Automotive Addictions

Addictions.

Some folks have addictions to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and even more undesirable things. Personally I think I have a problem with junk cars and trucks. Seems like something you wouldn’t have a liking for, but for as long as I remember, I loved all things automotive. When I was younger I could recite car types, and specifications like some folks call out statistics for baseball or football.

So Schafer and I were discussing this about two years ago, and one of the things were talking about was the number of cars that we have had. I said that I probably have had 20 operable and in-operable vehicles. He chuckled and said that he thought that it was probably a few more. So I told him I would eventually make a list. Well I hadn’t done that until now, and here is the list:

1. 1968 Torino GT Fastback 289 4 speed – Paid $150 to John Zontini’s dad. Dad drove it home cause I was only 15. Bought it in 1984.
2. 1976 Ford Courier pickup – Paid $50 cause the head was off of it casue it get blowing head gaskets. Dad and I had the head milled and then put it back together. Then it blew again.
3. 1973 Ford Torino – 351 Windsor – rust bucket. I think we paid $50 for it. Then Dad and I bought a used idler arm for $5. Used this while I worked at Rax.
4. 1969 Ford Torino Fastback – Was originally a 351 Cleveland. I changed it to a 390 -4 speed. Kept it drove it while in high school. Sold finally in 1993. Should have kept it.
5. 1963 Ford Falcon. Paid $300. Took out a loan and dad cosigned for it, imagine that. Gave it to Don when I went in the service. He traded it for the 1968 Torino convertible.
6. 1973 Mustang Mach 1 – 351 Cleveland – 4 speed
7. 1984 Mustang SVO
8. 1967 Ford Fairlane – 4 door – 6 cylinder auto – bought in GA in 1992 for $300.
9. 1984 Ford Ranger  – “King Rat Attack”
10. 1986 Buick that Josh gave me when he got Uncle Donnies Car
11. 1988 Ford F250
12. Fiat X1/9
13. 1964 Comet  – Black  – Great Interior
14. 1964 Comet – Great Body no interior
15. 1999 Ford F250 – V10
16. 1966 Ford Fairlane
17. 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone – 390
18. 1969 Torino GT – 390 Rebuilt with Billy
19. 1995 Crown Vic
20. 2001 F250 Diesel 6 speed manual
21. 2002 Focus ZX3
22. 2003 F150
23. 2004 F150
24. 2005 F250 – CC 6.0 liter
25. 1964 Mercury Comet
26. 1966 Ford Falcon
27. 2006 F250  – CC 6.0 liter
28. 1973 Ford Gran Torino Sport – 351C-4V
29. 2008 Mustang GT
30. 1989 F250 Diesel Parts Truck
31. 1992 F250 – Diesel 5 speed
32. 1995 F150 – Parts truck
33. 1962 Ranchero – It was $150 who could resist?
34. 2011 F150 – Ecoboost 4×4
35. 1992 F350 – Diesel 5 speed
36. 1964 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
37. 2013 F150 – 5.0
38. 1971 Mercury Monterey Wagon
39. 1983 Ford F150 short bed single cab.
40. 1989 Ford F150 4×4 – blown engine.
41. 2013 Ford Focus SE – salvage vehicle that I now have a reconstructed title for.
42. 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis - Salvage
43. 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis. - Parts car for #42
    

    

    1983 F100

I actually think I may have forgotten a vehicle or two, but I will add them if I remember them. Quite the list.

So Mike was right, I have a problem!  I don’t deny it, but it isn’t that bad really?? I support a bunch of junkyards, and part suppliers. I know that some of the places know me by name.

If you get a chance swing by my YouTube channel to see me work on this stuff!

Empty Nest Update: Making good decisions.. is hard sometimes..

I really thought that I would miss my girl terribly while she is off at school. Rather than seeing her everyday, we now are seeing her once a month or so. It isn't too bad. Its not great, but it is manageable.

One of the main reasons I can say that is that she seems to be settling in and continuing to make good decisions. She and her room mate get along, and she is definitely spreading her wings in her new environment.

We raised her to be respectful and to make good decisions. She has learned these lessons well and seems to know right from wrong. The knowledge that she is mature and capable of making the right decisions, even if they are hard, puts my mind at ease.

With my mind at ease regarding her behavior and habits, I can go about my daily routine and not have to worry about what she is doing. I know she is doing whats right for her, and that it will not cause a lot of angst for her mother and I.

I look back to myself at the age. I was already in the Air Force. I was on my own, and I wasn't necessarily always making the correct or wise decisions. I seem to remember getting a half keg with Mark Brumbaugh and about four of us drinking the whole thing. Definitely not mature decision making. Which I think is why I was a little worried. I had my own misbehavior to look back on and luckily she landed away from the old apple tree and then rolled a little further.

So the excitement and joy of this new chapter in her life as well as ours continues, and it seems to be going well.

Taking our baby to college.

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I think the next few days will be slightly rough for my wife and me. We get to participate in the act of our daughter growing up and leaving the nest. She is headed off to college, and as an only child, this will leave a large hole in the fabric of the nest. We get the pleasure of loading all her earthly belongings up, driving for hours, and then trying to squeeze it all into a dorm room.

Everyone keeps telling me that once we become comfortable with the change we will thoroughly enjoy our empty nest. Though this may be true, I really do not see that occurring anytime soon. Not only will our daughter not be there to interact with us on a daily basis, but neither will her friends.

This will be a big change as well, since the kids have been part of our life for the past 10 years. I wish them all the best, and I am rooting for them to do great in school and in life, I just know we will miss them.

We have been extremely fortunate to have a daughter that has always been a pleasure to be around. Her intelligence and maturity has meant that no matter where we go or what we’re doing she fits perfectly into most all situations.

Based on this maturity she has always made some good decisions and been trusting enough of us that decisions she is not comfortable with, she discusses with either my wife or I. Although she will now be “on her own”, I truly hope that this personality trait continues. She will use this emotional intelligence to hopefully make many new friends that will last her a lifetime, while not forgetting the friends the she has now that have helped make her whom she is.

The range of emotions this activity is producing is incredibly wide. We are sad that our baby is going out on her own. Meanwhile, I can only imagine the incredible excitement, and curiosity that my daughter feels about getting to make a run at being “independent”.  She will be facing her own adjustments that while she doesn’t know it will be as big as or bigger than ours. I wish her luck, and want her to know that we are always here for her or any of her friends.

As all of these young adults head out into the world to make their mark, let’s say a prayer for them and their parents as everyone adjusts to this part of the circle of life. There will be success and failure, but that is life and that is what they are about to learn. Hopefully we have prepared all of them to be successful in their coming endeavors

No new web page for my blog.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I have chosen to maintain only this blog and my You Tube channel.
Trying to completely start two new entities was simply way to much work. I may be an empty nester, but I am not retired.

I will continue to post everyday if at all possible, that is the commitment I have made to myself. Just to keep me busy in the evening's. I will work on the cars every weekend and shoot video's to post. Again this may change based on what activities we have on certain weekends, and whether the midget comes home, or we go to Mississippi State to visit.

So thanks for continuing to support me it is very appreciated.

My baby came home this weekend...

Its a wonderful thing when you get to see your child for the first time after they've been gone a couple of weeks.

"Separation makes the heart grow fonder!"

I don't think that is always a true statement. I was extremely fond of her prior to her leaving. I think I love her just as much as prior to that fateful day that we dropped her at Mississippi State University.
I think that this is a result of being extremely lucky on our part to have a child who always seemed mature beyond her years. Those of you that know her realize that this is not a brag. It is a plain statement of fact.

She has been gone, and I think she misses us as much as we miss her. We have always been a close and supportive family, so to be separated has caused some anxiety for all of us. Nothing that can't be cured with time and regular visits on both parties parts. But we don't love her more because she has been gone.

Maybe I am taking that old statement a little to literal, but it was weighing on my mind so I figured I would put my thoughts onto the proverbial paper. With all of the emotions that I have, fonder is not one of them.

I love that she is growing wings and flying. I love that she will get her feet under her and she will be running at life full tilt. I love that she cares for her parents so deeply. I love that we love her back just as deeply. This is the way life is supposed to be! A little sad, but a ton of joy to offset the changes that are occurring.

If your child has yet to leave the nest, cherish each moment. The moments you want to last a lifetime unfortunately don't, but you can cherish the young adult they have become.

So Alysse, go back to school and give it your all because we will always be here for you.

Moving my blog to https://genosgarage.company/

Decided to try my hand at having a complete website with the ability to blog.

Been thinking about hobbies and things to do with my spare time, and I decided that this is a good way to keep myself occupied.

So if you haven't yet, please go take a look at my new website and check it out.

I hope to have my musings, my projects, and travel.

Please take a look, realize that its a work in progress, and give me critical feedback on how I can make it better.

Thanks for all of your kind words to date.