What a wonderful weekend ….

The weather was strange, but exciting this weekend.  It started out with a snowstorm Saturday morning, and ended with an appropriately warm, sunny day on Sunday.   Sue has been wanting to learn to drive my truck in snow for a while now,  so we took the opportunity and drove over to Mt. Vernon Saturday morning to pick up a new washer.  The one we’ve  had for several years was SUPPOSED to be a heavy duty model, but from day one,  it gave us fits.  We should have chosen a different model after the first one we brought home started smoking right out of the box, but we foolishly returned it for another of the same model, and gave it a second chance.  The second one always worked properly electrically, but it never seemed to be able to stay in balance during the spin cycles.   I tried to fix it, but time after time, when Sue washed linens or blankets, it would go out of balance, and make a commotion that sounded like someone was inside it trying to get out.  Sometimes, it was so bad it would walk across the floor, yanking the drain hose out of the wall and making a huge mess.  So, we decided it was time to give up on it, and try to find one that worked right.  Sue did her research, and found one that is supposed to be invincible … a Speed Queen.  So far, it seems the problem is solved.  She’s done a few loads and it spins effortlessly and stays in balance.  We’re keeping our fingers crossed, and looking for someone who needs a cheap washing machine and doesn’t wash a lot of blankets or care if it goes out of balance occasionally…

Meanwhile, I’ve been busy trying to get our garage straightened out.  I moved all the stuff from my shop in the basement of the house in Columbus up here with plans to build a shop in the new barn, but the new barn still isn’t built, and I keep finding myself unable to find things or work on projects because my tools are in total disarray.  So, I decided to do something about it.  I bought some shelving, made some shelving, put my work benches together, and whipped up a temporary work space until we can get the barn done …

When we get the barn built, most of what I’ve done in the garage can be easily moved out there, but at least I have room to work on things for now, and I can find the tools and materials I need to do it.  I’m in the process of building drawers for the workbenches so I can organize and store my hand tools, and I’m building shelving and cabinets for our other closets so we can eliminate some of the clutter there too.

I got Sue a central vacuum system form Christmas, and got the power unit installed this weekend.  I still have a ton of pipe to run, but hopefully, I can get that done soon.  It will make it so much easier for us to stay on top of all the dog hair the beasts spread around this place, and it will double as a nice garage vac too ….

Little by little, we’re making a home out of this place….

The weather was gorgeous Sunday.  It was very sunny, and even though it’s still muddy, and wasn’t super warm, you can tell spring is on the way.  I saw a turtle sunning on a log in the pond today.  I didn’t get a picture of it, but I’m pretty sure that’s the first turtle I’ve ever seen sunning itself in February in Ohio.  Dusty took full advantage of the warm sun.  She’s still eating like a horse, and not gaining weight, but she seems to be enjoying life ….

Now, it’s back to the grind for another week of work.  I hope to get some time to finish the garage project this week, but only time will tell.  It’s supposed to be a nice day Monday.  Who knows, maybe I’ll play hookey from regular work and finish it up …