Saturday, August 28, 2010

NEW DOOR.......YAY!

Fred came down this morning and put the new door in. Then started on the decking. We are putting in a ramp instead of steps. Can't wait until I can use it. Right now, that first step is a doozie. Next, I have to pick out a window to put in where the sliding door is. Can't wait to get rid of it also. Already have it sold.
Cousin John is coming down on Monday to look at building a new hearth. He was suppose to come down today but there is a lot going on for him right now. His wife's dad died last week and they're all stressed out over that. His daughter is leaving for Germany for 3 years as her husband is in the service. A lot going on for sure.
Went for supper tonight and the restaurant was packed. They haven't been too busy all summer but lately there's hardly a place to sit.
Did a boo-boo today. Came home with the lumber hanging out the back of the truck and backed into the car. GRRRRRRRRRR!!! How could I be so stupid? Put some scratches in the hood and a small dent. Something else to get fixed.
New bed came Friday. Couldn't tell any difference 'cause the back was growling and achey from lifting the door in and out. A few more nights will be able to notice. Cleo sleeps on the couch and Archie sleeps with me. The cats bunk where ever they want, but Charlie cried half the night cause he couldn't come into the bedroom. 'Be strong Charles, for you are a bed hog and that's the way it is.'

Sunday, August 15, 2010

A THREE DAY POST

Friday, I met Fred at the local home improvement store. And, NO, its not Home Depot or Lowes, I spend my money local, at privately owned places. I picked up the three boxes of siding, the door hardware and Fred got some lumber. The door was wrong so they ordered another one, be in next week. It started raining anyhow while we had lunch so he wouldn't be taking off the siding and working in the rain so all was not lost. Next Saturday, maybe I'll have the new door in, can't wait to get rid of these %^&*() steps.

Saturday was spent with family. A reunion of sorts, my Dad being the oldest at 92 and little Gracie is 18 months. They took pictures (I didn't take my camera) of the five generations. I love my cousins, 5 of them, 4 guys, 1 girl. They love me, but it seems we hardly ever see each other. We're better than we use to be. It usually was a funeral that brought us together. We learned after losing my mother and their mother (my dad's sister) withing two weeks. So, now we try to be there for each other. I was excited and amazed at the prepper mentality that most of them have. I mentioned to the oldest cousin that we should get a family plan together for when TSHTF. He agreed, we'll see how that goes. Oldest cousin's oldest son is a builder, but with the economy the way it is his business is now just small jobs. I asked him about my hearth problem and he's coming to look at it. So happy!!!

Sunday and there's a pleasant, soft rain going on as I write. I love these days, but, I should have mowed the yard on Thursday. Oh well.

Today, Japan surrendered and WWII was officially over. See anything in the news about it?

Friday, August 13, 2010

IT'S A COMIN......

Three strangers strike up a conversation in the passenger lounge in the Bozeman , Montana airport, while waiting for their respective flights..
One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer, another is a Cowboy on his way to Billings for a livestock show, and the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at Montana StateUniversity from the Middle East ....
Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim and the conversation falls into an uneasy lull.
The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table, tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face, and lights a cigarette.

Finally, the American Indian clears his throat and softly he speaks, 'At one time here... My people were many... But sadly, now we are few.'
The Muslim student raises an eyebrow and leans forward, 'Once my people were few,' he sneers, 'and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?'

The cowboy removes his cigarette from his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says in a smooth drawl . . .

'I reckon that's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet, but, I do believe it's a-comin'

HERE'S WHAT THEY TELL ME......

After the dealership investigated this matter, and, they knew I had tightened the lug nuts, they told me to come up ASAP. They took all the wheels off, check and cleaned the crap out of the area between the aluminum wheel and brake drum and put all new lug nuts on. THEY are telling me that because of the aluminum wheel and steel drum there is a build up of stuff. The lugs are tightened and after I run it (this time it was about 300 miles) the stuff has disappeared and the wheel has become lose. That's their tale, I sit on mine. I'm not a mechanic nor have I ever played one on TV, but, that's what they're telling me. They also said there are two other vehicles that come thru their shop that do the same thing. Any mechanics out there that can verify this?

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

IF IT HAS TIRES OR TESTICLES... IT'LL GIVE YOU TROUBLE

Wow, haven't posted for eight days! Haven't really been all that busy. Fred came down last Saturday and cut a hole in the wall in the back room. I took the plaster to the trash truck but I'll take that evil insulation to the land fill. We pick up the new door, more siding and door hdwe on Friday. We're putting in a ramp instead of more steps. Then we are taking out the steps and that stupid sliding door thats in the 'bird room'. It'll be much more secure this way.
Helped Dad, on Monday, change the transmission oil in the 58 JD. Took 7 gallons. Didn't spill a drop. What came out looked perfectly fine to me, it still had body. It's not like he's going to plow the south 40 with the tractor. But he wanted it done. So its done.
Had the truck serviced last week, new wiper blades and rotated the tires. Then it developed a noise this week. Hmmmm, sounded like maybe the wheel bearings. Stopped at the dealers and made an appointment for Monday. So, going to the restaurant this evening and the noise got more intense. I turned around and came back home and was thinking, 'Nah, they wouldn't do it to me a second time, would they?' Well, the steering wheel was shaking and that's what I noticed the last time. So, I check the lug nuts on the left front and after being able to take two off with just my fingers, I calmly called the dealership. Got Ralph's voice mail, hung up, he called my house, I'm in the driveway, I hear the answer machine pick up. I call him back. Direct line. (I cannot stand the receptionist at night) He answers, "Whats up?" I say, "Ralph, are you guys trying to kill me because I'm such a pain-in-the-ass? Or, do you want me to wreck this truck so I'll have to buy a new one?" "NO, of course not! Whats wrong?" So I told him about the lose lug nuts and reminded him that this was the SECOND time this has happened. He started appoligizing and did I want to bring it up now to get them torqued? NO! I'm going to Dad's tomorrow and we'll do it and look everything over. Then he was stuttering about who worked on it and he would talk to him and call me tomorrow and............

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

EXPERIENCING HEAVEN

I was in heaven this afternoon. At least to me it was. I went over to Dad's about 1:30 and he needed help putting the nose piece on the 1956 JD620. After we got that bugger on I told him I hadn't heard it run. Yesterday, when I left, it wouldn't start. But, later in the day after the fuel got to everything, it finally started. So, I climbed up and tramped down on the starter and WOW, it fired right up. Good old two cylinders, I love 'em. So, he got on the '58 and started it, and, I'm telling ya, there's no other sound. We fussed with them for a minute and then they kinda ran in-sync. Sounded great.
The fair this year is featuring John Deeres, maybe Dad will take one up. That'll be cool!!

Monday, August 2, 2010

HE NEEDED IT

My friend, Bob, went to Gander Mountain and came home with a S/W AR15 Nato Carbine!!!! After he saw the prices up at Cabelas, he couldn't pass up that deal. No way. I am so happy for him. He said his wife is 'good with it' and that makes it better. I'm getting another itch also, but, I want to do some things to the house to make it more secure, so I'll have to wait a while. Unless a deal comes along that I just can't pass up.