Dec 11 - clean as a whistle

The prep is never fun; the procedure itself is painless, and even more so when it comes back "clean" -- can a colon really be clean ?  We were home by 10:30 and I had breakfast and lunch together, a big brunch.

I'd forgotten that I picked up the Merc 15 at the marina yesterday.  I'd thought that it was still all hooked to the wiring harness and steering and console and that I'd have to bring tools over, since I wouldn't expect them to lend me their tools, but they had been disconnected.  The console and steering and cable were one part; the controls a second part and the motor itself the third, all sitting on a palette.  The fellow used a forklift to bring it to the car and said -- where's your pickup truck ?  expecting to simply load it in the truck ... not ... but we manhandled it into the back of the X5, him taking the brunt of the motor weight and me the prop end; other parts loose in a box; console/steering assembly; remote throttle etc. a third coil of cables and parts.

Sandy helped me get the motor out of the car and it's now sitting in the garage, other parts (less the console which goes into the garbage on Monday) all in the trailer.  When I get back after Christmas Jim can help me get the motor into the trailer.  Done.

That was a major to-do although the marina didn't seem to care as it was out of the way.  I cared.  Now I'll have to look for a suitable used boat for the affair.  I don't really expect to use the remote controls as I have the tiller but will take them north just in case.  If I don't use them, perhaps Mike has a use for them at the marina.  They are standard Mercury parts.

So ... I'm not supposed to drive or drink alcohol.  I may do both but right now have a chore or two in mind ...

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Whew.  The CAD is in freefall, now down to under 72.6 cents.  That's good for us, since so many of our expenses are in Canada, bad for Canucks wanting to winter down here.  It almost makes me think about moving some money into CAD at some point when I "think" that it's close to bottom or, at least, lower than it will be when I need said money.

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Sandy picked up shrimp for dinner, which were excellent as usual.  They were a different species, very red when cooked and a little softer than the usual ones that we have.  Apparently these are caught deeper than the others. 

I'm pretty well caught up with eating, I think.

This is party weekend as two sets of neighbors do their thing.  Jim and Joanne host tonight on their dock, with the boat parade going by; Harris and Debbie hold their Hanukkah party tomorrow night. 

Monday we hit the road !

I will probably put the snow tires on, if only so that we don't have to worry about the trip back, which can be messy through Erie and Pittsburgh.

Think about it ... we'll be heading back south in three weeks !

Onward !