Re-caulking the bathtub

Over the past week or so I have been re-caulking the bathtub in my bathroom. It shouldn't really take that long, but it's one of those jobs I've been putting off and dreading (I was supposed to have it done before Christmas). It didn't turn out so well, but I think it's at least finally done.

I did this in 2013, and ended up using some of that peel & stick stuff over the top of it in 2015. Don't ever use that stuff - it looks terrible later on. It's also a pain to try to remove. That was the hardest part of this job. 

So, it took me a couple days to get all the backing removed from the peel & stick stuff. I used 'Goo Gone' (or whatever that orange stuff is called). I didn't realize you needed to wash it afterward, so it was mostly just a goo-ey mess. I finally got it pretty clean.

Next I bleached the area and then used a rag and Mineral Spirits to further degrease. I got the supposedly low-odor kind, but it was still quite odoriferous. 

I let everything sit and dry thoroughly for several days. Not because it needed that long, but mostly because I'm just exhausted by the time I get home from work and do my run. I don't remember exactly how many days it just sat. I was using Jane's shower in the meantime (when I felt I had to).

Finally the day arrived. I had bought painters tape and caulk and for some reason decided to tackle it on a Saturday morning when Anna had a basketball game. This was not a good idea because I don't do well when rushed. I did it though. I put tape on both sides of where I was going to caulk and filled the tub with water and ran a bead around the top and sides of the tub. I smoothed it with a wet finger and we headed to the basketball game. This would prove to be the big mistake...

When we returned from the game I drained the tub and caulked along the floor. All that was left to do was pull off the tape. At this point I developed a sick feeling in my gut that maybe I should have pulled the tape off the top before we'd left. ...

Ugh. I should have. The tape came right off on the bottom where the caulk was fresh, and it looked really nice! Unfortunately, when I went to pull it off the top, where it had started to set, it didn't go so well. Obscenities were flying easier than tape was coming off, right along with great globs of caulk that had already started to dry. Grrr. I was not happy at being so stupid. I knew I should have looked it up.

Well, eventually I calmed down and took my cup of water and tried to smooth out what remained with a wet finger. It wasn't terrible from a distance, but I still wasn't sure it would suffice. So, I just let it sit another few days while I stewed.

Eventually I re-caulked right on top of the caulk just on the back side of the tub wall. It was really thin there and I was able to put a thicker bead on, so it should be okay. I debated about doing it around the entire top but finally just decided to be done with it. If I need to re-do it all in a few months I guess that's what I'll have to do.

In the end, it was not a very pleasant job and equally not so well done. But it's done, for now.

***

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Craft kits for kids

 We usually like to have some kind of planned craft project to do when we keep the grandkids overnight. It seems to give them something to look forward to, and keeps them from sitting in front of the TV... for awhile anyway. It's probably good for us too.

After pretty much going through all the selections available at the local big-box store (window catchers, rock painting, sock puppets, etc.), I decided to check into places online.

So far I have found three companies that seem to have some options:

• Creativity for Kids (we have used several of these, and like them)
• Made By Me!
• Klutz Arts & Crafts

 So, now the challenge becomes... which ones to choose.

***

Proverbs 17:6

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

 

A new kitchen faucet

I had the pleasure of replacing our kitchen sink faucet this week (Wednesday). It wasn't really a 'pleasure', because I hate doing home projects like this. I'm always worried I know just enough to make things worse. This wasn't so bad though.

Our old faucet broke loose just before our guests arrived on Saturday (Isaac & Ricci). One of the two bolts that hold it onto the sink rotted away (actually, the washer). It was still held by the other bolt 'a little' but I knew it wouldn't last long. Sure enough, it was eventually left dangling atop the water pipes...

Initially I went to Menards in search of a couple replacement bolts and washers. After not finding anything there I got online and ordered two bolts and two giant washers that fit the old Delta faucet. It was just over $20. I also sprayed the old bolts with a 'liquid wrench'-like substance, hoping to have them loosened up by the time the new ones arrived.

As luck would have it, the place where I ordered the parts called and said they were out of stock and only had one bolt and one washer. So... I cancelled the order and decided it might be best to simply replace the entire faucet. This turned out to be the right move, because I never could get the old bolts to loosen (fortunately the washers were so rotted I just broke them loose).

So, as soon as our guests departed Wednesday, we headed to Menards and picked out a new faucet. We opted for one with a side sprayer instead of the detachable head. We already had a side sprayer, and these were a little cheaper. We did want the higher arch to wash pans and so I can get my melon head under the sink to wash my hair.

It was actually a pretty smooth process putting in the new faucet. I put a couple couch cushions in front of the sink with a yoga mat on top and that made it much more comfortable contorting my body in the nether regions of the under-sink. I think it took about an hour for removal of the old and installation of the new.

In the end, I'm pretty happy not only with the new sink, the ease of installation, but even the decision to replace instead of repair!

"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden (and under the kitchen sink) to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15)

Saturday morning projects, money-making skills, and medicare-for-all

This is a random drop spot for some recent articles I found interesting:

1. 100 Saturday Morning Projects
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/100-saturday-morning-projects/ss-BBZLpaq?li=BBnb7Kz#image=1 
There are some projects here that would be helpful to know for later, and some that are just good ideas to keep in mind.

2. 17 Money-Making Skills You Can Learn By The End of 2020
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careers/17-money-making-skills-you-can-learn-by-the-end-of-2020/ss-BBTNRVi?li=BBnb7Kz#image=1
You just never know when you might need a new, or additional, job. Some of these are interesting...

3. Here's That Medicare-For-All Study Bernie Sanders Keeps Bringing Up
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/insurance/heres-that-medicare-for-all-study-bernie-sanders-keeps-bringing-up/ar-BB10ctVo?li=BBnbfcN
I honestly don't know much about... much... but I have become somewhat of a Bernie convert recently. I don't know whether I will vote for him or not, but I like a lot of his ideas. Especially this one that apparently could save up to $500 million in healthcare spending. I have my doubts about some of the figures, and I realize it will be a complicated and difficult task... but I just have to think there is a better way out there than what we currently have going on in this country. So... here's a link to a study.

Storage shed

I've been wanting to build a storage shed in my back yard for a couple years now. I've been going back and forth between a 5x10, 6x10, or bigger. 10 foot long will fit perfectly along the back of the garage between the patio and the tree that sits on the corner.

I have intended to build one myself - out of some lumber I already have - but today I stumbled upon a 4'x10' steel shed kit (or 4x7). I'm actually thinking maybe this is the way to go. Sure, it would be better to build one myself out of wood - conceivably - but simply purchasing a kit is probably a lot more practical, and I might actually even do it! Plus it would probably cost less in the end.

So, here are some links with what I'm thinking about:

• 4'x10' shed - http://www.shelterlogic.com/shop/yardsaverr-4-ft-x-10-ft-steel-storage-shed
• Assembly instructions pdf - http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/ShelterLogic/manuals/arrow%5Fsheds/en%5FYS410%2DA.pdf
• 4'x7' shed -http://www.shelterlogic.com/shop/yardsaver-shed-4-x-7-ft
• Floor frame kit - http://www.shelterlogic.com/shop/floor-frame-kit-for-arrow-4x7-4x10-sheds
• Assembly instructions pdf - https://sf-usr-live.s3.amazonaws.com/home/11527/shared/media/en_FB47410_manual.pdf 

Sink faucet, sitter, and... mowing

It was a productive Saturday around our house this past weekend. For starters, if you've ever used our sink, do you notice anything different about the faucet on the kitchen sink??? Yes, I finally got around to fixing the leak.

I feel like an idiot for procrastinating so long when it was such an easy fix. I watched this Youtube video, went to Menards and got the faucet repair kits for 10 bucks, and in less than 15 minutes had it fixed. It was just a matter of replacing the springs and seals under the handle and with a little added plumbers grease it is like a brand new faucet now.

BABYSITTING
We also watched the kids overnight this weekend. Drew's band was playing a costume party Friday night at Deer Park, so we had the kids Friday night and half the day Saturday. Poor little Caleb was sick as a dog Friday night. His nose was running and he was burning with fever. Once he fell asleep though, he slept through the night, and he was like a new person on Saturday. Saturday was a gorgeous fall day and we spent most of it playing outside on the swings, riding bikes, and playing in the dirt pile. Bennett then started to get a runny nose, but they played hard until we went back to their house around 1:30 pm.

Jane, Carrie and Anna went shopping at the Urban Hippy and I stayed at Drew Carrie's with the boys until Drew got home from work around 2:30. We all vegged in front of the TV, sleeping with our eyes open, and then I left once their dad was home.

MOWING
I doubt that it will be the last time this year (maybe 1 or 2 more times), but I then mowed the lawn Saturday evening. I wasn't going to, but I'm glad I did, because it then rained most of the day Sunday. I lowered the deck one notch the last time I mowed, since you're supposed to mow it shorter after the over-seeding; plus I usually mow it shorter in the fall anyway so the leaves won't get caught up in long grass.

Speaking of leaves, they are just starting to fall in our neighborhood, making it the most peaceful time of year for me. I like fall in the midwest.

SUNDAY
Sunday was a fun day at church for us too. Carrie and Anna came with us to C2G (Drew and Benny weren't feeling well). Our church was having a chili contest for lunch, then they had a trunk or treat thing after that. Since it rained they held all the activities inside the building - including the bounce house! Drew brought the boys for the after-church activities, and we were all there until probably around 2 or so. It was pretty fun. The kids had a blast in the bounce house.

Carrie & Anna at our church.

The boys and a random girl dressed in similar costume.

So, all in all, it was a pretty fun and eventful weekend. Now it's back to the grind of a work week. Although, I guess today is Halloween. Maybe I'll pretend to like my job. :)

Lean to shed

One project I would really like to undertake sometime between now and the end of next summer is to build a diy lean-to shed on the back side of my garage. I'm thinking at least a 4'x10', and possibly a 6'x12'. Nothing fancy, but just something to keep the mower and other various tools and toys in. Maybe even the motorcycle. I think it would be worth the money for someone like myself to invest in a set of plans, since I know very little about construction. So here are some I have found so far:

• Pinterest search
• 5'x12' simple
• Deluxe
• Middle of the road
• Most likely; plans 

 

New garbage disposal

 We successfully installed this Barracuda 3/4 HP "Deluxe Food Waste Disposer" last night to replace the one that hadn't worked for a couple years. It actually wasn't that difficult and only took about a half hour (which included removing everything from under the sink and this stupid rack that used to be there - plus we didn't know what we were doing).

I had actually looked at disposers a couple times, and finally decided on this one. One minor glitch was that this one plugs in and the previous one was wired direct. So I forked out $4 and installed an electrical outlet under the sink. So the above half hour included mounting that on the back wall under the sink.

I did not change everything. I left the attachment that hooks into the sink, so I just unhooked the drain pipe, the dishwasher line, and twirled the disposer attachment. The old one fell out, I bolted the pipe to the new disposer, and fit it back into place. That's all there is to it. Cool!

Now that we're done with that I need to fix the leaky faucet. That should probably be my next project.

I got a new circular saw

I bought this nifty 7 1/4" Skilsaw the other day at Menards. I unexpectedly got it on sale for $59!

I was planning to go for a walk before work but when I went outside it was drizzling rain, so I decided instead to stop at Menards on my way. I've been looking at circular saws for awhile because the one I've had - which my dad picked up eons ago at an auction - just wasn't cutting the mustard anymore (literally); plus it has a 6" blade, and they're darn near impossible to find. So.... I went to Menards and stared at the wall of circular saws once again. I've probably looked at them 20 times or so. I was all set to buy the cheapest Skil they had ($64.95), but when I went to grab the one in the box there was a model above it that was marked on sale for $59. It had more horsepower, amperage, and a better blade. I thought someone stuck it in the wrong place, but finally decided to go ask for a price-check. Sure enough, it was on sale from $89.99 for only $59. So I bought it!

I hate buying all these tools lately, because I don't really use them all that much, but a circular saw is somewhat of a necessity for any sort of handyman. I need it to cut pallets, plus who knows what else. So I'm pretty happy with my new purchase. I used it yesterday and it is way better than my old one. Plus it came with a carrying case! Yay. :)

I finally bought a sawzall

I bought this Skil reciprocating saw at Menards last night. I've been wanting one for quite some time - mostly because... how can someone NOT want something known as a "sawzall"? I finally justified spending the $60 so I could cut pallets apart (reducing the number of boards I break) as well as trim trees and cut up limbs that fall in the yard. I'm sure it will come in handy for a number of other things too.

I opted for this Skil brand because it is a good size for me, and had the tool-less blade change feature. It's not the 'best' saw out there, but should be plenty good for what I need it for. It would be nice to have a cordless, but I can't justify the extra cost, and I prefer the power of a corded tool.

I've also been doing some minor reading on wood finishes and paint. I really wish I'd taken more shop classes in high school - or at least paid more attention in the ones I did take.

My first pallet project

I recently brought home some wooden pallets from work in hopes of making.... stuff. Drew Carrie gave me a book for Christmas that had a bunch of pallet projects in it. Over the past week or so I finally completed my first project: the children's picnic table pictured above.

At some point I hope to write out my own design and plans. I actually found these plans on google. They were pretty good, but I have different size pallets, and I did run across a couple slight problems. I am pretty happy with the results, though, if I do say so myself.

Ideally you should be able to make the top and seats from one pallet. Then you just need to buy 2x4's to make the legs, the seat connectors (2), and the middle bracing board. I already had some brand new 2x4's that were abandoned in a storage unit, so all I had to buy were the screws and the paint. Anna and Jane picked out the color (and did a super job!).

I didn't keep track of my time. I hope to do that at some point. I just wanted to try to make one first. So, I started out by breaking down the pallet (and breaking not just a few boards), then making the top, cutting the other boards, screwing it all together, and sanding with a belt sander. We had some Kilz primer, and I put that on very thick to cover holes and cracks and whatnot. The pic then shows it with one coat of yellow indoor/outdoor enamel paint.

It really wasn't all that difficult to make. Fortunately I had some pallets with thicker boards for the seats, because I don't think I would trust the thin ones that the top is made out of. I'd like to make some more, but I need to wait until it warms up, because finding the right weather to paint in probably took more time than anything else.

Now I may see about making a wine rack. We'll see.