So, here we are. Chapter 2 of the Story of Lori.

In the first part, I talked about my early years, my career, a little about my gold prospecting, and my rockhounding. I discussed my transition while living in the very Red State of South Dakota.

Now that I have moved to Colorado, it is appropriate that Chapter 2 begins here. In about ten days, I will celebrate my 68th birthday as I begin the next chapter of my chronological life. In South Dakota, there is very limited gender-affirming healthcare available. So, here in Colorado, I will begin the next chapter of my transition, too.

I have called Colorado my home for a very long time. I grew up in the California desert, but after my parents divorced, my dad moved here. After bouncing around the country with my mother, I eventually moved back in with my dad. I went to high school in Arvada for a few minutes, then we moved to Loveland. I still have a lot of family members in northern Colorado.

I want to thank all of my readers for your input, advice, and support through all of Chapter 1. I look forward to sharing with all of you this new beginning of Chapter 2.

Hugs!

Onward Sister! 💕😀👍

Quote from: Lori Dee on August 24, 2025, 09:53:36 PMSo, here we are. Chapter 2 of the Story of Lori.

In the first part, I talked about my early years, my career, a little about my gold prospecting, and my rockhounding. I discussed my transition while living in the very Red State of South Dakota.

Now that I have moved to Colorado, it is appropriate that Chapter 2 begins here. In about ten days, I will celebrate my 68th birthday as I begin the next chapter of my chronological life. In South Dakota, there is very limited gender-affirming healthcare available. So, here in Colorado, I will begin the next chapter of my transition, too.

I have called Colorado my home for a very long time. I grew up in the California desert, but after my parents divorced, my dad moved here. After bouncing around the country with my mother, I eventually moved back in with my dad. I went to high school in Arvada for a few minutes, then we moved to Loveland. I still have a lot of family members in northern Colorado.

I want to thank all of my readers for your input, advice, and support through all of Chapter 1. I look forward to sharing with all of you this new beginning of Chapter 2.

Hugs!

Your high school schedule had a short day, many kids would have liked that too.

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on Yesterday at 03:06:31 AMYour high school schedule had a short day, many kids would have liked that too.

Chrissy

I moved there halfway through my sophomore year, so I was only there for one semester. Then I did my junior year in Loveland. I had enough credits to graduate early, so I ran off with some friends to Florida. I did one semester of my senior year in Florida and got into an argument (several actually) with the Assistant Principal about early graduation. He wasn't going to allow it, so I just quit going. A few months later, I got my GED. I was told that there are college students who would be happy to have my scores. I had been talking to a recruiter about joining the Army and decided to sign up after my 18th birthday.

Looking forward to Chapter Two!!!

I left off in the last chapter with some pics of my workroom. I did get a chance to finish rebuilding the Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) rock tumbler. The problem (this time  ) was when the drive and idler shafts were rotating in a plastic bushing, dust and abrasive collected, and began wearing down the shaft. So I replaced the plastic bushings with roller bearings.



The small groove is where the snap ring attaches to keep the shaft from sliding out while it is spinning.

Then I noticed that on the drive shaft, the worn part is nowhere near the snap ring groove. The groove just wasn't deep enough in the first place. Yet another design flaw.



In the back, you can see the gray plastic bearing mounts that were rubbing on the spinning barrels. I took a Dremel cutting wheel and lopped off part of the plastic mount. The next step was to drill a hole in the shaft at the groove and replace the snap ring with a cotter pin.



On the left is the idler shaft with a cotter pin, and on the right is the snap ring that is next to be replaced.



I got it reassembled, lubed the bearings, and fired it up. MUAHAHAHAHA! It's ALIVE!



The next big project before I load up the tumblers is to sort out about 40 lbs of rocks that are in various stages of polishing.




The goal is turn turn those into these:



One last pic. I promised Danielle I would post a pic of my bedroom dresser when I got it put together. I finally finished it about 11:30 last night.



@Northern Star Girl

You know, if people would stop asking you to store stuff at your place, you'd have a lot more room for rocks!

The dresser looks really nice.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on Yesterday at 07:05:26 PMYou know, if people would stop asking you to store stuff at your place, you'd have a lot more room for rocks!

The dresser looks really nice.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Thanks, Jess!

It's not "storage", it's "collateral". 

That dresser looks great, Lori. Good work.

This is what dresser heaven must look like! 💕🤗💕