Teesside Dad

10/08/2024

Charity Bike ride update!

I broke my new bike broke, it’s getting repaired.

So… I rebuilt frankenbike… 4miles of uphill ride tonight… OMG my legs!

Becca has decided ice lollies for breakfast is the best way forward after cycling to work today! although her training is far better than mine!

we’re so Pro it’s off the scale!

If you would like to sponsor us, we’d hugely appreciate it please head to

https://www.justgiving.com/page/twotired

and please donate anything you can and let’s help make the lives of those with dementia a little bit better!

Topps Tiles Topps Tiles Trade Alzheimer's Society

26/07/2024

It’s become very apparent that I’m incredibly unfit.. even my 8 year old son has ‘out biked’ me today..
This 80mile bike ride Becca Mills and I are doing is going to be tough!

Becca has been repeatedly telling me how tough it’s going to be… my response.. “nah it will be fine!”… I was so wrong.

If you wish to donate and watch us both endure a ridiculous amount of pain from lactic acid pumping through our legs… here’s the link, also in bio

https://www.justgiving.com/page/twotired

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….