Refrigerator Problems

Several years ago when we moved into this house, we bought a new Refrigerator.  We got a GE bottom-freezer refrigerator with water/ice in the door.

It's been a good refrigerator, but earlier this year, we started having a few minor problems with it.  I'd never gotten around to messing with trying to solve them till this weekend.

Water under produce bins

We've had problems with water collecting under the produce bins to the point it comes out of the fridge and either down to the floor, or into the freezer.  It has been annoying, but not a lot.  We'd pull out the bins, and clean out the water.

Ice maker not working properly

Well, it didn't completely stop working.  But it might only make 1 tray of ice a day, if that.  This has been more troublesome.  We've had to start buying ice and either fill the bin or just leave it in the bottom freezer to scoop out.

Repairs

Today, I had some time, to I've attempted some repairs.  First on tap:

Water under produce bins

Initially, I thought it was related to the ice maker as I thought it started about the same time.  But after I did some research, it appears that it's almost always related to the evaporator coil drain.  I had read several board were people were describing the problem, but it wasn't until I found this video that I decided to give it a try.

Though the video talks about, as did the message boards, having ice in the drain hole, I never found any.  I made sure I had good drainage, cleaned up other ice buildup in the area and put the fridge back together.

I feel pretty comfortable that I've corrected the problem.

Ice maker not working properly

After tackling the drain problem, I moved on to see what I might can find with the ice maker.

I pulled out the ice tray in the door, and looked closely at the ice maker.

There was a lever under the ice maker, a test button, and that was about it, and a tab at the top of the ice maker.

I started with the tab.  I pulled it down and was able to slide out the ice maker, but only a couple inches because of the water supply lines.  I turned the ice maker a bit trying to look at it, but didn't have much luck.  So, I slid it back in till the tab locked into place.  I have found a site that explains how to remove the ice maker.

I looked at the lever next.  It pulls down several inches and immediately goes back up.  I was able to push it up just a fraction of an inch.  I believe this arm is what tells the ice maker to stop making ice.  When it gets full, the ice pushes up on the arm stopping the ice maker.

Last step, I took a look at the test button.  I pushed it a few times and nothing seemed to happen.  I did some more research and found a video that didn't really help too much, except it said to push and hold the test button for 5 seconds to "reset" the ice maker.  I did that, and little bit later, I heard the ice maker empty.  After that, I'm feeling a bit more confident.  However, while typing this, I found another article that said if pressing and holding the test button for 15 seconds, I should hear the ice maker cycle and that if I don't, I may need a new ice maker.

So, it appears that the jury is still out on whether or not I fixed the ice maker.  I'm hoping so as I don't want to buy a new one.

I'll update more as we see how well (if at all) these repairs work.

First Day of Eight Grade!

Well, it's that time of year again... School Time! 8th grade!  Big dog on campus and last year of middle school!

As usual, you can click on the pictures to make them larger!

8th Grade

7th Grade

6th Grade

5th Grade

4th Grade

3rd Grade

2nd Grade

1st Grade



Kindergarden


Pre-K

Cutting the cable

A few weeks ago we decided to drop our Dish Network.  We enjoyed Dish.  I wasn't displeases with them, but we were spending over $110/month.  That money could be used in many other places.  And in my opinion we just didn't spend enough time watching it to justify the expense.

So, a couple of years ago, I found an interesting YouTube video on making an antenna to pick up the over the air signals.  So far it's not too bad.  But we've still not watched a lot.

Besides over the air, we have Netflix (disk and streaming) which helps a lot.  There are so many shows and TV series that I've either never watched, or never watched all of them.  Netflix alone can help fill in a lot of the gaps.

We also have a Roku.  A Roku 2 XD actually.  With it, there are tons of free programming we're able to get.  There are also pay channels we can get (like my MLS package which is great, but only if you like soccer).

Because I have a Playstation 3, I watch You Tube videos on our TV as well.  You'd be surprised at what you can find on You Tube.

Both the PS3 and the Roku allows access to Amazon on Demand.  Another great way to get movies or TV series that you might want to watch!

Several years ago, I had bought a piece of software called PlayOn.  It's a server that runs on one of my computers and will stream movies to it from websites (like ABC, NBC, Syfy, etc.), then serve them back up to a machine that can connect to the media server (PS3 and the Roku both can do this).  I've never used it much, but hope to now take advantage of it much more.

One other option is my laptop.  It has HDMI out which will allow me to stream TV shows from my laptop and watch them on the TV.  Which I plan on doing for Duck Dynasty if all goes well!

While the Roku and PS3 both cost money (one time fees), as well as some of the channels you can get (like my MLS channel which is a once a year fee).  I already had spent money on those items on top of our Satellite bill!

So, we're just a few weeks into it, and I like it.  And I love the money I'm saving!

Family Pictures

I love to take photo's.  Usually, I love scenery photo's the best, though my wife loves friends and family.  Well, this year I decided to take my son's photo that we try to buy every year.  Normally, we get them from the school, either in the Fall or Spring.  This year, his pictures were horrible.  He was wearing his big, puffy blue coat during the Fall and some ratty old t-shirt for the Spring.

Anyway, my photography has been getting better, so we decided I'd just take pictures this year.  And personally, I think they came out great.  I took pictures of my son, my grandson, and my wife.  My bride even took some of me and the boys.

We took them on Easter, and had a great time doing it.  I expect to take more in the future!

Picture Details

Focal length 40 mm

exposure 1/100

F/9

ISO 100

Picture Details

Focal length 50 mm

exposure 1/160

F/8

ISO 100

Picture Details

Focal length 50 mm

exposure 1/125

F/10

ISO 100

Cookies!

It's the annual cookie decoration day at my inlaws today.  The young grand and great grand kids are having a blast!

Pretty as a picture

Back in May, My wife and I went to my cousin's wedding in Norman.  We decided to stay for the weekend.  While there, we went to the Myriad Botanical Garden in Oklahoma City.  It was a great place!  I got my wife to pose for this picture.  I don't take many portraits of people, but it'something I want to work on, and how better to do it than with a beautiful woman?

Picture Details

Focal length 70 mm

exposure 1/500

F/5.6

ISO 400

First Day of 7th Grade!

Well, it's that time of year again... School Time! But this time, it's 7th grade!  Starting the middle grade of  Middle School!

He's not nervous at all this year.  He's a pro now!  Not expecting any problems this year, just hope he stay's healthy this year.

As usual, you can click on the pictures to make them larger!

7th Grade

6th Grade

5th Grade

4th Grade

3rd Grade

2nd Grade

1st Grade



Kindergarden


Pre-K

A rose by any other name

Today, while I was at my grandparents doing some yard work, I noticed this beautiful rose along their fence line.  It was awesome!  To top it off, it stood out so much in the shade surrounded by different shades of green and brown.

This week, I've also been taking photo's for a project at a site I've been following called Digital Photography School.  Their assignment this week was to shoot pictures with a Wide Open Apertures.  I took a couple other pictures that I've posted to my flickr page.  But today, while mowing, I decided to try some more shots.  And personally, I'm glad I did, I think this came out wonderful.

The last few pictures, I've been trying to post details of my photo, so here you go

Picture Details
Focal length 18 mm
Exposure 1/160
F/3.5
ISO 200

Smiles

On Easter, my wife and I had our grandson over, and he went to church with us.  After church, there was a big Easter egg hunt out front right after the service, so, of course, we took him.  There were lot's of people there and the green ground was covered by colored eggs (or as he called them, balls).  But he wasn't sure what he thought of all the people, so he was holding onto Mimi.  I happened to catch this great shot of my bride, and my grandson.  I love shots like there were there weren't any poses, just a completely natural shot.

As my wife can tell you, I'm not much of a portrait taker.  I love landscapes, but I've been working on my portraits as well as that is what she really enjoys.
Picture Details
Focal length 105 mm
exposure 1/160
F/7.1
ISO 100

Flower Photography

Last week I came home from work, and took a walk by all our flower beds, and I took several photo's of them.  It was getting late in the day, but not too late.  It was overcaste, so that helped with the lighting of my photos.  Of all the photo's I took, this was one of my favorite.

There was something about this yellow rose next to the brick wall that I found very nice.  There was something about the composition that really caught my eye, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Picture Details
Focal length 105 mm
exposure 1/160
F/5.6
ISO 200

Playtime

My daughter and her son came over today, and my grandson was able to play out in the yard.  He loves the outside, and loves balls, and he got to enjoy the best of both worlds.  Of course, I got the chance to get my camera out, and snap some shots.

I really like this picture.  The grass filling the frame which really highlights my grandson and his soccer ball.

After the Storm

We've had several days of storms, and they've finally mostly moved out. Still some minor chances of more rain but the sun is shining and my how everything has greened up!

I really enjoyed the reflection in the pooled water and the budding and blooming trees. I wish it would have been possible to catch the cool breeze and the smells of Spring.

I tried dividing the picture with a third of it water, a third land, and a third sky. I'm not sure I really got that, but I enjoy it.

Springtime!

It is definatly Spring in Oklahoma. My wife got these flowers the the other day and she got them planted in the front flowerbed. The new and extra color was really nice. I worked on my shot and took several pictures. I liked the way this one came out. The only editing I performed on this picture was to crop it some.

Overall, I'm pleased with it. I personally like the depth I was able to achieve.

Bradford Pear

It's feeling like spring here in Oklahoma. Flowers and trees are blooming and for the last few days anyway, it's been warm. Today's picture is brought to you by a beautiful, if not stinky tree, the Bradford Pear. I love how these trees look during the spring. I'm just glad I don't have any by my house, because they stink. I have to walk by them to and from work everyday, and I don't look forward to it.

The sun was just coming over the horizon this morning as I was walking into work, and the sunlight was shining on the white blooms. So I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures. I like the depth I was able to get in this picture. How the front flowers stand out against those in the background, and all of them offset with the blue sky.

Personally, I think you should click on the picture to see a larger image of it. I think it looks even better that way.

Snake in the leaves

It was a nice sunny Sunday afternoon. So I grabbed my camera, and decided to take a walk out long the fence line out back and see what I might see. While walking to the back of the yard where the trees, rocks and tall grass is located, I saw something orange out of the corner of my eye. I was shocked to see this snake. Seeing snakes isn't unusual. That's one of the nice things I like about living in the country. I get to see all sorts of different wildlife. What caught my attention was the color. I'd never seen a snake like this in the wild before. So, I kept my distance and took several pictures of it.

Later, when I got in and got the pictures off the camera I was able to zoom in and get a better look at the snake. And after doing some research, I'm pretty sure it's a scarlet king snake. Non-poisonous, but very cool.

Getting back to the picture, the top picture is the original. I was leaning over the fence and zoomed in as far as possible. I might could have been able to get closer, but until I knew exactly what kind of snake it was, I wanted to keep my distance. I'm all for good pictures, but another trip to the emergency room is not what I had in mind. So, I went ahead and cropped the photo to get a much better look at the snake.

Bird House in the Woods

On February 10 and 11th, I went with our Boy Scout Troop camping at Camp McClintock. While there, I had some time, and went out to take some pictures as well as taking the camera along when we went on a hike. While there, I found this bird house hung on a tree out in the woods. It was about 15 yards or so from one of the paths.

Snow Moon

Tonight's almost full moon gave me a chance to go out and play with some of the settings on my camera. I had a couple shots without the moon in it, and was able to see several more starts in the shot than what's in this one. I had the shutter open for 30 seconds, which is probably too much, and perhaps I'll mess with that some tomorrow. Also, if I can figure out how to get the flash to go off, it might make for a better picture of the tree in the foreground and then have the moon and the star(s) in the background.

Silent Watcher

I liked the way this picture turned out. I liked the shadows, the textures, the colors, and the contrasts. I've been working on framing my pictures too. Taking the time to try different framings, and then taking the time to go through my pictures and delete the ones I don't like. So what I'm left with is the ones I really like. So that's what I've been trying to do.

Opening Files slow from File Explorer (XP)

So, last week, right before I went off on vacation, I got a new laptop at work. My old one had it's video card go out and I'd had it for several years. Well, I got everything transferred over last week so I could hit the ground running after getting back from vacation.

Well, yesterday, I started noticing that it was taking a very long time to open pictures from the file explorer, so I changed to a different program (from the windows default) and it seemed to work fine after that. Later in the day, I noticed that other files were taking a long time as well, in fact, nearly every file I opened took a long time.

I did some research and read that there could be problems with network drives which could cause this problem, so I disabled all my network drivers, and the problem persisted. So, I searched the the registry looking for the \\ that would be at the front of a networked machine (either name or IP address) to see if anything in my Windows registry was pointed to a network device, and surprise surprise, I found that one of my software programs had it's executable pointed to my old laptop from when I had connected to it to remove old files to copy to the new one. So, I changed the path from the old machine to this one, and my files started opening up fast as expected.

So, if you have that problem, you may want to take a look at that.

First day of 6th grade!

Well, it's that time of year again... School Time! But this time, it's 6th grade, AKA Middle School!

He's a little nervous, but not too bad. I have no concern on his school work. I expect it to be a good year.

As usual, you can click on the pictures to make them larger!

6th Grade

5th Grade

4th Grade

3rd Grade

2nd Grade

1st Grade



Kindergarden


Pre-K