How many brothers fit on a log?

Exterior Paint 101 and Four Brothers

THANK YOU Timothy! Also thank Stephen, Michael and William who all contributed hours of their time and received little more than a scorching sunburn for their work. What would we ever do without the generosity of our children? We are very blessed.

To paint a 38 year old steel building Timothy tells us we will need to power wash it after every bolt is tightened and sealed. Of course he actually does most of this labor himself but he does get a bit of help from his three brothers. Power washing begins on the roof and finishes on the sides. This is followed by spraypainting the sides and back. The roof is saved for another trip and the front of the building must be delayed because of new siding materials the humidity is really high and the heat is intense sunburning my arms and I am on the ground manning the camera trying to look like this is helping.

The three brothers help with verbal commands and jokes while Timothy does a professional job in record time. The Dad manages to clear the sides of grass and trash. He also hauls off the third but not last truck full of trash. He burns limbs and wood for two days and we are beginning to see the mountain shrink.

Dish Issues

How many Christophers does it take to unscrew a ceiling fan? Three, one Dad to hold the screw driver and two sons to turn the ladder. This coming trip is all about our son Timothy organizing us into a paint screw tightener sealer washer crew. His own little family army of parents and siblings. As a side venture we hope to get the old ceiling fans down and possibly new ones up.
http://www.acemart.com/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=C9
Some of the planning for serving food involves plates bowls and cups. So on our 26th anniversary we were crusing the asiles of resturant supply in Arlington. We were sticker shocked by exactly how much those plates cost! The bill for a divided plate 11" by 1" deep and bowls to match with a complimentary color mug for coffee runs over 500 dollars with out tax or shipping added. OUCH! This is double what I had budgeted based on what dishes for a home usually cost.
http://catalog.carlislefsp.com/dinnerware.html
Here is a break down on our conclusions about what to buy. A round plate 9 to 10 inches with several serving dishes for sides is not only difficult to pass and carry it is far more expensive almost double. The question of what will fit on a plate and what colors look most appetizing or coordinate with the store or keep our country look were all considerations. The mugs were easy. A big mug easy to fill and carry, comfortable to hold and classic style made it a no brainer but you would be surprised at exactly how difficult that can be to find.
http://www.servu-online.com/Bar-Refrigeration-Restaurant-Refrigeration/Commercial-Refrigerators.asp
Pottery was our first choice but plastic won out when we considered dishes in the sink to wash and possible dropped or chipped. The color was set when we found some crock style pictures in several sizes. They have a speckled finish with a deeper color inside and will help make the plastic seem a bit more homey, we got one size for the syrup and one for the BBQ sauce we have not yet developed. Please note we bought Texas/US/AMERICAN when ever possible and European as a second choice. No made in China if possible.

We had to consider the size of each meat and side as well as color so the food looked appealing. We discovered the ribs we have settled on were large and needed a good deal of space, pickles are long, slaw can be mounded and beans run everywhere, so inch deep plates were needed. We decided on cloth napkins that are generous, country colors and can double as a bib and will wrap the fork and spoon. The cloth napkins will also help soften the plastic plates.

Some ways we will save money initially are no buns or sandwiches just a bread (type as yet undetermined). All sugar creamer and other sweetener will be in a server on each table we found on sale at the rest-sup store. No glasses or urns for tea (plan to add these after we get store up and running). Menu is set at certain items we will always serve (while other items will come later reducing costs of what ingredients we will need on hand and hopefully have a few excellent items).

We have reduced the amount we need to spend on ref and frez units by half after discovering some nice smaller units we plan to refill as needed and will definitely help with opening the store where we went from over 4000 to over 2000. Great savings!

The never ending saga of the missing septic tank continues. We continue to dig and pray alternately.

The paint we are using on the store is a whole subject by its self and I will get to that with pictures after this long weekend. But think space and beyond.

The Fathers Day Anniversary and Bills upcoming Birthday were covered by ordering these items: 18 quart roaster oven, 12 cup food processer and unique waffle iron. I do not think the Amazon people have their act together and will avoid ordering from them again. Polite but inept would be my verdict. Saved a good deal of money by sticking to white and black appliances that will hopefully look clean. Costs about 200 dollars, another owie!

Have abandoned the idea of staining the floor even with professional son labor that costs hugs and all the Dr Peppers he can drink it is just money we don't have.

We are testing the ribs on our paint crew. Bill has prepared them twice and had is chewing bones and begging for more. But this is our first real test as kids at home are easier. Big kids and Grand kids verdict are most telling for future as their taste buds change once they leave home.

Steppin Up

Michael and moma were at the store finishing up painting for the overhead and counter cabinets. We put in one long day and a few extra hours. But the cabinets are getting there. With a country look the trick is to be worn but not dilapidated. Kind of like old blue jeans and knowing when they are cool and when to recycle into a pillow. These cabinets were close to a pillow as you can get but a tub of wood filler and sanding till you choke does wonders. One of these cabinets was Van Brock's original counter and it made us glad to save it. The Brock family is intertwined with mine on so many levels.

The David L Brock family settled in Kanawha about 1895. He was married to Lucy Hulsey both born in Georgia. They had seven children. My grandmothers oldest sister Swan Elizabeth Walker married Henry Washington Brock, David's oldest son. Another son George Reese Brock married Battle Boulware, my Grandfathers older sister. Still another son William Davis Brock married into the Walker family. His wife Maud Walker was my grandmothers cousin. These good families are buried at Kanawha Cemetery.

Research about whether we need a partnership or sole owner is going slowly. There are advantages to both. Sometime between now and next year we need to resolve the issues.

The cooking what to cook how to cook it and serve it is more complex than we first imagined. Bill experimented with a BarBQ rub that made us all hungry for more. We are trying to weigh these different aspects.

1. Cost to make vs what someone could resonably be expected to pay.

2. A product that is somewhat original and difficult enough someone would not likely cook it for themselves on a regular basis.

3. Something we can consistantly do without crying and screaming or giving up.

4. Foods that are healthy after being prepared.

5. A way to heat and cool foods on hold for customers.

6. A way to keep food sanitary but visible.

7. Food laws and regulations.

We will not be frying food though we know Cathy's burgers were very popular. The doctor says bake, broil, grill and boil. Since Bill and I anticipate spending 12 to 14 hour days in the store we must be able to eat this food also. God bless Cathy's fortitude for standing on her feet all day, besides we know the Novice burgers are somewhat famous and we are not here to compete but to offer a choice.

Billie Bell was right about that pile of tree parts we have beside the store. It has been too windy to burn them and we do not want to be known as the couple who burned down half of Kanawha. Trying to start this store while living three hour drive away is like trying to give birth with out being pregnant. I want say it can't be done with adoption and all but it takes twice as long and the interim time sure leaves your drawers hangin out for everyone to see.

I am trying to collect pictures of the folks around this area in cluding Kiamichi so we can display them in the store possibly have some genealogy records to share with anyone interested. I have about ten years of searching combined with what some other generous people have given me. I owe a great deal of my success to those who shared their labors of love.

We went to see my Aunt Jane (King) Boulware before we left. She is still such a pretty thing even at 94. I know she misses Ernest. Me too.

In a few days we will converge on Kanawha with a face lift part one in mind for the store. Our son Timothy will be painting the store top and sides. The face will be later.

The Sink is Sunk

We sank the sink and it works fine after the plumber and his trusty sidekick finished. Every trip is a trim, spray, mow, weed eat trip. This one included some burning as well. Will had an allergy attack and had to quit early but every single bit of help is appreciated. The hole where the mower is resting contained a whole nest of large Wolf spiders who did not take kindly to the mower invasion.

Michael is not holding his head because he got whacked with a board he is saying ...
DUH, we coulda done it that way! As you can see Bill and Mike got the cabinet top on with the hole cut and a sink sunk. This was truly a miracle and so fast too.

A good deal of Bill and Michael's time was spent putting the backing on the sink cabinet. We bought some kitchen and bath paint that should help keep it fresh looking. That painting part will have to happen next time.

We discovered several interesting things...the overhead cabinets are not hung evenly over the window which had us splitting the difference when it came to sink placement. The overhead cabinets will stay crooked as it would be a monumental task for 4 strong men to just remove them and that many more to put them back an inch and a half is not worth it. We stopped short of the second sheet of board that will finish off the back splash and window casing, but it is a difficult but doable task for the future.

The cabinets under the sink were scrubbed, sanded primed and old paint covered with the light brown we are using. We left the old aged shelves and plan to fill them with baskets.

We had a visit from Mr and Mrs Pryor. They invited us to their church and shared some of their history with us. Both natives of Red River County they purchased land near Kanawha in 1973 and after many years working in Dallas retired to their property in 2001. They used to eat in Kanawha when Van Brock ran the store.

We had the sad occasion to see a young man named McCoin hit a tree at the turn in the road. It is a big event when an ambulance, two wreckers, the Highway Patrol, The Sheriff and a fire engine all come to Kanawha.

We had a yellow stripe cat and a white with grey patches cat come into the yard to hunt. We do not know who they belong to but are very glad to see them visiting.

A Bob White family has taken up residence across 410. It was so comforting to hear them call one to the other with great confidence there would be an answer. Bill has taken up bird watching when he is not spraying wasps or poison ivy.

As usual we are both so stiff we can hardly walk. Actually Bill is so stiff he can hardly limp as he stubbed his toe and walks like Chester on Gunsmoke. We have determined we can only put in about three grueling days of this labor intensive work before we freeze up and can't move.

This trip we started several projects we will finish next time. Sometimes the thinking it through and try as you go phase take so long the fix part doesn't happen as in the cover up the pipes in the bathroom and repair the damaged wood on the cabinet.

June is going to be very exciting as we hope to gather the children and grandchildren to help Timothy paint the outside. This face lift will make a distinct impression for the better.

Before we left I tried to wash off as much dirt as possible and we drove to see my Aunt Jane Boulware in Kimatia. On the way we debated where Scrap used to be. I think it may have been at my Aunt Minnie Peterson's old place that sits on a hill to the right of 410. My Aunt Jane is in her 90's and still she is pretty as a picture. She is very quick and her mind is as bright as she is. I apologized for not calling. Our cell phone doesn't work correctly in this area. She was kind and welcomed us. She has a lady helping her out, I think her name was Charlese, who is very sweet. We could not stay long but I just wanted to tell her I loved her and would keep her in my prayers. She remembered Bill from Uncle Ernest's funeral.

Michael has volunteered to work at the store some this summer. We are excited to see so much progress until we see how very far we have left to go. Still it was wonderful to see a functioning sink in the kitchen area.