C'mon guys. I know I'm not the only one checking in around here.
Loving this crazy weather. Working conditions have been great, but shouldn't the grass be brown and crunchy this time of year? I almost need to now twice a week.

 

Everyone but you and me must be out and about enjoying this gorgeous weather. All I've been able to do is work (good thing I guess). Nice day to tinker with the truck and change the oil in the Escort. Almost time to start getting ready for Fall fishing.....

 

As you guys know I have spent most of my summer working on a deck to compliment the hot tub Micki's cousin gave us. The project is nearing completion, just need to wire a few lights and receptacles. This pretty much has doubled our living space, as we now spend much of our free time outdoors. Here's a couple of pics of my hard work.

 

I wish I had time to fish, I live on the water and have a boat ride as part of my commute.

 

That's a heck of a deck. Hot tubs are great too...... ot at least they would be if they weren't so dang expensive to operate.

 

So far I have noticed an increase of around $20 a month on the electric bill and it is heated constantly and used daily. Chemicals aren't all that much either. Now the deck that is wrapped around it, we'll just say it cost more than I wanted it to.

 

I've been so dang busy, I haven't had a chance to check in around here much.

We finally found time to get away for a day, and the vultures had their way with my truck... Dave has offered to look at it, hopefully there was enough dirt built up to keep the scratches from getting too deep.

 

Wow! Sorry to hear of your trouble with our feathered friends. We have bird feeders out and I have to laugh when Micki complains about droppings on the deck or getting pooped on.
Ya know the old saying about if it rains on the first day of the month it will rain for 15. Well, it rained on the first and we are up to 6 days so far. :-( At least I have the covered deck now, we don't have to run inside, just kick back and watch it pour.

 

Just been really busy the last couple of weeks. While I enjoy the pay...I wish I didn't have to work so dang much to earn it. My retirement plan hasn't been working too well lately either. One of these days I'm going to get all 6 numbers right!That's a great looking deck there Jeff! Y'all really have made great strides with the place. If you get behind on your mowing...I've got a teenager I can/will ship your way. Before you say you can't afford him...he's pretty cheap to employ. It's the amount of food he consumes; the last two months he's put a whale of a hurting on the groceries.Holy smokes Joe! For the record, where was your truck sitting when that happened? Just so I don't park mine there.

 

Hello neighbors to the South in Arkansas. Wanted to let you know about the Swap meetc at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, Mo. For those just South of the border. It is next Ozarks Antique Auto Club

47th Annual

Swap Meet and Car Corral

and Eplex Spaces too

Eplex Spaces Now Available

Inside and AC - Special Rules Apply

West Hall - Swap Meet items*** East Hall - Arts and Crafts

Contact Ron @ 417-581-1449 for registation questions.

Evenings from 5 to 9pm or leave message.

Contact John @ 417-736-3485 for general Swap Meet questions.

Contact Lois @ 567-674-8729 for scoooter rentals

Event Scooters

*

August 15, 16 and 17th 2014

Free to the public

"The Biggest in Missouri" with 1600 Vendor Spaces

Gates open to the public at 7:00 am and close at 8:00 pm

*

Location: Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, Missouri

Interstate 44 & Highway 13 Exit; turn onto Norton Road

*

*- Grounds guarded 24*hours a day * Free parts pick-up and hauling *Limited camper hook-ups available.

*- Motel ccomodations*nearby *Refreshmentstands on the grounds * NO MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLES

*** NO BICYCLES, NO SKATES, NO SKATEBOARDS OR SCOOTERS, ETC.*

*- Wheel chairs and handicap scooters that are allowed in indoor malls can be used.

*- City regulations - Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the Fairgrounds - Vendors are not permitted to sell refreshments.

*- NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS AND/OR THEFT********************** NO REFUNDS!!!*


* *

 

Wow. That's a lot cheaper to run than the one my buddy has. He turns his off because he says it takes $100 a month or so to keep it on. Glad to know that isn't always the case.

 

Sorta surprised me, I was expecting more. Not sure what it'll be like keeping it hot during the winter when it's cold outside. Guess only time will tell. As long as it helps my old bones, I'll keep it going. :-)

 

Eight days without anyone saying anything...I guess the cool weather of last week got folks outside? I was browsing though the world wide web of truth and knowledge ( ) a couple of days ago and came across this news bit about the Econoline/E-series...

2015 Ford Transit | America's Full-Size Van Leader | Ford.com

Apparently the 2014 year model was the last year of the E-series as we know it...after 53 years the van is "dead" The only reason I even waste the time bringing this up...a couple of 3rd party articles I've read (passing the time)...Ford for 20-something years has had 70% or more of the market share in the segment that was the E-series (included the Dodge Ram, Chevy full-side and MB-Sprinter). Now what caught my eye was the diesel engine option for the Transit wagon...

2015 Ford Transit | Features | Ford.com

185Hp with 350 Ib/Ft of torque...isn't that torque number higher than what the 7.3L IDI (trubo'd) used to make in the pre-PowerStroke days? Considering the little 3.2L has all the latest EPA junk on it...I'm thinking an enterprising motor-head with a geek buddy could come up with a real monster once all the "clean air crap" has been stripped off of it.

 

wow zhilton an inline 5 cyl. diesel, who makes this for FORD?

 

Gees, it's getting warm out there. So much it being a cool summer. Oh well, at least it isn't snowing.From what I'm reading...Ford is building it at a plant in South America. From what I'm reading, it's the same engine that Ford uses in the global Ranger; the version that not only is still in production...but gets a diesel engine.