I miss my beard

I know it sounds funny, but I really miss having the beard. Mark my words...it will be back.

I'm a Duct Tape Mechanic

Audra's 2002 Mazda Milenia has been running a little rough for weeks now and it was really starting to get annoying. Whenever you would gun it it would just sputter and sometimes die. Well, I finally got fed up and started checking things out on it this morning. I could not find anything wrong and was about ready to take it to a mechanic when Audra came out to check on my progress. I was leaning into the engine compartment when she says, "Is that supposed to have cracks in it?"

I looked at what she was talking about and it was the Main Air intake from the Air Filter Housing to the engine. Not only was the Rubber hose cracked in several places and sucking for air big time, but one of the tiny vacuum hoses that are supposed to be attached to the Air Filter Housing was unplugged.

I looked at it for like ten seconds and then told Audra I would be right back. I ran into the house and got some paper towels to clean the hose and duct tape to patch it up with. After doing both, we then plugged the vacuum hose back up also. Anyway, to our VERY pleasant surprise, we just got back from taking the car on a short up and down trip on Highway 99 and it is now running like the day we bought it. There is no hesitation at all when you gun the pedal and it has all it's power back.

Duct tape really can fix anything...

Next is my car...I wonder if I can use duct tape to replace the timing chain on it...???

We went Cruising!!!

Well, we just got back from a 4 day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. The whole purpose of the trip was that Dad and Gina were getting married on the beach at Gulf Shores. That was th most unique wedding I have ever been a part of. There was no rehearsal and everything about the wedding seemed to be decided as we went. However, it seemed to have some sort of flow to it. Anyway, all in all it was great and everyone had a great time. we stayed in Gulf Shores that night and then the next morning we traveled to Mobile, AL and caught the carnival Ship "Holiday". It is the oldest in the fleet and they say it will be retired this fall, but we all thought it was in excellent shape.

There was so much to do on the ship that you just never got bored. Audra and I had to force ourselves to go to bed several nights because we just wanted to keep going.

Saturday we arrived at Cozumel and went on an excursion with the kids. This consisted of taking golf cart/4-wheelers along the coast and visiting a Mayan ruin, a part of the 9000 acres of lagoons on the island, and about a mile of snorkeling along the reef. Near the end of the snorkeling a huge storm kicked up and we had to take cover quickly. The wind was so strong that the sand felt like it was taking your skin off and the rain felt like it was hail. Anyway, all turned out well and we returned to the boat safely.

I know that Audra and I have both put cruising at the top of our list of affordable and exciting things to do in the future. We both want to do it again and again. The most memorable thing for all us has been the wonderful food and service you get on the boat. The food is all you can eat and gourmet and is included in your ticket price.

Now we're home and it's back to reality and job hunting. Wish me luck.