Teesside Dad

22/07/2024

I need you help

I have seen first hand the effects Alzheimer’s has on a person. I spent every day for a year with my Grandma, caring for her and watched her deteriorate, slowly becoming a shadow of the person she once was.

This summer, as part of a company wide fundraiser, ‘Topps Olympics Summer Charity Event’ to raise money for our charity partner Alzheimer's Society.

On the 21st August 2024, Myself and Becca (Store Manager, Northallerton) will be cycling from Topps Tiles Northallerton to my store, Topps Tiles Kingston Park, Newcastle.

Totalling approx 80 miles, and visiting each of our North East stores on the way, a lack of experience in cycling any major distance and the realisation that this probably will be more enduring than we think, we’re committed to it.

Please help Becca and myself raise as much money as possible for Alzheimer’s Society so we can contribute to Topps Tiles’ larger contribution and help build a world where dementia doesn’t devastate lives.

Please donate as much or as little as you can, it will be hugely appreciated!

Thank you

Help Team Two Tired raise money to support Alzheimer's Society

27/11/2023

Been away a while, got a job, knackered… anyway…

Urgh…This Doyle is coming back soon. Just thought I’d let you all know.

Watch this space as I’ve got 30 days of absolute tosh coming your way…

Enjoy.

TTFN

27/09/2023

So… I got bit… slight bit of swelling…

Either that or I’m turning into Spider-Man. Today I may try and climb a wall!

Back soon!

31/08/2023

Project: Rhino


Sometimes one of my daughters can be as thick as Rhino skin.

“Dad, this came for you today… what’s in it, it’s proper heavy”.

Don’t want to give the game away love, but it’s written on the box…

So, thanks to the guys and girls at they’ve gifted me one of their Rhino Racks. Let’s get some decent shelving in the garage. After Project:Shed, the garage needs a bit better organisation.

Check out my upcoming posts and let’s see how easy it is to build, how strong they are and how well built they are!

garage storage

26/08/2023

Project: Antler

Another little project today.

I got a little side table off Facebook a while ago, but was too small. So I took the legs off and gave it a good sand, burnt the wood slightly, gave it some feed oil…

Attached some stag antlers to it and made a wall plaque.

25/08/2023

Project: Coffee Table.

Got this freebie off Facebook marketplace… solid wood and as usual all decent wood is lathered in Varnish. Such a shame to spoil natural wood effect.

So it’s all all getting sanded back, feed the wood and then a nice natural oil…

Ran out of Sanding discs 🤦‍♂️… Be Right Back…

#

25/08/2023

UPDATE:
I've changed my name! Well, not my actual name. Just my social name.

From 'The Northern Dad' to 'Teesside Dad'. My new handle is .

Since Christmas 2022, I've not written a blog post, I've been quite busy doing all sorts and haven't had a chance to sit down and actually write anything.

In addition to this, things have changed slightly, it wouldn't be right to class myself as a 'Stay at home Dad' anymore, due to one of my kids moving to Uni, another in year 10 secondary school, and the youngest going into year 3.

I Started The Northern Dad as a way to help me through a tough time in my life... That time has passed now and moving forward, so to hold on to something that isn't a true reflection of me now wouldn't be productive.

I'll still be posting my usual waffle and 'projects' etc., but with a slightly different feel to them. Less Daddy and more Dad and more personal feel.

For now, though, I'll only be on social media, a website/blog may come at some point in the future.

I'll also still be working with the Brand partners I have created relationships with too and look forward to working with new brands.

Thanks for continuing to follow me and my random posts. :)

22/07/2023

Project Office : job done.

Well, I decorated the office… then duty called, so I acquired a new, very large, but very practical desk.

An Air bed will go in that gap won’t it? Yeh, it will be fine.. won’t it? 🤷‍♂️

20/07/2023

Project Office : the return of her majesty.

In preparation for the imminent return of her majesty (oldest daughter)from uni, my office is getting a good old paint and a bit of a revamp to accommodate a blow up bed.

Yeh we went all out and bought a blow up bed for true comfort!

She’s only going to be hear a few weeks then scooting off again.

I was going to tag her majesty in this now that she’s older and finds me less embarrassing…. Oh wait.. I just did 😉

Estimated project time - 1.5 days.. it’s the smallest room ever!

Au revoir (that French)

13/07/2023

Right class, today we’re going to be doing some painting…

Paint comes in many different colours and a lot of people find painting very therapeutic.

But today, we’re doing something a little different, yes, we’re going to paint a fence!

Now painting a fence is very different to painting a wall. It is much, much more messy than anyone could ever imagine. So when we start… expect to get the paint absolutely EVERYWHERE!

Secondly, painting a fence is as dull as dishwater. Yes.. dishwater! It’s the most boring thing you could ever do!

Now class, remember, when we paint a fence, we do it like Mr Miyagi taught us… up, down, up, down… unless of course you’re painting lap fences and we need to chuck that advice right out the window!

Once you’ve finished painting one fence panel, I’d like you all to put your brushes down and head to A&E and ask to go straight to the orthopedic department. Because you will likely all have Carpal tunnel Syndrome.

When you’re ready… pick up your brushes.

06/07/2023

Project Shed: Day 1076
It’s Finished!

From an old, battered and rotting shed that was destined for the tip, I’ve spend 3 weeks grafting away, replacing, fixing and rebuilding the parts needed to turn this back into a solid, fully function, water tight shed.

I’m proper pleased with the way it’s turned out… and to top it off, it’s saved us around £800!!

Cost of a brand new shed, like this in the region of £1000.

I picked this battered shed up for FREE. Cost me £30 to get a man with a van + materials at £180…

Total cost for a new shed - £210

What do you think?

More work to do though.. Project Garden, series 2 is coming…

03/07/2023

Project shed : day 312, year 2056

Super productive day! End panel reconstructed, floor base rebuilt, 2 x panels painted!

For A.S.A reasons, I can’t say the brand of the paint I used as this is not a sponsored post, but the shade (😉) is “Wild Thyme”.

We might have a built shed by the weekend!

02/07/2023

Project Shed : Day 915

We have a completed, repaired/rebuilt roof!

After wasting half of the day waiting for new wood to arrive and a right faff on at with Wickes trying get the paint we wanted, we eventually got home to finish the roof.

we’re nearing the endgame… all that needs doing is recladding the parts I removed (a lot), paint and put it all together. Only 715 days to go!

P.s. if your wondering about the worlds greatest gazebo…. Mrs F and Alfie had to stand and hold it while the wind blew… it’s tight down as well!

TTFN

28/06/2023

Project Shed : day- after yesterday, but not quite tomorrow.

the entire back panel frame was made. Due to imminent rain I quickly sloshed some shed paint on to protect it.

Proceeded to persist it down. Don’t worry though, the worlds greatest gazebo kept it dry. Until I realised the roof was sagging under puddles of water.. proceeded to remove water and I ended up getting drenched!

Til next time…

27/06/2023

Project Shed: star date 101083.58 (part 2)

Didn’t let the rain call it off!

Got the frame rebuilt/restructured, removed damaged slats.

rained… didn’t get wet
Got cold… had a brew
Productive day.

…In a while crocodile!

27/06/2023

Project Shed: star date 101083.58 (part 1)

I’m not letting the rain call it off!
Thanks to the most spectacularly stable gazebo known to man… NOT!

Laters taters….

26/06/2023

Project Shed : day 915

This is the progress I made today on the shed repair.

Zero.
Had too much to do, didn’t get chance to do anything with it.

🤦‍♂️ would have been quicker growing a forest.

26/06/2023

Project Shed - Day 612

We have a repaired shed base, kind off. It was a busy old day doing multiple jobs, that’s as far as I got 🤦‍♂️.

Measure twice, cut once
Got hot- had a drink
Got sunburnt.

I’ll have moved house by the time I get it finished!

21/06/2023

Project shed : day, the one after yesterday 🤷‍♂️.

A couple of fence panels went up.

After spending an hour stalking the postman for a parcel I missed and an hours worth of plastering for a neighbour I ended up fitting 2 fence panels.

Not the best quality I’ve ever bought from but they’ll do. Look at the state of the Mexican wave on the top ridge!

Got hot, had a drink.
Got too hot, had a right old glue of juice.

Got knackered. Sat down had a beer.

08/06/2023

Project Shed: Day 7

I haven’t disappeared again!

Well I totally underestimated the cost of wood! Just like everything else, the cost of wood has sky rocketed, which has put a slight hold to Project Shed.

What’s the world coming to when ya can’t even build a shed!

27/05/2023

Project Shed : Day 6

Shed base Complete!

Didn’t get hot - Mrs F made a brew anyway.

Fence panels to do next.

26/05/2023

Project shed : day 5 : scorch trial

My god how hot did it need to be today!

Made a start laying pavers.

Got hot - had a drink
Got hotter - got proper sweaty
Got so hot I couldn’t see

Laid a few slab - too hot

Ran out of cement - good excuse!

Downed tools.

24/05/2023

Project Shed: day 4

Not much happened.
collected hardcore… twice 🤦‍♂️

Got hot - had a drink
Got hotter - had another drink
Got so hot ended up with slight heat exhaustion.

Laid hardcore, back hurts.
This shed better be worth it!

23/05/2023

Project Shed : Day 3

Collected close to 1tonne of Sand - back hurts - got stuck in a 2 hour traffic jam!! (The journey should have took 15 mins)

Collected wood - tried out my new roof bars.

Built a sub base frame - realised how useless my dog is. If she wants to just sniff around the garden she can grow some thumbs and get stuck into some hard graft.

Got hot- had a drink
Got absolutely maftin - had a lucozade

Got way too hot- stopped

22/05/2023

Project: Shed

Sooo… I’ve come out of hiding. Took a break from social media for a bit (other than marketplace).

Anyway! Project shed. Basically we’re getting a shed. My nice garden that we completed during ‘Project Garden’ has now been semi destroyed in preparation for the shed.
Day 1:
Removed some trees, Mrs F and I were literally swinging off it like king louis.

Day2:
It got red hot - got thirsty
Got even hotter - got sweaty (and sun burnt)

I got too hot, too exhausted smacked my hand with a hammer and nearly wee’d myself with the pain.

Stay tuned..

31/12/2022

Another year comes to a close. Looking back on 2022, I can't really remember what happened yesterday, never mind the entire 12 months.

Every year, I write a little sermon reflecting on the year gone by, but for some reason, I can hardly remember anything that has happened throughout 2022. So this year I'll be changing the tone of my yearly sermon slightly.

It's been an odd year really, busy, but odd. It's been one of those years, where we seem to have been busy doing nothing in particular. Looking back on 2022, as a family, hasn't been too bad. We've seen change, development, and progression. The oldest daughter is now at university and has flown the nest and Lilly and Alfie are going from strength to strength in their academics. Mrs. F., as I've mentioned many times in my previous yearly 'sermons' remains my rock and continues to progress in her career.

2022 does seem to have had a survival feel to it, with economic turmoil in the UK and no one actually knowing what's going on anymore, we seem to have just been plodding on. I feel a rant coming on, but I won't. However, I will say that in the twenty-first century, no one should have to be concerned about how they are going to feed their kids or themselves. It's worth reaching out to those in need and helping each other in any way we can.

2022 has been a year of change and development for my family. We've all progressed and developed in some way and I'm confident, Mrs. F and the kids will continue to strive to be the best they can be. As always, as a family, we have continued to support each other where we can and look forward to what 2023 brings our way.

I would like to thank and wish all of my readers, followers, friends, and family for their support throughout 2022 and look forward to what the new year brings.

Mrs. F, the kids, and I would like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year.

22/12/2022

Night 23: shattered

After today's road trip Alfie and Colin are shattered.
Sandra, Mildred and Barry head back to the snow globe.

21/12/2022

Night 22: road trip
The Elves are ready for a road trip tomorrow

20/12/2022

Night 21: snowed under

Colin buried Barry under the snow and ran away.

19/12/2022

Night 20: Foam Party

Sandra, Mildred, Colin & Barry started a foam party!

Wrong type of foam guys!