Queen what? continued part four

# 8

# 8      this photo is of the base, or what will be the base. You will notice that parts are stained. When I received the kit (AKA puzzle) there were a few parts that were stained. I assume that the first person who had this kit, started working on it and for some reason stopped (gave up).

 

 

# 9

# 9      In photo # 9 the base is assembled; it's all stained and is finished. The desk will be attached to the top of the base later and the hutch will be attached to the top of the desk.

 

 

#10

#10     now we are starting to see what the unit may look like if I am able to finish it.  The base and desk are starting to take shape.  As you can see there are clamps holding the desk together and to the base.  I will take it apart and then reassemble it with glue and other fasteners. The word “fasteners” sounds more professional than the words “screwed and glued”.

 

#11

#11     in the above photo, the base and desk has been completed and are now ready for the hutch to be placed on the top.

 

#12

#12     we see the unit with the desk door opened. There are three small draws and spaces for envelopes (aka pigeon holes).

 

Thank you for reviewing this posting; we hope you will have a very nice day.

 

Don Ford

 

Multitasking complete

 

               Hello from, “The Ford Homestead of Hewitt, TX.” All is well here as we continue to update you on the tree house/fort.

               I have worked on the structure alone for the last two days as David has been under the weather. Today is Saturday and Dave is feeling well enough to come over to help finish the structure. I have been able to complete the frame and we are now ready to install the floor. There are two floors, one is 4x4 foot and the other is 4x8 foot. Working together Dave and I installed the floor making them appear as if professionals had completed the task.

               I have a couple photos for your edification.

In this photo we see Dave installing the last screw into the floor boards.

A little later my wife of 44 years arrived with some Bushes tea, as all good Texans know, “it would be hard to live without Bushes Tea”. You may notice that they have found resting areas somewhat in the shade.

In the photo below we see the completed product standing ready to be used. The grand kids have not yet seen this outstanding structure. We are hoping that they will enjoy it and not destroy it.

Thank you for reading this posting, we hope all goes well for you this week.

Don Ford

Multitasking continued

               Today is Thursday, August 01, 2013 and I have been working outside attempting to begin the erection of the tree house/fort.  Dave had planned to come over today and we were going to work on the structure together. Dave and both kids had colds so they stay home today, possibly coming to help tomorrow.

               I had taken the wood and tools to the back yard yesterday afternoon so I decided to do what I could, working alone. I will attach a photo of the progress later in the article.

               You should know the temperature was predicted to hit 103 today so I knew I would not be outside working in the afternoon. I was able to assemble the front side but the problem I had was no one to keep it standing while I worked. Since I was in between to trees I decided to get a rope and tie it to one tree, then wrap the rope around the top board and tie the other end to the other tree. This would hold the one side in place so I could add to the structure.

               The rope actually worked and I was able to work around the first side without it falling on me. I will not go into the things I have discovered that were incorrect but I will say it was less embarrassing to be working alone.

               The structure will stand alone now but it is not nearly complete or strong enough to climb on.

               I stopped working about 1:15 because it was getting too hot and there was no shade in the work area. The frame is two thirds complete and there is flooring that will be installed.

               When I stopped working I came inside and took a nice shower followed by lunch and a nap. I am now going to get my hair cut.

 

Have a cool day.

Don Ford

 

 

 

                 Don Ford  

 

                    www.first-consider-this.blogspot.com  

                        

                                                                                                                  

                  

 

Queen what? continued part two.

         

# 4

# 4      the photo above is of what will be a draw; the clamps are there to hold it together as I have not glued it yet. The face of this draw will be stained prior to final assembly.

 

 

# 5

# 5      in the photograph above you can see the beginnings of a desk.   There will be a lot of staining, gluing an occasional nail along with a few screws.

Yes there are instructions on the table. I really don’t need the instructions; I keep them for appearances only (@%$*&@^!).

 

# 6

# 6      in this photo you will see the pigeon holes for envelopes with the three drawers. This is assembled dry (no glue) to see if everything fits. This goes inside the body of the desk seen in photo # 5 above.

# 7

# 7      as you can see I am working very hard at sanding some of the wood pieces from the hutch. When this photo was taken it was 100 degrees, I had two fans directed at me. As long as I stayed seated in front of the fans the heat was bearable.

Shortly after the photo was taken, the plastic chair broke under me. It was not due to excessive weight, the chair was brittle from being outside in the sun for many years.

 

Thanks for reading this.

 

Don Ford

Multitasking

               In this day and age even an old retired person must be able to multitask. Obviously, I am not only able, but also willing to multitask. What tasks am I attempting to do simultaneously you ask. Listen Read and learn my friend.

               I am continuing to work on the Queens Anne style desk, the progress seems to have slowed as I have almost screwed up made an error in my work. At the same time I have started what was to be a tree house for the grand kids. You may have noticed that I stated, “What was to be a tree house,” that tree house has had several names but most recently has been called a fort (see photos below).

On the trailer one can see the wood that will be used in the construction of “the fort/tree house”. Have you priced weather treated wood lately, don’t.

All structures need to be on a good foundation so I have placed paving stones at the appropriate locations where the 4x4 posts will be placed.

As you may know, I am an expert at most things I do, setting stones for a fort foundation is no exception. The “average person” would have probably taken a couple hours to excavate and level these stones. It took me half of the day. Retired people (aka experts) take more breaks than the “average person”.

There is a tree near the spot where the Fort will be placed so it is kinda like a tree house.

 

On a totally different subject, my wife of 44 years and I plan to look for a new vehicle for her. I have in mind the smallest gas saving sports utility vehicle available and she wants something that seats 7 with a lot of room. I hope we can find something in the middle. I have no idea how we will pay for a new vehicle since we are on a fixed income. Donations may be sent to; “The Ford Homestead Foundation of Hewitt” please identify all donations to be directed to the new vehicle fund. 

               I did stipulate one requirement that I have in order for me to participate in this vehicle hunting event; my wife of 44 years must buy my lunch today.

 

               Last Saturday we attended the company picnic (Do it Best Corp) and I must say everyone seemed to have a good time. The kids were kept busy on the bouncy house and water slide. The weather even cooperated with what seemed to be cooler temps and a nice breeze.  They had drawing for prizes and as you know I am a winner in most of the things I do. Yep, I won a prize.

               Most companies do almost nothing for their employees; picnics and parties are almost a thing of the past. Those that work for Do it best Corp should take time occasionally to consider what their company does for them.

              

Have a good day and a gooder week! 

Don Ford

 

Queen, what?

 

          I thought I would show you a little bit of a project (aka puzzle) that will likely take me several weeks to complete if I have the patience. 

The first three photographs are of the parts and pieces of this puzzle (project).

My son Patrick gave me this project saying, “it might give you something to do”. Someone purchased this as a project and at some point they decided it was more than what they wanted to do, they gave it to Patrick.

Truthfully speaking, I am not real sure that it will ever be completed.

I found that most of the pieces were there although a couple things were missing. I can manufacturer or purchase those parts.

 

# 1

# 2

You are not supposed to be looking at the items in the back ground or the fact that there is a rug on the floor of the garage.

# 3

            I have been working on this project for several weeks now and I still am not done. Even though the project is not complete, I have decided to post some photos of the process and progress.

            I had originally thought there were some missing pieces but I eventually found all the items.

 

Have an good day, get outside and enjoy it. Less work, more play!

Thank You

 

An Overnight Surprise!

               It is true that there are often surprises here at the Ford Homestead, so we have decided to let you, “a non-Homesteader” in on what was a true overnight surprise to us all.

               This particular surprise was even a surprise to my constant companion, Tejas. He had indicated that he had lifted his leg at this particular area just the day before and had not noticed any change in the backdrop.

               My spouse of 44 years and both grandkids was standing near the surprise, more or less in awe of the beauty, when they were cruelly attack by fire ants. This seemed odd to me as I had earlier in the day spread fire ant killer (over & out) on the front and back yards. I actually purchased the product from the local Lowes as they had a better price than Do it Best Corp.

               The grandkids wanted to swim and that is why we were in the back yard and near the surprise. I have a photo that I will post below of the surprise in all its glory.

               I find it interesting that these plants which are known as, “Surprise Lilly’s”, are truly a surprise when you see them.

How can something this tall and pretty just pop up overnight. I assume it has something to do with the 4 inches of rain we had over a several day period of time.

For that one unusual person that is looking to see where Tejas had lifted his leg, you are a weird duck for even thinking about that.  

The heavy rain, afore mentioned in this article, has had a negative effect on our 4-oclocks (aka “O’clocks” as they bloom at various times daily) have become too heavy and are bending over into our walk way.

               I thought you might enjoy the below photo. These flowers bloom in the morning and the blooms are gone by late afternoon.

 

I am still working on the Queen Anne Desk and I have completed 2/3s of the project. The bottom and the mid-section that has the drawers and desk are now complete. I have stained the top portion which is the Hutch and have begun the varnishing of the hutch. Varnishing is very difficult as it dries so quickly. I will post photos of the process if I am able to complete the project and if it isn’t too embarrassing.

 

I hope you have an excellent and healthy day!

 

Don Ford

 

It Never Fails.

            First, allow me to start by saying I was opposed to it from the beginning. I knew this would happen and it has. I can’t understand why others do not listen to me.

            For those of you who are fortunate enough to live in Texas, you should already know that it has been hot. When I say hot I mean, “Hotter than Hell”, with day time temperatures exceeding 100 on a regular basis. It would often cool down to 80 at night, obviously not providing any relief. 

            My wife of 44 years who has a birthday tomorrow wanted me to get the kids swimming pool out of the shed and put it in the back yard so the kids could swim.

            To the person that doesn’t have to get the pool out of the shed, put air in it then fill it with expensive water (you know I am on a fixed income) you don’t understand all the effort it takes to erect the “kids pool”.

            It was Saturday about noon; I had just finished my sandwich and was sitting in the house watching TCM (Turner Classic Movies) when my youngest son arrived. Dave had come over to help get the pool out and install it in the back yard. I commented on the fact that it was already 100 degrees and we would have to move items around in the shed to get to the pool. I could not discourage Dave so we went outdoors into the sweltering heat. I was happy that we have a few trees in the back yard to provide some shelter from the sun (AKA shade). 

            We removed some items from the shed including three saws that we had been storing for Dave. The pool, pump and tarps were all in a hamper; we did not need to search for anything. I took the air compressor and an extension cord from the shed to inflate the pool ring. All in all it only took about 30 minutes to get it ready to insert the water.

            Dave began picking up the tools and we returned everything to its proper resting place in the shed, except for Dave saws which we loaded onto my pick up. Removal of the table saw provides needed room in the shed. Now “I don’t have to go outside the shed to change my mind”. (That was a joke just in case you didn’t get it and if you need me to explain you can send me a comment and I will be happy to explain the so called joke.)

            I finished filling the pool later in the day and at about 9:00pm after the sun had gone down and most of the neighbors would not be watching I proceeded to the pool and got in. The water was just the right temp. I would have stayed in the pool longer but I finished my drink.

            What? You want to know what the above has to do with the heading “It Never Fails”?  Don’t be so impatient; I can’t believe how rude some people are interrupting a senior citizen telling a story.

            All the above occurred on Saturday:

A little back ground for those of you who are meteorology challenged; the summer solstice occurred June 21^st and the days are getting shorter indicating that Fall and Winter are on their way. That also indicates cool temperatures that are not conducive to swimming. 

            Sunday, (the first full day for the pool to be in operation) it began to rain. There was light rain all day with a total of ¼ inch of rain. The day time high temperature was 75.

Sunday night it rained all night accumulating and extra 2.75 inches of precipitation for a total of 3 inches.  

Monday morning it is still raining and the high today is expected to be in the mid-70s.

It never fails, you try to have an outdoor activity for the grandkids which involved hot weather and the cold front arrives with rain.

Rain, rain go away, come again some other day, little Donnie wants to play. 

 

In all honesty we have needed this rain and we are thankful for the rain and cool temps.

 

We hope you have an outstanding day and wonderful week.

 

Don Ford