New Year's Day

On New Year's morning, 

Malachi surprised me by getting up and at 'em pretty early 

for the morning after a late one.

He fortified himself with a cup o joe

and a left-over pumpkin bar, 

and headed outside.

to put the finishing touches on 

replacing the timing belt and water pump

on his "new" car.

This is the old timing belt.

He bought the new timing belt for $100.

The mechanic quoted him a price of $750 to replace it for him.

Malachi, with a little help from Dad and Grandpa

did the job himself and saved $700!

The guy on the YouTube Timing Belt Replacement Video

claimed it would take four hours.

Dad told Malachi, 

"Four hours? That means seventeen!"

Dad had it about right.

I've just booked my timing belt replacement with Malachi for the spring.

Who knew a 16-year old kid could do that?

I'm impressed!