Sunday, June 28, 2009
Cash for Clunkers
There is never a cloud so dark that a silver lining cannot be found.
With that in mind, the recent passing of the "Cash For Clunker" legislation left me with a singular opportunity. Kate and Gerardo have been looking to buy a new car. The Astro will never again be worth $4,500, so it has to go. So with the decision made to trade in the Astro, boy was I surprised that it started acting up. While loyalty is one of my values, it is not a primary value. At first I thought the problem was in the engine, every time I would try to accelerate, the car would jump and shudder, but Gerardo helped me diagnose that the rear end was actually falling out!
This does not look good.
Gerardo helping me take it apart.
With that in mind, the recent passing of the "Cash For Clunker" legislation left me with a singular opportunity. Kate and Gerardo have been looking to buy a new car. The Astro will never again be worth $4,500, so it has to go. So with the decision made to trade in the Astro, boy was I surprised that it started acting up. While loyalty is one of my values, it is not a primary value. At first I thought the problem was in the engine, every time I would try to accelerate, the car would jump and shudder, but Gerardo helped me diagnose that the rear end was actually falling out!
This does not look good.
Gerardo helping me take it apart.
The spring and axle with the bracket removed. The spring is made out of fiberglass!
The brackets, both sides were rusted out and broken. I called the Government Motors Dealer and he said that they had eight in stock for $40 each, but he had never heard of anyone having had to replace them. Of course that is the government talking.
Friday afternoon it was off to U-Pull-R-Parts for some replacement brackets. $5 each plus $2 admission. Having practiced with Gerardo, it only took a few minutes to unbolt.
All back together. This looks a lot better.While I was at U-Pull, I wandered around looking for other good stuff and found a couple of nice VW's. The tin that was left on these beauties was in surprisingly good shape. One is a 59 and the other is a 64. The 59 had the little lever to switch to the reserve on the gas tank. It brought back a lot of memeoies, mostly bad.
I have to assume that someone died and their kids hauled away their toys. 
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Father's Day 2009
For Father's Day, I made a rotisserie ham with Au gratin potatoes. 
I wanted to set it up on the milling machine to drill the hole for the spit but was told "NO DAD!!!!" So I used my battery drill instead. 
All ready to go.
Getting started. 
Kate checking the temperature.
Creamed Spinach and the Ham.
The potatoes.
Father's Day cake.
A new camera, what a nice present. While there is nothing wrong with my old camera it is obsolete technology on an antiquated chassis.
I wanted to set it up on the milling machine to drill the hole for the spit but was told "NO DAD!!!!" So I used my battery drill instead. 
All ready to go.
Getting started. 
Kate checking the temperature.
Creamed Spinach and the Ham.
The potatoes.
Father's Day cake.
A new camera, what a nice present. While there is nothing wrong with my old camera it is obsolete technology on an antiquated chassis. Sunday, June 21, 2009
Road Trip
This week I went on a Road Trip to Chicago. While I was there I stopped in to see a friend of Kate's, Jenny Miller and her kids.
Jenny with Connor and A.J.
Here I am pushing "Izzy", the young woman of the family, around in her little car. It is definitly not a T-34.
Jenny with Izzy.
My thought exactly.
Back at my house, Grandpa Fritz's Peonies are blooming very nicely.Saturday, June 13, 2009
Weekend Update
As you can probably tell my life has been fairly boring lately. But as I like to cook I thought I would post some of the meals I have made lately. 
These are wings cooking for "Hot Wings". I used my deep fat fryer.
Kate getting ready to put on the "Hot Sauce".
I made a "Rotisserie Chicken" for Liz last week.
Here is a "Prime Rib Roast" for Sunday dinner.
It was a little better done than I like it but Kate thought it was excellent.
Setting the table and getting ready for dinner. Stuffing, gravy, rolls, baked potatoes, and Prime Rib.
These are wings cooking for "Hot Wings". I used my deep fat fryer. 
Kate getting ready to put on the "Hot Sauce".
I made a "Rotisserie Chicken" for Liz last week.
Here is a "Prime Rib Roast" for Sunday dinner.
It was a little better done than I like it but Kate thought it was excellent.
Setting the table and getting ready for dinner. Stuffing, gravy, rolls, baked potatoes, and Prime Rib. Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Flower Pictures
Bushes in front of the house.
Ducks, are they good eating?
This year's garden, if only the rabbits don't eat it all.