'This Old Crack House' #15: The new shop

I thought a lot about what Ms. D. had to say. I was uncomfortable with trading out work in exchange for her buying the tools. I though it might work out good for us if I bought the tools, built the projects and then just charged for the materials plus a small charge for overhead. This way I would gain some experience yet cover some of my costs while setting up my new shop.

I was excited!

I had been doing more and more with my hand. It still was very painful but I pretty much came to the conclusion that my hand was going to hurt regardless if I used it to build things or not. One thing I had at the end of the day, even if I was in a lot of pain, was a sense of self-worth and accomplishment. That feeling helped overcome the pain I felt from using the hand. I also was becoming very creative and resourceful and that gave me hope. For the first time in years I felt something that I had missed; pride.

The first project I took on was her wooden fence that had fallen down. I tore the rest of the fence down and built new sections in the driveway outside my ‘new’ shop.

You would have thought I just built the Empire State Building.

I have no doubt that if you were to examine it closely you could find flaws. Ok, maybe you didn’t have to look so close, they were there to see. It really didn’t matter to me because I was so proud that I did it myself with my own hands.

I knew the mistakes were there. It didn’t matter. I knew how to correct them and if I ever made another one, what I would do different. The important thing at the time was I completed the project.

Most important, I learned a lot and it excited me, and got me interested in doing more. I realize now, when I look back, that it ignited a fire. Maybe the fire always existed, and all that I needed was a little stoking and some encouragement and someone who wasn’t going to accept excuses.

My excitement and enthusiasm for woodworking was overflowing. There is a tendency to push it, when you learn something new that you enjoy and haven’t previously been able to do. I have no doubt I was pushing. I was no longer content with just managing a project. With my new shop, tools, and new found confidence, I wanted to do more and more. I wanted to learn. I was so hungry to learn. I watched everything the carpenter did. I read up on everything I could get my hands on relating to remodeling and woodworking. All I needed was a chance. That time couldn’t come soon enough for me.

I was about to find out.

The time came, way too soon and certainly not on my terms

(Protected by copy write, all rights reserved ,D.Jerzak 3-06-2007)

-- Dusty