My current project is due to noise I had been hearing from my front end while driving. After examination I narrowed it down to the outside tie-rod end on the driver’s side.
After I finished I took for a spin and the noise is gone, it handles better and now I have to get a wheel alignment.
A expected project done unexpectedly.
#whatruworkinon
I finally got around to making it comfortable to work outside. The shade and the breeze are soothing. TheWife was off Wednesday and ‘reminded me’ that it would be a good idea to put the umbrella up. We have a dining room table that’s been around since we’ve been married….well after we got our first apartment…..anyway, I digress ; the only thing I had to do was to drill the hole and set the umbrella. We had chairs but the table is the only thing that survived, but these will do for now.
Now I’m outside and I realized my thoughts spanned several years of my life. A couple of days ago I was thinking of “the thought that kept driving me to do better than where I am” at any given moment in my life, that is what I want to do. Strive to do better, even when others see it as just someone else with a dream. The driving force in this particular thought stems from my tenure as an Autoglass Technician. When I first got into installing, it was a new adventure…learning, hands on, making decisions, getting things done under, at times almost impossible circumstances. Sure there were lots of times when a call was necessary but for the most part it was if I was my own company.
So over the years I made manager and this was a whole new ballgame. I felt as if I was fed to the wolves. I was a ‘working manager’ and many aspects of the job were never taught…yeah you know, on the managing end. Of course I was to ‘pick up on this part’ in between installs. It was almost a torturous number of years. So when that didn’t work, I was offered a tech job….that’s pretty much what they all do when you don’t work out as a manager….unless you really screwed up bad.
Besides my drive to want a better life for myself and my family, I scoped the ranks of the technician pool and I didn’t want to be one of those who has toiled and labored for years on end and then retire as a tech. I saw the battered bodies and frustrated minds….but I kept listening to the promise of opportunity…even with another company….and there too, the years of labor taking its toll on the seniors of the tech pool….realizing, if I stayed the course, I would be one of them.
I’m no better than any of them, but I finally chose to pull myself away from that table, and let the plate fall to its breaking….while I still have the drive and desire to fulfill accomplishments.
Now I turn my attention to other tables to see what feasts or spoils await.
If you read my post not long ago about the two nails I had in my tires, my daughter was here a few days after that and they had a slow leak in their left front tire. I took a look see and lo and behold…
So I go to work.
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| I got this after I picked TheWife up from work |
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| Like threading a needle |
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| Add the glue |
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| And voila! |
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| Here’s the little booger |
Today is not as busy as it was yesterday. I was able to get some things done online that I had on the table. I have been in my ‘design studio’ making some changes. I think I’m going to make a broad change on some designs and take some off the board altogether….although TheQuesMark will still remain the focal point.
To continue from my previous post, there is one thing that I do miss about my job and that is I didn’t have to worry about transportation. We were allowed to drive the vans home after we were finished for the day; that was a big savings in fuel costs, maintenance costs and insurance costs I didn’t have to worry about.
So now I was in need of some wheels. My first thought was what I would be doing and what type of vehicle would best suit the purpose. I already knew what I wanted and needed but I had to go through the routine because it wasn’t just about me and what I needed it for. Price of course comes into play because the funds are very limited so I had to stay within that certain range. Something that would get decent gas mileage which would have to be a car, but would be too small in the long run. I started looking at mini vans and suvs while still looking at cars. As it turned out, the prices for cars were about the same or higher than the vans, so that’s where I turned all of my focus although I did test drive a mini van or two.
I’ve always liked older cars, not sure why. Maybe it’s because I can work on some of the problems that may arise on my own.
What I really wanted was an older Chevy van. Back in the early ninety’s I had a 1977 Chevy van. We loved that van; it had four captains chairs and an area in the back with a table that transformed into a bed if you would. The seating area around the table was in a U shape and lifting the table top off of its post and laying it into the U opening would give you a bed.
I like vans because they are versatile such as bad weather when you need to haul something. So I come across an ad for a 93 Chevy van, must see the add said. I pass it up. I was about $500.00 more than what I wanted to spend. I continue shopping and begin to get more and more frustrated. Days turn into a week and then more. The van is still on the market with a price drop….hmmmm. This looks promising. I decided to rent a car for two days because it’s crunch time and my timeline is slowly dissipating; the longer I have the money, the more chances it will also shrink.
I drive onto the lot looking for the van as I pull in, I spot it. After parking I get out and walk straight to it. It’s clean and no dents, but it’s a window van….ugh! I like vans but window vans are not on my list of favorites. I ask for the key and it fires right up. There is nothing inside but two front seats. It has air, I check it and it’s cold….looking better….I look it over inside and spotless is how to describe it. For a van this old I was expecting some damages, but nothing major that I could see.
Now it’s time to negotiate. I knew coming in I was $200.00 short of the new price but I go for it. He said he would have to make a phone call and…bingo! I get it for $600.00 less than the original advertised price!
I think it’s about time to let you in on what has been going on in my life these past few months. It took a lot of prayer and searching within to make the major decision that took place in January. I talked to TheWife and Reg and we all agreed that it could be done.
So in January I gave my two weeks notice with a company I had been with for 5 1/2 years, but an occupation I have been doing for the past 35 years. I believe I had mentioned in a previous post or two how over the years my income was depreciating. Like many big businesses, it was becoming customary that employees get paid by production. It’s not like I remember back in the day when raises were awarded yearly. I do understand that times change and companies have to restructure in order to stay afloat, but it was becoming more difficult for me to adhere to the fact I had to work harder and harder as I grew older and the wear and tear began to take its toll on my body. Sure I could have stuck it out for many more years, but my speed was becoming an issue which played a part in my income.
If you’re not aware of the work I am talking about….it’s auto glass replacement. I remember when I first got into this type of work. I was originally a warehouse driver for a auto glass distributor…..that was in 1977. At the location where I was employed, they also had a retail shop for installations. Customers would bring there cars in to have broken windshields, door glasses and back glasses replaced. On a daily basis I walked past these cars and the guys working on them. I was fascinated at how complicated it looked but also amazed at how they got it done. They would prod me often about getting into that line of work but I would always refuse.
I was in my early twenties at the time and started thinking about the future and what I would do to support the family TheWife and I talked about. I began to see how becoming an installer (what we were called back then) would be beneficial to me and my future.
A guy by the name of Tom K. trained me. He was a top notch installer and everybody had a lot of respect for him and his quality of work. That rubbed off on me big time. I was gradually becoming a mirrored imaged in the quality of training given to me by Tom. Speed wasn’t important to me but quickly became a factor in the changing times. So I stepped it up quite a bit and the years of that and the decrease in pay was too much for me to deal with anymore.
I have to admit this wasn’t the only driving force to have a part in my decision to quit, but it was major.
So what’s in store for the future?…..stay tuned…..
For the past three days after dinner, I have found myself zonked out cold for hours and waking up in time to go to bed. I don’t know what has caused this activity to continue on a daily basis but I do hope that it finds an end….like….now.
Well for one thing, I’m not getting anything done….zip…nada….nothing…zilch.
Maybe I should work myself into a frenzy….naaaa….that would just make me even more tired and I probably would sleep until the next morning.
It has been a couple of weeks at least since I’ve popped out a new design of any kind….not counting a button I did for MahoganyMama.
You would think that after sleeping for hours I would be awake enough to get something done but that hasn’t been the case until tonight…uh….this morning. But I don’t plan to stay up much longer cuz I have to work tomorrow…uh…today, and if I stay up much longer I’m afraid I will continue this vicious cycle.
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So I bid you farewell in hopes to regain some kind of normal daily after work procedures…love y’all and thanks again for stopping by….I wouldn’t be doing this without you.
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Many of you know that TheWife and I had been separated for three years…now back together. She and my son Reg, have been looking for work. Well, TheWife has found success and is now employed.
She had an interview two weeks ago, went in for a pee test and background check the next day, then waited. I actually had that on my mind yesterday and wondered when she might get a call. TheWife did mention that she was told they would be hiring during the month of April. To our surprise and thankfulness, she got the call Thursday.
Today is her first day. I asked her how she felt last night and I think she’s mixed, but understandably so. She’s in a different line of work she was accustomed to for the past five years..give or take. Different state and city to boot. She’s been out of work for three months…you how that can become comfortable for some. But I believe once she gets this day done, it’ll be old hat.
I’m sure she’ll come home with lots to say. Shouldn’t be long now…in the meantime, I’m going to enjoy more of my time off and also make an attempt to get other things done.
Whatr U Workin On 