat of polyurethane on the upper shelf...

The new control board came in the mail today, so Jim took the old one out and opened up the new one...

Getting ready to install...

Installed and turned back on.  As I write this, I'm not sure if it's working properly or not - still TBD!

High 57.5/Low 34.8

5.7.2026

 Jim was back in the shop today - using the belt sander on the shelf...

Then final straightening on the planer...

We've been waiting for a call from the granite company; they had told us they would send a couple of guys out to bring up our countertop.  We finally got the call this afternoon with no lead time - they said they would be at our house in five minutes!  He had to quickly bring the 4Runner around to the stairwell doors and then moved the shelf from the top and put it in its spot, so we were all ready...

Two really nice young men came and carried it up the stairs and placed it on top of the counter...

It looks so beautiful!  We love the leathered granite and the color is just perfect.  

After all that excitement, Jim was back in the shop, using the band saw to cut the corners of the middle shelf...

Testing the fit - this shelf will be movable, which will be nice...

Perfect!

Now onto finishing work - sanding...

Then a coat of polyurethane....

Drying...

Jim did a little grass cutting to finish off the day.

High 53.5/Low 38.8