Stress Becomes Routine, a Grand Daughter helps to provide relief

  Three weeks ago my Grandson came for a week's visit and we worked on a variety of projects together and he worked on a couple of big projects with Oma.

  Last week his sister came for a week's visit.  I was still deeply involved with family stuff but was still able to have some quality time with my Grand Daughter.

   One project was a gerbil condo for her two gerbils, Ruby and Amber to play in in their cage.  This Gerbil Condo is made from cedar that was left over from a free standing bathroom towel rack I made a few years ago. We found the design on the Internet and while I did most of the cutting my Granddaughter hammered all the nails to put it together.  I pre-drilled the holes and she drove the nails.  She also used the drill press to drill the large doorway holes.  This was the first real wood working project she and I have done together.

8 x 7 x 3 3/4 tall

the roof comes off for cleaning purposes.

   Two weeks ago we made this bird house and last week is was painted to my sweetie's design.  She put two coats of exterior latex paint on and then she used craft paint to add the vines and flowers.  I sprayed the final painting with three coats of urethane in the hope that the colours will last for a couple of seasons.
  

 If you sit still too long you could get painted. I guess these are folk art flowers and Oma and I love them

 The coming week has me travelling to my Mother's house lunching with her and trying to aid/encourage her recovery and maybe develop a longer term plan.  Having a shop and a bicycle have been real bonuses in a trying time.

  cheers, ianw