O RLY?!

I picked up an extremely inexpensive truck a few weeks ago to use for transporting large items.  I’ve always wanted to have a truck available for moving things since Abbey and I both own cars.  I don’t have any friends that drive trucks, so I figured I’d pick one up myself.

The alternator went out on it and it wasn’t worth paying somebody to replace it, so I decided to try it myself.  This was my first attempt at any serious mechanical work on a car and I emerged successful.  I purchased a rebuilt unit from Auto-Zone, removed the old alternator and installed the new one.  The only problem I encountered was swapping the pulleys between the two alternators.  All the reading I did online stated that an impact wrench was needed to remove the pulley.  Not fully knowing what an impact wrench was, I decided to try and remove it myself (how hard could it be?)  After about an hour of struggling, I decided whatever an impact wrench was, I probably needed it. I took both units back to Auto-Zone and they swapped the pulleys in a matter of seconds using (you guessed it) an impact wrench.  All the voltages checked out fine after installing the new alternator and the battery now charges properly.

I think we now have the den set up the way we like it. A new TV and a new chair helped complete the room. We’re still looking for some things to put on the walls and also another small end table, but the room is in good shape for now.

I’m still entertaining ideas for the fireplace. I would like to take the old ceramic tile off the walls and put some travertine stone around the fireplace, but Abbey doesn’t like that idea. The other decision is whether to have a gas log installed or just leave it as is. I’m not sure we’d use a gas log very often, but it would be nice to have for the future.  (Click on the pictures for larger versions.)
 

I finally got around to building and hanging the shelves for the office. They are constructed similarly to the desk and stained the same color to match. The last piece needed for this room are some shades and/or curtains for the windows.