Goeken Automotive and AC Repair

 

The upstairs air conditioner stopped working. 

 Fortunately, the only hot day this week was the day we discovered it.

Because we have two identical air conditioners,

WE can swap parts to find the one not working.

Terry found and replaced the non-functioning part

with one from the other air conditioner.

Unfortunately, it still didn't work.

Guess that means there are two broken parts.

The second part turned out to be the motor.

Two days later, WE had the parts and it was repaired.

 

Father's Day Rebecca traded cars with Terry,

since hers stalled on the highway when she down shifted.

First he replaced the battery, so it would start.

After trying to reset the engine control module with no success,

(he looked for the idle set screw and found they stopped using that in 1996)

he learned on line to try cleaning out the throttle body.

Another trip to the parts store for throttle body cleaner ($5)

and the car idles at a steady 900 rpm's.

 

I suggested going in to Chicago to trade cars again with Rebecca.

"No hurry," he said.  "Her car has air conditioning and mine isn't working."

You would think someone who could fix air conditioners and cars

could repair a car's air conditioner.

 

 

To go outside, Nolan needed a diaper change and his hat.

He's trying to save me time by doing his part.

 

Grampa blew up Auntie Becca's pool.  \

Since thunderstorms were predicted, it just stayed in the garage

waiting for a "pool" weather day.

Nolan had no idea it was a pool and just enjoyed his new toy.

 

To go for a walk, Nolan must have shoes on.

Thank heavens he doesn't have to wear socks with HIS shoes in the summer.

 

Nolan knew exactly what to do with the faucet.

He obviously is observing everything we do.

 

Gramma and Nolan found one of the French Children's Song's dollies.

He was amazed he had eyes. 

He wasn't at all bothered by the fact he has no clothes.

My students will remember I made up lyrics to this song for Ryan Joseph,

who didn't want to practice one day without the promise of a silly song.

My students have been singing, "French Children love to wear no underwear," for over 25 years.

The dolls were a gift from a student.

Nolan has never enjoyed stuffed animals,

but he slept with this little guy, after Gramma sent it home with him.

Perhaps he wonders how he got so much hair.

 

 

 

I took a video of Nolan, who was supposed to be taking a nap.

His parents can't understand why his naps are shorter at Gramma's.

I think they suspect us of waking him, because we want more time to play with him.

They have explained they don't go in the minute he starts to make noise

and he often goes back to sleep.

The Nolan who comes on Friday isn't about to go back to sleep.
He knows Grampa needs his help.

 

 

 

Nolan discovered Lawrence Welk's world - bubbles!

 

 

 

News from the California Crew

 

 

 

 

Under the shade of the old apple tree.

 

They're still up to date in their firemen training.

 

In case of a gas leak or a smelly roommate, Andrew is prepared.

 

Andrew is reading this map intently. 

Soon he will find the treasure.

 

Always climbing to new heights.

 

 



All in a Day's Work

 

Nolan appreciated us bringing up the table and chairs.

He has a lot of work he needs to do there.

His favorite crayon seems to be orange.

 

Nolan has discovered the Xoom tablet.  He's hooked.

 

He knows it's important to blow on the hot food.

 

This week we put water in his play table instead of sand.

No bath required following play time.

 

A change of clothes IS required, though.

 

The step makes the perfect bench to enjoy a cold drink.

 

"I wonder how this works?"

 

"Grampa says I need shoes to go outside." 

Good thing he has an extra pair for me.

 

Nolan thinks he needs to ride all the strollers and the wagon when he's here.

It's a big job, but he takes it seriously.

He got into this stroller, while I was getting out a different one..

 

"I've got my water and I'm ready to go."

He sits very contentedly while he rides.

We have three different routes we choose from.

Some days we do all three.

 

I heard a scraping sound and saw the tail end of these steps moving behind the counter.

I assumed Grampa was moving them.

Upon looking closer, I discovered Nolan is strong and determined enough

to move them by himself.

If Grampa starts to do dishes, Nolan runs for his steps.

He is the assistant cook and bottle washer and chief rinser.

 

 

Day 4 of the California Vacation Saga

 

 

 

 

We picked up Auntie Becca from a friend's apartment in San Francisco.

We all went to the San Francisco Academy of Science and enjoyed a day of discovery.

 

 

We could learn a lot from jellyfish. 

(They're not really fish, they're plankton.)

Auntie Becca already knew what it feels like to have a jellyfish sting you.

Behind glass, they're gentle and beautiful.

 

 

The starfish could be touched, so we touched.

If they lose one of their points, they grow another.

 

Gramma and Auntie Becca managed to enjoy this pole at the park.

Auntie Becca did better and held on longer than Gramma.

 

Grampa tried the spider web jungle gym.

He went almost as high as Nathan and Andrew.

But then, they are super heroes.

 

Daddy and Auntie Becca settled for nothing less than the top.

It's impossible to let your sibling get there without you.

 

It's easy to face the oceans of life,

when Mommy has your back.

 

"Look, I think I found a pirate's treasure."

 

"Here comes another really big wave.  I'm ready to run."

 

Andrew wasn't feeling so good at the end of the day.

Shortly after this picture he lost his dinner.

Fortunately, you can throw up outside in California.

 

We all loved the fire and the some mores. 

Andrew's were saved for the next day.

You have to be careful when disposing of your hot ashes.

Daddy learned NOT to put them in the garbage too soon.

Fortunately, we noticed the garbage was on fire before it was too late.

 

In the wild, wild west, their are cowboys living on the range.

 

Look very carefully at these bushes.

They're growing legs the size of Andrew's.

 

 

Gramma forgot her curling iron at home, so she had to make an emergency trip to CVS.

I thought I might as well buy a new style curling iron.

The clerk said she had the same one and liked it.

I jokingly said, "Great.  I'll know who to go to, if I need help."

The next day I found I'm too old to learn how to use a new style curling iron.

I tried to get Grampa to help, but his only suggestion was to return it.

He was already putting on my eyeliner for me in the morning,

and couldn't be talked into becoming my hairdresser, too.

 

We had a wonderful time, drank lots of wine, tried to make quinoa without the quinoa, learned it's okay to nap in the car parked in your driveway 

and that you can take off your pants at the beach, but no where else.

We also learned time moves really fast when we're all together and so do we.

 

 

 

 

 



Rub-a-dub-dub

 

If you sit here for snack, you can see the school bus pass by.

The driver sometimes honks for Nolan.

(Or he may want Gramma to move out of his way.)

 

That's a raspberry stuck on Nolan's finger.

This was a favorite trick of Andrew's.

I guess Nolan was watching.

 

Nolan was so excited about the new sandbox,

he didn't want to wait for the sand.

At his house, he sits IN the sandbox.

 

 

Nolan enjoyed scooping and pouring the sand.

He is really curious about what it tastes like.

 

It's the perfect day for snacks outside.

 

Sitting in a grown-up chair gives you an older perspective on life.

Gramma's going to try Nolan's chair.

 

 

 

It took a few tries, but Nolan enjoys the swing, now.

 

After a day in the sandbox, a boy needs time in the tub.

 

"Grampa, you're not thinking I'm ready for that towel yet, are you?"

 

We're betting money that that hair is going to be REALLY  curly some day.

 

"I don't know which is better; the sandbox or the tub."

 

"I'm so glad Grampa and Gramma shared their bath toys."

 

"It's really time to come out?  Already?"

 

 

 

This is Matthew in my Mom's bathroom sink

when he was the same age as Nolan.

He was a thumb sucker.  He isn't anymore.

 

The party's tonight and the wine fridge needs a new part.

 

A different new part than the one that came today.

The no compressor fridge is a good idea,

until the part that replaces the compressor breaks.

 

 

News from the California Crew

Day 3 of the Vacation Saga

 

 

 

 

If Nathan becomes a doctor, I think I may know what his specialty will be.

 

The first frog on the left is Andrew

and the frog to the right of the lady is Nathan.

Ready for take off; ribit.

 

The boys were thrilled that they were big enough to ride these pedal cars by themselves.

 

Andrew's long legs made the going easy.

 

Nathan makes up for shorter legs with extra determination.

 

Swings have always been a favorite of Nathan's.

 

 We found a place to eat our picnic lunch in the Japanese gardens.

It was hard to spot the koi (goldfish).  

 

It required a very close look.

 

The koi is thinking, "If I stay hiding under here,

maybe they won't see me."

 



 Nathan and Andrew were feeding the fish,

who really weren't very hungry.

Another little boy came over and Nathan shared his food with the boy.

Nathan is very kind and generous with others, even his brother.

He wouldn't be able to have fun if someone else had to do without.

It touched my heart to watch him.