3Pooches version 3.5

So I've been looking at commuter vehicles. I had pretty much decided on a Civic in the 2010-2012 timeframe. Because I am me; which means unexplainable to anyone but another car-person, I decided, "Hey, why get a boring Civic to commute in? Wouldn't you rather enjoy the drive a little?" So I my viewing shifted a little. And thanks to some friends I found this: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/04f29b2e-afde-451b-b17a-d6f57f1f1759/. This is a bad idea for so many reasons, right? I've already test-driven it and stuff. It rides and drives nicely. There's some minor cosmetic issues, but nothing major.

 

That's a sweet ride, it's just the potential repairs ($$) that I would worry about.

 

I mean, it's not my first VW family vehicle by a long shot. It is due or almost due for some of the bigger stuff. I can do it all myself. But parts still cost monies.

And as a further example of my sickness: even knowing all of this, I still want it.

 

Only if you run 40psi of boost and propane injection

 

But of course. It'll be rolling coal.

 

How’s Wyoming?

 

For the sake of time, I will just answer for Mark: hilly or flat, but definitely snowy.

 

At Pooches…. Whatcha building/transforming?

I gots to know.

 

Currently collecting parts, but the plan is to redo my rear link and “bed” setup and cut the front crossmembers off and move the front diff ~4” forward. I would like to run big tires and not have to cut the cab mount and cab.

 

Cools.

Hot damn!

 

Found you a new seat belt.

 

You've been holding out on us this whole time. I knew it.

 

Chris has.. Word on the street (my head and how I wanna see it) is, he is going buck wild with this new set up.

 

Not to kill the vibe in the room, but I have some news that I have calmed down enough about to talk about.

First part. Gwen was told two weeks ago that she doesn't have a job January 1. The company lost the contract to the hospital because the hospital is taking the medical side of the operation in house. There was a promise to bring most of the staff in, but everyone was low balled by 15-20% of their salary. And her offer was delayed two weeks for some unknown reason. Gwen countered with a part time request (7 on / 7 off 10 hour days have been rough on her). While she thought they were negotiating, they filled her spot with someone else. They did offer her contingent, as needed.

Second part. I was voluntold back to the team that I left last year because they need qualified personnel to fill the seats they haven't been able to fill (because the team currently sucks ________.) So I am going to loose my telework to go do something I don't want to do. And this is a 24/7 team, which means weekends are back in play. To help offset the income loss, I have requested afternoons for a shift premium. Because of the seniority of others on the team, I probably won't get weekends off.

Third part. To add to all of this, we had enough money left from the sale of our old house to have our deck replaced. We were looking to have it just repaired / updated, but two vertical support beams needed to be replaced because they had some good bends in them. It was cheaper to tear in down and start over. So we did. The day after we wrote the final check, we found out about Gwen's job.

Last part. Saturday my sister called. 80 year old mom was being prepped for exploratory abdominal surgery to see why she air where she shouldn't have air. They were looking at her intestinal area and suspected dead tissue. My heart immediately sank (my sister was already worried) because that is what lead to my dads death. Fortunately, that surgery found healthy pink tissue. They left the incision open to go back in last Monday to "take everything out" and check it all again. All was good. Mom is getting better and is in rehab at the hospital to keep tabs on her other issues and adjust medications.

Decisions part. Now I'm thinking about selling a vehicle. And the truck is getting some consideration as it will generate cash to cover house payments should that be needed. I really don't want to get rid of the truck, but have to weigh the finances and see what happens. The car will go as it has a payment that is about what I was spending in gas when the prices were higher. And if I have to sell the truck, I could get into something new for about the same payment as the car. So if you know anyone looking for a 2013 Passat TDI commuter....

I am coming to terms with the new team assignment and there is some promise that it may get better up there. My former boss was moved to the unit I'm going to about a month ago to affect the change he brought down here. he will be my new boss. And we have another one at his level who is coming in with the experience to make our team what it should have been to begin with. That's the promise anyway.

It hasn't been a fun couple of weeks. If the rain holds off tomorrow, there may be a camp fire out back with some of that 3 Pooches fire wood.

 

Its freaking windy, like wind tunnel windy. Temps aren't bad this week (in the 30s) but with the wind it's miserable.

 

Tim, so sorry to hear all of this, however am very glad to hear about your mother's progress and wish and pray for her continued health and healing.

Let us know what and when we can help out!

 

I wish you and your family godspeed through this time - Friday night campfires always do me good.

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with in rear. Do you have any major complaints with the way your links/coil over are set up now?

 

Sorry to hear that Tim, Hope you the best and everything will fall in place when its time. If that means looking for a new job, for you and Gwen. you might find happiness somewhere else.