Unbelievably, the last post made on this site was August 5th. There’s a reason(s) why I haven’t posted since that date. It’s not for lack of eventful stuff to communicate, it’s that things have been SOOOO eventful, that posting at 11:00 PM every nite wasn’t on the top of my priority list.

So here’s a brief listing of significant happenings at WCR. I’ll try to list them in chronological order, if my memory holds up that long:

1. When we got home from Joey’s graduation exercises, the remodeling had begun. Both 32” entry doors had been replaced on the shop and exterior paint work had begun!
2. I drove to Pearland and picked up our Pony’s new block that Owen’s Racing prepped for me. It’s sitting patiently on an engine stand under a towel in our shop, awaiting assembly, which will begin as soon as all the remodeling is complete.
3. The exterior of the house was painted. We went from a 2- tone federal blue to a 2-tone forest green. Contrary to how it sounds, it looks really good.
4. The walls came down! Our house was opened up from the front to the back, with only a framed load bearing wall in between. The next step is to install a pre-engineered constructed load supporting beam in the attic to eliminate the wall.
5. The beam was installed, & the cabinets in our den were modified to install a set of French doors leading out into the back yard.
6. Veronica &I took some vacation days to install a 16’ x 32’ deck in the back yard between the French doors and the pool. On the 1st day we went to Houston to pick out granite for our kitchen counters. It was hot as Hell all week working on that deck.
7. Joey received a packet from UTI in the mail that included all of his official merit certificates. Included in this packet was a surprise…… They gave Joey the “Dave Hill” award!! I don’t know any details on why they didn’t present him with it during the graduation ceremony, but it was disappointing that his family & friends didn’t get to share in the presentation.
8. Joey & Loni went to Arlington, Texas for a few days, where he accepted a job with Penske Trucking as a diesel mechanic, and Loni landed a transfer with a Home Depot Store. They also put a deposit on a real nice town home just a short drive from both employers. They both are scheduled to start work around mid-September.
9. Texturing & interior painting began, countertops stripped, front door replaced, blah, blah, blah…… Engine block still patiently waiting in dark shop.
10. Deck finished!
11. Meeting of the mom’s to discuss wedding budget….. lots of $$$$$, so a drastic decision was made….. please sit down for this one: J&L were scheduled to take a “graduation celebration” Caribbean Cruise, beginning September 4th. After discussing several issues, J&L spontaneously decided to get married in Jamaica while on their cruise, as it was scheduled to be one of an all day excursion to an exclusive tropical resort. As it turned out, this could not happen due that you had to be on the island at least 3 days to get married. Soooooo, Joey in Loni will become husband & wife this SUNDAY, in a small outdoor garden wedding in Galveston, prior to setting sail on their now “honeymoon” Caribbean cruise. Following the honeymoon they will be Arlington residents, and return home sometime in October after our remodeling aftermath, where we’ll hold a back yard reception for them…… Veronica never ceases to amaze me.
12. We went to the 1st “Gulf Coast Paper Chase” race at ADW Saturday evening. There were 14 ProMods, and countless outlaw cars there. It was one of the best races that I ever went to, even without our car in tow. We had a blast!...................... Engine block still patiently waiting in dark shop.
13. The granite countertops and the entertainment center have been installed, and the hardwood floor is being put in today. If we survive the weekend, we’ll empty all the bedrooms Monday & Tuesday to install carpet next week. At this point we’ll pretty much be in the “home stretch” of the remodeling……. Engine block still patiently waiting in dark shop.


WHEW! That about catches us up over the last couple of weeks. I’m sure I left something out, but I’ll post it if & when it comes to mind. Like I said before, we’ve ALL been running 90 to nothing, 12–14 hrs/day, & hopefully the pace will slow down soon. I WILL POST PICS OF THE HOUSE (before/after) WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED (if that ever happens)……….. Engine block still patiently waiting in dark shop.


[ 3 comments ] ( 35 views )

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Yeah folks, the smile sez it all.....
Joey "walked" today.... not once, but twice.
This morning he graduated from 15 weeks of "Ford Accelerated Credential Training"(FACT). This is post graduate work that deals strictly with Ford product repairs and prepares students to be certified Ford repair technicians. He was presented with several warm cogratulatory hand shakes from all his instructors, a packet containing documentation of his certifications, and a real nice watch that only FACT graduates are awarded.

This afternoon, he graduated in his regular UTI class graduation, where he was recognized for several accomplishments, and as we understood it, he was nominated for the "Dave Hill" award. This is a pretty prestigous award given to the top student of the class. I never saw the award given out, so I don't know who the actual recipient was.

Congratulations, Joey! We're all so proud of you!
.....NOW GET TO WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ 5 comments ] ( 69 views )

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Joey called me this evening on his cell phone.....

Dad: Hello?
Joey: I'm through!
Dad: Huh??!??
Joey: I'M THROUGH! I'VE GOT MY CAP & GOWN, turned in all my stuff, and I'll see y'all tommorrow at graduation!

Dad: I'm so proud of ya Joey, I'll see you tommorrow...


I didn't know what else to say...... this is our last one.

Beth's coming in from NYC to watch him graduate....

Too much "special" stuff for this old guy.

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OK... Let's try this another way....What would you rather see the pictoral progress of:

THIS???????




....or this...........?



...let's be honest now...

[ 7 comments ] ( 62 views )

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We should be getting the block, pistons, & crank back from Owens hopefully by the end of the week. The nice man in the brown delivery truck dropped off a package Friday, that included piston rings, main bearings, rod bearings, new oil pump w/ARP driveshaft, and a handy little gadget that makes ring filing a walk in th' park.... assembly of the short block will soon begin....about the same time our home will be turned into a war zone due to remodeling efforts beginning. Which pix updates do you want to see? MOTOR BUILD THAT FEATURE FORGED INTERNALS, 4-BOLT BILLET MAINS, & CUSTOM GROUND CAMSHAFTS......or...sheetrock & carpet???????

[ 7 comments ] ( 48 views )

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