My mom’s Jenny Lind bed will be Annalyn’s BIG bed someday
RichC | February 1, 2019
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A bit of my family legacy and our history found through tools
RichC | January 31, 2019
In my workshop there is a spot on the wall behind dad’s small drill press and my router table for old tools. As mentioned before, I use Brenda’s dads’ dental tools regularly and have put a few of DadH’s woodworking tools on the wall – it is too bad I passed on the dental chair. […]
Time mellows the moment – The Great Christmas Tree Disaster
RichC | January 30, 2019
In an old spinnaker (sail) from our Thistle, I finally hauled out our larger than usual Christmas tree this past week. It was then that I realized I had neglected to archive the “Great Christmas Tree Disaster of 2018” story from December. Hm, how could I have forgotten … likely for the same embarrassing reason […]
2019 Figure Skating Championships in Detroit & Annalyn photos
RichC | January 26, 2019
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Irresistible! “Hi Bompa … I see you” from my granddaughter
RichC | January 19, 2019
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Music Monday: And for something totally different from Annalyn
RichC | January 14, 2019
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Our Annalyn is amazing, altho I’m not surprised #video
RichC | January 3, 2019
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A limited Corbett-Oostra family Christmas photo recap for 2018
RichC | December 26, 2018
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Christmas 2018 project photos – a Maple Piggy Bank for Annalyn
RichC | December 24, 2018
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Merry Christmas 2018 – May you have peace, hope, joy and love.
RichC | December 21, 2018
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Thinking about and planning another sewing project for 2019
RichC | December 8, 2018
Read up a little bit more on upholstery last weekend while in Florida while thinking about a couple possible projects. I’m not sure about tackling something as big as a couch and loveseat (slideshow below), but perhaps a couple chair pillows and condo dining room chair cushions are do-able? My projects in the past have […]
BMW 528i Rear Window Seal and Variable Timing Solenoid
RichC | December 5, 2018
My son Taylor has been putting off replacing the rear window seal on his 2008 BMW 528i for too long but before the snow starts again decided to come over after work to put it in. It was surprising that this task was easier than expected, considering just how much I dislike fiddling around with […]
Archive: Just a little condo rental prep and Encore upkeep
RichC | December 3, 2018
Only one little piggy had a bad day down in Florida. It was unusual for me, but decided to wear the Sperry watershoes rather than leather boat shoes while working on Encore … basically just cleaning and getting her back to pre-hurricane prep form. Unfortunately we have not been sailing enough to justify even owning […]
Archive: Making templates and planning for future projects
RichC | December 1, 2018
During the last trip to the condo, we enjoyed the fruits of our 2018 labor – our recent kitchen and bath updates. As is the norm for us, we discussed future projects, like updating the master bathroom too, since it looks stodgy compared to the guest bathroom. So IF we don’t find a buyer for […]
As grandparents, what would we do without smartphones?
RichC | November 30, 2018
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Mid-November must be time to rake leaves in Ohio? #TBT
RichC | November 15, 2018
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If you enjoy music, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac is a great concert
RichC | November 10, 2018
It has been 41 years since Fleetwood Mac released their ginormous selling album called Rumours which was a must have by college students like me in the late 1970s (45 million copies of Rumours has been sold). Brenda and I attended a Rumours of Fleetwood Mac concert marking the 40 years milestone this past week […]
Phases of life – early retirement travel and in school already
RichC | November 8, 2018
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Autumn chores and dinner for our Red Tailed Hawk
RichC | November 5, 2018
It seems later in the season that usual to be just starting to rake leaves and get in a final mow before winter, but the weather was dry after a long stretch of rain, so chores for me it was. My back is now sore and contemplating taking an Advil as the muscle tighten. There […]
A couple last minute condo update improvements
RichC | October 28, 2018
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Enjoyed a great week in Florida with Katelyn, Drew and Annalyn
RichC | October 27, 2018
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Two years seems too fast to be replacing burners in the grill?
RichC | October 22, 2018
In 2016 my friend Jeff gave me his old grill as I finally gave up on our well loved and well used old aluminum shell grill. His was a 4 burner Charbroil propane model that I was able to cleaned up, converted to natural gas and add some new internal parts. It has worked great […]
Learning about the odd hood ornament on my Packard Hawk
RichC | October 18, 2018
For years I’ve known the odd hood ornament on my dad’s Packard Hawk (above) was not accurate or something that was original to the car, but had no idea where it came from? Last week after an online chat and a little digging with a car-loving friend of mine, we did a little digging and […]
ISS & FaceTime with Annalyn brightens an otherwise sour day
RichC | October 11, 2018
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Annalyn visiting with her Oma and Bompa – part two
RichC | September 30, 2018
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Happily busy with our granddaughter Annalyn these past few days
RichC | September 29, 2018
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We are looking forward to a couple days with Annalyn
RichC | September 22, 2018
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Catching up with archiving several family weekend photos
RichC | September 12, 2018
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Running a meeting based on Robert’s Rules of Order – condensed
RichC | September 5, 2018
Although reading the full Robert’s Rules of Order is helpful, following this short quick reference version will get you through most meetings. For Fair and Orderly Meetings Robert’s Rules is a time-tested standard, providing common rules of parliamentary procedure for deliberation and debate in order to place the whole membership on the same footing and […]
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the “furthest” of them all?
RichC | August 30, 2018
Of course perception is everything, but here’s a pretty good indicator regarding the media and their reporting/stories bias. About the political L and R split you expected?
Chasing vacuum leaks in the Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel
RichC | August 22, 2018
It is probably something one should get use to with an older Mercedes Benz, but it can be frustrating and tiring to say the least — that is fixing vacuum leaks. The 1982 MB 300D Turbodiesel is a great car and has a limited number of electrical components compared to newer vehicles. That in turn […]
Margot Claire – 8/17/2018. Congrats to my niece Jackie and Ben
RichC | August 18, 2018
Good news or more like great news! My niece Jackie had her first baby – a girl they named Margot Claire. Congratulations. Daddy Ben and Grandma Lynda probably have bigger smiles than Jax after just giving birth (at least that is what I’m imagining). So happy for them and to welcome a new healthy baby […]
A couple of old Mercedes Benz diesel vehicles for the garage?
RichC | August 15, 2018
As much as I enjoy working on, owning and driving my inexpensive W123 diesel 300D project car (swapped junk for it in May of 2013), I’d love to have a Mercedes Benz diesel of the same 1970s-80s era with a little more collectability? I spotted a couple cool MBs this week, although I am not […]
We all surprised Brenda to celebrate her 60th birthday
RichC | August 13, 2018
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Distracted driving and a step closer to finishing the condo update
RichC | August 11, 2018
Likely I’m not the best driver when it comes to not glancing at my phone in the car, but I am improving and in recent years am trying not to "read" or "text anything." Unfortunately we still have drivers who are "comfortable" (leg up???) with multi-tasking while driving. Ugh. I spent a few more days […]
Brilliant yet simple idea for reaching loads on your car roof
RichC | August 7, 2018
I just love good ideas. Here is one that I grabbed off of an ad on my iPhone that uses the car door pillar “loop” to hold a machined aluminum hook attached to a step. The simple step is used to reach items strapped to a roof rack or car top carrier. It would be […]
Yardwork, jury duty and enjoying the July 2018 night sky
RichC | July 26, 2018
We been enjoying summer and mostly great weather around the house and yard so far this year in 2018 and Brenda’s growing landscape mounds are all flowering and looking really nice (she has been working on them although her current Grand Jury duty is cutting into her free time). The last few days of slightly […]
A new pair of Sperry flip-flops and kitchen knife sharpening
RichC | July 24, 2018
Having owned a several pairs of different branded sandals and flip-flops over the years (decades), I’ve settled on my boatshoe brand of choice, the Sperry brand, as the flip-flops I prefer. Some of the more inexpensive brands wear out too quick, others, like the ones I really like from Eddie Bauer, are slick when the […]
Our granddaughter is growing too fast and a shopping list
RichC | July 17, 2018
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Stretched out another weekend to work on the condo kitchen
RichC | July 5, 2018
Well finishing the kitchen upgrade at the condo was my goal, but since Brenda was with me, more than the condo kitchen was worked on! The guest bathroom’s minor vanity update grew into a MUCH larger project. One thing lead to another and before I knew it, my wife had me doing more tile than […]
Taylor and his friends are pretty creative for July 4, 2018
RichC | July 4, 2018
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A great idea: Who hasn’t lost a part when working over water?
RichC | June 23, 2018
I think I’ll archive that idea as a reminder since I always have an umbrella in the back of my Van, 300D or BMW X5 35d … one of those cars is generally at the marina with me! This might be the perfect post to archive my Father’s Day gifts from my kids! A new […]
Treaty makes prosecution possible for the downing of #MH17
RichC | June 12, 2018
Archiving a video segment (Dutch but Jerry’s comments are in English) from my brother-in-law Jerry Skinner talking about Malaysia Airlines MH17 and Russia (previous posts). The case is still moving forward and Tuesday the Dutch MPs approve Ukraine treaty on MH17 trial. The “treaty sets in stone that the prosecution of suspects will take place […]
Happy Birthday Taylor – What a difference 4 years can make
RichC | June 10, 2018
It is hard to believe that my son Taylor is 29 years old today!?!?!? It doesn’t seem possible that he has been pretty much living on his own now for third of his life? He has certainly made us proud at the way he has grown up and handled a difficult decade that faced him […]
Archive: Project idea to replace rusting in-wall medicine chest
RichC | June 8, 2018
We have a disliked old style medicine chest in the Florida condo and after the kitchen project is finished, Brenda and I wouldn’t mind updating the bathroom. We have picked out some floor tile (while looking at kitchen backsplash tiles) and intend to us a credit with IKEA for the new sink and cabinet. (BTW […]
Archive: Last day of condo kitchen photos for a while, I promise
RichC | May 31, 2018
Since the Quartz countertops were finished early and I was still available for the install, it was time to move on it now. Better to have them installed than stored somewhere until my next trip to Florida (a few more photos for the Condo1718 archive below).
Added a Nest thermostat and a ceiling fan to the condo kitchen
RichC | May 30, 2018
Adding a few more gadgets to the condo update this weekend as we are one step closer to getting it looking as if we’ll have a kitchen again … or at least a livable abode for the winter renters (or next owner). Hopefully the few extra upgrades I have opted to add will not go […]
Archive: Kitchen range delivered and a few other condo updates
RichC | May 29, 2018
Spent a little more time working on the condo kitchen over a stretched Memorial Day weekend since a replacement range needed to be received (gas version was shipped by mistake on first order). Thankfully was also able to get the templates made for the countertops after adding the stub wall support and some final cabinet […]
Sailing Archive: A knot from Captain John’s Skipper Tips
RichC | May 27, 2018
There is always a need for "another knot" when sailing. Here’s one for joining lines together with a few pointers from Captain John’s Skipper Tips. Anytime you join one line to another, you want a knot that will hold under a shock load. Think of any line like a rubber-band. Boat wakes, tidal rise and […]
Tech Friday flashback: A technology blog post from 12 years ago
RichC | May 25, 2018
Noticed a blog post from 12 years ago discussing “portable” computing and how things have changed. In 2006 the average laptop weighed about 7 pounds with batteries, compared to 20 years prior where my Compaq was 28 pounds … and required 110VAC power. LINK to post Now an iPhone or iPad can run circles around […]
Wishing my brother Ron a Happy Birthday and great retirement
RichC | May 21, 2018
It is hard to believe that my YOUNGER brother Ron is retiring at 56 years old?!? Shocking, but I’m sure welcomed after a long career with the US Air Force working first in Ogden, Utah and the last 30 years at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. We were very close brothers when […]
Archiving a few shared photos from mid-May 2018
RichC | May 20, 2018
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Archive: A few more photos from our days with KDA
RichC | May 15, 2018
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Archiving photos and getting together with my brother’s family
RichC | May 13, 2018
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Spoiling our granddaughter by taking her to The Cone!
RichC | May 12, 2018
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Archive: A couple more photos from the condo kitchen update
RichC | May 5, 2018
Just a couple more panarama catch-up photos for the archive from the updates to the condo kitchen. Brenda has been a great help and we both "enjoyed" working together.
Archive: A couple new updated condo kitchen photos
RichC | May 2, 2018
The new Hitachi miter saw put to use on the condo kitchen crown molding … and a little paint finally being applied by Brenda. Wanted to get these couple new Ikea kitchen photos archived before they are lost.
New 12-inch Hitachi miter saw. An early birthday present to me.
RichC | May 1, 2018
New tools are my jewelry when it comes to presents … and Brenda agreed to buy me a new 12" Hitachi sliding compound miter saw so I could more easily work on a couple of projects (after promising to do them this year). Hm, what have I gotten myself into??? The first project is to […]
Congratulations to Taylor’s friend Alicia and Laureano
RichC | April 18, 2018
I have teased my “good humored” son far too long about his “girlfriend” from Wayzata Minnesota a few years ago (click here for old photo). So with that “old joke” aside, I think it is about time to officially include his friend Megan on the blog and mention we are excited to see them spending a […]
Remotes, remodeling and a day leftover for Encore
RichC | April 14, 2018
This past week has been a busy one for me. I was off to Florida for a few days to check on the condo in Delray Beach after our winter renter and to start the demolition of the kitchen. It is a project that is way past due and I’m not sure I know exactly […]
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.