Dodge Rammed!

On Saturday I went through the car wash for the first time this year. I guess the new shine distracted the driver of the duelly Dodge Ram 3500 heavy duty that was pulling into Lowes as I waited patiently at the stop sign to exit Lowes. I sat there incredulously watching as that truck half-turned, mostly just veered it's way into me. The driver was watching something to his left as he made a right turn...not too bright. He looked at me just before impact.
I should have asked him the brand of the brush gaurd he had on the front of that thing, cause it received zero damage...not even a scratch. (I give no credit to the dodge itself.)

"I got insurance" were Rammer's first words after completing his tour through my GMC and stopping along the curb. "Sorry, I'm not used to driving this big rig. It's my grandpa's." He continued.

My thoughts: "Glad it's grandpa's because you probably don't insure your own vehicle."

Rammer interupts my thoughts, "We probly don't need to call the cops on this, do we?"

My first words: "I don't think so, as long as you have the proper documentation."

Unfortunate event: Insurance card was out of date and for a different vehicle. Only registration in the Ram was for a boat.

Police dispatcher: "Well, we're awefully busy, will the damage amount to more that $750.00?"

Me: "Definately."

Police dispatcher: "From that license plate, we do show registration current and valid to the grandfather."

Me: "Thanks, what do I do about a report? After all, without any other proper documentation, we're going to need something."

Police dispatcher: "Go to your nearest fire station and pick up a form. You can fill out the report yourself. Sorry, we've just got a lot going on right now."

Me: "Thanks, I'll get on it..." while thinking, "Saturday evening barbeque takes a lot of manpower."

After hanging up with the police dispatcher, I found my new friend, Rammer, diligently waiting on hold with the insurance agency. He got through, explained the situation, and had them verify to me that the lapsed policy card did indeed represent a current policy that also covers the Dodge Ram.

With all the pieces of the insurance puzzle I finally headed home with the last pieces I needed to enclose our fence:

7 Months

Mater - 7 Months

Dad - 7 Months

Any Questions?

Summer Fun

Some friends took us out on Long Lake this last weekend in ther ski boat. We were a little worried about Tin because she is typically scared of motorized anything besides cars. Last year she wouldn't get near a boat. We prepped her as best we could talking with plenty of excitement about it, and when we got in the boat she was still a little bit skittish, but was willing to sit right next to mom or dad. Mater was just happy to be there.

I got to ski a little bit. It always takes me a few tries to get up the first time each year. This time the ski had a double-boot system which was very different, but easier to ride after getting up.

We stopped at one point and just played in the water. Caitin was willing to get her feet wet on the deck, but would not jump in the water. She was happy to splash, though, and with little encouragement she pushed dad overboard...several times. She could not hold back the laughter that burst out each time she got the best of me!

As promised...

Fencing

We've been working into the dark the last couple of evenings, and we have one panel of the fence nearly complete to show for it. Sarah is super excited about it. She's right in there digging, tamping, and fastening with me when she's not chasing the little ones around. We're excited for the privacy, and hope to achieve a bit of sound dampening as well.

I promise there are pictures to come soon...

Summer Projects

We have finally collected our stimulus check, and have dedicated a portion of it to building the privacy fence we've always wanted. I started putting together my material list and realized that I would be building off of the garage...which does not stand vertical. Add to the list some 1/4-inch cable, a few eye-bolts, and the largest turnbuckle available at the neighborhood hardware store.


I racked the back end of the garage until it was vertical and then braced it with a couple of sturdy 2x4's slanted across the framing. When I released the cable it stood properly. Then I moved to the front which and only half-way followed the back. After applying the turnbuckle I had the difficult task of bracing around the door opening. With 4 custom-cut 2x4's applied on either side of the door and above the door, the garage now stands vertical on its own.

I'll apply some pictures later that show how much movement was required to get the garage vertical. It was over an inch distance at the height of the old chain-link fence.

Last night I dis-assembled the chain-link fence and dug out all the posts. I put in three of the new posts and bracing and concreted them in. (As a side-note...some plastic wheelbarrows are not strong enough to deflecting shovel stabs. Is there another way to open sack-crete bags?) Fortunately the resulting hole in the bottom of my wheelbarrow is only a crack at this point, and was still tight enough to mix concrete in.

One of these days I'll post the pictures play-by-play to show our progress. Something about keeping busy in the summer does not promote keeping documented in the summer.

Catchup Time! (Heinz only please)

Here's two weeks worth of fun for the taking...starting with today and working backwards:

Look another river trip! This time Caitin and I went on a woods ride and found a little beach near a set of rapids named the Devil's Toenail (in the background). We threw rocks for a bit and then made our way back up to the trail.

This was the hill we rode down to get to the beach. Good thing the trailer has good straps that hold Caitin in!

On Sunday we had a previous co-worker and his family over for dinner. They have twin daughters about two weeks older than Jamie.

I went on my first campout with the teachers and deacons of this ward. Our "service project" here was to gather slash piles and burn them!

I signed up for my very first mountain bike race on a beautiful evening here in Spokane. The race consisted of an 11-mile loop through the state park. I elected to do two loops, not knowing that only 9 others would join me in that venture. After lap 1 I felt like I could quit and be happy, but then I decided that I needed to get my money's worth, and plugged on. I was the very last to come in. The kegger and awards party were just breaking up, and I raced into the finish line in the dust of departing vehicles. I did come away with a snazzy pair of FOX socks!

Costco has these sweet new shopping carts that fit two more comfortably than our car. Couldn't help documenting the moment.

The week before my scout camp, we decided to go on our own campout with some friends. It was still a bit chilly here, so Sarah bundled Jamie up good. Ever camp with a 6-month old? Actually, she did very well!

And that does it! We're all caught up for the summer. Now we're off on an Independance Day adventure in eastern Idaho...