Rare Sears sighting, around the lake, wet wall, all cc all the time

So after doing my research into what I would need to be successful in replacing the starter on my Tacoma, a 14 MM swivel socket seemed pretty important.  I decided after work to do something I haven’t done in at least a half decade, set foot inside the walls of the local Sears.

I do the vast majority of my item shopping online and the vast majority of that via Amazon since I get free two day shipping thanks to my Amazon Prime account and the points I accrue on my Amazon Visa card.  Going to an actual store just happens very infrequently unless that store is a Home Depot or Lowes.

Well Sears is famous for it’s Craftsman tool line.  I figured I would be able to find what I needed in their huge tool department.  I did indeed and then some.  In addition to the 14mm swivel socket I picked up a three pack of universal swivel sockets one for 1/4″, 3/8″ and 1/2″ drives which will give me some flexibility (no pun intended) going forward.  I also grabbed a 20 inch extension since it was advised that using a long extension will allow you to remove the one starter bolt from the front of the engine bay.

I took a few extra moments to look in wonder at the rest of tool section.  Man I could have some fun in here…

After Sears I had to make another stop at Sam’s Club to both dump some cheap gas in the thirsty party van and pick up a few items in the store.  One of those items was fish oil tablets that are used in the dog’s dinner prep.  Ali was out of them so I told her I would drop them off.

Of course the girls were happy for my unexpected visit.  Before I left I helped Ali take them on a walk around the lake, albeit a hot and sweaty one since I had my work clothes on which included a dark colored long sleeve shirt.

When I got home I quickly made a wrap for dinner and then got busy on some chores.  I wanted to clean Tuki’s cage and get the indoor plants watered.  While I was watering the plants I had a DOH moment.  Two of the pots are rather large with a hole in the bottom and a base underneath.  What I do is put one in the sink, drench it, let it drain and then drench it again.

Well for some reason I didn’t let the one plant drain very long before putting it back in it’s base and back on top of the kitchen cabinets.  I placed the other big pot in the sink and started watering it.  Well I heard a sound like water running behind me.

I spin around and see a stream of water running down the front of the cabinet doors and pooling on top of the fridge.  DAMN IT!  So I quickly grab some rags and throw them on top of the fridge and then grab the heavy, still leaking pot and lift it back to the sink, spilling more water as I did so.  I was pissed. I have pulled this stupid move before and each time I do I wonder how I manage to do it.  I utilized several big towels until I had all the water cleaned up.

I got a nice surprise in the mail when the electric bill arrived.  Last month my $120 bill was the lowest ever.  I fully expected May’s bill to be more, after all it was hotter in May.  A big smile crossed my face when I pulled the bill out and saw $110! Wow.  I was really, really surprised but I’m not complaining.

I saw one of my FB buddies post a little while back how he has managed to have almost every one of his monthly expenses billed to his credit card, which he pays off monthly.  The advantage to this is not only convenience but also accumulating CC rewards points.

Well I need to do the same thing.  I have a number of things that I pay via an EFT from my bank.  I do it that way just because it has been done that way forever.  Well when I add it up, I am missing out on a ton of potential Amazon spiff points by this practice.

Last week I started billing my home owners insurance to the card and yesterday I added my cell phone bill to the list.  I will be looking at every monthly bill I receive and if possible move them to automatic CC billing.  Damn I wish I could slap my mortgage payment on the card.

There is one drawback to this strategy, you lose a bit of control.  If for some reason there is a dispute about a bill you lose some leverage as the company/utility has been authorized to pull whatever funds they deem proper from your CC.  Of course I can still dispute charges and even take action on a charge via my CC company if things get ugly I suppose.  My dad, who is all about fighting the evil empire, refuses to give a credit card number to any business that bills on a regular basis.

So tomorrow I will be pulling out early in the SSR for Siesta Key to play in a volleyball tournament with Tabby.  Last year I played in the same tournament and we won the BB skill level.  Tabby asked if I minded playing the next level up, A, this time around.

I told him that was fine with me although his expectations should not be very high since the last time I literally touched a volleyball was June 2011 when I played the Rumble with Charlie.  Yea, me and volleyball just don’t seem to cross paths much anymore.

Jeremy has predicted that Tabby and I will unable to muster more than two wins in A ball.  He may be right but I hope to prove him wrong obviously.

The Florida Tarpons who are still undefeated, play their final regular season game Saturday night.  I told Ali that if I get home in time I’d like to go to the game and asked her if she wanted to come.  She said she would.  We’ll have to see how long my day on the beach goes.

My Sunday is going to be packed.  On top of doing whatever I have to do at the house I plan to rip into the Tacoma starter replacement project in earnest.