Well, we got rid of the Subaru today. Not that it was bad - just getting ready for $4 a gallon gasoline. We traded the Subaru Forrester for a Nissan Versa Hatchback. (Click any image for a larger version)
It was a clear sunny day and we spent most of it in a car dealership 
but the end result was happy! 
The Versa has been available in other countries for a while but quite new to the USA. It gets between 27 and 33 MPG and from the reviews I have read that is pretty accurate.
Here is another shot from the Passenger side.
It is fun to drive and we got good financing for the 50th anniversary of Nissan.
Here is the last shot of the powerhouse 1.8 liter engine. The Versa we bought has the “Xtronic” CVT Transmission and is VERY smooth.
Another happy thing about the Versa is that it is rated as one of the safest cars in it class - comes with air bags everywhere. Five stars in everything!
March 15th, 2008
Let me start by saying that Don and Jeanie have been friends of our family for a long time. They have been going through some very rough trials - Don was diagnosed with colon cancer back almost six years ago. The doctors got it under control and they thought it was “licked”. Well last year it came back and attacked much of Don’s important organs. He has been under treatment and while still not in remission, it is being kept from advancing. — That is some of the bad, along with that comes financial challenges. On Sunday a benefit was held for Don and again it is great to see how people come together to help.
Don (on ther right above) had about 200 friends show up and the day was a huge success, the food was all donated by a local commercial food supplier and many items were donated for a silent auction that raised a little bit more money for the Granholms.
For those who don’t know Don, he loves to talk with anyone and when he worked behind the counter at Northwest Radio (now long gone) he had the best people skills of any of the sales staff. I met him there when I was about 16 - I needed to buy electronic parts from Northwest but they only sold wholesale - unless you were a “Radio Experimenter” and many of us “Geeks” before computers were popular repaired TV’s, Radios and just wired things together.
We continue to pray that Don will keep the fighting evil destroyer of our bodies and be able to see many more happy events. To all who participated and those who pray for Don and his wife - thank you. Every time I see community come together in ways like this, I know that God is real and He works through his creation to “do all things.”
February 26th, 2008
It is Christmas and I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Below are some photos taken today.
Here are the presents before we opened them.
Here we are after the fun of opening - again - I hope all our friends and family reading this had a great Christmas.
December 25th, 2007
Ok, I bought myself a early Christmas present. The Simson’s Movie - I love the Simpson’s! They are great - the movie included a donut size and shape item that was a compressed t-shirt.
After removing the shrink wrap and starting to un-wind it.
Without washing or doing anything else - here it is!
December 25th, 2007
Lynette and I got back from Urbana on Sunday - first day I have had a chance to post. We had a great time with our new grandchildren and their wonderful parents. It was a real blessing to be able to hold, feed and other less fun “business” with the tiny little gifts from God. Marissa is the smallest baby I have ever held! Zach is the second smallest - I don’t think either of our kids were ever that small. They are so much fun, to watch and be around and we missed them the first night.
Anyway, below is an Olson family portrait (at least the US residents).
October 10th, 2007
My wife and I are GRANDPARENTS! Our son and his lovely wife became parents on August 28th at 9:36 am. The have a boy and a girl (who have been going by the names Kiwi and Raisin since they found out they were expecting. They are here now and because they were early (by about a month) my son and his wife did not have names until yesterday. They have names now! Say hello to Zachary Alden Olson and Marissa Charis Olson:
They still have feeding tubes in but are eating on their own - they were a little small (Marissa 4 lb. 12 oz. and Zachary 5 lb. 6 oz.) at birth but should only have to stay in the hospital about two weeks. Our daughter-in-law is doing fine now except for lack of sleep.
By the way, Zachary means “the Lord remembers” and Alden was my father’s name. Marissa means “sea-loving” and Charis (pronounced KAR-is, not CARE-is) is Greek for “Grace” - neat huh?
We are very happy with the twins and the names - great job Matthew and Jaime!
September 2nd, 2007
Just to let you know - I have a few new photos up on the Valiant restoration pages. First, I got the upholstery for the seats back from the shop.
Click on the above photo to open a page with the current photos on it.
Also, last night - August 14, 2007 - I started it up again for the first time in a year - IT RAN!!! Some small leak issues that will take time to fix - but it RAN!!!
August 15th, 2007
We went to Tulsa to see them un-earth the 1957 Plymouth - they found a lot of water - the car is never going to be restored or even moved on it’s wheels in my opinion but it was an experience. Now they have to find out who is the lucky winner!
CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION
Now let’s go to the 6:30 unveiling.
Looks a little like the Titanic photos.
The Trunk
This is the empty tomb that will be filled in if not already.
Well they learned a lot - don’t forget a sump pump if you have a car under-ground.
I hope they keep it just like it is for future generations to see.
June 15th, 2007
Ok, I have been busy cleaning and painting and putting new stuff in the engine.
If you want to see a whole bunch of photos taken from mid-April to last Sunday (the 20th of May) CLICK HERE!
May 16th, 2007
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