Stacked

This weekend was slow, so JP got us started on remodeling the laundry room. Step 1 was to remove the cabinets. Step 2: Stack the dryer. Yesterday we ordered a new fridge from The Home Depot (Hooray for 4th of July appliance sales!!) Now it's time to paint and find a cabinets and a utility sink/vanity before the fridge comes next Friday.

Father's Day

For Father's Day, we just hung out around the house and enjoyed the mild weather. JP had us all laughing about something.

Another Anniversary

This week we celebrated our anniversary with the boys at our favorite neighborhood lodge. Hard to believe how quickly time flies when you're having fun!

FSAE 2018

CP & I spent two long days at this year's Formula SAE event in Lincoln working as Technical Inspectors for the electric cars. It was a blast!! There were teams from universities all over the world competing in a dozen categories: design, cost, acceleration, braking, skid pad, fuel consumption, etc.

I've been trying to get CP interested in joining the UNL team. They don't have an electric car, but they still need all sorts of electronics gear.

Here's a video of what Formula SAE is about: 

Rainy Drive Home

I wasn't paying attention to the weather the other day and got caught off guard when I walked out of work to go home. There was a storm stretching from Beatrice to Lincoln that looked nasty. Fortunately, there was no hail.

Too Much Fish?

Last week I spent a few days in Michigan doing some mower testing. Everywhere we went had fresh lake perch on the menu. In three days, I probably ate 4 pounds of fried fish.

Momma Bird @ UPCO Park

GP's new band Momma Bird performed last night at UPCO Park (North Lincoln). It was 91° and steamy. When we got there the stage was in the sun. By the time they played, they had some shade, but they still each lost five pounds of sweat.

Their setlist was Your Decision and Would  by Alice in Chains, Fudge (original), Plush by STP, and The Trooper by Iron Maiden. The Trooper is a forearm buster on the bass - it has a FAST gallop all the way through. 

They sounded great!!

One Less Cat

Another of our beloved animals left us this week. L had struggled with diabetes (it runs in the family) since we got her six years ago from my friend at work. The vet thinks she had pancreatic cancer.

She always had to be in the middle of whatever you were doing. And if she noticed that you have a free hand that is not petting her, then you'd get a bite.

She slept with us every night and got up with me every morning. Although she slept most of the day in the sun, she was there and ready to help in the morning and nights.

JP put the sofa pillows on top of the sofa to try to block the cats from sleeping there. L accepted the challenge.

We will miss her.

LeMars

This week I had to go up to Windom, MN, to visit one of our factories. The only way to get there is to drive north. It was a beautiful day, and I was in no rush, so I stopped to see the sights along the way.

Stop #1 was LeMars, IA, where JP's best friend MN grew up. It's home to Blue Bunny ice cream and Bob's Hot Dogs.

Stop #2 was Hawkeye Point, IA - the highest point in all of Iowa. IT's at 1,670 feet above sea level.

The last stop of the trip was the Phat Phheasant in Windom, MN, for a tasty slab of walleye. 

STP at The Bourbon

Friday night the boys and I took in a show at the Bourbon: Stone Temple Pilots with The Dirty Hooks. The Hooks are a startup band from Vegas - the boys really liked them.

Stone Temple Pilots was an awesome band 25 years ago, and they still sound awesome today with their third lead singer.

Chicken Dinner

Friday night I took the boys downtown for dinner and a show. We ate at The Watering Hole - home of the best chicken wings in Lincoln.

GP & I had too many wings, and CP had a burger and too many fries. 

Deck Repair

JP found a soft spot in a board on the deck. Further probing revealed more soft wood and rot. Everything is made from cedar, but it seems like some cedar boards don't resist rot as well as others.

Both boys helped out. CP climbed under to pull out some lag screws, and GP learned how to drive in finish screws on the new steps.

The board that caps off the end of the steps is what gave out. It also took out a few inches of the ends of the top and bottom steps. We were able to trim the ends of the bottom steps and reuse them on the top. We only had to buy three pieces of wood (for $100).

We had perfect weather for a memorial day weekend, but it was HOT!

Dead Fridge

Our garage fridge bit the dust. It will be missed.

Mayan Riviera

Last year, we booked our third trip to the Valentin Imperial Maya. Then we waited for 261 long days. In years past, we went during the endless miserable spring. This time, we were waiting for KG to complete her courses at UNL. 

This is the view from the beachside restaurant where we dined each morning.

The N's from Woodstock joined us again.

The whole group. New this year are the G's daughter and her boyfriend.

KG celebrated her birthday while we were there. At lunch, our waiter, Gilberto, gave her a special birthday lunchtime treat - a round of tequila shots for the table and a special song.

Our other beachside waiter was Jorge. He made our meals fun every day.

Every day we went into the crystal clear water and swam with the fish.

Check out all our photos here: VIM Photo Album

Reunited

Nana came to watch the boys while we went to Mexico for a week. Her old buddy was so glad to see her. They were inseparable.

Reflections

While sitting in the garage (afternoon sun out of the wind) and working on my tan, I noticed that my reflection in the car door looked kinda cool. No digital trickery here.

Last Borderline Edward?

GP's band played at the Night Owl Pub last night. This may have been their last show - the practices have been few and far between.

Best Dog Ever

This week the best family dog that ever lived passed away a month shy of being 15 years old. 

She was a natural part of our family from the day we brought her home. She was one our kids. 

The boys grew up with her and cannot remember ever being without her. 

We will miss her.

New Dryer Parts

Last year the heater element went out in the dryer. This year, it's the drum support rollers. $25 to Amazon for new rollers (and a belt) and an hour of help from GP, and we have a nice quiet dryer again.

Winter Won't Go Away