Another Lifetime to go

31st July 2018

My day of departure is here, but it’s a late flight out of Grand Rapids, so I have a full day still to go.

On our dog walking route I noticed some sheets of OSB outside a house restoration. As we need to be thrifty with our building project, I asked the builders if they were surplus, and if I could buy them. They were happy with what I offered them (beer money I expect) so I walked back to get Kelli and the truck. Of course she could not go without her hair being perfect, but as it was humid she was having issues. Finally we drove to collect the boards. They had some water damage , but not enough that they could not be used. With a lot of effort and dripping with sweat, we loaded nine sheets on to the roof rack. Kelli did very well without gloves, and non perfect hair.

We got to Gerald Ford airport with minutes to spare, but as soon as I got to the gate I was told there was a weather problem in Chicago, so there would be a delay of about forty minutes, which eats into the short transfer time for the London flight.

The flight back was difficult, the girl sitting next to me was a bit smelly, and not in a good way. There were a few babies, and young children exercising their vocal abilities, also not in a good way, but with sound cancelling headphones it helped a bit.

30th July 2018

I got annoyed with Dave in the hospital. He was given the opportunity to have ultrasound to his legs so the doctors can check his blood flow.

He refused to have it done despite the discussion we have had in the past about trying to find a solution to his problem. He was worried about the pain he would have to endure, so I talked to the nurse about giving him something to dull the pain, which they could, but he still refused to do it. That messed me up for the whole day. It’s hard for me to understand what goes around in his head. He is in the best place to get answers, or provide the doctors to learn more, but he just can’t grasp it, ggggggh! Later in the afternoon he released himself from hospital.

In the evening we went to New Holland with Greer and Cameron for dinner.

This was a party of laughs, because Cameron was having work and relationship issues, and Greer also has dissatisfaction with her job, but she wants to return to college to further her education, so there is a glimmer of light for her down that long dark tunnel.

29th July 2018

I made a start on stripping the finish off the coffee table. I had my trusty chisel and sandpaper, and before long shit was flying everywhere, even Kelli won’t come near me when I’m in that state. I finished the stripping by mid afternoon, just in time to go and visit Dave in hospital.

It looked like the fluids and antibiotics had started to make a difference, although in his weakened state he was not the same person I used to know. There is something about illness that accentuates our frailty, and makes us act old, then we are at our most vulnerable, and most pathetic.

I experienced that feeling a few years ago, when I had flu, and alone.

28th July 2018

Kelli’s dad went into hospital last night. Over the last few days they had taken so many blood samples, I expect they wanted to give him some back. We popped in to see him, all hooked up with tubes giving him liquids and antibiotics. Once the infection in his leg responds he will feel a whole lot better, and get back to his normal routine.

The fun started when we tried to find our way out of the hospital. Most places like this are always a maze of corridors that all look the same. I have a reasonable sense of direction, but this time I was stumped. At one time we passed the same chapel of rest twice, and there was no one to ask. We took the decision to follow any exit, which led us past more sick people, more nurses workstations, and more Herman Miller furniture. Eventually a door led to the outside, and we were met by fresh air.

Unfortunately we emerged at the opposite end of the building to where we parked the truck. This meant we had to take the path and overcome the hurdles of the grass irrigation system. We had to get the timing right otherwise the spray would hit the path. It was quite a simple task, just wait until the water moved round, then run on until the next one, and do the same over again. It was hardly a Mission Impossible stunt. ” These shoes are not for running” Kelli complained. So this slowed our rhythm down, and at one point we had to jump into the road to avoid getting soaked.

We found the car park, jumped into the truck, found the dessert that we brought out from our dinner earlier, and headed home.

I had a thought about when the hospital was being built, and how many builders went missing, never to be seen again.

27th July 2018

Another free pickup today. Kelli entrusted me to take the truck and find the address where two desk pedestals were being given away.

I managed to find the place with ease, and the pieces were standing by the garage. I rang the doorbell and waited. The door was answered by a man who resembled a St Bernard dog, hair all over his face and droopy eyes. His handshake almost crushed my hand and almost into submission, but I fought back by confusing him with the English language. Almost everything I said I had to repeat, in the end we loaded up the truck, and attempted to find my way back to the book store.

Kelli is troubled by the health of her father, he has been to the doctors, had blood samples taken, and been given antibiotics, but until results of both are available, the uncertainty remains.

The coffee shop had its share of people conducting their business amongst the normal users. Some louder than others. I try tuning out their voices, but it’s difficult. Some voices cut though like glass shards, I then lock-in and listen along. One guy was talking about hiking holidays, and trying to organise adventures experiences. The other was an estate agent, talking to her office about up and coming deals.

Often there are students who work on the projects, but that is more acceptable, I can drink my coffee and write my blog in peace.

26th July 2018

Today was the day when offers of free furniture were received. This could go ways, either good or crap. The first was good. Kelli had a call from a friend that several pieces of furniture, including a Queen sized sleigh shape bed frame. Mention something free to Kelli, and she’s dressed with her hair done in record time. So we set off towards the north side looking for the address. The GPS on her phone is so slow, it takes a while to kick in, and even then it is reluctant to give out information. It is more likely to tell you when you’ve missed a turn. However despite that, we managed to find the place. It was down a short track littered with bomb craters, or that’s was what it felt like. I’m so glad we put new shock absorbers on the truck, because we sure needed them.

In these out-of-the -world places there is alway a collection of dead vehicles, and this place was now exception, probably all with wrecked suspension, or the means of transport from previous people enticed by the offer of free furniture, that were never seen again…….Ooh! I never thought of that.

Fortunately we survived, and had to make two trips collect everything. The bed frame is monstrous, there is enough wood to build a Viking long ship, and if it doesn’t sell, it would look spectacular set adrift, and burning on the lake.

At the opposite end of the scale is the crap. We headed off towards Zeeland, the town where God would live if he needed a place on Earth. Kelli had responded to a offer of a mirror, thinking it would be carved out of heaven wood and bathed in haloed sunlight, but instead it was made of plastic, so is destined to go to the bottom of the drive.

Whilst we were driving Kelli asked me what we should price the heavy dining bench at. I’m not particularly good at doing this, and in the past have guessed really high. “You have to understand that these people are Dutch ( translated as being as tight as a gnat’s chuff) The won’t pay high prices” said Kelli.

So with a little pressure I blurted out “165!”

Her mouth opened wide in exaggerated surprise. That’s exactly what I was thinking” we both high five’d each other.

25th July 2018

I thought when we picked the heavy bench from Goodwill last Saturday it would be a quick transformation, well it’s Wednesday, and it’s still here. I finished sanding the top, but I needed to finish the sofa table. The frame had so many faces to paint that only when I stood back I would see the ones I had missed. Turn it over and there would be many more. I had stained the top, and applied the sealer, so by the end of the day it was finished.

24th July 2018

The Dyson was no match for my nimble fingers.

Kelli’s machine could not be used in the upright position as the brushes would not turn. So with many YouTube videos under my belt, I ordered the parts, and today was repair day.

I worked through the first part to be removed, second part, a little more tricky, but the third part required a number 15 TORX screwdriver, BASTARD! In the truck and off to the local armoury, sorry, hardware store. Fortunately there is one quite close to the Design Yard.

The store only had a set of six different size TORX screwdrivers, and they wanted $30 for it,! So I settled for a Nutdriver and TORX bit that would into it.

I managed to remove two of the three screws, but the third was down a deep recess that the Nutdriver was too large to pass through, BASTARD!

I switched into genius mode and drilled out the plastic case so that the tool would fit through.

(Take that Dyson design team)

With the screws removed, the clutch cover lifted off.

The clutch unit could then be removed easily, or so the videos implied, BASTARD! it required pulling, levering and some really bad language.

Eventually that part came out, and I saw the drive belt was loose, the reason why the brush wouldn’t turn. I opened the box of the replacement part and proceeded to try fitting it. BASTARD! It was really hard to align everything, and once the clutch unit was seated correctly, the drive belt had to be stretched over the motor spindle. The last remaining part was the brush for which a belt had to be stretched over.

With Kelli’s help we managed it, once the last plastic part was fitted it was time for a test run. At first nothing happened, then I turned the knob on the side, it started to make a sound I hadn’t heard before, the brush was turning, Yay!

Breakfast is the best meal of the day, Kelli prepared a smashing meal of fried potatoes with vegan cheese, toasted bread with mashed avocado and fake bacon. This was so good it was almost a crime to eat, but I fought against it and devoured it.

23rd July 2018

The end of this trip is approaching, and the panic is setting in. I have this week to complete the items that have money at the end of them.

Kelli had agreed to buy a plate rack from an address in Saugatuck, and as I had nothing better to do, it was me who was nominated to collect it. I tried to memorise the directions from her phone, but the moment I left the book shop I forgot most of them. I engaged gut feel, and set off to find the white pick-up that was parked in the drive.

At each intersection There were three choices, left, right or straight on, but amazingly I found the place, or rather it found me. Luckily the person selling the item was working in the garden, and saw me floundering about.

Fashion has never been my forte, I subscribe to the Jeremy Clarkson school of gentlemen attire. Denim goes with everything. One of my pet hates are cargo pants, especially on older men. Along with cargo shorts, they are the most unflattering clothes ever designed. I believe the design brief was to create something that has bulges in all the wrong places, and to make men look like aliens. They might look better on dockers or slaves, but parading down the Main Street in Saugatuck even the gays feel humiliated.

Another no no is camouflage clothing. People pay good money, when they could join the army and get them for free. Anyway what is the point in camouflage shorts? The last thing I would like to do is blend in to the background, and leave my legs exposed.

In an attempt to make me look less like Jeremy C, Kelli now prepares clothes that are co-ordinated and less like a tradesman. I now feel I’m in a photo shoot for a John Moores catalogue.

22nd July 2018

As always this is supposed to be a rest day, but inevitably there are always things that I’m behind on. I made the mistake of sanding the top of the heavy bench, so I had to finish it. There was also the sanding of the sofa table so that it is ready for sanding.

We went up the Kelli’s parents for dessert, and to cut some wood pieces.

There was concerns about Dave’s health, he recently has gone down hill recently. An indication of this is we’ve only been out for breakfast once this trip. This is usually our escape, and the opportunity to “chew the fat” and put the world to right.

He has a stubborn streak, and has refused to visit a doctor to treat his bad legs. Everyday he has to bind them with dressings, and there is concern that he might loose them. I believe he is frightened, he chooses to ignore the problems, hoping it will heal itself. He is much weaker, his voice is thin, and it looks like he has given up.

When he does move, it is with sticks or a frame. The family are angry with him for not caring about himself, and it effects everyone. In a couple of months he has to take Kelli down the path at our wedding, by then, I don’t know if he will have the strength.

This put a downer to the day, it is frustrating being unable to get into a person’s head and help them want to help themselves.

Before we left, I needed to investigate the construction of the roof above the kitchen.

This meant that I needed a ladder, luckily Dave had a collection of step-ladders handing on the wall. Getting to them was a task in itself. First the car had to be moved, then the rubbish bin, followed by a small trailer. Finally once the wheelbarrow was repositioned, I could unhook the largest step-ladder. Then lift it over a petrol can, and past the items we had previously moved. Once cleared of all the obstacles, I was able to climb up to check what was up there. It was not easy because of how the garage was built on the the kitchen. I took some measurements, and preceded to put the step-ladder back. It took the assistance of both Kelli and Greer to guide me back, knocking over a stack of cardboard boxes in the process.

There was a medical emergency in our place when Kelli cut her thumb on a piece of broken ceramic. From the initial moment I expected blood spurting everywhere, but no, it was a mere scratch. Of course,there’s a list of things she would not be able to do with a damaged thumb. The main one being, washing her hair, others would include not being able to use the cooker, and opening a bottle of wine.