Going in circles.

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While I may not have been physically active, working on the reloading bench and hutch, trimming branches or raking branches, the weather has not been all that enticing. If it is not raining, or even snowing still (this weekend, again, perhaps), it has been cold in a wet spring way. While a bit of an excuse it is also reasonably true too, and the weather does exclude some things such as climbing, planting (still getting hard freezes), and working on the bench which requires working outside... with electric devices. I have, however, been reviewing information regarding the kitchen and a potential bathroom makeover.

This is where my mind ends up going in circles. In the kitchen, I have some hopes of changing the cupboards, adding an island, redoing the flooring. I will want to add updated and more complete electrical outlets and perhaps a few things like an outlet under the sink for a disposer, and perhaps run a low current line in with several access points for future potential. I will most likely need to run a line for a gas cook top. There will be plumbing connections under consideration as well, for another sink on the island. But, what first? Where do you really begin? Can you do these things in pieces, if so, which part does one start with?

Many places offer ideas, none of them really advise on what to start first or how to put a complete plan together. I know some of it I probably should not do. I can do the tear-down, removing flooring and cabinets. I can most likely install new flooring, and perhaps the cabinets as well. I could probably build an island as well. I could do the plumbing, maybe. But the gas and perhaps the electric should be done by a professional. But, where to even start. Or, must I wait until I can pretty much do the whole thing as a single project?

I am also looking at the master bathroom. I was surprise at how small it actually is. At six by five and a half feet, it is stunningly small. As is, I have a small enclosed tile shower, a water heater, a wash area with actually decent counter space and a minor medicine cabinet, and a toilet in there. Even with my size, I have no real difficulty getting in and out, using the shower, and I do not feel cramped using the toilette even when I have to do so seated. Still, reviewing plans and components, keeping everything and using the space well would be quite a trick. Whoever planned this one did an incredible job, actually. But it is all rather more than dated. Again, on this project even if it is only ever a dream or hope, where to begin, what order the projects should go in, and such, is... a nagging thing.

Beyond all this, the question of what can be turned off and how, has my mind spinning. I do know where the breaker box is and where the water shutoff is. I even found a water shutoff "key" in one of the outbuildings. What I do not know is... do I need to shut off the water heaters (one is electric, one is gas) before turning off water? What about the reverse osmosis or water softener? Further, what about turning off electricity? Will that cause problems with the furnace? Do I need to turn the furnace and gas water heaters to pilot before turning of electricity? There are no manuals. I cannot find information on the specific models. I simply do not know. As well, the breaker is unmarked. I honestly have no idea which switch feeds what area. And, since I am not certain what can be turned off, or what I would actually be turning off at any time, I keep going in circles.

I realized, when considering doing a maintenance checks on the electric hot water heater, that I really did not know how to turn off the electricity, and the rest of the worries about what can and cannot be turned off, or how to do that safely, or how to even begin safely figuring out which switch turned off what component or area. Is there a solid general guide book for simply maintaining a whole house? I just want to check the anode(s)! (for now)

I keep trying to say this in a manner which will not cause too much trouble. I have decided there is no nice way to say it, so I will just state it. However, I think I will avoid going into more detail, using alternative descriptions, or dig into the thought beyond just a statement. I was watching a show to cool down from going in circles from the rest of this post. I realize, after seeing such a woman, that a fat faced woman is an absolute turn off. Wow. She wasn't all that big anywhere else, but that horse head was amazing. If women looked like that, I would definitely reconsider not even thinking about anything but celibacy and it would not be all that hard.

Bah, I tried. Good day.