Here is my new place (without the snow):

So far, the move to the country has been quite the challenge.  We had to get a tractor to plow the 3 1/2 feet of snow we got.  The whole quiet thing is hard to get used to, and the 8-10 deer running through the property every day is pretty cool.  The new shop is waiting to be built and the property needs a bunch of work done in the spring.

The Vette is in storage with the mustangs and roadsters.

So, all is well in the life. 

- Roadster 

Just a crappy day here in Washington.  The rain is falling, making the day a wet, cold, and gray day.

Alex has died...  1976-2007

Just read this page in the news.  Alex was one of the birds that made me want a grey too.  It is a sad time for the parrot owners.

Alex, a parrot that could count to six, identify colors and even express frustration with repetitive scientific trials, has died after 30 years of helping researchers better understand the avian brain.

The cause of Alex's death was unknown. The African grey parrot's average life span is 50 years, Brandeis University scientist Irene Pepperberg said. Alex was discovered dead in his cage Friday, she said, but she waited to release the news until this week so grieving researchers could get over the shock and talk about it.

"It's devastating to lose an individual you've worked with pretty much every day for 30 years," Pepperberg told The Boston Globe. "Someone was working with him eight to 12 hours every day of his life."

Alex's advanced language and recognition skills revolutionized the understanding of the avian brain. After Pepperberg bought Alex from an animal shop in 1973, the parrot learned enough English to identify 50 objects, seven colors and five shapes. He could count up to six, including zero, was able to express desires, including his frustration with the repetitive research.

He also occasionally instructed two other parrots at the lab to "talk better" if they mumbled, though it wasn't clear whether he was simply mimicking researchers.

Alex hadn't reached his full cognitive potential and was demonstrating the ability to take distinct sounds from words he knew and combine them to form new words, Pepperberg said. Just last month, he pronounced the word "seven" for the first time.

The last time Pepperberg saw Alex was Thursday, she said. They went through their back-and-forth goodnight routine, which always varied slightly and in which she told him it was time to go in the cage.

She recalls the bird said: "You be good. I love you." She responded, "I love you, too." The bird said, "You'll be in tomorrow," and she responded, "Yes, I'll be in tomorrow."

Artical from here ----> http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=3585832

I just had to post some more pictures of Gracie.  She has 8 tail feathers coming in and her chest feathers are starting to grow back too.  She hasn't been snipping them off anymore, so I think it was her first molt.

I put a few more pictures of her up in the photo area.

The Vette "knocking" issue has turned out to be something simple.  The flywheel cover was hitting the crank bolts.  A few seconds with the tin snips and it should be fine.  The tranny leak seems to be a simple O-ring.  I should be able to put a new one in for 10 cents.

Just thought that I'd get a post up here and quit being lazy.  Kind of funny that hit 2500 views on my blog site.  Probably 1900 are me checking the site...heh...

Gracie and I had a wonderful Christmas.  Of course, I ate too much and I'm sure it will take me a few months to get rid of the weight.

New Years was ok until I had to go to work just before the 12 midnight madness hit.  God sure knows how to throw a wrench into things...

I've been working in the Garage, putting up a loft in the 24' X 24' area that didn't have one.  That should let the pellet stove heat the place up a bit faster.  Course, I about died when I figured out that it'll cost me $500 in insulate the new ceiling.  I can't believe the price of things now.  They have just killed the little guys. 

The number just went over 3000 GI's killed so far in Iraq...  sad...

On a better note:

Only 358 more days till Christmas!

- Roadster    

 After a day of work, it is always great to come home to Gracie.  She has 1 full tail feather now, but has been snipping off her grey feathers.  So, after a few conversations to the parrot people, we think that she is doing that because of the dry air.  Gracie now gets sprayed and we added a humidifier to help with the air.  So far, it seems to be working.  She turned one year old in November and she is saying lots of words and making lots of sounds.

 As for the Vette?  Well, I have it put together, and have identified a few parts I need to finnish her.  The basics will cost me $260 to get it street legal and I'll be painting it in the spring.

Jennifer is still looking great.  Can't wait to see her again soon...

The British military has reported 126 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 18; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, six; El Salvador, five; Slovakia, four; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Romania, one death each.

News from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-6274256,00.html 

Sounds like we are taking the biggest hit. 

Thank a veteran today for your freedom and thank a family of one too.

On a brighter note:

Tayla turned 17 last week....  (Happy B-Day)

Mom, 13 Days till Christmas.

As for everything else, I got my Christmas shopping done and I'm looking forward to all the family time that we get with the holidays.  Every year seems to bring something new.

 - Roadster

Jen and I on vacation at Grand Coulee Dam

Just got back from a vacation around Washington.  Jen sure loves it over here.  Every time we spend some time out doors, she always has a hard time going back to work.

Grand Coulee is sure a great place to stop and look at a great wonder.  The dam is huge!  Take a look at this picture.  It was 8 pictures stiched together:

Hope everyone is having a great time.  Jen told me to post "Hello" for everyone...

- Roadster