Fixing the van

Our right headlight had been out for about 6 months before I fixed it. I had replaced the lamp and it didn't take care of the problem. One time while in WV, my dad and I thought we traced the problem back to the front end module (front computer). I bought a salvaged replacement for about $40 with shipping. I finally got around to switching the module out and it still didn't take care of the problem. After doing more research and understanding the wire diagram a little bit better and getting additional help from my dad I was able to track the problem down to a wire coming out of the lamp harness. There are 3 wires that come out from the harness, 1 wire is always hot. Well my wire was hot but it was reading about .03 compare to 12.4 to the left headlight. I was able to test the wire and found out that there was a break in the wire somewhere within 1 foot of the wiring harness. I bypassed the break in the wire with running a parellel wire from a known good spot in the same wire. Long story short, I was able to fix the right headlight. It was a gratifying moment for me.

The rear brakes had been making a grinding noise so I decided to take a look at them. My initial thought that there was some kind of debris causing the grinding. I was right. I cleaned the brake pad and the brake drum and took the van for a test drive........ no grinding was present.

It feels good to fix something yourself.



Ladybug Steam Cleaners

How bout them Cubbies

I've been a Cubs fan for longest time since the early 90's from the days of Ryan Sandberg, Mark Grace, and even Sammy Sosa. I've never been to Wrigley Field but I hope one day I will be able to watch the Cubs play a game there. I have been to one Cubs game in my life, I watched them play the Cardinals in St. Louis (the Cubs lost). The Cubs have been a sub par, below average team since I can remember. Amazingly during the last 2 seasons they have managed to turn things around. As of today their magic number is 2, they must win 2 games to clinch the NL East or if the Brewers lose today and the Cubs win today they will clinch it.

As of today the Cubs are 92-59 with a winning percentage of .609, they have the best record in the NL. They are 1/2 game behind the MLB best record of the LA Angels who are 93-59 with a winning percentage of .612. The Cubs have outscored their opponents by a margin of 185 runs, the best on the Majors. The next closest is the Boston Red Sox who have outscrored their opponents with a margin of 158 runs. I think the Cubs are in pretty good company.

The Cubs can try to play spoilers to both the Mets and the Brewers, the 2 teams in the hunt for the wild card spot right now. The Cubs play the Mets 4 more times and the Brewers 2 more times. The Astros are on the outside looking in (5 games behind the Mets) for the wild card but it could change. The Astro's have been given a 0.5% of making the postseason.

If I could think of any Cubs team to go the distance, I think this is the team that can do it. It's been a long, long time (1945) since they made it to the World Series.


I wish we could take some more cruises.

Procrastination and Waiting

I am taking a literature course that I absolutely hate. I can't stand it. So instead of doing my course work I am procrastinating by doing other stuff. I know, I know, I should be working on my course.

I have a job lined up (as far as I understand). Now I am playing a waiting game. I can't stand waiting. I'm about ready to jump out of my skin.

I guess I should try and something productive and get off the computer for now.
Why would you want talking watches?

Things are moving

Last week felt like summer and it was the middle of September. Today it feels like fall. I woke up to a wet drive way and clouds. Just before Jude had to head off to school it started to rain a little and by the time I picked Jude up from school it had turned into a beautiful day. It was a little bit chilly but it was nice out. Tomorrow may turn out to be my favorite type of day if the forecast holds out. It's suppose to be around 70 and sunny and on Wednesday it's suppose to be around 75 another great day. I can't wait.

I hate high credit card limit

Porthole Observations

Say what? Porthole Observations? Check it out. It's a new blog from Delilah and me.

http://portholeobservations.blogspot.com/

I'm still around

I've really fallen off track with keeping posting on this blog. Since Jude started school and I am doing my own course work, I've really cut back my time on the internet. I've fallen in a routine of taking advantage of the quietness when the 2 younger ones are taking their naps. I'm able to get about 2 hours of course work done each day. Except for this week of course. This week has been a little bit crazy. Our kitchen drain backed up pretty bad Monday night. So Tuesday we had our friend Steve come out and take a look at it, he owns his own home repair business. He replaced the drain coming down from the sink going into the stack. Well, it didn't take care of the problem. There ended up being a blockage in the main drain under the concrete floor. He called to call his guy out that takes care of the major plumbing issues with his equipment to snake out the drain. There had been years and years and years of grease buildup in the drain. He finally got it unclogged after about 2 1/2 hours. There has been no problems since then. The drain which was replaced from the kitchen sink needed to be replaced anyways because it was galvanized steel and was starting to rust through one of the joints. In the midst of all of the drain issues I have been preparing for an Experiencing God bible study at our house that we had last night. Almost enough activity for me to start acne treatments. There never seems to be a dull moment in the Miller household.