Tools!

*Tim Taylor throat noise*

Nancy really surprised me with an awesome set of Makita lithium-ion tools for Christmas. It's a very nice set that includes an impact driver (now I can be just like the guys on those home improvement shows), a 2-speed 1/2" drill with a hammer setting, a really nice 6-1/2" circular saw with a cast alloy base, a flashlight, three 18-V battery packs, and a quick charger. Oh, and some fancy luggage.


Makita really nailed it with this combo, and didn't skimp on any of the tools even though it was sold as a set. I think some of my old power tools will be jealous they never get used (like my corded Milwaukee circular saw). Battery-powered tools have gotten really amazing.


Oh, and a lot of other great stuff, including a Bulbdial clock from Nancy's folks. I can't wait to put it together.

Thanks, everybody!

So, what you been doing?

Let's see, what have I been up to lately...

Well, I finished preparing my garden tractor for snow plowing duty. I painted my plow mounting frame and reinforced the front blade, replaced front axle bushings, replaced the front tires, fixed the headlights, and a did few other things.

Then I got nine yards (about 14 tons) of crushed mine rock delivered for my driveway. Because of my overhanging trees and the power line in the front, the truck driver ended up leaving a few piles that Nancy and I smoothed out later. I used the garden tractor to knock down the piles and grade the driveway. The Brinly box blade was invaluable for this, and will be very handy for keeping the driveway smooth in the future.

I still have a few more things I'd like to do around here before the weather turns (we've really been lucky with this nice weather lately). My shed will finally get a full clean-out, something that I didn't have a chance to do when I moved in. I "inherited" a lot of interesting stuff (reel mower, ancient gas mower, some kind of rotisserie), but it's time to do some organization and put up some hooks and racks.

I also have grand plans for more home automation stuff, but that'll have to wait until I have more time and spare change on hand.