Sunday, July 27, 2008
Shelf day
In my own garage, I did some organizing, and put up a stereo that has been taking up bench space for several years. Now there's more room to work!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Fouth round-trip!
Biking to work takes a bit of planning, which I am poor at. Last night I rode my bike home without checking what the weather was supposed to be like -- I walked in the door 5 minutes before a thunderstorm opened up on us. Then, this morning it was supposed to be raining, but I only had wet roads, no actual rain to deal with on the way to work.
So far, 3 gallons of gas saved. That might pay for the new odometer that Dawn got for me (my old one fell off the bike last week).
It's hard to commit do doing this more, as I am supposed to be working extra at work, to get a couple vehicles completed and shipped off to Oklahoma City before we go on vacation in 3.5 weeks.
So far, 3 gallons of gas saved. That might pay for the new odometer that Dawn got for me (my old one fell off the bike last week).
It's hard to commit do doing this more, as I am supposed to be working extra at work, to get a couple vehicles completed and shipped off to Oklahoma City before we go on vacation in 3.5 weeks.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Dad's ceiling
We put the pre-finished pine on the upper walls in his upstairs bedroom, and started the ceiling. Adam and Kasey stopped by to pick me up on their way back from visiting Grandma Mary for the weekend.
No pictures were taken
No pictures were taken
Friday, July 18, 2008
Date night, with Loretta Lynn
Dawn and I got a chance to see Loretta Lynn at Kewadin's Dreammaker Theater -- awesome show!
On the way, we had to rescue Adam and Kasey, as his bike failed to make the trip to see Grandma Mary as it was supposed to. Turns out the cam shaft broke in half.
On the way, we had to rescue Adam and Kasey, as his bike failed to make the trip to see Grandma Mary as it was supposed to. Turns out the cam shaft broke in half.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Believe it or not
Today my baby boys turned 20! I can actually remember holding the two of them, one in each arm shortly after they were born, thinking "what have I got myself into now?"
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Bathroom weekend at Dad's
We put drywall on both of the bathrooms.
We also painted and applied the trim above the wallboard for the master bedroom.
No pictures available.
We also painted and applied the trim above the wallboard for the master bedroom.
No pictures available.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Believe it or not!
I actually rode my bike home from work last night, then back to work this morning. The 8.9 mile trip takes a bit over 40 minutes, and round trip saves 3 quarts of gasoline!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Couple of Projects of my own
We've been noticing the water storage tanks and softener will get damp during the summer months. Since I put the door on the freezer room, it gets worse. So, instead of purchasing a dehumidifier I added some duct work to the existing AC system, as that will provide the same function. It is just that space doesn't have any vents, as it isn't a living space.
So, check out my handy work. I actually used the 4" duct to direct the air stream over the larger water storage tank, hoping as the air is pushed under the door, that it will do the job of picking up the moist air. Have to give it a few days to see if this will be effective enough.
Last December I insulated the garage to be able to get Adam to do that Taurus engine swap. In so doing, I had to block the stairwell so that the heat wouldn't just disappear into the uninsulated upper floor of the garage. I finally tore the blockage out (that I had made slightly too big), slimmed it down, added hinges, and Ta Da! I have a door. Now I need to acquire a couple pulleys and rope to finish out neatly.
So, check out my handy work. I actually used the 4" duct to direct the air stream over the larger water storage tank, hoping as the air is pushed under the door, that it will do the job of picking up the moist air. Have to give it a few days to see if this will be effective enough.
Last December I insulated the garage to be able to get Adam to do that Taurus engine swap. In so doing, I had to block the stairwell so that the heat wouldn't just disappear into the uninsulated upper floor of the garage. I finally tore the blockage out (that I had made slightly too big), slimmed it down, added hinges, and Ta Da! I have a door. Now I need to acquire a couple pulleys and rope to finish out neatly.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Travel to the Sault
Beckie wanted her friend Kasey to check out the pow wow this year.
We spent the night in the Sault, where Mary made dinner for us,
then we went over the the Pow Wow:
We spent the night in the Sault, where Mary made dinner for us,
then we went over the the Pow Wow:
Friday, July 4, 2008
Motor bike & Fireworks
Adam's latest project is a 1972(?) Honda 750, thinking it might get a bit better mileage than the Granada.
We also found our way to the Petoskey fireworks with a couple of Beckie's friends:
We also found our way to the Petoskey fireworks with a couple of Beckie's friends:
Monday, June 30, 2008
Picked up a hot tub this weekend
We visited Dawn's mom on her birthday, and we took home her hot tub that she doesn't use any more.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Kitchen cabinets and painting at Dad's
While I was in California, Dad and Gerald got the kitchen painted in preparation for cabinet installation. Then I brought up some helpers for Saturday.
Painting Grandpa's bedroom:
While the kitchen cabinets are being installed:
Moving on to the guest room:
And the living room:
We have yet to see if our work has passed the long term inspection process.
Painting Grandpa's bedroom:
While the kitchen cabinets are being installed:
Moving on to the guest room:
And the living room:
We have yet to see if our work has passed the long term inspection process.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Visited the Brady's
After I finished up at a job site in Ontario, California, I took a drive down to Poway (almost to San Diego) to visit with Jeff, a guy I attended College with (over 20 years ago! What's up with that?!?!?).
I got to meet his wife (Pati) and kids (Luisa, Celina, Jon and Diego) that I had never seen. They are all younger than my kids, almost like Jeff and Pati picked up where Dawn and I left off.
When I left, I was told in no uncertain terms that next time I should bring my family (at least Dawn).
I got to meet his wife (Pati) and kids (Luisa, Celina, Jon and Diego) that I had never seen. They are all younger than my kids, almost like Jeff and Pati picked up where Dawn and I left off.
When I left, I was told in no uncertain terms that next time I should bring my family (at least Dawn).
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Flying to Ontario, California
I had to visit a customer site to solve a problem with my software.
When arranging my flight, it appeared I could book a flight on Northwest out of Pellston, but my company's travel department couldn't book me a seat. So instead, I was sent out of Pellston on United. On the surface, it appeared better travel arrangement, as there was only one stop (in Denver), as United recently added the Traverse City (TVC) to Denver (DEN) leg as a non-stop flight.
However, our flight was a bit out of the ordinary, as not long after we reached cruising altitude, the pilot indicated he was shutting down the left engine due to excessive vibration. After a discussion with Corporate, they decided to divert to Minneapolis, where we had an 'interesting' high-speed landing, what with 3 fire trucks lined up to meet us. After that, the plane load of passengers spent a couple hours (mostly in line trying to rebook flights).
While we were doing that, the pilot had the engine examined, took it for a spin around the tarmac, and pronounced everything OK, blaming the vibration on the fins not fully sliding to their outward position upon engine start. So about 50% of the people that landed in Minnesota took off in the same plane.
Ninety minutes later we were in Denver, and had lost about 3 hours on our schedule.
When arranging my flight, it appeared I could book a flight on Northwest out of Pellston, but my company's travel department couldn't book me a seat. So instead, I was sent out of Pellston on United. On the surface, it appeared better travel arrangement, as there was only one stop (in Denver), as United recently added the Traverse City (TVC) to Denver (DEN) leg as a non-stop flight.
However, our flight was a bit out of the ordinary, as not long after we reached cruising altitude, the pilot indicated he was shutting down the left engine due to excessive vibration. After a discussion with Corporate, they decided to divert to Minneapolis, where we had an 'interesting' high-speed landing, what with 3 fire trucks lined up to meet us. After that, the plane load of passengers spent a couple hours (mostly in line trying to rebook flights).
While we were doing that, the pilot had the engine examined, took it for a spin around the tarmac, and pronounced everything OK, blaming the vibration on the fins not fully sliding to their outward position upon engine start. So about 50% of the people that landed in Minnesota took off in the same plane.
Ninety minutes later we were in Denver, and had lost about 3 hours on our schedule.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's day at the farm
Got Russ (and Hanna) taking care of grilling lunch:
While Rach wants to learn to drive the four-wheeler. Of course, several rides had to be given that day!
Hanna is keeping track of what Grandpa got for his gift (a slide show photo frame)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Finished hanging Drywall at Dad's
Gerald and I helped Dad finish all the drywall in his house while Dawn cleaned up our mess and documented the day. He has a contractor coming this week to mud and prime all the rooms.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Spent the day on Mackinac Island
Russ, Kelly and their kids came up from Phoenix with Kelly's mom, and we enjoyed a carriage ride arranged by Amanda (with the help of Jack -- Thanks Jack!)
More pictures to be unloaded from the camera
More pictures to be unloaded from the camera
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Happy Anniversary to us!
Well, it's only been twenty years. The day slipped by without much ado, as the celebration of choice Dawn made was to have us take the kids to Disney in August (instead of the cruise for two that I gave her for another option).
