It's been a miserable week in sooo many ways

Holy cows, when you fall down hill, expect a few aches an' pains when ya reach the bottom. That's what this last week or so has been all about.

Remember I was tell'n ya bout my heart start skip'n again? Well it still is. An' when it does I know bout it 'cause I get all light headed an' stuff. But lack of coffee does that too. Just 2 more days an' we head off to visit the heart doctor. I'm gonna rekon they gonna suck a bunch of blood out me with them great big ol' needle thingys an' put me on a bunch of tests for the next 6 months or so. But it's got to be done. You'll be the first to know the results.

Since my last lower back ablations (4 of 'em) I ain't had too many complaints bout pains an' stuff. That was until a couple weeks of...."aspirin, take some aspirin". So's I'm gonna rekon again that them dead nerves is regenerat'n and feel'n the pain. Note: Dead nerves come back to life after bout 8 months or so. I will gladly go back to the doctor an' get them suckers killed again. What's the Alka Seltzer say'n? "Oh what a relief it is".

Then there's the issue with my dad gum hernia. It's start'n to hurt an' that sucker has growed. Looks like we gonna be do'n some surgery in the near future.

I got me one other issue what I don't talk about. Another visit to another doctor in the very near future.

Ok, "that's all I got to say bout that",,,,Forrest Gump.

RunNRose received her birdhouse right on schedule. That's why I love UPS. She already got it mounted on a pole in her back yard by a professional birdhouse installer. That looks mighty good up there on that pole. Nice install.

 Here it is being installed by her wonderful other half.  Sorry I haven't answered your emails Rose, but it's been a rough week.

The log cabin mailbox is completed. But not installed on the pole by the street. It's too damn cold out there to be do'n projects. This whole week is gonna be cold. Upper 20's an' lower 30's ever night.

 That's one big ass mailbox.

 Back side completed.

An' here is the front side completed. Oh wait, I gotgit to take a pic with the flag thingy chimney installed. You'll see that once we got it mounted on the pole out by the street.

"Yo Mama" still doesn't know bout her special gifted mailbox. I've had to threaten all my kids to keep it mum.....don't say a word. When she an' HIL Harry gets back from Texas,,,,,boy howdy I can hardly wait.

My next project I don't think I mentioned....but maybe I have. Hell I don't know. My porch deck is gonna get some modifications. As it sits now, when ya walk on it, the floor sags a bit. Ya see, when I builded it, I put the joist on 2 foot centers. That will be changed to 16 inches centers.....be strong like bull. There will be a 2 x 4 added to the ends of the floor joist so's it will be straight. No more this up an' down stuff.

 Here is the new floor joist.

See how crookit that is? We gonna fix that. I'm gonna have me a brand spank'n new porch. But not today. It's too damn cold out there. HEY!!! There's 2 of my kids on the porch. Fat cat Leonard an' my old dawg Sadie Mae.

That's it for today. Cain't think of anything else you might be interested in. Hope your weather, wherever you are, is better than here in Georgia.

Mailboxes an' birdhouses....what a life. Gotta love it

This will be a short to the point post. Ya see, the old Billy Bob is a busy man an' he ain't got no time for lollygag'n with no blog post. Well really I do. But blog'n this early in the morn'n is hard. Especially with only one eye open an' your brain is still in "don't remember shit" mode. Man this get'n old stuff is get'n old.

I connected to UPS tracking yesterday morn'n to see where Rose's birdhouse was at. The tracking number was no good. I also sent Rose a couple emails with no return. Hope everthing is OK at Rose's house.
Update. Checked the tracking number again. The birdhouse in transit to Texas.

Instructions for putting a birdhouse mount together.

 This is what the base will look like

 Here are the 4 screws that hold it together. Base position is marked on that piece of "would". Standing it up like this is the easiest way to install the screws. By the way, do not install the bidhouse before installing the 2 x4 angle thingy to the base.

The cabin is screwed to the base. See that piece of wood under the cabin. I forgot to put it in the box. You should be able to see the screw holes in the bottom of the bottom logs.

See those screws? They hold the cabin to the base. Good luck finding screws (1 1/2" sheetrock screws).

UPS tracking number.

1ZW615760367650502 

 

Ok, like I was tole you a while ago, I'm a busy man. I'm back up to 2 projects. A log cabin mailbox and adding 3 floor joist to my porch deck an' straighten'n it out a bit. You cain't see it from your house, But I can see it from mine. Crookit an' not level bugs the hell out me. I'm a LIBRA. I'm gonna fix that.

Oh wait....I forgit to tell ya. I builded a little roof to keep the pour'n down rains off'n my new BBQ grill....what I ain't used yet. It's very light....don't weigh much, made out of FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic).

 I got me some logs sawed out an' I got a mailbox.

Laying out the door and winders for one side. 

Glue'n them together to install in 1 piece.

See, I tole you, glued together in 1 piece. Probly won't do the same on the other side. Takes way way too much time to set up an' glue into 1 piece. Ha Ha, but I probly will.

Mailbox is gonna fit perfect...with a little modification MsB. Them logs on the mailbox door are glued and brad nailed in place. Even builded a handle thingy so's the mail lady don't tear shit apart try'n to open it.

No new health issues. But that dad gum heart started skip'n beats again. Not as bad as before, but yup, it's skip'n. Appointment in bout a week.

Ok, that's it for today. Hope everbody is hav'n themselves a great day. I'm do'n the best I can for great days. Weather been nice,,,,50's at night an' upper 60's day time. Well wait a minute....a few days ago we had us some real winter weather. Got down to 28 deg's a couple nights. 

A note for a wonderful lady, RunNRose....it's in da box

Hi folks. Even though I been down in the weather again, I ain't been sit'n on my ass do'n nuttin.

Speak'n of weather, I been check'n my heart rate bout a hunnert time a day. For the last 2 days, or is it 3, my heart has been beat'n just like it supposed to do. Ain't catched it skip'n a beat not once time. You ain't gonna believe how much that improves my outlook on life. But I'm still gonna keep my appointment with the heart doctor.

Also speak'n of the weather. Did you see that 15 minute storm what blowed through my yard yesterday night? Them winds was a blow'n close to a hunnert mile a hour. Rain was pour'n down by the bucket fulls from ever direction. Hail was a fall'n from the sky. Temps drop 10 degs in 10 minutes. And then all a sudden, it was all over. Sunshiny skys today....57 degs.

Did I mention I buyed me a brand spank'n new BBQ grill? As much as I hate retiring my Weber Q, I did.  Ya see, I was do'n me some research find'n a grill what would stand up to the torture an' abuse, the old Billy Bob gives to grills..... an' not blacken my chicken. I wanted a 2 burner so's I can do me some indirect grill'n. I fount what I was look'n for. It's not a travel grill, but it's also not a great big ol' YUGE grill. Home Depot had it in stock for a hunnert dollar.

I've already started modifications. See that temp thingy? That come out my Weber Q grill. And, since I like to sit in my chair while grill'n, it needs to be lowered bout 3 or 4 inches.
"Cut the frick'n legs off Billy Bob, modify it".
That WAS what I was gonna do, but shoot, why not just cut 3 or 4 inch off'n the wood platform legs? That what I gonna do.

Because of the damage the rains did to my Weber grill, this one will have a roof over it. I builded the roof yesterday afternoon. Yet to be installed....but it's sit'n out there on the da porch. It will be mounted to the sun shade and extend over the awning. Ain't no rain gonna eat up my new grill.

This is for RunNRose. I got your emails, so's don't be think'n I'm ignoring you. Today I been out in the shop modify'n a freak'n shipping box the log cabin won't fit in. That is done. I builded the mounting platform thingy....but YOU got to put it together. Will include instructions by email.
By the way Rose, you will have to find you someone to plant a 4 X 4 in your yard for the mounting of the Billy Bob log cabin birdhouse.

The log cabin birdhouse is sitting inside the modified box....minus puff balls/bubble wrap or something to protect it in shipping. I bet ya a dollar I gonna write FRAGILE all over the box. Shoot, I may even spell it wrong, just for fun ya know. How bout FRAILGE?

Once it is installed, I would love to see a couple photos by email. And with your permission, I will post them on my blog.

Ok, we done with that. Now what?

One more thing. I got me another project. Follower an' long time buddy Louie suggested I build a log cabin mailbox. Me an' Louie think along the same lines.

We builded another log cabin birdhouse....Yeee Haa!!!!

I searched every word of my last blog post and find nowhere had I mentioned politics or religion. I searched other blogs to make sure my post had actually updated. It did.
Did I offend someone?

I had me some cedar left over from building the sun shade thingy an' I got to think'n..."What would a cedar log cabin birdhouse look like"? So's I breaked out my timber saw mill (table saw) an' I start cut'n a pile of logs. I'm gonna build just one more log cabin birdhouse.

At this point, I have 4 log cabin designs to build from. Just in case I ever want to sell 'em. But the one I am building right now IS NOT FOR SALE. It's free....delivered to your door by UPS.
"Now Billy Bob, how you gonna fit a 17 inches wide birdhouse in a 16 inches square cardboard box"?

RunNRose's log cabin birdhouse is finished. Well, maybe not all the way finished. I still got to construct the base for mounting it on a 4 X 4 pole out in the yard. Ha Ha, 4 X 4 post is not included.

 Now all I need is an address to send it to. Here is my email address. billpiep@yahoo.com. I cain't guarantee when Rose will receive her Billy Bob birdhouse, but will send you tracking details as soon as it is dropped off at UPS. Enjoy. I enjoyed building it for you.

Ok, I have a cardiologist doctor appointment in bout 2 more weeks. According to the nice lady at the doctor office, I don't have to worry myself to death at this time. So I rekon for the next 2 weeks I will monitor my heart rate an' if'n things get any worse, I can always call 911 an' go to the emergency room if needed. I'll keep you informed.

Ok, I'm in the market for a brand spank'n new BBQ grill. I like my Weber Q100, but it has issues. The temp can not be regulated below 320 degs....what burns the hell out what ever I put in it. Chicken, just chicken....an' I like the hell out of grilled chicken. It also burns the bottom of my pizza. The grate is in need of replacement. Rust has eat that sucker plumb up. Robert looked at grill at Academy an' fount me one I may like. So we gonna go look see.

Seen a follower lady up in Wisconsin made a enchilada dish out of taquitos an' enchilada sauce....cheese an' stuff. I says I gonna try this. I did. Won't be do'n that no more. Although Robert an' DIL Mandi said they was good. They have both been taught to lie when it comes to food.

There ain't nuttin new to write about other than it's get'n on the cool side again for a bit. Lower 30's at night. 54 degs today. More expected. Give me some more of that 50's at night an' mid 70's day time.....uh huh, I can take that kind of weather. Winter is over ya know.

Till next time....miss all my followers. Talk to me. 
 

I ain't got nop more projects...now what I gonna do?

I'm gonna start this post today, but ain't gonna guarantee I'll finish it today. I ain't in a writ'n mood this morn'n, but then I ain't got my first cup of coffee digested yet.

Ok, I got to slow down on these projects just a bit.

The shop doors are finished an' rehung. They are now solid like a rock. No more that rickity, crookit, don't close right, Billy Bob homemade shop doors. "You know some shit Billy Bob".

That pile of materials was just sit'n out there in the yard. I cain't have lumber lay'n in my yard like that....gotta do something with it.

 Robert digged me some holes in red Georgia clay. We planted two landscape timbers....and construction begun. I'm gonna build me a sun shade for the afternoon sun while sit'n out there on the porch deck....sip'n up a cup an' think'n ya know.

"What the hell Billy Bob, you forget to take pics during construction".
Ok, I got in a hurry....I am not a patient man. It's gotta be done right now, not tomorrow, right now.

I'm gonna stop this post right here an' finish it later.....hopefully today. AFTER I finish the sun shade thingy.

Well, here it is a few not wasted hours later....da Billy Bob done did it. The sun shade is done. Moved my Weber Q grill after put'n short legs on the platform...got it all level up. Hauled most of the building materials back to the shop.
"Now what ya gonna do Billy Bob, you is slap out of projects"?

Now there is a slight possibility I may do some modifications to the sun shade. I'm not totally satisfied.....drawing board. That would be another project wouldn't it? But I could always clean up the porch deck....put some of that stuff where it lives.....vacuum up all the leaves and stuff.
"My God Billy Bob, you wouldn't dare clean up da porch". Well I will if I take a hanker'n. 

Looks like I gonna have to make me a appointment with a heart doctor. My heart has been skip'n a beat like it ain't never done before. Then it will beat at half speed....41 beats a minute. I'm think'n this could possibly be something serious. Then all a sudden it goes back to normal....80 beats a minute. Will let ya know as soon as I know.

Ok, post time.....Oh wait!! One my favorite followers asked me a important question. That would be the wonderful RunNRose what I named the Chris Craft boat after. I tossed the thought around bout building log cabin birdhouses an' sell'n 'em. But that's bout as far as it got.

Ok let's try this again. Love ya all and miss the hell out of Texas.

Projects projects an' more projects.

Often times we just don't have the capacity to sit down and write a blog post. *I just made that up*.

Not a whole lot has been happening here in the peach state of Georgia. Weather has been almost perfect if there's such a thing. I ain't a believer in "climate change", but it sure has helped me make it through this winter. While some Yankee states have been freez'n their yangs off, dig'n their cars an' pick 'em up trucks out of snow banks, I been sit'n out there on my porch deck sip'n up a cup in upper 60's temps. Not every day mind you, but this winter has been [this] close to perfect.

I think I mentioned in my last blog post that there was a possibility I would build a bluebird log cabin bird house for my daughter Doris. Some hows she got wind of it and she catched me in the construction of it. Tell'n me she didn't want a BIG ol' birdhouse...a small one would do. I don't do small!!!
As of today (what ever day it is today)....well a few days ago, it was completed an' ready for pick up.

I breaks out my Walmart special notebook an' do me some drawings. Yeah, this will do just fine.

This is the choice I decided to build.

It all started with a bunch of boards off'n some kind of shipping crate. A short time on the table saw, I got me a pile of logs for a log cabin.

Construction begins after each log has been stained and notched on each end to lock the logs together.

Have ya ever made board an' batten gable ends on a table saw. I knows some shit.

 Door and winders constructed......like doors and winders is a hard job.....HA!

Roofs installed. Now that was a chore get'n them suckers to fit right.

Billy Bob design homemade rock chimney is installed.

And we have a completed bluebird log cabin birdhouse.

But I ain't done yet. Other projects are in the makings.

One was to throws the bird feeder in the dumpster and build another one just like it. An' that's exactly what I did.

The next project is to rebuild the warped an' crookit doors on the shop. One is completed an' rehung. The other is sit'n on the roller table wait'n for the old Billy Bob to show up and fix that sucker. Photos there are none....yet.

Then I have another project to build before "sit'n on the porch time" rolls around in warmer weather. A sun blocker to keep afternoon sun off'n me while I'm sit'n out there sip'n up a cup think'n of new projects. Robert done picked up the materials needed.

"Shit Billy Bob, you been one busy man".

Well shoot, this post ain't what I had in mind

Ok, now where were we. Oh yeah, we was posting project pictures. But before we get into that....

It's hell get'n old and stuff wears out and breaks down. I been hav'n me a hell of a time for the last 2 or 4 years. Had it not be'n for my son Robert com'n to south Texas an' rescuing me a couple year ago, I might not be here today. I'm talk'n bad shape when he come get me.

But, in the last 2 years, more stuff broke down an' it ain't fixed yet. One of those break downs the doctor, he done prescribe me some medicines what is supposed to fix it. The side effects are terrible an' I cain't take the meds. It's hard to have to live with a break down what ya cain't fix. Not life threatening, but it do get quite painful bout 2 time a month.

I'm a retiree from the University of Texas an' they pay part of my secondary insurance what includes prescription DRUGS. Everbody likes drugs. Anyhows, they change my DRUG provider to the United States drug program. Medicare part D....or something like that. Ok, I'm not in Texas at the time and Georgia is "out of circuit". But guess what, I just called them while I was typing this....and my prescriptions are covered in Georgia. I wrote all the shit for nothing....LOLOLOL.

Ok....projects. But before I get into old projects, guess what happened to my latest. The log cabin birdhouse. Ya see, when I was building the chimney I had to make my own rocks....out of spackling. As a experiment, I placed a piece of the sampe rock thingy in a bowl of water. It turned to mush. The chimney will do the same thing in a rain. The chimney was removed and sealed with 2 heavy heavy, very heavy, coats of polyurethane. That should seal that sucker from drowning an' turn'n to mush in a downpour. First good rain, what could possibly be today, I'll let ya know how it worked out.

My daughter Doris say to me...."I want one....please daddy, I want one". Do I see another log cabin birdhouse in the immediate future? I need pallets, a bunch of pallets.

We been hav'n some pretty dad gum good weather here in Georgia. Upper 50's, 60's and a couple days in the lower 70's. For winter, ya cain't beat that with a stick. But, there is some colder temps headed this way. But still in the lower to mid 50's during the working hours.

Since "yo mama" an' HIL Harry are in Texas, Robert has been serv'n me up some pretty dad gum suppers for me. I ain't cooked since they left. If they stay in Texas long enough, I may gain some my lost weight back. Can anybody spell 1 inch thick Porterhouse steak med. rare, baked tater an' a pile of green beans [] this tall? Shit, now I'm hungry.

Ok, I'm gonna have to postpone my project pictures for today. But I ain't gonna forget to get back on 'em in a few days. Until then.....have yourself a great day. See ya laters.