My Mini...Uverhauled?

Engine - extracted! What a relief.

After 3 long days and nights of work...the mini's engine is out and ready for a major overhaul.

My classic mini is getting overhauled..after 9 months of sitting in the garage. Now this is no small task despite how small the mini is. Very few mechanics in Oregon work on these cars. We have had to wait until one was available and Mike decided to take the whole engine out himself. Mike committed his whole weekend to getting the engine out and got some help from good old Chris (who had to smoke his cigar while precariously laying under the lifting car). I am telling you this project turned out to be huge. Since the vehicle that has inspired so many adventures and our blog design is laid up I thought I would post it. We hope it will be fixed by the fall.

Happy Birthday Mike!

We had another busy weekend, enjoying the hot weather. Mike turned 32 this weekend!! We had several guests stop by, moto rides, delightful meals at home and I also wanted to slip in a picture of our friends new sweet pea, Addie.

Mike's New Moto

 

So, I gave in and Mike got another motorcycle this past weekend. It is a 1000. For those not into street bikes (like me) that's big. It has a little seat on the back for me. I am jonesn for a ride but I don't think I'll be riding often. Not the most comfortable position when you're riding on the back but great on gas mileage. It is Mike's commuter bike for the Summer so he doesn't have to waste an hour each way on the train. If you can't see them, the bike has red flames that go across the bottom and a section 8 ball with flames on the front. Yikes!

The Uniform

Mike reluctantly let me take this photo of him for those who've asked to see his uniform for culinary school. (And I got up with him at 5:30am to get the shot, he thought I was crazy!) Now don't be disappointed as he does not get his official chef's hat until he graduates, you know the really cool tall white one, Think Ratatouille? Nope, not for another 7 months. It is like the graduation cap for chefs.