I hear ya buddy, but easier said than done sometimes. She can have a tendency not to believe reviews or other people's recommendations. Other than my 4-4-2, we've only bought one car since we've been together and that is the Santa Fe, which was not my choice. I was wanting an Explorer. The Santa Fe has been OK for us so far, I'm just wondering how long that's going to last. Glad you were able to get your Cutlass out of storage and take her for a spin. Your post reminded me of something that I haven't done yet this Spring, I haven't checked all my lights.

 

Went to the memorial service for my friends this afternoon. Really it was lunch. There were lots of pictures everywhere, a chaplain got up and said a few words, then we had catered in food. Picnic stuff, hot dogs, potato salad, lots of other stuff. It was good, lots of people. I saw some people I hadn't seen in years. Glad I went.

Chris are you actually in the market for a car or are you just giving us the scenario of when you are looking. Tell her you'll trade. She researches the cars and you pick them all apart. Norm get yourself a Dodge Dart. We just saw how nice they can be.

Walmart tomorrow. Afterwards I need to change the blades on the mower. The grass at my house is rather scraggly. I'm assuming the bolts holding the blades on are reverse thread, but I tried to get them apart last week and couldn't get them to turn either direction. Maybe they need a little help.

Gonna hit the sack. Need all my beauty sleep to combat Walmart tomorrow.

 

We have a different setup here , my wife buys and drives what she likes with her own money and i buy and drive what i likes.
She have now an -05 BMW 525 , awesome roadcar but not of my intrest. But she likes it and pays for it so thats ok.

 

Mike - Most blade bolts on riding mowers are right-hand (righty-tighty) thread.

Dan - Thanks for asking. Yesterday, I was exhausted from the previous night's food poisoning event. I watched historic golf tournaments all day on Peacock (NBC). The amount of electronics designed into today's vehicles is mind-boggling. Nearly nothing remains of mechanical design actuation - everything is steer-by-wire, shift-by-wire & wireless technology. This Nissan Rogue I rented has a gear shift - not sure why other than to provide some familiarity with visual aesthetics I guess since you have to push buttons on the gear shift (selector) to engage forward, reverse, park, neutral, etc. It took me 10' to figure out how to start the car & another 10' to figure out how to shift. "IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD"

 

Mike - We're not in the market, I'm just describing how it goes when we are.

 

Norm - Hope the rest yesterday did you good and you're feeling much better today.

 

Good morning guys,

Just plain chilly at 44°F when I got up at 0800 this morning. It's suppossed to be sunny all day but only suppossed to get up into the low 60°'s.

I didn't end up going to the cruise-in yesterday afternoon/evening because the roads were still wet in several areas and it was so chilly. Sat on my **** most of the day watching TV. I did spend a couple hours working on my 2026 Car Event Spreadsheet, and I got out to the garage and put my OEM style vinyl mats back in the trunk of the 4-4-2. I always take the mats out over the winter because they trap moisture..

No big plans for today. I'm sure I'll watch some of the NHL playoff games at some point today. The grandsons have games back to back tomorrow evening which will be fun!

Hope everyone has a great day! 😃

 

Chris - Thanks for asking. Feeling much better. I hit some ***** on the driving range like a total piece of $HIT and it was windy. Had enough after 1/2 hour. F' it. Drove around four or five car lots perusing used car inventories. Most were closed (thankfully) - I dread having to talk w/ someone I don't want to talk to in a dealership lot. Found one (new) used car dealership w/ a nice inventory of used cars I plan to revisit. Very happy to be back home. Netflix has decided to raise their rates - again. I cancelled Netflix this morning.

 

Chris, speaking of cars shows, my buddy and I go to one in Zeeland every July, nice small town with a good turn out. We have breakfast at a cafe' that has been in business for 100 years, great food, small town eats. Unfortunately I saw on my scanner app. on my phone this morning, that the restaurant caught on fire yesterday. I hope that the damge isn't too severe, and that they can recover.

 

Dan - Those are the best cafes. Hope damage wasn't extensive.

 

I'm trying to fix an oil leak at the oil pan. The job is going well, but I wanted to paint the pan while I had it out and now I find Bill Hirsch doesn't sell the "Oldsmobile Aqua" I used when I painted the engine. I'm not 100% certain it was the truly correct color anyway, and I doubt the paint I can get from Fusick or BOP will be a good match. I don't think anyone will criticize if I forego the paint, replace the gasket and put the damned thing back together. I dunno- I'm done for today, I'll sleep on it.

I'll say this tho- I hate to think how difficult this would have been if I didn't already have the grille and the radiator out. Access through the front made this job so much easier.

 

Yes, let's hope the damage is not too bad. I know you know this, but that's very close to where we stayed on the NE side of Holland. I'm hoping Gabe's team chooses to go to the same tournament up there again next winter.

 

Hi everyone.

Not a bad morning for a Monday. Stayed fairly busy, got to lunch with 30. Hope it keeps up.

I've never seen It's a Mad...World, but I think someone drives an Imperial in it. That right there should be a reason for me to see it.

Norm how is the truck?

Norm how are you feeling?

Got the blades changed on the mower. Piece of cake. And the bolts were indeed regular thread. In fact I got to do it twice. Went to the shop to mow, the grass was fairly high, and I ran over the strap from a ratchet strap, so I got to take the blades off to remove the strap remnants.

Summit cruise in tonight. I missed the first one last week because I got into something and didn't finish in time. That's okay, it's the same cars every week. I would like to see some people I haven't seen all winter, that would be nice.

Well back to work. Lunch ended at 12, so the first wheel after lunch at 1230 isn't too bad. Hope everyone has a good day.

 

Mike - Sounds like you had a decent day at work today. Hope you enjoy the cruise-in at Summit tonight! 👍

 

Good afternoon guys,

Gorgeous day here today, bright sunshine and about 72°. I've had a full day already. Did my lifting workout earlier than usual so I could get out and start mowing/trimming around noon. I've got the boys hockey games this evening back to back starting at 6:15 and won't get home until around 8:30.

Apparently I can't read a written schedule anymore because I missed one of Keegan's games on Saturday at 11:00am. There it was on the written schedule my daughter sent me, sure as $hit. I found out I missed it last night when I called my daughter to let her know that I would be at both games tonight and she told me she was wondering why I wasn't there Saturday. I felt pretty bad I had missed his game! They'll be plenty more though.

Hope everyone has had a great day! 😃

 

Mike - I likely won't hear anything regarding the truck for at least one week. I am feeling much better; however, today (for some peculiar reason) I had a miserable stomach episode. There are numerous critters which can cause food poisoning & each can cause various degrees of food poisoning; and, as we age symptoms & recovery time(s) are variable. I have what I'd call a slight>moderate feeling of malaise. Having the truck break down (again), watching my savings take a vast $hit in the stock market & then a bout of food poisoning all add up to a large EVENT. Slight lingering headache, as well. I'm closing in on becoming older than dirt & these episodes become somewhat more difficult to accept & manage. Thanks for inquiring.

 

I've approached/succumbed (to) the pinnacle of my recreational golf career. My club/course has six sets of men's tee boxes, Black (7153 yds)>Blue (6717 yds)>White(6271 yds)>Gold (5657 yds) (>Green (5000 yds)& Silver (4295 yds). I began playing this course from the Blue tee box 20 yrs ago. Today, I moved up to the Green Tee Box. I'm tired of wrenching my back - it hurts. I know several members 3 & 4 yrs younger than myself who've been playing the Green Tee Box for quite some time - well, I'm joining them. You get to a point when it becomes folly attempting to think you've got this, when in fact you don't (that's when ego gets in the way - taking more than you can chew). I didn't play 'stellar'. I set myself up poorly for several holes, mostly because my approach shots are now so much closer to the green & they're outside my comfort zone; but, hot biscuits I was killing my drives & mid-irons, today. Will take a little time to adjust but I'm loving playing from the Green Tee Box. Of course, in our competition formats I now get fewer (9) handicap holes; which, I can certainly live with. Winner-Winner.

After golf, I returned home to vacate my wretched bowels then drove cross-town to the used car dealership where I spent the better part of 2.5 hrs evaluating cars. I test drove three. I plan to return again tomorrow late morning.

 

Norm - Sorry to hear you're still experiencing substantial gut issues, I hope it clears up soon for you! I think you're smart to move up to the Green tees, no shame in that, it's what they're there for. The game is suppossed to be both fun and fair, and none of us can physically do what we could do when we were 40. I'm sure it will be like a whole new course for awhile, with all new yardage calculations, club selections, and strategy depending on the hole. You'll figure it out, and have more fun doing it! You're a glutton for punishment going back to the car dealer again so soon, good luck!

I had a thoroughly enjoyable night at the hockey rink. Keegan had a great night in goal in a 5-1 win. Gabe and his team had a rough go of it early getting down 3-0 after the 1st Period, but finally got it going in the 2nd. They're on their 2nd pass thru the schedule now and every team is now double teaming Gabe every time he crosses the Blue Line. He's doing a good job of adjusting to the extra defensive pressure, looking for his open teammates and he had 3 assists in a comeback 4-3 win.

 

Norm, I'm happy you're still vertical, let alone playing a sport at any level. Carry on.

I surely felt old today. I took a moment to catalog, head hurt, feet hurt, shoulder hurt, back hurt. 2 days of running an Appleseed class will do you in. Had a fun time. We got pissed on with rain Sat AM, then the Lord turned on the blowers and we got a sustained blast of 40 mph from Canada for 2 min. Blew the rest of the day. Sunday was much nicer. Good group of students, good shooting. A student brought an M60, which he set up after the class was done for some full auto fun.

Still need to unload the truck, just finished shoot paperwork.

 

Just remember Norm, the car you looked at today and are going to buy tomorrow, is the same car someone else looked at yesterday and is going to buy today! When I worked at a Chevy place when I was younger that's the sign all the salesmen had on their desk. Can't say it's not true.

 

Shopping for a car is a bloody nightmare.

 

Good morning everyone.

Norm don't over think things. Whatever you're looking at, it's not the only car for you. There are plenty of cars everywhere. And I'm pretty sure you'd have no problem just walking if the salesman pissed you off. Now, if you start looking for something specific, then you run into problems. But I don't think this is the case here, you just want something to take up the slack for the truck.

Been a busy morning and I got printer problems. It stopped printing because it said the blue cartridge is low. I only print in black and white. No problem, I took it out and shook it like it says not to. Then it said the blue and the yellow are low. But it's some alternate cartridge and they won't eject unless they are low. The first message says they are low, but it won't eject because it isn't low. How's that for technology. So the lead called the printer maintenance guy. Hard telling when he'll get here so I switched to another printer. Which means I get to get up every time. Eh, it won't kill me.

Got the oil changed in the Chevy yesterday. That had to be one of the cleanest oil changes I've done. I'll worry about greasing it later. Air filter looked good.

Summit cruise in was very nice. Lots and lots of cars, most of them I've never seen, and I saw several people I haven't seen in a long time. Really nice to talk and be out.

Would love to get some things cut up or cut down after work. We'll see. Not gonna be too hot today.

Have a good day everyone.

 

Mike - You're correct in your synopsis/evaluation of the situation and your suggestion. The truck (many years ago - 2003) was purchased brand new to specifically to fill a niche - I needed a H.D. long bed for pulling a boat + trailer, trailer + cargo and to accommodate many trips for home restoration/renovation. These cars (to me) on the other hand are mere "commodities" - nothing more than a means of transportation from Point A to Point B. So, you're right - don't overthink this stuff. I just hate looking at all these "commodities".

 

I think I'll head up the road (~30 miles) to a couple new car dealerships (Toyota & KIA) to review used car inventories. You can imagine me, I spend tons of time reviewing/researching tons of vehicles on-line. These efforts are not in vane, as they do provide a good example of what's on the market, price ranges, serviceability, ad infinitum, ad nauseam.

 

Norm, just get you a Valiant.

 

Yay! That's what I like to hear, a Win/Win! Glad you had a nice time at the cruise-in Mike!

 

John - Thanks. I know I wore out two Deja Vu (CSNY) albums early '70s - likely first album wore out 1st year of release (1970). I may have burned through three albums.

 

This guy (the sales person) at the dealership where I drove three cars and spent ~2 hrs lot shopping yesterday afternoon, said he had an appointment this morning @ 9am & would contact me when finished/done. I asked him how long that would be "...about an hour or so...?" and he said yes. He calls my phone @ 1pm, I recognized the number & didn't answer (mostly because I was eating lunch); however, he didn't even leave a VM.

And yes, I haven't headed up North ~30 miles to dealerships. I went to the grocery store then came home to make some lunch. I "think" I'm still going. Can you sense the excitement/enthusiasm I'm experiencing? Having a root canal with no anesthetics sounds more enjoyable.

 

I'm right there with ya brother, every step of the way!

 

I'm over thinking about it...eating ice cream at home is more what I had in mind. Tee-time 8:30am, tomorrow.

 

Probably, but that doesn't mean it's not a PIA. Hit em straight tomorrow! 👍

 

I've often thought about having a shirt made up that says "Never trust a salesman".

 

No. I did not say "overthinking", I said "over thinking", as in I'm done thinking about it i.e. I'm done thinking about going to the dealerships ~30 miles North. Nomenclature vs wordsmithing.

 

Gotcha, definitely a misread on my part, thanks for the clarification.

 

NP. I could/might/should/maybe have said I'm done thinking about it instead of I'm over thinking about it.

 

I'm watching a post (YouTube) on how to create an AI generated mobile application - just because. "Just because"...I want to prove to myself I am completely out of my mind.

 

Norm, Since the boat hauling isn't a factor and your material renovation hauling isn't a factor why not get somethinng smaller just to haul you sticks

 

Good morning everyone.

Fairly busy morning at work, but the paperwork is hit or miss to print. Kind of a pain but it will work out. Yesterday I ended with only 21, because I have a slow robot guy. He's slow because he likes to sit down and talk and goof around. Still have him today but I have two wall guys and and two robot guys. The wall guy is slow also but maybe two slows will make a fast.

Norm what are you looking for in a used car, something newer and nicer and can be financed? You wouldn't consider buying something from a private person? A private person is just as easy to strangle so you wouldn't be missing out on that. You wouldn't want a beat up beater?

Chainsawing was a big fail yesterday. Got only 4 or 5 pieces cut and the chain slung off. Again. It's tightened, it's sharpened, is it possible to have it on backwards? I'll get the chain put back on today but I've got other things to do after work so the sawing will have to wait.

Well have a good day everyone.

 

Mike, Yes it's possible to put it on bass ackwards The correct way is the teeth goingi forward then down over the top of the bar

 

I'm paying cash for the car w/ U.S.A. Greenbacks.