One Strut, Six Hours

My current budget includes the large chunk of money my Honda will magically turn into when I sell it. Right before I finally got serious about it, the shocks went bad, and it was wobbling all over the place whenever I hit a bump. I got some new shocks, found my Chilton's manual, and have now replaced one of four shocks.

It only took six hours.

I'm also bleeding in several places because I was too stupid to don protective handwear for the adventure, and missed jujutsu because leaving the spring in it's compressed state in the iffy compressors I borrowed from Advance Auto didn't seem very safe. My dojo-mates would probably also prefer not to touch me when I'm bleeding. Most people don't, which, if nothing else, proves I'm not female.

I've learned many useful lessons installing the first strut, things like Wear Fucking Gloves and Don't Put the Spring Compressors on Upside Down, etc. Hopefully the other three will go faster tomorrow.

Then I have to find the torque wrench...

First Puppy Adoption Date Successful

One of the many things I'm doing to prepare to travel more is adopting out my precious puppies. I took Loki over to dirtwitch's house in Elgin yesterday to see if he would help bring their heavily abused (not by them) rescue dog Willow out of her shell. Everyone got along famously, and evidently Willow was more sociable and playful than she had ever been before. I was treated to an excellent chicken dinner, and got to see dirtwitch's Permaculture setup on her 18 acres out in Elgin. Next we will try an overnight visit, and if that goes well, a trial adoption for a few weeks. As much as I hate to give up my dogs, I really feel good about how things are going so far, and I know Loki will have a great time with his new family.