Tuesday, June 11, 2013

An Unexpect Adventure

 DD#1's Sunday dinner was a hit. She tried 3 new summer salad recipes that were all easy to make and good. The grands ate alfresco that is until hubby and I showed up! Ha
 Tyler is at that age where they seem to always be hungry. He inhales his food, the little girls are easily distracted, Mason man likes to take his time, he never leaves a bite.
 We love to watch the Mommy birds build their nests in the spring. Having some bird houses around where we can see them from the deck is a sure way to enjoy the process.
 Hard to see this one. It's from Rock City "Chattanooga, TN" if you ever have the opportunity to be in the area this is a wonderful city to visit.
 Back when I was buying trees for DD#1's yard the nursery had the greatest bird house. Nice and big made from pressure treated wood, sure to last for years and years. I started to buy one then but we were already going over budget so I held back. With Fathers day coming up and wanting to find something for hubby to do in his off time I thought this would make a great Fathers day gift. He and Tyler would enjoy making something like this, it's much better than the junky wood working kits they have been doing.
 However the shop had sold out of bird houses but they did have this out door shed that was the same design as the birdhouses.  This will be perfect for gloves, twine, knife, sunscreen, bug spray, who knows what else and even a few towels to use in the hot tub (summer mini pool for the grands).
Not my Photo of a typical NC chicken house

Talk about customer service. The nursery shop owner knew just what I wanted and thought the fella who did their woodworking might have extra birdhouses in his shop. She gave me directions to his place. What a COOL workshop it was!!!

Yesterday I was get the errands done so I could head home to do the wifey thing. Two errands turned into dozens of stops, grr but the thing that took the longest and was well worth getting soaking wet in yet another day of tropical rains.

Talk about repurposing at it's best!! The couple that owns the land inherited from his grandparents. Way back when, they raised chickens to supplement their income. Fast forward 50 years or more, the fella had converted one of the chicken houses into a HUGE woodworking shop. OMG I wanted it all!!! There was nothing the man didn't make/have in his shop for outdoor use. Of course being from the South once you discuss "who your people are" we got down to talking about his cottage business out back.

His former company like many these days were downsizing due to the economy. Younger people were being laid off, some of the older people were being kept on but for who knows how long. At 62 he was afraid of a layoff down the road and maybe the package wouldn't be so good. His wife had been a stay at home Mom all her life. Like me soon after the kiddo's were out of the house the grands came along, the house once again filled up fast Mon-Fri while grandma helped the mommy's out. Needless to say his wife is plenty busy!!

He had always tinkered around making wood furniture, garden stuff for family, gifts, donations for the church bazaar. Figured maybe he could stay out of his wife's hair and make some pocket change. Well he is doing MUCH more than that now days!!

A small business like this would be great for hubby at retirement. He could do what he loves other than spending money on guy stuff and bring in some chrome money to boot. He does so love his chrome for the bike.

Have you thought about starting a cottage business after retirement or would you rather just kick back and enjoy the free time? I think hubby and I would both like to do something, not just for the income but to stay busy. Until the grands are all school age I don't have much free time but someday...maybe

11 comments:

  1. We have enjoyed kicking back with our retirements...but I keep busy with the things that I love doing...for example, I looked at the calendar last night and was thrilled that is was empty for the week...all about me!! I realize that this sounds selfish but with a social work and teacher career(s) I am just about given out when it comes to others..for now at least. This way I can do those things that I feel led to do and not busy "stuff"...

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  2. You are one of the many unsung hero's in our country, teaching and social work...both would be so rewarding but still heart breaking at times. I LOVE an empty calendar, but more often than not I can just get a day now and again! Ha

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  3. You can totally make a little extra money with sewing. Like Carla does :) And it's something you enjoy doing too :)

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    1. I think you are right Lena but selling is so out of my comfort zone!! I might do enough to cover the cost of my fabric addiction! Ha

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  4. I don't know what we will do when we are both retired...but I would like to do some small income producing thing. Love the pictures of the kids. I hope you have a really good week- xo Diana

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    1. Nana, I would think your blog could bring in some income, it is wonderful!!

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  5. I pray i'm still able to help with the finances with sewing as Lena said.. I absolutely LOVE it and it helps soo much! :) Your sewing is spectacular Debby... do you sell your items as well?

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    1. I have sold some custom t-shirt quilts and have more sitting waiting for me, but they are a bugger to do! You are doing such a great job with your sewing creations! Love your post regarding the cost of handmade items, people have no idea what fabric/notions cost plus your time.

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    2. this is why I dont do smal litems any more. I did not like doing them. I decided that if I was going to have a cottage business it would be on my terms. In my case that means sports quilts, and mainly seasonal items (other than coasters the smallest items I make are napkins and table runners(

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  6. You are Plenty Busy too, Debby. I love Birdhouses. I should take pics of the few I have.

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  7. Just received a cheque for $500.

    Sometimes people don't believe me when I tell them about how much money you can earn filling out paid surveys online...

    So I took a video of myself getting paid $500 for taking paid surveys.

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