Categories
Dogs Travel

I made a new friend

I wanted to take her home, but she, unfortunately, belongs to the Spoiled Dog Winery.

I rate all wineries by two key metrics:

  1. Paula’s oppinion of the wine
    and
  2. The amount of time I spend sitting on the floor petting a dog

Spoiled Dog Winery gets two thumbs up in my book.

Categories
Idle

My willpower doesn’t need to last all day

It just has to last long enough for my coworkers to eat the pie.

image

Categories
DIY Overseen

My blonde moment of the day

Installing a new outlet and had a moment of panic when i thought I bought a faceplate with the outlet holes on the left instead of the right.

WP_20151206_003

Categories
Idle

Was it something I did?

My console stand at work is looking shocked this morning.

A monitor stand looking surprised

Categories
Idle

I cut off the end of my finger with the table saw

A very small cut on my finger

I really hope it can be saved. Paula can tell you which hospital to send the flowers to.

Categories
Idle

I think I need sleep

I brought out a fresh bottle of DayQuil… then spent a minute doing this…

That was too much fun for one day, I’m going back to bed.

Categories
Travel

Happy Canada Day!

Our condo in Victoria had prime seats for Victoria’s Canada Day fireworks show.

Skyline of Victoria BC with Canada day fireworks
Fireworks over Victoria Harbour

Perfect weather, great seats and an amazing fireworks show. We couldn’t have had better conditions if we planned them.

Thanks Barb and Henry!

Categories
Idle

Does what it says on the tin…

Came across this honest Hummer while on vacation in Victoria:

GMC Hummer with license plate OMG MPG

License plate close up for hummer plate OMG MPG

 

The State Park plate doesn’t quite get it to carbon-neutral, but I suppose it’s a step in the right direction.

 

 

Categories
DIY

Fix your knocking Samsung dryer yourself

A couple months ago our Samsung dryer started developing a small thumping sound. It started off small and easy to ignore but gradually became more and more insistent, to the point where I popped the top of the dryer to investigate (it easily comes open via a couple screws in the back). I was hoping I’d find a missing sock stuck somewhere making a noise. I didn’t.

With the top off I was able to inspect the outside of the dryer drum. The thumping sound was due to a failed weld in the dryer barrel. The drum in the samsung dryer (and probably most dryers) is supported by a set of wheels. As the drum rotated the split seam would go over a wheel and make a noise as drum distorted. Unfortunately this is a fairly common problem. Fortunately it’s easy to fix.

Failed weld in dryer drum
Failed weld in dryer drum seam

I started by making sure it was a repair I’d be able to attempt myself. A search on YouTube for Samsung dryer repair netted me this great video from RepairClinic.com. It gave clear instructions on taking apart the dryer and even had excellent warnings about which components had sharp edges. I’m sure to check them out for repairing any of my appliances in the future.

Convinced the repair was matched to my skill level I then proceeded to source a replacement drum for my dryer. Repair Clinic.com sells replacement parts and their prices seem competetive. For an large part like the dryer drum, however, they have an added “oversize” shipping fee. While I would have loved to reward RepairClinic.com for producing the awesome video I was able to save $60 by ordering from a retailer on Amazon. My final cost for the replacement part was $222 shipped.

The new drum arrived in less than 5 days. The new drum was a new part number from Samsung, I’m guessing Samsung improved the weld since so many were failing. To my untrained eye the new dryer drum’s weld looks like it’s heavier. Fingers crossed that this won’t be a repair I need to make every six years.

SeamComparison
Weld comparison, new (left) vs old (right).

All told it took me about an hour to complete the repair. The most complicated part of the repair turned out to be getting the dryer belt wrapped back around the motor and idler pulleys. To get the drive belt hooked back up you need to reach in under the dryer and perform the operation pretty much by feel.  The video from RepairClinic.com does give a very clear picture of what you’re not seeing, so don’t dispair.

Hmm… what can I fix now? I may have to go break something… don’t tell Paula.

Categories
Home

It’s a good idea to take a step back

We’re exhausted, hot and thirsty… but once we weren’t nose down in the dirt and stood back it was all worth it. Sure, Paula did most of the work, but I’ll take credit for all of it.

I think that covers about 10% of our flower beds… should be done with spring cleaning by about November.