The operation was a success - Its ALIVE!

After months of being on life support, Eric's BMW is back on the highway of happiness again (literally). Eric was able to come home again this weekend and we were able to put all of the parts back together again. We had a few minor set backs like when we just couldn't find where one of the engine hoses went and it seemed like we just couldn't put enough transmission fluid into it to bring it back to life. Finally with one last jolt from the battery charger, we got a heartbeat and we were able to take it off of jack supports. With wheels on the ground again, and a transmission that actually works, Eric was nothing but smiles with this happy ending to our little project.

Next Project

Well the time has come to start the next major project here at the Salas house. I had been calling around for months trying to find someplace that could rebuild Eric's BMW transmission for a reasonable price but because of those three letters: BMW, it just wasn't going to happen. The service places wanted more to rebuild his transmission than he paid for the car and that just wasn't a good option for a poor college student. I finally located a used transmission in Washington and was able to have it shipped here for around $800. So now the fun begins. Eric called on Friday and wanted to know if we could start the car project this weekend. I let him know I first had finish up another project (I will let Debra tell that story) that was taking up the garage space but I could could quickly finish it and start on the car. We emptied out the garage, did a quick cleaning and removal of accumulated sawdust and moved the new patient in. We started late Friday night and work until mid-day on Saturday and we were successful with the first half of the project, which is removing the transmission. Next comes putting it all back together.

 Step 1. lift the car off the ground at least 2 feet.

 Step 2. take about half of the engine apart to get to the starter (really).

Step 3. Don't loose any of those engine parts because you will probably need them later.

 Step 4. Take out old trans (on the right) and make sure the new (on the left) one looks the same

Success! we are 1/2 way through the job but Eric needs to go back to school to get ready for finals.

Story to be continued.

Easter and signs of Spring

Spring is finally showing signs of its arrival.  This winter has been long, cold and dreary.  I am so ready to work in the yard and enjoy the warmth of the sun. 

Easter has changed through the years with the children growing up and moving away. This is the first year we haven't had our grandsons here for an Easter egg hunt in the back yard. Saturday night it was just Keith, Joseph and I. Since Creamed Eggs on Toast are a breakfast tradition, using up all those dyed eggs, Keith reminded me that we still needed to dye some eggs so that we could have our colorful breakfast. I boiled up a dozen and the three of us colored them. We cooked up some baby back ribs for our Saturday night bbq. They were premarinated and boy were they good!

 

Eric came home from Logan on Sunday after church . The Easter bunny still made an appearance but a little more conservative.  This is Eric's, Keith's and Joseph's baskets.  I just help myself to Jospeh's treats.  I also made the egg nests from chinese noodles, white chocolate and egg shaped m&m's.  The recipe is from Best Bites 2nd cookbook.  I think I ate most of them.

 Ashley, Tyler and Audrey came over for Sunday dinner.  It was nice enough to spend some time outside, although there was a cool breeze, so we didn't last long.

 The first signs of spring are the crocus'. They are really beautiful this year.

 

 

Some more of my spring flowers. The daffidils are starting to bloom since these pitcures were taken.

Joseph just enjoying the day. 

 For our dinner we used pioneer women's recipe for  our ham. It was really good.  I also baked sweet potatoes with brown sugar/ cinnamon sprinkled on top, Roasted asparagus and of course homemade rolls. For dessert I madeStrawberry Neopoleans.  One of our favorite spring recipes.  It was a nice pleasant day.