2.28.2023

 Jim started cutting the tile for the boxes on this wall - check out the very tiny pieces!

The marble tiles are so brittle that Jim had to make a wood jig to support the tile while he cuts...

Making good progress...

However, we are a bit nervous because it probably didn't click with us that this was marble tile.  So it's porous and apt to stain.  We did a few science experiments on scraps with wine and ketchup - we were able to clean both.  We're going to investigate good sealants and probably different, darker tile to go right behind the stove.

Jim worked in the metal shop some this afternoon, making support pieces to attach the drawer glides.  He had to reorder some after the debacle with the last ones.

Then he headed outside to clean up after the winter storm - we probably got a total of 6-7".  It was real fine and then compacted some as the day went on.  Mom has a doctor appointment tomorrow so Jim was sweet to clean it late in the afternoon so we wouldn't have any issues getting out.

High 30.9/Low 23.8 - 6" snow

2.27.2023

Jim did more computer work this morning.  He's starting to design the backs of the bench seats.

He also took some measurements on the placement of the two boxes on this wall - he'll have to cut those areas out of the tile... 

Jim cut the first tile squared on the edges to see how it would cut.  He said the marble seemed kind of brittle - so we'll see how this goes!  But it sure is going to look great!

Starting to transfer measurements...

In the metal shop, Jim completed the rest of the base work and brought down the wood frame...

High 33.7/Low 15.9

2.26.2023

Jim finished up his email and attachments this morning for the first submission on our drop box destruction issue.  He sent it off and we'll see how things go from here. 

Time to get ready for tile in the kitchen!  Jim took the receptacle covers off, covered the countertop, and did some placement markings on the wall...

He mixed up the adhesive and started putting it on the wall...

Placing the bottom edging...

Adhesive on the side...

Placing that edge...

Placing the top edge...

All done and drying...

After doing all the cleanup after that job, Jim decided to do a little work on his desk, replacing the glides and fastening the cords to the back...

High 33/Low 13.5

2.25.2023

Jim did some computer work this morning.  He also continued to work on his submission to Ferrell Gas for the destruction of our package box, including starting to work on some cost estimates.  This entire accident has such time implications, even without considering that it will have to be rebuilt and remounted. 

However, I think it felt good to get back in the shop and get his hands dirty a bit!  He started gluing up wood that will be used to make the seat backs of the benches...

In the metal shop, he got the vertical pieces all welded on, perfectly plumb and straight...

Doing grinding of the welds...

He went down to get the mail and apparently at least the UPS driver still figured out the box is usable.  Very sad looking.

Time to get ready for church!

High 17.2/Low 5.6 - cold!

2.24.2023

We're still in shock over the destruction of our package box, but today is a new day.  I am in awe of Jim's attitude - I'm sure he felt like yelling or throwing something yesterday, but he never does!  He knows that no matter how depressing this incident is, we are still blessed to get up and start a new day.  

However, the incident still occupied his entire day.  He did glue the end pieces on the tile edging and came up for a fit...

But after doing some computer work, he spent the rest of the morning finishing making his box to send back the drawer glides and getting it all ready to be mailed back.  He also sold a car part on eBay, so he had to package that up.

The afternoon was spent trying to come up with the right story and accompanying pictures to send to the gas company.  He has a really good writeup now but will wait and send it first thing Monday morning.

Mom and I went out after lunch to the post office and UPS to mail all the packages back and do a grocery store pickup while we were out.  When we were coming home, the view of the box from the road was depressing too!

High 32.5/Low 10.4 - ice last night

2.23.2023

 

We ended up getting 3-4" of snow overnight.  It was so pretty and looked the way winter is supposed to outside!

Jim had ordered a propane gas top off over the weekend because the driveway had been in great shape and the weather was good.  But they didn't come until this morning.  Jim got a call from the driver - he was starting to back up the driveway and a snowplow was coming down the street, so he quickly backed up to get out of the way.  And backed his giant propane truck directly into our brand new package drop box!  The driver was nice and apologetic and sent Jim these pictures...

Direct hit...

We were all just sick.  Jim spent months of his time building the box and it was perfection.  The driver said that he called it into his dispatch and they would reach out to us.

In the afternoon, Jim went out and plowed the driveway.  This would be his first look at the damage once he got down to the street.

Ugh - it's even worse than the driver's pictures made it seem...

Totally cracked the solid concrete post...

The steel anchor bolts just bent like spaghetti, and one completely sheared off...

Another view...

Knocked the wood on the roof off...

Destroyed the steel siding...

Bent the entire frame so that the perfectly-aligned door is no more...

While not important, the trash can suffered some collateral damage too.  We didn't want to be liable for damages, so we called our trash company and they are going to replace it...

Jim used the bucket on the Bobcat to push the post over so that the box would still be usable.  We didn't want to touch anything else in case the gas company needed to send an insurance adjuster out.

Trying to get the dirt up against the post a bit...

This box has been up only 6 weeks.  Our old box stood for over 4 years without a scratch.  Just makes us sick.  The time and energy that Jim will have to expend to get this fixed up just puts his whole schedule way behind.  Plus, fixing broken things and getting them to be "new" again is so hard.  Obviously the post is trash and all that will have to be done - so renting equipment again will be involved.  

The gas company never called so Jim eventually called them.  It's on us to provide pictures, a story, and an estimate of costs involved.  Even that is a huge time sink.

The problems kept on coming.  Jim finally heard back from the company about the drawer glide issue.  They will accept the return and give us full credit, but we have to pay to send them back.  And they have to be in the original box if it had any manufacturing marks.  But these things are heavy!  Sending them back in two separate boxes would be really cost prohibitive.  So Jim packaged one back in the original box...

The other one had come in a plain box but it was really big and would have added to the cost.  So Jim opened it up and started making his own box to send both back together...

At the end of the day, we know we have much to be thankful for but it's hard not to focus on this problem right now.  The box was just so nice and it made me happy every time I pulled in the driveway!  Sigh...

High 28.2/Low 22.1 - 4" of snow

2.22.2023

We are forecast for some snowy weather over the next few days, so Mom and I headed out early to do some grocery pickups and Lowe's stop.  

Jim laid out a couple more pieces of tile on the bench just to get a better idea of how it is going to look - I love it! 

Ugh.  Jim has been waiting for his drawer glides to come in for use underneath the bench seats.  We paid a lot of money for these glides because they are so long and can hold a lot of weight.  However, when they came, there was only one glide instead of the set that you need for a drawer!  So then we would have to reorder at that expensive price to get glides for the other side.  It goes without saying that Jim contacted the company and is going to start a return.  

Jim got set up to do the final welding and grinding of the other bench base...

We watched Ash Wednesday services at noon today so that Jim could still do his exercise routine in the evening so it seemed like a short day!

High 34.1/Low 28 - Winter weather advisory

2.21.2023

Jim had glued the side support pieces into the frame yesterday, so now the wood frame is essentially done...

Continuing to work on fabricating the other base frame - the bottom is all tack welded together and he started cutting the vertical pieces...

Jim and I spent awhile at the end of the day talking kitchen tile.  We had to figure out where we wanted the tile to end, how we were going to do the different trim pieces, and how to make all that work without making it a career project for Jim!

Trying out the tile...

Jim measured the undercounter distance and it was exactly 18" - downstairs on the bench measuring a full tile and 6 additional rows plus trim equals 18"!  So perfect news - at least cutting the top all the way around shouldn't be an issue.  There are still lots of other things to figure out but this was a fun start - I'm so excited about the way it looks!

High 40/Low 24.3