New Stuff

Somehow, through a series of moves and the dividing of the stuff, I've found myself without a socket set. My friend Rob would tell you that this is a most unfortunate position to be in, particularly when you've just purchased a 1970 automobile. I kindly remind him that I have friends like him with well stocked garages and mad car-fixin' experience and skills to hold me over until I get off my duff and buy new tools. I finally got off my duff a few weeks ago, marched myself down to sears, and bought a new socket set. It has about eleventy-seventy pieces in it. It's a beautiful sight. Now that I have a set, I have not yet had a need for it. Now that I've said that, I will. This is the first in a series of tool purchases that are becoming necessary. Next on the list is likely a saw of some sort.

In other new stuff news, I finally found some new towels for my bathroom. I had pale yellow ones that matched a shower curtain that I no longer use. The pale yellow went with nothing else in the bathroom. The pale yellow does not get clean enough. The pale yellow is stained from using it to wipe off Miner's paws after late winter/early spring walks. And I really wanted some striped ones. And I really wanted some that had the blue-ish green color of the bathroom walls in them. And I really did not want to spend a fortune. As luck would have it, I scored big at Marshall's/TJ Maxx this weekend and found the perfect towels at a great bargain. I know, I know, I sound like a commercial, but seriously, don't they look great?! I wish you could see the photo my cousin Stephanie took a little better in this snapshot. It is so beach-y and looks great. Also, on the shelf, whose reflection you can see in the mirror, is a thrift store vase full of the seashells I picked up in South Carolina. I am so in love with my bathroom this week!

And lastly, there's a new blog I am following. A high school friend named Kevin has what I would call a foodie blog that I am really enjoying. Check out The Mighty Rib. I am thinking Mom and Dad will dig it. Kevin ranks Teotihuacan Mexican Restaurant in Houston, TX in his top 20. I always knew he was smart.

So Much Fun

Well, Mom and Brian both headed home today. Mom at the crack of dawn, Brian at about 1:30 PM. 

It was so much fun having them here. Thanksgiving morning, Brian and I ran/walked the Turkey Trot in Davenport. It was cold, but really fun. It was nice having B with me...he even went slow for me. We had a great meal Thursday. My friend Chanda and her mom Michelle came to share Thanksgiving dinner with us. We had such a good time. I made the WW pumpkin pie recipe. It is now my favorite pumpkin pie! It's got molasses in it, and all the usual pumpkin pie spices, but seems "spicier" than the recipe from the back of a can of pumpkin. Spicier in a good way. 

We continued our tradition of watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy until late at night. Then we added a new one: The Bourne Trilogy movies. I forgot how good those were. 

Mom helped me put up Christmas decorations. She even did my least favorite task of spreading out the branches on my artificial tree. We put lights in the bushes out front. I also got a new little snow man to add to the outdoor decorations. We had a little photo shoot, because I wanted a picture of me and Miner to send to mom, Granny and Erin. Here's a preview, but not the one currently being printed at the drug store. 

I did have to interrupt Mom's decorating to take her for a short ride in the bug with the top down. We drove over to a friend's house, but they weren't home, so we tooled around for a few minutes and came home. Then we finished the tree. You can see most of it in Miner's "bah humbug!" photo. Miner is definitely not a fan of photo shoots.

Mine, All Mine!!

You want pictures? I got your pictures. Right here!

Miner is all, "Why should I give two shits about that car? You won't take me for a ride in it!"

FAIL

Note to self. Ask owner of VW to crawl on ground and take picture of underside of car before driving 2.25 hours to Rockford, IL. Thanks E, Mom and B for talking me down from the $4,000 rust filled ledge.

VW Bug...Attempt #2

Going to look at this one tomorrow in Rockford, IL. Judging by the comments the current owner made, I think this one might have more rust. This one's a '66 and I am now certain I don't want one older than a '72. The dash matters.

VW Bug...The Search Begins

Ever since I was 15 and got my learner's permit, I have wanted an old, yellow VW convertible bug. In my dream it is yellow with a black top. This vision has morphed to include me and Miner tooling around town in it, because I think he would just love riding in a convertible.

So, I have done some bit of research on the internet, and started looking. I've also made it known to several local friends...hell, I have told damn near everyone I know. This means from time to time people stop by and say, "I saw a bug in the paper..." but so far they haven't been convertibles, or the one that was supposedly in LeClaire that I never could find...something like that.


Well, today I went to look at this one in Sterling, IL which is about an hour from here. I brought my friend Garrick along with me for the company and to help make sure I didn't make an impulse purchase of this magnitude. When I forwarded this picture to my friend most knowledgeable about VW's (Mike Quinn), he pointed out a few things to look at. A few little dings (yep, they were there, and some chips on the passenger side rear fender that were touched up poorly but no big deal, too). He also pointed out something with the rubber around the driver window...it was just "tucked in" to the channel the window goes down in, no biggie. And what appears to be a second bumper gasket on the rear bumper (driver side). It does look like there are two gaskets there from what I can tell. Almost as though the bumper on the driver side had been pushed downward or something. Not sure what to make of it. The engine looks clean, and had been recently serviced according to the owner. There was a leak of some sort that Garrick saw while we he stayed back while I took it out with the owner. Garrick didn't way anything while we were there, and I didn't notice. It shifted great and drove nicely, so no complaints there. The number one best part - no rust underneath at all. This owner as well as previous 2 kept it garaged the whole time and had not driven it in the winter at all. The other best part - the top is in great condition. The headliner has a few spots that are damaged, but not badly. The odometer doesn't work anymore apparently...so no real idea how many miles are on it, and the owner believes it's the original engine. I do know it sat for some time (several years) at one point in its life. I also know that it was once yellow and has been painted this red color that is apparently a stock Buick color or something.

So, I don't know if this one is the one for me. I want to see others...it's not like I need one RIGHT NOW (damnit!!) so I can take my time. Also, I don't know if $6700 is a good deal or not. So, in addition to my search for a bug, I am also looking for a Quad City local VW person who can help me decide what's a good buy and what isn't. I do have a good idea of what I am looking for, and what I can afford to spend, and $6700 is certainly within that budget...but I don't want to spend it if the car isn't worth it.

So, basically, the search had only just begun. I'll keep you faithful readers posted on what I find.