Doing and Re-doing ...

Today's task:  Pick up the long pry bar and tear apart the ceiling framing I was so proud of last week.

I've never claimed framing to me my strong suit.  Matter of fact, this is the first framing project I've ever done.  It's a labor of love.  And desperation.  Making a dog-grooming salon out of half our detached garage. Because those shi tzus and pomeranians and westies are the family income.  I've been assisting my wife in that business for the past year.  The brick-and-mortar Lori and her partner lease now is too expensive.  And the partnership is eroding.  So the idea is to set up shop here at home.

This is what I enjoy ... writing.  Reading.  Commenting.  And as soon as I'm finished with the garage project, I'll use the extra 2x4s I bought to build my voiceover studio.  I've got my AT2020 mic that I can't wait to flip on in my quiet little island.  The idea of having it done by the time my son arrives for the holidays from Philadelphia is palpably forming in my gut like a pearl.

 

But today ... back out to the garage to take part of the ceiling and re-work it before we (translation: yours truly) put up the sheetrock. 

I know some of you may have wondered where I've been for the past several months. Once the shop is up and running, I'll be back in the forums seeking to learn and improve my craft.

Til then, the two steps forward and one back as I improve my carpentry skills.

<sigh>

Now to that ceiling.

Get Up and Vote For Gary Johnson!

There's a post in my news stream regarding a FRONTLINE corporate political spending report thing ... about the massiveness of the funding. You know, I like President Obama and his family. I think he represents our country well. He's certainly refreshing. After Bush/Cheney for 8 years ... nuff said.

What bothers me about his administration is how many Wall Street staffers he is surrounded by. And the F
ed printing press just keeps a churnin'.

Anyway, after the FRONTLINE piece there were the usual hundreds of comments. Most of them were like "We're hosed." Or, "Whatcha gonna do?" I guess most people think in black and white.

FRONTLINE says it. Documentaries tell us. All the signs are pointing to it. WHAT WILL IT TAKE???!! to get us to reject the current 2-party paradigm? I think Gary Johnson has done a hell of a job getting his message out there, for example. He has a clear message. On YouTube and various social media. There's no excuse for not knowing who he is.

Likewise, it's no secret our monetary system will eventually run us aground.  Where will you be when the music stops? No one wants to think about that. We want to keep to the GOP DEM system we have now. And embark on the Titanic with FULL KNOWLEDGE the iceberg is ... out there ... waiting... for us.

Can you imagine an April 15 where you can sleep in, sun or snow, have a peaceful day, without the IRS monkey on your back? Why? Because Gary Johnson is President and there is no more IRS. Does that sound good to you? If there were no more corporate taxes ... do you think companies would hire more workers? DUH! Nothing would kick this economy in the ass like that frickin' corporate tax millstone off our small-business necks.

But no, everyone wants to vote for someone who will win. Think about that. As if you're wearing your colors for a football game. This ain't a football game. This is your country. Your colors are red, white and blue. Our fights have been in the name of Liberty. Liberty is what you should be voting for. Do you have the courage to live in a free country? Because freedom seems to scare a lot of folks plum to death!

If you are a person who values freedom, it's time to ROCK to vote ... many are saying Gary Johnson can take 30% of the popular vote! You're not going to hear that from the media.

Imagine!!! That'll send a message to "Status Quo" DC! Let's quit preaching to the choir about how we're all being manipulated and start ACTING AS IF WE ARE FREE! Break the status quo! Vote for GARY JOHNSON! Why? Because 30% is a win for our freedom!

I'm a late bloomer.  59 years old and just bought my first house.  Closed on it July 26, 2012.

My wife, Lori, and I had to vacate our apartment at the end of August or pay September rent plus our first mortgage payment.  The pressure was on.  We had four weeks to gut the house and move in.  

Did we drink champagne in the muted glow of the television that night?  No!  My wife, Lori, and I immediately went to the house and began to rip up the carpet.  We liked what we saw of the hardwood floor beneath when we sneaked a peak at it during the sale process.  Couldn't wait to tear off that greasy, smelly orange floor covering.

That was only the beginning.  There was "popcorn" acoustics to scrape off the ceilings.  All rooms had to be repainted.  The washing machine resided in the bathroom of the house.  The dryer in the kitchen.  With the help of a plumber and electrician, our new washer and dryer would be installed out in the sun room.  Old floors would be replaced with tile.  Kitchen and bathroom cabinets were torn out.  The master-bathroom fiberglass shower was torn out and replaced with a beautiful tile shower.  Laminate floors were installed in the master bedroom and the upstairs studio.  Baseboards removed.  Baseboards reinstalled.

With the exception of the plumbing, the re-wiring, and the tiling, all the work was done by Lori and me.  She sanded and urethaned the hardwood floors, taped/painted all the rooms while I demolished the kitchen and bathrooms then installed the new cabinets and flooring.  And I've never considered myself much of a handyman.  But give me a hammer, a jigsaw, and a deadline ... suddenly, it's amazing what can be accomplished.

You're welcome to check out the photos!