Hey guys,

.... wait a minute Marc, we've travelled together.......

Chilly start here, but warmed right up. We have GGD for the week. GD-in-law getting moved, so we are watching her until Sunday. She didn't sleep too well last night, so, neither did we.

Made a trip to the 'city' to give GS some of the things GD-in-law took with her... microwave, extra pillows, a vacuum and an old Lazy Boy. He's doing pretty well, or at least is putting on a pretty good show.

I did get a little work in at the shop after we got back.

Hey guys, good day here. Started off very chilly...below freezing. But turned around quickly and recovered to upper 70s.

Worked in the shop most of the day.

Feeling much better today, no headaches, body aches or hacking.

Also, seems like those doctor visits are more common as we get older. Not my favorite times.....

Morning guys... VERY chilly this morning, back porch thermo says 30. It is mid October. Slept like a log last night. No headache yet, but body aches are still present. Overall, I feel a little better this morning.

Still holding out for a good report Tommy.

Hey guys, pretty chilly here today. Went out to the shop to glue a couple of chests together.

Last night I came home from the football game, got chilled...low grade fever. While out in the shop, I started getting a headache. Was supposed to go over after church to babysit GGD, but I told Rosie, I'd better not because of my symptoms. So she had a Covid test and we checked ... Positive... so we had another brand and I took a second one ... POSITIVE. She took one and she's negative. So she's going over to watch GGD. Headache a little better this evening, but lightheaded. Going to lay low for a couple days.


Hoping no news is good news Tommy.

Morning guys...Cold and windy this morning, 45 degrees. So, it feels much cooler.

Work in the shop today.

Hey guys, another beautiful day here. I decided that today would be a good day to peddle my Tootsie Rolls for Knights of Columbus. It's an annual event that is nationwide. The funds go to intellectually handicapped citizens. We always donate our funds to the local schools' Special Education classes. I worked on that all morning and sold almost half of the 30 cases we bought to sell.

This afternoon, I worked on the side curtains for the new awning. Got the material cut and stapled to 1 x 4s so I can screw those to the beams. Waiting on some stainless steel eye hooks to be able to mount them to the 6 x 6s.

Later, I started on a cutting parts for a couple of chests. Still waiting on materials for the bathroom remodel for the couple over in the 'city'.

Hope you find sonny boy, and everything is alright Tommy.

Hey guys, another pretty day here. Over to the shed to try and finish the awning today. First off I grabbed the trim metal left over from the shed covering the fascia. thought I had just enough to finish the awning. Cut and bent it as needed and had JUST enough. Back to install it and found my cordless 1/4" crown stapler had a dead battery...couldn't find my second battery, so had to do something else until the battery finished charging.

So That meant I remade the triangulated braces. Between the cutting of the trim and redoing the braces that took me to after noon. With freshly charged battery in hand, it only took about 2 hours this afternoon to put all the metal fascia trim up. Then I spent about an hour cleaning up and another hour putting tools away back home.

Hey guys, Beautiful day here, low 80s and light breezes. Gave me the opportunity to put the metal roofing on. Bought 10' pieces but needed to cut them off at 9'6",so took half of them at a time, evened them up, clamped them down and cut 7 pieces at once using my 4 1/2" grinder with a cutting wheel on it...worked well. marked and pre-drilled the holes for the screws. I then figured a way out to put the metal up by myself and get it aligned properly...by noon I had the north side on and screwed down.

Not sure about what all is going on with GS GD-in law. Say a prayer if you are so inclined for a favorable outcome... whatever that might be.

Rosie caught me finishing off the ridge cap

Hey guys, went to the 50th reunion party last night and saw some people I had not seen in 50+ years. . This morning, I headed home after a big breakfast and chat with friend I was staying with. Got home about a half hour before Rosie got back from the GGD surgery checkup. She's doing great and can start eating soft foods Wednesday.

On the bad side, Momma and GGD are moving back to Nebraska as she is missing her parents... not sure she is thinking the process through completely. GS just got a promotion in his job and won't be going.... maybe more there than we know. We are very sad.....

Hey guys, Up early yesterday (4 am) to head back to central Kansas to watch Leo run in his XC meet. He ran a PB (personal best) for an 8k race, so he was pleased. Afterwards I headed south while Rosie and #2 headed west to home. I came down to stay with a childhood friend and attend their 50th year class reunion. I was in the class as well up to the 8th grade, when Dad and mom moved us west for a new teaching position for Dad. Anyway, through FaceBook, I reconnected with this one classmate and through him another, who was class president, and the one in charge of getting the reunion together and he sent me an invite to it. So, beings Leos' race was only 20 minutes away, I've made it a weekend. Staying with the friend, who just moved back from Californica to the home town.

Yesterday afternoon we went out to visit another classmate, not mine, as he went to another school in the district, but the same high school. When he told me who it was, I thought the name sounded familiar, but couldn't place it for sure. So, when the first friend introduced me, he said, "I remember you, Tom. You were a high jumper and we competed against one another in 7th and 8th grade." Then he turned to his wife and said, "I hated him because he always beat me." we had a really nice chat for about an hour.

Then that evening we went to visit another classmate (again not one of mine as he went to yet another school in the district), we hit it off as well. Both of which will be at the banquet this evening and I'm looking forward to seeing again.

This morning, Kevin and I decided to go back down to the old neighborhood and reminisce. Of course he lived in the neighborhood until he went off to college (his folks lived there several years longer), so he had remembered quite a few things that brought back lots of memories for me. He told me several of the classmates (who WERE in my class) were going to be there this evening.

Before I left home, I dug out old class pictures from our grade school days. I'll be taking them with us this evening.
I'm staying here again tonight and will head home tomorrow.

That was not even close to stupid...the ladder was better secured there in the back of the pickup than trying to get one to set firmly on that unleveled ground.

Finished up the decking before noon Friday, headed over to the 'city' to pick up the metal and brought it home and put it in the storage garage before going to the football game.

Evening guys, my arse is dragging. Up and out the door early. Marked and cut the fascia boards. Installed a temporary stop against the fascia to hold the decking on the roof while I glued and screwed it down. By noon we had three full sheets up, as I was screwing the third one down when my phone rang. The guy was sitting in front of our house waiting to pick up the Caddy. So I quickly uncovered it and we got it down and he loaded it up and off he went.

Ate a bite to eat and went back down and finished putting the decking on the south side...7 sheets. I was up and down the ladder about 100 times today and my knees are feeling it.

Matt, They gave me just about what I figure...not enough , but what I figured and what was told by the body shop.

Hey guys, up and round early. Took the Caddy down to get the new tires put on (totally missed the appointment yesterday). Then went down to the shed and marked off the rafter tails and cut them all off to length. Then it was time for my monthly massage. Then picked up the Caddy (made appointment to have 4 wheel alignment).

Ate a little lunch and then off to Holly, Colorado to see a wholistic doctor (Rosie and I both), maybe she can figure a few things out about our health issues we face, she seemed to understand our concerns and after reviewing our bloodwork will come up with a plan. She was really interested in my kidney stone history and is hoping that she can do something to alleviate that problem.

Tomorrow, we hope to get the fascia board put up and maybe start the decking.

They (insurance company) are supposed to come pick up the old Caddy tomorrow as well. Then we can receive our settlement check soon after that.

Hey guys, busy day for me. Nice cool start. An inch of rain overnight. Spent the morning precutting the rafters for the awning. Then this afternoon Rosie and I put them up. All 26 rafters and 13 collar ties. Up and down the ladders about 100 times.

Hope the kid is OK Tommy, dumb-ass parents will probably try to get something out of their stupid kids' decisions/actions.

Hey guys, long day here. pretty morning, so Rosie and I headed to the shed and we got triangulation braces installed. Then we headed to the 'city' to pick up the rafters and decking material, some groceries and watch GGD for a while.

They claim we will get some rain tonight and tomorrow afternoon/evening.

Getting new tires on the Caddy tomorrow. The OEM Pirellis are a bit noisy and rough riding ... run flats. Putting Continentals on ... non run flats.

Tommy, I had three hernia surgeries in 14 months, guess I was lucky and didn't have those problems you are experiencing. First one was just an incision beneath the belly button...no air pumped into the abdomen. That one didn't take and (a different doctor, hernia specialist) Did the second one4 months later to repair the repair. Pumped me full of air on that one. Then they found the one down in the groin, so back 10 months later, this time he put in a mesh from the groin all the way up to the rib cage. Blew me full of air that time too. That was a few years back....the belly one is back again. Not going to mess with it unless it starts hurting.

Went down to the shed to work on the awning addition this morning. With a little help from Rosie, I got the 4 x 5 beams installed and all the temporary braces removed. 21' long on the north and south sides, each one spliced together. Took us about 2 1/2 hours

Then home and out to the shop to finish the cabinet for the bank.

Tomorrow, we'll go back to the shed and cut and install permanent bracing. Then we get to go over to the 'city' to pick up materials for the roof system, rafters and decking...and to watch GGD so her daddy can go to work and mommy get home from work, an overlap of about an hour or so.

Well, we are home. Didn't get to come home on Thursday like we had thought/planned. GGD did OK, but doc didn't make it in until late and he was concerned about her making the trip home that late in the day, so he told them they could go in the morning. He showed up early and told them they could go (7am). They called us and we rushed down trying to get there early enough to miss rush hour traffic (which we did by 8am). Nurses didn't have paperwork done yet and had to wait for the pharmacy for the meds. Finally left at a little after 10am.

A couple stops on the way home, GGD did great...and is still doing great, which really surprises us. Almost as though she never had the surgery. We praise God for that.

Been hot here low to mid 90s. Today is the start of returning to near 'normal' temps.

Morning guys....

Still her I the hospital. Waitiing for the doctor to come in and release ggd. She had to be drinking before they would release her. They, the nurses and parents, were trying to force it down, Grandpa Tom was able to get her to take all she needed by letting her choose. Now, if the doctor would come, we could head for home. She really needs a nap it fights it terribly. We are hoping once in her car seat, she’ll sleep at least part of the way home.

Hey guys, GGD out of surgery in less than 2 hours. Recovery for about an hour, Doc said she did great. GD-in laws' parents came down too, so we left them there to be with them and we headed back to #1 house to grab some stuff to deliver for #2 grandsons new place in Lawrence (about a 40 minute drive from here. Delivered and put together the desk and chair, then headed back to KC to watch grandsons play football. Then off to see #3 daughter and eat a little something with them and visit. GGD is not having a good time of it. Lots of pain/crying. I can't imagine what is going through her 14 month old mind... hurts me to think about it. I know this was a must do surgery, but hard to take. If she isn't drinking on her own tomorrow, we won't be going home. Hoping and praying that the pain starts going away over night. I know we are in for a pretty rough two weeks. Repair of the soft palate is touchy for the first two weeks as any damage to it can cause another hole and a repeat of this surgery.

Please say a prayer for our little one for rapid healing, short and longer term.

We are at the hospital, GGD in surgery, Now a three hour wait

Hey guys, I was being "grandpa sitted" yesterday by GGD. We had a good time together. She stayed again last night so we could get things ready for the trip to KC a little later today....her momy has to work until 1:45, so we will be tyhey shortly after she gets home to pick them up and head east.

She is very unsuspecting of what is going to happen tomorrow. We are hoping for a quick surgery and an even quicker recovery time. She will get nothing but liquids for 2 weeks, and no bottle and no pacifier....going to be a long tough two weeks.

Today, I worked in the shop trying to get a couple things done. About headed up to take a shower, Have a great day folks.

Hey guys, Up and around and off to the church hall as the Knights made biscuits and gravy for after Mass. Served about 70.

Back hom and I changed clothes and went down to the storage shed t work on my awning project. Got all the posts cut to length (while standing), got the notches cut for the horizontal posts cut and the side to side joists installed. Looks great, but really wore my arse out.

Came home, and while I gave the Caddy a bath, Rosie headed over to the 'city' to pick up GGD, as grandpa gets to watch her tomorrow, as Grandma Rosie has a girls luncheon gathering to attend in central Kansas. We will keep her again tomorrow night as Tuesday we head to KC for GGDs surgery to close up the hole in the roof of her mouth, and GS and wife both work until early afternoon, then we will pick thm up and head east. We, GGD and I, will try to give the pick up a little bath to utilize some of the time.

Hey guys, no 'Slow Ride' for us.... We left Branson at 5:20am this morning and headed home. Stopped in Wichita to see Rosie's dad. While she went in I stayed out in the car, with the windows down, and took a 45 minute nap, enough to get me home.

#2 texted us when we were about an hour out and told us she had supper ready for us when we got back. That saved us from having to figure that out.

My butt is dragging, headed to bed.

Hey guys, damp morning here in Branson. Rained here last night, don't know how much, but has made it a bit muggy this morning. Not much planned here today.

We did hit two shows yesterday. "tHAT Mentalist Guy" who proceeded to freaking blow our minds. At one point, he chose 7 people to write their name on a card, and write down the name of a “childhood pets name”. I was chosen too. They had a member of the audience pick them up, no looking at them. Then they mixed them good and picked one and sealed it in an opaque (black) envelope. Then had another member of the audience come hold it up. He asked all of us (7) to think about what we wrote. Pretty soon he asked if someone had the initials RB. Then he said “I’m getting a fragrance, this is unusual, Do you like to cook?” Does your name have something to do with cooking?  “No” she says, I jump in and say, “Yes it does.” He then says “in your mind, spell your name….. eww, it’s a long one. OHH! It’s Rosemary !  B… Buchanan, No, BACHMAN.” Then he said he was seeing the color Blue, but the pet isn’t a bird, does the color blue have any reference? Rosemary responded “No”, I said,  Yes it does! He then said Oh the name is Sky? (the name of the only dog we ever had)  He went on to another item. Then came up and said, “Tom, is there a Tom?” I raised my hand and then he said, “Well, we already know your last name.  Think about your pet…. Oh, that’s sweet, you really liked this pet.  That’s nice… Oh, the pets name was Candy (which was the name of the only pet I had a a kid). He then went on and finished the show and at the end he said How many of you noticed the board up here with the padlock on it? It had been there since before the show started. He explained how  thing’s come into his mind and he’ll just write it down whether it makes sense or not and that he had written these down before the show started. He brings the locked and covered board up front, unlocks it and removes the cover. On it, it has the words “blue, Sky, sweet and Candy” I just about crapped my pants.

The other show we saw was Reza, an illusionist (Magician). He was freaking awesome as well. Made motorcycles appear in front of our eyes, transported people (from the audience, as a matter of fact one of our friends was one, so not a 'plant') from the stage to the back of the theater within a matter of maybe 5 seconds...made her promise not to tell how it was done, and she hasn't as of yet. At the end of the show he made a full sized helicopter appear in front of our eyes.....

If you ever get to Branson, or anywhere else these two are performing, I would highly recommend going to one of their shows, well worth the time/money.

Headed to Lamberts for supper this evening.

Was AWOL yesterday. Got up early and had a golfing tee time. Rained most off and on all night so when we got there we found it was "Cart path only", which meant we were going to do a LOT more walking. Branson Hills is a beautiful course and we got our asses kicked by it, but was a good time anyway. Grabbed a bite to eat and was back by mid afternoon. I decided to jump into the hot tub for a soak. It made me tired, so I took a nap. Then we went to a show "Anthems of Rock". Enjoyable evening.

Today, not much planned.

Morning guys...

Up and around this morning. Already have a mile walk in. A little muggy this morning, and supposed to be in the mid to upper 80s. I think pool time is in order this afternoon.

Morning guys...

Hey guys, slept in this morning after the long day of driving. Got a show and dinner for tonight, show tickets for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings with golf scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Temps are decent, mid 70s now with highs in the low 80s predicted. This appears to be a much better time of the year to visit Branson. The resort is much more quiet this time as well as the noisy kids aren't here either.

Hey guys, up early and off to Branson. 9 1/2 hours later we are here. The new Caddy is really nice. Found out it does/has features the 2014 didn't have, and I was finding them as we were in the car for such a long time. Like if you fade toward the centerline or road side, the '14 would vibrate which ever side you are drifting toward, the '19 will steer you back into your lane.... pretty neat feature, but it took me a while to figure out it was doing that. I thought at first, the road was throwing me around. Also it has auto shut down when you stop...that was a bit of a surprise. I thought something was wrong with the car until I figured it out....then the button on the dash that says "Auto off" made sense and I hit that button when I start up the car, now that I know about it.

Busy week planned here.

Hey guys, nice cool, but damp day here. Went over to the 'city' to pick up the base materials for my awning down at the shed. I got GS #1 to help me. so taking advantage. The load made the Silverado squat in the rear end. 6, 6x6x10' treated posts (about 100 lbs. each) 8, 4x6x12' treated beams (about 70 lbs. each) misc lumber 2x12s 2x4s...aired up the tires and pumped up the air bag overloads. Got the posts set and braced, just need to let it got a little darker so my Laser level can be visible to mark their final heights. Started raining, so had to break.

Running some concrete at the church tomorrow morning.

Morning guys... Cloudy, damp and cool. I have to make a trip over to the 'city' to pick up a few things.

Hey guys, Bought a replacement for the Caddy yesterday. Another CTS. Five years newer (2019, Same generation as the 2014) 3.6, AWD, dark polished wheels and 24K on the clock. I hate dealing with BIG dealerships. But we got within $500 of my target price.

This morning, the insurance adjuster came to look at the '14 Caddy... his first comments was "Is that really a 2014? It looks a lot newer than that. You're not planning on keeping this car are you, because it's a total." Just kept shaking his head in disbelief, "This is really a 2014, it looks like a new one." I hope that means he's going to give us top dollar on the value payout.

After everything calmed down I spent three hours washing, claybarring, polishing and applying a ceramic coating. Needs to cure out for 24 hours now.

Been raining all morning here. Supposed to clear up tomorrow, then back to a similar day as today on Wednesday.

Hey guys, been busy trying to figure out the Caddy situation. Insurance gal tells me there are 20 claims ahead of mine but the adjuster will get hold of me. Says "more than likely, it will be totaled" because of the water pouring into the dash. The body shop folks tell me the same thing "they don't want to accept the liability of electrical issues down the road". We are headed to Salina (about 4 hours away) tomorrow to look at a possible replacement.

Tennis ball size hail

Hey guys, not a great day for us here. Left KC heading south to Wichita. Stopped to see FIL at the rest home where he is at. He is not doing well. He did recognize us. But is very drugged up and slept most of the time, so we headed on home. Since our last trip there they have opened up a new section of road which made us go out of our way about a hour. Making the trip not just an hour longer going through Wichita but another hour. (Note 2 extra hours) As we were about ten minutes out of the 'city' we called our GS and found he doesn't work tomorrow and will be watching GGD himself. So we headed on home. About 10 miles from home it started raining...hailing nasty storm. Beat the hell out of the Caddy. Broke out the moon roof and back window, smashed the windshield and beat the hell out of the body. As bad as it was, Rosie and I were not hurt, we didn't, luckily, have GGD as she would have been facing the back glass which was totally obliterated and glass covering her car seat.

I'm sure that the car is totaled. The search for a replacement is already started. Even if they don't total it I'm not going to keep it. Water was pouring in through the broken moonroof into the overhead console and into the dash.

Hey guys, ....trying not to listen to us goof up the Husker game....
Marc, that didn't happen did it? K-State looked pretty good though.

Nothing on the agenda, and have done nothing, except a mile and a half walk. Headed to church pretty soon.

Hey guys, 75 here in KC while I type this (11:45) headed to the mid 80s they say. We attended the 'White Coat" ceremony for the GD (future GD actually) last night in Lawrence...very nice ceremony. Out to eat afterward and then on to KC to stay with #1. They were all up watching the Chiefs... I guess that didn't turn out like everyone thought it would.... I was dead tired and went to bed before it was over.

Nothing much on the agenda this morning...or today for that matter. Will go see #3 and family this evening as #1s family has everyone busy tonight.

Gris I hope your shows is profitable for you. Marc, why the additional metal? I thought the kit was complete? Something about local codes? I ran concrete pillars, 32" deep, for my expansion of the storage garage last week. I'll let them cure out then will start of my 'awning' to protect the trailer soon.

Hey guys, started out cool, but warming up. Not as warm as it has been but warm, looking for a high of 90 today.

Hope you find him Marc. Hoping for a good report on the skin conditions Tommy. Letty, when you work outside it seems to wear me out more/faster. Matt, you sound like my kids, chasing around. but my oldest has 6....well two are away at college now, but still chases 4 around.

Don't know about beef, but I smoked some ribs today for supper.

Sorry about the doggie, Marc.

Cool again this morning, 68 when we went over to walk the dogs, 74 now (9:30). Not a lot on the agenda, maybe prep some particleboard for the cabinet top I'm working on. Laminate should be here tomorrow.

Short work week for us, even though Rosie is over in the 'city' watching the little one, we are leaving Thursday morning to go to Lawrence (home of the Jayhawks) for the white coat ceremony for GS #2s GF/fiancée into pharmacy school. Then on over to KC to visit #1 and #3s families.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Labor day.

Morning guys...

Before she soaked herself


After soaking, still wanting to play in the water.

Hey guys... We ended up with the GGD last night. She went to sleep good and was up once, but went back to sleep. She woke up about 7:30. We got up and around and pushed her stroller over so we could walk the dogs. After that, back to the house where I washed the Caddy. Little one "helped" me.



Also got Leos' Caddy washed. All before noon. Little one was worn out and went down for a nap.

Missed HCF... But in respect for the national holiday I give you the red, white and blue wrapped Raquel.

Hey guys, a nice day at the start, 60 when we went over to walk the dogs. But by noon it was nearly 100 and has hovered right there all afternoon. Already home from church and Rosie getting supper ready. Might go back over and let the dogs out for a while.

Got the pickup washed, vacuumed and treated. Probably will do the Caddy tomorrow.

Matt, that sounds like a Caddy engine. That's right at the figure we paid to have the same thing done to the GSs back a few years. Marc, I hope the little one shows back up. Letty, I have a Jura, makes one cup at a time. Gris, hope you are enjoying your company.

RIP, Jimmy.

Had my lunch, time to go walk dogs.... Upper 80s now and still climbing fast.

Leo...

Morning guys... Cool again to start, but promises to get HOT by this afternoon. Rosie and I are dog-sitting #2s 4 dogs while she and hubby are in Oklahoma for "Rocklahoma". We took the dogs on a mile and a half walk this morning. Rosie just left for the 'city' to sit with GGD. I'm headed to the shop to work on a couple projects. At noon, I'll go back and walk the dogs again.

Leo has his first collegiate cross country meet today. Wish we could go and watch, but with the dog sitting and the meet 4 hours away, it just can't happen.

Emjoy the family, Gris. Too bad for the Husker FB team, Marc. Really nice writeup Tommy, almost sounds as though YOU wrote it. Letty, the summer did fly by, but I have a feeling that you'll still have some pool time left this fall.