January 6th - Day 6/359 days to go!

I spent most of today with two "mini" friends. We try to get together once a week and I have to admit that it is always the highlight of my whole week. They are very talented, always encouraging, definately an inspiration.....and truly a pleasure to spend time with. There is always lots of talking, great food, not always lots of mini things getting done, but it is a perfect way to spend the better part of a day!

This evening I put a second coat of white paint on the first floor staircase. A third coat will be needed for sure. I also spent over an hour sanding the treads before I will be able to stain them.....hopefully tomorrow.

You will notice as I progress that I often have great plans for the next day and sometimes they get accomplished and sometimes they don't. That is one of the great things about being retired, my toughest question each day is "what do I feel like doing today?" I've become a do what the mood strikes me person....and I love it!

I don't want to rush this house and while it is not my first kit house, it is the largest kit I have done. My first kit house was a small four room cottage. The wood was much better quality than the Beacon Hill and no sanding was required. The second was an Ibec farmhouse. Ibec doesn't make dollhouses anymore which is unfortunate because the quality of their houses was incredible. It was simply a matter of taking the pieces out of the box and assembling them....no sanding required. My third kit house was the Apple Blossom by Walmer. It was another house of excellent quality and the construction process also required no sanding. I have made one other kit from Greenleaf....their travel trailer, so I was somewhat prepared for their wood, and the need for sanding, but I guess even that kit didn't prepare me for the task at hand.

Even before I purchased the Beacon Hill the one aspect that had me wondering if I really wanted to do it was the fact that I knew I would be disappointed in the quality of the wood. I find myself wondering why they feel compelled to use what I feel is inferiour quality wood when other companies can use wood of a much better quality. Their designs are excellent and certainly eye-catching. I also wonder how many customers don't buy their kits simply because of the wood they use. I know it has been the major thing that has kept me away from their kits for many years and likely would have again this time if I had not given in to my long desire for the "design" of the Beacon Hill. Are they aware of this "problem"?

Oh well, tomorrow is another day (I sound like Scarlett O'Hara), I will suck it up, grab my sandpaper (which I purchased a large package of).....and keep going on this project!