Another day without a box packed...

Well, I did find a spring that might just be the solution to the passenger seat moving freely, up and back. While some find it mildly fun, it really isn't safe, or suitable for a 2500 mile cruise, so gotta get it stationary! Hopefully Issac will be able to get the one of the springs I bought to solve the problem.

Cat's quarters need some help, luckily, my co-pilot, Maria, is a pet expert and is arriving at 10 on Sunday morning. She may be starting a pet vlog (that is video log for those of us not so techie). She is a whiz with solving all manner of problems, has tons of common sense, is quite capable with her hands, and I am frankly relieved that I can turn the "cat tricking of the Jeep" over to her. Whew!

Oh, in case I forgot to mention it, the mechanic's shop - B & W on 26th and South Van Ness in SF, the wonderful guys that did the routine service that unearthed the laundry list of repairs... well, those guys are really awesome - they have always done a good job on the Jeep. When I have had to take it someplace else in an emergency and been told, "you need to replace x" I would end up taking it to Bill and Wayne (B & W - which also stands for Brake and Wheel - that worked out nice didn't it) and as often as not, they would say, you don't need to do that -- just do this and save me a ton of cash. Honest fellows those guys. Bill is just a sweetie to boot. Well, when I asked Wayne to prioritize the list of repairs, I told him I needed to drive it cross country. His reponse "that thing" - well, that inspired tons of confidence, needless to say.

I did mention I was wanting to start thinking about a new vehicle and wanted a 4WD station wagon and was looking at the Subarus. He said they were fine for the first 50k to 80k but if I wanted to keep it longer, (as he shot a look at Jeep on the rack) he suggested sticking with the higher off the ground vehicles and said he'd go with a Honda Pilot and second would be a Toyota 4 Runner. So, if you are in the market for a 4WD, there is some advice from a long term mechanic that runs a good shop.

So, it is Saturday night and co-pilot arrives around 10 am in the morning. I am going to do homework tonight, as it is due on Sunday and I just "KNOW" that everything will get done by Wednesday morning.

So, this morning I went to buy the hitch cargo carrier and the 1 1/4" to 2" hitch adapter so the cargo carrier would fit on my hitch. Bought it, went to my old place in Pt. Richmond to pick up my stuff from storage and decided to just check out that hitch adapter. Couldn't get it to fit. Called Mike back and told him I thought there was a problem. I went back to see him and the poor man had to get a dremel sander out and sand the inside of my hitch, get the grinder and grind down the hitch adapter and then get a board and a mallet and bang the hitch adapter into my hitch. He got it to fit and we are actually able to remove the adapter, which is a good thing long term for the shins... He was a super nice man, so if you know anyone that needs a bike or cargo carrier that is hitch mounted, or needs autobody tools, or auto mechanic tools, he deals in those. Mike Moore. www.broadwaylifts.com He has an adorable, and way affectionate black and white kitty named Samantha.

That added about 45 minutes onto my day. I am so glad I checked it out.

Got to see my friend Karen when she gave me her pet barrier to use. She is the mommy of Snuggie's sister, a fiesty calico that I named Precious as a wee kitty and Karen renamed Boom Boom when she adopted her. Well, turns out Boom is a much more fitting name for her. I also got a real chocolate shake from Foster's Freeze. Ohio does not have Foster's Freeze, boo hoo.

I did get all my stuff from Anne's garage (3 trips) and she will be coming by on Sunday afternoon, along with Sedi, to help with packing and such.

I also bought a rooftop bag to store some stuff in since we won't have any space in the car as the boys will have the entire back, which really isn't much space.

The furniture will arrive in Dayton sometime between June 30 and July 7. Nice spread, eh? Hence the rooftop carrier and the hitch carrier - just a few things to tide us over.

OK, vented enough for today. Getting on to the stats homework which is not really stats focused this week which makes me very freaking happy.

More later!!!!!!!!!!! There are plenty more hurdles to clear before we hit the open, and loud, road.

Video camera, if I can unearth mine and get it to work, will record a wee bit of the boys car surfing and probably barfing, poor little shits.

All right, off to have my chicken and rice - thanks Sarah! and do the homey work!

later!