Where Does the Time Go?
It seems to me that I just updated this thing, yet I look back and I see that over a month has passed since the last entry! So much for more regular updates. :/
Things have been busy both at the shop and at the farm, and they will likely only get more so as the weather warms up and more and more stuff comes in. MARCH came in like the proverbial lamb, but it's bustling like crazy today: the temperature is warm (thankfully) but high winds are creating all kinds of problems. I had to feed the horses inside today, which I don't lift to do because they always make such a mess inside. I finally got Bonnie's hooves trimmed yesterday, but it was quite a struggle and I ache all over. To be fair, she probably aches too, but she seems to be moving around a little easier today.
I received a cheque from Briggs & Stratton last week for the work I did on that engine failure. The cheque was over $600 more than I had expected! The extra cash is greatly appreciated, though all of it will be going to pay bills.
I've been a Honda warranty centre for several years now, but it's never really felt "official". Frankly, the lack of training and support from Honda is a major factor in that feeling. Things got a little bit better last week though with the arrival of my official Honda dealer's package, which includes a display stand, signage, an assortment of popular parts, and three engines. So now I officially have Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, and Honda engines and parts in stock and for sale at the shop.
The deadline to apply for government assistance to hire a summer student had been extended from the 21st of February to the 11th of March, but I still let it slide - this time on purpose. There is simply no way I can afford to hire extra help, even with some assistance. The government will kick in up to 50% of the minimum wage for a province; but no one wants to work for minimum wage. It burns me, as I don't even earn minimum wage, and it's my shop! Wages are also just the tip of the iceberg; by the time you add in CPP, EI, WCB, and a plethora of others, you can generally add another 50%.
That is why the arrangement I had with the student last summer was that I would pay him a "raw wage" as a contractor, and he would be responsible for all of his own premiums and deductions. Fine and Dandy, but last week I got a letter from Revenue Canada requesting an interview because the idiot was trying to claim EI benefits. His wages cost me more than he brought in, and now it looks like he may wind up costing me even more! So no - no more employees, especially not students.
Back on a warm day last December, I had tried to start my old John Deere AR tractor; it rolled over OK, but I though I heard a sharp "crack!" sound from inside. Sadly, I did. My local JD expert figured I broke the drive shaft on the oil pump, which was known to happen on these things. Last week I was able to start the engine; I immediately checked the oil-pressure, and to my dismay there was none. I shut the engine down very quickly, and now have another repair to make. My guy tells me that it's actually a pretty easy fix (if you know what you're doing) and he has the parts I need. We're going to do some "horse trading" on repairs: he's going to fix up my AR (including a new manifold) and I'm going to fix a very old Tecumseh engine for him. I think I'm getting the better end of the deal, but if he's happy with it, so am I.
That brings things more-or-less up to date; let's hope I can actually update this thing more often from here.
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