"The Shirt off Her Back"

Sometimes we amaze ourselves with our clever and inventive problem solving skills.  Case in point -- how to manage huge pile of 16-foot long trim boards, which the contractor would like as l-o-n-g as possible for easier installation.

Yeah, but WE have to sand them all -- there are about 24 of them -- and then paint them.  Keep in mind, now that it does rain here daily, and the first task was just getting them dried out; they were completely soaked.  This batch of lumber was also really rough - lots of goobers.  We were not looking forward to sanding each and every piece - on three sides (since it will be nailed around all the doors, windows, etc., and will also be part of the decorative wainscoting as well)

Rather than sand each one separately, we decided to run them through the planer first.  Great idea, but the big "vacuum bag" that went on the end, to collect all the sawdust had disappeared....and we have, now, gone through every single box from our move.

There's apparently a Yiddish saying, "what to do" that is not really a question, but an expression of...neutrality and simply wondering what to do .... next.  Well, Lunel simply pulled off her T-shirt and Phil grabbed the packing tape -- and voile' we had the problem solved -- instantly.  We got a little burned out after a dozen boards or so, so we moved the production line inside -- to set up for final sanding and painting.

The planer would only do the 3-inch sides, but not the edges.  So, Phil pulled out the clamps and secured the board together in clumps of 4 each -- the exact width of the electric flat sander.  Then, we flipped them over, and sanded the other edge, thankful we didn't have to do the fourth side.

The same solution worked equally for painting, but in this case, we could clamp all 12 boards together and paint them all at one time!  We finished in time for Lunel to go out and get some seeds in potting mix for sprouting, and Phil to go back upstairs to putty and sand more holes in the wall.

Heck!  We could contract out as "prep contractors!"  If pay our yard guy $12/hour,  we should be worth at least $15/hour.  NOT! NOT! NOT!  GET THE  ---- OUTTA HERE!