Backyard Mechanics

Today we planned to renew the registration  on the Stratus.  Jere changed the brakes last weekend  and got up "early" to change the oil this morning. We thought for sure it would pass with flying colors. We were wrong. There was a motor mount broke so it failed. They said it was only three bolts and the quote listed less than a half hour to change it. We thought if that is all, we will save ourselves some money and change it ourselves. So we went to Napa to get the part. We were going to change the part in the parking lot because we only had a couple of hours before the service station closed and we needed to get the car registered by Monday. Alma had to go to the bathroom and Napa didn't have a public restroom so we got the part and went to WalMart (1300 S 300 W). I took Alma in to use the bathroom while Jere started on the car (this was about 1:30 PM). When Alma and I got back from the bathroom Jere had alot of parts moved out of the way. I was quite excited, it looked like he was going to get it done fast. I got Alma set up in the car and then went to see how Jere was doing. He was struggling alittle but not bad. Then it happened, the engine dropped like inches! That is not a good thing to see. It took several movements of the jack to get the engine in place to get the bolt that bound out. Then it took several more movements of the jack  and a gentle hit with a sludge to get the engine back in place to get the bolt back in. After all the bolts were in the motor mount all that was left was to put a couple of small parts back on. So I got in the car to tell Alma that daddy was just finishing up and we would be off shortly. I said "It is warm in here." Alma agreed and then asked if Jere had the keys so that we could start the car. I told him yes daddy has the keys but we can't start the car because the peice daddy is working on holds the motor and if we start it it could cut dad and the motor could drop. Alma's reply to the engine dropping was " again."  Me with a chuckle "yes again" . Then I looked out the window and saw Jere a little annoyed. I got out thinking that it was something big like the motor mount was wrong or something. But it wasn't that, he just couldn't find a socket he used to take a part off earlier. After finding one that worked but not the one from before he was done. When he went to shut the hood I said "Don't forget that" motioning to a ratchet and socket. He grabbed it and said" ah geez" that was the socket he was looking for it was inches from his hand the whole time.
After about an hour and a half we had changed the motor mount. Should have known it would take that long. It always takes twice if not triple the time a project is suppose to take. We got the car reinspected and it passed. YEA!

Things we learned:
 If you are going to do work yourself ALWAYS read how to do it before you start.
Don't do work in WalMart's parking lot (or any parking lot) if you don't have to.
If you are doing work in a parking lot make sure you have more than enough tools for the job.
ALWAYS support and engine before you remove anything with the words "motor mount" HELLO the name says the motor is mounted with it. Should've known it would fall.

Alma happenins

I HATE went people try to make small talk with Alma. So today we went to license the dogs. The lady that was helping us looked at Alma and asked, " So are you the big or little brother?" Alma just looked at her and said, " I'm an only child." She was silent.

Is it a bad sign that Alma started to talk about a safety device for cars that he thinks would be cool while I was driving? It would come out of the center and hold the child in place. I'm not that bad of a driver.

I feel for the world. Alma is starting to act alot like me. We were teasing Jere that he is in trouble when Alma is old enough to hold him down and I can torture him. Then Alma came up with more of a hazing than teasing. He said we would put peanut butter of Jere's head, a feather on his nose and a reese's cup on the feather.We have decided he can NEVER join a fraternity. He will be the evil mind behind all the tricks.

Funny/nasty: I put my glasses on the sink when I shower. I usually put the towel there as well. Today as I grabbed the towel it knocked my glasses into the toilet. I guess next time I will make sure the lid is closed.

Randomness of Today

 Today we had lots of fun. I thought I would share some pictures.

First we did school. The dogs thought they would join Alma.

Then we went skating at Classic fun center. Alma had a bounce back pass. He got 10 tokens, the jungle, the bounce houses, and skating. Alma was given 11 tokens so he went to give one back and the guy took the token said "Thank you" and gave the token right back to Alma for being honest.

Then after Jere got home they did science. Alma got a science kit (electrical) for his birthday. He has been dieing to do it. Since he is done with Washington Online science Jere and him are learning about circuits.

Finally we topped off the night with cutting Alma's toe nails. I love how natural they look in this picture.

Tomorrow we are off to the zoo. Can't wait to see what fun we have there.

Last of the Nasty Carpet Gone!!!!!

Today we took out the carpet on the stairs. It was the last of the nasty orange and brown shag carpet from the seventies. Now the only carpet in our house is rugs that we have bought. It is nasty when you tear out carpet and see the decades of dusty under it.

We were ready for a break, so Jere and I wanted to go to Borders. Alma didn't want to go so he said " I will ask you nicely to please stay. It will be the nicest ever." Jere said, " Will you be that way all night?" " I replied "No" Alma responded," Mom! Don't be ruining my plans." I told him that we have the same mind so he can never pull one over on me. It is scary how alike we think. They say great minds think alike. :)

This goes along with a previous post, Doesn't Play Well with Sharp Objects. After the carpet was off the stairs we had to go through and pull out all the staples that held the carpet pad down. Well dinner was ready and I stood up to go up stairs. I stepped on a staple! I felt it and didn't step all the way down but it still went in my foot about half an inch. It was the right foot towards the outside of the foot. I went to pull it out and I couldn't. I called Jere. He looked at it and said get ready then pulled it. He pulled it half out, he had to grab it and pull again (it was that far/stuck in my foot). This is scary the older I get the clumsier I get with sharp objects. Good thing my tetanus shot is current.

May I Take Order

So tonight we went to Wendy's for dinner. As usual I walk up to the counter and tell them I have an allergy and need the sandwich maker to change their gloves. Then I place my order, " I would like a crispy chicken deluxe meal, with no cheese." Then Jere orders his, it was the same as mine but with cheese.  The cashier looks at me and says " Did you want that meal in a combo?" " Yes"

As we walk outside Jere and I had a great laugh. Isn't a meal the same thing as a combo? I'm guessing she will be working there along time, not too bright.

Jere+ Rocket=Hilarious

Alma got a Mythbusters kit for Christmas. Jere has been dieing to do the baking soda and vinegar rocket with Alma. Today They finally did it. I laughed so hard when the rocket back fired and went off in his hand. When he came back inside he looked in the instructions again and read "work quickly and close to the ground". I guess that means Jere shouldn't have been standing up and shaking the bottle slowly.

Sign that Alma is homeschooled: We were doing a mad lib type book and the question was " name something you use in school ( plural)" Alma's response was "websites"

Pink Pants and A Pig Poem

So today I was folding laundry and came across a part of Jere's pants, they were spotted pink. I was wondering what caused the spots. As I continued to fold the laundry I found two empty Kool-Aid packets mixed in. They are from Alma's party Monday night. Jere made Kool-Aid and instead of getting a bag out for garbage he put the empty packets in his pocket to throw away later, except he forgot about them. I'm glad none of the other clothes were turned pink. I've hear you have to check the pockets of boys' pants but I didn't know that ment grown boys. I guess I better start checking pant pockets.


Today in school Alma had to recite a poem. So he stood up and within seconds came up with his own version of a poem he heard twice a couple of weeks ago. He takes after me I can come up with silly songs or sayings fast.

Warning Doesn't Play Well With Sharp Objects

So for Alma's birthday he wanted to do "Taco Tuesday" with Krys and Michael. As I was getting dinner ready I was opening the salsa pouch with a knife and sliced my left index finger. And about a month ago I was cleaning scissors and didn't realized i cut my right thumb until after I was done. I was talking with Krys and said " I don't do good with sharp objects in my old age" She was like, " Think of how bad you will be when you are thirty." Ha Ha good times.

End of an era

After being involved with the Young Women for 5 1/2 years I got released yesterday. It is bitter sweet. I'm happy to be able to sit back and relax. I always had something I needed to do. I feel lost at the same time. I went through and delete young women events out of my calendar and now it is empty. Young Womens was my life. When I got released Jere said he was released as well. He said not a week went by that he wasn't doing something to help me, that is true.

A Few Funny Stories

STORY ONE: The other night I was so cold I was trying to put my head under the blanket. As I was trying Jere was puling the blanket. I said I was cold , he said he farted. He was trying to prevent me from having a cover wagon.

STORY TWO: Jere isn't aloud to have a heater at his works's new building. So to keep him warm he turned his computer so the fan blows the hot air on his feet. Pretty smart:)

STORY THREE: Alma and I was reading The Three Bears for his school today. An optional activity was to switch the story a bear coming to a human house. We were teasing that the bear would try Spy's crate and say it is too small. Kaiden's would be too big. Bare's crate would be just right. Then we laughed because a bear in Bare's crate that is funny.

STORY FOUR: I like my stomach warm almost hot. So I will stand by the oven with the door cracked and my shirt slightly out so the heat goes on my bare stomach. Recently I started to do it over the stove after dinner is done cooking as the burner is cooling off. Today I got too close and I bumped the stove, not the burner. But it was still hot and left a small mark on my stomach.

That is just a few stories from the last couple of days. We are always laughing because of funny and stupid things we do.