Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Fun Work

I have never had a job I disliked, but I have had jobs I enjoyed more than others.  Over the years I have tried many trades and was able to work with them all, but if not careful one can become "A Jack of all trades, but master of none." 

Of all the jobs I have had in my 77 yrs of life, General Contracting of residential homes was my 'dream job'.  Building a house was just a big fun puzzle to put together. I also have to give my sweetie credit for pushing me the way I wanted to go.

I had built one house, a small two bedroom house. No A/C because I did not know anything about installing air conditioning, but back then folks used window units..















(My sisters and their hubbies came to see the first house, that is young Shirl in foreground and Kat & hubby Dick. Jim took the pic.)
Sherry hates debts, we had bought a house for $21k with payments of $203 a month. She despised house payments.  On one of our walks she asked, "Honey, can you build us a house and get us out of debt?"

MY answer was quick, "I believe I can. No, I am sure I can."

"Then let's find a lot and do it."

We did just that. We found a beautiful sloping wooded lot.  WE cut trees, dug stumps actually loaded 500 lb stumps on our pickup using levers, ‘come-alongs’ and brute strength and took them to the dump one at a time.  I’m smiling because she even helped me roof that one. I think we were in our forties. 


(We mixed every bag of mortar, laid every brick and drove every nail in this house)

But that was the start of our construction business.  I hated to quit in the evenings. I could not wait to get back to the house I was building.  I did become what I considered a master home builder. My policy, that I tried to pass to my son, was: I will never build a house I would not live in.

But that experience is why I can do this kind of work. Besides, I love this little house. It does need two baths, and I might just boot-leg one in.

Tomorrow we head to The Villages and Sherry's eye checkup.  Then down by Marks and on to St. Pete to meet with Grandson Josh and wife Megan. Looking forward to it.

Nite Shipslogt.

PS: I know part of this is a repeat, 'I can still work pretty well, but my memory don't do too good.'

This is a 1905 Mason Car. I can't say that with out thinking 'Mason Jar'.

9 comments:

Mevely317 said...

Said it before, and I'm (happy to) say it again ... I LOVE that house with the double garage and U.S. Flag!

BTW, Tom and I've become a two Ship's Log household. When you share a post I'll read and grin and pass the tablet onto DH. (Never mind he's trying to watch his silly Chicago Cubs.... lol.)

You know, when fur-baby Caraleigh and I drove north out of Tarpon Springs I swore I'd never go back again ... but your posts almost(!) are making me homesick. :) Safe travels!

betty said...

How fun with your plans to visit family :) You and Sherry are such a great team to be working together! You both compliment each other in so many different ways!

betty

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

You two do make a great team for sure. Nice you are getting a break from working. Enjoy the time with family!

Dar said...

Jack and Sherry, How I love your first house you built together. It's so darned cute as you two are. I had to giggle at the 'back then folks used window units....'. I laugh because we still do. It works for us for the two weeks a summer that we need it. lol
Have a great visit with your family. We have family coming home too this week that will be fun to see again.
Bless Your Hearts from our north where it's raining and supposed to turn into snow before the day is up. The Farmer's Almanac predicts a long, cold, deep snow winter....not so sure I'm willing tho. Maybe we'll break out the snowshoes for a change. Mama says hi!

Lisa said...

I'm just going to say it again....You impress me!!!
I love small spaces. I would love to live in a small four room house. I want it to have a patio and two baths though.
Lisa

shirl72 said...

I know you will have a nice visit with Josh and Megan. Guess they are on a vacation. Hope Mark is doing OK.. Glad you are taking a little rest. Tell everybody I said Hello...

2023 said...

I hope Sherry's eye checkup goes well. I don't really need to tell you to enjoy the rest & family time, but I just did.

Sounds like Sherry's debt-hating turned into a wonderful business.

Rick Watson said...

I can do many things but building a house is not one of them.
R

Rick Watson said...

I can do many things but building a house is not one of them.
R