1.31.2024

Mom and I had haircuts this morning so we headed out while Jim was doing computer work.

Later, Jim was showing Mom the next steps in the baseboard process - using the molder to cut the shapes...

All the cuts are done for the cap molding - 80' worth!  He still has to make the cuts in the back to fit over the backing board.

Mom had a late afternoon doctor appointment so we left again.  We didn't get home until almost dinner time because we stopped and did a grocery run on the way home.  Jim did his run a bit early so that he could be finished so he could to unload the car (best husband ever).  

High 33/Low 27.5

 

1.30.2024

Jim worked on the computer this morning and then in the afternoon, decided to plow the driveway.  The temperatures have been very steady and there's been no wind, so the trees are holding all their snow and it still looks very magical...

He's really happy with how well the jointer is working since he aligned it and put sharpened blades in...

You can see all the baseboard and door frame stock he has piled up on the workbench, so today he took apart the molder to get it cleaned up and aligned...

Trying it out with a sample piece...

Turned out great so he may start molding pieces tomorrow...

High 28.6/Low 26

1.29.2024

 Jim did lots of planing today in the shop...

In the laundry room (AKA the Harmony Hut), Jim had to figure out how to attach the vent to the wall, because of course the holes didn't line up with the studs, plus fastening into metal is never easy...

But he did it and it looks great - just a nice finishing touch.  It took him forever to find a vent big enough for the hole.  We wanted good air circulation between the laundry room and the back of the refrigerator, and it's worked great.  

Between yesterday afternoon and overnight, we woke up to about 4" of new snow.  And it was beyond beautiful.  Pictures never do it justice, but the snow was thick on every branch.  It looked like a winter fairytale outside.

Jim and I walked down to the mailbox in the afternoon - such a beautiful sight looking into the woods...

High 32/Low 29.7 - 4" total snowfall

1.28.2024

Jim continued his maintenance work on the jointer.  He got it all aligned and then it was time to put new blades on.  He has a couple sets that he sharpens, so he can put a set in and sharpen the others later.... 

But it's another job that has to be done carefully and slowly so that everything is precisely level and accurate...

Once he got that job done and all the various tools cleaned up and put away, it was time to put the table leg cover on...

Picture perfect - I love it!

Gluing together some scraps to make more baseboard pieces...

Clamping it to dry...

Planing more wood...

Our new outdoor temperature sensor came, so Jim got it all set up.  Our daily temperature stats will be accurate once again!

High 39.1/Low 32.2 - snow in PM

1.27.2024

I ran into Saratoga this morning to do some grocery errands and pickups.  I hate going out on Sunday, but we are supposed to get snow tomorrow and I figured it was a good day to go.  Jim always helps schlep all the groceries upstairs once I get home, which is so nice!  

He spent the day doing some shop clean up.  He lost a tiny spring from the nailer he is trying to repair and has looked for it everywhere.  He even took out all the wood underneath the work bench - he needed to sort and go through that anyway, but still didn't find the spring.

It was also machine maintenance day - he periodically needs to ensure that each side of the jointer is exactly level... 

Time to get ready for church!

High 36/Low 29

1.26.2024

After doing his computer work in the morning, Jim spent the afternoon in the shop - doing lots of planing... 

Showing Mom how much he has to plain these baseboard pieces...

High 34/Low 30

1.25.2024

 Jim worked on the computer this morning and then transitioned to the shop.  Planing more wood...

He's been doing so much planing, that he had to stop and clean the pine residue from the machine...

He has stacks of wood ready for cap molding, baseboards, and door frame molding...

Painting the banquette leg cover piece...

High 36/Low 30

1.24.2024

Jim got the other side of the banquette table leg cover primed today...

Then did more wood prep, using the jointer...

And the planer...

Gluing up another section...

His molding stock pile keeps getting bigger!

High 32.7/Low 27.9

 

1.23.2024

Jim contacted the temperature sensor company yesterday and got a reply back this morning - they are sending us a new sensor!  Love companies that stand behind their products.  So if you're in need of one, click here!

Jim still can't get his gun to work, so he spent a little more time on it this morning... 

But he soon turned to more wood prep...

More glueing...

He put bevels on the banquette table leg cover...

Trying it out for size...looks great!

Next, Jim had to clamp it to the steel leg, then drill through the holes he already put in the steel and into the wood...

Once he was done, time for sanding...

Then a coat of primer on the back (you can see the predrilled holes if you look closely!)...

We're under a winter weather advisory and are forecast to get 3-6" of snow by tomorrow evening.  It did start snowing lightly this afternoon.  However, temperatures are also supposed to warm up and we may even get rain on Friday.  Worst conditions for the driveway, so we'll just see how it goes.  We don't have to go anywhere - I ran to the little store in town this morning for a few things.  Jim does a great job on the driveway but we shouldn't be dealing with rain in January!

High 35.2/Low 29.5 - little snow

1.22.2024

 Jim has a finish nailer that he's had for over 30 years that isn't working.  He bought some replacement parts and took it apart to investigate...

The old seal was in pieces!

Jim worked on the end piece for the banquette table...

It's going to look perfect!

High 30.6/Low 3.5