Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The 1855 project, finally finished

Cliff received the last of the decals needed to finish Ollie off.  She's been here two-and-a-half years, and is finally restored.  (Of course, she still hasn't been "broke in".  Sheesh.)  Cliff took these shots himself; I was elbow deep in sweet potatoes when he was ready for pictures.  He should have waited, because I wouldn't have had the structures in the background of some of the pictures, especially the foreclosed-upon monstrosity of a house next door.  Our daughter is going to take some real glamour-shots with her fancy-schmancy camera, later on.
Click on any picture to make it larger.










The last shot shows his next project sitting in the barn, patiently waiting.  


This hobby is one reason Cliff is going to work one week out of the month; restoring old tractors is outrageously expensive, and he's addicted to his hobby.  You seldom get your investment back when you sell a restored tractor.  He doesn't have plans to sell this one for a long, long time.
His other motivation is that he wants to go on a road trip next summer.  We have enough money coming in to get by just fine here at home, but not enough to travel very far.  
I had nothing to do with his decision to work part-time, and no, he isn't going back to work "because he's a man and feels like he has to work".  Trust me, he is loving retirement, and has not been bored for a single moment.  
The money he brings home from his part-time job will be strictly his and will go for whatever purpose he sees fit.  

8 comments:

  1. Beautiful tractor. I think its great Cliff enjoys his hobbies and willing to work to pay for it. Keeps the spirit alive. Your blog topper is gorgeous. I love that. And like you in front. Can I snag that to keep? Not to share but just to have.

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  2. Nancy ( Nerves05)7:42 AM

    Yes that Picture is beautiful.
    He did a wonderful job on the tractor. Its great he has the gift to be able to do that stuff. He's such a handyman.. :-)

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  3. Lovely beast. Like fresh off the showroom floor! The man is a genius. And I'll bet it runs like a top, too.

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  4. That tractor is beautiful as far as tractors go...it looks brand new. Will he sell it? Or will he use it. I guess I'd hate to see it get dirty. I love the header picture too. The colors reflecting in the water are awesome. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  5. Wowser, Ollie is beautiful, I was wondering too if it's a keeper or he will sell it. The header is so pretty. Vicki

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  6. Good work Cliff.... and good support Donna.

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  7. Glad to see Cliff's Ollie Project is complete. He must feel such a sense of accomplishment. The tractor looks good as new. Beautiful header photo you put up. Such gorgeous scenery. That part-time job money coming into the household might come in handy. Hope Cliff shares it with you. Take care.

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  8. Hi Donna, thanks for your visits and comments to my blog! That is a sharp looking tractor and at first glance I thought it was a John Deere, it being green and all. My dad always had John Deeres. But on looking closer I see that it's an Oliver. Your header photo is gorgeous, love the color in the trees. Where was that taken? Our color here isn't all that great this year.

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