Rambling Thoughts http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php babblings! en 2008-11-21T15:59:04 rayhawk@comcast.net hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Our Dream http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=3 2008-03-27T09:27:49 Becky <rayhawk@comcast.net> Family Values &#8220;The Homestead Act of 1862 gave a person a chance to claim their own land. All one had to do was mark the boundaries, dig a well, build a home on the land and plow and plant the fields. If one did this and lived there for five years, the land was theirs. Nowadays, with the Homesteading Act no longer in effect, the term homesteading has taken on an entirely new meaning. It is the term coined to describe those people who have left the busy, 9-to-5 world behind and are living a frugal, self-sustaining life.&#8221; <br /><br /> This is something our family has wanted for years. We want to buy a piece of undeveloped land in Aiken County South Carolina where we can build earth friendly housing. We are interested in the EarthShip type of house which is build with recycled items such as tires, bottles, cans and cardboard. We are interested in Straw Bale huts, yurts and tipis, recycled campers, busses etc. <br /><br /> Due to disabilities we would have to have electricity and a well but would be working hard to reduce our dependence on electricity. We want to do raised gardens, gray water recycling, and use composting toilets. We have also been active in the rescue and care of disabled animals and would like to continue that with a better sanctuary.<br /><br /> <br /> “The Homestead Act of 1862 gave a person a chance to claim their own land. All one had to do was mark the boundaries, dig a well, build a home on the land and plow and plant the fields. If one did this and lived there for five years, the land was theirs. Nowadays, with the Homesteading Act no longer in effect, the term homesteading has taken on an entirely new meaning. It is the term coined to describe those people who have left the busy, 9-to-5 world behind and are living a frugal, self-sustaining life.”

This is something our family has wanted for years. We want to buy a piece of undeveloped land in Aiken County South Carolina where we can build earth friendly housing. We are interested in the EarthShip type of house which is build with recycled items such as tires, bottles, cans and cardboard. We are interested in Straw Bale huts, yurts and tipis, recycled campers, busses etc.

Due to disabilities we would have to have electricity and a well but would be working hard to reduce our dependence on electricity. We want to do raised gardens, gray water recycling, and use composting toilets. We have also been active in the rescue and care of disabled animals and would like to continue that with a better sanctuary.

]]> Mothers Day http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=4 2008-05-14T00:17:46 Becky <rayhawk@comcast.net> Family Values On Sunday my mom brought my youngest son to spend Mothers Day with me. The first thing he did was start working on our lawnmower :::Laughing:::<br /> <br /><br /> He managed after lots of swearing and skinned fingers to fix the mower. Our yard had grown a bit too much and the mower couldn&#8217;t handle the nearly 4 foot tall weeds. I was going to pay my neighbor $35 to come with his ride on and get it to a manageable level but my son talked to a few folks and managed to buy a gas weed eater for $40. He managed to get most of the yard to a manageable level.<br /> <br /><br /> Today (Tues. May 13) We finally managed to put a huge fishing net over the top of most of the kennel. We had been battling with this net since March! It takes 3 people (best if there is 4) to stretch it properly and hold the tension so it could be fastened. I underestimated the size when I bought this net..we are about 10 feet short of covering the whole kennel. That will wait till next month. For now at least we have 3/4 of the kennel fully topped so cats can&#8217;t escape.<br /> <br /><br /> Amy has a few days off this week so we plan to go out and have a trailer hitch installed on our car in preparation to get a trailer to haul my mobility equipment when I go out.<br /> On Sunday my mom brought my youngest son to spend Mothers Day with me. The first thing he did was start working on our lawnmower :::Laughing:::


He managed after lots of swearing and skinned fingers to fix the mower. Our yard had grown a bit too much and the mower couldn’t handle the nearly 4 foot tall weeds. I was going to pay my neighbor $35 to come with his ride on and get it to a manageable level but my son talked to a few folks and managed to buy a gas weed eater for $40. He managed to get most of the yard to a manageable level.


Today (Tues. May 13) We finally managed to put a huge fishing net over the top of most of the kennel. We had been battling with this net since March! It takes 3 people (best if there is 4) to stretch it properly and hold the tension so it could be fastened. I underestimated the size when I bought this net..we are about 10 feet short of covering the whole kennel. That will wait till next month. For now at least we have 3/4 of the kennel fully topped so cats can’t escape.


Amy has a few days off this week so we plan to go out and have a trailer hitch installed on our car in preparation to get a trailer to haul my mobility equipment when I go out.

]]> Money Wasted http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=5 2008-05-14T17:50:56 Becky <rayhawk@comcast.net> Family Values I uploaded documents to our land request on Microgiving showing the history our shelter and electric costs. After looking that them I found that if could have built our own house in my mom&#8217;s back yard (eliminating house costs) and reduced our power consumption by building an energy efficient round house structure we could have had our land already. The monthly land mortgage for my mom&#8217;s land is $160 so even if we had to pay the monthly land mortgage we still could have been able to purchase our own land and never have to pay for a house rental or mortgage again.<br /> <br /><br /> Housing costs really eat into an income!<br /> <br /><br /> Our house costs and electric costs alone total up the money that could have bought a small parcel of land therefore eliminating housing costs. With money saved thanks to no housing costs we could have purchased surrounding land to increase our space in which to have family gardens, small livestock and huts to live in.<br /> <br /><br /> If we owned our own land and recycled cargo vehicles (vans, buses, box trucks, old campers) while building structures we would be saving over $6000 a year which could be used to grow better quality food, provide educational and recreational advantages for our disabled adult son, provide us with decent and reliable transportation and much more.<br /> <br /><br /> That is just house and electric costs that we would save on. With a composting toilet system and water harvesting we would save on our water costs. Our family only eats poultry products and poultry is inexpensive to raise. All of our meat costs would be reduced. Most vegetables we eat can be grown. Once you eliminate most meats and fresh veggies from the grocery budget the food costs go way down and you will be eating much healthier with home grown food.<br /> <br /><br /> Now lets eliminate house repairs from future budgets, this includes structure repair, water/sewer piping, even windows as we would use plexiglass. Eliminate all adaptive additions as the structure would be built to accommodate mobility requirements by integrating it as part of the design rather than adding it on. Pull bars and balance bars can all be done with inexpensive piping and driven into the ground which will also make it more stable. wide door ways, lowered counters, ramps to sanitation facilities etc can all be done during the build reducing the costs of tearing out doorways in a &#8220;normal&#8221; house cutting into walls and rebuilding door ways. It would eliminate the need to remove stairs and steps to build ramps.<br /> <br /><br /> Before anyone considered this kind of life unsuitable for someone with disabilities. Think of this&#8230;this style of living enables someone with disabilities to become a productive member of a household. A mentally challenged person can weed a garden, harvest crops, feed livestock, move and stack firewood as well as lug water which assists in caring for his family giving him the feeling of worthiness rather than burden. Someone with lower extremity limits can do all of the above as well as can, dry, and package harvest foods and can also take part in the building of the structures at the height level that can be reached by chair. We have 3 walking people in our family that can work from that height on upward. In the end every member of a family regardless of physical or mental limits can take part in feeding, sheltering and caring for every other family member. This eliminates the whole &#8220;helpless&#8221; &#8220;hopeless&#8221; &#8220;burden&#8221; &#8220;different&#8221; feeling that often comes with being a challenged person living in a world of &#8220;normal&#8221; people<br /> I uploaded documents to our land request on Microgiving showing the history our shelter and electric costs. After looking that them I found that if could have built our own house in my mom’s back yard (eliminating house costs) and reduced our power consumption by building an energy efficient round house structure we could have had our land already. The monthly land mortgage for my mom’s land is $160 so even if we had to pay the monthly land mortgage we still could have been able to purchase our own land and never have to pay for a house rental or mortgage again.


Housing costs really eat into an income!


Our house costs and electric costs alone total up the money that could have bought a small parcel of land therefore eliminating housing costs. With money saved thanks to no housing costs we could have purchased surrounding land to increase our space in which to have family gardens, small livestock and huts to live in.


If we owned our own land and recycled cargo vehicles (vans, buses, box trucks, old campers) while building structures we would be saving over $6000 a year which could be used to grow better quality food, provide educational and recreational advantages for our disabled adult son, provide us with decent and reliable transportation and much more.


That is just house and electric costs that we would save on. With a composting toilet system and water harvesting we would save on our water costs. Our family only eats poultry products and poultry is inexpensive to raise. All of our meat costs would be reduced. Most vegetables we eat can be grown. Once you eliminate most meats and fresh veggies from the grocery budget the food costs go way down and you will be eating much healthier with home grown food.


Now lets eliminate house repairs from future budgets, this includes structure repair, water/sewer piping, even windows as we would use plexiglass. Eliminate all adaptive additions as the structure would be built to accommodate mobility requirements by integrating it as part of the design rather than adding it on. Pull bars and balance bars can all be done with inexpensive piping and driven into the ground which will also make it more stable. wide door ways, lowered counters, ramps to sanitation facilities etc can all be done during the build reducing the costs of tearing out doorways in a “normal” house cutting into walls and rebuilding door ways. It would eliminate the need to remove stairs and steps to build ramps.


Before anyone considered this kind of life unsuitable for someone with disabilities. Think of this…this style of living enables someone with disabilities to become a productive member of a household. A mentally challenged person can weed a garden, harvest crops, feed livestock, move and stack firewood as well as lug water which assists in caring for his family giving him the feeling of worthiness rather than burden. Someone with lower extremity limits can do all of the above as well as can, dry, and package harvest foods and can also take part in the building of the structures at the height level that can be reached by chair. We have 3 walking people in our family that can work from that height on upward. In the end every member of a family regardless of physical or mental limits can take part in feeding, sheltering and caring for every other family member. This eliminates the whole “helpless” “hopeless” “burden” “different” feeling that often comes with being a challenged person living in a world of “normal” people

]]> You Just Can’t Cage a Cat! http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=6 2008-05-16T05:08:07 Becky <rayhawk@comcast.net> Family Values We had bought a giant net at income tax time to stretch over our kennel. The intent was to keep our cats from escaping the pen. We bought a 50 foot by 30 foot fishing net. Let me tell you&#8230;what sounded like an easy job turned into a 2 month project! Nets just don&#8217;t stretch normally.<br /> <br /> Here is Amy trying to figure this thing out.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Finally after all this time My sons got together and worked hard to put the net up. We came a little over 8 feet short of covering the whole kennel! We now have to purchase a 30 X 15 foot net to finish this off. The good news is once the kennel is covered the cats will not be escaping&#8230;the bad news is that until then they will be escaping more than ever. Now that they know there is a net up there they are all seeking their freedom. Cats who never tried to get out are now running for the trees&#8230;Literally. They don&#8217;t go far, they just hang out in the grass and climb the trees. The Kennel only has one tree in it and we netted just below the branches they usually climb to.<br /> <br /> Our netting arrangement also took away my balance rope. I had a rope extended from house to shed with a sliding noose type arrangement for me to hold onto to make it across the yard. I have no ramps, the scooter can&#8217;t be left outside, and the chair simply will not travel over the terrain of the back yard. My exit door is through that shed in the background. That is our back door exit. I can&#8217;t handle the front stairs at all so I can&#8217;t enter/exit the front of my house anymore.<br /> <br /> Anyhow&#8230;now I need to drive some conduit pipe into the ground every few feet and make a set of balance rails so I can get across this yard to enter/exit my house&#8230;.that silly little sliding noose thing I had was working out pretty good but now that the net is over the top of the rope my sliding noose won&#8217;t slide anymore&#8230;.so onto plan B<br /> <br /> We had bought a giant net at income tax time to stretch over our kennel. The intent was to keep our cats from escaping the pen. We bought a 50 foot by 30 foot fishing net. Let me tell you…what sounded like an easy job turned into a 2 month project! Nets just don’t stretch normally.

Here is Amy trying to figure this thing out.



Finally after all this time My sons got together and worked hard to put the net up. We came a little over 8 feet short of covering the whole kennel! We now have to purchase a 30 X 15 foot net to finish this off. The good news is once the kennel is covered the cats will not be escaping…the bad news is that until then they will be escaping more than ever. Now that they know there is a net up there they are all seeking their freedom. Cats who never tried to get out are now running for the trees…Literally. They don’t go far, they just hang out in the grass and climb the trees. The Kennel only has one tree in it and we netted just below the branches they usually climb to.

Our netting arrangement also took away my balance rope. I had a rope extended from house to shed with a sliding noose type arrangement for me to hold onto to make it across the yard. I have no ramps, the scooter can’t be left outside, and the chair simply will not travel over the terrain of the back yard. My exit door is through that shed in the background. That is our back door exit. I can’t handle the front stairs at all so I can’t enter/exit the front of my house anymore.

Anyhow…now I need to drive some conduit pipe into the ground every few feet and make a set of balance rails so I can get across this yard to enter/exit my house….that silly little sliding noose thing I had was working out pretty good but now that the net is over the top of the rope my sliding noose won’t slide anymore….so onto plan B

]]> It’s getting hot in here http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=9 2008-05-24T07:45:20 Becky <rayhawk@comcast.net> Family Values We are trying to figure out how to have air conditioning this summer.<br /> When my mobility got bad and I began relying on my rolling walker full time as well as wheel chair and scooter use we worked out an accessibility plan.&#160; We fixed up a room to use as my living room, cooking area, and computer room.&#160; I have access to my kennel to care for my animals.&#160; From the room I use I have access to a bathroom and to my son&#8217;s room.&#160; It&#8217;s a great arrangement.&#160; But I don&#8217;t have AC back here. My son has AC and I will have AC in my bedroom but need to figure out how to have AC in the one room where I spend 2/3 of my time.<br /> <br /><br /> We removed the only window this room had to build a proper door for safe exit from this room.&#160; In this house all entry/exit doors are at one end of the house and there is a narrow hallway.&#160; The nearby door allows for emergency exit, ventilation, better and safer access to the back yard.&#160; Windows are excellent fire escapes, but doors are better when you can&#8217;t climb of a windows.&#160; This was the perfect solution and it worked great during the winter months.&#160; My space heater kept us warm and toasty we had ventilation as there is a large pet door right in the door that allowed fresh air even during the winter.<br /> <br /><br /> Well&#8230;we can&#8217;t put an Air Conditioning unit in an entry/exit door so we are trying to figure out what we will do.&#160; During the winter a bad storm caused serious damage to the roof of our converted/finished shed.&#160; We used to use this area as our living space as there is lots of room (12X24 FT)&#160; Is equipped with power and has it&#8217;s own fuse box.&#160; Has an AC in the window and heats well in the winter.&#160; Well&#8230;when it rains outside, it leaks too much.<br /> <br /><br /> I live in an area where I can&#8217;t get away with pitching a tipi or making a strawbale hut.&#160; It would be called an eyesore therefore violating the county nuisance law.&#160; Can&#8217;t use a nice big van or bus without building a privacy fence around it.&#160; Just so many obstacles in the way.&#160; We have many solutions that we could use for the summer&#8230;.just can&#8217;t use any of those ideas because there is too much government intrusion in our lives.<br /> <br /><br /> It&#8217;s just too depressing living in modern housing, in a community that does not embrace doing what you can and are able to do.&#160; If it&#8217;s not neat and pretty and is just like what everyone else does, there is bound to be some law or ordinance that will bring fines down on a low income family.<br /> We are trying to figure out how to have air conditioning this summer.
When my mobility got bad and I began relying on my rolling walker full time as well as wheel chair and scooter use we worked out an accessibility plan.  We fixed up a room to use as my living room, cooking area, and computer room.  I have access to my kennel to care for my animals.  From the room I use I have access to a bathroom and to my son’s room.  It’s a great arrangement.  But I don’t have AC back here. My son has AC and I will have AC in my bedroom but need to figure out how to have AC in the one room where I spend 2/3 of my time.


We removed the only window this room had to build a proper door for safe exit from this room.  In this house all entry/exit doors are at one end of the house and there is a narrow hallway.  The nearby door allows for emergency exit, ventilation, better and safer access to the back yard.  Windows are excellent fire escapes, but doors are better when you can’t climb of a windows.  This was the perfect solution and it worked great during the winter months.  My space heater kept us warm and toasty we had ventilation as there is a large pet door right in the door that allowed fresh air even during the winter.


Well…we can’t put an Air Conditioning unit in an entry/exit door so we are trying to figure out what we will do.  During the winter a bad storm caused serious damage to the roof of our converted/finished shed.  We used to use this area as our living space as there is lots of room (12X24 FT)  Is equipped with power and has it’s own fuse box.  Has an AC in the window and heats well in the winter.  Well…when it rains outside, it leaks too much.


I live in an area where I can’t get away with pitching a tipi or making a strawbale hut.  It would be called an eyesore therefore violating the county nuisance law.  Can’t use a nice big van or bus without building a privacy fence around it.  Just so many obstacles in the way.  We have many solutions that we could use for the summer….just can’t use any of those ideas because there is too much government intrusion in our lives.


It’s just too depressing living in modern housing, in a community that does not embrace doing what you can and are able to do.  If it’s not neat and pretty and is just like what everyone else does, there is bound to be some law or ordinance that will bring fines down on a low income family.

]]> Dead Car http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=10 2008-05-30T22:16:25 Becky <rayhawk@comcast.net> Family Values Ok&#8230;well it&#8217;s not actually dead.&#160; Just sick.<br /> <br /><br /> I went out to Hopeland Gardens Thursday (05/29/08) for what I had hoped would be the beginning of a great day.&#160; We had a good time there, then came back and as Amy was pulling out we saw a large puddle of antifreeze.&#160;&#160; Well we know first hand the horrible death antifreeze will cause so we scooped up a bunch of dirt and pine straw to cover this mess.<br /> <br /><br /> We headed straight for the auto parts store for some stop leak.&#160; While there someone looked at our engine which by now was blowing out a large amount of fluid.&#160; Our radiator fans are not working!&#160; This caused heat and pressure build up which blew out the water pump gasket/seal.&#160; This was rather visible once it was pointed out.&#160; Well we dumped in the stop leak with the hope that it would at least plug up the seal some.<br /> <br /><br /> Next stop a gas station to use the rest rooms.&#160; We were leaking an awful pus colored liquid everywhere.&#160; It was pretty clear the stop leak had failed and was just bleeding out of the engine.&#160; Reported the leak so some speedy dry could be put down and headed off to the nearest grocery store to get food for the next couple of days, water for the engine for the trip home and a giant bag of kitty litter for the leaks.<br /> <br /><br /> The trip home was interesting as we had to stop every few miles to quench the thirst of the car and lay down kitty litter to protect our beloved wild life and domestic animals.<br /> <br /><br /> Finally did make it home safe and sound and Amy immediately left for work.<br /> <br /><br /> Today (Friday) the car was driven down to our local garage for repair.&#160; Hopefully we can have this fixed soon and it won&#8217;t be too costly.&#160; We have a funeral to attend on Monday.<br /> <br /><br /> Ahhh&#8230;.if not one thing, it&#8217;s another.&#160; At least we did get home safely though and we covered all leaks so we know that little furries are not suffering for our leaking car.<br /> Ok…well it’s not actually dead.  Just sick.


I went out to Hopeland Gardens Thursday (05/29/08) for what I had hoped would be the beginning of a great day.  We had a good time there, then came back and as Amy was pulling out we saw a large puddle of antifreeze.   Well we know first hand the horrible death antifreeze will cause so we scooped up a bunch of dirt and pine straw to cover this mess.


We headed straight for the auto parts store for some stop leak.  While there someone looked at our engine which by now was blowing out a large amount of fluid.  Our radiator fans are not working!  This caused heat and pressure build up which blew out the water pump gasket/seal.  This was rather visible once it was pointed out.  Well we dumped in the stop leak with the hope that it would at least plug up the seal some.


Next stop a gas station to use the rest rooms.  We were leaking an awful pus colored liquid everywhere.  It was pretty clear the stop leak had failed and was just bleeding out of the engine.  Reported the leak so some speedy dry could be put down and headed off to the nearest grocery store to get food for the next couple of days, water for the engine for the trip home and a giant bag of kitty litter for the leaks.


The trip home was interesting as we had to stop every few miles to quench the thirst of the car and lay down kitty litter to protect our beloved wild life and domestic animals.


Finally did make it home safe and sound and Amy immediately left for work.


Today (Friday) the car was driven down to our local garage for repair.  Hopefully we can have this fixed soon and it won’t be too costly.  We have a funeral to attend on Monday.


Ahhh….if not one thing, it’s another.  At least we did get home safely though and we covered all leaks so we know that little furries are not suffering for our leaking car.

]]> Rest in Peace Jim Cohrs http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=11 2008-06-02T18:37:20 Becky <rayhawk@comcast.net> Family Values James &#8216;Jim&#8217; Cohrs<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <br /><br /> BELVEDERE &#8212;Mr. James &#8220;Jim&#8221; Cohrs, 56, of Belvedere, beloved companion of Rhonda Lynn McAllister and son of the late Stanley and Agnes Bondhus Cohrs, died Thursday morning, May 22, 2008.<br /> <br /><br /> Born in Hennepin County, Minn., he had been an area resident since 1993. Jim loved riding Harley Davidsons and everything about them. He was always the first in line to help a fellow rider in need, even if it required some sacrifice on his part. His love and commitment to motorcycles was what made his life complete. He lived every day like it was his last and died doing what he loved.<br /> <br /><br /> Jim was an officer of the Dixie Thunder Chapter of ABATE in Aiken County. His determination to fight for the rights of motorcyclists could not be stopped, no matter what.<br /> <br /><br /> Jim served in the Vietnam War from April 27, 1971, until his discharge on May 1, 1972. For his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the National Defense Service medal and the Vietnam Service medal. <br /> He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and had a strong feeling in his heart for the POW MIA movement. <br /> <br /><br /> Family members include children, Matt Cohrs of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Hope Cohrs of Luverne, Minn.; sister, Carol Palmberg (Mark) of Minnetonka, Minn.; and a great-grandchild, Kaitlyn Cohrs.<br /> <br /><br /> A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, June 2, 2008, at 7 p.m. at Hatcher Funeral Home &#38; Cremation Service, Langley, with Bishop Hugh A. Tarci, Order of the Cross, Motorcycle Ministries.<br /> <br /><br /> The family will receive friends Monday from 6 p.m. until the time of service at Hatcher Funeral Home &#38; Cremation Service, Langley.<br /> James ‘Jim’ Cohrs




BELVEDERE —Mr. James “Jim” Cohrs, 56, of Belvedere, beloved companion of Rhonda Lynn McAllister and son of the late Stanley and Agnes Bondhus Cohrs, died Thursday morning, May 22, 2008.


Born in Hennepin County, Minn., he had been an area resident since 1993. Jim loved riding Harley Davidsons and everything about them. He was always the first in line to help a fellow rider in need, even if it required some sacrifice on his part. His love and commitment to motorcycles was what made his life complete. He lived every day like it was his last and died doing what he loved.


Jim was an officer of the Dixie Thunder Chapter of ABATE in Aiken County. His determination to fight for the rights of motorcyclists could not be stopped, no matter what.


Jim served in the Vietnam War from April 27, 1971, until his discharge on May 1, 1972. For his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the National Defense Service medal and the Vietnam Service medal.
He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and had a strong feeling in his heart for the POW MIA movement.


Family members include children, Matt Cohrs of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Hope Cohrs of Luverne, Minn.; sister, Carol Palmberg (Mark) of Minnetonka, Minn.; and a great-grandchild, Kaitlyn Cohrs.


A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, June 2, 2008, at 7 p.m. at Hatcher Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Langley, with Bishop Hugh A. Tarci, Order of the Cross, Motorcycle Ministries.


The family will receive friends Monday from 6 p.m. until the time of service at Hatcher Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Langley.

]]> Finally have my car back! http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=12 2008-06-06T14:45:26 Becky <rayhawk@comcast.net> Family Values Exactly one week later&#8230;.Amy picked up our car today. It took 7 days to replace a 5 minute gasket and a 10 minute fan wire and it cost us $100 even. I&#8217;m thrilled to have my car back but also angry at myself. There was a day when I could have changed my own pump gasket and replaced a fan wire. Both of my Ex-Husbands were mechanics and I learned how to do many car repairs from the age of 17. The whole job would have cost me less than $30 if I could still stand up and use a few tools on my own&#8230;arrghh&#8230;well at least it didn&#8217;t cost me $200 and at least I have my car now so it&#8217;s all good. I can go buy another fan tonight!!<br /> Exactly one week later….Amy picked up our car today. It took 7 days to replace a 5 minute gasket and a 10 minute fan wire and it cost us $100 even. I’m thrilled to have my car back but also angry at myself. There was a day when I could have changed my own pump gasket and replaced a fan wire. Both of my Ex-Husbands were mechanics and I learned how to do many car repairs from the age of 17. The whole job would have cost me less than $30 if I could still stand up and use a few tools on my own…arrghh…well at least it didn’t cost me $200 and at least I have my car now so it’s all good. I can go buy another fan tonight!!

]]> That’s what friends are for http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=13 2008-06-06T14:53:45 Becky <rayhawk@comcast.net> Family Values Amber, an online friend stayed up with me by instant messenger last night.&#160; I was having a rough night and really needed a friend.&#160; She knows I have been looking for an old camper that I can put in my back yard to use during heating/cooling months.&#160; I could cool a camper efficiently and would be able to get around easier as everything would be only a few steps away.<br /> She had the idea of looking in junk yards.&#160; Such a simple statement but one I had not even thought of.&#160; That gave me some hope and now that I have my car back Amy and I will go looking at junk yards to see about a camper.<br /> Amber has a sweet little girl who has a rare blood disorder called ITP.&#160; She cannot go outside and play like other children.&#160; Something like playing tag, swinging on a swingset, riding a bike could cause an everyday bruise that could be life threatening for her.<br /> Her doctors suggested a pool for her but the pool must be sturdy and high enough so she can&#8217;t fall out of it.&#160; This costs a bit.&#160; Her mom has a request for her on Microgiving and has provided documentation that is a need for this child, not a luxury item.<br /> Please check out her request and if you can spare a dollar or two that would be nice.&#160; If you can&#8217;t please pass the word along.&#160; You can find her Microgiving page here:<br /> My 4 yr old daughter has a blood disorder,ITP,a pool is the safest thing for to play<br /> To find our more about little Kinley please check out here MySpace page here:<br /> Kinleys myspace &#8211; Tells all about Kinley and ITP<br /> To find out more about ITP please check this page out:<br /> Platelet Disorder Support Associati &#8211; ITP support and news.<br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Amber, an online friend stayed up with me by instant messenger last night.  I was having a rough night and really needed a friend.  She knows I have been looking for an old camper that I can put in my back yard to use during heating/cooling months.  I could cool a camper efficiently and would be able to get around easier as everything would be only a few steps away.


She had the idea of looking in junk yards.  Such a simple statement but one I had not even thought of.  That gave me some hope and now that I have my car back Amy and I will go looking at junk yards to see about a camper.


Amber has a sweet little girl who has a rare blood disorder called ITP.  She cannot go outside and play like other children.  Something like playing tag, swinging on a swingset, riding a bike could cause an everyday bruise that could be life threatening for her.


Her doctors suggested a pool for her but the pool must be sturdy and high enough so she can’t fall out of it.  This costs a bit.  Her mom has a request for her on Microgiving and has provided documentation that is a need for this child, not a luxury item.


Please check out her request and if you can spare a dollar or two that would be nice.  If you can’t please pass the word along.  You can find her Microgiving page here:

My 4 yr old daughter has a blood disorder,ITP,a pool is the safest thing for to play

To find our more about little Kinley please check out here MySpace page here:

Kinleys myspace – Tells all about Kinley and ITP

To find out more about ITP please check this page out:

Platelet Disorder Support Associati – ITP support and news.

]]> Much Cooler! http://rayhawkfam.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=16 2008-06-08T05:04:11 Becky <rayhawk@comcast.net> Family Values Ahhh&#8230;.I bought a new fan last night. We shut off all the fans at Walmart and I sat in my chair on the far side of the isle. We turned each one on till we found a fan that would blow air where I sat. This was the one we found.<br /> <br /><br /> It was only $24.85 but the distance of the air flow is about a good 12 feet. The more expensive fans didn&#8217;t reach the far side of the isle.<br /><br /> So I can now cool my self down some during the day and at night when it&#8217;s cool I can put this fan in front of my door to bring the the night air.<br /><br /> I am feeling much more comfortable today.<br /><br /> Ahhh….I bought a new fan last night. We shut off all the fans at Walmart and I sat in my chair on the far side of the isle. We turned each one on till we found a fan that would blow air where I sat. This was the one we found.

It was only $24.85 but the distance of the air flow is about a good 12 feet. The more expensive fans didn’t reach the far side of the isle.

So I can now cool my self down some during the day and at night when it’s cool I can put this fan in front of my door to bring the the night air.

I am feeling much more comfortable today.

]]>