Memorial Day Parades and Food

Monday

Happy Memorial Day!

We set the alarm again this morning for 7AM.  Got up showered and dressed and then headed for Pottstown.  After a quick stop at my nieces we all headed down to the Fire Hall for a pancake, french toast, sausage, and egg breakfast.  They put on a pretty good spread and all the food was good.

Dan enjoyed his breakfast and time with his mom and grandparents

Maggie is a happy baby and spent a good amount of time with me

I did share her with Bonnie also

After the breakfast it was time for the parade.  We went out and lined up on the street with the others to watch.

The start of the parade

Then is was back over to Sharon's with a stop at Wawa for gas and at Home Depot to pick up some surface bolts to use to keep the heavy drawers shut in the RV.  Later on we will cook out and enjoy a beautiful day.

Phil and Jennifer and their kids came over for a small cook out.  We had lots of good things to eat.  I have eaten way too much the last few days.  My sister has been making a lot of the things we ate as kids and I have been enjoying them--a lot.  Its been a good day and a great visit down here.  The time has gone way to fast and tomorrow we head back home.

Tuesday

We got up this morning had our breakfast, packed and loaded up the car.  After saying our good-byes we loaded up the car and headed north.  It rained pretty much the whole way home.

The view for most of the day

There were a few breaks in the rain and then the scenery was really nice.  We took mostly 2 lane roads until we got to Williamsport and then we were on 4 lanes.  We stopped in Catawissa, PA at a quaint local cafe called Woody's place for lunch.  We had a good meal and a nice break in the drive.  Its nice taking the back roads when you are not in a hurry.  Once back on the road we made it home around 5:15 and unloaded the car.  Bonnie went right to work and planted the bleeding hearts she had dug up this morning at Sharon's.

Then we started to relax and catch up on the recorded programs.  Lots of rain here tonight it has been raining hard, the rain gauge shows 1.61in right now.

Wednesday

Up early this morning Bonnie was up and the TV woke me, at least I was half awake and it finished the job.  Had breakfast and she left for Bible Study.  I got dressed and ran down the hill in the car to get gas for the mower and stopped to pick up the mail at the Post Office.  Once home I open up the Coach and ran the generator for a while.  I also installed the Surface Bolt on the drawer in the Coach so now it will stay closed as we drive.

All mounted and ready to work

It was wicked humid outside today so we spent most of the time inside with the doors shut.  Bonnie fixed pork chops and peas for supper.  We talked about some travel ideas but nothing firm.  Bonnie had a meeting to go to after supper and I headed out to see if I could get the satellite TV system in the coach to lock onto a satellite but no luck with that.  I did put the bedroom slide out and discovered a big storage area in the bottom of the closet.  We have our first camping trip in a week so we have to get busy and set up the coach for our first outing.  Supposed to be hot the rest of the week and the grass is growing fast and needs cut but its too wet right now.

Thats about it for the first part of this week.  Thanks for Checking In.

Spring City, PA

Thursday

First full day of our visit to my sister's.  She has been working on a project for me for the coach.  I saw something similar on the internet.  Basically they are slap bracelets.  On each of them are different tasks that you have to remember to check or do before you leave home or your campsite.  You put them around the steering wheel and once you complete them you remove them.

Just about to get started on the project

Setting up the sewing machine

First the reminders are embroidered

Here are the reminders before they are sewed into sleeves to fit on the bracelets.

Ready to be sewn into sleeves

Emma the inspector on the job

Cutting them to size

All done the bracelets are at home but they look good.

Sharon had invited all the kids over for supper so we had a good time with the young grand nieces and nephews.

Dan helps finish up what his sister Maggie did not eat

Bonnie and Maggie got acquainted.

Ellie came a little later but I did not get a picture of her, I did get to hold her for a few minutes but she really prefers her Mom.  We had a good supper and got to visit a little but all the kids headed home soon after supper as they go to bed early and all seem to be good sleepers for their parents.

Wow its quiet after everyone left.  We had a good evening visiting and watched a little TV.

Friday

Raining here this morning but friends back home are posting that it is snowing again.  Crazy weather all over the USA this year.  Poor Molly looks so sad with her lampshade collar on.  She tore her dew pad claw a few weeks ago and it needs to heal without her licking it.

I really hate this thing, how much longer

She does get it removed when someone keeps an eye on her and she is pretty good about having it put on.  It sure does hurt when she rams you with it.

We are headed for the Sight and Sound theater in Lancaster, PA this afternoon to see the Noah production.  Its only a little over an hour away.  My second trip and Bonnie's first.  Sharon has been there numerous times.

Almost time to start

The production was really good and the scale and size of the Ark was huge.  It wrapped around three sides of the theater.  After that we headed to find something to eat.  The first place we stopped was no longer a restaurant but it was now a ShooFly Pie bakery and gift shop.

So we went next door to eat but the wait was 25 minutes.  Back in the car and up the street to Millers Smorgasbord.  None of us had the Smorgasbord which was $23.95.  We had the specials and the soup and salad.  Then about a hour drive home in the wind and it started to rain as we got home.  Now just relaxing a little before bed.

Saturday

Nice and sunny here in Spring City, but windy and 48 out.  Joe has gone to his gun club, Sharon over to clean a little at the church, Bonnie and Molly sitting together on the couch and I just finished reading the email.  Here comes Emma the cat but she is not all the friendly so does not sit with us.

Emma

Looks like a good time for a quick nap.  Well I got that nap in and then we pretty much just took it easy the rest of the day.  Sharon and I made a trip to the Sears Hardware store and market.  She picked up bananas and I was looking for a surface bolt to keep the heavy drawer under the refrigerator in the coach closed on turns.

Time for a good nights rest.

Sunday

Had to set the alarm this morning, imagine that on vacation.  But we were up and getting showers and breakfast before heading to church.  Sharon likes to sit up in the balcony behind the audio/visual booth so I snapped a couple pictures of that since I help with that back home.

This is the video switcher on the right side

 They live stream their video and one person is dedicated to that.

Sound board and visual stations

One person on the left mixes the sound for the live service.  The man on the right mixes and records the audio, puts up the slides, and controls the lighting.

The service was good, we had a Marine Color Guard present the Colors, and then a missionary from Australia  spoke.  He was very good.  After Sunday School class we headed home for lunch and some rest and relaxation.

I think we all had a nap or two this afternoon.  Sharon fixed chipped ham BBQ for supper, like our mom used to make.  Then we headed back to church.  It was their graduation service for the kindergarden kids.

They looked so cute in their gowns

The kids put on a nice program and then donned their Caps and Gowns to receive their diplomas and get promoted to first grade.

Then we stopped by one of the church members house to pick up a few things for Sharon, and Bonnie grabbed a rocking chair to turn into a planter.

Bonnie's new project

Tomorrow is Memorial Day and I want to say Thank You for All those serving our Country now and to those that have served in the past.

Its been another good week Thanks For Checking In.

Family Time

Monday

Up and at it this morning.  We are alternating between sun and overcast skies.  I had my breakfast and read some email and blogs.

Time to head for Warsaw and see if I can get my license  updated to show my "R" endorsement.  The clerk gave me the deer in the headlights look when I told her what I was there for.  She looked at each piece of paper 3 or 4 times.  Typed a little on her computer and then walked back and talked to her supervisor.  Finally got my interim license, but it does not show the "R" endorsement but she says the picture one that comes in the mail should.  Now to wait.  Got my trailer plates renewed while I was there also.  So $37.50 later I may be all set, have to wait for the mail to bring the new license.

I went over to the county building and visited with a few of the people I used to work with.  Had a nice time catching up and hope I did not overstay my welcome.  Then I went over to NAPA and picked up some terminal lugs that I need to install my Progressive Electrical System into the coach.

Pretty hot and humid today so took it easy once we got home.  So thats about it for today.  Not an exciting day but I did get a few things done.  Just heard about the terrible tornados in Oklahoma, keeping them in our Prayers.

Tuesday

Lots of Thunder overnight but not much rain here.  Up this morning and it looked like rain off and on all morning but no rain this morning.

I spent a couple hours up at court and then came home and Bonnie made lunch.  Then I headed out to cut the grass, it was looking like rain again.  Bonnie painted her fountain this morning and I set it up and filled it with water, hurray it works.

Then we headed to Alden to pickup Alexus from track practice.  We all headed to Subway for supper and then on to church for our small group study.  It finally rained a little about a quarter inch.  Time for some sleep.  Tomorrow we leave on a little trip.

Wednesday

Up this morning just as Bonnie left for her Bible study.  I got out my suitcase and packed.  We are headed to my sisters near Valley Forge today.

First order was to make and pack sandwiches for lunch

Then I took all the suitcases and stuff out to the garage.

All packed and ready to go to the garage

Then I headed out to read the electric meter so I could send the reading into the power company.

I read the meter every other month

Bonnie got home just before noon and we loaded the hot dogs into the cooler, we were on our way.  Pretty uneventful drive.

They have windmills in Pennsylvania too, just like home

Six hours later we pulled into my sisters and she had supper ready for us.  Molly was happy to see us and was very well behaved.

Molly playing a little ball before settling down for the night

Well its been a good day, but all the riding is tiring.  No rain on the way down so that was a good thing.

Thanks for Checking In.

Honesty the Best Policy

Thursday

The phone rang just after 7am I answered it but then Bonnie cut in so I hung up.  Phone rang again it was Alexus, Bonnie told her to call again maybe I would answer.  Seems she missed the bus.  Elizabeth  had an early day at work so I got up to to take her.  When I picked her up I asked her what happened.  She said she was up on time but got to playing with her new phone and missed the bus.  So she was honest.  So no yelling or chastising she was telling the truth and perhaps when I was her age when I got something new I might have missed a bus too.

We made it to school on time.

Bonnie is off to the chiropractor again.  My project for this morning is changing the transmission fluid on the CRV.

I pulled the car out and checked the transmission level.  Then pulled it up on the ramps.

Ready to start

Let the draining begin

 All that was left was to wipe off the magnet on the drain plug, replace the crush washer, and add 3 liters of fluid.

All the pieces and parts needed

 I took the car out on a test drive and checked the level all looks well.  So on to the next project.  I checked the mail and the lube had come for the pac brake.  So I put the slides out and soaked the pivot points with this lube.  Maybe a test drive tomorrow.

Special Lube

Now I will let it sit over night.  Time for some lunch.  Now its time to cut some grass.

Got the grass cut which finishes up this go around.  I will start again probably on Monday.  I came in and relaxed a little.  Bonnie left to pick up the girls for a woman's mentoring social at church.  I did not have training tonight so stayed home.  I had posted about my exhaust brake issues and started to get some feedback.  Joel even sent me wiring diagrams and it is looking more and more like it will need to come off to be worked on.  I can disconnect the linkage and see which part is sticking as a next step.  If all that is actually loose then there is an air valve that may be bad and I will have to find it to check it out.

Well thats about it for tonight time for a little reading before dreaming.

Friday

Was up a little earlier today.  Had my oatmeal and coffee.  Studied the wiring diagrams some and planned to work on the coach later today.  Then after Bonnie got up I headed up to court for a couple hours.  Took care of the paper work there and then got to play a little.

My new iPhone has a built in hot spot and up on the hill I connected to the new LTE cellular network and using my iPad I was downloading at over 10Mbs, seems really fast.  Then home and a little lunch and TV with Bonnie.

I finally headed out to work on the exhaust brake.  Got my tools together.

Bucket of Tools

I decided to take the linkage apart and try to move the butterfly valve without the air cylinder hooked up.  At first I could not get the pin out of the linkage where it connects.  Got a bigger hammer and a couple of drift pins.  Drove the pin down until it hit the bracket, it would not come the whole way out.  But now things were starting to move.  I lubed the pin up good and got it back into the proper position.  I was able to move the whole linkage now.  I went to the garage and made a jumper cable.

Jumper with fuse.

Using the wiring diagrams that Joel sent me I was able to find the wire that goes to the air solenoid that controls the exhaust brake.  I took it loose from the relay and used my jumper to hook to it and connect to 12 volts.  I could hear the exhaust brake moving.

Jumper connected to 12 volts

So I went in and looked and sure enough the brake was activated and when I took the jumper off it returned to the normal position.  Looks like it is freed up and working.   I put the tools back in the bucket, closed up the engine hatches, pulled in the slides and fired up the big CAT engine.  Road Test Time.

Everything worked fine, hurray that saved a bunch of bucks.  I will be sure to keep that pivot point lubed in the future.

Put everything away and headed into the house.  Bonnie had supper ready, Salmon Patties and potato salad.  It sure was good but I ate too much.  Relaxed and watched TV with Bonnie.  Now time for a little reading and rest.

Saturday

Up this morning and waiting for Elizabeth and Alexus to come.  Today is the first of several wood days.  She wants wood to heat her house this year and so they are coming to get some ready.  Once they arrived they got busy stacking up a pile that had blown over and covering it so it will stay dry.  Then I headed out and set up the wood splitter.

All set up and ready for action

I had a bit of cherry cut up and ready to split so we got busy.

Let the splitting begin

Alexus did all the stacking

I showed Elizabeth how to operate the splitter

We worked a little over an hour and did not even go through a tank of gas.

It made a pretty good pile

She did a good job of stacking and we covered it to keep it dry.  Then we cleaned up and headed in for lunch.

Sunday

Another beautiful day we are up and getting ready for church.  Off to pick up the girls.

Had another really good service and then headed into East Aurora.  I made a quick stop at the bank and then we headed to Larwood Drug Store to pick up an Rx.

Dropped off the girls and we headed home.  Bonnie fixed a nice salad for lunch and then I took a little nap.  Now relaxing and watching some TV.  I did open up the Coach and some windows to let it air out some.

It was sprinkling when we left for church this evening, but did not last long.  We had a congregational meeting on personal and program changes and budget.  It was a good meeting and lots of information.  Plus we made a quick stop at Tim Horton's on the way.

Finally nome now and watching the New North America series on Discovery Channel.

Its been a good week got some things accomplished and looking forward to the coming week.

Thanks for Checking In and May God Bless You This Week.

Road Test-----Passed!

Monday

Snow covered the deck and garage roof this morning.  It was 35 so at least it was melting.  Bonnie had a Dr appointment so she was out the door first.  I took a quick shower and then headed out to the Coach.  I started it and then checked all the tires and adjusted the tire pressures.  Once I knew everything was working I headed into the house.  Bob R pulled in the driveway about 12:15 and we headed out to the coach.

Today was my road test in the coach to get a "R" endorsement on my license.  In NY if your Motorhome weighs over 26,000 pounds you are required to get an endorsement.  I was surprised how nervous I was knowing I would be tested.  We headed into Orchard park and arrived about 35 minutes early as instructed.  We pulled in behind the cars in line and we drew a lot of attention.  It was not quite 2pm when we made it to the front of the line.

Bigest vehicle in line.

Front of the line

The test starts here

 The female examiner was very friendly and we chatted about RVing as she gave me instructions.  Pull out when it is safe and make a right turn at the corner.  Then straight ahead for a couple blocks and make another right turn.  Pull over stop a couple feet from the curb.  She got out and had me backup for about 50 feet (so happy I did not have to parallel park) with the 4 way flashers on.  Then 3 left turns and back to the start of the test.  She said You Passed!  Then she finished the paperwork and handed me my temporary License endorsement, told me to wait 7 days and then go to the DMV to get my permanent license.  So happy that is over with.

I think she enjoyed this road test

On the way home Bob and I determined that the exhaust brake is not working.  I am hoping it just needs lubed so I will order some today.  Bob was impressed that I backed the Coach all the way into the driveway on the first try.  Then we headed in to the house to visit with Bonnie and she made us peanut butter sandwiches and I made some coffee for Bob.

Coffee and peanut butter and jelly afternoon snack

We had a nice visit and he headed home.  It was so nice of him to go with me, someday I hope to return the favor for another driver.  Now Bonnie can get her permit and drive with me.

We had a few snow flakes today and then some sunshine, forecast is for another cold night.

Tuesday

So it was in the 30's at 7am when I got up.  So decided to use the rest room and then climb back in bed for a few minutes.  Next thing I knew it was 9:45, wow.  Got up and dressed.  Bonnie was still sleeping so I kept it quiet.  The phone rang for her at 11 that woke her and thus the day is passing quickly.

The little door on the Microwave is not opening so I called Orville's about that.  Its under warranty so they will be out next week to look at it since it is mounted over the stove.  Glad we extended the warranty.  It was sunny so I thought of cutting some grass but now its cloudy again.  Guess I will take the trash out to the road and decide if its dry enough to cut.

I was able to cut about half the grass, but before I did that I spent some time working on the Coach.
Since the night I drove it home I have questioned if the exhaust brake was working.  Yesterday when Bob and were both in the Coach on the hills we both determined that it was not kicking in just the transmission was down shifting.  So today I opened up the hatches to look for the exhaust brake.

Bed propped up and access hatch opened

I can see the top of the engine and the exhaust brake

The silver cylinder is what closes the brake.

It appears that the brake butterfly is corroded and does not move, so it never closes.  I soaked it with PB Blaster and will let it sit overnight until I have time to check it again.  I tried to move the lever but it would not budge.  Hopefully the PB Blaster will loosen it.  I ordered the proper lube last night and it should be here on Friday.  There is no good place to pry on the lever to get it to move.  This could be my first extended warranty claim if it does not free up.

I had just enough time to shower and then we headed to church for our small group study.  Finally home and time to get to bed.

Wednesday

Wow where did the day go.  Its after 11pm and I am just getting to posting this.  I got up and did my email and blog reading.  Bonnie was gone to her bible study.  I got dressed and ran down to get gas for the lawn tractor.  Then I took my acetylene torches apart and packed the bottles into the car to return to Batavia.  I had a ten year lease on them and now they want almost $300 for 5 years and I just do not use them that much.

All packed up guess I should sell these.

Then I jumped on the John Deere and cut the front yard.  It was almost 1pm by now.  I ran into the house and signed on to an online training course that was live from the West coast for court on Distracted Driving.  That lasted until 2pm.  Then Bonnie and I headed for Batavia.  I dropped her off at JoAnn Fabrics and I headed to Jackson Welding to turn in the gas bottles.  Then I was off to Tops to fill up the car, we had 90 cents a gallon off on gas, saved over 15 dollars.  Then Bonnie was ready and I picked her up and we headed to East Aurora.  A brief stop to pick up the girls and then on the EAWireless.  They were very helpful as 3 of us were getting different phones.  Lots of paperwork and a few phone calls and we had two new phones, one switched phone, one sold phone and one old phone no one wanted.  

We picked up pizza and wings and headed to Elizabeth's to customize the new phones.  I restored mine with the backup I had done and Elizabeth had all her contacts on her phone by the time we got home courtesy of iCloud.  Bonnie watched a little TV while we customized.  We finally headed home and everyone seemed happy.

Now its time to post this and get to bed.  Thanks for Checking In!