It's official, I start work on March 2nd. On March 31st it will be nine years since I got hurt.

Talk about a long, difficult vacation! Pretty sure I don't want another one of those :-)


Seems like forever ago that I decided to buy Mary Lee. I remember very well how I came to the conclusion that I was just laying there waiting to die. Not wanting to. But unable to stand much in the way of activities. I also remember thinking at one time, much earlier, that if nothing improved. I had enjoyed all the fun I was likely to ever have. The pain was pretty intense for a long time.

I knew if I never took drastic steps to change things, my inactivity would lead to an early demise. I don't even know how I made it through the first year with Mary Lee. Like Barbara(a very good friend )said, I backed my way into a corner so the only choice I had was to come out fighting. I did do that!!

 So here I am. Finally going back to work. It is going to be a very busy summer. Along with working, I will be giving Mary Lee some much needed changes. She also will be moved to Charleston harbor for a much anticipated summer of sailing.

This fall she will be moved to Florida, finally!!!

So right now, I am starting to wrap up some projects so I can get to Mary Lee's projects.

I did get the washroom cabinets done. Trust me, the picture does it no justice.

When we got my stuff out of storage. I had a quite expensive mattress set that was barely used. We decided to use it. On Vivian's frame, it is quite tall. I even have to roll myself up into bed. I built Vivian a stool. Finally built a better stool for her and now I use the original.

They are made from the same boards. Just white pine. I used steel wool rusted in white vinegar for stain on the dark one. Just wiped the rusty looking liquid on and watched it darken while drying. That is two coats. Same polyurethane on both. I guess it works on the tannins in the wood. Who knew?

Better yet, if one wanted an ebony look. Just use the rusted steel wool pad and scrub the liquid into the wood. The two pieces of oak on the left are from the same board. Once the wood has dried. The finish will bring out the color stain has made the wood. (Everything I show here has polyurethane on it) Or, you can wipe it with damp cloth to see what it will look like with finish on it. Do not totally understand the science behind it. Just know it is a cheap and affective stain. I guess you can add food color to it and get a different tone.







This weekend is a trip out of town for a soccer tournament. Jon, Vivian's youngest son, is playing his last season of high school ball. He is starting his third year on varsity. Soccastee (sock us tea) high is a AAAA school this year. New league. Jon has assured us that they have a really good team this year. They had a good team last year.

I must admit. I never really watched soccer before. Vivian needed a soccer compadre to go with. Turns out I kind of enjoy the game. Who knew??

I find it interesting that a school this big, with a soccer team this good, hasn't got more people in the stands. The picture is not quite right. The crowd of about 30 to 40 is to our right as I took this. Mostly parents. The bleachers on the other side are indicative of what you generally see on the visitor's side. Mostly Soccastee's side has the same wherever they play. Soccer parents are pretty reliable for Soccastee.




Oh well, they are good games and Jon scores often. Vivian is quite the fireball in the cheering section and I am highly entertained. All is Well :-)