The Ford.

I've always wanted the experience of restoring an old tractor. I love walking through fairs and seeing old tractors painted, restored and gleaming. It's now a reality.

Samantha has known my desire to buy and rebuild an old Ford for quite some time. I believed that I would make an offer on my grandfathers and finish the job my dad started thirty years ago. Although we're still a little confused as to whether grandpa's is a 9N, 2N or possibly an 8N, there is no doubt that the one I purchased a couple weeks ago is an 8N. The serial numbers place the tractor as being produced in 1948.

She's definitely going to take some work, but, good things take time! This will take lots of time!

The tractor does run, although with some issues. We know it's been abused somewhat, but there are a few replacements that have been made. There are also a few items missing on the tractor. I knew in advance that there are a lot of sites selling these parts as replacements. I'll be taking advantage of these sites.

We are currently storing the tractor where dad works. The plan for now is to do little, unfortunately. I have a few items that I want to settle before really attacking some of the big ticket items... like the motor.

We did change the last weekend. Discovered it's been a while, a long while. The filter canister was half full of gunk. It was removed and cleaned out completely. A new filter was installed and the canister was reinstalled on the left side of the engine block.

After the oil was drained from the engine, the drain cap was reinstalled with a new gasket. At that pointed we noticed the officially the leaking fuel. The shut off was indeed off, the fuel was dripping from the carburetor.

We decided the next step would be to remove the carb and rebuild it. The shut-off is not original. It to will be removed and replace by a replica instead of rebuilding the existing shut-off. There is also a steel fuel line that runs from the shot off to the carburetor it doesn't exist and is instead transporting fuel through a black hose.

We tore apart the carb during a few minutes the last few nights. It's currently soaking in a cleaning solution and hopefully will look great by the weekend. The complete rebuild kit, steel rod and new shut off were ordered from Just8ns.com, I was pleased with the price for these items.

Sometime next weekend the carburetor will be rebuilt and we'll install all items. Next we're going to do a compression test on all four cylinders. We're expecting a few issues here, after all its 63 years old.

There are a few issues with the governor, that will be next on my list of priorities. It's making a pretty good whining noise, I imagine the bearings are shot. The rebuild kit runs about $55. Pretty simple fix. Looking forward to the process!

Some thoughts at 1 AM

It has been way to long since my last entry. I dislike not expressing through writing for such a long period of time.

It is not that I haven't been typing vigorously over the past few weeks, just not typing on my own terms. Most of "that" is behind me now, and although I wish I could say that I'll be keeping up with this, in all likely hood it could be several more weeks before my next entry.

A few minutes and its 1 am. I was in bed a little before 10. Being sick for almost three weeks (flu... flu... pink eye... x2... bronchitis... sinus infection) has kinda knocked me around a little more than I care to admit. It's been a healthy year up till late February.

I am also messed up with the time change. That is a terrible excuse, but unfortunately the truth.

I had some thoughts on Japan... and the US situation. You may wonder what the US situation is... I'm referring to our debt. Japan's earth quake and correlating tsunami are both pretty big news at this point.

Let me start by saying that I feel quite badly for the many displaced and lives lost in Japan. I am not a racists for the comments that could offend the tender of heart. I am disgusted all the same. What happened in Japan is not a spiritual thing (a nut was saying this), it wasn't a lack of preparation thing (many news sources), it wasn't even a careless thing (same sources). It was just simply life. Hopefully the issues in Japan will be resolved without any more casualties.

What I am disturbed about is the idea that many organizations, actors, musicians, and public figures are doing the "American" tradition of beating the drum to raise funds for those in need. Now I understand being neighborly and I'm all for extending a hand to help. But I'm not quite sure how Japan can't take care of Japan.

My point is simple... last I checked Japan's economy is doing pretty good. In many cases better than our own. Have you checked out the difference in quality between a Japanese (or Chinese) automobile and an American Automobile? Have you looked at technology hardware? American's have the edge in software but hardware is rooted in Asia. Precious metals are currently mainly mined in Asia... it's not a surprise that micro-chips and hardware is made their more effectively, and usually better.

Another issue, we import millions everyday in Asian products while we export a fraction of that amount. That's by design, their design.

Yet now due to a catastrophic emergency we have Lady Gaga stepping up to "lead the charge". Let's be honest about a few things, first Lady Giggly has no business representing our country or citizens, quite frankly, I might listen up a bit more if George Strait jumped on the band wagon, but even then I might be a little bitter.

The truth is, American dollars need to just stay here. We have enough of our own issues right here that need to be addressed before we ship BILLIONS (yes I guarantee that one year from TODAY we will have given them BILLIONS of dollars). We are so adept at fixing everybody else (Iraq and Afghanistan) that we fail to fix our own.

Again it's not that I do not think Japan is worthy of support. I would be the first in line at the airport for a trip over to help clean up. I'm just not sure if I want see any of my green head over there without me.

I would be happy if Japan decided that they need zero help. I mean we just rebuilt that Country a shade over 50 years ago. They should be able to manage it by themselves this time.

It's that time of year again!

Ah...

The smell of the fresh cut grass... the palm trees blowing in the wind... the... what?

Baseball my friend is just a mere 41 hours away. Pitcher's and catchers are for the most part already in Lakeland. The gear has been packed and arrived last week. Now we just wait and imagine the first ball pop in the a catchers mit.

Tiger's baseball really has a lot more questions this year than in years past. Many feel that this is their strongest club in the past few years due to off season acquisitions.

I'm not a huge believe that acquisitions are the key to winning the World Series... note the New York Yankees of the past 20 years (granted they've won it five times in that time frame).

I myself enjoy the players that make decisions for enjoyment, family and whatever else that doesn't put them in a New York uniform. Cliff Lee is a good example.

The Tiger's have two major concern's in my eyes. #1 Rotation and #2 2B. I think the rotation could be the strongest in the majors but we won't know till September. Scherzer was questionable the first few months of last year and Porcello had a nasty Sophomore slump. If they both repeat them and Verlander has his third bad April in a row the Tiger's will be in third having to find a way to get back in a race. You can't enter August 15 within 2 games of the Twins, odds are your going to be sitting at home in October.

Phil Coke is interesting. I have VERY mixed feelings. On one hand I say he shocks baseball for a 16 win season as he mixes energy with craftyness (remember Kenny Rogers?) on the other hand I can see him in the bullpen May 8 with us all knowing that was a disaster. That could mean the promotion of Jacob Turner who will more than likely be successful as a big leaguer but I'm not sure we want to find out while chasing down a pennant. Brad Penny's addition really wasn't a surprise. An upgrade of Gallaraga but we'll probably have to see Turner at some point because Penny's age has a chance of catching up to him.

My other concern is the clubhouse. Chemistry is one of the most important parts of baseball. I hope the signing of Victor Martinez does more than add 20 home runs next year. Rumor's say he's a great clubhouse guy. We need this. Body language over the past couple years tells me theirs a bit of division in the clubhouse. Hope we can shore that up.

Overall, I'd like to see some blow out wins in April... I mean some 12-3, 14-2 games. We haven't seen much of that early on lately.

Feeling Stre---------->tched

The last few weeks have in deed been a stretching experience for me... I don't at all wonder why my pants have been a little snug!

Ok so it's not like I've put on 30 lbs and eat everything in sight!

The head of my stress is balancing the usual while finding an additional 30+ hours per week to designate solely for internship and portfolio.

The portfolio has taken a few surprising leaps forward. Most of the first edits are done. Just waiting to type about 15 papers to be added to the mess. I should have these done by the weekend and Samantha and Mom can tackle them next. I have to have it all put together for next Wednesday.

Needless to say the internship has taken somewhat of a back seat to the portfolio. I'll kick back into gear on that in March. I'm pretty sure I have over 200 hours. Another 100 will put me over the top. I'm confident I can get there.

A job search is also in full swing. I have one I'd at least like to be interviewed for in Central Minnesota about 40 minutes from were Samantha grew up. An interview right now would be a BIG boost of confidence.

Baseball is also getting closer and closer. I'm not excited about what that will mean in a few weeks but I am pretty excited about being around the players again.

Koren is nearing the five month mark. Samantha has increase a lot of tummy time and sitting. His muscles have responded well considering his size. She is concerned as he'll at times burst into a crying fit for an unknown reason. We've assumed teeth but are also considering other possibilities. He had his first taste of rice cereal the other night. Sooner than we'd like but we had to admit that he was ready. He gobbles it down pretty well!

Aundrea and Tristan are increasing their vocabularies. Aundrea decided to have a conversation last night with me while I was using the "facilities" in fact she demanded an audience... not like I could go anywhere! She's now able to basically follow along in conversations that last a while. She stubborn much like her mother. Tristan has been up to our baseball building several times now. His objective when he goes is to throw about 500 baseballs... or empty and fill the bucket about 3-5 times... whichever comes first. He likes to be around the baseball players.

Tristan hit's 3!

Tough to believe that Tristan is three years old!

We had a party yesterday to celebrate his 1097th day on earth... I say 1097 simply because we celebrated two days late. Tristan was proud of his big achievement as it meant several new things... 1. He's a little bit bigger, 2. He has a workbook like his big sis, 3. He goes to his sis's Sunday class with her. Yippee!

The party last night was enjoyable! He enjoyed getting all the well deserved attention! Tough to imagine that 3 years ago Samantha called me when I was at lunch to tell me that we were going to be heading to the Hospital! Still a BIG thanks to the Slivoskey's for taking Aundrea for a few days while we were in Jamestown!

Now that we have three kids I find it more challenging to remember all of the details surrounding each of their birth... I guess the important part isn't these details but the value that each hold for Samantha and I. We often find ourselves less defined by what we do, and more defined by the fact that we're the parent's of three kids. I would say in the grand scheme of life being Aundrea, Tristan and Koren's dad is a pretty noble thing to be defined by.

Happy Birthday Tristan Lloyd... your mom and dad are proud of you!

Forced SCHOOL work.

There are fewer things in this world than I enjoy less than typing an assignment. At Trinity Bible College I was perhaps the most annoyed when a professor put 324 stipulations on a paper. I was pretty certain that there was no way that I could complete an assignment under limitations. I did however survive.

The next part of my schooling has been far worse. The last two years I've been required to become very detailed with the work that I present. The last portion of this degree is much worse.

I should preface this by saying that I currently am finishing hour 7 in a classroom today... with 2 hours remaining.

At any rate I am currently working on my portfolio which requires 7 or so standards with 4-7 rationale for each standard. Everything is required to be specific. On one hand you type the information, yet it's not entirely your information. UGH. My first attempt was deleted quickly... I mean I let my advisor read the work (which I thought was creative) and he immediately drug my mouse over about 50 minutes of work and hit the awful button known as "backspace" the one that has this: <--------------- under it. Then he added "Start over" to help my confidence.

There were a few other words of wisdom that he said, but I still don't entirely understand them. Apparently I need to figure them out in the next 131 minutes as I am told that I'm not leaving until our first rationale is done. Heck I'm still discovering what "rationale" means. Ugh oh, he just got up from his desk... I feel like a college freshman goofing around on his computer in the middle of class. Better run.

Pulling for Les Miles at U-M

Thank goodness the Rich Rodriguez era is over at Michigan.

There is now a chance that I will be watching Michigan football in 2011. Due to Rodriguez at Michigan I had a but given up on the program. Rodriguez rewarded Blue and Gold fans by basically sinking the program. A program that is now in my opinion full of thugs and arrogance. On top of bringing the NCAA down on the school.

Right now I am hopeful that Michigan makes a wise move.

#1 Les Miles. This is the guy that they should have made it impossible not to come to the program in 2008. They should have given him a great contract and then paid off LSU. Instead, they went in "another" (poorer) direction.

#2 Mike Leach. Think about this a wizard it a big school. The guy is intense and an offensive brain. He'd be a little less expensive (than Miles) which enables them to go out an grab a ridiculously good defensive coordinator... maybe one equally intense. Leach has a lot to prove after the Texas Tech fiasco. Him at a big school like Michigan would be very interesting. I doubt the booster's would fund his hiring though!

#3 Nobody. If you can't get those two then just foget-about-it. Call er' quits. Nah, I'm not sure about my #3 would be Ron English, the former Defensive Coordinator at Michigan under Lloyd Carr. English is going into his 3rd year at Eastern Michigan. It's been a train wreck (2-22) but I like the mentality. He's recognized the program is horrible so he's going ground up, starting over. "If they don't like it, then fire me" approach. He's been a little bit of a fire brand there. Michigan is at the end of a 3 year fiasco, they need rebuilt. I believed he should have been a candidate then and should be now as well.

Either way I hope they don't go for a low tier D-1 Coach that doesn't have proven success.