Furniture Refinishing

There is a large backlog of projects awaiting me this Spring.  I decided last week to start with the dining room table.  I bought this Cherry, gate-leg table shortly after we moved here in about 1990.  It was in pretty good shape at that time and was used in our dining room which was used approximately three times per year.  When we moved to 819 in 1999 (dates are approximate) this table was used much more often as being the main table for dinners.  The finish on the table was varnish.  Often we would put a glass of water or pop on the table and with the condensation or spilling, the finish would be compromised.  We also would use the table for projects that were unsuitable for such a finish.  We, as a family, do not have the sensibility of proper care for nicer furniture.  We would do better with the kind of furniture one might find in a day care.  Maybe made of plastic.  Sturdy and even nearly indestructible.  Yet we still want it to look pretty good. 

I've stripped and refinished three smaller tables using Homer Formsby's Wood Refinisher and some form of polyurethane.  The results have been quite good.  The tables have a nice looking finish and one can put a bottle of beer or can of pop on the tables without worry of removing finish or leaving rings.  So now I'm in the midst of removing the old finish from the table top.  Some of this is done chemically, some physically (scrapers) and some physically (electric sanders).  When I get all of the old finish off and have sanded off as much of the old water stains as possible.  I will apply the polyurethane/stain combination.  

Today I was at a point that required a trip to the local hardware store.  Since I was on the road anyway, I had the opportunity to stop at my favorite adult beverage replenishment retailer.  In the old days, one would pick up a 6-pack.  Years later the 12-pack came into vogue.  Today, 2011, an observer in Fenton could have witnessed Ken Lamson carrying a 30-pack of PBR to his camper van.  I thought, "If anyone asks I'll say this is how I judge my physical condition.  Can I carry a 30-pack to my van?"   

I've seen my first Robin of the season this morning.  I have a supply of beer in the house and the materials are at hand for my first Spring project.  All is well with the world and I hope to see all of you very soon.  Better hurry because the 30-pack is going fast.  

Tuesday

I've reached a new low on blog titles.  It is Tuesday though.  Today is my son Curtis' birthday.  I remember when he was born I was working at a General Motors plant in Flint.  I was called home and it was time to go to the hospital.  It had been a stormy day earlier.  I worked second shift.  All went pretty well but there was a blood problem and Curt needed a blood transfusion.  He's been a wonderful son and has been through a lot with his old man.
He served in the Air Force and has one son, Kevin who is also a great young man.  The game of golf is our most common shared pastime. Happy Birthday Curtis.

I watched a couple of episodes of Intervention on the tube last night.  I enjoy the unscripted shows more these days except for comedies.  Each show of Intervention shows someone who has a problem with drugs or alcohol.  You get the details of their past life and current living conditions.  You meet their families and close friends.  Eventually they all get together for the intervention and the subject is pretty much forced into going to a rehabilitation facility.  Then you see how they did.  It's quite emotional and I always get caught up in it.  I wish these people the best outcome possible.  Most relapse at least once and go through rehab again.

I'm reminded of the Soprano's intervention for Christopher.  It's hilarious.  They all end up beating Christopher up. (hope that doesn't ruin it for you) I've seen it three times and always get a kick out of it.  Our family hasn't had a formal intervention to this point.  We just continually point out each others faults. (in a constructive way)

I wish all of you Happy Tuesday and a great family life.

Fear

I've seen some posts regarding recent global events.  Unrest in the Middle East, earthquakes/tsunami, flooding and other natural disasters.  These events can cause a feeling of helplessness and guilt in others of us who are not feeling the pain first hand.  What can we do to help?  How awful it is for those who have suffered.  What can you do when a Tsunami wipes out your entire village?  There is really very little we can do as individuals.  Our military is offering assistance to the Japanese people.  That's us helping.
Our tax money being put to use helping them.  That's not insignificant.  The U. S. has always done that.  There are charity organizations that are able to help and are worthy of donations. 

On a personal level we mourn the dead.  We express our feelings to one another.  We offer prayers.  I think you can join prayer groups on the web and combine the strength of your prayers.  If you are a spiritual person this might be the way to go.  There is evidence that this does work.  If you want your money to be used most effectively stick with the Red Cross and other similar organizations.  It wouldn't be smart to donate to the Ken Lamson World Wide Giving Fund.  

Some have been listening to too much of the news coverage which tends to exaggerate the problems of the world.  It can seem awful, cataclysmic and end-of-the-worldly.  You must try to eliminate fear and anxiety.  Do what you can and that's all you can do. There is no need for guilt just because your house didn't get damaged.  Maintain your vigilance regarding those who would do harm to you and your family.  The natural disasters will happen and if there are preparations or safeguards we can use to limit the damage, we need to prepare.  Other than that, live a happy life without guilt.  Hope my two cents on this subject helps calm some minds out there.

biopsies

When one has something biopsied, it's a little nerve wracking.  You surely don't want to have cancer.  I had another biopsy yesterday and I'd say there is a good chance it is cancer.  It's just a guess.  I don't think it's worse than 50/50.  The good news is it would be a relatively easy procedure for fixing it.  My brother has had a couple of bouts with mouth cancer and the last one involved quite a bit of medical intervention.  He has a great attitude though and handles these things very well.  What else would you expect from your big brother.  He has always been a hero of mine.  He is nine years older than me and so was pretty grown up when I was a kid.  He went into the Navy when I was about eight and that was when he left home for good.  I finally could sleep on the fold out couch that we shared by myself.  I still appreciate having a bedroom.  

So, today I feel a bit better about my health than before we saw Dr. Chepeha at Uof M.  He put us at ease with his charm and engaging manner.  He remembered Brooke and where she works.  There are always several young residents or interns around learning from him and he handles it all very gracefully.  I have confidence in him just like Uncle Junior did in his surgeon Dr. Kennedy.(Sopranos)

Blog you later, I'm following the Big Ten Basketball Tourney starting today.  Bye

Forex Trading

There was a big article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday about Forex trading.  This is trading currencies.  I'm not sure how it's done but people stay up over night to do it.  There is money to be made and lost.  One way to get into it is through a "web site" currensee.com where you can get information and set up your account.  You can choose to follow certain "Leading Traders" and your money will be invested following their moves.  I don't know if I'll try it but it is interesting to see their strategies and results.  There is a social network part to it also and Lord knows I can use that.  Of course there are scammers out there trying to take advantage of our greed.  It seems the only thing I can depend on lately is Ebay.

I saw an article on Yahoo Finance about studies that show a correlation between health and happiness.  Those who are happy, experience more positive emotions etc. tend to be healthier and live longer.  It is significant.  It is as important as the other highly regarded behaviors for health improvement: diet, exercise, avoid excess weight, avoid smoking.  So remember to be happy.   Hypnotists say every thought has an effect on your body.  If the negative thoughts continue for too long they can actually make you ill.  I recommend that article to you and I will try to link to it.  If unsuccessful go to Yahoofinance.com. Article by Laura Rowley.