3.1.2026

 The last day of February brought us our first 50° degree day, but as the old saying goes, it was a little more lion-like today.  We had snow all morning, maybe an inch, and the temperatures were cooler.  We're not in any hurry for warm weather so all is well!

Yesterday, Jim worked in the metal shop on the base for the island cabinet, getting ready for welding...

Jim showing me how it will work - this is upside down but the bottom base will allow for the toe boards underneath the cabinet...

He'll use these spacers for the right height...

Spacers welded on...

Today, Jim was back to assembling the base...

The base is assembled!

The cabinet is all assembled!  

Jim knows that building the cabinet this way is overkill, but he's having fun.  Plus, because it's not a big cabinet and it will stand alone, making it like this out of steel will ensure its strength.  Jim's testing it out...

2.28 - High 50.7/Low 27.1
3.1 - High 36.1/Low 22.1

2.27.2026

Jim got the cabinet cage all ready for welding... 

Done and looks amazing!

Now he's starting to cut pieces and get ready to make the base of the cabinet...

High 43.3/Low 7.1

2.26.2026

Jim was working on the island cabinet design this morning.  Back down in the metal shop in the afternoon, he worked on the pieces for the base of the cabinet cage... 

All assembled and welded together!

High 34.8/Low 21

2.25.2026

Jim did more work in the metal shop today - starting on the bottom of the cabinet cage... 

Drilling holes...

Between yesterday and overnight, we probably got about 4" of new snow, so Jim went out to take care of the driveway...

High 33.1/Low 9.5 - 4" snow

2.24.2026

This morning, we headed down to Albany for two errands.  We first went to pick up my mom's wedding ring from the Albany Medical College.  It was a little complicated because it's a small group and they spend lab time, so we had to make a set time and they brought it out.  But glad to have that done.  Afterwards, we headed to Albany Steel where Jim picked up his steel order...

He brought the pieces into the metal shop...

Starting to plan for cuts...

Pieces cut and ready for next steps...

High 26.7/Low 10.5

2.23.2026

We only ended up getting about another inch or so from the blizzard that hit the northeast - that's okay; we have plenty on the ground already!

Jim finished our taxes this morning and got them all sent off - always a big block to check off, especially with the added complexities of my business.

He also got a steel order placed.  We plan on going to Albany tomorrow to pick it up.  He had to get the 4Runner ready for that by taking the front seat out.

He is continuing to do so wood prep for the kitchen island cabinet...

High 31.9/Low 25.6

 

2.22.2026

 

A beautiful, snowy day in Upstate New York!  I think we are on the upper band for the latest storm, but we are still supposed to get up to 8".  We are just staying home and letting it snow!

Jim did more welding in the metal shop today.  The frame is put together as much as he can - he needs to get more steel.  We're hoping to make a trip down this week to pick some up, weather depending of course.

Jim also started preparing to make some cabinet pieces as well!  He said he doesn't think he's done any woodworking in more than 6 months!

High 32.2/Low 21.6 - snowy