A bit more progress on the shop setup. Right now, I don't have many storage options, just shelves, hooks, and open spaces. I think I like it, though. Everything has easy access with very few things needing to be moved. It's not quite Adam Savage's First Order of Retrieval, where tools should be immediately accessible from the place where you work without any additional steps to retrieve them. But I'm beginning to like the idea of minimal drawers and doors. Keep everything out and visible at all times? We'll see... I was able to get all three of the shop tools storage bins unpacked. Just a few more odd boxes and bins to go! Then, there is dust collection and electrical.

Cats. So many cats. Cats are crazy, and kinda fun to observe. I'm not a cat person, but my wife and daughter are. And that's OK with me. Do you remember Sarah's crazy 12-day adventure in the wild? Well, her adventure has another chapter. We aren't quite sure how, but she has a fractured pelvis in 3 locations. The vet said it's pretty common in cats and usually happens when they fall from up high and, surprisingly, don't land on their feet. Luckily, he said it should heal just fine with a few weeks of cage rest. Poor girl. Again, I'm not a cat person, and I'd never get one for myself, but I just hate seeing her stuck in a cage. Time will pass, and she will heal.

After a rain cycle letting the sand behind the shop pack down, I spread more sand around, getting this layer a bit smoother. I'm at the final height needed near the shop, but I'm unsure how far out from the shop I want to take it. I want to observe the next rainfall before I finalize that decision.

Affiliates/coupons:

JK Boots:

Hands down, without question, the best outdoor working boot that I have ever tried. They aren't cheap and they aren't inexpensive. The break-in period was brutal for me. But after some boot oil and a few working days for them to conform to my feet, I've never worked in anything as form fitting and comfortable. I wore mine all summer and immediately realized how comfortable they are after being forced to switch to a mud boot when the wet season hit. Once we get the extreme mud under control the rubber boots will get the boot and I'll be back to good foot comfort in my JKs. I have the O.T. Bison - Canyon. Yes, the JKs can handle mud, but excessive full submersion in mud is unnecessary. They have a good sizing system and you can order different sizes for each foot if necessary. JKs are an investment, for sure, so I wanted to wait until I had 6 months of experience before I promoted them. THUMBS UP. Here's my affiliate link. Your cost doesn't change but if you use my link I get a commission when you purchase. USE THE CODE jaybates TO GET 10% OFF!

https://www.jkboots.com/products/o-t-bison-rust-roughout-smooth?bg_ref=BwlWA71DVt

Update 4/5/25
My O.T.s are still great. Heavily worn and holding up great. Still my go-to work boot. I recently got a pair of the square toe western boots (The Buck - Indigo | Chocolate) for days where I prefer the speed of getting in and out of the boots or days where I'm mostly on hard surfaces all day or running errands. Very comfortable right out of the box with zero break in for me. THUMBS UP AGAIN.

https://www.jkboots.com/products/the-buck-navy-chocolate?bg_ref=BwlWA71DVt

P.S. "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." —Abraham Lincoln