Sunday morning again 😄

Seems like Sunday's are coming faster, I barely get done one Sunday, and her I am at another. Polly's Mom, Memere told me that this would happen, and here I am. Today we get rain to start, but I'm thinking it won't rain all day, I have a bench to build.

This bench will be attached to two planters I've already built and finished with stain and the black trim. It's going to look great. I could build inside my shop, but I'm thinking be a bit tight. Will see, I want to get this project completed by Tuesday. 

This is the picture from my customer 

My design will be different but similar 

No hockey 🏒 for us anymore, Polly I'm sure will still watch the oilers, I'm just not into it anymore, I got things to build. 

The market was good yesterday, I got a few more orders, some that I had no idea would be asked for. The sign I made, the lady did come back, and was happy with it, and the woman that wanted a trellis made came back and picked it up. I was thinking they weren't coming back. I've now adjusted my thinking, if it's ordered people want it, and will come back for it. 

This whole market stint is something I really like. It's more than just selling, or $$, it's a visit with friends and family day. People come and talk, I met my nefew Tyler there yesterday, that was so good, hadn't seen him since we left the valley last summer. So much catching up was done, I'm going to go visit him at his house he's rebuilding, almost finished he said. 

Tyler has a van that he's also done some alterations to, he really liked being in that, he's looking forward to selling his home, and moving back into his van again. As we talked I realized he's saying the same stuff I say, that being mobile is great 👍.

That being able to move about as the mood strikes you, and in his case park where you like. Was a really nice visit, intupted by a possible customer. He didn't care, off he went to look around the market. 

Then Bell stopped by, I hadn't seen her for along time, we yaked about her life and ours, was really nice, will go visit her and Steve in the next week, I been wanting to, but just kept putting it off. 

Then there are customers, and children, and other vendors, just a big party of people, oh and dogs, they there to party too. Yep it's way more than you'd think at this market. 

After I had setup my tables, satisfied I was really ready for the 9am bell 🔔 I went and had a look at a few of the other vendors, the people with the flower baskets looked so beautiful, I took a photo, and talked with them abit, they have a few ideas for me to build smaller boxes, for people that just have small patios on their apartment. This week I will do just that. 

Other vendors I looked at were the distillery from Qualicum, I didn't get a photo though, I stopped by the lady that does the baking, had to get my cookies 🍪, Mmm oatmeal chocolate chip 😁.

     My display was not too organized 

Although next weekend it might be a tough go, as I'm going to Jet's grad ceremony at 2 pm in Comox, the market ends at 12, Polly's up now, so talking with her, I think I can make it to the market, and still make the grad ceremony on time. Going to have to get building, I'm outta stock now, sold almost all I had built. Be a busy week, dam am I looking forward to this week, working inside my little shop, between the rain drops, be a different week.

Oh yeah, I had Marion and her sister Lil come by too, Marion messaged first. Do you still have any of these boxes? Yes! I wonder now, do I put quotes around messaging as people speaking? Lol

Friends that are customers. This was great, yet different, I would usually visit more with them, but as customers that changes. We talked about the boxes they wanted, and the greeting and visit was kinda less. Was really nice to see Lilian again, I had visited with Marian a couple times since we have been back, but the whole time was spent mostly on the planters, and getting the order straight exactly what they wanted, this I'm learning is really important to get correct first time. 

Coffee #☕ ☕ now, Polly is looking on her tablet for something, I'm pecking here on the phone, and the rain continues. My mind keeps going to the bench I'm going to build, see if it gets done today?

Life is really good right this moment, warm, dry, coffee is hot, and words just keep flowing outta my brain. I snicker just now and myself, some look outside today and just see rain 🌧️ I'm seeing possibilities all over the place, what a good hey. 🤣

I ready now to start, and the rain comes harder lol

Love our life ❤️ 

Ps, 7am, rain quits 😀

Waking early gives me time to think.

   My latest stained plater for a customer 

When I wake early I often think as I go to look at the time "Is it 4am or later 🤔"

Well today it was before 4, 3:30, too early yet I was wide awake. Oh well, I'm going to the market today, so no woodworking this morning, just planning and taking orders for projects in next week. 

I'm getting used to the daily play making many things as the day goes on. Sometimes people stop at my display of planters and signs and ask about them, how much for this? Can you make this? Could you help me with? I'm used to it, and it feels good being productive, as well as helpful. 

A few days ago I had someone answer my add on marketplace, asking if I could make planters a certain size? Yes is always my answer, but the interesting thing about how we operate now is it's all in a message. I'm still getting used to this, learning how to quote someone a price for something I haven't yet made, creating in my mind before it becomes reality. 

This particular event became just a little more interesting when I got the information that there would be two people directing the project, with two different ideas. Hmm, I am still working on it, but that is not usual, mostly it's one person giving me the information. 

The other part of this new way of taking orders is I can, and am often, be anywhere when I'm answering the message, in my shop, at the table, in my chair, in a poker game, or of course in the can. I answer as soon as I get a message, I don't keep a ringer on on my phone, or a bell, just a slight buzz, and that's usually enough, but sometimes when I'm really busy it takes longer for me to answer as I don't hear of feel it as phone's not on me. 

I may be getting too busy, I joked with Polly yesterday, I'm going to have to take a holiday 😄. 

My legs get sore at the end of the day, yet I don't really feel it as I'm working, it's just age that catches up to me, but I keep moving, that helps me mentally, I believe it's important to keep going. This kind of work is fun, even if I'm not successful each time, having to rip something apart, as it didn't work out, that the learning that I like. Of course we all like to be successful first time, but that's just not reality. 

As I write the rooster 🐓 crows, it's getting decent light out now, I heard the geese earlier than the rooster. I like the sounds here, always wanted to have a farm when I was younger, now I get to enjoy all of the sound's, smells, and feeling, yet I don't have to be a farmer. Lucky me. I couldn't ask for a better place to call home for a short time each year. 

Today is the Spirit Square Farmers Market at Harbour Quay, I'm going with what's left of my planters, people keep buying them! Going to have to make more stock. I also bring some sign blanks, and signs I've made, to give people an idea of what I can do with a router and interesting pieces of wood. I really like this part of woodworking, it's creative, and as with most of what I'm doing, I'm learning as I go. 

Perfection is not what I'm after with my work, mostly I'm trying to get something that looks good, as well a functional, I want it to hold together. I've had a few fails, but like I said I'm learning. 

    load and Go, today is market the day 

5:30 now, soon I can get outside and start loading, and get the just right pieces of wood for signs and all the planters all in Rambo's box, and off I'll go to enjoy another fun day at the market. Time fly's there, always someone with a question, and every once in awhile a person with an order, I have to secure a deposit from now on, some order and don't return. 

I have 2 trellis's that a lady ordered that I'll bring with me today, she works at the Quay, I'm interested to meet her, as the order came in a message, with photos, at much back and forth, one of the best interchange's I've had to get it right. I learned much from this one order.

Who said as you age you loose, you slow down a bit, but I'm busy, and enjoying this productive, fun hobby that's turned into a business.

                    Thank's Steve

Oh, yea, I got a name suggestion from my nefew yesterday, so I made up the sign, I like it I said to him, in a message. Ain't it the Way! 😂 Message's 

I hear Polly stiring, but too early for her. I'm going to go for a walk, then load the truck. Weather is in my favor today. 

Love our life ❤️