Standiford Family Web Log

We made a quick trip to Fort Wayne this weekend. Had a wedding to go to on Saturday. We also were taking a china cabinet to Kelly so I took Friday off and we rented a UHaul trailer. I left Friday morning so that I could get some of the stuff done on Friday. Beth, April and Kayden followed Friday evening. I went to Tom and Linda’s and Tom went with me to Kelly’s to unload the china cabinet. We then went to Fish of Stroh. Found out the Pine Valley FOS has closed up. Their lease was due and they were raising the rent so high plus it was an 8 year lease so they are looking for a new place. So we went to Georgetown. Jamie and Kelsey were so cute at the restaurant. They just really cracked me up. I left the trailer at Kelly’s so I did not have to tow it all the way back to Peru. Beth and April got to Peru about 2:00 am. We got up Saturday morning and drove out to the farm. They have sold the farm so they are working on getting it cleaned up and ready to auction off some of the personal items. We then went to the wedding and then went to Mr. Coney. Went back to Kelly’s to pick up the trailer and drove out to the farm. I knew I would never be able to turn the truck and trailer around in the drive so I thought I would go out and turn around in the barnyard. However, it was very wet there and my tires started to spin. I put it in four wheel drive but the front tires didn’t do anything. Had to pull it out with the tractor. Loaded up another china cabinet in the trailer and then headed back to Peru.

Sunday morning we went back out to the farm. Hooked up the trailer. Beth and family spent some time going through stuff in the shop, garage and basement. Left about noon and drove home.

UPDATE ON TRUCK: I called Marshall Ford on Monday and they said I could bring it in that night and they would work on it on Tuesday. They called and said they thought a seal was out on the right front locking hub because there was no vacumn on the system but when they pulled the hose from the right front and plugged it they got vacuum. I have the extended warranty so they called and checked and were told it would be covered. They called back a little later and said it would not be covered because the ‘guts’ of the hub were GONE. Only the splined shaft and the cover were there. I got on the phone with the dealer that we bought it from and they said they would take care of it. They called Marshall Ford and had them bring it to their dealership so they could repair it. When it is done they are going to bring it back to us. The dealership is in St. James so it would be a pain if we had to go get it. Sounds like they are going to take care of the situation though. Like I told them, I bought a 4 wheel drive truck but that is not what I got. Guess we will see.

Beth is going back to Fort Wayne this weekend to do more on the farm but I am staying here to go camping. Don’t know what it will be like to camp by myself but should have a lot of our friends there.

Took the truck in for the 60,000 mile service. OUCH. The service itself was expensive enough, but then they tell me that we have an external transmission filter that should be replaced and that is $173. Then they call and tell me that the left rear brake pad fell apart so the rear brake pads need to be replaced. $105. Then they call back and tell me that the brake caliper was damaged by the brake bad and needs to be replaced. $225.  Only good thing is that when we leave on vacation in about a month I know that the brakes are in good shape.

Went camping again. All week the weather men were saying it was supposed to be nice on Saturday and rain late Sunday. Guess what. It was lousy weather the whole weekend. We got there about 6:30 pm. I dropped Beth off at the Creekside Cafe and went over and started our refridgerator and also from Bob and Bonnie. Went back to the cafe and we ate before we set up. They have a great grilled chicken salad. We have been getting it every Friday evening.

When we got to the camper Bob and Bonnie were at their camper so we went over for a bit. They have another dog. It belongs to their future daughter-in-law and this little dog does not get along with their son’s bigger dog so they said they would take it and see if it works out. It is two years younger then their dog and they seem to be getting along okay.

We got up Saturday morning and went to the board of director’s meeting. There were quite a few people there and they were all complaining about the fact that the lodge is not done yet and the sport’s arena is behind schedule. I think the board is doing a good job and they can’t control the weather. When we got back to the camper we started to watch the movie Avatar. Beth knew that I wanted to see it so she rented. it. She did not think she would like it but turned out to be a good movie. About 3:00 we left for Missouri University in Columbia. Scott’s fiance recieved her degree in animal sciences. When we got back we finished the movie and went to bed.

We left about 10:30 am and got home about noon. I mowed the grass even though it was a bit wet but it was not raining so I thought I had better mow it while I had the chance. Beth worked on cleaning out the garage from the garage sale. Just about back to normal.

Will be in Fort Wayne next weekend for a wedding. It is going to be a busy weekend so I don’t know if we will get a chance to visit much.

We went down to the campground again this weekend. We were the only couple of the group that was down there. Got down Friday night and ate a nice big grilled chicken salad at the Creekside Cafe before we even set up. Of course, it only takes about 15 minutes to set up. We pay $6 and they level it and put down the jacks, hook up the water, electric and sewer. So the only thing we do outside is to but in the wheel chocks (they only use rocks), turn on the water and turn on the electric. They we carry in the food and clothes, run out the slides and we are done.

Didn’t do a whole lot on Saturday. We did watch a DVD and I upgraded Beth’s computer to Windows 7. Also worked on the camper some. There is a wiring issue that I don’t like. It is not a warranty item since they say this is the way they intended to do it but I don’t like it. The door side security light and the outside light by the door are wired to a single switch. I am trying to find the wires so that I can split them and put in another switch. We would like to be able to leave the porch light on without the need to turn on the security light. Right now I have the bulb removed from the security light so that we can use the porch light. We opened up a section behind the ‘basement’ in the camper and I think I may be able to get to the wires there. Still not sure. But we left the screws out so we won’t have to do as much work next time.

Came home earlier then usual since it is Mother’s day. Beth, April and Kayden went to the Magic House this afternoon. It is some kind of hands on children’s museum. Mother’s get in for free with their kids son they will only charge for Kayden.

Scott wants to take us to dinner tonight for Mother’s Day but I don’t know where yet. Next weekend we will be going camping again but on Saturday night we will drive to Columbia for Jess’s graduation for Mizou. (Jess is Scott’s fiance.) After the graduation we will drive back to the campground and finish the weekend.

Went over to West County mall to the Apple store to look at the iPad. It is a cool device and I might like one someday but it needs a web cam built in first.

After lunch I worked in the yard. Mowed the grass and cleaned up the area where the shed was sitting. I need to decide if I am going to put the supports in the ground or have it done. The new shed is bigger than the old one was so they will have to be changed. I think I am going to call the son of one of our camping couples and see if he is interested in pouring supports or maybe even a pad. Not sure yet. By the time I was done my back was very sore. I think it is from so much time spent yesterday standing on concrete.

While I was working outside Beth was working on the inside. The house had gotten a bit cluttered from the sale and she cleaned up all of that. It is really hard to get all this stuff done when we are gone almost every weekend. Last year we started taking one weekend a month as a work weekend and I think we might have to do that again. Oh well, tomorrow is back to work.

Today was a garage sale day for the subdivision. Beth had yesterday off so she worked most of the day to get set up. When I got home I helped with a few things that she didn’t get done.

Beth got up earlier then me and finished setting up. There were cars on the street just waiting for the doors to open. There was steady trafic for most of the morning. We closed up at 1:00 pm. Made about $176. The neighbors made over $300. Now we have to figure out what to do with all the stuff we didn’t sell. There is a church in the neighborhood that will take all if not most of it and I think some of it we will give to them. Just have to figure out for sure what.

We have bought a new metal shed for the back yard. Nothing really wrong with the old shed, just needed one that is slightly bigger. So, we told April she could have the old one. Brian came over and took it apart. He broke it down into about 6 pieces. (Roof, back, 2 sides, front and base. He hauled most of it over on his truck. The final pieced (the back) was too big for his truck so I got our truck and we strapped it to the hard toneau cover and I hauled it over for them. When I cam home from doing that I found Beth taking a nap. In fact, she is still napping. But that’s okay since she had a couple of busy days and tends to overdue after her surgery.