I'm Dirty

I don't know if you recall, but almost 5 months ago (yes, 5!), we were given a "new" car...and I use the word "new" VERY loosely! If you somehow missed that post, click here to read all about it. When Daniel pulled the car out of the woods and to our house, he promised me it would be in our driveway a very short time. I think his exact words were, "just until I get it running." As he began to look over the car and realized it needed an entirely new motor, his next step was to move the car into our garage so he could remove the motor. So, the next promise was, "It will be in the garage a maximum of 2 weeks." Hmm...that was about 4 months ago. :) Our two vehicles that DO run and we use on a daily basis were kicked out of the garage and parked in the cold, rain, snow, sleet, etc. while the beloved Galaxie enjoyed it's warm and cozy home.

Before the new motor could be reinstalled, Daniel wanted to sandblast the body to remove rust and make sure it was smooth for when he was ready to paint. I asked him where he was planning to sandblast, and he said, "in the garage!" For some reason, that just didn't sound like the best idea to me, but being the submissive wife that I am (ha!), I went with it....after sharing my concerns with him. :)

About to get to work

Future sandblaster in the making

Hard at work

This is what our garage looked like after he was finished...

Just in case you needed a closer look.

There was sand everywhere! I mean everywhere! I'm thankful I bought him a heavy duty shop-vac for Christmas...it proved itself and did a great job of cleaning up the garage. And, now Riley has a sandbox to play in in the backyard. :)

Ok, fast forward to last weekend. The motor was finally done and Daniel and a friend went to pick it up. I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the long tunnel!

Taking it off the truck

Being very careful as they moved it toward the front of the car

Lowering it down

And then it was time to put the fender's on...which Daniel and I did on Sunday and Monday night after Riley was in bed...no rest for the weary :)

And then the hood! It's beginning to look like a car again!

As I type this, Daniel and his buddy are doing some more small jobs. We're waiting for a couple more parts for the engine (I'd tell you what they are, but honestly, I can't remember, nor do I know what they do) and then he should be able to attempt to crank it! I'm pretty sure I will hear angels singing if/when that car starts. I might even bust out in the Halleluiah Chorus...you never know. :) Then all we need are some seats (which are being recovered by a sweet man in town) and a little paint job.

Throughout this whole process, Daniel's come inside very dirty many days. Riley usually wants him to pick him up immediately, and Daniel will say, "let me wash my hands first." The other day he came in and was filthy all over...not just his hands. Riley was ready to be held, but this time Daniel said, "I can't hold you right now. I'm dirty." We didn't think much of him saying, "I'm dirty," but evidently little man internalized that statement and saved it to use at a later time. The next day, Daniel walked in from the church office and when Riley heard him he said, "Daddy. I'm dirty!" We laughed so hard! Ever since then, he walks around the house randomly saying, "I'm dirty!" This morning he took it to a new level, though, and I was able to catch it on video.

I had some overly ripe bananas on the counter this morning, and when I brought him in the kitchen for breakfast he looked at them and said...



"Dirty bananas!" I laughed so hard! I sure do love the mind of 1 1/2 year olds! I'm thankful for these fun (and funny!) moments I can share with this precious gift from God. And, I'm thankful for technology that will somewhat capture them so we can look back for years to come!