11.20.2022

 It was a snowy, blustery day - perfect for staying indoors!  

Jim has been working on the treadmill software to get it updated as well as to add additional users.  We played around with that on/off for awhile today.  We think we have accounts set up for each of us and all without having to buy a subscription to their fitness channel - the way of the world these day.  

Then Jim started assembling the package drop box as much as he can until he puts in his steel order tomorrow...

High 29.2/Low 22.9

11.19.2022

Jim did a lot of recycle and clean up work today.  Our original Keurig finally stopped working and we ordered Mom a new one.  Jim hates to throw things in the landfill that can be recycled, so he completely tore the machine apart... 

Separate piles for metal recycling, plastic recycling, electronics and trash - that's a lot of parts for one machine!

Jim had to cut up all the cardboard from the treadmill and get it in the back of the 4Runner ready for a trip to the recycling center.  Then he was able to get my car back in the auto bay.

Another pre-winter job - greasing the Tiger Cub.  Then he's going to take it back into the pole barn and remove the battery for the winter.

Time to get ready for church!

High 34.8/Low 25.1

11.18.2022

Mom and I had to leave early this morning for a doctor's appointment and then a few stops on the way home.  

Jim continued assembling the new treadmill...

All assembled now!

Jim moved the old treadmill out of the way and the new treadmill in its spot...

Then he had to do all the software setup.  We should be back in action now - he's using it as I write this!

All that's left is to deal with all the plastic, foam, and cardboard left over - Jim will be making a trip to the recycling center tomorrow once he gets it all cut up!

High 38.2/Low 26.5

11.17.2022

On top of our couple inches of snow from yesterday, we had a combination of rain/sleet/snow this morning and most of the day.  So of course that's when we got deliveries.

Our new treadmill came - and the driver couldn't get up the hill.  So Jim got the trusty Bobcat out and went down to retrieve it from the truck.  But it came to the delivery company with a very damaged box - then the drivers loaded it upside down on Jim's forks.  So we weren't sure what to expect when we opened it.

Just when we were talking through how we were going to flip the box over, we heard the propane gas truck come up the driveway.  Thankfully he was able to get up - that's the one we were most worried about.  We are fine with gas, but it's dangerous to bring a truck up a snowy hill with basically a bomb on the back.  But this driver didn't have any issues.  He filled it up more than it's ever been filled - it's at 93% capacity.  So we are definitely good until spring.

After all that commotion, Jim went back to working on my car.  He was able to heat the bolt and get it out.  It's a good thing too - Jim looked online to see how much this exhaust system pipe costs.  For just the pipe, it was $2,800!  That doesn't include new bolts, seals, or anyone who would have to install it!  So thank goodness for Jim that he is able to do all this work!

A comparison of the new and old bolts!

Jim cleaned out this section of the pipe that was attached to the car and then installed the new seal...

Yay - my car is back on the road!  Jim has earmarked a few other parts he wants to replace just for maintenance but it's good to go for now.

Next, Jim started digging into the treadmill box.  We wanted to ensure that nothing was damaged during shipment or delivery.

Everything looked fine so Jim started assembling.  He's really happy that we switched to this model - it appears to be even better quality than the newer model and it has the features important to us - bluetooth and a shelf for my Kindle!  

Jim took care of the trash and then we headed into Saratoga to donate blood at City Hall - what a gorgeous building!  Afterwards, we went to dinner at The Local.

High 33.9/Low 30.4 - snowy

11.16.2022

First snow of the season!  We woke up to a winter wonderland - a couple of inches of snow.   It sure was pretty! 

Jim did some computer work this morning, including putting in quote requests for steel to use to make another set of car dollies.  

In the shop, he put another coat of polyurethane on all of the wood pieces of the drop box...

Then it was time for some car preventive maintenance.  We plan on keeping this car as long as possible so Jim wants to be proactive.

These are clamps on the exhaust system - you can see the old vs the new...

Putting the new clamp on...

But the next time I went down, Jim had the entire exhaust system off the car!

He had bought seals he wanted to replace but as he was taking the connection apart, he knew one of the bolts was corroded in place and would break off.  So better to take the exhaust off the car and work on it...

You can see the old seal - it glued itself to the pipes and Jim really worked to get it cleaned.  He has one section cleaned (in the above picture) - the other is still attached to the car and he'll do it tomorrow.

We lost power a couple of times and the generator kicked on, but utility power came right back on.  Sure is a comfort to have the generator!

High 36.4/Low 28.9 - first snow 2-3"

11.15.2022

 Jim put a coat of polyurethane on the wood pieces of the drop box today...

More pieces drying...

The beautifully painted drop box is back up on the sawhorses...

We have our first wintery weather forecast for tonight - we are supposed to get 2-4".  So time for some more before winter chores.  Jim moved the excavator and tucked it next to the pavilion.  Then he took the battery out, got the tarp out and got it covered up...

We bought our first package of snow sticks - we always talk about them but never got them.  Until snow really gets built up, the first deep snowfalls takes away any driveway references for snow plowing.  These will help so Jim put a dozen up along the edge of the driveway...

Jim got to try out his new LED work light.  He needed one for working underneath the car - this one seems really nice...

Time to put the winter wheels on!  I always feel so fortunate to have this extra set with good winter tires.  Now that Jim has the lift, it makes this job a bit easier too.  He marks the winter ones with their previous location so he can make sure to rotate them when he puts them back on.

Jim had bought some parts he ordered straight from Japan that he wanted to replace.  So while it's up on the lift, Jim is starting that job as well as spraying the protective film on certain areas.

This morning was our first hard frost.  Both of the cars were outside because of the drop box being in the auto bay, and with the sun coming up it really sparkled on the cars.  Plus, with all the leaves off the trees, you can really see the mountain views from our security camera!

We took the MINI for its last outing of the year - just a ride around the block before it gets tucked away until spring!

High 33.8/Low 21.6

11.14.2022

I didn't get many pictures today - Mom had a dentist appointment and then we ran some errands, so we didn't get home until mid-afternoon.

We had decided that we needed another shelf in the wood shop bathroom and got a duplicate of what we have in the upstairs bath.  It came in yesterday and Jim got it hung up today...

We picked up another can of spray paint today while we were out.  Jim flipped the package drop box and got the other side painted...

Jim had paperwork to do this today as well - including ordering our pre-winter propane tank fill.  Our forecast is for snow on Wednesday, so hopefully that won't cause any issues.  He also did some tool cleanup today - cutting all the metal pieces for the drop box left the band saw and drill press full of metal shavings!

High 39.4/Low 29.3