The Teardrop Chronicles #1: Read the directions once, cut twice (maybe three times)

I know. Make Room….What is that again? Its been a long long time since I’ve visited this place. I guess you could say I took a little inspiration hiatus, lost my creative way for a minute.  If I’m truly honest, it’s been a hard year. Struggles with anxiety and depression took much of my energy and things I normally love became heavy, weighted chores. Things as simple as deciding on what to eat for dinner, feeding the dogs and chickens, and getting the mail, became major accomplishments. Work. Sleep. Eat. That was about it for quite awhile there. So blogging was certainly not on the table. I’d like to say I’m back, 100%, totally myself, but that is not the truth. I’m working on it though, and I feel very optimistic (this alone is a major turn of events). I learned a few things along my journey too, or perhaps was reminded is more accurate; I have amazing family and friends. People that love me no matter what, would do just about anything for me, people that value you me, that are willing to do the heavy lifting when I can’t. A few months ago I would have said I’m lucky to have these people, now I’d say I’m worth it.

Alright, enough of that. Let’s get on to more interesting things. No, The Teardrop Chronicles is not the diary of my return to mental health. It is actually a far more exciting project: the building of my very own (okay, and Bryan’s) Teardrop Trailer! Avid Make Room fans may remember last summer we rented one and I threatened to coerce Frank Aspinall into building me one. Well, we compromised. I purchased a kit and we are building it together. After months of discussion, internet research and shopping, yesterday was day one of construction. All in all it went very well with only two issues (one minor, one major):

1. We overlooked in the directions the finish dimension of the trailer floor, so that after we had it all assembled it has to be cut down a 1/4 of an inch on each side. Then, this morning, I received a call that went a little like, “Laura, I had a nightmare last night”. In a nutshell after a night of numbers running through Frank’s head he had determined that we yet again had the finish dimensions wrong. Another half inch on each side needs to come off. It could be worse though, at least we didn’t cut it too small. Lesson learned: READ THE DIRECTIONS. Over and over and over and over……

2. Far more devastating was the lack of milk for coffee at our 11:00  break. Anyone who has worked with my dad knows that at 11:00 sharp it is break time and coffee (instant) must be served with milk and half a teaspoon of sugar. We soldiered on, but it was touch and go for a minute there…. Bryan is at the store right now purchasing milk in preparation for the coming work week. Once this might be forgiven, but twice, well, that could be the end of me and my teardrop.

Today’s goal was to complete the construction of the floor and then coat the bottom with roofing sealer. Check and check. Monday we will commence with the sidewalls (one day off for the sealer to cure and one day off because Sunday is the World Cup Final-duh). And in the meantime I’ll be reviewing the directions at nauseum.

For those also interested in constructing the Teardrop Trailer of their dreams, here are a few sites I would recommend:

• www.northerntool.com -This is where we bought our trailer chassis (free shipping!)
• www.theteardroppers.com -We purchased our kit and some other accessories from this site
• www.campingworld.com -Our Fantastic Fan and reading lights came from here
• www.spoonflower.com -The most exciting acquisition for sure was wallpaper from spoonflower!

And now, pictures of today’s progress!