So-so Sunday, Back to the Swamp

The day has gone so-so. Early in the day, the air was cool and the sky was sunny. As the day began, we had more rain...but the sun was still shining...the rain only lasted about fifteen minutes or so....this time. The early temperature was about 75 degrees...by late afternoon it was around 88 degrees.

Hubby was in and out trying to finish up the van...he managed to get the exhaust reattached...and then it rained before he could get it welded. After waiting for the rain to stop and things to somewhat dry out, he headed back outside once more. At this point, I should probably mention, he's also replacing the shocks, front and back.

The exhaust in place, he began welding the seams. Once he was satisfied with how it was hanging, he moved on to the shocks. OOPS... Mental note: For future exhaust replacements...Tack weld first and make sure all parts are in place (other parts, like shocks). Seems the new exhaust has a larger diameter pipe, and the new shocks are also heavier...translation...larger. As he's putting the shock in place he hits a snag...the shock is not going to clear the exhaust pipe. We spent until sundown/dusk working on bending the pipe. Slow process as he didn't want to grind the welds off to move the pipe....instead, he found the 'popper torch' and used it to heat the pipe and then beat it with a hammer. SSLLOOWW process. The shock still isn't in place and the van is still up on jacks and blocks.

On the up side...I will have my Dakota to drive while the van is down.

All the standing water has really put a hitch in what I wanted to accomplish this weekend. I can't get near the burn pit without wading boots and its the same for heading any place in the yard. I was wanting to fire up the smoker grill and finish off a fresh pork roast so it had the nice smokey flavor. Not to be, as the wood is impossible to get to due to the water. Even the garden and chicken yard are both soggy. I've got trim work to finish with the weedeater and there's a bit more mowing I was needing to complete. The river is in the back pasture again and the swamp is flowing around the house once more....looks like it could be a bit before I'm going to be able to mow again.

The water almost put a stop to the work on the van. Hubby's stick welder is out back...sits in it's own little enclosed trailer. He wasn't sure if he was going to be able to get to it because of the water. I suggested he use the little MIG welder that we bought several years ago...its in the shed....DUH!! Its perfect for this job...afterwards, he said he was glad he used the MIG because he didn't think he would have been able to get the stick to weld as nice. Well, imagine that! It's this type of work that this welder was purchased for....silly man.

Its raining again....so ends a so-so Sunday...now...back to the swamp....