Day To Day Stuff

Tea Party Burleson

2009-04-17T07:23:00.003-05:00

A/C Compressor

2008-12-18T09:08:00.005-06:00

While I had the van apart I took the opportunity to disassemble the a/c compressor to see how they are made. It was interesting to say the least.

The heart of the system is the eccentric plate
that drives the pistons instead of the typical
crankshaft.

The double ended piston. The depression that
can be seen is duplicated on the upper portion
of the piston and bearings that are rounded on
one side and flat on the other are seated here.

A very blurry picture of the bearings. But you
can see the rounded and flat sides of the bearing.
The rounded sides ride in the depression and the
flat side rides on the plate for smooth operation
of the pistons.

A view of the upper cylinder housing. The shaft
seal that can barely seen in this photo is far
different than that of seals in the past which
were made of a carbon ring which was the
rotating element placed on the shaft and a steel
stationary seat that was mounted on the front plate.

A front view of the valve plate.

A side view of the same plate. Just to the right
you can see the roller bearing and one of the
spacers that the bearing rode on. The bearing
is mounted on the shaft and sit against the piston
housing.

The upper valve plate mounted on the upper
piston hosing.

Two of the pistons in the cylinders.

Close up of the pistons and drive shaft assembly.

Upper and lower cylinder sections assembled.

Van Crankcase Senor

2008-12-15T14:39:00.005-06:00

The crankcase sensor came unplugged and oh what fun that was to fix. It required that I remove the radiator the A/C compressor and the exhaust manifold. From beginning to end it took a little over 4 hours.

I spent 7 bucks for a 3/4 inch foam
insulation board to lie on the floor with. It's
softer than the floor and since it's insulation
no cold floor.

View of the engine before the fun began.

A close up of the area where the sensor is
located, which is between the radiator hose
and the rocker arm cover. You know the
thingy that the oil cap is.

This is a future project that will take 8 hours.
The knock sensor is located beneath the intake
manifold.

I had to move the box's to make room for
removing the radiator.

After some of the preliminaries you could see
where the sensor is under the exhaust
manifold. Being located under a shield is
why I had to remove the manifold to get to
it.

In order to remove the exhaust manifold
the exhaust pipe flange under the van had
to be broken loose.

After about two hours I finally reached my
goal. This is the culprit that was the source
of my inspection problems. The sensor is
unplugged.

Ain't very big is it? Especially considering
what I had to go through to get it fixed.

The Van Again

2008-11-19T09:53:00.005-06:00

The vent control on the van had stopped working some weeks ago but with the coming of cold weather I decided it was time to replace the positioning motor that is used to direct where the flow of air is to go. When I was replacing the fan motor some time back I had noticed the control motor being located under the duct work which was great because I wouldn't have to dismantle the dash as I have had to do on other cars.

I had to start with removing the trim
that surrounds the cd player since
it covered the access to the motor at the back.

The motor is located behind the vent

outlet that can be seen in this photo.

Location of the drive motor
that I had seen before.

In order to remove
the motor I had to move over to the drivers
side to remove the screws and I found this.

A second positioning motor.
So which one is the source of my problem?
I turned on the ignition and moved the switch
that tells the motor where to go. Turns out that
this motor controls windshield, dash
and floorboard air flow direction.

The other motor controls heat and cool.

I do not know why but when I tested which motor was bad guess what, both motors now work....

Not my job to figure out why, I just put it all back together again. Now if I could just figure out why I get a phantom check engine light that has no error code.

Passing Thoughts

2008-11-12T15:21:00.003-06:00

I was out digging in the yard and my mind started to wonder and with it being close to Christmas I found it wondering to places it had not been in a long time. My eldest son was born August 27, 1975 in Philadelphia PA. in a naval hospital, and whom we named Randal Chase, we called him Chase. I was of course a proud young father who also happened to be in the US Navy at the time. Three months after his birth I shipped out for what was to be a 6 month cruise I packed him and his mother up and sent them back home to live with my wife’s parents until I got back, well the 6 month cruise turned into an 18 month boat ride. Finally arriving back in the states I picked up my family and returned to Norfolk VA. where I was stationed until I served the rest of my time until discharged, which by this time Robin was pregnant with my next son. Who was born in October. Because of the separation that had occurred between me and Chase due to my naval obligations a bond that should have formed between us never really occurred as a father and son should. I never treated him differently from his brother there was just never a deep set closeness that existed and I never realized it.

The years passed and Robin blessed me with two more children a daughter and another son. It was the summer of 1989 and I was self employed and Chase was 11 years old and asked if he could ride with me while I worked and I told him it would be alright. As the weeks passed the relationship between us grew as he worked and rode with me from job to job. Time finally came for him to go back to school and we celebrated his 12th birthday as well. In September flu hit the house and all of the kids but Chase was sick so his Grandmother asked if he could spend the weekend with her and maybe avoid getting the bug as well, we said sure why not, so arrangements were made for her to pick him up from school that Friday afternoon. Friday morning he came into my bedroom asking for some money to by lunch with and being half asleep I told him I had some in my pants pocket to help himself. He got the money and said bye dad and I mumbled something back I don’t remember what as he headed out the door.

Saturday came and everyone in the house was fit and well the bug was gone and we had spent the day cleaning house and enjoying our selves as it was a warm and sunny September day. At around 5 that afternoon we were sitting at the table eating an early supper when the phone rang and my mother in-law blurted out screaming and crying that Chase was dead. I dropped the phone and fell to the floor with my mind reeling and trying to comprehend what it was I had just heard. Everything after that for a short while was a blur. Robin was instantly upset and asked what had happen and as I sat on the floor I could only answer in a low voice that my son was dead.

Over the next few days, weeks and admittedly to this very day many years later it haunts me that I did not tell my son that I loved him before he walked out of that room and my life forever. I do not let any of my children or grandchildren leave without making sure that I tell them that I love them in case it will be the last words I ever get say to them.

My daughter has blessed me with two Grandsons and a Granddaughter, her oldest son’s name is Brian Chase born with Cystic Fibrosis and was not expected to live past the age of seven. We were able to find a way to help him fight this disease and he is now ten years of age and doing well. Now only time will tell.

It’s not a guy thing to say I love you to your sons, but not saying it is something you don’t get to take back. But it is something I will practice until the day I die.

I wrote this on a forum that I am a member of about 2 years ago. Since then another event has occurred that was startling to say the least.

Last month Robin got a call that one of her close cousins named Sammi had hung himself and that the funeral was to be held at the grave site about 45 minutes from where we live so we made it a point to attend. He was about 3 years Robin's junior and he and his wife attended our son's funeral. There hasn't been much contact since and Robin has regretted that. After the service was over Sammi's ex wife came over to us and introduced us to their youngest son whom we had never met. His name was Nathan Chase Tannery, we never knew.

They call him Chase.

Day Trip

2008-11-12T10:40:00.004-06:00

Robin and I took a day trip with local ghost towns in mind and did not make it to a single one.

We did come across an abandoned bridge.

Brazos River

Out in what we thought was the middle of nowhere
this young lad came running down a path under the bridge.
Being a smart alack I popped off with
"Holy cow a chain saw killer?"
Out of no where a voice replied
"Did you bring the chain saw?"
Scared the crap out of me and Robin.

The young runners dad came
walking out from under the bridge.
WHOA!

We did come across this grist mill in Glen Rose.

It was pretty cool, with a history of being used
as a local hospital for a number of years
when it was no longer a viable mill.

Shame on me

2007-08-07T12:33:00.000-05:00

Well its apparent I have not been here for awhile so lets catch up shall we. Today Larina feeds Paxton while she sits on her throne at the table while Paxton stands on the floor, at least she gives preference to Paxton over the dog. The second lesson of the day is Larina learned the ins and out of the car remote for panic and unpanic which kept her busy for most of an hour.

I have 90% of the kitchen moved to the center room which is my excuse for not updating, thats my story and I'm sticking to it. The building next door is slow but sure.

Now for what you have been waiting for, Gulf Port Pics.

Driving Miss Daisy?
I don't think so.

Can't wait to take this
baby out for a spin!

Not my Fault the
sun was in me eyes.

We hadn't even checked
into the room yet.

The drowned rat patrol.

Vicksburg

2007-07-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

I will be busy for the next few days working on the special events blog getting Vicksburg posted. So if you want you can visit there.

July 4 Parade

2007-07-09T17:09:00.000-05:00

Well I'm behind so sue me.

Sleazy breakfast before the parade.

Plenty of Red White and Blue
to be found.

And so we begin.
I missed a shot of the 4 jets
that flew over head.

Honor Guard leads the parade.

Larina and her nose!

There were fire trucks a plenty.
This one from Burleson.

Briaroaks Volunteer Fire Department

North Central Johnson County

Larina got a football.

Horses of course.

Crowley police department.

There was quite an array of
WW II vets and vehicles.

Larina picking up candy.
We collected more than on Halloween!

Kids in wagons.

Chase and Tyler got balloons.

Larina got one too.

Got to show off the balloon to grandma.

Chase and Tyler picking up
their share of the booty.

You got me but the kids loved it.

A bit unusual commemorating
the civil war.

And whats a parade without
a tractor or two.

I thought the car was really cute.

Antique Cars always.

Nice wagon!

He don't look like Bing Crosby to me.

Didn't get a good shot of Uncle Sam.

Dough Boys!

A few days later but
dang ain't they cute!

Well thats it for now folks. Hope you had a great 4th of July!

First Trip To The Fire Works Stand

2007-07-06T07:51:00.000-05:00

Well we started the day earlier with a play in the rain with the whole crew. I stayed inside with the camera, "momma didn't raise no fool", while the kids and the dog did everything from mud puddles to wet t shirt throwing. Granny Flo picked up the boy's later that evening and we took Larina to the fire works stand to get fire works for the family get together set for Sunday evening.

Twinkie!

Little Stuff

2007-06-27T16:24:00.000-05:00

Family matters first. Larina discovered her shadow for the first time last night, it took me awhile to figure out what was both fascinating her and scaring her a little at the same time. The boys have reached the age where they are getting to big to be kids now but at the same time they lack the maturity of an adolescent. Constant fighting and rowdy rough play. Paxton learned to walk well last week at age 11 months. The amazing thing is he can already stand up in the middle of a room an act that usually requires an additional 2 or 3 weeks to master.

The rain continues and both forks of the Trinity river are starting to flow out of their banks with more rain to come. There were two little girls 2 and 4 I think and their grandmother drown last week when a flood came through Gainesville sweeping away the trailer they were in.

Well other than the day to day grind thats it for today.

Luv ya my daughter.

Day at the park.

2007-06-22T12:22:00.001-05:00

Well yesterday was a big day for the kids. Called Brennen and arranged to meet him Jessie, Landon, Daniel and Paxton at the Mound Elementary play ground. It’s been cloudy and rainy around here all week which made for some interesting times at the play ground. Shenzi went too of course and she had as much fun as the kids did. Shenzi was well behaved and did not run off. I have videos as well but with a land line it takes to long to upload so I’ll burn them on to a CD and send it along to you. Larina has no fear of anything, mom thinks its because she wants to do what the boys do and doesn’t think about what she is really doing. So on with the picture show.

Well I'm having some trouble with this blog so what you see is what you get. Sorry

Tyler after Terabitia

Chase swinging Larina and picking her flowers.

Packman with dad at the park.

Chase Tyler

Larina was asleep when we got

there I put her on a blanket took

about 5 seconds to figure out

where she was.

Jesse, Brennen, Paxton and Larina.

Daniel, Landon and Chase.

Tyler’s it.

Shenzi needed a break didn’t last long.

I ain’t goin and you can’t make me.

Enough of the small fry

stuff I want the big slide.

Larina!

Shenzi and her new friends.

If the boys can walk this thing so can I!

Landon giving Larina a helping hand.

I could have done without Brennen’s foot.

Larina clean. Larina not so clean.

Also the boys talked me into getting Terabithia with their allowance and it had them crying at the end.

Speaking of which.

The End

Adventures In Hair Cuts

2007-06-18T08:08:00.000-05:00

Larina got her first real trip to the house of hair cuts Saturday morning. Robin decided that I needed one too, so off we went to Faye's killing tho birds with one stone.

Larina wanted nothing to do with
that bed sheet around her neck.

She's still not sure about all this.

But a sucker for me
to just sit here hmmmm.

Sucker or not this can't be fun.

Grandma distracts me.

Coming into the home stretch.

Nobody said anything about
sweeping me with a broom.

As always lots of hugs for Shenzi

The boys spent the weekend with Craig. Larina has developed a new habit of coming into our room at around 5:30 am and making some noise to wake grandma so she can climb into bed with us and spend the rest of the night there.

As for the building next door work there has had to stop due to rain again, rain is in the forecast for the next 5 days or so. Larina mom and I made a trip to Covington and looked at the restaurant that is being worked on by the folks who bought the equipment from me. I wish them well they have a tough row to hoe. I will be posting them in the In and Around blog sometime this week.

And so until next time keep your piece clean and your socks dry.

Just Another Day

2007-06-15T17:12:00.001-05:00

Rain all morning so got caught up on some building stuff worked on kitchen some more. Made a trip to the bank and took the kids to CiCi's pizza heartburn all the way. Made a run to Lowe's and looked at stainless sinks need cheap and deep. Sink $88 counter top $11 next week maybe I'll get'r done.

Shenzi figured out how to escape found her wondering around the property when we got home and cookie came over looking for some help installing a new storm door spent about an hour putting that in. Made 20 bucks who who!

Craig gets the boys at around 7 this evening and we are going out to eat with Brennen and Jessie.

Enlarge the image and you can see that Paxton had a great time at grandpas place. This was while he spent 5 days over here with me while Jessie went to her grandfathers funeral. Paxton is walking now not quite a year yet.

Thats it for today.

Hard Days Work

2007-06-14T16:58:00.000-05:00

Well back over to the building next door. Trying to break Larina of the bottle and she's fighting it every inch of the way. Had to quit on the building due to rain.

End of a hard days work.
(Click on images for enlargement)

The building at start that morning.

Sunset the other evening

A Busy Day

2007-06-14T08:07:00.000-05:00

Well I sold most of the equipment from the burger joint and spent a goodly part of the day putting a working kitchen back together in order to fix the daily meals.

Robin took Chase to see the pulmonlogist and got the report after the test that his lungs are in the best shape that the doctor has seen in the last 4 years. The Immuno Guard is working.

The evening was spent getting a new set of hot plates for the kitchen and we took the kids to Bruams for ice cream and then to the park to play. Larina went nuts on the place, no diaper bag so had to cut it off early and go home. Changed her diaper and played red light green light with the boys while Larina ate green grapes. She came over when she was through and played the game too but got pooped and said it was time to go in and catch a nap. Was not time for bed yet so we watched True Lies the boys have never seen this movie and really got off on it. Movie ends and its off to bed for us all.

Building next door

2007-06-11T16:41:00.000-05:00

Well we started the refit on the outside of the building next door. The boys got tired of hauling the boards around back so I let them start pulling boards off. Larina gets tired quick when we work over there so I took the pack and play over for her to nap in. I forgot to take the camera but I will definitely remember for tomorrow. The boys were supposed to put the boards on the burn pile behind the building after I called it a day I strolled around back and found boards scattered everywhere. Well I guess that will be their first project tomorrow. We had Paxton at the house from 4:30 Tuesday till 5:00 pm Sunday it was to say the least a busy week and got nothing done.

Larina likes to use Chenzi as a pillow to sleep on. Logan's on line but hes stuck up and won't IM me back.

Rubba Dud Dub Larina's in the tub.

Well thats it for today I'm tired from this mornings fun.

Lawn Mower Man aka Tyler

2007-06-06T07:56:00.000-05:00

Tyler wanted to make some money
by mowing the property. Modified
the mower so it was more his size.
Age 9

In Tyler's world if its in the way mow it.
The end result after mowing part of a
bed frame sticking out from a burn pile.

Night at the ball park

2007-06-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

Well Danaca the kids had a great time at the park Tyler got his ball signed and Chase got a ball from somewhere and got it signed too. Larina and Paxton had fun as well but it caught up with them around the 7th inning and if the Cats had not tied the score in the 9th they would have made the whole game. Chase and Tyler by and large had free reign with little corralling. Sorry I have no pics I forgot the camera. Saturday was a take it easy day some work got done not much. Sunday Carla took Larina for the day and we took the boys to Pirates 3 danged if they didn't set up for P4.
Lots of twists and turns in the movie though and definitely a surprise ending.

The rig is working Brennen's tail off and he's afraid of it, all kids running the rig no one over 24. They are not taking care of it and play to many games, the shift schedule sucks and is not stable this rig will have an accident sooner or later.

More rain and the ground here is so saturated that water oozes up out of it for 3 or 4 days after the storm. The entry way to the property is turning into a bog with algae and moss growing, frogs everywhere toadstools and mushrooms, grass grows faster than you can cut it and you can only cut it once every 4 or 5 days otherwise its raining. Lakes are full to the top I guess that means the drought is officially over.

How about some pics.

Larina the supervisor carefully watching over Chase and Tyler as they build mud something or others.

Lasagna!
Self explanatory.

Fun with Chase, Tyler and Landon.

Tyler decides he can be a Lawnmower Man.

Red Light Green Light Paxton and Larina liked it too.