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I've started a crock pot with beef soup fixins for dinner tonight. I'm soaking some pinto beans for either chili or ham and beans this weekend. Haven't decided which one.
Originally Posted by Vintage Chief
Which one did you decide on?
Norm - Obviously not Don here, but Dawn made Ham & beans with a big pan of Cornbread yesterday. She uses Great Northern White Beans in her Ham and beans. I like to spice mine up after I have them in my bowl with some healthy shakes of Tabasco sauce. The only issue with that is this morning I'm the theme of a Bob Seger song cause I've "got the fire down below". 😉
Norm - Obviously not Don here, but Dawn made Ham & beans with a big pan of Cornbread yesterday. She uses Great Northern White Beans in her Ham and beans. I like to spice mine up after I have them in my bowl with some healthy shakes of Tabasco sauce. The only issue with that is this morning I'm the theme of a Bob Seger song cause I've "got the fire down below". 😉
Ran ~ six to seven 4" long cinnamon sticks through the coffee grinder for a yield of ~ four Tbsps - I only need 1 tsp. I'm making Orange Praline Pecan Sweet Potatoes to take to my cousin's (Hilton Head, SC) Friday morning. Going to peel & cut up 4 lbs of sweet potatoes, next; followed by making (2/3 cup) fresh orange juice + 1 Tbsp orange zest & 1/2 cup chopped pecans. I'll assemble into a casserole dish Thursday, overnight in the refrigerator, place into a thermal ice-chilled pack transport container for the 4 hour ride to Hilton Head.
Norm - Your sweet potato casserole sounds really good. Dawn makes a killer one with brown sugar/cinnamon and pecans. Any plans for some golf while you're in Hilton Head? Hope you have a nice trip and visit.
Low-life cousin's husband (Jeff) best be making golf reservations. He owns an upscale Optician facility (Oshkosh, WI) - just retired. One of his sons is taking over the business, Jeff is (currently) teaching him the business bouncing between Hilton Head>Oshkosh every several weeks for several days.
Well I've procrastinated and still have some Christmas shopping to do. I'm going to go very early tomorrow morning and wrap things up.
Christmas Eve here will be spent between Dawn's brother's house and my daughter Blaire's in-law's house. Not an ideal situation, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do if ya want to be fair to both sides of the family. Dawn and I will spend a quiet Christmas day here by ourselves and enjoy a nice meal. On my way home from shopping tomorrow I'm going by a great Meat Market and buy us a couple of killer Steaks. With a high of 73° projected for Christmas Day here I am planning on grilling outside!
My little guy Keegan is playing in a big hockey tournament here in northwest St. Louis at the Maryville Univ. Hockey Center, on Dec. 26th - 28th. He has 2 games on the 26th, 2 on the 27th, and potentially 1 or 2 on the 28th depending on how well they do. At least the games are close together time wise each day so I won't have to worry about coming home or killing a chunk of time in between games. Should be a good time!
Jeff (cousin's husband) will likely have a monster flat-screen on the wall in their new home - he's a fanatic for watching sports. He likely won't allow me to watch the Chicago Blackhawks. That's fine, I'm not sure I want to watch them.
Jeff (cousin's husband) will likely have a monster flat-screen on the wall in their new home - he's a fanatic for watching sports. He likely won't allow me to watch the Chicago Blackhawks. That's fine, I'm not sure I want to watch them.
Taylor's bag of coal is already apportioned after making sure I had enough left for grilling Christmas Day.
I hear your sentiment about the Blackhawks. The Blues are absolutely horrible this season. And don't get me started about the F'ing Lions after their debacle yesterday, which was really a debacle most of the season. They are too talented a team to not make the playoffs, regardless of their injury troubles!
Chris, I see that the Chiefs are going to relocate to Kansas. Getting tired of Lion miscues, like I said awhile ago, heading back to mediocracy. Kick the damn field goals! Bought new wiper blades for the Outback, I have the correct sizes, but it looks like I will have to buy Subaru blade$, as they appear to be unique to Subaru. A gripe that I have had with all automakers over the last few years, have standardized wiper blades across the industry. NO ONE has a superior wiper blade or system. I also remember when you could buy blade refills for seven bucks, instead of the whole blade every time. Rant over.
Chris, I see that the Chiefs are going to relocate to Kansas. Getting tired of Lion miscues, like I said awhile ago, heading back to mediocracy. Kick the damn field goals! Bought new wiper blades for the Outback, I have the correct sizes, but it looks like I will have to buy Subaru blade$, as they appear to be unique to Subaru. A gripe that I have had with all automakers over the last few years, have standardized wiper blades across the industry. NO ONE has a superior wiper blade or system. I also remember when you could buy blade refills for seven bucks, instead of the whole blade every time. Rant over.
Ya, the frickin Chiefs are moving a whole 8-miles away, just across the State line that bifurcates Kansas City, the greedy bastards. I can't even believe the Hunt family even wants that to happen after the team's legacy in Missouri. It really pisses me off!
Kick the damn field goals is spot on. If they'd kicked that one inside the red zone early in the first Quarter they would have only needed a field goal to win at the end. They were horribly unsuccessful on going for it on 4th down this season, and from my recollection the majority of times they failed gave the opposing team a short field and paved the way for a scoring drive. Despite being loaded with talent, they've now squandered their chances for 3 straight years now.
Subaru's, and the other car maker's greed has no bounds! F#%@ their customer's convenience even though they've already purchased a $40k or more vehicle.
Dan - I have a NFL stats website I reference regularly. So far this season the Lions have only been successful converting on 4th down 55% of the time, ranked 20th out of 32 teams. In the 2024/2025 season they were successful 69% of the time. Huge drop off!!!
And, it will be another "DOME". I don't like domes. Move won't take place until at least 2031.
Norm - I don't like Domes either, I'd much rather see a game played outdoors, and on natural grass. However I have to say, I had season tickets to the Rams games here in St. Louis during their best years here (2000 - 2002) and it was nice to know I wouldn't have to be putting on 30lbs of clothing to be able to enjoy the late November thru January games here in StL, especially when I was paying thru the nose for tickets!
The only time I've seen the (Los Angeles) Rams was in an outdoor (Los Angeles Memorial) Coliseum vs. Oakland Raiders (1979). Tony Flores 1st year, Pat Haden vs. Ken Stabler (and Dave Casper, of course).
The only time I've seen the (Los Angeles) Rams was in an outdoor (Los Angeles Memorial) Coliseum vs. Oakland Raiders (1979). Tony Flores 1st year, Pat Haden vs. Ken Stabler (and Dave Casper, of course).
Norm - I think you mean Tom Flores, not Tony, who I believe was an actor. Might have said this before, but the Raiders were my team back in my tween/teens years, especially the Madden Era, but also during the early Flores years when Plunkett was the QB. Loved those Raiders teams.
Norm - I think you mean Tom Flores, not Tony, who I believe was an actor. Might have said this before, but the Raiders were my team back in my tween/teens years, especially the Madden Era, but also during the early Flores years when Plunkett was the QB. Loved those Raiders teams.
Chris - Yeah, Tom. Wonder if I had Tony Dungy on my brain while I was typing, lol?
My friend in the mountains gave me a Snap on tool box. Now all I have to do is fil it up Just what I need tool box number 4
Nice gift none-the-less. I think I have four. One contains electrical tools/supplies/equipment, one contains sockets/wrenches, one contains many varieties of drill bits, staplers, rivet gun, rivets, etc. & one contains various wood working tools & sundries. You'll likely find a use for it.
I nearly screwed the pooch. Been thinking Christmas was Friday. I'm not the brightest star in the sky. Had it not said December 23 on my phone this morning, I would have continued believing Christmas was Friday. I am a dolt.
Not a bad morning, from beginning to now. Not frigid out, less traffic than usual which I attribute to people being on vacation for Christmas. My old wall guy from months ago is back and we have a good robot guy.
Norm I never lived in Rock Island, I'm from Moline. Although I was born in Rock Island. My grandparents also lived in Moline but Granddad worked in Rock Island. His best friend had the same job in East Moline. I'm pretty sure none of those plants are there anymore. I know Rock Island works isn't. But to answer your question, I don't know. I have never been to the site of the RI plant.
I got the throttle assembly off the tractor and brought the bolts inside to clean up. I sanded them and cleaned the threads, and put a coat of primer on them. Probably tomorrow I'll paint them red. I need to go out and clean up a little the place where the throttle assembly sits. I don't expect to ever have to replace this assembly again, but the question remains, do I use antiseize on the bolts in case they need to come out, or do I use locktite so they don't. They were in pretty good but was able to turn them out without assistance. In fact I'm going to paint the jaws of the wrench so when I reinstall the bolts the wrench doesn't scuff the new paint.
Jamesbo is this a top box or a roll around? Have you thought about anything we can get together and do? It's pretty much gotta be a Saturday and John can't get together on the 3rd. That leaves this weekend. I haven't any clue. There's always the car museum.
Bathroom guys got the room completely gutted yesterday and will start the build back today. I didn't think the room looked bad before, and it functioned fine for me, but it wasn't terrific for Mom. I'm excited to have a brand new room in the house and to see what it will look like.
Got some wheels. Hope everyone has a good day. I really felt yesterday being longer.
Mike - I likely should have asked where in the Quad Cities did you live relative to the I.H. Rock Island plant. I recalled your family was from the Quad Cities & I thought I recalled you were born in Rock Island. I'd likely use Blue Loktite as opposed to Red Loktite. I hadn't thought of the type of toolbox gifted to Jim. I assumed it was a hand-carry toolbox. My four hand-carry tool boxes supplement my two large roll-arounds.
Norm, I<HO you can never have too many boxes I also have pseudo tool boxes that are drawers in the home that have a few things so I don't have to go to the shop[s]
Can't believe this weather, 62° at 11am and headed towards 67° this afternoon with bright sunshine. Sure doesn't feel like Christmas.
Just got back from the old fashioned Meat Market. Got to watch them cut my custom Steaks right in front of me. Decided on 2 and 1/2-inch thick Boneless Rib-Eyes, about 1.75lbs each. Looking forward to grillin those puppies.
Got the rest of my Christmas shopping done which wasn't much, just a few Christmas Cards and Gift Cards to go in them.
Carpenters are going to paint, paint the ceiling, caulk whatever(I don't know what you are referring to) do everything and probably a few things not talked about. Excuse me, I don't know to which you are referring. I'm getting the paint.
Just found out we're starting at 4am tomorrow instead of 5. And the end time? As soon as possible. Says the lead. Piffle. He probably won't even be here tomorrow.
Supposed to be 72 here on Christmas. I'll take it. Probably do some chores as long as I have an extra day.
Dan - I have a NFL stats website I reference regularly. So far this season the Lions have only been successful converting on 4th down 55% of the time, ranked 20th out of 32 teams. In the 2024/2025 season they were successful 69% of the time. Huge drop off!!!
Watching the games this year, I was painfully aware that their 4th down attempts were less succesful than last year. It seems that many of those attempts were at mid field or worse. We need smarter play calling.
Mike - Not to worry about my caulking question. You said you cleared out the downstairs room(?), I think so they could have access to plumbing? Don't know exactly why they need plumbing access downstairs - maybe you're installing new bathroom fixtures (vanity, sink, toilet, tub/shower, etc.) or simply moving them. At any rate, if you move stuff around or install new fixtures you generally caulk around the fixtures, around the shower/tub, & areas where plumbing pipes go through walls & floors. It was only a question really relative to painting since many times carpenters aren't doing the painting & I thought I'd mention caulking. What type plumbing you have - galvanized, copper, PEX? Any interior bathroom walls with outside-facing corners are best served w/ metal drywall corners; additionally, any interior walls which attach to any exterior/framing walls should be metal drywall inside corners. Paper drywall inside corners often begin to roll-up & separate after a few years where an interior wall meets an exterior/framing wall from the difference in temperature/moisture. Metal drywall corners are superior to paper drywall corners & prevent movement of drywall paper & paint. You get what you pay for - or don't. Just mentioning a couple neighborly things to evaluate.
Succotash, chicken fillets & Hawaiian sweet rolls to suck up the juice.
Norm - Looks yummy! I'm curious as to your definition of Succotash? Basically it looks like a vegetable soup to me? I had leftover Ham & Beans with leftover Cornbread. I certainly didn't want to waste any of it, it's too good!
Watched an intense hockey game tonight between the Stars and Redwings in Detroit. Detroit ended up winning in OT. The Redwings are leading their Division right now and firing on all cylinders.
Last edited by Dream67Olds442; Dec 23, 2025 at 07:01 PM.
Well we started at 4. Got up at 2. And now the retriever is broke so there's the excuse for us to not go home early. But I bet the lead goes home early.
Norm these guys are pro's and have done many bathrooms. I'm not going to bird dog them over caulking. I'm sure if something needs caulking they will caulk it. Remember I said they usually find small other things to do that aren't part of the project? We were talking and I happened to mention the toliet valve in the hall bath doesn't shut off, and when I replaced the toilet I had to turn off the water at the street because I couldn't take the supply line off. He said, okay we'll replace that valve. I said he didn't have to it wasn't part of the deal. He said that's okay we're replacing this valve and the two sink valves, we'll do that one too. They are moving the toilet over several inches and I've taken the drop ceiling out of the room below the bathroom so that gives them access to the plumbing under the floor. They are also reworking the drain in the shower.
I watched as much as I could of the Andromeda Strain. The baby crying incessantly and the woman freaking out at the flashing light got to me. Anyone who favors Disney might recall that Hayley Mills' dog in The Parent Trap was named Andromeda. German Shepherd by the way.
Supposed to be nice today. After work I'm gonna run over to Mom's real quick and see the guys, then go home and do some mowing. Might do some outside chores tomorrow as well, and over the weekend. I'm sure Friday will be a bust. Had an extra day off so the company will be moments away from shutting down.
Okay break time. Merry Christmas everyone have a great day.
WOW, another Christmas!! Sure comes around fast. I noticed the last couple years when I write a date on something I have to stop and think- 2024- NO 2025!! Oh yeah, how did it get to be 2025?? Well now it will be 2026!! Ahh its a good life. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!!
Mike - Your description of what's going on is more clear to me, now. Thanks.
I first read Andromeda Strain (1969) - thought it was a great book. I've likely read ~15 of his (Michael Crichton) novels & I've seen 7 - 8 of those novels written to screen. At an early age I was fascinated w/ his background - from Chicago, 6'9" tall, Harvard M.D. graduate who never practiced medicine instead became a writer. It was entertaining to watch the movie version again last night.
