August Coffee Pot. (Year 16) Double meat breakfast, eggs over easy. That's it. No starchies.

[ChiefEagles]

Back from farms. No water in the woods. ?? No mosquitos. Unbelievable with the storms there. Think they have had less rain than we have.
Feeders raised. Maybe bears will not mess them up now. We'll see.

Kev, Windows 10 with new "upgraded" Edge on a PC.  Doesn't matter.  Will act up one day.  Few days will do good. 

R&R and TV. Tired.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Cloudy and 64 along the Patterson Creek cut-off.  Have PT in a little while, then back on the honey-do list when I get home.  May head up to the RR museum tonight for the chapter meeting.

We took a break yesterday, and Wifey, Youngest Princess and I drove to Deep Creek Lake for the afternoon.  Checked out the WISP ski area, and whitewater course (shut down of course).  Had a lovely dinner at the Green Turtle, dining on the deck.  Fifey got a new  hat at the horse supplies store, as my straw one is wearing out after 2 years.  Picked up some clam chowder for my folks, and dropped that off to them to enjoy.

 

[anjdevil2]

Happy Hump Day

Cloudy and drizzle, looks like rain and I thought I heard thunder, this will be the norm for today.

After work, went to Jenni's and did the front lawn, she can't get it with the riding lawnmower (which needed a carburetor) because of the slope.  Did that and went over the back areas that were overgrown and then it was dark.  Jenni served me dinner and was home by 11.

Tomorrow it will be nicer.  I have a 6 AM in Princeton with my allergy doc.  SO it will be an early night. 

During lunch, I'll need to run over to the jewelry store and drop off my watch and Jenni's engagement ring, the prongs are loose.

That's all from here, work at 0930....

[ChiefEagles]

Lazy this AM. Slept till 9. Then got email from El Centro Hispano. Think I stuck a needle in someone about poor County response to testing the Latina community. 50% of those testing positive in Wake County are Latina. Yet the County has made no effort to go into this community and do testing. A lot of them will not come out to testing sites as they are scared. A lot of untruths [lies] have been spread about this and other subjects.

Now got to take Wifey to Raleigh and pick up a vanity for FIL's. 

Suppose to pour. ?? Who knows.

[KRM]

Weather is nice here on The North Bluff above Marseilles. Looks like it will stay that way.  80s in the day and high 50s to low 60s at night. 

 Got to watch kids tomorrow and take the little guy in for 3-D X-rays on a tooth that part of it did not come out with the rest of it. Schools are closing as fast as they are opening around here.  Grand-kids on daughter’s side starts next week, half days. On the son’s side it will all be on-line schooling?

Spank, I would think a tech savvy guy like you would know that this site IS NOT SECURE! Shows that when you log on and up in the upper left of the address bar. Not logging off of it when your done to me would be kind of like not locking you back door at night, but to each his own. So for now I will use EDGE just for this and clear cookies to get out after every use and use FireFox for everything else.

Chief, Why am I not surprised by that in NC??? 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Good Evening from clear 69°F Southern Ohio, 

It is a beautiful evening out.  Cool clear and low humidity.  After work I leveled the deck on the mower and cut the lower east side to check out the cut and it looks better.  Bride made tomatoe pie, it was soooo good.  The week is flying by.  Lots going on.   

 May God bless you and you families 

Jim 

 

[dbaker48]

Good Morning,

Another HOT day, but its OK, for us.  Everything pretty comfortable around here.

Buckeye, did you get my voice message regarding the Taconite?

Dennis, Glad to see your taking care and being careful in this heat!  I've seen on TV the stories regarding your Church.  Hopefully this heat will end soon, and the fires will be under control.

Having a some problems with the El Camino!  Been working them--

- Upon picking it up discovered some initial concerns, (expected).  The hood was difficult to close/open, some emblems were not reinstalled.  Pointed this out and they were immediately taken care of.  Shop owner and I had a discussion about how fortunate I was that there was minimal frame damage, that they had to repair.  Cosmetically it is beautiful.

- A couple days later I was driving it, and tried to make a Left U-turn.  I couldn't without backing up a couple of times!  Then I also noticed that looking at it from the rear the car had a slight "list" to the right.  Went back to the shop, they "checked" it out and told me, they had to make a "slight" adjustment on the right side tie rod, (cutting a 1/4" off the end (?), and the listing problem was due to the rear air shocks, (left side stroke was 6", right side 4").  Ok, shock not their problem, didn't like the tie-rod explanation.  So I just thought I would take it too the alignment shop I use.

- So I've done that, and the alignment shop, (which I have a long relationship with) inspected both issues.  They showed me were the tie rod was cut, and compared to the left side 3" was removed.  Also the Upper Control Arm is bent, also the Lower, Spindle also bent.  Then, where the upper is connected to the frame the mounting hole on the frame has been elongated to accommodate the Upper Arm!  And the rear air shocks are fine, the right front shock is leaking though.  The listing is because the car is setting "cockywampus".  According to the alignment shop the frame issue is minor and can be resolved with a shim, however the control arms, spindle, and tie rods DO need to be replaced.  I've asked will they align correctly without frame work.  They said YES. And that the turning radius will be resolved.

- As a result I've taken it to another alignment facility, and got the same analysis.  So I've been doing investigating and researching part availability, and I think I have that resolved. (Should be able to get them today from "my" parts guy.)  Then going to the body shop today, and confront him regarding the lack of proper repair on the front suspension, and see where we go.  I'm expecting some retribution on the additional cost, if not I will have to implement plan B. (Letter and formal complaints, etc.).  I'm sure he will want to correct it, but I have zero confidence in letting them work on it again.  

There's quite a bit of additional details to above, but don't want to bore you all too much.  I've maintained a daily diary on all the interaction and activities.

So that's what I've been involved with the past week or so.  It will all get resolved one way or another.

Take care all and be safe!

[dbaker48]

Great Evening!

El Camino UPDATE

Today was great!  My research paid off!  After extended discussions with the alignment shop, we were able to form a plan.  I was able to locate some used parts that were in good shape.  So spent the morning rounding them up, then took them to his shop for his approval.  Got his estimate, and then went to the body shop.

I planned on going in and have a calm non-threatening discussion.  It worked!  I expected the body shop to offer to "repair" the front-end problem.  They did.  But I didn't want them too, lost confidence in them.  So in a non-threatening manner I told them "I wasn't comfortable with that, I would be more confident in a specialized front end shop.  He than asked what I thought would be appropriate.  I told him at least 1/2 of the bil to rebuild the front end.  He countered with he felt he should pick-up the "entire tab"!  I thought that would be great!  I know a significant amount of his business is referral from the OPG parts supplier, and he wanted to protect that relationship.  So we ended up with a "saved" relationship, and mutual satisfaction.  I respect him for standing up and accepting responsibility!

So as of 7am Friday morning the El Camino will be at the alignment being repaired!  Hopefully all will be good.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Good Morning from cloudy 69°F Southern Ohio, 

TGIF- was it Laz that opened his Friday posts with that?  I 

t is a beautiful morning out.  Slept in till 6am then made coffee and the dog and I ate breakfast on the front porch.  A fox family that lives up behind the house was really carrying on this morning.  Squalling yelping and running from ravine to ravine.  It is neat, but if the foxes would leave I would not mind because they’ve killed two of our chickens. 

I had an interview for what would be a promotion to process area manager which is one level above what I’m doing now as shift supervisor.  We have a very flat management hierarchy as the next level is plant manager.  I would be ok to get the promotion or not as I enjoy what I am now. 

Don – I must have missed the post, did the El Camino in an accident?  It sounds like you’re handling the repair situation well. 

Dennis – stay hydrated!   

 May God bless you and you families 

Jim 

 

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Partly sunny and 65 in the Potomac Highlands.  Will be back inside the bathroom "project", patching and repairing what the "demo duo" accomplished yesterday.  The newly painted shed looks beautiful.  

dbaker - I've had my share of good vs bad body shops.  The bad ones make you feel like you're being held hostage.  Once I found a good one, I stayed with it (especially with 4 teenage drivers, woof).

Phish - Good luck on the intervew...or not...

 

[ChiefEagles]

Produce box deliveries.  Out the door.

[anjdevil2]

TGIF !!!

Had to run over to Jenni's last night and help her out, her foot swelled up at work, so I brought her dinner and did her laundry.

We've been mowing the lawn and kept hitting some landscaping bricks.  Tuesday night, I removed them and found some kind of brick and mortar "thing" and some type of concrete encasement.  The area was farm prior to 1948 when the house was built and some research shows that Gen. Washington's Colonial army encamped and frequented a tavern about 1/2 mile away.  Also found out that there were 1 or 2 "stops" on the underground railway near by.  Depending on time, we'll try to unearth this and see what it is.  Her property is very deep and we were just trying clear up a lot of brush and save the flowers and the bushes.

80s again today.  Humidity will rise during the day.  Making arraignments to be downtown as the 9/11 tour comes through.  I owe a few friends some adult beverages.

Not much else, late dinner with my daughter tomorrow, so that will be fun.

OK, I'm off to work!

[cheapclassics]

To all,

Went to see my second Silver Crown race in less than a week.  They put on a good show.  Maybe will go to more of them.

Mike C.

[dbaker48]

Good Evening,

UPDATE to the EL CAMINO UPDATE

Took it to the alignment shop this morning, and picked it up tonight.  It is resolved !!!  I can actually make U-Turns, so I wont be bothering you all with this stuff anymore.  (Its only a car.)

Looking forward to the weekend lots of racing to watch.

Take care and have a great weekend!!

Later

[smokey1]

dbaker48

Good Evening,

UPDATE to the EL CAMINO UPDATE

Took it to the alignment shop this morning, and picked it up tonight.  It is resolved !!!  I can actually make U-Turns, so I wont be bothering you all with this stuff anymore.  (Its only a car.)

Looking forward to the weekend lots of racing to watch.

Take care and have a great weekend!!

Later 

Glad it is back to normal

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny & 71 along the Patterson Creek cut-off.  Will be headed up the mountain shortly to visit FifeMom.

Wifey and I spent afternoon at Middle Princess's castle.  Wifey does housekeeping on Fridays, and I repaired a broken pantry door, and did some gardening.

And, I can share this news now...

Middle Princess is expecting a March 2021 bundle.

[Northwoods Flyer]

Congratulations fife, to your entire famiy.  How exciting to be expecting a new member to the fifedom.

Northwoods Flyer

[Flintlock76]

Congratulations Fifedog!  Wonderful news!

[ChiefEagles]

86 and partly cloudy. Sun out and suddenly goes back in for a few. Been babysitting Granddogs and cat. Home to shower and a break. Go back for a while to let them out and in and visit. About 10 miles one way. Come back and mow as grass needs drying after middle of the night rain. Spoiled worse than ours. Good bunch to keep though. Spend the night and tomorrow AM. Watch a lot of movies and do a lot of "rubbing".

CA fires are horrible. Then two hurricanes in the Gulf.

Saw Ford Rancheo while delivering produce boxes.  Body in good shape.  Think not running.  Someone should restore it. 

Good news on El Camino  

Congrats Fifey.

Have a good one.

[dougdagrump]

Major conga's fife and fifemiddleprincess !

I do believe that this applies to Grandkids as well !

 

[wrmcclellan]

Evening folks!

TAking it easy for the weekend. Not much to report - finished several projects around the house.

DonB - good news about the El Cam! I will get back to work on mine this fall.

Fifer - congrats!!!!!!!!!

Dennis - great to hear the Del Sol work is progressing well!

Anj - Indianna Jones'ing it!

Chief - well - he's da Chief! What else could one say?

MikeC - good to have you checking in!

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Good Evening from a wet 71°F Southern Ohio, 

Pretty easy-going day today.  I cut some beams for a TV stand for youngest daughter.  The beams will sit on two old fruit crates, it will look neat.  Also glued some turned legs on an OLD table that had split.  Then cleaned up the garage. 

Fife – Congrats!!!!! 

Dennis – I like the older cars too.  Bride has a 2019 Odyssey my cars are a 1995 Accord (Daily driver) a 1998 Ranger (beater weekend truck) and my garage queen a 2003 GMC Duramax Dually.   

 May God bless you and you families 

Jim 

 

[fifedog]

Thanks guys.  Fifepops will be busy over the next 1/2 year, helping to paint and prep the baby room.  The happy couple lives just 4 minutes away from us, so it's certainly convenient.

Last week, when Alexis and I were at Mario's Trains, while I was shopping for the boys, she grabbed a pastel train set and said,"Look Daddy, for a little girl."  "Put it down", I quipped.  "But what if Jamie has a girl...?"

Then we go "all in" on a Disney themed layout.  "Do you have any idea how many Disney trains are out there, let alone the Dept. 56 stuff?"  I may need to find a full-time job...

[dougdagrump]

fifedog

Last week, when Alexis and I were at Mario's Trains, while I was shopping for the boys, she grabbed a pastel train set and said,"Look Daddy, for a little girl."  "Put it down", I quipped.  "But what if Jamie has a girl...?"

Then we go "all in" on a Disney themed layout.  "Do you have any idea how many Disney trains are out there, let alone the Dept. 56 stuff?"  I may need to find a full-time job...

 

And a larger space to accommodate either an expansion to existing layout or an additional Disney layout.

Oooo, just thought of something, what about a Lionel Grand Baby Shower for fifepops ? 

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Passing shower and 65 along the Patterson Creek cut-off.  Will be hot and muggy for youngest princess's "move in" day.  Nothing like CA is dealing with;incredible nighttime footage on youtube.  The Dodge is all packed, and  thankfully, the youngest is a more economizing traveler, compared to her older sister.

DJSpanky - The better the shortening, the tastier the bread. 

Dougnotta - There shall be no expansion in the train room.  However, the middle princess castle does have a huge, empty basement...

[smokey1]

Morning all, A high of 83* for today. I can enjoy that. 

S.J. says hi to you all. He says he will not return until they figure out a way for us to log out by just clicking log out at the top. 

I'm not that concerned about it really. unless your putting out personal information here on the site, you really don't have anything to worry about. 

 

[ChiefEagles]

Home from babysitting duty.  Granddogs  and cat were easy.  Don't let you sleep late.  Their Dad gets up early in the AM.  So, they think Granddad needs to too.

Now for some rest and then get saws and brush cutter ready for tomorrow.  Go to farms and clear a shooting lane.

Prayers for CA fires and  Gulf folks due to hurricanes.  

Have a good one.

[Flintlock76]

It was hot today by us as well, 90 or so, but things had to be done, so...

Changed the oil in Lady Firestorm's Kia Soul.  I guess the Soul's gotten used to me, this is the first time I've pulled the drain plug where it didn't go "SPURRRRRRT!" and blew oil all over me!  

Then, onto cutting the grass and whizzin' the weeds.  Must have sweated five pounds off in the process.  Had to do it today, weatherfolks say temps are going to the low 90's all week.  Yuck.

[dougdagrump]

Hip Hip Hooray ! After 107* on tuesday followed by 102* thru yesterday it finally cooled off, it only got to 99.5* today. Flintlock, please call your humidity home it sucks when coupled to these temps this week. I am deathly afraid of what our electric bill will be for this past week and a half.

We had some really nasty storms in the mountains to the east yesterday, thunder lightening hail and torrential rains but luckily no fires broke out down this way.

Now they are looking at two hurricanes in the gulf. What's next more quakes in the mid-west and east ?

[Banks]

Hello there.

Another week down. Ended up with 34 quarts of homemade tomato soup last weekend.

Fife........congratulations on the new grandbaby

Buckeye.....good stuff at the museum.

Spanky......the price of lumber goes up with each hurricane and rarely comes back down.

Working on the Tahoe some this week. Struggled with the snap fittings for the tranny and oil cooler lines, after I got them out I decided to replace them. Just don't trust them as they were rusted pretty good. All that remains is install the radiator and fill the fluids.

Grandson decided he wanted to race this weekend so his uncle (son) decided to take off and go too. Grandson didn't bring him any trophies but did well considering it was his 1st race this year. Son took 1st in the trophy dial in class and 3rd in money dial in. Both classes were near 30 entries.

Today was a lazy day. We did get .25 inches of rain from an afternoon thunder boomer. A small fraction of what we need but thankful for what we got. The corn and bean crop is going to be pitiful.

Best get to sleep

Prayers for those in need and the end of this pandemic.