A New Family Member!

     I wish I could say I have been overly productive this week, getting things done and such, but no luck. I have been taking down time to try and dump some of the stress that has been piling up over the past couple of weeks and working on getting a few spaces reorganized. With the news of the kidney issues, and the problems with the engine, I just needed a break - just a small one! Actually got to closing up the engine case, and had the first stud pop out with just 10lbs of torque. So back to square one with that project. All torn down and getting reworked. I am blessed to have a very talented friend helping out with this, truly a hero to me, as I would have had to scrap the project were it not for his metal working skills. So heads are getting resurfaced so as to be salvageable, the studs are getting helicoiled into the case, and he is now working on creating a flywheel cutter that will level out the cylinder seats. I have been so amazed at what he has been able to accomplish! What I would give to know more about how things like that work! So now just waiting to see if it will all work out. Just have to have faith that it will at this point~!
     We also just adopted a rescue puppy from one of the no kill shelters here in KC, this evening. She is a beautiful 5 month old Pharaoh Hound we are naming Eshe (E's pronounced as "eh") which in Egyptian means "life". Our little girl is a parvo survivor, and has such a wonderful disposition. Settling in well and is already a great source of joy for my son and myself. Looking forward to the years passing and watching her grow!

Eshe with her piggy ears - first night in her new home!

   

A Great Day for Catching Up!

     Had a great weekend, getting a chance to shoot down for a quick trip to Buses at the Brewery down in Springfield, MO! Great day talking with friends and meeting new ones! Making it back, I ended up taking a little bit of down time, enjoyed just getting things done at home and spending a bit of time with my son.
     Finally grabbed a shot of the finished crocheted pineapple vest, thinking the color is just not doing it for me though. Believe in the next few days I will be dying it to a darker brown or even burgundy. After wet finishing, it left it a little large, but thinking the dye process should shrink it up just perfect. Other than that, fairly happy with it and look forward to getting a chance to wear it out. My camera help is not so experienced, but you can at least get an idea. I am a size 14/16, but this pattern on a G hook would easily have suited up to a size 20.

     Update on the engine rebuild - got a bit further, but not by much. Had an issue with the cam shaft not lining up well with the gear, but I am lucky to know some wonderfully talented people! A friend was able to get it to line up and we are keeping our fingers crossed that all will be well with the timing. Should be fine! Last I was at the shop, was able to get the crank and cam shafts in the case, still fighting with one of the cam shaft bearings, so still need to do a bit of adjusting before it is ready to close up (more grease needed on the center crank bearing and gears as well), but went in well for a first shot. Looking forward to getting back to work on it tomorrow! Not the best pic, but this is what it looks like now. Trying to take my time to double check, but sometimes it is hard. Nice to have someone checking behind just to make sure I got it right - it has been a good 20 years since I have messed with engines, and have had a few too many hits to the head to remember much! LOL

     Will have to make sure and post some photos from the event this weekend, had spaced on grabbing the XD card before heading out, so only able to take a few photos while I was there. Looking forward to getting more done on the new sweater tonight - will be helping out in a friends' shop for a bit this evening and figure will be an excellent time to get some knitting done. Looking forward to getting far enough along to have a photo to post on it! For now, time to get moving on some pumpkin bread I have promised for my son and a few others. They adore my mad baking skills! 

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly....

     What a week! Glad it is almost finished. This week has been busy and filled with not so good news, but suppose that is part of life. Finally back onto the engine rebuilding project. I have been blessed to have many talented and wonderful people in my life, and pray they know how much I truly appreciate them! One in particular has been wonderful about letting me rebuild the engine in a shop that he owns, and being available to help with guiding me in rebuilding it. There is much I have forgotten since my first one - twenty years previously. LOL So far, the case is clean and ready to be put back together, which is on the list for today. Figured here would be as good of a place as any, for chronicling the project.

Not much, but a clean case is a great start!

     The crochet vest is completed (wet finishing and drying now - photos soon!) and I have begun working on the new Tapestry sweater pattern. Only a few rows in and already very happy with the progress and pattern. Turning out easier than I had originally had thought it would be. Very happy about that! Was hoping to take it with this weekend for a quick jaunt to Springfield (Buses at the Brewery 2013), as I will not be driving, but thinking a small and simple hat project may be a better idea. Less chance of making a mistake on a complicated pattern! Really looking forward to the trip, though will only be there for a few hours, I can really use a bit of time to recharge, make new friends and see old acquaintances.

     Yesterday was a fairly hard day for me. I received the news from my doctor that my kidney is indeed failing. Granted, this is something I have dealt with for the past twenty years (complications after a severe trauma), but hearing it and seeing it in writing really made it hit home. They had told me I would probably be on a recipient list by the time I turned 22 years old, but it has hung in there. Turning 40 years old come January, I think it has held up well. Thankful for that. Just a bit shaken by all of the procedures, tests and solutions they may come up with now. Working on finding holistic and natural fixes, but I may have exhausted all of those - still trying to find hope and stay positive. It is what it is, and I can only try and be strong and deal with the issues as they arise. I am also thankful for having such wonderful people in my life. I have a great support network, and many  have already sent offers of assistance - even some in other states! Crazy how life goes. Just have to hold on and enjoy the ride (or try to)!