A Bit of Inspiration

A Family That Creates Together,

Stays Together

Last December, my stepson Dan, proposed a pallet wood challenge for the family.  The rules are simple:

• Must be made using pallet wood, but can contain other elements
• Must follow the given theme
• Individual projects (can have help, but must be your own work)
• Must be completed by the deadline

Mallory created a logo for the competition.  The KDH uses our last names...Krause, Danks and Hummel.

The theme for the first project is "The Office".  The deadline was supposed to be February 28.  But due to the very cold weather in Ohio (where most of the participants live), we all agreed to extend the deadline a few weeks.  

A Real Retired Housewife of Florida's

Adventure With Pallet Wood

First I found a pallet, then used a reciprocating saw to cut through the nails like butta'.  

I used a hand sander to smooth out the pieces, glued the boards to a solid piece of luan plywood and trimmed the sides with a circular saw.  I finished the wood with Minwax Wood Finish (Natural).  The clear finish brought out the rich tones of the different types of wood.

I added black 1" x 2" trim.  Notice how my work area includes the Plantation Woodworkers shop, my garage and KITCHEN!  .  

I strategically placed three clipboard clips and printed out some inspirational sayings.  The finished piece fits just right in THE OFFICE above my computer desk. I am very pleased with my project.  It is creative and useful.

The Challenge

Mallory has posted all of the entries on her blog, Danks and Honey.   Check out the projects and VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE.

I didn't know there was so much talent in this family. I will have to bring my A-GAME for the next challenge...

Space Coast Adventures

Brian and I set out to the Cape Canaveral/Cocoa Beach area for a SPACE COAST ADVENTURE.  We spent a day at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), watched an evening rocket launch and did a Segway tour of Port Canaveral.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

We spent the whole day at the KSC and still didn't see everything.  Brian and I started off with a bus tour to the Apollo / Saturn V Center.  The center is dedicated to the Apollo Program which used the Saturn V rockets to bring man to the moon and safely back to earth.  There is a full restored Saturn V rocket hanging overhead.  It is BIG.

The F-1 rocket engine components looked familiar.  I saw a few of these in Ohio last. year.  The company where my daughter, Mallory, works had three of them sitting in the back.  Thomarios has been involved in many spacecraft restorations.

The center is filled with exhibits from the Apollo program...a command/service module, a lunar module, a NASA astronaut van, a lunar rover replica, space suits, moon rocks.

Back at the main KSC, we saw two IMAX movies, Journey to Space (3D) and the Hubble.

My favorite area was Space Shuttle Atlantis,  On our way in, we passed under a 184-foot tall replica of the space shuttle with the external tank and solid rocket boosters.

Inside was just as impressive.  We watched a movie about the Space Shuttle which ended with the screen rising to the Space Shuttle Atlantis.  WOW.  It is hard to believe that the Space Shuttle program lasted 30 years with 135 flights.

The Shuttle Launch Experience is in the Space Shuttle Atlantis complex.  It's an adventure park ride that gives you the experience of a shuttle launch.  On the walk to the ride entrance, there are  monitors with astronauts sharing their launch experiences.  Their excitement added to the ride.

There were so many things to see in this building I could have spent the whole day in just this building.

Kennedy Space Center is fun and educational...it has something for everyone.

ROCKET LAUNCH

I planned our trip for a day with a rocket launch.  On March 12, and Atlas 5 rocket was launched at 10:44 p.m.  After spending the day at the Kennedy Space Center, Brian and I stopped to fuel up for the launch and keep up with the launch status.

We headed out to the beach and watched the launch.  Even though I could have seen the launch from our home, it was an experience to see it closer and hear the ROAR.

SEGWAY

Brian and I had a Groupon gift certificate for a Space Coast Segway Tour (a Christmas gift from our daughter Michelle).  

This was a new adventure for Brian and I.  It started with instructions from our guide, Eric, and some practice behind the shop.

Then off we went for an hour tour of Port Canaveral.  The Segway was easy to ride.  By the end of the tour I felt I could take on Paul Blart, Mall Cop.

I would recommend a Segway tour on your next vacation.