A Man Ought to be Able to Fix his Stuff

(Adam here)

Over the last two years or so I have taken to learning how to fix our stuff.  This all began when the lawn tractor broke and I was stuck driving in a circle.  While I could guarantee a nicely manicured circle of grass out in the yard, the remaining acre-and-three-quarters (or so) would become something of an accidental nature preserve.  As much as I would enjoy this, the landlord likes it better if the grass is regularly trimmed.  Thus, I had to fix one of my machines (read: toys).  Something that inspired me in this direction is a book my friend Erik gave me, entitled Shop Class as Soulcraft.

Then I realized I could probably manage changing the oil in the cars, which eventually progressed to changing brakes (yes, pads and rotors, too - if you've never done this, let me assure you it is not difficult at all). My next foray into automotive repairs was when the radiator on our beloved van "Bessie" went the way of all the Earth.  Thankfully our neighbor Doug is an expert at automotive repair, while also being uncommonly generous with his time.

Bessie

She's actually not a truck, but she doesn't know that...

"There's a radiator-shaped hole in my heart," said Bessie.

Doug helps me move the fittings from the old radiator to the new one

For my next trick, I decided I was tired of driving around with my hand applying slight clockwise pressure to the key in the ignition switch so that the engine wouldn't stall whilst driving.  In other words, like so many other first-generation Odyssey vans, Bessie needed a new ignition switch.

In case you ever wondered what the inside of the dashboard looks like on a '95 Odyssey...

My most recent patients have been our computers.  For Jenny's birthday, she received (among other things, I assure you) 4GB of RAM for her MacBook Pro, which has greatly increased its overall speed.  Installing was ridiculously easy.  You just take the case off the back of the computer, and the RAM slots are pretty much staring you right in the face, next to the battery.

However, the real test came when the hard drive in my iMac bit the dust (or, more aptly, started tasting the dust, and I didn't feel like waiting for it to turn into an all-out emergency), in the midst of some frantic work on my research.  Replacing the drive was a bit of a job - not difficult, per se, but more involved.

That big thing I'm holding up is actually the screen.

In case you ever wondered what the inside of an iMac looked like...

Hooray!  I didn't blow up my computer!

Let's see, what can I fix next?
In my new job I'll be fixing all kinds of things, but you'll just have to wait and hear more about that later.

Now I'm off to "fix" my chapter, so I can get on the next stage of my research!

Busy summer days

   Our summer is starting off in a whirlwind as we begin of season of change in our home: a new job, a house search, many new firsts for Emmeline, Phd deadlines etc.  But in the middle of it all many things remain the same.  We always spend time looking for Papa, watching the trucks go by, reading books, making the scrunch-the-nose cheesy smile that is Emmie's 7 month speciality. And these are precious days.  Emmeline is trying so hard to walk. She's a speedy crawler now and thats just fine with us.  Here's to a wonderful summer as a family of 3.

Emmie's first summer

It's so much fun sharing the beginning of summer with Emmie. Here are a few shots of swimming, eating outside, swinging and then Emmie's discovery of toilet paper. We're in trouble now! 

The Perkiomen Trail

 The Perkiomen Trail is one of our most favorite haunts.  Bluebell season was especially lovely.  Emmeline loves walks on the trail and usually takes a nap or two.  We had some nice walks with Granddad and a few cool ones in the last week.

And then there were some really hots days- so Emmie and her friend River had fun in the pool.  

And just because I love this face so.......

Happenings

There's a lot happening around our house these days- we're enjoying some spring traditions, trying new foods and making new faces

Beet/Avocado/Spinach Salad

Emmeline's Quilt is almost done- made from Mom Kleeman's clothes

Our springtime tradition- Rustic Berry Tart

Seven Months

Our sweet baby is half a year plus a month! She's so busy trying to stand and walk on her own, trying to eat the cats and furniture, books and paper. She's already showing her naughty side by crawling directly to the cat dish at the first possible moment, placing her hand in the dish and then looking up at us.  We didn't think we could possibly love her more than we did before, but somehow we do. Little Emmeline, you are a joy and a gift and we treasure each day with you. You also keep us on our toes.  As we finish up our dissertations you help by doing calculations on the calculator, by taking all the books off the shelves, by listening to Bach music all day long and by providing all the comic relief a tiny family of three plus four cats could ever need.  We love you darling Emmie B and thank God for your life.  

A Week in Pictures

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, right? Sometimes words don't do justice to the joy that Emmeline has brought to our home.  So, here are pictures from a very busy week with a very busy little lady.