8.17.2026

Eight years ago, we were moving in!  We had plywood countertops and free Craigslist cabinets in the kitchen, but we couldn't have been happier to be home.  The best part is that feeling has never gone away and just keeps getting better!

My electric toothbrush died and I ordered a new one.  But then Jim watched a video on how to break into it (because it looks completely sealed) and got it apart.  There was a screw at the top holding the head on that was completely out.  He screwed that back and will now see if he can get it back together.  At least we'll have a spare now if we need one.

In the afternoon, Jim loaded up everything except the block into the back of my car and we took it to the machine shop in Saratoga...

Jim dropped it all off and went over everything with the same guy he talked to a few days ago.  Once we got home, I reserved a Home Depot cargo van for Wednesday afternoon for Jim to use to transport the block.

High 77.1/Low 64.2

8.16.2026

Jim drilled holes in my cabinet for pins to hold my new shelf...

Shelf installed!

Already filled up with sourdough baking supplies!

This is a picture of the parts that Jim cleaned the other day...

What a difference - this was the crank shaft cover before...

And after - amazing!

His cleaning solution came in yesterday, so Jim was able to set up his parts washer...

All ready to go!

I should have gotten a before picture, but he started cleaning the oil cooler...

Really working well and all the mess is contained!

Quite the difference!

High 77.5/Low 50.5

 

8.15.2026

One year ago today, Jim had his surgery for prostate cancer.  We had so much divine intervention along the way - mostly that we were able to catch it before it spread.  We're also thankful for good surgeons, a close hospital, and his good recovery (even with that resultant hernia!).  We will never take good health for granted and are so grateful that he's one year cancer free!

Our rugs look much better, but after drying our large entry mat flat, Jim hung it from the trusses to make sure it was completely dry...

Jim did more clean up and prep work in the auto bay before we headed to church!

High 75/Low 55.1

8.14.2026

Jim is continuing to put coats of polyurethane on the new shelf...

He spent most of the afternoon cleaning up in the auto bay, getting things organized and ready to take to the machine shop.

Then he brought up the power washer to clean our entry rugs.  These are the two shop floor ones before...

He started with the mat in the auto bay...

Cleaning off our stairwell entry mat...

He also wanted to do some parts clean up using his more aggressive cleaner.  He has some new cleaner coming for the parts washer soon.

High 76.7/Low 57.2

8.13.2026

This picture is from last evening.  There were six deer, including two bucks and the baby, just playing outside, with some turkeys wandering in their midst as well.  By the time I could get a picture, only four of them were in the same area, but still fun...

Jim was back at work, dismantling the other cylinder head...

Taking the seals out of the valve cover with his special tool - some of them just disintegrate as he works with them...

These parts are completely dismantled and ready to go to the engine shop...

We're going to head to The Local tonight for dinner.

High 77.5/Low 62.5

 

8.12.2026

This just made me laugh - cheers to all of my fellow middle kids out there!

We were lucky to be able to see the eclipse today.  Jim brought out his welding helmet so we could see it safely.  At first, there was a little bit of cloud cover, but it cleared out and we were able to see the sun with what looked like a bite out of the top!

Jim put the first coat of polyurethane on my shelf today - it looks so pretty...

Jim went to talk to the engine shop in Saratoga this afternoon and spent time with them going over everything he needs done.  He has a price list he's going to go over, but he was happy with the conversation and the people he talked with.  Taking the block to Saratoga will be much easier than taking it to Albany.

High 80.5/Low 59.8

8.11.2026

Jim's really tearing the engine apart now.  He has to take everything off down to just the metal block that he will take to the engine shop.

He has this breakout that helps, but he's trying hard to stay real organized and put the screws in plastic bags marked with their location.  

Oil pan off - with his engine stand, he can rotate the block so he's now working on the underside...

There are boxes of parts everywhere but Jim is very organized.  This is the underside that he just took off...

It's all stripped!  Our insurance guy gave us the name of an engine shop in Saratoga, so Jim's been compiling a list of everything he wants done.  He plans on going there this week to check them out and see if it's something they can do.  Otherwise, he's already talked with the shop in Albany.

This is the left side head - Jim is taking out all the hardware...

High 80.5/Low 65.9