In a week.

Sometimes it feels like you don't get anything done in a week, and other times, it all falls into place and you get a lot done. This week Paul and I finished assembling and sanding all 60 stools and 40 chairs for a new restaurant opening up in Freeport, ME. Our part is done now; all that's left is for them to go to the finish guy to get a few coats of lacquer. Then we deliver the product. What a relief to be done with them. May God be praised for sustaining us through it. We've been hard at it six days-a-week for over two months.

Finished Cathance River Low-Back Barstools waiting for delivery.

I took my first Saturday off in months to get a few things done around the house. I started with coffee, bacon and pancakes. We finally got the last of our stuff out of the attic of our old apartment, and we're finally settling in at our new place. Many thanks to our friend Ivan the Mechanic for getting me a new muffler on the Honda in a about 45 minutes flat.

I guess I need a muffler. My car was starting to sound like the Fast and the Furious.

And right after dinner yesterday, I got the dryer all hooked up and working. We've never had our own washer and dryer, so this is a big deal. (And I got to buy a 4" hole saw out of the deal.)

Not bad for $140 on Craigslist.

An army of Cathance River Side Chairs awaits our command ( or the finish guy )

More good news: KT's job has assured funding through the end of September, so there's now time for the state legislature to make up their minds about whether or not they will fund early-childhood home-visiting programs throughout the state

Sanding the curved backs of the barstools with a 5" random orbit sander and 120 grit.

With a few things around here to wrap up in the next week or two, I'm hoping to make a trip out to the midwest to visit with family and friends who I haven't seen in a while, that I might not see for a while if I don't make the trip soon.

Finish sanding the last side chair with 180 grit paper. The culmination of 8 weeks of work.

I'm also pretty excited about my new drill and driver combo. Paul is always harassing me for using his impact driver, so I had to do something about it. We had a Home Depot gift card and did exactly what they want you to do: spend twice as much money as your gift card. So when I saw this combo for just over $200 I couldn't pass it up.

I needed something to drive that 4" hole saw, as if the other three drills I own weren't going to work...

A wet one.

Well, well, I think we're in for a wet one. A wet night tonight and a wet winter. Something tells me that this winter may be more wet than snowy....who knows?

In any case, we'll be here, holdin' down the fort. I've been working on a remodel close to home for the last eight weeks or so. We're putting down a floor of reclaimed boards from old timbers. You'd think it would be cheaper because its reclaimed, but actually its about twice as much. $14 per square foot and 550 square feet. You do the math. Unfinished flooring still needs to be sanded and oiled. Its nice looking stuff though. I'll try to get a picture tomorrow.

On January 1, 2011, a partner and I will be launching a new business doing independent building inspection and code compliance consulting. In the last year, the State of Maine adopted the 2009 International Building Code as the new Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, so there will be a need for both more municipal inspectors and Third Party inspectors. That's where we think there is a market for our services. We're busy now getting all our ducks in a row (have you ever tried getting actual ducks in a row? I have, and its difficult....) as far as certification, insurance, incorporation and what not goes, but we'll be ready come January. Check back as things develop.

In other news, KT just bought me 3.8 pounds of swedish fish. She is such a good wife!

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