Hello. I'm back. :)
I know it's been a few weeks since my last post, but I've had good reason. Really. I was making a video!
Everyone seems to be so visual these days, so I decided to create a commercial of sorts for the business. This was my first foray into video making and it took some practice. Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty easy, but that learning curve was not fun. The hardest part turned out to be loading the music and uploading it to Youtube. It would figure that Moviemaker saves in a format that isn't compatible.
So here is it. Let me know what you think.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Walnut Prices Going Up?
This week the woodworking world received some devastating news. Pennsylvania, one of the regions largest hardwood sources, restricted the movement of walnut into and throughout the state.
Why? Thousand Cankers Disease.
Thousand Cankers Disease is carried by Walnut Twig Beetles. They burrow under the bark of walnut trees and leave behind a fungus. As more and more beetles infect the tree, it impedes the tree's ability to process nutrients and it starves. Once infected with this fungus, a walnut tree can die within ten years.As of now, there is no known cure.
So what does this mean for consumers? As with everything else, when supply goes down, prices go up. Woodworkers will need to be aware of what walnut is available and alternatives they can offer their clients due to the increased pricing.
From the looks of things, it will be a long road ahead. All we can do is hope they find a cure soon and we do not loose all Pennsylvania walnut.
http://woodworkingnetwork.com/Thousand-Cankers-Disease-in-Pennsylvania-Trees/2011-08-12/Article.aspx?oid=1334693
http://woodworkingnetwork.com/Walnut-lumber-transport-banned-by-Pennsylvania/2011-08-14/NewsArticle.aspx?oid=1334710&fid=WWN-INDUSTRY-NEWS&aid=2155
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Factory of the Future?
It seems that everywhere you look today everyone is talking about lean manufacturing. The concept is not new, really. I mean people in every industry have been trying to find better, more efficient, ways of doing things since time began. It's just the way of things.
Competition is also not a recent development. There has always been someone out there who will make whatever it is you do for less or faster or better than you. It's just the nature of the beast.
What I find mind boggling is the way in which the woodworking industry is responding to said competition.
I was reading an article this morning over at CabinetMaker/FDM.com titled What's the furniture factory of the future look like? Surprise, surprise, it was talking about the need for furniture manufacturers to be efficient in order to compete in the global market. "To compete globally, U.S. producers must strip their existing plants to the floor and install newer means of building furniture that will satisfy their customers."
Now, I have no problems with efficient building. My husband is a 'yankee', which means he uses every scrap of wood he can before he's forced to call it waste. Most of the wood that ends up in our scrap pile is less than an inch wide and the thickness of shims. There's not a whole lot you can do with that other than use it as kindling. Even our sawdust gets reused by either local farmers as bedding for their animals or as mulch in our garden.
The question, however, becomes... How lean is too lean?
The article goes on to say, "This operation can build semi-custom, upper-medium priced wood furniture for consumers who demand a wide selection of style, configuration, species, and finish." My question is, where are the craftsman? Where are the people who, for years, to learn their craft, to perfect it?
Unfortunately, this is something as a woodworker's wife I see all too often. Skill and quality are pushed aside for price and speed. The end product is only as good as the person behind it. Where is the pride?
That is one thing I never have to worry about with anything my husband builds. Every piece is important to him. If something goes wrong, he takes it personally. He inspects every board of wood that comes into his shop and finds the best use for it. Machines alone can't do this. We need quality people behind them.
Maybe if we focused on quality verses quantity, the industry as a whole would be better.
Competition is also not a recent development. There has always been someone out there who will make whatever it is you do for less or faster or better than you. It's just the nature of the beast.
What I find mind boggling is the way in which the woodworking industry is responding to said competition.
I was reading an article this morning over at CabinetMaker/FDM.com titled What's the furniture factory of the future look like? Surprise, surprise, it was talking about the need for furniture manufacturers to be efficient in order to compete in the global market. "To compete globally, U.S. producers must strip their existing plants to the floor and install newer means of building furniture that will satisfy their customers."
Now, I have no problems with efficient building. My husband is a 'yankee', which means he uses every scrap of wood he can before he's forced to call it waste. Most of the wood that ends up in our scrap pile is less than an inch wide and the thickness of shims. There's not a whole lot you can do with that other than use it as kindling. Even our sawdust gets reused by either local farmers as bedding for their animals or as mulch in our garden.
The question, however, becomes... How lean is too lean?
The article goes on to say, "This operation can build semi-custom, upper-medium priced wood furniture for consumers who demand a wide selection of style, configuration, species, and finish." My question is, where are the craftsman? Where are the people who, for years, to learn their craft, to perfect it?
Unfortunately, this is something as a woodworker's wife I see all too often. Skill and quality are pushed aside for price and speed. The end product is only as good as the person behind it. Where is the pride?
That is one thing I never have to worry about with anything my husband builds. Every piece is important to him. If something goes wrong, he takes it personally. He inspects every board of wood that comes into his shop and finds the best use for it. Machines alone can't do this. We need quality people behind them.
Maybe if we focused on quality verses quantity, the industry as a whole would be better.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Certification, Does it matter?
This week in my inbox, I received a notification from Modern Woodworking that Cabinet Makers Group is lunching a 'certification program' for woodworkers. For years it has been obvious that there is--as they put it--a 'gaping hole' in the industry, and it's true.
Years ago, if you wanted to become a cabinetmaker/woodworker, you found a master in the craft and you requested an apprenticeship. This was not easy work. You were basically there to me a gopher and to do the grunt work, whatever the master cabinetmaker wanted you to do. This position was usually unpaid with only room and board being provided.
As the time and often years would go on, the apprentice would take on more responsibility and be allowed more tasks that required greater and greater skill. Once the master felt the apprentice had learned all the basic skills needed for the craft, he would release him from his apprenticeship and send him out into the world.
The newly released apprentice has now earned the right and position of a journeyman and is free and qualified to seek paying work as a cabinetmaker. Journeymen would travel around, usually hiring on under another master cabinetmaker where he would continue to hone his skills. They didn't tend to stay in one place for extended periods of time, which only farther explains their title. The goal was to work under several masters and learn from them, to blend skill and knowledge.
Once a journeyman felt he could learn all he could by working under another master, he would find a location to set up his own shop. An apprentice was typically taken on and the journeyman now becomes the master starting the cycle over again.
This process no longer happens today.
Today, most woodworkers are self taught. They either have an interest in it, so they buy some tools and do a little research to get started, or, they get hired on at a shop and learn as they go. Now, you may not be thinking this second option sounds much different than how things used to be, right?
Wrong. It is very different. Remember what I said about most of the woodworkers today were self taught? This means that there are very few masters to do the teaching. What ends up happening is fellow workers, usually not much more skilled than the new addition, try and teach. All they know are the basics, so that is what gets past on. When a situation arises that doesn't fit the specific skills they've learned, they are lost.
So back to the certification Cabinet Maker group is offering. This is a section from their e-mail describing their program.
"he CMA’s program requires testing in major areas of business operations, and classroom instruction will be offered. All participants in the program will begin with a business ethics session, then enrollees will move into basic certification curriculum, according to CMA.
The basic level graduate will exhibit advanced knowledge in business management, machinery, wood physics, design, finishing, safety education and the basics of measuring, CMA executives said.
Master level graduates will show expert knowledge in at least seven of the following areas:
http://www.modernwoodworking.com/blog-details/cabinet-makers-group/3545
Now, I have no problem with this really. I think it is definitely a step in the right direction. But there is only so much one can learn on-line in a craft that is very hands on. As an industry, we need to find a way to fix this problem and not loose the knowledge and skills that have been passed down through the centuries.
Years ago, if you wanted to become a cabinetmaker/woodworker, you found a master in the craft and you requested an apprenticeship. This was not easy work. You were basically there to me a gopher and to do the grunt work, whatever the master cabinetmaker wanted you to do. This position was usually unpaid with only room and board being provided.
As the time and often years would go on, the apprentice would take on more responsibility and be allowed more tasks that required greater and greater skill. Once the master felt the apprentice had learned all the basic skills needed for the craft, he would release him from his apprenticeship and send him out into the world.
The newly released apprentice has now earned the right and position of a journeyman and is free and qualified to seek paying work as a cabinetmaker. Journeymen would travel around, usually hiring on under another master cabinetmaker where he would continue to hone his skills. They didn't tend to stay in one place for extended periods of time, which only farther explains their title. The goal was to work under several masters and learn from them, to blend skill and knowledge.
Once a journeyman felt he could learn all he could by working under another master, he would find a location to set up his own shop. An apprentice was typically taken on and the journeyman now becomes the master starting the cycle over again.
This process no longer happens today.
Today, most woodworkers are self taught. They either have an interest in it, so they buy some tools and do a little research to get started, or, they get hired on at a shop and learn as they go. Now, you may not be thinking this second option sounds much different than how things used to be, right?
Wrong. It is very different. Remember what I said about most of the woodworkers today were self taught? This means that there are very few masters to do the teaching. What ends up happening is fellow workers, usually not much more skilled than the new addition, try and teach. All they know are the basics, so that is what gets past on. When a situation arises that doesn't fit the specific skills they've learned, they are lost.
So back to the certification Cabinet Maker group is offering. This is a section from their e-mail describing their program.
"he CMA’s program requires testing in major areas of business operations, and classroom instruction will be offered. All participants in the program will begin with a business ethics session, then enrollees will move into basic certification curriculum, according to CMA.
The basic level graduate will exhibit advanced knowledge in business management, machinery, wood physics, design, finishing, safety education and the basics of measuring, CMA executives said.
Master level graduates will show expert knowledge in at least seven of the following areas:
- Tools
- Portable Power Tools
- Machinery (Master Level)
- Shop Drawings/Design Drawings
- Software
- CNC Machinery
- Marketing
- Lean Manufacturing
- Finance & Computer Assisted Bookkeeping
- Shop/Job Site Safety
- Green Manufacturing
http://www.modernwoodworking.com/blog-details/cabinet-makers-group/3545
Now, I have no problem with this really. I think it is definitely a step in the right direction. But there is only so much one can learn on-line in a craft that is very hands on. As an industry, we need to find a way to fix this problem and not loose the knowledge and skills that have been passed down through the centuries.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Steam Threshers
If you like history, you need to mark your calendar for the third weekend in July for the Miami Valley Steam Threshers in Plain City, Ohio. My husband and I go every year.
If you don't know what Steam Threshers are, don't be too worried. Unless you were around at the beginning of the last century or know a lot about the history of the industrial revolution in America, then you probably wouldn't. Steam threshers, at least in the context of this festival, are machines that ran on coal and wood to produce steam in order to power the engine of whatever piece of equipment was being used.
At this particular show, they have things set up in sections all over the park. There is also a large flea market scattered throughout where you can find anything from old farm tools and engines, to hand planes, to Mary Kay. You really don't know what you'll find.
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One more picture I wanted to share with you. I took this near the sawmill demonstration. These three boys are playing with pieces of coal. They are getting completely filthy and having a great time doing it!
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If you don't know what Steam Threshers are, don't be too worried. Unless you were around at the beginning of the last century or know a lot about the history of the industrial revolution in America, then you probably wouldn't. Steam threshers, at least in the context of this festival, are machines that ran on coal and wood to produce steam in order to power the engine of whatever piece of equipment was being used.
At this particular show, they have things set up in sections all over the park. There is also a large flea market scattered throughout where you can find anything from old farm tools and engines, to hand planes, to Mary Kay. You really don't know what you'll find.
This year there were several vendors with hand planes and other wood working tools, so Nick was in heaven going through all the various items. He managed to find a damaged plane with replacement parts he needed, a saw vice, and a 5 1/5 Stanley plane.
There is a section in the back set up with some of the old engines. These are engines that are not attached to any piece of equipment, but are in working order and during peek times, the owners have them fired up and running for people to see.
There is also a section set up for tractors. Row upon row of all different types of tractors. Little ones, big ones...it doesn't matter. They are everywhere.
Another highlight of the festival is the sawmill. Ever wonder how logs were cut into usable boards around the turn of the century? 
It is an amazing sight and people crowd around the action whenever it is up and running. One more picture I wanted to share with you. I took this near the sawmill demonstration. These three boys are playing with pieces of coal. They are getting completely filthy and having a great time doing it!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Garage Sale Find
My husband Nick has a sort of obsession with garage sales. He absolutely loves them. Every time he sees one of those little posters on the side of the road advertising a garage sale or yard sale, he wants to stop.
This weekend was no different. As we made our way around town, he sought out the garage sale signs. The first four were very disappointing, and we walked away with nothing. But out of nowhere we came upon what looked to be yard sale right out by the road, but instead of having the typical garage sale poster out in the yard, there were 'for sale' signs.
We stopped, and sure enough, it was a yard sale. The man was eighty-one years old and cleaning out his garage to get rid of 'thirty years of things he was never going to use'.
This was what we'd been looking for. Nick immediately spotted a profile plane and an adjustable T-bevel.
This weekend was no different. As we made our way around town, he sought out the garage sale signs. The first four were very disappointing, and we walked away with nothing. But out of nowhere we came upon what looked to be yard sale right out by the road, but instead of having the typical garage sale poster out in the yard, there were 'for sale' signs.
We stopped, and sure enough, it was a yard sale. The man was eighty-one years old and cleaning out his garage to get rid of 'thirty years of things he was never going to use'.
This was what we'd been looking for. Nick immediately spotted a profile plane and an adjustable T-bevel.
The profile plane was the real find here. They are rare to find in this condition. The iron looked like it had probably been used once and tucked away. It all goes to show that you'll never know what you'll find at a garage sale!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
We have a winner!
Throughout this years BIA parade of homes at Olentangy Falls, we had a drawing set up where those going through the homes could enter to win the eight foot farm table we had on display along with the matching bench. Over the course of the parade, we got many compliments on the table and had over 800 entries.
Yesterday I drew the name of our winner, Linda Harrah of Westerville, Ohio. She was very excited about winning. Tonight we met her at the house and she took possession of her prize. Linda is now the proud owner of the beautiful farm table and matching bench that was on display at the parade.
Congratulations Linda!
Yesterday I drew the name of our winner, Linda Harrah of Westerville, Ohio. She was very excited about winning. Tonight we met her at the house and she took possession of her prize. Linda is now the proud owner of the beautiful farm table and matching bench that was on display at the parade.
Congratulations Linda!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Starliner Diner
Tonight Nick and I decided to try out Starliner Diner. He's from New Jersey; there are diners everywhere there. It's a lot different in Ohio. You can find one here and there, but they are rare. Starliner Diner is only about a 20 minute drive from our house, but after almost a decade, we'd never made the trip to have dinner there.
We'd both heard a lot about the place. Everyone raved about the food. Apparently they have won awards for their breakfast. What we were surprised about was the menu. Instead of 'normal' diner far, there was a Mexican/Cuban/Cajun flare to all the selections.
Nick and I are not overly fond of spicy foods, so it took us a while to decided on what to eat. He settled on a BBQ chicken sandwich, I went with a chicken burrito. Both ended up being very good, however, the salsa that was served with Nick's tortillas chips, and the chili sauce that came with my burrito, were a little too spicy for us. Thankfully, our server suggested I get the chili sauce on the side.
All in all, it was a decent dinner, although I'm not sure we will be going there for dinner again any time soon.
The Starliner Diner is located at 5240 Cemetery Road in Hilliard, Ohio. You can check out their menu on their website http://www.starlinerdiner.com/.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Purple Road
We've been having a lot of rain here lately. Honestly, I can't remember a day when we haven't had some rain. But a couple of nights ago, I looked out the window of my study and the road outside of our house had a purple glow to it.
This was taken about eight o'clock at night, just before the sun was completely set. It didn't stick around long, but it was beautiful while it lasted.
This was taken about eight o'clock at night, just before the sun was completely set. It didn't stick around long, but it was beautiful while it lasted.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Mud Hole or Parking Lot
If you've never been to on of the past parades, you may not know that they park the cars in fields. The only thing between you and the mud is the grass that naturally grows there.
It has rained almost every day since the BIA Parade of Homes started on June 11th, and this is what the workers parking lot looks like.
The space that is now mud is supposed to be used for parking as well, but fearing getting stuck, we are all trying to park on the perimeter and a strip that is slightly elevated and therefore drier than the rest. So far I've been lucky and not gotten stuck every time I've worked. I'm crossing my fingers that continues to be the case.
The BIA Parade of Homes runs until this Sunday, June 26th.
It has rained almost every day since the BIA Parade of Homes started on June 11th, and this is what the workers parking lot looks like.
The space that is now mud is supposed to be used for parking as well, but fearing getting stuck, we are all trying to park on the perimeter and a strip that is slightly elevated and therefore drier than the rest. So far I've been lucky and not gotten stuck every time I've worked. I'm crossing my fingers that continues to be the case.
The BIA Parade of Homes runs until this Sunday, June 26th.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Daddy's Hands
Today is Father's Day. As kids, we give dad t-shirts saying 'world greatest dad', coffee mugs with '#1 dad' written on the side. By the time we are adults, it's usually a card.
Coming home today, I was listening to the song 'Daddy's Hands' on the radio. It's a country song that's been around for years. It's one of those songs that makes you think, remember, your childhood.
Coming home today, I was listening to the song 'Daddy's Hands' on the radio. It's a country song that's been around for years. It's one of those songs that makes you think, remember, your childhood.
I remember Daddy´s hands, folded silently in prayer.
And reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy´s hands, how they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I´ve forgotten, that I loved about the man,
But I´ll always remember the love in Daddy´s hands.
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.
I remember Daddy´s hands, working 'til they bled.
Sacrificed unselfishly, just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I´d live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in Daddy´s hands.
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love .....
In Daddy´s hands.
And reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy´s hands, how they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I´ve forgotten, that I loved about the man,
But I´ll always remember the love in Daddy´s hands.
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.
I remember Daddy´s hands, working 'til they bled.
Sacrificed unselfishly, just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I´d live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in Daddy´s hands.
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love .....
In Daddy´s hands.
This is the first Father's Day without my dad. I'm not really sure how I was supposed to feel today, but it has been emotional is a weird way. There were many 'father' songs played to day in honor of Father's Days. I guess this song stood out to me because it is talking about her father in the past tense, like he is no longer there, which I could relate to.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Social Security?
At the age of 34, I, thankfully, do not normally deal with the social security administration often. Recently, however, that has changed.
My father died in March, and I've been trying to help my mother navigate the many obstacles that come with the death of a spouse. Let me tell you, if you've never had to deal with it, be grateful. It is a maze that seems to have no end.
Social security has been one of those apparently never ending mazes. Today was just another in a long line of hoops that we have had to jump through.
They encourage people to use their website. That's not uncommon now a days and I've proficient in using most websites, so I did not foresee a problem.
A letter was sent about a month ago giving her a user name and temporary password to use. We went to the site listed, followed the instructions, and set up a new password for her. Easy, right? That's what I thought. However, today, was the first time we'd tried to go back into the system with the new password. First there was nowhere to actually 'log in'. You'd think that would be front and center, but after scanning the entire page, I couldn't find anywhere that said 'log in' or 'sign in'.
After about fifteen minutes of clicking on various things that looked promising, I was directed to a place to enter her user id and password. Wouldn't you know...it didn't work.
In the end, we decided to just call the local office and take care of the change by phone. So much for easy updates and changes via their website.
My father died in March, and I've been trying to help my mother navigate the many obstacles that come with the death of a spouse. Let me tell you, if you've never had to deal with it, be grateful. It is a maze that seems to have no end.
Social security has been one of those apparently never ending mazes. Today was just another in a long line of hoops that we have had to jump through.
They encourage people to use their website. That's not uncommon now a days and I've proficient in using most websites, so I did not foresee a problem.
A letter was sent about a month ago giving her a user name and temporary password to use. We went to the site listed, followed the instructions, and set up a new password for her. Easy, right? That's what I thought. However, today, was the first time we'd tried to go back into the system with the new password. First there was nowhere to actually 'log in'. You'd think that would be front and center, but after scanning the entire page, I couldn't find anywhere that said 'log in' or 'sign in'.
After about fifteen minutes of clicking on various things that looked promising, I was directed to a place to enter her user id and password. Wouldn't you know...it didn't work.
In the end, we decided to just call the local office and take care of the change by phone. So much for easy updates and changes via their website.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Old Friends and No Apples
Today I spent a few hours at the parade of homes. All went well, but it started to sprinkle so I decided to leave a little earlier than planned. As I neared my car in the parking lot, I ran into a friend I haven't seen in a while. She was there to man a booth for her new job. We spent a few minutes catching up before she had to get going.
After that I decided to head over to Yutzy's farm market for some apples.
I love this place. They have homemade items like jelly's and jams along with fruit, breads, and candies. You could go hog wild in this place.
One of my favorite things is the lunch meat and cheese counter.
Every week they run a meat and cheese special. When you go to the grocery store here you normally pay anywhere from $4.99-$8.99 for meat. Their meat specials usually run about $2.99-$3.99, cheese $1.99-$2.99. And to sweeten the deal, it tends to last in the refrigerator two to three times as long. I love it!
The downside to this trip,however, was that they were out of apples. Hopefully, I will have better luck next time.
After that I decided to head over to Yutzy's farm market for some apples.
I love this place. They have homemade items like jelly's and jams along with fruit, breads, and candies. You could go hog wild in this place.
One of my favorite things is the lunch meat and cheese counter.
Every week they run a meat and cheese special. When you go to the grocery store here you normally pay anywhere from $4.99-$8.99 for meat. Their meat specials usually run about $2.99-$3.99, cheese $1.99-$2.99. And to sweeten the deal, it tends to last in the refrigerator two to three times as long. I love it!
The downside to this trip,however, was that they were out of apples. Hopefully, I will have better luck next time.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Realtor Day
Monday was Realtor Day at the Parade of Homes. The houses all open up early to allow the Realtors to come through before the parade opens up to the general public. It is one of my favorite parade days as the Realtors are looking to chat and network with those in the houses as much as we are with them.
One of the perks of Realtor Day is the treats. Every house seems to set out donuts, coffee, etc., for the Realtors to much on as they go through the houses. Our house had donuts, muffins, cookies, yogurt, coffee, juice, and water. A nice variety that many of the Realtors appreciated.
I had many compliments on the kitchen table from the Realtors. Many were very impressed with the quality, so hopefully we will get some leads from there.
One of the perks of Realtor Day is the treats. Every house seems to set out donuts, coffee, etc., for the Realtors to much on as they go through the houses. Our house had donuts, muffins, cookies, yogurt, coffee, juice, and water. A nice variety that many of the Realtors appreciated.
I had many compliments on the kitchen table from the Realtors. Many were very impressed with the quality, so hopefully we will get some leads from there.
Our table is in the Manor Homes house this year. It is house #9 on the parade.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Full Stop
My husband, Nick, came into the house from his shop and says, 'you're going to need to go to Grainger tomorrow'. First of all, this is NOT the first thing a wife wants to hear coming out of her husband's mouth. lol. Second, saying I need to go to Grainger means only one thing, something is broke.
As I'd suspected with his initial comment, something was in fact broke. The capacitors in his table saw needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, this means that all work that requires the table saw is at a full stop until the capacitors are replaced.
So off I went to Grainger today.
I think that sometimes they look for the most off the wall places to put these stores. They have two in central Ohio, and both are tucked back in industrial parks. I get it. I really do. They are an industrial supply company. But that doesn't make them any easier to find.
Needless to say, I did find the store I was looking for and they had the two capacitors I was needing.
Hopefully all will go well tonight when Nick puts the new additions back on the table saw motor.
As I'd suspected with his initial comment, something was in fact broke. The capacitors in his table saw needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, this means that all work that requires the table saw is at a full stop until the capacitors are replaced.
So off I went to Grainger today.
I think that sometimes they look for the most off the wall places to put these stores. They have two in central Ohio, and both are tucked back in industrial parks. I get it. I really do. They are an industrial supply company. But that doesn't make them any easier to find.
Needless to say, I did find the store I was looking for and they had the two capacitors I was needing.
Hopefully all will go well tonight when Nick puts the new additions back on the table saw motor.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Little Red Ants and Strawberries
We went out this morning to pick some strawberries from the plants we have on our property, but when we started to remove them and look at the individual berries many of them had small holes. After farther inspection, we noticed that from some of these little holes crawled little red ants.
Now when I say 'little red ants' I am meaning these tiny little things that are no bigger than the nail on my pinkie finger. I haven't noticed them on any of our other garden plants, so I'm thinking they are just partial to my strawberries.
Thankfully, we were able to save a few from their clutches. Home grown strawberries taste so much better than those from the store. Yum! :)
Now when I say 'little red ants' I am meaning these tiny little things that are no bigger than the nail on my pinkie finger. I haven't noticed them on any of our other garden plants, so I'm thinking they are just partial to my strawberries.
Thankfully, we were able to save a few from their clutches. Home grown strawberries taste so much better than those from the store. Yum! :)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Opening Day...
at the 2011 BIA Parade of Homes.
We have a kitchen table set up there this year and I wanted to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be. I knew from the parade two years ago that things are rarely the same way you left them when you dropped everything off four days prior.
Our display in the garage had been moved, but thankfully everything was still in the same basic arrangement as I had left it.
Inside the table looked great! There were people touching the top, which is exactly what I wanted. Hopefully there will be a good crowd tomorrow and I will be able to show a lot more people what we can do for them.
We have a kitchen table set up there this year and I wanted to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be. I knew from the parade two years ago that things are rarely the same way you left them when you dropped everything off four days prior.
New Blog Design
Hopefully you have noticed that I have revamped the blog, but changing the visual layout is only the first step. For several reasons, I've decided to make this blog about more than just woodworking. I am a woodworker's wife, but my life isn't as simple what happens in our shop and I've decided to start sharing a more comprehensive view of things. This blog will be about my life as a woodworker's wife. That includes everything that makes up my life in general, so who knows what I'll be talking about in the future.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Knives and Fingers
One thing I will say about being a woodworker's wife is that life is very rarely dull. Neither, are his shaper cutter knives.
This past week I was in the house and suddenly my husband comes running into the house to the bathroom sink. I follow him to see what is going on and see blood trailing down his hand.
Apparently he had just finished sharpening one of his shaper cutters and was trying to put it back onto the machine when the wrench he was using slipped slicing his finger. Now this is one of the great reasons why sharp knives are always better than dull ones, the cut was so clean there was no pain. Yep, no pain. And believe me when I tell you that it was a pretty deep cut. It took about ten minutes for us to get it to stop bleeding enough so that we could bandage it up.
Luckily, since it was a clean cut, he didn't need to go to the hospital. I am just grateful that this doesn't happen often. Sure we get our share of splinters, which are sometimes just as bad, but those don't tend be as gory in nature.
This past week I was in the house and suddenly my husband comes running into the house to the bathroom sink. I follow him to see what is going on and see blood trailing down his hand.
Apparently he had just finished sharpening one of his shaper cutters and was trying to put it back onto the machine when the wrench he was using slipped slicing his finger. Now this is one of the great reasons why sharp knives are always better than dull ones, the cut was so clean there was no pain. Yep, no pain. And believe me when I tell you that it was a pretty deep cut. It took about ten minutes for us to get it to stop bleeding enough so that we could bandage it up.
Luckily, since it was a clean cut, he didn't need to go to the hospital. I am just grateful that this doesn't happen often. Sure we get our share of splinters, which are sometimes just as bad, but those don't tend be as gory in nature.
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