Funny *** song!

 

Just returned from an overnight trip to Wilmington, NC - had a quick surgery this morning (Ectropion repair of lower left eyelid). This was basically unexpected after my previous eye surgery last March so it's more or less a 'corrective ' surgical procedure - no biggie. Kinda hurts like a mother but I'll get over it. No drugs for pain (take some Tylenol) just a topical antibiotic for ward off infection for the next couple weeks. I mean seriously would it have killed to script me x5 Oxy's so I don't have to think of the pain for one night? C'mon you guys.

The hardest part about this trip was an old friend who accompanied me (although I did not need his assistance) - just in case an issue 'may' have developed which render me unable to drive back home. The guy (67) was recently (~7-8 yrs ago) diagnosed bipoloar (hypomania). I thought I was going to lose my mind every single minute of the day listening to him banter, bitch, yell, go-off, randomly blab and get upset about everything & anything under the sun. Never again. What a nightmare. That's all I got. Back to my pain management. I'm like Cyclops here typing away. I can see better w/ one eye than both eyes.

Oh yeah. I ordered a new complete set of glow plugs & wiring harness for my 2003 F250 diesel tractor (195k miles). ALL the basic symptoms of deteriorating (deteriorated) glow plugs. It's more work getting 'to' the glow plugs than changing them out. Something to look forward to over the holidays. Never a dull moment. Damn my eye hurts....

 

x2

 

Norm - That sounds like hell, and a real bitch of a day. Maybe a couple of a stiff shots later this evening would make it easier to get to sleep since they weren't considerate enough to send you home with anything to manage the pain better. Hope you don't have too rough a night. 🤞

 

Water is back on at the new place. I shut it off with a valve, of course. I'm traveling for a couple weeks for Christmas. I told my buddy to use my new shop if he wanted for a timing cover replacement.

Got a rental Charger. Time to beat the Darmstadt-Dora Land Speed Record tomorrow.

Norm, I'm a loner, and it's lonely, but, peace is underrated. I can't stand most people.

 

Chris - It was one hell of a bitch of a day listening to (tolerating) my friend - more like a nightmare. He should be glad I didn't bring a gun. I have a stash of Oxy (x8 tabs). During Number12 extraction (four months ago) they scripted me x10 tabs of Oxy. I took 800mg Tylenol when I got in my truck (after the extraction), I ate x1 Oxy when I got home x1 more before bed. I managed extraction pain w/ Tylenol for a couple days. Win-Win, I have a stash of x8 Oxy tabs. I'll take one tonight before bed and see what tomorrow brings. The key to pain management is to take the drug BEFORE the pain sets in.

I took 800mg Tylenol ~2:30pm driving home today. Painful the first x4 hrs - surprise, surprise - he cut open my lower eyelid - I expected as much. Pain was localized to the incision area(s). Pain has subsided markedly. Might be able to manage w/ Tylenol alone but I'll still take one Oxy before retiring for the night to stay ahead of the curve. Significant swelling to ensue the next 24hrs then black & blue for one to two weeks. I'm ready for public comments (grocery store, restaurants, etc.). My response will be most likely you should see what the other guy looks like...

John - Oh, I can 100% completely relate.

 

My biggest concern, as it should always be w/ surgical procedures of any type is meticulously managing (staving off) infection. No oral antibiotics for this procedure, just need to apply Maxitrol (ophthalmic antibiotic ointment) to the area(s) 2-3/day for x2 weeks.

Next Tuesday I get the implant - which I'm sure will require a round of Amox. Amox can beat the snot out of my stomach/intestines if I forget to start eating & don't continue eating yogurt daily while taking Amox.

All this **** is terribly disruptive to my golf game...

 

Man, you're really getting put thru the wringer. I hope the implant goes smoothly.

I too have a stash of Oxy and Flexeril (muscle relaxer) left over from a couple bouts of severe muscle spasms from pinching nerves in my back. Nice to know they're there if I need them!!

 

John and Norm, I admire a guy (or gal I guess) who enjoys their own company. I have a friend who I have known 50 years who is sort of a loner- he enjoys himself. He goes camping- on trips alone. I am not sure I would enjoy it- but I respect you guys who do. I have taken a few trips in my old truck for a couple days alone and enjoy it. The neighbors all thought I was crazy for going to Pennsylvania by myself in my truck and trailer- but It was great- of course I talked a lot to people at the park, etc. Have you guys ever watched "Alone" on history channel? It is great. Lots of those people end up "tapping out"- not because they can't survive, but because they can't stand being alone.

 

Hi everyone.

Pretty day today, if not a bit cloudy. It was warmish, and no rain, and I got a lot done. Win.

A guy on the military vehicle forum I look at was giving away all 6 of the wheel assy's off his truck, as he got super singles and his wife didn't like seeing them leaning up against the tree in the front yard. He was about an hour away, so I hit the road in the blue van. I figured the low door sill would be easy for loading. He had 6 fully aired wheel assemblies for a Deuce, and two fully aired wheel assemblies for a 5-ton. I can't use anything for a 5-ton but he wanted everything gone at once. We barely got everything in the van, and it was a tad overloaded when we did. It's a 3/4 ton but I'd say I was pushing the limit! Got home okay and got the wheels unloaded(myself) and put away. When I got there I saw that I won't be able to use them, the tires are near scrap, but the rims are worth something. Maybe I can trade or at least pass them on if someone needs them. I wasn't going to tell him I didn't want them after I drove an hour.

Sometimes I like being alone, and other times I don't. Call me unlucky in love, or whatever, I've never had a long term girlfriend to do things with. Usually because they grate on my nerves and I cut them loose. Set in my ways I suppose. I would love to go out with some guys and cut up and all that but most of the men I know are married and their wives "won't let them." I hate hearing that more than anything. You have ***** tell her you're going. Anyway, I travel to Australia by myself because I know people are there to meet me. I'd love to go to Europe but I'm not going by myself and being by myself. I'm not the type to strike up a conversation with a stranger.

So, nice tomorrow. I'm going to put forth an effort to get going early in the morning, so after Walmart I have a little time to get something done. I think we should have 12 weeks of vacation a year. I'd get so much more done if I didn't have to go to work.

Okay have a good evening everyone.

 

Had dinner with a group friends last night. We've known each other anywhere from 45-55 years. Eight of us, would have been nine, but one called as not making it due to a bad cold. We were at the restaurant for about two hours, then headed to one of the couples home's to chat and have a couple of more toddies. Got home around midnight. Just in time as freezing rain was starting to hit.

 

Dan - Sounds like a great Holiday get together! Glad you got home before the freezing rain started. Don't have to worry about that here today, sunny and 55° at 2:15pm.

 

Hi everyone.

Ug freezing rain. We don't get a lot of ice here but maybe once in a winter we'll get some freezing rain and the whole place then is up for grabs. The soccer moms in their 4 wheel drive Suburbans are off in the ditch because they thought 4 wheel drive would be good on ice. Or the yuppies who think front wheel drive is good on ice. Hate to tell you folks nothing is good on ice unless it's spikes. Nothing like that around us lately.

Misty all day and coldish. Didn't get a whole lot done, I slept until almost 10 this morning and Walmart was full of the usual dolts and I had laundry and dishes to do. Haven't heard the weekly forecast.

Benign week I think this week. We're having taco's for lunch on Wednesday. Dentist for Mom tomorrow.

Okay watching a Garfield show on TV see ya.

 

Norm - How did the weekend go with your eye? Does it seem like everything is going as it should? Hoping you're doing ok?

 

I'm like Cyclops. Recovering nicely, yet truly an annoyance.

I'm more concerned with Jim. He's going through a bout of very painful surgeries for establishing an AV fistula in one of his arms. I sure wish him the best.

 

Yes, I'm sure the effected eye is a PIA, but glad to hear it's healing fine.

I've been thinking of Jim too, I wish him all the best also!

 

Ordered a set of glow plugs & new glow plug harnesses for the F250 diesel tractor last Friday. https://www.accuratediesel.com/6-0l-...-plug-kit.html
Supposed to be an excellent upgrade (dual coil) from the Ford OEM glow plugs. I did not order a new glow plug controller - fingers crossed it won't require a new controller (I don't believe it will). Supposed to change glow plugs every 100K miles - mine have never been changed (198K miles). Won't start when really cold, takes forever to start when modestly cold, white/blue smoke at the *** end - typical faulting glow plug symptoms. Only saving grace is I have a block heater which I plug in overnight when I know I need the truck. Follow-up eye surgery appt is 12/27 so changing these out will wait until after 12/27. Can't wait to get it done. Lots of work just to get to them.

 

Norm - Hope the R&R of the glow plugs/harness goes smoothly when you can get to it! 🤞

 

Hi everyone.

Weird day at work. I didn't get my first wheel until after 9. They've been sporadic all day. All I can figure is someone wants the shop to go out of business.

I've been thinking of Jim as well. I don't know what an AV fistula is but it doesn't sound pleasant. I wish I could do something for him. I tell you what, he can't have anyone better than the Super Model looking after him.

Gonna be back into summerish weather this week. Probably rain, which would explain the higher temps.

Norm we'll just call you Jack.

Taking Mom to the dentist this afternoon. You know what that means, I'm going to covertly make an appointment to have this tooth looked at. That's if I don't wimp out. I ain't no wimp! Dentist trauma is a real thing! But so is a tooth infection that will make my face melt off.

Okay have a good afternoon everyone.

 

 

Go for it Mike, you can do it! 👍

 

Tanks guys for the kind words and prayers' Tomorrow I go back to the vein surgeon to see if these 2 operations have heeled enough to begin the much dreaded dialysis I'm putting it off as long as I can it's 3 days a week for about 3 hours each day . I did begin the LONG process of a replacement implant After watching 3 videos they sent me IM not sure which is the greater evil implant or dialysis ..........................the meds you have to take [life long] help the body not reject the new [er] kidney but also make you more susceptible to every other kind of virus\ germ

The only good news is they say they won't begin dialysis until the pain in my arm heels and it still hurts like a MF

 

Okay it's done. The closest they had was Feb 17. I said I'm in no rush. It's the triple crown, cleaning, check up, look at the broken tooth. She asked when was the last time I'd been to the dentist. I wouldn't tell her. She tricked me into telling. She said you're not alone, plenty of people hate the dentist. Maybe everyone will forget and I won't have to go.

I ended today with an almost respectable 22 wheels. I don't know what the shop did but I dare say we didn't approach 100. The lead didn't seem to mind. Not all too long ago I wouldn't care either, but for some reason I care now and it drives me crazy that we are so lax. We did so well all summer, things went downhill after that accident. Too many people who didn't belong there came in and stuck their noses where they didn't belong. We haven't done well since.

Jamesbo the phone says you got in ahead of me. I'll see it in a minute. Let me know if I can do anything for you.

 

Mike, Thanks

 

USPS mail is late - hey, it's that time of year. I ordered a new inch-lb torque wrench. I have a couple long-handled torque wrenches - the largest is only ft-lb the other can do both ft-lb & inch-lb, but both are long handle. This one I just bought is a 1/4" drive, 11" long & should give me plenty of room to torque the glow plugs. I could most likely get away w/o torquing them but why not do the job correctly - eh? Torque value = 168 in-lb - not much, but I'd hate to snap one off or strip the threads, etc. So, they'll get torqued.

 

Thinking of you Jim. Keep the faith

 

Torque wrench arrived. I like it.

Keith - What's shak'n?

 

Both Chins and all 4 Cheeks

Hey bud

 

Nice...

 

I gotta give Norm (character in the Cheers sitcom) credit for that line. Hovered around bit, kinda over be'in pissed off at the Mods. Hope your lookers are gett'n focus.

I knew a guy that had that look at a fly on the other wall with one eye when we were talking. He said "I see you noticed my eye" I said "Yea how could I not" He says... "Well when I was born I did not have an eye lid... The Doc circumized me and did a skin graph and I've been **** Eyed ever since"...

 

That's an oldie moldy but a good'n.

 

:d

 

Jim - Hate to be the fly in your ointment, but that isn't "the only good news". The best " good news" is you're still on the right side of the grass, and the technology is there to keep you with us until a replacement kidney is found. You hang in there and appreciate all of your family and friends who want you around for many years to come. I'd bet you're tough as they come, and my money's on you to tough this out to a successful outcome. Hang in there buddy, we're all rooting for you. Like Mike, if there's anything I can do to help, all you have to do is let me know.

 

I was noodling about thinking of torque values. I've watched them change out wing bolts/nuts on some very large aircraft (USAF). They have a special pneumatic torque wrench. Torque values are in the thousands of ft-lb range. - can't recall exactly. I was looking at these industrial HYTORC AVANTI torque wrenches. Their largest is the AVANTI 130 w/ a maximum torque of 138,510 ft-lbs. I'm thinking maybe that's in the range of torque values for securing skyscraper nuts/bolts or spanning bridge hardware? Some HD stuff.

 

Good morning everyone.

Warmish out, like 45. Gonna be up to 70 and a little sun. This can stick around.

Norm I bought a Snap On torque wrench many moons ago and it's been used very little. I would like to have it checked. When I had the dogmobile I changed the transmission fluid every 10k miles. Lotta good it did. Anyway, the pan bolts needed to be torqued to 12ft lbs. That's barely finger tight! Anyway, I got out the old trusty Snap On and it only goes to 20. No biggie I thought. Well I kept turning and turning thinking, this is way more than 20, then snap! So maybe it broke over and I didn't notice it, but now I don't trust it for any setting. I'm gonna ask if the tool room will have a look at it here at work. The most torque I've ever put on anything is 600+/- on a main wheel. 138000? I think that's the torque for Earth.

Hi Keith.

Got cars to move this afternoon after work. I need to ask my neighbor the hot rodder if he'll help me with the SRX. Why do I have the feeling that car is going to turn into something else. I see the Dodge place has another Charger that cost less than the one I have...

Hope things go better than yesterday. The pressure is off, Monday is over. Hope everyone has a good day.

 

GdayMyke

 

Mike - The glow plugs aren't much more than finger tight, as well - 168 inch-lb (~14 ft-lb). I'll test the new torque wrench on something before I use it on the glow plugs just to get a feel it's working w/in range. High ~70°F today/tomorrow. Perfect golf weather w/ 7mph-8mph winds but I'm not supposed to engage in activities for at least one week to two weeks, especially bending over - oh well. Oddly enough area about my eye is not turning black & blue. I'm not complaining.

 

x2.

 

--I screwed up the front driveshaft on my 06 F250 plow truck. Looked around and found some cheap (approx. $120.- shipped) on eBay. I ordered one after triple checking it was correct for my truck- using sellers description and drop down "item fits" page, and also eBay's "fits your vehicle" after entering truck in "my garage".
--Yep it came and is wrong. After checking into it the shaft I got is for a 90 something to 2000 F250. It is too long- won't compress enough for installation. So I am attempting to send back. They want me to send it back using their ship label, and get a refund of $46.07 less than I paid to pay for return shipping! I have said no to that. I have contacted the seller and eBay and attempted to contact pay pal (couldn't navigate pay pal and failed). I also just put the transaction in dispute with Discover card- which I used to pay for it. Now I am waiting and haven't heard anything.
-- eBay has a huge advertising campaign that says you will get right part and if not a complete refund!! See it on TV all the time. I ordered a U-joint once on eBay for the Olds and found later that I had ordered wrong one- MY Fault! but they paid return shipping. Anyway we'll see how this goes. I am prepared to send it back at their cost. You guys know anything else I can do?

 

Good morning everyone.

Had a good start to the morning then everything went flat. A wheel here and there, eh, I'm still getting paid.

Greg I used to shop for Amphicar parts on ebay. One might think there would be few listings for Amphicar. Nope, thousands. Colored rope lights, helmets, gigantic zenon(sp?) headlight assemblies, all marked "fits Amphicar." I can only imagine how frustrated someone would be selling an actual Amphicar part and needing potential bidders to wade through all the crap. Good luck with your return.

Gourmet tacos for lunch today. It's a shop thing. We've had them in the past, they aren't terrific. Eh, there's always hot dogs across the hall. I appreciate the effort the company goes to for us to have a holiday meal.

Okay couple more wheels. Hope everyone is having a good Hump Day.