3.29.2026

Life update...After Jim's robotic surgery in August for his prostate cancer, he recently developed a ventral/incisional hernia.  The surgeon said it needed repair as well as a repair of the muscle separation there.  Friday was surgery day - we had to be there at 11:30, but the procedure before his went long.  Here he is waiting - it was 3:00 before they took him back.

The surgeon said everything went great and there was even another small hernia that he was able to repair.  He told us in our initial meeting and again afterwards that the muscle repair was going to be painful for probably 4-5 days.  And it was.  Poor Jim was in a lot of pain when he was in the recovery room.   He's a trooper though and he finally was able to get dressed and we headed home.  

Home is always the best.  We got home about 7:30 on Friday night and have just been taking it easy since then.  We appreciate everyone's thoughts and support once again!

We had a brief but so pretty snowstorm yesterday afternoon!

3.27 - High 47.7/Low 25.1
3.28 - High 35.3/Low 18.2
3.29 - High 48/Low 22.4

3.26.2026

Taking down the side panel after drying overnight... 

Even though it's glued, Jim wanted to mechanically fasten the panel together as well, so he made pocket holes...

Fastening...

It was a nice day, so Jim wanted to get the snowblower off the Bobcat.  This doesn't mean that we won't get any more snow, but he could always use the bucket if necessary.  He wanted to get both the Bobcat and the snowblower cleaned off, so he got the power washer going...

Cleaning out the pole barn...

Disconnecting the snowblower...

Right before Jim started on the elliptical, he got a notice that the white Formica he ordered from Lowe's was delivered so he went down to the box to pick it up...

Jim uses this to line the shelves and he had used up his stash.  

Still lots of snow behind the house!

High 61.3/Low 36.4

3.25.2026

Jim is going to have cataract surgery next month, and this morning was the appointment for measurements and lens decision.  It was a good discussion with the doctor and we're comfortable with the plan going forward.  

In the afternoon, Jim was doing sanding of the side panels... 

Showing me the placement - looks wonderful!

Gluing one of the panels on the side...

High 52.2/Low 27.7

3.24.2026

Jim started priming the door panels today... 

Gluing a side panel together...

Both side panels gluing...

Making the back cuts on the panels for the doors...

Cuts made...

Cleaning out the joint before a test fit...

Looks amazing!

High 45.9/Low 25.2

3.23.2026

This afternoon, we headed out to pick up our granite!  They have a cool crane system to move the granite around... 

Once they got it loaded up in the back of the 4Runner, we then headed to Lowe's to get plywood so that Jim can make the panels for the cabinet.  It's nice because they will cut it in half according to the measurements Jim gives them.  It's free and then it fits in the back of the car...

Loading up the plywood...

Bringing it inside once we got home...

The granite needs cleaned but it is SO beautiful!  We're leaving it in the car for the moment until we can move it upstairs.

Jim measuring for the panel cuts...

The two panels for the sides are cut...

This is the blade Jim will use to make the back cuts...

Cut made...

Fitting it into the frame...

The turkeys looking for food where there's no snow!

High 35.9/Low 28.6

3.22.2026

I just love the way Jim is so exact in everything he does.  We got new hooks for the shower - our old ones would randomly fall in the night and scare us, even when we figured what it was.  So time for new ones.  Jim measured and leveled tape... 

Starting to put the hooks up...

Perfectly level...

Perfection!

Rounding over the edges on the plywood bottom of the cabinet...

Jim put a new knife in the molder to make a rounded over edge for the face frames and then put the frame through...

Testing it out - going to look fabulous!

High 42.2/Low 31.2 - rainy

3.21.2026

 We woke up to a dusting of new snow on the ground and trees - it looked so pretty.  Winter is not over yet!

Jim was doing more wood prep today - using the planer...

We still have to make a trip to Lowe's for plywood, but Jim had enough to make the bottom of the cabinet.  I'm already planning how I want to fill it up!

An early day to stop and get ready for church.

High 39.6/Low 31.1