Well today the old sun dogs are out. Colder temp's a comming which means it must be January in Iowa. Ok so it's damn near February but cold is cold. We just got rid of a winter storm that left us with drifts up to the green giant's butt, and ice as well. I've been working a little on the car which was the object of this blog in the first place and I'm not as young as I used to be as tired muscles always ache at the end of the day. I have the dash all torn apart as well as both fenders and doors off and apart. Yesterday I found some factory markings under the front fender which is the real reason I do this stuff. To be the first one since 1966 to look where no other has and to read what was marked so long ago is very interesting to me. 1966 was a different time. I know I was there. Today I'm working on evedence of a minor traffic misshap and re-working the repair that was done. Having this car completed by spring will be a real challenge and I have a very long way to go. I hope to have some pictures next time.

This was last years excitement. Thank God he's in school now as I'm the primary target anytime he has a snow ball.
This year we haven't had time to romp or have a good snow ball fight. I still have a pretty good arm and decent aim but with kids its more fun to get hammered by them and loose big time. Our last snow fall was at 12 inches so we will be having a white Christmas this year, however I myself could do without any white stuff. Iowa drivers have gotten a lot worse over the years and I highly doubt this will change soon. If the weatherman is correct it sounds like we're in for another big storm this weekend. I've already told the little one that I'm going to stick his head in a snow bank and I'd better get it done soon while he's still at a managable size and age. I've done this every year and it never gets old. Well at least for me it doesn't.

Thank God for Family

Well family or not at lest someone is reading my blog. I liken this to walking in the country at night with no moon. One can look up at the stars and I always get the feeling that I'm never alone. As we near Thanksgiving, my thoughts for this writing memorable past holidays. One comes to mind as our first Thanksgiving in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in our new home. The property had an older natural gas grill in the back yard and this was to be where the turkey was cooked and my father doing the grilling. I have since found out that grilling is a man thing and probably genetically implanted from those cave days. The day was overcast and dreary with the threat of rain constantly. My one and only instruction was to turn up the heat when and IF it started raining as my father left on one of his many trips to who knows where. Again I think this is a male genetic trait. At first it started to sprinkle, then rain in my opinion, so after review with mom up went he heat. As in baking the turkey one never stands there and stares at the oven, I didn't stand there and stare at the grill. When I did check on the turkey I found the grill completely on fire. Yes the whole thing. Lucky that our new house was one with an outside faucet. My father entered the back yard to find me hosing down the grill and bird all while the stupid dogs ran around the back yard barking. Now as in the past we live with the addage of ya eat what ya kill, and I sure killed the Thanksgiving bird which we ate. You bet cleaned it off and ate what remained. Myself I like over cooked things and that turkey was the best I can remember but I'm wierd. Sometimes I like my meat on the crunchy side. This episode by the way was the last time we cooked on that grill or turkey on the new grill for that matter.

LET'S TEAR DOWN

Well finally sheet metals coming off and as I'd hoped I'm the first one to put a wrench on the fender bolts since the factory. Not much fixing to do, just the usual fill a rust hole here and there, I put new metal in them and weld them shut, scrape the old undercoat off and sand--sand--sand. I'll paint the interior of the doors, hang the new door panels and have the whole interior done before paint is applied to the body. This way I can completely tape the windows off and not worry about paint spray getting into the cabin. Last week was replacing the gas tank and that was one hell of a job to do. Along with the tank I replaced the springs with new rearched ones and am still not happy with the stance. But P275R15's DO fit the fender wells. The shop at this point looks like a tornado hit it with all the parts being spread around in piles.

Finally Friday

Tis a nip in the air today as fall weather is about to take center stage here in Iowa. Combines are starting to roll, corn and soybeans are being harvested and sent to elevators in small towns or straight to the Ole' Miss. This weekends chores will include "winterizing" the house, and this is something I don't look forward to.

Raining in Iowa

Well a little wet and dreary around here, Fall sure has settled in quick. Nothing to do but paperwork and place some parts on Ebay. Free time will get scarce around work as Agriculture is where my paycheck comes from and in the spring and fall free time is scarce. The picture was taken today in the rain of my office, and home when we are busy. For reference the rear tires are 66 inches tall When you sit in the seat you are about ten feet above the ground. The middle machine is used in the spring and summer when the crops are out of the ground. The machine on the left will be my home well into the winter. It is a new aquire from Kansas and I sure hope the heater works. When it dries off we will be spreading dry fertilizers and limestone on farm fields.

Ok so I'm new to this and don't always read instructions.