Good morning!!!!

[Looking4new]

I remember the days of no computers and no cell phones, quite well. Get to the customers place, unload and then borrow the customers land line and use the 800 number to call in for the next load. All the customers wanting the 800 number and us being told not to give it out. I told the customers that and then told them that if they had a display on their phone that they could just press redial and read the number for themselves. That way I wasn't giving them the number.
After the company got us cell phones a conversation between the dispatcher and me;
Dispatcher: why didn't you answer the phone when I called.
Me: I was driving.
Dispatcher: you should have pulled over.
Me: no place to pull over.
dispatcher: there is always the shoulder.
Me: IF you got off your fat butt and actually LOOKED at where I was you would understand why I don't (a) answer the phone while I am driving and (b) don't get onto the shoulder.
Most of the shoulders in northwestern Ontario are about 2' wide and as soft as mush. NOT a place where I want to put a 139,000 pound tanker load of hot asphalt.
We had one guy about 5 years ago parked his tanker on the shoulder, it took 14 hours to get him back on the road.
Customer was not impressed, they had to shut down. Tow truck said he wouldn't pull the tanker back on the road until it was empty. Had to get a pump truck from Thunder Bay (over three hours by car) and another empty tanker to transfer the load. A huge expen$e and not necessary.

 

[ronjhall]

Drinking first cup of coffee. 32° with light snow this morning. Heading to 35° with clouds. Got another.27" of rain since yesterday morning. Any snow that falls this morning will melt. Ground is not frozen. Got house cleaned and laundry done. Still need to fold and put it away. Have a annual meeting with financial guy this morning. Then off to Rural King for some bird seed. Bought a night stand that has power ports and narrower than current stand. Hope to get it assembled today.

Thomas, hard decision to make.

LS, hope you get insurance straightened out and second opinion finds you knee problem. Which medical system is the leader in your knee problem.

Everyone stay safe and well.

Good Morning All.

 

[KilroyJC]

Worked a lot today on the internet connection. Takes a lot of time to run down Xfinity (Comcast) help and then the Linksys router help and still no internet and worse no Wi-Fi and therefore iPhone does not work because the cell tower is in an outage. Well long story short was finally able to get it back working. Resetting the modem seems to be what did it. When it is not owned by Comcast they are not too helpful other than the problem is not here. And then the iMac did not want to power up on top of that.
We went for eye check ups and new prescriptions for glasses. Very little change. We will likely get new frames and lenses soon.

Finding that I use the head lamp a lot more this year for early morning walks and also for safety when picking up the mail after dark. The red light in the back is good for warning drivers and the adjustable beam works well to cast a wide field or narrow focus.

No internet and no phone is almost like the old days. Most of you probably don't remember things got done with telexes and curriers to carry blue prints and sepias. And calling home once a week from a local post office in some random country.

View attachment 779899

And a dime under the insoles for an emergency pay phone call…

 

[KilroyJC]

I remember the days of no computers and no cell phones, quite well. Get to the customers place, unload and then borrow the customers land line and use the 800 number to call in for the next load. All the customers wanting the 800 number and us being told not to give it out. I told the customers that and then told them that if they had a display on their phone that they could just press redial and read the number for themselves. That way I wasn't giving them the number.
After the company got us cell phones a conversation between the dispatcher and me;
Dispatcher: why didn't you answer the phone when I called.
Me: I was driving.
Dispatcher: you should have pulled over.
Me: no place to pull over.
dispatcher: there is always the shoulder.
Me: IF you got off your fat butt and actually LOOKED at where I was you would understand why I don't (a) answer the phone while I am driving and (b) don't get onto the shoulder.
Most of the shoulders in northwestern Ontario are about 2' wide and as soft as mush. NOT a place where I want to put a 139,000 pound tanker load of hot asphalt.
We had one guy about 5 years ago parked his tanker on the shoulder, it took 14 hours to get him back on the road.
Customer was not impressed, they had to shut down. Tow truck said he wouldn't pull the tanker back on the road until it was empty. Had to get a pump truck from Thunder Bay (over three hours by car) and another empty tanker to transfer the load. A huge expen$e and not necessary.

But at least then the dispatcher knew why drivers wouldn’t pull over on the shoulder…

 

[KilroyJC]

Thomas, my wifey agrees with your misses.....

Well, a surprise at the ortho doc today..... after taking some xrays, everything still in alignment and secure. BUT, while we were discussing the pain and swelling, HE said he would like to get a second opinion! Now just waiting for the insurance to approve, and a call from the other doc.

Then the bad news after I got home. My disability claim was denied again by the insurance. WTF! They didn't even have me do the "medical exam".... that was supposedly the last step. Nope... just denied. REALLY?
I'm still being treated for the same condition for almost 2 years (23 months). Going on 3 years and 10 months since the injury. And now another doc getting involved because the first is out of guesses.

If anybody was wondering---- yes you can be 'mentally numb', angry, and depressed at the same time. I really didn't need to get that letter today. I'm dealing with enough on my plate.

Sorry for the bit of a rant.... I'm just going to bed now.... maybe tomorrow will be better....

Tomorrow is another chance. Don’t let the bastards win.

 

[KilroyJC]

Was 55F with bright sunshine @ 14:30, supposedly heading up to a high of around 59F. Don't know how warn it actually got.

But I'd say that's pretty decent ... for what is typically our coldest week of the year.

Rain has moved in now and we are under a High Wind Warning, we were under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning earlier which has now expired.

Got deer and hopper feeders refilled yesterday, also large crescent wrench retrieved from the shop. Deer feeder was not emptied this morning.

Also got the iron/sediment hosed off yesterday as well, now it needs to go into a water/bleach solution for a little soak.

Cleared off one set of 3' steel shelving back at the northwest corner of the utility room in preparation to start putting up foam board back there.

Moved the wood shelves that were leaning against the wood stove and burned a bunch of old paperwork from 2008/2009.

Got the fishies fed as well.

Amazon dropped off the 2 1/2" x 20' hose for the vacuum system late yesterday evening. Today saw several packages show up with more parts (fittings, clamps, etc.) including the Dust Deputy:

View attachment 779907​

Even got myself some proper push sticks/pads ... which will hopefully help me keep all my finger parts intact.

Hose cuffs seem really nice - very soft and flexible.

Finally managed to get the knobs off the hot and diverter valves last night, they were quite the bear to remove. Took repeated applications of Blaster and banging on them with a wood stick, finally had to resort to the MAPP gas torch and heat them up. Even so, they were still a complete PITA to get off and required lots of effort and rocking them back and forth.

Was able to get the trim cover for the stem and escutcheon off for hot water valve, but the one on the diverter was a PITA ... but it eventually surrendered too earlier today.

One tile came off and several were loose and the wall board behind the tile was looking pretty mushy ... hmmmm.

So that shower is now officially shut down.

Update: yup ... wallboard around the valves was pretty nasty. Got the tile all pulled off, back to where the wallboard is good:

View attachment 779903​

Managed to get all the tile down pretty much intact, only one small chip on the corner of a bullnose tile out at the edge.

And bad wallboard removed:

View attachment 779904​

I told The Woman last night that She might want to head downstairs and do a quick clean up on the half bath down there if She has any plans on showering in the near future. Got back something about how She "sure hoped it wouldn't be taking much longer ..."

HA !

Being down to a single bathing facility makes Her really ... nervous.

So of course today She was back in the Master Bedroom cleaning instead ...

(She did eventually go down there tho' ...)

I shut the water off to the main bathroom to pull the valve stems and have a look at those and the valve seats. Of course, the valves don't completely turn off ... probably need the rubber washers replaced.

Hot one came out easily, packing nuts on the hot and cold were both pretty loose and turned easily, the one on the diverter not so much ... it was starting to deform when I tried to turn it.

Still have to see if I can loosen the valve stems on the diverter and cold valve tonight.

Being this deep into it, one has has to consider whether or not to just dive all the way into it ... and take all the tile down, pull the tub, drain, and valves replace them all ... since the bathroom needs to be redone and updated anyways.

Of course, the mere suggestion of an outrageous such a thing was met with ... all kinds of sound and fury ...



Hope everyone had a decent Thursday ...

If the seats are relacable, replace them while it is apart. If not, invest in a seat grinder - something like https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Faucet-Reseater/1002633322

 

[KilroyJC]

Good evening all. 37 for the start, partly cloudy, moderate breeze. Moderate wind early then light, Sky cleared off, and high temp was 57ºF. Start fire in insert to start day, putter then bike rid after lunch. Nap then dinner and fish club meeting. Had two post meeting meetings which have me posting late.
Kyle hope you can get caught up and work on more fun projects. Nice list of machines to play with. Hope you get Victor mill done.
Kyle I use mine more because of no tractor here. It holds about 3 days of wood right now.
Dennis and yet he is still here. There used to be several Chevy's close by in STL, none now
Dennis sorry you are having sleeping issues.
Ron hope cleaning and laundry went well. Nice pose
Billy glad you found leak and have a temp fix on it. Good luck with permanent repair. Glad driving zero turn was enjoyable. Glad warranty claim was easy to start. Hope it is successful.
Drew would love to have an inch of rain, send TX your leftovers Hope Saturday goes better than you expect.
Dennis sorry about the charge. Have fun researching new projector system.
Kilroy nice price on the eggs.
Kilroy hopefully trainer will expedite the need improvements to the software. Like your conclusion. Wonder why dog was up at 4?
Bill hope town run went smoothly, and had fun watching it snow.
Mike hope rain did not alter plans. Hope yo got to conserve energy and wife continues her recovery.
Paul parts look great, nice chamfer/deburr as well. Zoe is getting big! Hope you get projects finished.
Dave are you starting mud season early?
Buppies hope you don't float away prayers sent.
Jim hope you got chainsaw tested pre-rain. Hope honey do list not too long or involved.
RNG glad you are getting some sunshine hope you get more rain later. Glad name change did not result in wholesale turnover. Glad Mexican chocolate fixed your mole. Finding what you want can be a challenge at times.
Don sorry you need to irrigate so soon. Glad you handle Firewise and Cedarcide in same week.
RNG glad you are making progress, marking reference spot excellent idea.
Buppies any idea how much colder, am back to seasonal temps now.
Gstrom enjoy your snow
Ted hope winds slow and precip falls. Sorry about the pain level on the knee. Hope you felt well enough to go to shop. Neat Christmas gift.
David glad visit encouraging, prayers for the swelling still there. Hope you can get rest of angle for solar panels soon.
Dennis hope video fix helps you fix fridge as well.
Dennis yup fishing.
Thomas enjoy your snow. Hope date went well on new day. You need to listen to Mrs. She might want you around for a while
Dennis listening to it now.
Dennis glad chili smelled good and tasted good too.
Randy(wag) sounds like soiree is coming together.
Frits when I had cable mode for internet, it would need reboot 3-4 time a year, no cable mode now. Was never on road enough to need to phone home. I remember making pencil drawings on velum, does that count.
Ted it may time to get lawyer involved. I do recall getting rejection letters from companies I did not interview.
RS hope no damage from thunder storm. Glad you getting push sticks. Good to hear leaky valve progressing, hope wife does not get too impatient. Sounds like a lot of scope creep on project
David it is a shame you cannot sample bread before H&F! Nice progress in extension
RS she may be the hold up but it is your fault! Don't believe me just ask her
prayer for all, especially Jay/Peg, Kyle /Daughter, /mom's breathing, /learning new job, /friends upcoming new baby, /son's migraines, Bird /aging issues, Ron /broken arm and heart, Billy /mom hypertension & congestive heart failure, David(moss) /remodel, /divorce, Buppies /new skin cancer spot and treatment, /elbow healing, /wife knee healing, Thomas /gout, Phil /reflux, /wife's voice, Frits /veteran son with mental issues, Ken /dad possible dementia, /uncle's surgery, Steppenwolfe /son-auto immune disorder, Grev /wife's eye, Ted /knee recovery, /retirement & disability red tape, /family issues, /wife feeling bad, Lou /eye issues, Doug and wife/health issues, / hand nerve and surgery, /fall and recovery, / wife headaches and heart eval, / David(sadamo)/Sophie's new eye surgery recovery, Chris /neighbor's granddaughter and Covid issues, Scaredy/shoulder dislocation, /marriage not doing well, / friend stop drinking, Paul/ wife's healing from back surgery, Dennis /retirement, /neighbor issues, /land development, / brother "alligallyitus" and back in hospital, Drew /foot heel issues, /friend's wife cancer diagnosis and recovery, mike /wife's surgery, Scotty, /back pain, Frits /daughter recovery from surgery, Helogabals /second opinion, /wife's friend situation, Mark /wife colon surgery, Fatjay /father broken hip, Ukraine war, and Country.

Dog is a two-time rescue, very sweet and loving and five years she’s been with us and sometimes if I pick up a stick she still flinches. . . It took almost two years before she would sit with me, always sat/snuggled with Mrs - she would play with me outside, super friendly, but inside was a different story. Now (as we speak) she is burrowed in behind me on the sofa . She has nightmares in her sleep. Sometimes she just gets needy. Previous people shouldn’t be allowed within a hunnert yards of dogs IMO. The only good thing they did was the housebreaking, but they probably were mean about it. When we got Bailey at 2+ years old, she didn’t know ”sit” or “paw”— had to do that training. Half-retriever/half Corgi, has no idea what a tennis ball is for. But, she basically picked us (long story) and is a wonderful part of the family.

 

[KilroyJC]

Good evening all. 37 for the start, partly cloudy, moderate breeze. Moderate wind early then light, Sky cleared off, and high temp was 57ºF. Start fire in insert to start day, putter then bike rid after lunch. Nap then dinner and fish club meeting. Had two post meeting meetings which have me posting late.
Kyle hope you can get caught up and work on more fun projects. Nice list of machines to play with. Hope you get Victor mill done.
Kyle I use mine more because of no tractor here. It holds about 3 days of wood right now.
Dennis and yet he is still here. There used to be several Chevy's close by in STL, none now
Dennis sorry you are having sleeping issues.
Ron hope cleaning and laundry went well. Nice pose
Billy glad you found leak and have a temp fix on it. Good luck with permanent repair. Glad driving zero turn was enjoyable. Glad warranty claim was easy to start. Hope it is successful.
Drew would love to have an inch of rain, send TX your leftovers Hope Saturday goes better than you expect.
Dennis sorry about the charge. Have fun researching new projector system.
Kilroy nice price on the eggs.
Kilroy hopefully trainer will expedite the need improvements to the software. Like your conclusion. Wonder why dog was up at 4?
Bill hope town run went smoothly, and had fun watching it snow.
Mike hope rain did not alter plans. Hope yo got to conserve energy and wife continues her recovery.
Paul parts look great, nice chamfer/deburr as well. Zoe is getting big! Hope you get projects finished.
Dave are you starting mud season early?
Buppies hope you don't float away prayers sent.
Jim hope you got chainsaw tested pre-rain. Hope honey do list not too long or involved.
RNG glad you are getting some sunshine hope you get more rain later. Glad name change did not result in wholesale turnover. Glad Mexican chocolate fixed your mole. Finding what you want can be a challenge at times.
Don sorry you need to irrigate so soon. Glad you handle Firewise and Cedarcide in same week.
RNG glad you are making progress, marking reference spot excellent idea.
Buppies any idea how much colder, am back to seasonal temps now.
Gstrom enjoy your snow
Ted hope winds slow and precip falls. Sorry about the pain level on the knee. Hope you felt well enough to go to shop. Neat Christmas gift.
David glad visit encouraging, prayers for the swelling still there. Hope you can get rest of angle for solar panels soon.
Dennis hope video fix helps you fix fridge as well.
Dennis yup fishing.
Thomas enjoy your snow. Hope date went well on new day. You need to listen to Mrs. She might want you around for a while
Dennis listening to it now.
Dennis glad chili smelled good and tasted good too.
Randy(wag) sounds like soiree is coming together.
Frits when I had cable mode for internet, it would need reboot 3-4 time a year, no cable mode now. Was never on road enough to need to phone home. I remember making pencil drawings on velum, does that count.
Ted it may time to get lawyer involved. I do recall getting rejection letters from companies I did not interview.
RS hope no damage from thunder storm. Glad you getting push sticks. Good to hear leaky valve progressing, hope wife does not get too impatient. Sounds like a lot of scope creep on project
David it is a shame you cannot sample bread before H&F! Nice progress in extension
RS she may be the hold up but it is your fault! Don't believe me just ask her
prayer for all, especially Jay/Peg, Kyle /Daughter, /mom's breathing, /learning new job, /friends upcoming new baby, /son's migraines, Bird /aging issues, Ron /broken arm and heart, Billy /mom hypertension & congestive heart failure, David(moss) /remodel, /divorce, Buppies /new skin cancer spot and treatment, /elbow healing, /wife knee healing, Thomas /gout, Phil /reflux, /wife's voice, Frits /veteran son with mental issues, Ken /dad possible dementia, /uncle's surgery, Steppenwolfe /son-auto immune disorder, Grev /wife's eye, Ted /knee recovery, /retirement & disability red tape, /family issues, /wife feeling bad, Lou /eye issues, Doug and wife/health issues, / hand nerve and surgery, /fall and recovery, / wife headaches and heart eval, / David(sadamo)/Sophie's new eye surgery recovery, Chris /neighbor's granddaughter and Covid issues, Scaredy/shoulder dislocation, /marriage not doing well, / friend stop drinking, Paul/ wife's healing from back surgery, Dennis /retirement, /neighbor issues, /land development, / brother "alligallyitus" and back in hospital, Drew /foot heel issues, /friend's wife cancer diagnosis and recovery, mike /wife's surgery, Scotty, /back pain, Frits /daughter recovery from surgery, Helogabals /second opinion, /wife's friend situation, Mark /wife colon surgery, Fatjay /father broken hip, Ukraine war, and Country.

I don’t need to hurt anyone on pricing. Although I might give ”alternate pricing options”, like swap one-for-one egg/FreedomPill

 

[wngsprd]

45 and rain gone. Didn't get much, but it pretended to rain most of the day. Should reach 51, and windy.

LS, real sorry about your continuing knee pain and insurance pain. That's a neat clock.

Thomas, always sounds like you're happiest when you're working. Hope things will work out.

Fixed my leaking copper pipe...since HD is about an hour round trip, decided to go ahead and stock up on a number of plumbing supplies...even picked up a new tool...spent as much as a plumber would have charged, but now am better prepared.

I ended up deciding to use a sharkbite slip connector due to the tight space and wiring near the water heater and other pipes. I had not used the slip connector type before, just regular sharkbite...I learned a hard lesson...never slide the slip end all the way snug against a 90 degree fitting...was a bear to get loose enough to clip the release ring on in order to slide it back over the other pipe. I had to use several of the toughest 4 letter words I know to get it to slide (and long curved needle nose pliers). Turned on water and no leaks, so happy now.

 

[daugen]

good morning all
37 going to 47 today in clouds and sun.
not much planned for today other than visiting MIL in nursing home this afternoon, taking her some ice cream and yogurt.