Floored Part II

Last week in our exciting episode of "Let's Renovate an Old Church in Our Spare Time" we left halfway done with the floors. So what was it like to go back at it the following weekend?

It was awesome. It was like getting back on the horse, after you had fallen and broken all the tender bits on your body!

The Stage is set for more work...

And work it was.

Plug and play!

When we finished last weekend, it felt like we might be halfway done. Or even more!

Nope.

Lots more to love.

But it won't get done by wishing, so let's get started!

First we used the large sander. Last week we had the drum sander, but we wanted to try the circular one. It had about the same effect. It took off the top layers a little quicker than the drum sander, but it was a lot trickier to handle. If you tried to steer it,  it had a tendency to spin off into its own circular spasm of cyclonic motion, taking the handler with it. But if you got all zen with it and let it do its thing, it would drift along in a cloud of dust and swirl its way down the planks.

Swirly

Gettin Zen widdit.

But to really finish the job, the Bronco had to be engaged.

Engaging the Bronco

You can see the difference.

Bronco Mike and his Bulging Biceps!

Viva La Difference!

And so it went. Circular swirls and Bronco bucking.

Next thing you know,

Are we done yet? 

Yeah, we got done. But did I get a shot of it?

Not really, so this will have to do.

Dunzo.

Sand-tastic

The time has come to address the floor. It really contains the last of the remaining nastiness and crud from the past. Wanna help, boys?

"Pass!"    "What he said!"

That's OK. I wouldn't want a cat tail to get caught in the machinery. 

So we drove into Bad Axe to rent a couple of sanders: one big drum sander and the smaller edging sander. Neither of us had sanded a big floor before, so it was going to be an adventure. As usual!

Here it is after the first few swipes. This machine was pretty tame and easy to use. 

That's the good point.

 But it also left a lot of paint still on the wood.

That's the bad point.

So we used it in conjunction with the edger. The difference in the ease of use was like the difference between holding on to a vacuum cleaner and holding on to the Tazmanian Devil!

Hey, it's like vacuuming! Over and over...

Hey, it's like holding on to a bronco's head! A mad bronco.

Well, it was a long and arduous task, but we made progress.

It's like mowing the lawn!

Except the lawn is making an awful dust!

It's like holding a tornado!

But it turned out to be the only thing that would dig in and get the last of the ancient paint/stain out.

 hours later...

Wheels of grit

We went through some paper. We pay by the sheet, which messed with my thrifty mind. Changing the paper often makes the job much easier, but at $10 a sheet for the large sander and $4 for the small, it makes you think twice. I couldn't help imagining strapping a ten dollar bill under the sander every time we changed the paper. But then after a few shifts on the bronco head, I would have paid more just to make it easier.

Sheets o' used paper

Also, it took us awhile to remember that dust is an irritant.

That's why we bought masks!

So back and forth we went, up and down the boards. And we progressed.

Ride 'im, Cowboy Mike!

I did take turns, but Cowboy Mike forgot to record it! We both were pooped at day's end. But what a change! It was an exhausted but happy glow we had later that evening!

Ahh! Hard work pays off!

Yeah- and nothing good comes easy. And idle hands are the Devil's workshop.

But it's true...

Totally Worth It!

Worth numb hands and sore shoulders?

uh,

YEAH!

Ignore the other-worldly looks, we'll wear masks next time, promise!

Stu Stu Studio!

So what do you want to do this weekend?

Foreshadowing shot.

Hows about we make a studio so we can make some art?  First step: let's get some of the Artist's work all up in here. 

Art. Check.

Next step: Let's make it convenient to work. The Artist needs an area to store his tools. 

Hmm, I smell a Sears Solution! Check!

Indeed. What better than a Craftsman tool box. On wheels! 

Mobile unit. Check. 

Ok, before I move on, let's really focus on the joy a simple solution like a giant Craftsman tool unit brings. All the stuff can go in it. All of it! Brushes, pencils, acrylics, oils, papers, tools, tapes, glues and more. There's even a drawer for incense! 

The Craftsman and the Artist!

Even the little lady was happy about this solution! 

I prefer Artists, but Craftsmen have their uses... 

Last step:  it's up to the Artist. He's made his studio. now he must be left alone to create. So let's take a walk. It's early April, and it's been a brutally cold and lengthy winter. So what does Lake Huron look like? 

Frozen

Brr! 

Cold, but beautiful. 

What else is going on this spring around Grindstone Corners? 

No buds on the trees yet...

But there is new life! Look, a baby cow!

Seriously, city girl? It's a calf. MY calf. Back off!  

This Momma cow did a deep menacing moo at me to express her feelings about my interest in her baby c... I mean calf. 

This cow expressed himself in other ways!

Back End!

Mike and I agree- this cow pasture is one of the world's more magical places. There's just something about it. The cows always have attitude, the landscape is always beautiful, and there's always something there that makes you just want to stop and step into the world of the pasture. It's just part of what makes Grindstone so very special! 

I also happen to be privy to what is on the Artist's easel right now, and it is cow-shaped! They are so inspirational!

See you next weekend!

Close

So...we left the story before the LAST PAGE was read!! So close, but just not done yet! Read on, to the conclusion of this epistle!

Alright let's open that book up...

Aside: a care package came in the mail. It was labelled "cure for the midwinter jickers," which technically became the spring jickers, as tenacious as the jicker was.

New gloves!! In a size medium!!

Fits like a glove!

Why oh why didn't I stop there?

Glove love!

I'm glovin' it.

Stop! In the Name of Glove...

I just glove your goatee!

What's Glove got to do with it?

Thanks Dad! I glove them!!

So, are we ready for a series of deadly pictures of the last paragraph of the last page of the book of Priming the Ceiling?

First I whipped up a little something...

It's like mixing a cake! 

I needed to make the Kilz smooth sailing for Grindstone Mike.
Go, Mike, Go!

Using an extra nappy roller.

The roller holds so much paint, it's quite heavy.

Too heavy for a girl!

It's definitely a man's job!

Take a Break, old man!!

Hydrating!

Ok, back to work!

Attacking from the other side.

Adjustments must be made. 

OK, focus. The end is near!

You can do it!

"Oops missed a spot...mmmph..."

Nice muscles!

And the exciting conclusion...

The end! for now...

Mike sometimes refers to me as his "lovely assistant" in conversation. So how did I assist? Today, it was simply by cheerleading! From a seated position.

It's Glovely! 

Cheers! Job well done!

I'm a wine glover!

Primed and ready to go!

A glovely conclusion to a glovely day!