Progress!! Progress!!

Just a few pictures to show that the progress on the new office is coming along slowly but surely...

Men's Bathroom

Women's Bathroom

It's really coming together!!! More updates to come... Stay tuned!!

Officially the First Day of Summer!!

10 Ways to Celebrate Summer

 How will you celebrate the solstice and all that extra daylight??

1.       Light a bonfire - The beginning of summer solstice day was traditionally celebrated by dancing around bonfires.

2.       Go fishing - We love to get out on the water and catch the big one!!

3.       Plant a seed or a tree - Traditionally, to the farmer, the solstice is the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting, and an occasion for celebration.

4.       Cook outside - There's nothing as tasty as grilled food. Have a big cook-out to help celebrate the summer solstice.

5.       Camp - Plan a camp-out to enjoy the great outdoors whether it's a tent in the backyard or a cabin in the woods!

6.       Listen to the birds - We love our feathered friends. Attract birds to your garden with a beautiful bird feeder and a birdbath.

7.       Get pampered - On Midsummer Day, near the solstice, was said to make old people look younger.  It was also thought that walking barefoot in the dew would keep the skin on your feet from getting dried and chapped.  Lots of sunshine really does cure the effects winter has on your skin.

8.       Let the light in - With all this extra daylight, open the curtains and decorate with a suncatcher in your window or on your porch.

9.       Read a book – With warmer temperatures on the rise lazy days are sure to follow. Relax poolside  or on your porch with a good book.

10.   Watch the night sky - In ancient Egypt, the New Year was celebrated when the star Sirius rose around the time of sunrise. This usually happened around the time of the summer solstice and the annual flooding of the Nile River.

It Does Exist!!!

I came across this and decided to share... 

 

 

It's Flag Day!!!  Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag  which happened on that day in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.

Everyone have a great weekend!!

Posting this in case anyone was wondering what the inside of a fuel filter looks like.  This is off of a vehicle with 147K miles and has never been changed.  I think its safe to say that replacing your fuel filter improves your fuel economy.

If you think you should be getting better fuel economy, please go to our website http://www.shoreyauto.com/ to schedule an appointment.

It's Thursday and it feels like summer is just around the corner. It's perfect weather for hanging out at the pool or doing a little camping.  With the beginning of the summer marks an ideal time to make sure your cavehicle is in good working condition. The high temperatures of summer can be tough on your car or truck - everything from the paint down to the tires is subjected to harsher than normal conditions. Gone unchecked, some issues could leave you stranded. Here are a few tips to help make sure you and your vehicle are protected against the hot Kansas summer heat.

 -- Check your fluids and perform regular maintenance.
 -- Confirm proper tire pressure to avoid a blowout and improve fuel economy.
 -- Keep yourself cool with a/c and your vehicle cool by parking in the shade.
Fluids like coolant, motor oil and windshield washer fluid are things motorists can regularly check on their own. Engine coolant, sometimes called antifreeze, is the number one thing motorists should stay on top of in the summer months. Since modern cars have a closed system for coolant, checking or adding coolant is easy. This is generally done through the coolant reservoir located under the hood. Consult your owner's manual for a specific location. Be sure the coolant level is between the minimum and maximum markings, adding more if necessary. But NEVER open the radiator cap or coolant tank lid when the engine is hot.

Tire pressure is also important, especially in summer months. As the outside temperature climbs, the air in your car's tires expands, so check your tire pressure when the tires are at a normal temperature - before you set out on a road trip. Also, be sure to use the proper tire pressure for your car, not the maximum pressure listed on the tire sidewall. Check the recommended tire pressure label in the door jamb or glove compartment, or consult your owner's manual.

Tires that are over- or underinflated can reduce the vehicle's handling capability or generate excess heat, causing a blowout. Although most newer cars have an on-board tire pressure monitoring system, get a good quality tire pressure gauge - a dial-type analog unit or digital gauge, not a straight, pen-type one - and check them yourself every few months. Don't forget to check the pressure in your spare tire, too. It's like an insurance policy. You never know when you might need it.

Along with the heat, summer also means more long-distance road trips that reveal the high cost of poor fuel economy. So it's a good time to keep up periodic maintenance like oil and filter changes and inspection or replacement of the air cleaner and fuel filters. Not only are these essential to the durability of your engine in the long term, but neglecting them will cause poor fuel economy in the short term, too. Performing regular maintenance means it will take less fuel to make that long highway trip. Maintaining proper tire pressure and using cruise control on the highway can further improve fuel economy, keeping your summer fuel costs down.

While air conditioning can be a drag on fuel economy in stop-and-go driving, keeping the windows up and the a/c on improves aerodynamics and is ideal on the highway. Plus, it will keep the driver and passengers comfortable and reduce driver fatigue. Have your air conditioning system checked annually. If your car's a/c is not getting cold, chances are you have a leak in the system. Adding refrigerant will only solve the problem temporarily, so invest in a proper repair. Some a/c systems have a cabin air filtration system. Check your owner's manual to see how often the filter should be changed. And if you see a little water dripping from your car, don't worry. The a/c system drains condensation when it's working properly.

Keeping your car cool when you're not driving is important, too. The heat of the summer sun can cause cosmetic damage to your car and make it harder to cool off inside when it's time to drive. Protect your paint and interior by parking in a garage or under an awning when possible. Regularly wax your vehicle using a polish with UV protection to reduce sun damage and paint fading. Protect the interior, too. Purchasing a $10 sunshade that keeps sunlight from coming in the windshield can reduce fading, drying and cracking inside your vehicle, and keep you cooler when you sit down behind the wheel.

Preparation is a key to handling harsh summer heat. Following these simple tips will help your vehicle to perform its best this summer. Not only will you and your vehicle be better prepared to survive the heat, but you'll also make the most of your summer by enjoying the freedom that a well-cared-for car can offer. That certainly beats being stranded in the heat.

What it means to you: Don't get stranded in the heat. Maintain your car year-round, but make special preparations for dealing with the hazards of summer, too.

Happy happy Friday!!!! It's gonna be a great day!  The sun is shining and the birds are singing and did I mention it's Friday??

Living in Kansas we all know that one minute it can be beautiful and sunny and the next we are in the middle of a thunderstorm.  I am 39 years old and I just ran across the actual definition of a thunderstorm--- Who knew, lol??

Thunderstorm

A thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces hail at least 1 inch in diameter or has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding, and high winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages.  

Know the Difference

Severe Thunderstorm Watch - Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property.

Every year people are killed or seriously injured by severe thunderstorms despite advance warning. While some did not hear the warning, others heard the warning and did not pay attention to it. The information in this section, combined with timely watches and warnings about severe weather, may help save lives.

 

I found these helpful bits of information from the Red Cross website.  Thank you Red Cross for all you do!!!

 

Stay safe and have a good weekend!!!

 

 

Rain, rain and MORE rain!!!  I saw this and decided that I would share as something NOT do!!

Attention ladies and gentlemen - WE HAVE LIGHTS!!!! YAY!!

Office area with lights :)
 

As the summer kicks off, remember these safe driving tips.

For a lot of people,  Memorial Day is a time to celebrate our country's freedom and for most that means in more ways than one. We salute our veterans who sacrificed to protect and preserve our freedoms us as well as many of us celebrate freedom of the road over the holiday.

Memorial weekend is the unofficial kick-off for summer.  This holiday weekend is one of the heaviest for traffic, which means more accidents.  In the past as many as 450 people were killed during Memorial holiday weekend.

Protect your family with these safe driving tips from the NHTSA:

1. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol and driving is always a bad mix. Every day, nearly 30 people in the U.S. die in a motor-vehicle crash involving an alcohol-impaired driver. If you have teen drivers, learn how to talk to them about alcohol.
   
2. Keep your tires properly inflated. If Memorial Day weekend means a road trip for you and the gang, make sure your tires are ready to endure the marathon. A hot traveling surface can take its toll.
   
3. Check your windshield. Make sure your view is clear and your wipers are in good shape. A sudden summer storm will hinder visibility more rapidly if there’s a coat of grime or dust on the windshield.
   
4. Never leave kids unattended. Don’t leave your children in the car, even if you’re just running into the store for sunscreen. Temperatures inside an automobile can increase to deadly levels quickly.
   
5. Rest up. To stay alert on your trip, get plenty of rest before you leave. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination to avoid aggravation, and keep yourself hydrated by bringing water with you.

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend and remember to be safe and if you have any car trouble or need any other car care tips, please check out www.shoreyauto.com.  :)

I write this morning with a very, very heavy heart.  There are no words to describe all the emotions associated with what happened in Oklahoma.  It just goes to show that life can change in the blink of an eye.  Please put the victims of Moore, Oklahoma in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

Driving in a fog

Driving in Fog

Fog is a cloud form at the surface of the earth made of tiny water droplets suspended in the air.  The greatest problem with fog is visibility.  Heavy fog is defined as visibility below one quarter of a mile.  A Dense Fog Advisory means that dense fog has reduced visiblity to 1/4 mile or less within the advisory area.

Try to remember these safety tips while driving in fog -

 - Slow down and do not driver faster than your vision.
 - Be careful, fog can become thicker without warning and without notice until it is too late to react.
 - Use windshield wipers and defroster as necessary to maximize visibility.
 - Be ready for emergency stops by other vehicles.
 - Listen for traffic you can't see.
 - Remember that other drivers have limited sight distance and that fog makes the road wet.
 - Signal early, and when you sue your brakes, don't stomp on them.
 - Use the right side of the road as a guide.
 - Turn off your cruise control so that you are in control of your vehicle.
 - Increase your following distance to ensure enough reaction time and stopping distance.
 - Turn on all your lights - including your hazard lights.  Use low beam headlights and fog lights.
   Do not use high beams.

Just a few tips for safe driving during foggy mornings like we had today... Happy driving and have a GREAT weekend :)