The reason to stay in school…

Education is one of the best things you can do with your time. I have been trying to get that across to my boys for the last several years, and I think that I have finally done that… here is a good example.

In November, I bought a historic house in the town where we live. So historic that it is the OLDEST house built. NOT the oldest standing, but the first house built by the guy who platted and sold lots to others and created the town. Kind of like the early 1900’s version of “sim city”. Since November we have been remodeling it. We almost got done with the hard part, putting on a new roof (including trusses) on the stand alone garage. I have had my boys helping all during the week of spring break, mainly because the work will keep them out of trouble, and mainly because we cannot afford to pay someone. During the week, we went from this…

after ripping the roof off last weekend, to this…

with multiple trips to the landfill with the materials that we could not re-use. All of the board siding that you are seeing in the second picture will be re-used in the form of shelving on the inside, and for some furniture. I am going to be making some adirondak chairs for the porch that I have been wanting to make for some time but have not had a adequate space to set up a proper wood shop. I have most of the tools, less a couple of the sanders, and such, to make the shop happen, but just need to get it done to be able to get to work on it.

So back to my original point: My oldest son posted on his facebook today, some kids get to go on vacation for spring break, some get to go on a cruise, some get to go to the beach, I get to wake up at 7am, and work on the house doing construction, yay!! oh, yeah, did I mention that CONSTRUCTION SUCKS!?

So as long as he “got an education” this week in realizing that for him to be better than the average laborer, he needs to get an education and do something that he will enjoy. Plus, he will possibly get this GREAT historical house when he gets older, as my appreciation for all of his hard work! OR I might sell it and buy a large camper for the wife and me to see the country in. Either way, it works for me.

Until next time…