Our trip to reconstruct the window surround took several unprogramed turns but with a little slight of hand the sill and other framing boards are done. As far as we can tell one person cut the hole in the outside steel wall while another cut the hole on the inside steel wall, however they were not exactly lined up. Still the result of Mike and Bill's labor is clean and functional.
I am thankful for Will who scrubbed the steel beam, sometimes with steel wool. He also removed an electric cord to what looks like a defunct stereo system.
Jody brought us chex mix, Detroit papers and a phone directory. The phone directory is especially prized as we already have need of propane information and more. I hope you are all reading her informative weather blog (see the link in the side panel).
We hauled the lighted cabinet purchased from Western Warehouse and got it in place. I do not have a picture as my new camera only charges on the computer. My old one that was simple sure looks good as I face constant difficulties over the bells and whistles on this one but those water spots were getting a bit tiresome so I will count my blessings and have pictures later.
Before we left Cedar Hill I was looking at older emails and found one I missed fromPhilip. I do not know where he and his wife, Beverly, currently live but they plan to move back to Faught. At some point in the 1950-60's Philip helped his Dad harvest grain along 410. He remembers swimming in the Red River it being warm water only a foot or so deep. Many of you in Kanawha may remember Todd's General Mdse store at Faught. H.A. ran it for the best part of 10 years.
Philip said, "When I was walking back to the field, I came across a big white monument that, as I recall, said it marked the spot where several people were killed in an Indian raid. I wonder if you know if it still exists and where it is located? I seem to recall that it was near the old Wright Plantation home place, but things have gone fuzzy after so much time."
Maybe some of you readers remember this monument too and can help him out.
Our mail lady brought us our first bit of mail. The New Pig Catalog!
We have applied to sell food from our store in the state of Texas. I am also on my second draft of the application to sell cigarettes. I wish these papers were straight forward in simple language...maybe my stupidity is just showing but a few more calls to the hot line in Austin and I should get it right. I don't plan to carry too many cigarettes but if someone asks, we need to be able to supply the basic brands. Of course my Smoke Deter herbal supplement will be on the same shelf:0)
We have contacted Leah at Sears and she is making a list of products for the store. We are looking at the possibility of getting a loan to put the appliances in place. It might make some of the services we rejected possible. There is the store checking account we need to open and the propane tank we do not have and the list goes on. I have a new appreciation for anyone who ever opened a store of any kind. But we seem to be at the end of phase one if we can just leap these last few hurdles.
We purchased sheets of acrylic to slide a few necessary signs under on the check out side of the counter. They last better than glass, do not cut and are cheaper.
The sons installed the new lights so we can see again. We need four new fixtures at some time in the future. The rest scrubbed up nicely and wires seem in good shape even the one bulb that has a decidedly pink color to it.
Short has been ok in my lifetime. However the last doctor visit I lost a whole inch in height. The nurse, who was all of 30, laughed and said "Oh, it happens all the time!" I began to realize I could not get the groceries into the big bags unless I got an equalizer of some kind so an old coke crate in front of the cashregister was the perfect answer. It gave back my lost inch and a few more.
We open in July and with in a few months expect to have deer hunters as customers. I found the Texas Hunting Forum on line and after reading about deer hunting for several hours decided the only way to know what a hunter needs is to ask. I signed up and they responded to my question about what do hunters run out of with several lists. Those men were willing to help a non hunter out as long as it was out of season. The lists were much appreciated.
March we hope to rent a nail gun that will penetrate concrete. Our plumbing skills should improve with experience. The propane line shall be extended. Lots of prayers needed here.
In response to next months challenges Bill inventoried the First Aid Kit.
