Yard Work

Been working on the big redux of the backyard for a few years now, as budget and time allows. Yesterday we started laying some flagstone for a patio area. Still have to finish it up and prep the surrounding area for grass.

Working on Cars

While I enjoy working on cars, I don't like to have to work on them. I've got a couple project cars that have virtually no work done to them. It seems the daily drivers in the family keep demanding all the attention.

Case in point. A couple weeks ago my brake booster went out on my pickup. While I was replacing that, I also rebuilt the power steering pump because it leaked. When I put it back in I installed a new belt (of course), and tightened it up. It did well on the test drive. For a week it sat because the weather was nice enough to ride the motorcycle to work. The next week (the one we just finished) the weather was not so kind. I drove my truck all week. On Friday I noticed that my power steering was causing the belt to squeal. I though maybe the belt stretched out a bit. No biggie. That afternoon I got a call from a co-worker that there was a puddle under my truck. Coolant. Damn. When I got to the truck, sure enough, the water pump was trying to become two separate pieces. Hence the loose belt.

So today, it's time to get under the hood of my truck (again) and replace the water pump.

...And I have to change the oil and adjust the valves on the bike.

It never ends...