Vintage Tree Swing

I have grand plans for a swing set clubhouse adventure fort, but since other projects are taking so much of my time and budget right now, the kids will have to get by with an old-style tree swing.  

The options were limited when we were kids: you swung on something hanging from a tree (the same place you got your climbing fix) or you had one of the metal tetanus risk swing-sets.  You may disagree, but I think better memories were born from trees.  

I built my swing with a rough-cut oak plank salvaged from a pallet and some poly-braid rope.  I gave the edges a little rounding with a knife a some 110 grit paper, but I wanted the rustic look, so I didn't put too much time into it.  I went with two holes per side in hopes of better stability and so that I could secure the rope back to itself with a couple of figure-eight knots. You can see how the knot is made here: figure eight knot.

The yard is still pretty swampy, so a full blown test of awesomeness has not been made.  I think it'll work out pretty well... heck they have a blast jumping off couches and end tables, so its got to be at least that good.  

The Quote Jar

In our house, we never run out of funny things said. We do, however, run out of memory.  For four years, my wife has been saying that we need to writing this stuff down.Sounded like a decent idea except that it never really worked out.  Sure we have a few funny quotes scribbled on the first page of a few different notebooks, buck heck if I know where those notebooks are.  

The jar plan actually works, and it even looks pretty cool.  Most of the time it stays right on the kitchen table,and since we keep paper and pen right with it, it actually gets used.

Here are a few of the latest additions:

"Dawanna (Do you want to) feel my butt?  It's c-c-c-cold!"  -Dos, after coming in from sledding

"Wow, is it even older than Grandma and Grandpa?" -Uno, after seeing the oldest living things on Earth on TV, to include a 1000 year old tree