Preparing to hit the road again-its about time

Monday

Very overcast today and a little rain.  Did some computer work and upgraded Bonnie's MAC to the new Lion operating system.  Then called Interstate, more insanity they still do not want to accept the receipts I have from the motel for my claim.  They seem to do anything they can to deny the claim.  I talked to the motel, they do not have a computer to even generate a typed invoice.  Just unbelievable.
Off to court now.  Had a little rain tonight.  Pretty uneventful day.

Tuesday

Woke up to a beautiful day, nice and sunny.  To bad I have to spend the afternoon in court.
Then off to WW tonight and possibly a trip to Harbor Freight to pick up a tool to make taking the caulk off the roof of the MH much easier and quicker.  So been paying bills, watching podcasts about the MAC and reading some.

Talked to the warranty people again today and now they have decided the receipts I sent from the motel are sufficient so they are processing that claim.  They had agreed to call the motel to verify they did not have a computer and that I actually stayed there.  So I guess they believed them.  I also checked on the repair claim check.  25 business days so I guess I have a while to wait.

Gained a little this week according to WW so back on the band wagon for this week.  Picked a my tool at Harbor freight so looks like I am ready to work on the roof of the MH when the weather looks good for a day or two.  I also still need to do the brakes on the truck, maybe tomorrow.
Thats about it for today.


Wednesday

Another great sunny cool morning.  Lots to do today.  First a trip to the bank to make a deposit.  Then home to hopefully get the front brakes changed on the truck.  Once I get that done there are a few things I need to work on for the MH.  I should take an hour or so and do some weed control around the property also.

This is the old light just no longer works

Here is the new one, also has X10 control

Ready to start after lunch.  Notice how few tools are on the table

On my lunch break now, yes I sometimes get a lunch break.  I already did the bank deposit.  When I got home I changed the motion light on the side of the garage and started the brake job.


  Hopefully I will get a little shade to work in before I finish.  Still sunny but not that hot so lets get started.

Wheels off and I use the C clamp to compress the cylinder on the caliber so it will fit over the new thicker brake pads

Using the bucket to support the caliper.  The bracket that holds the caliper has been removed.  Notice the screw between the top two studs.

That screw is a T30 torx head screw.  I knew I did not have one.  But you know your Dad never stops giving to you.  I looked in the tool box my Dad left me when he died and there was a set of torx wrenches and there was a T30.  This was the last screw that needed to come out to get the rotor off, Thanks Dad.

This the the bracket that holds the brake pads ready to be loaded with the new pads.

New rotor and pads in place ready to put the caliber back on.

Old inner pad on the left new one on the right.  Old one served me well for 46034 miles.

Box of old pads

The table now has all the tools it took to do the job on it.

 The three most important tools today were the new impact wrench, much more torque than my 20 year old one, the penetrating fluid called PB Blaster (without it and the torque wrench I would not have gotten the caliper bracket off) and the torx wrench my Dad left me.

T30 Torx wrench

The whole brake job took a little over two hours.  The second wheel took only 40 minutes, the first a little longer as I had to keep getting more tools.

Cost estimate as you may recall was $364 at the Chevy dealer.  My cost was about $161 for the parts, $110 for the new torque wrench and a couple hours of my time.  So I saved about $100 bucks and got a new wrench.  Plus finding the torx wrench brought back wonder memories of my Dad.

I hav had the truck out for a test ride no more squeaking brakes and all seems well.  All cleaned up and showered now waiting for Bonnie to get home from shopping.  Tomorrow after my eye exam I will concentrate on loading up the MH for the weekend trip.

Thats about it from here, Thanks for Checking in.

Nice Cool end to the week

Thursday

Once again I got an early start to the day.  I threw the towels into the wash, washed the dishes and made breakfast.  Once the towels were done I headed outside to finish splitting the wood that got rained out yesterday.  It made a nice little pile from the tree that fell in the yard.

All split and drying

While I was splitting the mail man came and delivered the roll of Eternabond to re-seal the roof seams on the MH

60 bucks a roll

Before putting the splitter away I went ahead and changed the oil.  While I was busy doing that the FEDEX van cane and dropped off a coffee order.

Lots of good morning drinks and evening teas in this box.

Then I took this pile of weeds that Bonnie had pulled and dumped it in our pile of weeds and branches.

I also took the tractor and turned the weeds over on the big dirt pile we have.

Ditch dirt the county brought us about a year a go

Then it happened.  I was backing in the tractor carefully to miss the washer and dryer DD has stored in the garage and the the bucket caught the door frame and ripped it loose.  It took about a half hour to repair.  It only had about 3 nails holding it in place no wonder it came loose.  So now it is screwed in place and properly secured.

I also made a call to Interstate to check on the claim I faxed to them yesterday for the motel, car, and food.  I had to rescan and send them the hotel receipts.

I checked Sears and the impact wrench I need to do the brake job on the truck is in stock today in Warsaw and 10% off when ordered on line.  Bonnie is going to try to pick it up after work, since she is going shopping nearby.

Its been a nice sunny cool day and very enjoyable, just a beautiful day.

Friday

Busy day today.  Up and at it.  Got the wash and the dishes done and headed up to court.  Ordered parts to fix our shredder and reviewed cases for next week.  Then I got a call to work on a printer problem over in Attica and got there about 1pm.  Fixed that and did some virus repair also and finally headed home about 3:30pm.  Bonnie got home and we had a quick supper from the crockpot.  The pork was delicious.  About 6pm I went out and cut the front lawn in about 40 minutes.

We were invited to speak to a young adults group and lead a bible study at 7pm so we headed down to Varysburg to do that.  That went well and we just got home and its about 12:30am.  I think the diet coke is keeping me awake.  Here are a few pictures from the evening.

The greeter has a great smile who would not feel welcome

A quick chat with the hosts

The group starts to arrive

More of the group

Looks like the peanut gallery

A new game to me to finish off the evening, the butterfly game

We had a great evening, I enjoyed hearing all the comments on these young folks have on faith.


Saturday

The caffene wore off and I was fast asleep at 1:30am and now up at 8 and ready to head out for the day.  I have to go up to court, then help install a Microwave at Elizabeths new apartment, and then if it is not raining cut my SILs grass.  Then home to finish off mine if it is still not raining.

The day went as planned except we did not mount the microwave.  When Elizabeth went to the new apartment she found a bunch of contractors and the roof and wall ripped all apart.  The leaking roof was much more extensive than they thought.  They are re-sheeting the roof and redoing the wall.  So that is good, just so she can move in by the end of the month.

Last night there was a 911 call for a car accident at Bonnie's parents address.  I stopped by there after cutting grass and learned it was a young man who fell asleep and went off the road, hit the corner of the new bridge and flew through the air into the corn field.  All this after 11 last night.  Here are a few pictures.

You can see the tracks and the corner of the bridge

Here is the corner he hit and broke off

Pieces of glass in the Grass

Mom down where the car ended up

The pieces that broke off the bridge

The young man came to their house and knocked on the door, he was pretty bloody mom said and they called 911.

Elizabeth, Alexus and visiting cousin Kalyse came to visit and for supper.  The girls are out in the woods picking blackberries.

There were more but this is what was left by the time I took the picture

Boy its been a long day and I am beat, thats it for tonight.

Sunday

Another good cool night for sleeping and no thunderstorms.  Today is the 100th Williams family reunion, on Bonnie's side of the family so we all will be headed to that after church.

A big line of thunder storms came through today.  It started while we were at church and ended up dropping .83 in. of rain.  Good thing the reunion was inside and the meal was catered.  Those of you from Buffalo will recognize the name on the boxes.

Chiavetta's chicken is a favorite here in the area.

There was a good turnout for the reunion and we also celebrated a 90 Birthday of one of the relatives at the same time.

Here are a few of the folks waiting for dinner to start.

We had a good time and it was nice to see everyone.  We came straight home from there and I promptly fell asleep in the recliner for a quick nap.  We both have not recovered yet from our late night Friday.

Thats about it from here for this week.

Thanks for checking in.

Maybe a normal week

Monday

Rained a bit over night .83 inches here and up to 2 inches in parts of the county, it never woke me.
Overcast this morning so I slept in some.  But once I was up and fed I did get to work.

First on the agenda was changing the whole house water filter.  It is a pretty easy and straight forward job.  Unscrew the clear plastic part dump out the water and the old filter put in the new filter and screw it back it in.

Our water system

Nice new bright white filter to take out sediment

Then it was out to change the oil in the house emergency generator.  Thats a little more involved but still pretty easy.  Take off a cap on a hose drain the oil, remove and replace the filter.  Then refill the oil and test.

All opened up for servicing.

All closed up and ready to do its job

I have always had trouble getting the front back on, but today I fixed it by loosening some bolts and aligning the left side properly.  So now we are in good shape and ready to go for another year, unless it runs a lot.  Only has 78.1 hours run time in two years.  It was only 73 outside but the humidity was about the same and my shirt was soaked when I came in.  Time for court.

It has cooled off nice tonight and I think the humidity must be down some.

Tuesday

Woke up to the sound of a gentle rain this morning, we could use an all day rain.  Rain would be fine today as I have lots of paperwork to catch up on here at home and at court.
I think the rain may finally be gone as I eat my lunch late, 2:30pm.  Finished my chores for the day, bank and Post Office for court, cat box and trash at home.  Then I put together my claim for reimbursement of my food, rental car, and lodging in Knoxville.  I faxed all 13 pages to the warranty company so we will see what happens with that.  Tonight is WW and then I think we will stop at Elizabeths for a visit and maybe supper.

WW went well I was down a little again.  Had dinner at Elizabeths and she and Bonnie went to a bible study.  Alexus and I watched a little TV.  Finally home and time for bed.

Wednesday

Early start again today.  I have to be in Attica at Upstate Chevy at 10am today.  Oil Change and tire swap are on the agenda.  Nice cool night I slept like a contented baby.

I was to be at Upstate Chevy at 10am today to get my tires swapped and an oil change.

Upstate Chevy

 So I went out early and loaded my nice 20inch wheels in the truck for the swap.

Notice tonneau cover folded up

This is the new tonneau cover in place

So I arrived there early and they took me right in.  The dealership is being remodeled and things are all messed up and boy is it noisy.  I had my kindle and after a couple chapters gave up.  My oil change was free and the tire swap was 20 some bucks.  They also said the front brakes are badly worn and will not pass inspection in March.  I asked for an estimate and they said $384 plus tax.  I stopped at Carquest and got brakes and new rotors for $161 including tax.  Now to pick a nice cool day to put them on, put it will save $200 and we have spent enough on vehicle repair lately.

Had lunch when I got home and then went out to split the wood from the tree that fell in the yard.  I got about a third of it done when the sky got black, the wind came up and it started to rain.  I hurried to put the equipment in the garage and made it into the house.  Then the sky opened up and it poured for about 20 minutes and then it was over.  Its nice and cool now and time for a little nap and some TV.

Time to post this

Thanks for checking in.

Busy Thursday, Friday, Saturday, finally Rest on Sunday

Thursday

I set the alarm for 6am this morning, thats just not right when you are retired.  I wanted to go to John Deere to get the right cable for the Gator.

They were open bright and early at 7:30

We checked the parts book again and decided I should come back after the dentist and talk to the mechanic who has but in a bunch of the cables.
So I head off to the dentist.

Caught one by surprise

Love to see these smiles

Everything went well with getting my teeth cleaned and no cavities.  I picked up my new toothbrush, paste and floss, then headed for John Deere again.
We decided I had the right cable but needed a pin and clip to connect the new cable to the carburetor.  They had the clip but had to order the pin.  Its being overnighted to the house at no charge, pretty good customer service.
I headed back to the house and installed the cable and can finish when the pin comes in tomorrow.  I also changed the oil.

Alexus called about 11 and said she would be ready to be picked up in 10 minutes.  I was supposed to pick her up at noon.  So I quickly got ready and headed in to pick her up.

Just back from Kingdom Bound

She is in a daze

She looked and acted pretty tired after her week at Kingdom Bound.  She said she was going to take a real shower, put her clothes in the wash, and then get some sleep.  So I dropped her off at home and headed for Java Village.  I went to cut my sister-in-laws grass.  She had been dealing with some medical issues and not having much energy lately.  So three hours later I climbed off the mower and had cut a lot of grass.

This is about 1/4 of the yard

While I was cutting my father-in-law asked me to come down and look at their freshly painted house and barn.  Some guy stopped yesterday and offered to pressure wash and paint the house and barn.  Not sure how the did it so fast but it is done.

The about 6pm UPS showed up with the new tonneau cover for my truck.  So went out after supper and put it on, finished up about 9.

A pretty full day for a retired guy.

Friday

Even though I was up early the morning did not seem to last long.  I had my normal coffee and oatmeal and read a few blogs.  Then I heard the UPS truck in the driveway, that kicked me into high gear.  He brought the last part I needed for the Gator.  So I installed that and then came back in the house.
I started the wash and then went out and got on the mower to cut my grass.  I cut the back yard and then came in for a little lunch.

Some good news I checked the web site for the Extended Warranty and the site now says Check processing approved.  Progress.  Remember Bill told me the process takes 3 weeks.  Once I get the check I can file the request to review the claim and see if they will pay more after I explain it.  I did not have much confidence in the service writer at Freightliner, she tried but she was not the best explainer.

After lunch I sharpened both sets of mower blades and but a fresh set on the mower then finished the grass and continued with the laundry.

Remember the failing seam tape on the MH, I ordered the new tape today also, more progress.

I also called to get some information on the cemetery  where Bonnie and I would like to be buried.  I think preplanning ones burial is a blessing to the family.

I took care of all the cardboard boxes that were accumulating and then hooked the trailer to the truck and loaded up the Gator.  Bonnie got home and we headed over the her parents.  Bonnie also had stuff to take to her sister and niece.  Then we went up and visited her youngest sister and she invited us for supper.  So we sat out on the deck and had a nice visit.

We made it home just before dark, I unhooked the trailer and but the truck in the garage.

Good news just read on FB that the youth are back from their Ohio mission trip, with lots of good stories and memories.

Time for me to hit the hay.

Saturday

Another busy day.  Up early again and after breakfast I reset the clock on the house generator.  Then stripped the bed and put the sheets in the washer.  Bonnie was up early also and picked up Elizabeth and took her into Buffalo to pickup some shelves for the new apartment.  Once she got home I helped her unload and then hooked up the trailer and took it to get it inspected.  While I was at the garage a motorcycle hit a stray dog out in front of the shop.  We called 911 and helped direct traffic.  The dog did not make it and the motorcyclist was hurt but it did not appear to be serious.

Then I stopped by court and worked on paperwork and a new process to submit my monthly report.  I got home just in time to unhook the trailer, park it and make a sandwich.  I ate the sandwich on the way to pick up Elizabeth to take her to Wheatfield to pick up a washer and dryer.

Washer and dryer and Elizabeth

On the way home we stopped at her new place and met the neighbors and had a nice visit with them.

Stove needs a little paint and maintenance

Loft and Alexus will sleep up stairs

Big living room

Finally home around 7pm and starving.  Elizabeth made us some supper as Bonnie and Alexus had already eaten.  Now all is quiet here and time to relax and then to bed.

Sunday

Good to be at church this morning and see everyone I missed last week.  Also a good discussion in SS Class.  And the frond steps are getting a facelift

Ready for Concrete

Well I hope to relax the rest of the day so I will go ahead and post this early.

It was a great week and I got a lot accomplished, have a great week

Thanks for checking in.

Getting Back into a somewhat normal routine

Monday

I woke up this morning to thunder and heavy rain.  I did manage to roll over and sleep a little more.
After catching up on some more mail, I headed out and gassed up the chain saw to start working on the down tree in the yard.  I got the top all cut up and hauled away and cut sections for firewood until I ran out of gas, both in the saw and me.
After lunch I listened to some podcasts and of course fell asleep for a much needed nap.   Then it was off to court, which turned out to be an easy night.  The DEC officer stopped in to tell me that a neighbor had just called in seeing a bear in their yard today.  So we are attributing the bird feeder to a bear.  Its nice a cool good sleeping weather.

Thats it for Monday

Tuesday

I was up early this morning no rain yet.  I had to head to the bank and post office for court and then up to court to review some paperwork.  Got home about 1pm.  Then ate a little lunch and changed into my work clothes.  I went out and finished up cutting up the tree that fell in the yard.  Then I loaded up all the cut up blocks and piled them near the wood pile to be split.

I had just come in the house when Freightliner called and said they were still having problems with the warranty company and it appeared they were not going to pay the claim.  I called the warranty company and they put me through to the claims department and I finally was connected to a supervisor.  I was on hold so long that I put the phone on speaker and took a shower, of course I was still in the shower when the supervisor came on the line.  I explained the whole thing him and he talked to me about their position.  Then the light seemed to come on and he said that it appeared everything they were asking for was there.  He said he approved the claim.  I told him I had already given them my credit card number.  So he then set up a three way call with freightliner to make sure they had been paid and that it was ok for them to pay me.  So he said it can take up to 3 weeks to get the check but that all was approved.  So now I am in a wait and see mode again.  Some of you said you missed the suspense so here we go again, will the check show up in the mail.

Then it was off to weight watchers, I lost 4 pounds so thats good news.  Then we stopped to see Elizabeth and had a delicious strawberry and chicken salad.  Alexus is at Kingdom Bound this week so we did not see her.  Then it was off to home.

Thats about it for tonight.


Wednesday

Raining again this morning, so I am catching up on podcasts and updating computer programs.  Its still overcast if it stops raining I plan to go over and pick up the Gator to replace the throttle cable and change the oil.  All the parts are to be at John Deere by 4pm so I have to pick them up later this afternoon.  Well the sky let loose on my way to pick up the parts.  I stopped in Attica to get a filter for the house generator and also an indicator light for the Gator.  It rained so hard the streets were flooded.  Then on to John Deere in Alexander only a few miles away and it was not raining.
Back home I started to put the new cable in.  I had to add a bracket kit and a new spring.  Then the cable, but oh no its the wrong cable.  On the way home the dentist office called and I can get my teeth cleaned in the morning.  So I will get up early, be at John Deere at 7:30 and hope they have the correct cable and then the Dentist at 8am.  I also have to pickup Alexus at noonish.
Here are a few shots of the Gator project.

Ready to go get the Gator

Plastic off the front so I can get at the cable, pretty easily

New indicator light shows when the key is turned on

My sister called tonight and we booked our plane tickets for a November vacation in Florida.

Thats about it from here.

Thanks for checking in

Catching Up around Home

Friday

Was up early.  I must say the house bed is not as comfortable as the one in the coach, plus I missed the air conditioning.  I did hear it rain some during the night and that was nice and soothing.  This area needs some nice gentle rain for a good long day.

After some coffee and breakfast I started to go through all the mail and bills to make sure I had remembered them all and paid them on line.  Around noon I took a break and headed to court to start to catch up on all the work up there also.  Spent a couple hours there until about 3 and then came home.  I had to put some air in the tires first time ever, must be from sitting.  They just needed a couple pounds but the warning light was on.

Bonnie got home after a little shopping and made Tacos and then we took it easy this evening.  I did start and finish a little of the wash from the month I was gone.

Still no word from the warranty company about how much they will pay.  They said check back on Monday.

Saturday

Slept in a little today and then had my coffee ( I did miss my Keurg) and oatmeal.  Read a few blogs and then headed up to court late in the morning.  I was up there until around 3pm.  Lots of paperwork to catch up on.  But our Court Clerk had it all nicely organized and I was able to go through it quite nicely.  About 30 minutes before I left I got quite warm and light headed.  I had not eaten so got a fiber bar I had in the truck and ate it.  By the time I got home I did not feel good at all.  Elizabeth and Alexus were there and they were about to have lunch so I ate.  Still did not feel good.  Checked my blood sugar it was good.  Bonnie checked my blood pressure and said it was very high.  This is the first time this has happened to me so I took a pill she gave me and took a little nap.  Felt much better after that but still not real good.  So we canceled our plans to attend a concert tonight and stayed home.  As I write this I feel back to normal.  Not sure what happened just adjusting back to my normal routine I guess.

I did have a little surprise when I woke up this morning.  Something got to the bird feeder on the rear deck and destroyed it.  Neither of us heard it so not sure what it was.

It looked like this

Now its like this

We got this when we lived in Virginia in the early 90's so it is old.  I have not located it on the internet.  The metal parts are ok but the brittle plastic is shot.  If you see it on line or in your travels let me know.

Thats about it for Saturday.

Sunday

We were up and out the door on time for church this morning.  It was good to see everyone after a month of being gone.  I feel good this morning and back to normal.  After church Bonnie headed out to the Holland Farmers market to take a few blood pressures.  Her sister has a booth there every Sunday and today was health day.  Then she went shopping with Elizabeth.  Alexus is at Kingdom Bound this week until Thursday when I need to remember to pick her up at noon.

I took it easy and even got a nap until about 4:30.  Then I headed over to see what was wrong with the Gator.  I started it and it was running wide open.  A quick check showed the throttle cable broken and jammed wide open.  I got it to idle and now need to order a new one tomorrow.  I then went up to visit my sister-in-law Carol and Jackson her grandson, my grand nephew.  He is two and today is the first day he warmed up to me and we had a good time together.  Carol made salmon and cauliflower for supper and we all had a popsicle for dessert on the deck.  Bonnie's folks were home now and I stopped down to explain what was wrong with the Gator.  We talked for a while and I headed home with a nice apple pie, Bonnie's mom had made for me.  Hers are the only apple pies I eat, one taste and you would know why.
Thats about it from here for tonight.

Thanks for checking in.

Home at last

Thursday

Left Ohio about 9am this morning and backed into the yard at 2:30pm.

Just backed in good to be Home

Lots of construction delays.  But it was a good drive and the coach seems better than ever.  It is cooler here but very humid.  I was soaked by the time I unloaded a few things form the MH.  Once I cooled down I took a nice long shower.  Then sorted through a month of my mail.  About when I finished Bonnie got home and it was great to get a big hug and kiss.  She made spaghetti for supper and I hope to have a bowl of ice cream later.  Lots to do around here the next few days.  This is waiting in the yard for me.

Bonnie is not sure when this broke off.

Well its great to be home.  Thank you all for your prayers.  God gave me a great trip home.
I was gone right at 30 days and can truly say I enjoyed at least 20 of the days I was gone.  I got to see family and visit a lot of new things.

This was one of my favorite times.

Thats it for tonight, it may be a couple days until I post again, back to Sunday, Wednesday posts I think.

Thanks for checking in.