Day 1806

I got up at 8 again today.  After pet stuff and breakfast It was out to the playhouse again.

I started out by adding "hard points" to the interior of the door for the door handle and the door latch.  I also replaced the ones for the hinges with better ones.  Then I went to the playhouse.  The first activity was putting the table in there in the garbage.  I removed about 40 screws to take apart the fram and then cut the top into four pieces.  It all went in the can - garbage day is tomorrow.

I spent a lot of time measuring out where I needed to remove existing structure.  Then I planned how I would do it.  I even had Ellen out for a little while to help.  Once I was sure I had everything down I started to cut.

I quickly learned that I'm no good with a reciprocating saw.  It's a blunt instrument that's no use for fine work.  I managed to do a little damage to the siding that I need to keep.  Fortunately the damage will be covered by the door trim.  I also learned that the guy who did the framing put nails in places that made no sense at all.  In a couple of cases I don't know how he did it.

I started by cutting out some of the framing on the right side.  That went OK except for the hole in the siding.  It taught me that I was going to have to remove some of the nails holding on the siding.  That was a pain because I had to basically dig them out of the siding.  I finally settled on cutting around the nail head with a razor knife and then removing the nail with locking pliers.  With about 20 nails, it took a while.

I had to break at noon to call Dave.  He said the shipper was coming that afternoon.  Later he sent me an email with the shipping info.  I'm glad that part seems to work out.  A little later I had to go the the doctor for a blood draw.  When I got there they said it was next Wednesday.  I was not happy.  I stopped at Arby's for lunch and the yuppie grocery store to buy french bread.

I finished up by cutting some of the framing on the other side of the door.  It was a good stopping place, plus the mosquitoes were beginning to eat me alive.

I went back inside and read some.  I really don't want to deal with the election, so I didn't surf.  Apparently they haven't decided who won yet.  That gives the nod to the Democrats, since they are masters of voter fraud.

Hooch texted me the date of the funeral.  It's the 17th - 13 days.  I talked to him and it doesn't seem like there's much for me to do, so I'll fly in on the 16th and out on the 18th.  Ellen spent quite a bit of time getting the flight, hotel, and car set up.  I love having a travel agent.

Ellen fixed sausage for dinner.  After dinner I did some reading and watched recorded shows (no commercials).  I also finished step 2 of the Lego truck.  It involved connecting the cab to the body.  This thing is big.