Teardrop Build 6 Addendum

Because of fighting off a cold all week, I didn't accomplish much, but that's ok. I just piddled around some.

I did get the hinges fitted on the a/c door, along with the handle and latch for the inside. I am starting the prep work to seal the plywood. I will be using a special sealer I found from Seattle. It's a two part epoxy. This same company also makes a two part epoxy filler I will be using.

Most important of all, we babysat grandkids a while back, and I included a couple of pictures of Maiya and my beautiful wife Janet.

My beautiful wife and Maiya

A sleeping angel.

Finally a functioning door

I just love the name "The Rot Doctor" I wonder if he is a real doctor?

Teardrop Build Part 6 Random Thoughts

Thought #1
It's early in the morning, 6:15 or so. I've had a big mug of coffee,  read my email, and checked the high school football scores I keep up with. Sometimes in the still of morning I listen to some music, really  old stuff that nobody likes but me, and think about the day ahead and the one I left behind.

Thought #2
I was just thinking about why I have the need to build this trailer. I don't know if I can put that into words. After the love I have for God, my wife, and family, comes this passion for music, photography and making and shaping things out of wood. Diverse hobbies, yes, but as I am saying more and more to people, "I've always been a little uneven." Being uneven and piddling just seem to go together. I know it's deep thought for so early in the morning, maybe it's the caffeine that's got my brain spinning this morning.

Thought #3
My english teacher's from high school must be shaking their heads, if they read this. I know, it's not the way to organize a paper. But being uneven gives me license to do things like this. My friends at the school I work with say I am a "hippy" deep down inside. Oh well, I guess it could be worse.

Thought #4
Because of allergies and now a head cold, I haven't worked on the trailer very much this week. Today I plan on making the door for the back, and start the process of filling in all of the screw holes, and various cracks and joints.

Thought #5
I received am email some days ago, asking for a recipe I hadn't thought about in years. The recipe is called "Gracie's Sweet Bread." Back in the late 90's I went to northern Mexico, the Chihuahua Desert, during the month of June. There is a little village called Porvenier, right across the Rio Grande river. I was part of group that helped do some much needed repair work to a little church, that was located in the village. Gracie was a mexican lady who spoke very little english. In appreciation for what we had done, she made us this wonderful bread. Through an interpreter and hand signals, she shared the recipe with me. Like any good cook, Gracie didn't really measure anything, she added a little of this and of that. It took awhile through trial and error to get proper amounts for each ingredient. What fun it was, wild times, that bring back all kinds of memories. I have made this bread several things for my family and friends. What memories that brings back.

My point, whether it's building a teardrop or playing a game of cards with your kids. Remember to share those special moments of your life, with your family and friends. Write them down before you lose them. Everyone of us have special moments that need to be shared with our children, family and friends.

When a person passes away there's always a date marking the length of their life.
Example John Smith  June 1, 1954 - July 12, 2013.

Make your life mean something in the dash

Teardrop Build Part 5- It's Skinned!

This week I continued with my teardrop build. I was able to finish the opening for the a/c unit framed, and make the door for it. Also, after thinking about how to frame the roof structure, and being indecisive, I went forward with my original plan. I was concerned about the strength of the 2X2's I would be using for the roof. But after putting all the pieces together with glue and screws, it is really very light and strong. The roof and back now have plywood on them. My little trailer feels very sturdy and solid now.

The next step in the process is painting the inside. I've got half a gallon of left over paint, which should give me at least one coat, maybe two. I going to cover the window openings with plastic and spray paint the inside. No insulation or paneling at this point. Where I live is southeast Texas, and it may stay in the 90's until December. Besides, I bought the smallest a/c I could find, and it's rated at 5000 btu's. It should freeze us out. I think I'll take it out a couple of times and see what things I need to add or change, as I use it "Just Piddle'n."

Yep, "Just Piddle'n" is the name we came up with. Everyone needs to piddle. What's your piddle?

Roof framing

A/C opening framed, with door.

The roof is finally done.

The back with plywood installed.

A view of the roof, from the inside.

Teardrop Build Part 4

It's Labor Day, 2013,  and it is hot today. I spent most of my time ripping and cutting boards for the framing on the teardrop. I was able to fit and build the frame for the a/c unit that I will be installing, and also framed both windows. I didn't work long today. It was just too hot. After all, when piddling get's hot and tiring, it is no longer piddling but work. No work on Labor Day.

This week I hope to get the door for the a/c unit built,  the roof framing put in place, and start on the back wall of the teardrop.

This evening, we had my sister over, along with my mom and dad for a supper of hot chili dogs, chips, homemade peach cobbler, and ice cream. Now?, well, it's back to piddling and then work tomorrow.

Part 3 Teardrop Build

I have been able to use Labor Day weekend as a time to "piddle", as my wife calls it, to work on the teardrop trailer. The dictionary defines piddle as "to spend time aimlessly". For me at least, I think it is much more than just wasting time. It is receiving joy and pleasure in doing something you want to do, that has no deadline to meet, and that is not necessary or required. My expert opinion is that most of us do spend time aimlessly, receiving no joy or pleasure, and certainly not giving joy or happiness away to others. It's not really my definition  of piddling. When was the last time you did something just for the sheer joy of doing? For example, Janet and I rode our bikes 6 miles the other day for some much needed exercise. On the way back home, still on our bikes, we stopped by Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone. We felt like a couple of kids, riding bikes and licking our cones, while ice cream was dripping down our arms. We turned exercise into piddling, and enjoyed every minute of it. Piddling.......

Back to the teardrop build. Planning, planning and re-planning and planning again is most important. Having a proper place to plan is more important than having all the right tools. My planning takes place in the crude rocking chair, my first attempt, with a glass of iced tea.

My planning place.

Floor framing and floor boxes painted.

The floor is in place.

One side is up, with cut outs for the window in front and a/c unit in the back.

Sides and front up. 5 ft 3 in wide and 8 ft long, 4ft tall at this point.

I added 1ft to the height in the back, ti give a little more room in the back, and if it rains, it will drain away from the rear door.

All joints were glued using construction glue and screwed. No nails on this project. I am using screws and glue for greater strength. The next step in the process will be to put additional bracing in place.

 I've been thinking about a name, but haven't come up with one yet. Time to piddle and ponder about that.