Well…this morning when I logged on I thought it said 364 days which would mean I had a whole day to go and ponder my past year of projects…then after a full day of work in the yard I came in to check the new projects and it suddenly said that I was on day 365…so if you are really BORED…read on…but since I haven’t written many blogs…well I got a little wordy…

First I want to say thanks to all of you in the LJ’s community…one year ago I was a new wood worker and a new subscriber to Popular Woodworking. I saw an ad about a table contest in the magazine… I knew I wasn’t ready but checked it out and discovered sooooo much more then I could have dreamed on the LJ site…now one year later—-and maybe 4 contests since…I have still not finished a contest project on time…but I have gained so much more. LJ’s has been a lot more important then the woodworking!

The best part of this “one year” for me is that it is happening during my spring break…as a full-time high school teacher, father of 3 and lest me not forget full-time husband my shop time is very limited during the school year…but this past week I have spent around 30 hours working very hard on 3 projects all at once. So the best part is that I have been thinking about all the lessons I have learned this year over the past week…and really enjoying my time…the other day I was in the shop until 8pm and only decided to go in because I was getting tired…

One of the reasons why LJ’s has been so important to me…is that I have often gotten into things (running, cycling, backpacking) only to let them fall by the side over time…so I was really worried that I would start this new hobby and then not continue…but I think the LJ community has really made me want to learn…ask questions and share the experience…I remember when I told my wife we should save money on the outdoor furniture and just let me spend the money on tools…and she laughed but my friends…she is not laughing anymore—-even she is beginning to believe me when I say I am gonna build something…kind of…lol.

When I started a year ago I had NEVER USED A TABLE SAW…I cant tell you how scary that was—-I remember years ago in middle school shop we were not allowed on the table saw…just the band saws, scroll saws and hand tools…

Now I have TWO table saws…lol…I took a safety class through Woodcraft and boy I feel so much more comfortable—-I still take my time and think everything through to be safe, but it is not the intimidating feeling I used to get when I started…

The funniest thing—today I was in my back year digging out a 6foot by 3 foot hole—-for drainage in my back yard—-though not woodworking project—-I would have never tried this on my own…(figuring out the drainage issue of my yard)…

And last summer when my car battery died…did I have my car towed to the shop…nope…I went down to the auto parts and got a new one…this may sound funny to all of you—-but I told my wife—-“I gotta do this myself…I am an LJ.” I have always been afraid of electrical charges since I got shocked very badly when I was a kid…and doing things like jumping a car battery has always really scared me…

The most important part about this year was during the time I started looking into buying a Shopsmith…for me…with limited funds and a very small workspace this was a huge decision…I was trying to watch videos and learn—but it was many of you who encouraged me and helped me with the pro’s and cons…WayneC…the big dog was amazing…sending me links on craigs list and e-bay daily (or practically) and giving me helpful ideas…no one came on and berated me…just gave me the truth so that I could weigh my options and decided with the best information…

In the end I went from an inferior table saw and band saw to a full range of tools…it has taken me almost as long to learn them…and learning everyday that I am in the shop…but it has been so nice to have this…again…there is no way I would not have these tools without all of you…my shopsmith has been perfect for my needs…

This week I am nearing completion of two HUGE planters that I started back in AUGUST…they are being finished with stain…and then I will put a couple coats of spar varnish on them…they have been driving me crazy because they are so huge that each time I work on them I have to move one out and a bunch of other things out…but I didn’t give up…

While the stain was drying I started a baby swing that I will finish constructing this weekend…

Ok…if you have read this far—-seriously—-THANK YOU…I am very certain that I would have given up long ago on the first few projects—-but know all of you are here…and soooo willing to help and encourage has made me persevere and want to problem solve…

I cant wait to finish my recent projects…the funny thing—-not just because of the people they will help—-but because I want to share them with all my LJ friends…

My goals for the next year:

• Continue to grow and learn…on my existing tools
• Learn more about my router—-still haven’t used it with the table
• Make some PENS (never used my lathe—-sooon WAYNE)
• Take some more classes…
• Just keep having fun…

Well…when next week starts—-will be down to 50 days in the school year!!!! And then I will be in my shop everday!!!

Peace, thanks…Matt

But now I am 24/7 off the work clock and onto woodworking…I must have logged in 5 times today…and I cant find my way out…it is like going to a casino in Las Vegas…the designers use two key methods to keep you in there…(hoping you will throw in one more nickel). First they dont have to many windows—and you never know what time it is…this way if you arrived at midnight and you are still at the Black Jack table you wont see the sun coming up.

The 2nd design is that they make the place like a maze so that you have to go a LOOOONG way to get out…and get lost half the time and throw in a few nickels at the last chance machine…

Tonight I have been jumping from topic to topic…LJ to LJ…blog to blog and I cant get out…so many interesting links and so many things to read about…

Crazy…I think this is testament to a great sight…and a great community…and I hope this is not taken in a disrespectful way (for those that have struggled with addiction) but I think I am addicted to learning about this new hobby…

Good night…I am going to make one pledge…I wont log in until I finish my darned picnic table tomorrow!!!

If i do log in before I am ready to post it—-I think I am addicted…

Ok…good night…lets see if I can get off the sight…

My question to all of you is: How many times a day are you logging in? Or per week? etc…just out of curiosity…of course when the school year starts again…I wont have as much time…but boy howdy lately…

I know that this could have been done in a private message…and I have not been an LJ very long—-but wanted to get this out incase others did not see his episode…I wish the entire show was dedicated to your project…

If you saw it…what did you think???

matt