A great new adventure

Today we go for a wonderful new adventure. We've been counting the days for what seems like a very long time. Saturday was the appointed day.

Last week I was in a lumberyard and noticed a small pink tape measure on the shelf. I thought of Phoebe (my grand daughter) of course and immediately bought it for her. It was different from the many other tape measures in my shop - and special for her. As I drove home I thought that Phoebe, now six and a half was old enough for some tools of her very own. She has spent countless hours in the shop helping me. Tools of her own would make it very special. When I presented her with the tape measure I asked her to pick any drawer in my giant tool boxes for her very own. We would have Donna create some vinyl lters identifying it as Phoebe's drawer. The first task was to take out my tools and clean the drawer. Then Phoebe used her new tape measure to figure out how big the name letters needed to be. 1.5" x 7" long looked to be perfect. And the letters needed to be a light blue color, please - Phoebe's favorite. 

THen we sat down and thought carefully of the tools Phoebe needs. We made a list so we would not forget. A hammer was a must of course. Screwdrivers also came to mind. A wrench set was a must. A tool belt would keep them handy when she was working. And pencils and felt markers were also very necessary.

We found a tool bag in the shop that was perfect. Some soapstone was also added to the collection. And we already had a wonderful tape measure. With the list in hand it was time to go to town to do some serious shopping...  right after a snack of course.

-grampa dan

Nothing like working with family!

I've had the pleasure of working with my kids(now grown) for many years. Rebecca came and went for a bunch of years, returning to work with us for the last decade. Peter worked with me for better than fourten years befor moving on to realise his dream of being an animator. In the last three years he has been getting a degree in mathematics with the goal of becoming a nhigh school math teacher. - a worthwhile dream.

Between semesters he sometimes gives me a hand. Each time I am reminded how it was back in the day. With Peter I dont need to complete my sentences. He can look at the most basic sketch and simply start building. He's a chip off the block, tape measures, squares and levels are optional for like me he builds by eye to a visual standard. The things we build simply have to be right.

I saved one of the most challenging areas for when I knew we would have Peter. My plan was simple. It would go much, much faster than with anyne else I know. The contractor came through the trap door for the first time today to take a look at the progress. He was amazed!  It made me smile. But it gets better tomorrow.

Tomorrow my daughter Rebecca joins the crew. Then it will REALLY go fast!

-grampa dan

Hidden in plain sight

Things are always a bit hectic after a trip. There are plenty of calls to return, messages to answer and chores that need doing. And on the worksite I scrambled to bring in the materials we needed as well as organize the crew once more. In my absence the carpenters had prepped the next area we are to work... the old pub upper area and fireplace. They had removed what we didn't need and built a temporary floor over the sunken area around the fireplace. This allowed the pub to continued operating whie we worked above - hidden from view. A trap door opens when we need up or down.

The new feature we are building is a london rooftop, complete with many brick chimneys. The last two days have been spent framing the roofs and gables. Tomorrow we begin on the chimneys.

Colorful signs will hang from the heavy beams on the gables. Once our work is done we will remove the temporary floor and then work on the chimney/fireplace below. It will be a wonderful feature when we are done!

-grampa dan