I've patched my C21ZPRA magnesium deck with straps of aluminum from the hardware store. Most places I used flat head screws with nuts but in a few spots I couldn't drill through the housing, so I used self-drilling screws simply as self-tappers. So far it's working well. Finally managed to slightly bend the crankshaft extension. I'm able to set the blade so it doesn't vibrate. I replaced the spark plug when I was having starting problems last year, but the old plug is fine. Parts prices are insane. If they actually have any decks left, no one is going to pay over $500 for one. Let it go for $50, maybe someone would buy it. $275 for a crankshaft? Out of sight. Guess they're attached to this stuff; don't want to sell any? No one around here can weld magnesium. The stuff burns intensely if it is not welded with the right equipment and skill. Easy with the right stuff, mainly the correct filler rod and TIG, like aluminum. A shop that repairs old VW crankcases (magnesium, with some aluminum and zinc for strength) should be able to weld a Lawn-Boy magnesium deck. CO2 or water makes Mg burn more intensely as both have oxygen in them. Maybe if I ever get back out to Oregon with the mower I can get the VW specialist next door to my father in law's house to fix the deck. For some reason I typed "1981" when it should have been "1991."

Hey ladies....glad you all had a nice Easter with kids and grands. It snowed this year so no egg hunt for us. Everyone just kinda did their own thing after lunch. Some of us played cards, others watched movies, played video games, napped or went to visit other families. Luvs~ Since 2 of my older kids "know" they request certain things in their baskets. They don't want a bunch of different candies, they'd rather have one big bag of a certain candy bar or a big bag of chips, etc. So it gets a little difficult to remember who asked for what, but it all worked out. The one thing the bunny forgot in the 5 yr olds basket was fishy crackers (the girl is addicted). I told her he must have dropped them out when he was hopping to our house. She said he should really be more careful, but was ok after that. ha They got one movie...Chipmunks the squeakquel. The Easter Bunny always comes to our house Friday night, they get their baskets Sat, we have our family easter get together Sat, then church on Sunday. Don't like the kids having to be hyped up on sugar at church so that's the way we've always done it. ha We being Southern have a ton of food for Sat lunch. Grandma is in charge of the Easter Egg hunt. She puts money (change and $1s) and candy in plastic eggs and hides them. She does a kid hunt and an adult hunt. (The adult eggs have bigger bills). Ensures everyone joins in the fun. ha Gotta go make lunch for the child. Trying to find a new project to work on. My 3rd child is turning 10 on Monday and will be having a sleepover on Friday and then we have a party for my Aunts b-day on Sat so don't know if I'll get to paint this weekend. We shall see. ~Anj

I'm now addicted to Gardens of Time. I don't have Face Book so I play the version linked below. I use Firefox as browser. Others say Chrome is better but I haven't had a problem yet. LIL Here is a link that might be useful: Gardens of Time

If you join BigFish, you pay $6.99 a month for a game credit ... and can then buy any game you want at that price. (except for the Collector's Editions, those cost more) I like to save up a couple months and buy one of the bigger Hidden Object games *and* the STrategy Guide! Yep, the really tricky games like Ravenhurst and Return to Ravenhurst have Strategy Guides that will help you out when you get stuck. I've been a member 2 or 3 years now and their games are always safe. Every weekend I download the trial for games that have published in the last week. It's a wonderful feature that allows you to play free for an hour and decide whether the game is one you'd enjoy. I find that many of them are pretty darned lame and glad I didn't waste my $$ on them. And then there are the ones created in another country, where the storyline and clues are not written by someone whose English is a first language. LOL. Those can be entertaining just deciphering what the meaning is. (A peg turned out to be a clothespin). Oh, and BigFish has forums too ... where users can go to discuss a particular game and get assistance.