5.14.2026

Jim was back in the shop working on the toe boards for the cabinet.  I love that he made these out of just scrap wood - waste not, want not! 

Trying out the fit and marking locations...

Once he got them all sized, he put a coat of primer on...

The next job was to glue down the granite countertop to the cabinet.  Jim made some blocks so that he could get it perfectly centered onto the cabinet...

When Jim drew up the countertop for the company, he had wanted 1-1/2" all the way around.  However, the piece of granite that we chose was a smaller piece, and the most they could get on the width allowed for 1-1/4" overhang.  Jim made two different blocks...

Then he attached them to two sides with clamps to get everything centered...

In order to be able to glue it down, Jim lifted up one side and I inserted another block in between the counter and the cabinet...

Then he caulked underneath and we repeated that procedure on the other side...

We're just leaving it to sit up and dry but it looks beautiful!

Today is a holy day so we are off to church and then we're going to go to The Local afterwards.

High 53.5/Low 48.4 - light rain

5.13.2026

It doesn't happen often, but Jim had a frustrating Craigslist experience this morning.  He was supposed to meet someone at our local Stewart's and the guy never showed.  He texted and said he was on his way and then nothing.  Sigh.

Jim painted the moulding for in between these cabinets and gave it a last trial fit.  He'll attach it soon... 

Today, he got the fronts of the cabinet doors painted (and the hours of cleanup afterwards!)...

Drying and looking beautiful!

More pieces glued together for the cabinet toe boards...

High 52.6/Low 43.8 - light rain all day

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