Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The "Glendora Garage"

[PugetDude]

Ha, funny....and pretty accurate. I keep telling myself not to do certain strenuous things outdoors in the heat but I like to do what I like to do, WHEN I like to do it! You know, like a kid.

The problem is I need to avoid a stroke as I am reluctantly acknowledging my age.

For instance, my wife says I'm becoming hard of hearing. I don't think it'll be too big a burden to wear hearing aids, but I dislike the idea of it. New small ones don't even show. But it's like I'm passing a signpost on the road that says, "Now Entering OLD Age". You can't make a U turn either. I have a brother-in-law that really needs to use a cane but doesn't want to for the exact same reason. Vanity yes, but more about the meaning of it.

You got married?

 

[klean63]

You got married?

I wondered the same thing

 

[captain14]

Dan,

You just need to think young. Get your grandkids to paint your toenails again and wear your OSHA rated sandals while you work outside.

I’m interested in Seeing the work in progress on the porch/ overhang extension.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I wondered the same thing

Nah, I use wife because I’ve noticed people seem to react when an old guy says, girlfriend. Some ask how long we’ve been together, why don’t you get married, etc. We’ve been together 23 years so in some ways it’s as though we’re married.
I could say partner but then some assume it means I’m gay. I have no issue with gay people I just don’t want to convey an inaccurate identity.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dan,

You just need to think young. Get your grandkids to paint your toenails again and wear your OSHA rated sandals while you work outside.

I’m interested in Seeing the work in progress on the porch/ overhang extension.

Ha! You remember the blue toe nails, huh?

Today I should get to painting the parts and maybe start assembling it. But my new to me truck is showing a check engine light so I need to take it in to be checked out.

 

[captain14]

Dan,

No rush on the porch project for you. You’ll not trying to beat the cold weather there. Possible projection of frost/freeze here tonight and tomorrow.

I had to drill and install a new doorknob and repair the old mortise hole in the back door over the weekend including glue and Bondo. Luckily I had temps over 70* during the work times.

 

[LeonardY]

Nah, I use wife because I’ve noticed people seem to react when an old guy says, girlfriend. Some ask how long we’ve been together, why don’t you get married, etc. We’ve been together 23 years so in some ways it’s as though we’re married.
I could say partner but then some assume it means I’m gay. I have no issue with gay people I just don’t want to convey an inaccurate identity.

I still say girlfriend or sometimes lady friend. Last time I used wife, my girlfriend said I better put a rock on her finger.
But the only woman that has been part of my life. (Outside of my mom.) for more than 23 years is my neighbor. She often tells me what to do and for the most part I listen.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dan,

No rush on the porch project for you. You’ll not trying to beat the cold weather there. Possible projection of frost/freeze here tonight and tomorrow.

Still warm here this week - mid 80's

I still say girlfriend or sometimes lady friend. Last time I used wife, my girlfriend said I better put a rock on her finger.
But the only woman that has been part of my life. (Outside of my mom.) for more than 23 years is my neighbor. She often tells me what to do and for the most part I listen.

We discussed marriage way back after we first met and she said she didn't need it anymore. I told her if she ever changed her mind about marriage I'd marry her in a minute. I've reminded her several times over the years but there is no reason we need to marry formally. We have no children in common and it would have been a stretch when we first met. I was 45 and she was 43. COULD have happened but we were well beyond babies.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Now back to our regularly scheduled program:

Took my "new" truck to the stealership today for an oil change - DIC said it still had 45% to go but I knew I'd feel better starting ownership with fresh oil & filter. Plus, I want it on the dealer's computer. Found out trans fluid change is supposed to be done @ 60k service. Also, it threw a check engine light that of course disappeared this morning. Has also said "SD card has been removed" a couple times and "Service Driver Information Center".

Service writer was friendly and informative. I'd never been to this dealership before. Short version? Oil & filter, trans service, front & rear differential fluid change, rotate tires, inspect this & that was $1500. Not cheap but I know it's running clean fluids & filters and I know it's been professionally inspected and passed muster. They said it's very solid mechanically.

Their data base shows it has only ever had an oxygen sensor replaced at 29k miles and just oil & filter changes otherwise. Service writer said it was no doubt used on some kind of regular service route because of 29,000 miles in first 8 months. I said, "Kinda of a high trim level for that use, right? He said it was a supervisor or bosses truck undoubtedly. I'm very happy with the truck so far and fingers crossed. Plus? They washed it nicely for me.

 

[PugetDude]

It would definitely be hypergamy if you did convince her to tie the knot.

 

[zmotorsports]

Just getting caught up Dan, nice truck. Those 3.0 liter Duramax's are quite sweet and a chip off the ole' block of their larger brother. Should be a nice powerplant for that ride. Looks like it was well cared for also.

Every time I’ve EVER been, there’s been at least 1 or 2 old men sleeping at a table. Used to be a table for literal decades that had 4 or 5 old friends that met for late breakfast. I think they’ve died off by now.

My late friend and mentor and I would meet for lunch or breakfast a couple times a month, sometimes with a few other friends. I'm not what I would call old by any means, but I had hoped that would go on for many years to come, until he passed. Now I miss that so much. He and a couple of other friends would talk shop, vehicles, bikes, etc. and were my sounding board as we bounced ideas and scenarios back and forth. Bench-racing at its finest.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

It would definitely be hypergamy if you did convince her to tie the knot.

Damn dude, You smart! ha ha Ive got an MBA but I had to look up that word:
"....the action of marrying or forming a ****** relationship with a person of a superior sociological or educational background."

Nah, we're on the same page as far as sociological or educational background. I've got one more college degree than she does but she made more money than I did when we both worked. In fact she makes more in pension than I did in salary when I was still working. But I get Social Security and she doesnt qualify so it all works out.

One of the best things in our relationship is we agreed when we decided to move in together that her money is hers and mine is mine. We contribute an equal amount to the house account for bills, utilities, groceries, taxes, and contingencies. After that I don't care what she spends on clothes/shoes and she doesn't care what I spend on cars or tools. Has worked out excellent for 23 years now.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Just getting caught up Dan, nice truck. Those 3.0 liter Duramax's are quite sweet and a chip off the ole' block of their larger brother. Should be a nice powerplant for that ride. Looks like it was well cared for also.

My late friend and mentor and I would meet for lunch or breakfast a couple times a month, sometimes with a few other friends. I'm not what I would call old by any means, but I had hoped that would go on for many years to come, until he passed. Now I miss that so much. He and a couple of other friends would talk shop, vehicles, bikes, etc. and were my sounding board as we bounced ideas and scenarios back and forth. Bench-racing at its finest.

Thanks for the kind words on my truck. Got up this morning to find the Check Engine Light was on again! Called service writer and took it down to be scanned. He said some times there is a glitch and they wipe the ECM and reload software which fixes some random problems. But also noted something related to emissions having to do with the catalytic converter. I asked if that is under warranty and he said 99% of the time it is. Fingers, eyes & toes are crossed.

Farmer's Market holds a special warm place in my memories. Both for going there are a child with my mom and sisters but also for going these when I was working with my guys about once a month. I'll keep going periodically as long as I can drive. HOPEFULLY another decade or two....we'll see about that!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Back on the gazebo roof extension:

Sanded the components mostly to remove hard edges/slivers and excess dried glue. Yes, the long pieces started to bend a bit but when assembled and screwed against the gazebo fascia it won't be an issue. The Gazebo has four rafters so I made 4 cross pieces to align with them. They may/may not fall where I need for screwing down the PVC panel edges (apparently fiberglas is not made anymore?). Home Depot had 4 panels in stock all damaged by fork lift! I bought 2 and got half off the price but I think I can get what I need out of them.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Reference post #1289 above. After the work on the new truck the next morning it threw a check engine light. Yada, yada, had dealer re-scan it and it was a fuel filter code. Left it to be diagnosed and it was a cracked fuel filter housing and also a leaking exhaust. Clearly the prior owner had run over something.

Dealer just called: Omar the service writer says there was impact damage on the fuel filter housing and it was sucking air causing the code. He feels that what ever was run over likely damaged two of the exhaust clamps they replaced as well.

THE best part? GM charged the dealership $1985.86 and my bill is ZERO, ZIPPO, NADA NOTHING! I am so pleased they did this. Makes me even more a GM customer and that this service writer, Omar went to bat for me on this is a huge positive as well.

 

[LeonardY]

Makes me even more a GM customer and that this service writer, Omar went to bat for me on this is a huge positive as well.

Finding a good service writer or mechanic is right up there with finding a good doctor.

I had a great service writer at the Glendale Chrysler dealership. But I decided to have an argument with a water truck and totaled my Jeep.

Bought a F150 to replace it with. Loved the truck but not the dealership service writers. Every time I took it in they would call and tell me that I should do an additional item. I would ask if there was something wrong with the truck. They would say no. I would then ask them wasn't that supposed to be at the nest mileage servicing as recommended by Ford. They would reply yes. I would then say I will service that at the recommended time. After three times of that. I left that dealership service center.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Our Homeowner's Insurance is asking for photos of the four sides of the house to prove "defensible space" due to the close proximity of wooded hills near us and California's constant wildfire threats. I hear some insurance companies are leaving California because of this. So maybe anything I do/explain won't change their intent!

Anyway, this made us trim our tree canopies down dramatically especially on a large tree near our front door. We brought it down to half its former size but I kinda think they're still going to have a problem with it and maybe ask us to remove it to maintain coverage - UGH.

Today's PI.T.A. job was removing EVERYthing from our small side yard blowing out leaves, taking photos I will send to the insurance. Then purging a lot of misc stuff - odds & ends of 2x lumber, some plywood scraps that had warped, long tree stakes, forming stakes, concrete board for tile, yada, yada. Before, "Insurance Photo" & After purging & reorganizing photos below:

Excess ****, aka "Before":



Everything (except some spare concrete roof tiles) removed. This is the pic that's going to insurance company:



A LOT of labor for 5 seconds of photos, then chopping up stuff to be discarded and put back. Killed several hours.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

The After photo which most will say, "You did something there? You actually got rid of something?" Yes, I did. My general trash can is loaded. Probably too heavy for the truck to take, we'll see.

 

[captain14]

Do they make you take pictures of your surrounding neighbors property to see if their vegetation and “Collectables” are too close?

I know you hate to loose that limited shade the tree provides.

 

[larry4406]

I thought vegetation and trees improved water retention and in the extreme creates a micro climate. Kinda like the rain forest.

Conversely deforestation creates dust bowls and death.

I guess the later ensures there is nothing to burn independent of the former’s inherent qualities.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Do they make you take pictures of your surrounding neighbors property to see if their vegetation and “Collectables” are too close?

I know you have to loose that limited shade the tree provides.

Surprisingly, the insurance letter specifically says we're not responsible for vegetation growing on our neighbor's property. We have ficus trees all along the backyard perimeter that are trimmed into tall hedges. They were there when we moved in and are great for privacy in the pool - though there's nothing to see. I guess they protect our neighbor's from seeing my old fat body! lol. I am going out of my way to shoot all the pictures without them showing.

The neighbor behind has a HUGE Cypress tree - probably approaching 80 feet and it is right up against our back wall. It's home to raccoons, opossums and Lord knows what else. It'd be a shame to take it down. If it were mine I'm almost certain the insurance would want it removed.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dentist today. 1:00pm and didn't get out of there til after 3:30. Teeth cleaning & polishing isn't any big deal but I broke a molar back in June and yada yada didn't get the crown started til today.

SIX shots of Novacaine or whatever they use these days. Damn, that hurts more than the work. Wearing off now and it feels like two small armies had an artillery battle in my mouth!

 

[Ford52PU]

Hope tomorrow is a better day. I hate going to the dentist. I feel for you

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hope tomorrow is a better day. I hate going to the dentist. I feel for you

Thanks! He's the nicest guy. I've gone to him/known his for many years.

His daughter and my daughter (now both 41) played girl's water polo against each other in high school. His was their team's "hole set". Mine was the "2 meter defender" - so they played directly against each other and both were awarded All CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) All Star ratings. We always say they spent every game trying to drown each other! Now his is a dentist like him and mother of three. Mine became a lawyer and mother of three too and was just promoted to Vice President at work....so both high achievers.

He and I have a long, friendly history. Hell, he even has a pro street '55 Chevy truck and I have a rodstoration '55 Chevy truck. His practice is many miles away from me but I still go to him because of the connections. Still? He kinda kicked my *** today! Ha ha.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Finally got back to working on the gazebo roof extension this morning before an afternoon of running errands all over.

Man, am I a LOUSY carpenter! It was a lousy design on my part using inappropriate materials, then poorly executed. When it came out as it did I attempted to improve it by the “cut-to fit, bend-to-suit, paint-to-match” method and only made it worse. Embarrassing.

I will spare you guys the details and say I will use what I built for now since rain is coming next week. But secretly (SWMBO doesn’t want me to) I plan to junk it and build a replacement and do a helluva better job. Current one was thrown together using a Skil saw and long drywall screws. It was a lousy design built by a lousy impatient person then made worse trying to cover up my bad work. Pics coming tomorrow of it as is but I won’t be showing how BAAD it looks up close.

EDIT:
This piece 'O **** badly assembled by the pieces in post #1294 above. This is as as close as I'm showing it.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ok, so here are the promised photos of the done-for-now gazebo roof extension. It will keep the rain off that side of the BBQ counter where the amplifier is housed but other than that, it's a dog. NO close up pics as I'm embarrassed just to post these but "in for a penny in for a pound" as they say.



And now on to other things. We are having an early Thanksgiving Dinner this coming Sunday because there are some family members that can't join ON Thanksgiving Day. Was originally my step son and his daughter along with my daughter, son-in-law, his mother and their 3 kids. Plus one of my girlfriend's widowed brothers.

But of course 11 has ballooned up to as many as 20-25 people! There will be the biggest turkey we can find and an XL Honey Baked ham too. Fortunately, most will contribute a dish, drinks or rolls. This week will be cleaning, trimming, the whole nine yards.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Another of my "small potatoes" jobs today but it MAY have saved me $120.

The ratcheting cargo bar I used in my 2014 Denali 2500HD and my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon does NOT work in my 2021 Silverado 1500 High Country. It's just slightly too short so I was shopping for a longer one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQT3O1C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Then it occurred to me I save odds and ends of various projects and I had some things that might work to adapt my existing cargo bar. Small plywood blocks and some stainless brackets the solar panel people left in a box in my side yard. Add some 3/4" self-drilling screws and here it is:





That black & red box is a collapsible one from Costco. It's a catch-all so stuff won't roll around all over (which is also what the cargo bar is for) and I also keep my dog stuff in there. A bowl, water bottle, toys, etc.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Anyone had to have their Milwaukee M18 tool fixed? My Drill/Driver is likely over 10 years old and on last use it sounded like it had gravel inside when I tried to drive a screw. I assume a stripped gear though it worked ok to back out a screw so I don't know what that means! Is there a date code on them somewhere?

Maybe it's not worth repairing since I'm sure it isn't under warranty anymore. But it'll kill me to put it in with the trash! Suggestions?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Also for record: Dropped off my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon @ a BMW dealership in Signal Hill yesterday.

I wasn’t getting very many serious inquiries from Craigslist nor parking it with a sign. It was super reliable for me. Never gave me a single problem. Bought in June 2021 w/ 15k miles, sold with 42k and never did anything but oil & filter changes. Oh and put new tires on it.

 

[Bob Heine]

My Drill/Driver is likely over 10 years old and on last use it sounded like it had gravel inside when I tried to drive a screw.

Dan, I haven't had to repair any of my Milwaukee tools so I am not sure what's going on. Your description sounds like the grease in the gearbox has dried up. It may be too late to save it without spending a fair bit on parts but opening it up is free. It might be as simple as a clean and lube job.

 

[PugetDude]

Also for record: Dropped off my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon @ a BMW dealership in Signal Hill yesterday.

I wasn’t getting very many serious inquiries from Craigslist nor parking it with a sign. It was super reliable for me. Never gave me a single problem. Bought in June 2021 w/ 15k miles, sold with 42k and never did anything but oil & filter changes. Oh and put new tires on it.

Must be the day for saying goodbye to trusted old friends, Dan..
Sold my 2010 RAM to a neighbor yesterday.
Bought it new in 2010, put 154,000 miles on it, made at least a dozen trips between WA and AZ in it. In 14 years it never stabbed me in the back.
Wasn't really looking to sell it, but didn't have room for two trucks. Thought about leaving it up at the cabin, but it would be an uncomfortably tight fit in the garage. Like crawl out the window uncomfortable.
Neighbor is building a new home, wanted to be able to haul a few things around. I did get right of first refusal to buy it back if she decides to sell it after her build is complete.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dan, I haven't had to repair any of my Milwaukee tools so I am not sure what's going on. Your description sounds like the grease in the gearbox has dried up. It may be too late to save it without spending a fair bit on parts but opening it up is free. It might be as simple as a clean and lube job.

Yes, true - though while it's making the gravel sounds it won't drive anything so I think stripped gear(s). Hate to be THAT guy but was I SUPPOSED to grease it periodically? If so I never did and that would explain it dying on me. Thanks for the suggestion.

While on a recent camping trip I needed a drill driver for a repair and had not brought mine. Kernville, CA is a little hamlet more than a town but the Ace hardware had a Craftsman (labeled) drill driver, set of drill bits and screwdriver tips and it's a good thing I did because now I have it and I needed it today as you'll see below. I doubt these modern "Craftsman" labeled tools are much better than Harbor Freight tools but hopefully it'll last me until I get off my fanny and buy a replacement Milwaukee - if that becomes the only way out.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Must be the day for saying goodbye to trusted old friends, Dan..
Sold my 2010 RAM to a neighbor yesterday.
Bought it new in 2010, put 154,000 miles on it, made at least a dozen trips between WA and AZ in it. In 14 years it never stabbed me in the back.
Wasn't really looking to sell it, but didn't have room for two trucks. Thought about leaving it up at the cabin, but it would be an uncomfortably tight fit in the garage. Like crawl out the window uncomfortable.
Neighbor is building a new home, wanted to be able to haul a few things around. I did get right of first refusal to buy it back if she decides to sell it after her build is complete.

Congrats! Sounds like you got a long life out of your Dodge. 13 years and 154,000 miles (gas engine?) with no troubles is very solid performance.

I had a mini truck, first year Nissan back in the day but bought my first full size truck, a used 2002 Dodge Sport in 2004. It was the first of the then-new body style but didn't have the Hemi yet. KILLED me to buy it over a Hemi but I was still recovering financially from my divorce and couldn't afford a free ticket to the circus as the saying goes.

Used that to tow jet skis until things were looking up financially and in '08 I bought a new Silverado 3500HD crew dually to carry our HUGE Lance 1181 slide-in camper. It was then the biggest one they made. I'd have kept it very long term as it was only the 2nd new vehicle I'd ever bought but it burned in 2016. Rookie insurance adjuster gave me too much for it and I bought a 2 year old 2014 GMC 2500HD Denali. Only sold that because I had it 6 years, put 20,000 miles on it and got my original purchase price! Needed to pay additional taxes on deferred comp I took out to buy our current house. It was well worth it, we LOVE this house and neighborhood. It was a good deal but I truly missed a full size truck. I debated getting a 2500 again but I know I don't need it. Hell, I probably don't really need a pickup anymore I just like them. This 2021 Silverado better last me 8-10 years and it should with the Duramax 3.0 and I will dote on it.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I've been under the weather the last couple days - congested, body aches, sore throat, fever but SWMBO really wanted me to put up the new shades and draperies because we're having a house full of relatives for an early Thanksgiving this Sunday. We've had sheets stapled up for over a year - EEK!

So up and down the step ladders I went, wiping my sweating brow, coughing and blowing my nose all day. But I got one window done. I'll do the 2nd one manaña.

A million measurements and checks to make sure they were level - girlfriend is nuts about level -

 

[rharman]

< snip >
A million measurements and checks to make sure they were level - girlfriend is nuts about level -
< /snip >

My wife and I are both nuts about level and symmetry (centering). She mentioned the other day that it takes us a million times longer than a normal person to accomplish a task.

I put up a new clock in our remodeled bathroom - probably spent a good 30 minutes getting the measurements to match the 2 keyhole slots on the back and get make my marks for centered on a medicine cabinet, and vertically centered between the medicine cabinet top and the door casing. Oh yeah.... and exact enough so the keyhole slots lined up with the truss head screws I put in the wall.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

My wife and I are both nuts about level and symmetry (centering). She mentioned the other day that it takes us a million times longer than a normal person to accomplish a task.

I put up a new clock in our remodeled bathroom - probably spent a good 30 minutes getting the measurements to match the 2 keyhole slots on the back and get make my marks for centered on a medicine cabinet, and vertically centered between the medicine cabinet top and the door casing. Oh yeah.... and exact enough so the keyhole slots lined up with the truss head screws I put in the wall.

I can relate. I am not a perfectionist. I can't use that word because I'm not perfect enough to merit it. I tend toward that but I am also impatient which isn't cooperative with perfectionism!

 

[rharman]

I struggle with the patience part but am much more so than my wife - she admits it though.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Both windows now done. SWMBO still wants tie backs for the drapes and I need to adjust the chandelier lower. Check this project off the list and move to the next - most likely putting up Christmas lights on the house - UGH.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Dupe of "In Your yard" thread.

Having family Sunday so yard clean up. Got 85-90% of dead leaves under hedges picked up, lawn mowed & edged, deck washed, etc.

 

[PugetDude]

Yard looks good, Dan. I know it's California, but for some reason I thought your house was bigger than that.