Relief from Winter

It got down close to –20 again last night. Today Saturday January 24th we might get to a high of –5 to 0. A great day to be alive in Minnesota Yeah Right!

Rather than cry about it we decided to take a tropical vacation.But where you say can you go in Minnesota?….Wait I’ve got it! The Como Park Conservatory. For a mere $2 donation you can go sit for a while in a tropical green house.

From Conservitory

From Conservitory

So we were off trudging thought the sub zero snow banks, and ice for a park bench under a palm tree with a three toe’d sloth sitting in the crook of the branches.

From Conservitory

We sat for a couple of hours in the rainforest atmosphere just enjoying the humidity and temperature. It was good for the soul!

From Conservitory

From Conservitory

The winter carnival was hosting their annual Orchids competition. Not that I’d know the difference between an orchid and A thistle. The sign told me what they were.

From Conservitory

From Conservitory

Occasionally we would move to another bench and a different view

From Conservitory

I might just live through the winter after all.

Sprung a leak

Late last week one of the water pipes that feed the Condo complex that we live in sprung a minor leak. We noticed a sign on the bulletin board Saturday morning that the management had been notified and it would be fixed as soon as possible.
Well I have been keeping an eye on it off and on. (I have a bit of experience as a plumber). I also have a pretty good idea what will happen when a 4" wide pressure pipe with running water blows. (not going to be pretty) The drains will not keep up and the garage will be flooded and since its cold out all that water will freeze then start to pool in the garage.Well short story as the leak worsened at about 3:00PM Sunday afternoon and no one has fixed it. I moved the Jeep out of the garage. I'm about to go take my shower now for tomorrow Just in case we have no water.

From Scott

From Scott

New look for the Jeep

A few days ago I ordered a set of stainless steal tube rails (Running boards) for the Jeep from a company in Florida. They arrived Friday the 9th. I had them shipped directly to the loading dock at work. So today that's what I'm doing most of the morning I'm putting the new rails on the Jeep.
Of course nothing ever goes easy, and after checking the boxes of parts out I didn't have the tools necessary to put them on correctly, so I had to run to Sears and get some tools. This wasn't really a big problem because the tools I purchased were on my list to acquire before summer anyway so I sort of killed two birds with one stone (Right Margaret?)

$150 worth of tools sure fits in a small box

From Scott

So with the tools acquired its time to put on the new rails

From Scott

As you can probably guess I had a couple of visits from Margaret with her camera while I was working

From Scott

It only took a couple of hours to get the brackets mounted and put the rails on. I also applied a coat of wax to the rails before I mounted them to help protect them from the lovely tropical Minnesota winters.

From Scott

Looks pretty sporty now the rails make it look much lower to the ground.

From Scott

Birthday Wish for a special person

Its my wife and partners Birthday today. This will undoubtedly be the beginning of a big year for her. I wish you all the best Margaret and hope you have many more Birthdays to come. I love you and you mean everything to me