Perpetual Ruminations

Always Something

It took a bit of doing but I figured out how I want to install the countertop in the garage. I want it to be strong, but also not too difficult to take down and move if needed. I had thought about putting some base cabinets under the countertop, but they are much too expensive to use in the garage and I couldn't find anything used within driving distance.

So, I took measurements today and set about designing a bench to mount the countertop on. Actually, I took measurements twice, since the first time the paper I had them scribbled on got used for scratch paper and discarded. The countertop is in two sections and measures over nine feet. It's not real heavy, but a solid frame for it would be pretty heavy and awkward to move. So, I am building it in two sections that can easily be separated and moved, if or when needed. I am also setting the height for a comfortable position for standing or sitting on a stool. Finally, and this I still have to figure in, is the legs all need to be different lengths because the floor of the garage is tapered toward the center.

Hopefully, I can get the lumber to start building pretty soon. I may not be able to do much until the girls are back in school, but that's not the main hold-up. The tabs for the pick-up are expired and the new ones haven't arrived yet. We sent for them since the covid thing has everything shut down or messed up. That was in September, the tabes expired at the end of November. The check was cashed about a week after we mailed for the tabs, but nothing came.

We contacted them and got a lot of run-around, but finally were told they should be in here anytime. That was in December! Today, in the mail, we finally got something back. No, not the tabs, but a notice saying that the wheelage tax had changed and we owe another ten bucks. I am not going to send it in the mail, it will be spring before we get anything back. Instead, I will have to make an appointment and go into the DMV and try and straighten it all out.

So, until that mess is done, there won't be any driving the pick-up. That means no way to haul the lumber unless I can fit it into the car. It also means my plans for going out ice fishing are also on hold unless I can fit everything into the car. But, that also means dragging a lot of snow into the car as well. Oh, and since my wife uses the car for work, so it's either drive her to work, do my running, then unloading everything and running back to get her. But hey, I have all my ice fishing gear now, I'm ready to go give my new hobby a try, and I have the plans for the bench frame, I just don't have a vehicle I can drive...