Havne't been around for too long, aka What I've been up to

Wasn't too long ago I read the HAMB every day, and here I haven't been on since April something. A year ago, long story short, I saw the only girl I ever really gave a damn about for the first time in 10 years and got busy being the only father her 5 year old twins have ever had. Luckily for me, there's alot of guys that are real shitheads, including their biological father, and chicks apparently DO dig old cars if their kids like them and you do dishes for them at home. So I also found out how hard it is to get anything else done when you have a day job, two kids, a life and don’t live 10 yards from the foundry. It was alot easier to do the shifter knobs when the only thing I had to do was substitute teach, come home and start drinking/working. Was pretty fed up with a lot of stuff a while ago and somehow blundered into what I'd been looking for, right down to the person I thought I'd never see again.

This summer, the kids have kept me hopping, as has taking care of the place we live. Have driven the Impala lately, but not much all year and even have historic tags on it since it isn't seeing the road much. Haven't been as productive as I'd like in the foundry, I had to take another college class to renew my teaching license, and did so in the nick of time, because I've finally got a real job coming. Pretty much wiped my spring out, but I've managed to get some things done here and there lately, and recently cast some stuff, so if you are one of three or so guys out there that are wondering where the hell your stuff is, well, it's about done! Hell, I was too busy to even go to Columbus Goodguys this year.

I'll be honest too, I was getting burned out in the foundry. What I’ve been able to do lately has actually been fun again.

Getting hitched next June.

Here’s the boys, to be almost on-topic. If I continue to mess with the Impala, It will need some head work because we figure they’re worn out and the outfit that put them together neglected a few things. They like the car and get into “helping” dad in the garage, and now know how to take heads off of a small block (if I break the bolts loose first), and what a nasty lip worn into the cylinder feels like on the spare engine.

The HAMB has a new look, and if this doesn't jive with the new HAMB, I'm sorry. Place as been a big part of my life for six years and I've missed it.

 

wondering what you've been up to..
congratulations,,sounds like you are happy

 

Good to see you back Josh.

Sounds like things are going your way. Congratulations.

Jim

 

Really can't ask for anything else in life, except for maybe a 41 plymouth that i drive past every day!

 

Good to hear you're doing good!

 

Sounds like you are in a much better situation now.
Glad to hear it.


When do you teach the kids how to cast metal ?

 

Family is important,,,looks like you have a couple of helpers in the making,,congrats. HRP

 

well, they already know about half of what lost wax casting is, i just need to work with them on something so they stick with a project long enough to cast it, then they'll get to do it all. they're really bright, it's hilarious to see them walk around and say stuff like "oh, an M1 rifle" and actually be right if we see something WWII related.

 

Good for you, there is more to life than just old cars. Sharing things with people you care about makes it that much better. Your gal and the twins lucked out and the new HAMB fits your story just right.

 

Welcome to life...funny how things can change, isn't it...??? Welcome back, stick around a bit...

R-

 

oh, i'll be around. gainful employment might mean driving something made before WWII, and i can't just quit for a pretty important reason. the boys had some serious discipline issues last fall at school. their mom did a good job, but only one of her, two of them and no help for five years, things are bound to happen like that. anyways, if they were good at school and got good behavior hand stamps, they got to ride in the impala. sometimes it was just one of them, sometimes neither, but that old thing really helped turn them around. grant's big thing is helping dad shift gears since he gets to sit up front where the seatbelts are.

 

Good for you, Josh. Welcome back. BTW, my wife hates my bomber knob, makes me like it even more.

 

haha, she STILL hates it?

 

Welcome home, Bro.
I wondered where the hell You went....

Twins, Eh?
sounds like You have Your hands full.

 

all ya gotta do is listen, if it is too quiet, it is clearly a trap and they probably have one of the cats in a pillow case and are carrying her/him around to do god knows what. no biggie. ha.

 

"Shhh...hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"exactly...it's too quiet...something bad is about to happen"

I can't remember the movie, but I do remember that immediately afterwards, the shit oficially hit the fan.

 

You've seen the light! ....or was it the dark side? Could be either at any given time but it certainly puts things in perspective doesn't it.

Good for you!

Pete

 

good to see ya back man. sounds like you've got a really good thing going. i always kinda liked seeing z-ville up there when you posted because i went to muskingum and miss that little corner of ohio

 

Ha!
it was "Home alone"

 

I sure could use a bomber knob when you get all caught up. Let me know.

 

Welcome back. Glad to see you are stepping up where someone else failed.

 

Hey Josh, Missed seeing you post your stuff. Glad to hear you are doing well!!!
Chad

 

yeah, not too shabby, man. how's that corsair doing? what about the P-40?

 

Glad everything is coming together for you. Hope you'll have time to do more in the fuure. You do some really neat stuff.
Clark

 

Man, good to hear from you. Thought you went to crap and the dogs got you, or something. Congrats on the family, and for stepping up to provide guidance for the kids. Might not seem like it at times, but that is WAY more important than anything car related.. If you are planning on making another run of knobs, I need to order one..

Brian

 

Yep, it's true. There are a few few things more important than the cars. There was time when I thought I might lose my son in my life. The cars were good common ground for us though. Now he is my best friend and the cars play a big role. Good job and good luck. Arch

 

good job! You are a hero to those two boys

 

...and here I was about to list my skull knob for a ridiculous amount of money (just kidding). I thought it sounded like there wouldn't be anymore and I know alot of guys were wanting some! Glad to hear that your back, and I'm happy that it was a good reason to be away.

 

Been wondering where you were. Glad to hear things are going your way. You should be able to have twice as many cars on the road and three times as many shift knobs in hands with the new crew! It takes a real man to pick up the ball and run with it, good going.

 

I asked our 10 year old son what my most important job was..... after he answered, protect he and mom, make money, pay bills etc

I told him, the most important job I will ever have is to get him to grow up to be a good young man/husband/father. No matter how good the other "stuff" turns out who the hell wants their tombstone to read

He was a hell of a good accountant but his kid turned out to be a mess.

s.