May 27: Basic Automotive repair....or Where the HECK are my tools!
I am about to go outside and work on Franken-Van. The reason it is called that is because it is now comprized of major parts from at least 4 different vans that I know of. Main body and frame is a Red 96 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport. 
The hood and front bumper are from a light blue 97 Dodge Grand Caravan. The engine and Trannie are from a Burgundy (not sure why color matters on this one.) 99 dodge Caravan. The rear hubs and axles are I believe from another 96 grand caravan. There are other parts that they got at the junk yard while fixing it so I don't know what they came off of (Igor's retrieval of a Criminal brain). It may not look like the van in the picture but you get the idea. BTW it runs like a scalded dog now.
Anyhow, back to my point. I have to do an oil change and replace the front rotors and pads. Oil change: no problem. Brakes: Problem. I know how to do it. I have jack and jack stands and lug wrench. I have a C-clamp. But my allen/Torx sockets are missing. without them I cannot remove the calipers to do the job. The van isn't drivable till the brakes get changed. So I have to find a ride at some point. The parts store told me to take the caliper off and bring the bolt with me to get the right socket. Does anyone see the issue with this? By the time I get it jacked up, get a ride, come back and do the job, it will be 88 degrees outside. I'm gonna smell REAL purty! Wish me luck.
The hood and front bumper are from a light blue 97 Dodge Grand Caravan. The engine and Trannie are from a Burgundy (not sure why color matters on this one.) 99 dodge Caravan. The rear hubs and axles are I believe from another 96 grand caravan. There are other parts that they got at the junk yard while fixing it so I don't know what they came off of (Igor's retrieval of a Criminal brain). It may not look like the van in the picture but you get the idea. BTW it runs like a scalded dog now.Anyhow, back to my point. I have to do an oil change and replace the front rotors and pads. Oil change: no problem. Brakes: Problem. I know how to do it. I have jack and jack stands and lug wrench. I have a C-clamp. But my allen/Torx sockets are missing. without them I cannot remove the calipers to do the job. The van isn't drivable till the brakes get changed. So I have to find a ride at some point. The parts store told me to take the caliper off and bring the bolt with me to get the right socket. Does anyone see the issue with this? By the time I get it jacked up, get a ride, come back and do the job, it will be 88 degrees outside. I'm gonna smell REAL purty! Wish me luck.
May 17: Im Tho Thick
Half the house caused contacted this nasty cold. I just think I have it worst of all.
Why, do I stake this claim? First of all, I got it first. Second, If given the choice, I would choose to eat week old cow entrails from the side of the trail in a South Texas summer than deal with this any longer. And third and finally, When I sneezed a few hours ago stuff come out of my mouth and nose that combined for form something that looked like it should have been a main character in one of the 4 original Alien movies. I wouldn't say that particular relation but once it skittered across the kitchen and under the table, well...I knew it was an apt description. So as I begin preparations for bed, I still claim I have it worst of all, and I in addition pray that that thing doesn't come looking for me in bed tonight.
On a lighter note: let me leave this topical video that is an oldie but a goodie.
Why, do I stake this claim? First of all, I got it first. Second, If given the choice, I would choose to eat week old cow entrails from the side of the trail in a South Texas summer than deal with this any longer. And third and finally, When I sneezed a few hours ago stuff come out of my mouth and nose that combined for form something that looked like it should have been a main character in one of the 4 original Alien movies. I wouldn't say that particular relation but once it skittered across the kitchen and under the table, well...I knew it was an apt description. So as I begin preparations for bed, I still claim I have it worst of all, and I in addition pray that that thing doesn't come looking for me in bed tonight.On a lighter note: let me leave this topical video that is an oldie but a goodie.
May 11: I want it I want it I WANT IT!!!
I have Gawt to have this mouse. 
I am not even kidding. This is the coolest mouse I have ever seen. I mean I am more stoked about this than the humming bird face sheild. Now I know no one bought me the face sheild but I think the mouse here is a bit less expensive. I came here to blog and was looking for a picture to go with my blog and I heard angels sing when I saw this beast. It is the epitome of mouse coulness. Rock on technology developer dudes from Xiamen Deying Trading Co., Ltd. I mean it this is just the coolest. They word that comes to mind right now is KewlNESS! Thanks you and good night.
I am not even kidding. This is the coolest mouse I have ever seen. I mean I am more stoked about this than the humming bird face sheild. Now I know no one bought me the face sheild but I think the mouse here is a bit less expensive. I came here to blog and was looking for a picture to go with my blog and I heard angels sing when I saw this beast. It is the epitome of mouse coulness. Rock on technology developer dudes from Xiamen Deying Trading Co., Ltd. I mean it this is just the coolest. They word that comes to mind right now is KewlNESS! Thanks you and good night. May 3: An Exercise in Law Enforcement.
Much of good is going on. We are in our farmhouse. The kids like their rooms. Katie went to her Junior Prom this past weekend (pictures will be uploaded soon).
Mary and I chaperoned the dance and I chaperoned the AfterProm. So you would think the world is a good place...all sunshine and lollipops. Well, first let me say that I still think it is such. It just doesn't want to behave that way. Murphy is in overdrive. Sometime between Prom and After prom while taking Mary home I have misplaced my meds (not good). I still can't find them. Sunday afternoon our water heater sprung a leak. We were able to fix that in a couple of hours (actually my dad did it.) by replacing the heating elements. Today the Frankenvan sprung a leak in a brake line (I guess thats where it is) so I have gone through nearly an entire big bottle of brake fluid. Hopefully my Fa-in-la can take a look at it on his off day Wednesday. At least it is supposed to be sunny and dry.
On a positive note the floor has been completely replaced in the bad room. We have the carpet and just need to install it. So see....as Monty Python in Life of Brian said.....Always look on the bright side of life (then some whistling and such).
Mary and I chaperoned the dance and I chaperoned the AfterProm. So you would think the world is a good place...all sunshine and lollipops. Well, first let me say that I still think it is such. It just doesn't want to behave that way. Murphy is in overdrive. Sometime between Prom and After prom while taking Mary home I have misplaced my meds (not good). I still can't find them. Sunday afternoon our water heater sprung a leak. We were able to fix that in a couple of hours (actually my dad did it.) by replacing the heating elements. Today the Frankenvan sprung a leak in a brake line (I guess thats where it is) so I have gone through nearly an entire big bottle of brake fluid. Hopefully my Fa-in-la can take a look at it on his off day Wednesday. At least it is supposed to be sunny and dry. On a positive note the floor has been completely replaced in the bad room. We have the carpet and just need to install it. So see....as Monty Python in Life of Brian said.....Always look on the bright side of life (then some whistling and such).