Tires

As my faithful readers are aware, the winter season is bearing down on us and that calls for changing tires on our Tundra and Explorer.  Many years ago (as soon as we could afford it) we elected to have our snow tires mounted on their own rims so that Dan (who worked his way through undergraduate school at a tire shop) could easily change them at home.  Before that, he was able to change out the tires on each vehicle's only rims at the company shop where they had tire equipment for the company trucks.

With the advent of our snow this week, Dan changed out our tires on Monday.  On Tuesday our nephew, JR, stopped by to pick up some things we were storing for him and asked if Dan could help him change his tires. He'd tried for two days to get into our local Les Schwab Tire Center, but no luck.  The line of cars, even at 7:30 in the morning, was in the hundreds.  Dan was happy to be of help and in the process he added to JR's skill set.  Out came the compressor and the air gun, the floor jack, and the snow shovel so they could clear off the new falling snow around each tire.  

They had a good time, and in about forty-five minutes, JR was set to go with snow tires all around.

 Consultation in progress.

Air gun in hand.

Smile for the camera!

Dan now refers to our place as "Les Buck's Tire Shop and Waterbed Emporium, East Moscow Plant."  Too funny!

In Case You Were Wondering...

We woke to snow this morning!  

It was beautiful and we actually still have some of it since the high today was a cool 35 degrees! And we may get more tonight and tomorrow.  It always seemed to me that when I was growing up, the first snow came around November 4th so this seems right on schedule.  Dan is changing out the tires as I type, so we're ready!

In Papa's Workshop

Yesterday was a busy day in Dan's shop!  Cameron had called earlier in the week and wondered if he could come over some time to work on a project for school that would need Papa's tools and help.  Saturday at ten-thirty was the time that worked for Dan.  Dan had a meeting earlier Saturday morning, so when he got home he had not only Cameron, but Keaton as well.  

Down the stairs they all went.  Cameron need to make an ax and a sword (they're studying the middle ages at school), and Keaton had a Boys' Life magazine with a project for a ping pong ball launcher.  

For once, I thought to take pictures!  (I'm so proud of myself!!)

When I opened the door, this is what I saw first.  Keaton is sanding and Cameron is working on the bandsaw.

Hi Keat!

And here's Cameron cutting out his sword:

And here he is with the piece he was cutting:

I didn't get a photo of Cameron's finished works because Ann picked him up so he could race off to a soccer game, but here's Keaton with his completed launcher:

What a fun day we all had!  

Happy Pumpkin Day!

Fall leaves, cloudy skies, bright orange pumpkins, happy kids...

Happy Pumpkin Day!

A Fun Day

Yesterday was a busy day and it was a fun one.  After a busy first part of the day getting the usual morning things out of the way, I headed to the shop where I had scheduled a class on the Christmas wall hanging I posted about here.  My long-time pal, Kathy, was up for the class and we had a great time stitching and visiting.  The class members got a lot accomplished and we'll meet again in two weeks to finish the project.  

When the class was over, I headed home where I knew family members had gathered for a visit.  My niece Jennifer and her son Grant are visiting from Oklahoma, and they, along with Mom were at the house, with Ann and Daniel arriving soon after I got there.  The little boys are just a few weeks apart in age and have hit it off every time they've been together and yesterday was no exception.  

They began their interaction with Daniel showing Grant the floor grate in our living room (which allows warm air upstairs from the wood insert in the family room fireplace).  Apparently there was once something caught in there that Daniel had noticed and they were checking to see if it was still there.  (FYI--I can't see anything.)

From there they progressed to the wooden train set...

and putting marbles in the bucket of a truck...

which led to hide-and-seek in the "boy's room" ...

and culminated in a laugh-filled free-for-all on the bed!

Those little cousins had a great time and not a cross word was heard between the two of them.  They kept the grown-ups entertained and the cameras flashing!  All too soon it was time for Jenny, Grant, and Mom to leave and another cousin visit is firmly etched in our memories.  ♥

A Little Autumn Walk

Our town has some wonderful walking/bike paths resulting from the "rails to trails" program, and yesterday I asked Dan if we could walk a section that I've always wanted to explore.  Don't ask why we haven't; you know how it goes.  So we drove a short distance, parked, and began to walk.  The weather was perfect, sunny but definitely cool.  Our first steps took us into an area that seemed almost tunnel-like with bright colored trees and bushes everywhere.  There was a little creek to the side and the sound of the water caught my ear.  A spillway has recently been created and it made a lovely, peaceful spot.

A little further down the path, we discovered a row of trees, each with a plaque dedicated to a student from our high school who had passed away much too young.  

I had no idea such memorials existed, but I recognized several names, and one in particular, a young seventeen-year-old who, as a boy, had attended the school where I taught  for many years.  

As we continued, we discovered a small park (who knew?) that made me want to have a picnic immediately!  I think we shall have to return soon with a bag of sandwiches, some fruit, and something warm to drink.  A hidden treasure!  I kept marveling over this area that I never knew existed.  

Below, a horse chestnut is about to pop.

And, oh, the gorgeous leaves!

It was a most restorative walk.  Peaceful, beautiful, and perfect.  I think we must do it again soon.

Just A Phone Call Away

I always think I need to have pictures, but guess what--I have no new pictures.  I do have a new cell phone! And here's the story.  About six years, or more, ago, Ann and Eric gave Dan a cell phone for Father's Day so he could call home when he's out and about in the woods.  With the proliferation of cell phones, pay phones had all but disappeared from the landscape.  For years, when Dan was on his way home, he would stop at one to tell me where he was and when he'd be home, but it was getting harder and harder to find one to use.  The cell phone was actually for both of us--for Dan to use and for me to have peace of mind.

So, Dan carried that phone with him for years, until that one became so outdated he had to buy a new one, and then he took that one.  The operative word, however, is work.  The only time he remembers to take it with him is when he's working.  And I appreciate that!  But whenever we'd just be on the move, chances were very good that it was not with him--it was home, in the drawer in the kitchen.  "Rats!" we would say, when we'd think of need for it, "We don't have the phone again!"  

Tuesday, grandson Cameron had a soccer game at a school in the neighboring town.  I knew where it was supposed to be and even printed out directions to get there.  Upon arriving at the school, we noticed a football team was practicing in the field.  Hmmm.  The game must have moved to the high school field, so we made our way across town and into the general vicinity of that school. And yes, there were mumblings in the Explorer about the fact that the cell phone was in the drawer and we couldn't call Ann to find out what was up.  I was heard to say, "This is it! I am going to get my own cell phone and it's going to live in my purse!" And Dan agreed.

Meanwhile we were having no luck finding the high school. We could see it, but we couldn't figure out how to get there.  As we wound around and around the hills, we finally spotted a lady walking her dog and asked her.  We were close!  Following her directions, we found it and parked and headed for some soccer games we could see in the distance.  A young woman walked by us and hearing our ponderings over which team might be Cameron's, asked who were were looking for.  When we told her, she said their game was at the school we had first gone to.  We told her there was football practice going on and she asked if we'd gone to the lower fields. Of course we hadn't because we didn't know there were lower fields, which it turns out, were only accessible by driving a few blocks past the school and turning left and following a winding street which led to the other side of the school.

So, back across town we went, figuring we'd all but missed the game, but knowing we had to explain what had happened.  When we got there, we spotted Ann on a hill, looking for us, as she had been doing for about forty-five minutes.  She had begun to suspect (correctly) what had happened, but of course, couldn't call us.  

We did get to see most of the second half of the game, but missed Cameron's score (of course) which was early in the first half.  His team won!  They haven't had a lot of wins, so this was sweet.  

As soon as we left the game, we went to the store and bought my phone.  It's nothing fancy, but I can run it and I've even learned to text.  The important part is that it's in my purse and next time we'll be able to call. I've put Ann's number in my contacts!