Sometimes You're the Windshield, and Sometimes the Bug

 Recently I've felt more like the bug. 

The blizzard and below zero F temperatures a couple of weeks ago have been replaced by almost summerlike 70s and 80s, but problems caused by the weather remain and won't be resolved quickly. So what has that to do with my efforts to get my Plymouth finished? Well, it once again comes down to priorities. 

After the storm, I finally got a repairman to look at my emergency generator and he diagnosed it as a bad controller assembly, but when he checked availability of a new one, he was told it would be at least two weeks before the parts arrived from Generac.  So, I searched the Internet and found a source of OEM parts for $200 less than the repairman estimated and it arrived today. Maybe I can get it swapped tomorrow.

When the daily temperature rose above freezing, I discovered a cracked chlorine dispenser on the pool equipment. Naturally, the part was back ordered, and the distributor said it could be as long as 5 weeks, so it will be another wait!

Nothing else could go wrong, right? Well, when the appliance repairman arrived he decided that he needed another technician to assist in removing the the oven/microwave/warming drawer assembly from the cabinet so he could replace parts. In the meantime he ordered the suspected parts and then left after promising me he would return in a couple of days with a helper. He called a week later and said that everyone was swamped with work and now he doesn't know when he can get back with an assistant. More waiting.

While I wait, I should be mowing the lawn, but was waiting for new spindles to arrive. They just arrived, so I'll take care of that repair this afternoon.

The only thing I've done on the car recently was to evaluate the new bear claw latches, and unfortunately they are not rugged enough to replace the original latches. So, now I'm back to designing a more compact, simple and robust actuator to use with the original  heavier duty latches. I know I can improve my original design by using heavier gauge metal and making the package more compact. I have some ideas, but  will have to find some small bearings before I can begin building a prototype.

It's much like life in the Air Force...hurry up and wait!