.
.
Bit by bit the cave is being cleaned. She doesn't seem to understand that not having hot water until recently put me at a severe disadvantage, and trying to fix things takes whatever time it takes. She has indicated that if she comes out again to this kind of mess she will stay in a motel. I have news. She won't be back. If I can afford it, from now on, I will drive to visit her. It is more expensive to drive but I don't have to mess with airport "security", and won't. I will stay a few days then head back. That will fix that. I have neither the money for a housekeeper, nor a wife. Done.
The dishes are done, I am in the process of cleaning the bathroom. She has decided to hit the kitchen. She wants things just so before cooking. Okay. The plot for the garden is too big, unless once we get out there it is too small. No problems. I didn't do it for her. I should be able to get what I want in and be just fine. The plants are looking good, most are ready to go. Some I will keep in the planters a little longer and do myself when they are ready. She wants to just dump them all. My garden, my way. Period. We will get around to butting heads on that shortly. For now it's just... waiting.
She is a bit hot. So am I. Best to just cool heels and do what I am doing. Now is not the time for... discussions. And, perhaps, some discussions won't happen. I will just leave things... unsaid. She will figure it out in time. She's a smart girl. :p Well, time to check the floor. A rinse if it looks good, then to silicone seal that toilet. But the shower and tub area will be cleaned first, I suppose. Food sometime today... who knows what, but I have a bit.
I won't restart the water heater project until probably the 7th. I think I can return the parts to a store in Ogden, and look for fittings that aren't all dented to heck. I don't even think they will fit on a pipe. I know they won't solder. I'm not even sure how copper fittings could have been bent and folded and dinged like that! I'll... get to it. But first, the cave... Later.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Haiku - Monday - Humor, and etc.
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.
She is up. It looks like foam scooped me. I meant to go over and razz her, being that at 1:30 it was technically Friday and she had said she would be up by Friday. No jazzing allowed. It looks like fun. I've got a few percolating, from the time I knew the theme actually. Just... still... a bit slow. Here is where you may go for the contest.
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She is up. It looks like foam scooped me. I meant to go over and razz her, being that at 1:30 it was technically Friday and she had said she would be up by Friday. No jazzing allowed. It looks like fun. I've got a few percolating, from the time I knew the theme actually. Just... still... a bit slow. Here is where you may go for the contest.
----------update interrupt----------
For whom the bell... yada yada...
It was time, his Doom.
It was time, his Doom.
He tried to sweep me aside.
Instead, he ate broom.
----------------
Clitter, clatter, clash,
sing. Love is in the midnight-
Did not see that coming.
----------------
Home. Time for a bit more rest.
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.
She is not used to being up this late. While not shrinking flower or dainty morsel, my mother has limits. When they are reached havoc could ensue. In this case, however, she was in the (mean) Denver airport. That just isn't a nice place, and they aren't nice or kindly, for the most part. Or, that has been how her luck has been there. Fair enough. She is usually pretty kindly, so if she says people aren't friendly, then they aren't. Between being up far too late, having a long day, and such, she was getting nauseous and beginning to cry a bit. Oh, not much I could do but sooth... and promise that if they roll a mid-afternoon flight to late night again, we will simply change the day. That's why I buy insurance.
Now, when I told her that I had not been able to complete all, and that is why little else had been don in the way of cleaning, she suggested I bit off too much. *steams* I said nothing though. Biding time, mind you. Bit my lip. But when she was in the auto, we were on the way, she had a soda and I offered food, we started talking. She had much cheered and was feeling better. She suggested how rough it had been. I asked if she could have napped. No, she suggested. She had to pack, run to the bank, do this, do that... I just... suggested... she should have done those things Friday and Sunday. This time she *steamed*, for about two seconds, then... we chuckled a bit. Yes, we still... bicker. It's just much more understated, even mutually entertaining now. One move per, at a time, some eating of crow, then passing around of crow pie, all over various quirky little bits of time... or as opportunity presents itself. *grins* Oh, she plays this game quite well. There really aren't winners and losers, either. It's like verbal badminton between equal players over time. If too, I don't play to win.
I did stop and get cleaner, Pine-Sol. That stuff just works. For cleaning, for scent, for the sense of it, I can't beat it, to my mind. A quick in and out, and with her onboard I can park in the handicap spaces, so in a hurry I can scoot. Usually I park somewhere near the parking lot stratosphere. Tomorrow? As I suggested, I will be taking the day off from plumbing and hitting the bathroom, dishes, and the last of the laundry. As well I will be moving a few things around for her comfort and leisure. I want her to just take the day off. If she wants, and she will, cooking a meal will give her something useful to do. Laundry and dishes first, then.
She already went to bed and I doubt if she remembers falling asleep. I always have to come down a bit after driving that far. But I am ready for bed, again, sort of, myself. Good night.
.
She is not used to being up this late. While not shrinking flower or dainty morsel, my mother has limits. When they are reached havoc could ensue. In this case, however, she was in the (mean) Denver airport. That just isn't a nice place, and they aren't nice or kindly, for the most part. Or, that has been how her luck has been there. Fair enough. She is usually pretty kindly, so if she says people aren't friendly, then they aren't. Between being up far too late, having a long day, and such, she was getting nauseous and beginning to cry a bit. Oh, not much I could do but sooth... and promise that if they roll a mid-afternoon flight to late night again, we will simply change the day. That's why I buy insurance.
Now, when I told her that I had not been able to complete all, and that is why little else had been don in the way of cleaning, she suggested I bit off too much. *steams* I said nothing though. Biding time, mind you. Bit my lip. But when she was in the auto, we were on the way, she had a soda and I offered food, we started talking. She had much cheered and was feeling better. She suggested how rough it had been. I asked if she could have napped. No, she suggested. She had to pack, run to the bank, do this, do that... I just... suggested... she should have done those things Friday and Sunday. This time she *steamed*, for about two seconds, then... we chuckled a bit. Yes, we still... bicker. It's just much more understated, even mutually entertaining now. One move per, at a time, some eating of crow, then passing around of crow pie, all over various quirky little bits of time... or as opportunity presents itself. *grins* Oh, she plays this game quite well. There really aren't winners and losers, either. It's like verbal badminton between equal players over time. If too, I don't play to win.
I did stop and get cleaner, Pine-Sol. That stuff just works. For cleaning, for scent, for the sense of it, I can't beat it, to my mind. A quick in and out, and with her onboard I can park in the handicap spaces, so in a hurry I can scoot. Usually I park somewhere near the parking lot stratosphere. Tomorrow? As I suggested, I will be taking the day off from plumbing and hitting the bathroom, dishes, and the last of the laundry. As well I will be moving a few things around for her comfort and leisure. I want her to just take the day off. If she wants, and she will, cooking a meal will give her something useful to do. Laundry and dishes first, then.
She already went to bed and I doubt if she remembers falling asleep. I always have to come down a bit after driving that far. But I am ready for bed, again, sort of, myself. Good night.
Monday, June 3, 2013
I best get on the way.
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Supper arrived, late, perfect. I was sleeping a bit late. No supper yesterday, they had a full day. An apology. None needed, I was sacked out hard, probably, by the time they returned or even at the regular time. Luck favors hard work? A shower and a run to the airport. A long run. Tomorrow not much, I am told. All good I say. I might do a day or two of helping to get things... urhm, turned around here, first. Then hope a resupply of functional parts is in. Or maybe I can find other, more reliable, sources of parts. All good. At least she isn't in a foot/leg brace this time. Though... that means I have to watch her a little closer. She doesn't always "remember" she has had two back surgeries, two knee replacements, a half dozen foot surgeries to each foot, and maybe a hip replacement? Dang woman anyway. She really needs to wait on me to lift much, but doesn't always. Even when I am doing what she wanted me to do, but over there. *sigh* Just call, says I. Or take a break. "Okay." Liar.
Never the mind. A shower, and figuring out how to keep at least one eye on her, especially now that she can move even faster!
Later.
.
Supper arrived, late, perfect. I was sleeping a bit late. No supper yesterday, they had a full day. An apology. None needed, I was sacked out hard, probably, by the time they returned or even at the regular time. Luck favors hard work? A shower and a run to the airport. A long run. Tomorrow not much, I am told. All good I say. I might do a day or two of helping to get things... urhm, turned around here, first. Then hope a resupply of functional parts is in. Or maybe I can find other, more reliable, sources of parts. All good. At least she isn't in a foot/leg brace this time. Though... that means I have to watch her a little closer. She doesn't always "remember" she has had two back surgeries, two knee replacements, a half dozen foot surgeries to each foot, and maybe a hip replacement? Dang woman anyway. She really needs to wait on me to lift much, but doesn't always. Even when I am doing what she wanted me to do, but over there. *sigh* Just call, says I. Or take a break. "Okay." Liar.
Never the mind. A shower, and figuring out how to keep at least one eye on her, especially now that she can move even faster!
Later.
Should have napped first.
.
.
I was way too tired, but... since awake I wanted to try. First, I forgot anything to clean with! I'll see what I have that might work. I couldn't make it to town and back at this point. Actually, before that, I should have run another load of laundry through. Not now. Then, I returned those connections and grabbed brass flex hoses and some other things. The solder side of the flex hoses, I just noticed, are battered beyond use. I will simply be taking those back and seeing if they have more back somewhere or when a new shipment will arrive, and check at the other store. Work is at a standstill. And I am at a standstill... Now to back it down to try to rest a bit before showering and dressing and going for the source of Doom. Hmm, best call to make sure she... remembers, is set up. Damn kids anyway. I wish I could get up there early enough to hit the big boxes in that direction, but... the timing would be really questionable, either making me late or very early. I don't want to mess with that. Some shopping at Walmart, though, on the way home, if I have to do it solo... Cleaning fluids of my mother's choice and whatever else she might want.
I did get extra fittings, that I wanted. But I am going to check it all over. I was too tired to be shopping. I did fill the tank, get the trash and recycling out, wash the X'ter, and... I tried. Just shot, done, beat. Can't say I didn't try. And, I'm not done. I'm just done for this time, for a while, for today. Damn but I wanted to surprise her, impress her a bit. *shrug*
On the good side of an odd thing? I have been having issues with my past. Working hard has... overshadowed that. It's only when I can't work, which until medicine was most of the time, that those things can creep up and reek havoc on my mind. When I get really tired I can feel that stuff oozing out of me, now. But it hasn't been able to follow me into sleep and ruin that. Nor can it stay with me until I wake and attack me there. Whatever it is, it's in there deep, hard, mean. I hope it's gone before I crash for a while. I prefer to sleep without ghosts as bedfellows, if you don't mind. Though I don't like them much in the day or when I'm otherwise awake either.
Good night.
.
I was way too tired, but... since awake I wanted to try. First, I forgot anything to clean with! I'll see what I have that might work. I couldn't make it to town and back at this point. Actually, before that, I should have run another load of laundry through. Not now. Then, I returned those connections and grabbed brass flex hoses and some other things. The solder side of the flex hoses, I just noticed, are battered beyond use. I will simply be taking those back and seeing if they have more back somewhere or when a new shipment will arrive, and check at the other store. Work is at a standstill. And I am at a standstill... Now to back it down to try to rest a bit before showering and dressing and going for the source of Doom. Hmm, best call to make sure she... remembers, is set up. Damn kids anyway. I wish I could get up there early enough to hit the big boxes in that direction, but... the timing would be really questionable, either making me late or very early. I don't want to mess with that. Some shopping at Walmart, though, on the way home, if I have to do it solo... Cleaning fluids of my mother's choice and whatever else she might want.
I did get extra fittings, that I wanted. But I am going to check it all over. I was too tired to be shopping. I did fill the tank, get the trash and recycling out, wash the X'ter, and... I tried. Just shot, done, beat. Can't say I didn't try. And, I'm not done. I'm just done for this time, for a while, for today. Damn but I wanted to surprise her, impress her a bit. *shrug*
On the good side of an odd thing? I have been having issues with my past. Working hard has... overshadowed that. It's only when I can't work, which until medicine was most of the time, that those things can creep up and reek havoc on my mind. When I get really tired I can feel that stuff oozing out of me, now. But it hasn't been able to follow me into sleep and ruin that. Nor can it stay with me until I wake and attack me there. Whatever it is, it's in there deep, hard, mean. I hope it's gone before I crash for a while. I prefer to sleep without ghosts as bedfellows, if you don't mind. Though I don't like them much in the day or when I'm otherwise awake either.
Good night.
Where there is a will, someone probably made the wheel so only a combination of the two is required.
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While coming back in from taking the recycling out and to the curb, I noticed one of the flexible copper couplings, like the ones in the basement. Now, it had fip x fip fittings, but after a bit of checking, they also make a fip x s hose. F.I.P. officially stands for something I don't know, but means it screws on, as a female fitting I think. S, however, stands for solder. Since my soldering is fine, if not pretty always, all I need to do is buy two of those, then I have some flexibility regarding placement and replacement of the water heaters. It makes it so much easier, since finding the exact size of replacement heater can mean hundreds more or some hope and prayer sweating. Of course, you know, I would have to have an extra on hand that would require soldering three rather than one more times? I consider it a basement w.h. spare, anyway.
With recycling done, trash next. Then what is in the dryer should be ready to tend. Then a nap, a trip to town, a bit more sweating, and then a trip to the big city later. Oh, I sure hope the fittings work. I am buying a few extra pieces, just in case I need to resweat a few things. I know a 1/2 to 3/4 straight and elbow would be nice, another 3/4 union would be good, and maybe... No, that should be enough. I would like to get concrete board (or some such... fireproof, good for sweating lengths on a table without worrying about a housefire. But since I am pretty much done... Nah. Unless it is really inexpensive. Hmm, 5x3x1/2 for $10? I would actually like that to finish anyway. Just setting it behind where I am working. The fireproof(ish) panel I have is about potholder size, and I am brazing in a corner, so I have been sweating in more ways than one, as carefully as possible. I know that mapp torch works a LOT better, especially for decoupling, but even for just plain sweating. Technology is truly sometimes worth the extra costs.
Oh, right, laundry, trash, crash. Later.
.
While coming back in from taking the recycling out and to the curb, I noticed one of the flexible copper couplings, like the ones in the basement. Now, it had fip x fip fittings, but after a bit of checking, they also make a fip x s hose. F.I.P. officially stands for something I don't know, but means it screws on, as a female fitting I think. S, however, stands for solder. Since my soldering is fine, if not pretty always, all I need to do is buy two of those, then I have some flexibility regarding placement and replacement of the water heaters. It makes it so much easier, since finding the exact size of replacement heater can mean hundreds more or some hope and prayer sweating. Of course, you know, I would have to have an extra on hand that would require soldering three rather than one more times? I consider it a basement w.h. spare, anyway.
With recycling done, trash next. Then what is in the dryer should be ready to tend. Then a nap, a trip to town, a bit more sweating, and then a trip to the big city later. Oh, I sure hope the fittings work. I am buying a few extra pieces, just in case I need to resweat a few things. I know a 1/2 to 3/4 straight and elbow would be nice, another 3/4 union would be good, and maybe... No, that should be enough. I would like to get concrete board (or some such... fireproof, good for sweating lengths on a table without worrying about a housefire. But since I am pretty much done... Nah. Unless it is really inexpensive. Hmm, 5x3x1/2 for $10? I would actually like that to finish anyway. Just setting it behind where I am working. The fireproof(ish) panel I have is about potholder size, and I am brazing in a corner, so I have been sweating in more ways than one, as carefully as possible. I know that mapp torch works a LOT better, especially for decoupling, but even for just plain sweating. Technology is truly sometimes worth the extra costs.
Oh, right, laundry, trash, crash. Later.
Nope, again.
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.
I am moving slow. Go figure. I have the laundry about ready to shut down. And I tried the last sharkbite, it failed as well. I did review everything I could, I did everything I was supposed to do, it didn't matter. I just can't trust these items. Perhaps some work, perhaps there is some trick I don't have, I know there is a tool that is supposed to set the depth gauge exactly which I don't have, but I know I cleaned inside and out of the pipe, I pushed it down until it "popped" and then just a bit more, there isn't much else two it. Two failures in a row is bad. I have heard that open bin ones are frequently bad. Dirt, dust, grease, and whatever else can get in there. And it wouldn't surprise me if gremlins (plumbers who don't want people diy'ing) messing them up as they pass through. Yeah, it happens. There are places to buy them bagged. But... of course... only plumbers can shop there.
Never mind. I best get the recycling collected and out, then trash after. Recycling will be coming very soon though. Then another nap. Then a trip to town for kit, ice, and cleaning solution. At least the stuff I have soldered is fine, I just need a bit more and w.h. connections. I want to call my mother today, to make sure she is in good order, packed, and planning on seeing me basically later today. But it will be a bit messy when she arrives. There is nothing I can do about that. Later.
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I am moving slow. Go figure. I have the laundry about ready to shut down. And I tried the last sharkbite, it failed as well. I did review everything I could, I did everything I was supposed to do, it didn't matter. I just can't trust these items. Perhaps some work, perhaps there is some trick I don't have, I know there is a tool that is supposed to set the depth gauge exactly which I don't have, but I know I cleaned inside and out of the pipe, I pushed it down until it "popped" and then just a bit more, there isn't much else two it. Two failures in a row is bad. I have heard that open bin ones are frequently bad. Dirt, dust, grease, and whatever else can get in there. And it wouldn't surprise me if gremlins (plumbers who don't want people diy'ing) messing them up as they pass through. Yeah, it happens. There are places to buy them bagged. But... of course... only plumbers can shop there.
Never mind. I best get the recycling collected and out, then trash after. Recycling will be coming very soon though. Then another nap. Then a trip to town for kit, ice, and cleaning solution. At least the stuff I have soldered is fine, I just need a bit more and w.h. connections. I want to call my mother today, to make sure she is in good order, packed, and planning on seeing me basically later today. But it will be a bit messy when she arrives. There is nothing I can do about that. Later.
Good news mixed with WTF!
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.
Alright, I did a few things, then got in and soldered a cap on the cold water inlet. All good. It held. No leaks anywhere. Then the hot water out (from the water heater perspective) spouted! WTF!?! How is that even possible? I felt like I was doing a "Who's on second" Routine, by myself, alone! Well, I cut the cap off then tried once again, just to make sure I had... I don't know... to make sure during my nap someone or something hadn't screwed with my memories. This time the water did come out of the "correct" plumbing. WTH!?! Oh, but it looks like both sides, other than the shark bite, are brazed just fine. And if I want a fountain in my bath, I think I can do that. :p
Okay, so now all I have to do is sweat a few pipes over to... well, okay, I think I actually forgot one other thing... things. I need copper connecters to connect to the water heater. Check that. I didn't forget them, the shark bite was supposed to fill that need. Hmm... I still have one left that is unused. Should I just try it? Look, if it doesn't work, I will take both of them in tomorrow and exchange them for fittings. If it does, I have a flexible connector so I can move the water heater without having to undo everything. And replacement of the w.h. is so much easier. Let me review fitting shark bites first. Maybe I didn't do something correctly. I know I cleaned the heck out of the copper pipe it was to wed. I even made sure to go slow in cutting the pipe, so as not to deform it in any way. Maybe there is a trick to it though? What's odd? In the basement, when replacing a copper-type snake bite? I didn't know to clean the copper pipe first and it fit like a glove with no leaks at all! Gah! Beginner's luck or something?
Oh, right, before I forget, I best get laundry started. At least enough to stop for the night... A tumble for whatever is in the dryer, then out and the washer emptied and dried itself, and that put into the dryer for a final run. I don't have cleaning solution, so I may simply make a run to town just for that, and tonight, to get the bathroom cleaned before I go to bed. Shutting down the laundry cycle, trying the last shark fitting, collecting and removing trash and recycling, then a run to town and finishing with a cleaning of the bathroom. I don't need another shower, in my opinion.
Tomorrow? Doing what it takes to get the last water heater in place, then installing the toilet if that is successful (or at least getting those huge boxes into my room at least), then a bit more cleaning... dishes! Gah! I don't want my mom to show up to those, but... And finishing the laundry if I can. Plus, a bit of a nap early to mid afternoon for a late night rendezvous with the mother of Doom herself. *grins*
Oh, right, best scat. Oh, and some food in town. Hungry. No, no, this... HUNGRY! Later.
.
Alright, I did a few things, then got in and soldered a cap on the cold water inlet. All good. It held. No leaks anywhere. Then the hot water out (from the water heater perspective) spouted! WTF!?! How is that even possible? I felt like I was doing a "Who's on second" Routine, by myself, alone! Well, I cut the cap off then tried once again, just to make sure I had... I don't know... to make sure during my nap someone or something hadn't screwed with my memories. This time the water did come out of the "correct" plumbing. WTH!?! Oh, but it looks like both sides, other than the shark bite, are brazed just fine. And if I want a fountain in my bath, I think I can do that. :p
Okay, so now all I have to do is sweat a few pipes over to... well, okay, I think I actually forgot one other thing... things. I need copper connecters to connect to the water heater. Check that. I didn't forget them, the shark bite was supposed to fill that need. Hmm... I still have one left that is unused. Should I just try it? Look, if it doesn't work, I will take both of them in tomorrow and exchange them for fittings. If it does, I have a flexible connector so I can move the water heater without having to undo everything. And replacement of the w.h. is so much easier. Let me review fitting shark bites first. Maybe I didn't do something correctly. I know I cleaned the heck out of the copper pipe it was to wed. I even made sure to go slow in cutting the pipe, so as not to deform it in any way. Maybe there is a trick to it though? What's odd? In the basement, when replacing a copper-type snake bite? I didn't know to clean the copper pipe first and it fit like a glove with no leaks at all! Gah! Beginner's luck or something?
Oh, right, before I forget, I best get laundry started. At least enough to stop for the night... A tumble for whatever is in the dryer, then out and the washer emptied and dried itself, and that put into the dryer for a final run. I don't have cleaning solution, so I may simply make a run to town just for that, and tonight, to get the bathroom cleaned before I go to bed. Shutting down the laundry cycle, trying the last shark fitting, collecting and removing trash and recycling, then a run to town and finishing with a cleaning of the bathroom. I don't need another shower, in my opinion.
Tomorrow? Doing what it takes to get the last water heater in place, then installing the toilet if that is successful (or at least getting those huge boxes into my room at least), then a bit more cleaning... dishes! Gah! I don't want my mom to show up to those, but... And finishing the laundry if I can. Plus, a bit of a nap early to mid afternoon for a late night rendezvous with the mother of Doom herself. *grins*
Oh, right, best scat. Oh, and some food in town. Hungry. No, no, this... HUNGRY! Later.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Long gul-dang nap, if you ask me.
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I don't think I hit it until a little after 16:00. It was warm enough that I couldn't shift into more than a trance like state until... sometime later. Several hours, really, passed before I could see stars in the day. When it hit though, lights out on the whole rig. *Bam* I took a shower first. What with a clean bed and all that mucking about in the plumber's goo-land. But life she has returned, a bit. And hope is refreshed.
I need to figure out when I need to be where. My mother doesn't mind waiting. Two seconds does her soul good, she says. Three seconds could land someone a clout. More than that she might cry at you. Just knowing the odds and stakes makes it... No, I'll be there on time, with bells and whistles. Crazy woman type. I wish they didn't let them call on the run in. I don't like getting a call saying she is almost in, she is almost-er in, she is in but not off, she is off but waiting for a runner, then nothing for an hour while she is waiting or being brought up slowly. *sigh* Hmm... she calls like I blog! I hope I don't have to pay patent rights?
Yet tonight? For sure I have to clean the bathroom, pick up "sticks" and get them ready for the garbage man "bonfire". I need to move what boxes I can move back into the laundry area. If that all goes well and fast, then maybe an attempt at checking the rest of the system for leaks with a cap. If it is fit, then sweating the bronze valve. D.C. has offered a bit o' advice on that. If the rest of it is solid, that is. A big if, but there it is. Oh, and a quick run to town. I need to buy floor/bathroom cleaner, fill the tank and wash the X'ter, and another thing or two. Oh, ice. I have her kind of diet soda and have found that bringing some, on ice, with a small bite or three to choose from to eat, wins Doom points with momma Doom. By the bye, I'm going to have to introduce her to her new handle. I think she is going to love it! Hush you naysayers... Doom isn't just dark, he has the charm of a rattlesnake... or something cuddly like that. Hush!
.
I don't think I hit it until a little after 16:00. It was warm enough that I couldn't shift into more than a trance like state until... sometime later. Several hours, really, passed before I could see stars in the day. When it hit though, lights out on the whole rig. *Bam* I took a shower first. What with a clean bed and all that mucking about in the plumber's goo-land. But life she has returned, a bit. And hope is refreshed.
I need to figure out when I need to be where. My mother doesn't mind waiting. Two seconds does her soul good, she says. Three seconds could land someone a clout. More than that she might cry at you. Just knowing the odds and stakes makes it... No, I'll be there on time, with bells and whistles. Crazy woman type. I wish they didn't let them call on the run in. I don't like getting a call saying she is almost in, she is almost-er in, she is in but not off, she is off but waiting for a runner, then nothing for an hour while she is waiting or being brought up slowly. *sigh* Hmm... she calls like I blog! I hope I don't have to pay patent rights?
Yet tonight? For sure I have to clean the bathroom, pick up "sticks" and get them ready for the garbage man "bonfire". I need to move what boxes I can move back into the laundry area. If that all goes well and fast, then maybe an attempt at checking the rest of the system for leaks with a cap. If it is fit, then sweating the bronze valve. D.C. has offered a bit o' advice on that. If the rest of it is solid, that is. A big if, but there it is. Oh, and a quick run to town. I need to buy floor/bathroom cleaner, fill the tank and wash the X'ter, and another thing or two. Oh, ice. I have her kind of diet soda and have found that bringing some, on ice, with a small bite or three to choose from to eat, wins Doom points with momma Doom. By the bye, I'm going to have to introduce her to her new handle. I think she is going to love it! Hush you naysayers... Doom isn't just dark, he has the charm of a rattlesnake... or something cuddly like that. Hush!
Momma Doom?
Frail, aging, tired, sore.
Mom arrives to her new name.
Momma de Doom, EEK!
Just a thought.
Oh, here is a funny! I was re-reading my comment to foam recently, about something not being astrology. And that me, my cats, and my bugs were having a laugh on this side of of the screen about it. Then that the girls had pulled lame on my notion of humor, but that me and the bugs were having a ball. Sam was in my lap. So, I looked at her and started laughing hard. She knew I was, sort of, laughing at her. She got a little bent! She really did. A dirty little look and off she went. Oh, me and the bugs are at it again!
Oh, here is a funny! I was re-reading my comment to foam recently, about something not being astrology. And that me, my cats, and my bugs were having a laugh on this side of of the screen about it. Then that the girls had pulled lame on my notion of humor, but that me and the bugs were having a ball. Sam was in my lap. So, I looked at her and started laughing hard. She knew I was, sort of, laughing at her. She got a little bent! She really did. A dirty little look and off she went. Oh, me and the bugs are at it again!
She doesn't think so.
I laugh, she meowed.
I laugh, she meowed.
I grinned, she stewed. Gone.
She'll be back, claws out.
I'd best get to it. Later, or maybe good night.
------------------
Woot! If it sucks a bit too. I had originally set the flight for midday. They have bumped the flight to late tomorrow evening! The "Woot!" is because that means I have, essentially, another day to rig the system in my favor! Trash and recycling and all the little things for sure, as expected, plus maybe, just maybe... the plumbing. Before I do one more thing, then, I need to check on plumbing I have installed, to see if it is secure other than the shark. That will... save me a lot of time and a few shekels if so.Nope.
.
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Where, all, the cold water inlet line is leaking I can't tell. It took a bit, after turning the water on, to see the leak. I had the snake over a pale since I didn't want to connect it all up until I knew there was no leak. I started to see water collecting near the bottom, but I couldn't really see where the leak was. That is actually difficult I think. I am sure there is a better way than just by trying to use the naked eye. Then I looked a little higher, then a little higher. The snake bite failed. I don't know if there are other places, but it was just rushing out of the snake bite. These were bought within the last few weeks, they aren't years old. They have been sitting on the table since I brought them home, and I was careful with them. Dunno. But the water heater is off for now. Oh, not to worry. The chances that this would work today was somewhere between slim and none. Ah well. I will just get on to the other projects. Laundry is coming along well. The beds are made.
I did get a lunch kicked out between this, that, and the other things. I was, indeed, hungry. And supper will be coming tonight. I will need it. Hmm... maybe I can get to dishes then, instead... Well... after a nap. I need a little... cooldown time. I am not sure if I am outraged or more likely simply disappointed. I've been running so hot and hard that I can't make sense of things. In another sense, it's just another setback among many, only the timing is more problematic.
I may just start over with brand new, sure, parts. Buying what I need tomorrow on the way back. I think I will skip snake bites. That is a lot of money, and, as usual, I don't have the receipt. Well... one sec... I think I will cut off the snake bite, add a cap, and see if the thing is leaking anywhere else. If not... No snake bites, but... What a pain. The other thing? I hadn't added an extra valve. Oh, I have one. The problem? It is brass. Sure, you can solder it. High content silver solder and another choice... some sort of brazing rod... blue not red I have heard tell. Probably not silver... that was $45 for 10 feet back years ago in some thread. I would hate to even know the price now. If it is even available. Price really does affect choice, hard. I had planned to just cut the pipe later, and install it when I got the rod. I guess I can get on that right away.
Not bad, really. I've been working since... 9:00 or 10:00 I would guess. I've done a lot, if only some of it has panned out. Bedrooms are pretty much set, lunch was had, and what of the soldering is good is yet to be figured. Bleh... tired. But so much more to do... after a nap? Yeah. Nap. Later.
.
Where, all, the cold water inlet line is leaking I can't tell. It took a bit, after turning the water on, to see the leak. I had the snake over a pale since I didn't want to connect it all up until I knew there was no leak. I started to see water collecting near the bottom, but I couldn't really see where the leak was. That is actually difficult I think. I am sure there is a better way than just by trying to use the naked eye. Then I looked a little higher, then a little higher. The snake bite failed. I don't know if there are other places, but it was just rushing out of the snake bite. These were bought within the last few weeks, they aren't years old. They have been sitting on the table since I brought them home, and I was careful with them. Dunno. But the water heater is off for now. Oh, not to worry. The chances that this would work today was somewhere between slim and none. Ah well. I will just get on to the other projects. Laundry is coming along well. The beds are made.
I did get a lunch kicked out between this, that, and the other things. I was, indeed, hungry. And supper will be coming tonight. I will need it. Hmm... maybe I can get to dishes then, instead... Well... after a nap. I need a little... cooldown time. I am not sure if I am outraged or more likely simply disappointed. I've been running so hot and hard that I can't make sense of things. In another sense, it's just another setback among many, only the timing is more problematic.
I may just start over with brand new, sure, parts. Buying what I need tomorrow on the way back. I think I will skip snake bites. That is a lot of money, and, as usual, I don't have the receipt. Well... one sec... I think I will cut off the snake bite, add a cap, and see if the thing is leaking anywhere else. If not... No snake bites, but... What a pain. The other thing? I hadn't added an extra valve. Oh, I have one. The problem? It is brass. Sure, you can solder it. High content silver solder and another choice... some sort of brazing rod... blue not red I have heard tell. Probably not silver... that was $45 for 10 feet back years ago in some thread. I would hate to even know the price now. If it is even available. Price really does affect choice, hard. I had planned to just cut the pipe later, and install it when I got the rod. I guess I can get on that right away.
Not bad, really. I've been working since... 9:00 or 10:00 I would guess. I've done a lot, if only some of it has panned out. Bedrooms are pretty much set, lunch was had, and what of the soldering is good is yet to be figured. Bleh... tired. But so much more to do... after a nap? Yeah. Nap. Later.
*cough*
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.
Nothing like swallowing flame and soot and whatever the heck else comes off pipes. I have, with the mapp torch, been able to part the parts as I've been dismantling the old piping. *cough* I did set the fire alarm in the bedroom off. But it seems to know what's what, and just let me know to shut the en suite door. One peep of that was enough. Getting the dryfit together, for the inlet side, was a... the first four or five connections were fine. The last one was an absolute monster. I have finally busted a knuckle. I know, innit? Who would have thought a faucet, a water heater, and a toilet would all have gone in without busting a knuckle so far? All those bolts and nuts and screws and tight places already. Ah well, it had to happen. At least it waited until near the end.
One load of laundry was still in the dryer. I gave it a whirl while I put the sheets into the wash. Before long, when I needed a little break, I took those out and folded and put them away. I have since put a washed load into the dryer and am about to do another switch, putting the clean sheets right on the various beds, and right away. Hmm... best wash my hands before messing with those. I'm trying to keep going, but I do have to take breaks once in a while. At least my back isn't hurting from standing, as it did the other day. Why one day and not the other I have no clue. Perhaps I broke the rust free? Bleh.
Well... back to the races. And they are off!
That stung just a bit. I doubt if I am actually fireproof. But I do seem a bit resistant to burns. By the way, those pipes get a bit warm to the touch. Doing what I shouldn't, all in the process of doing what I should, and without exception mostly the only way to do things, I had just finished soldering a joint and laid the pipe right across my arm. Still stings, actually. But I can't find the exact area, or I'd... hmm, cold water might help. But for as much as that hurt specifically, and burns now, you would think there would be a hole, a blister, or at least a red mark. It takes a bit between joints. At least, I am finding that to be true. I guess I had this idea that you could just solder, add, braze, add, and so forth. But when the pipes get hot they don't fit together. I suppose you could flux, fit, and then go on? I am just not sure I trust the flux not to burn off? I don't know, I'm just a pup! I won't slap a wet rag right on them. I want to give them about five minutes to generally cool off a bit on their own before adding the cool of wet. I have heard shocking them can break the seal, one I'm not even sure I am producing as is. I want to eliminate as many of the unknowns as possible.
Before I got back to it last time, the laundry was ready, I got the sheets on the beds, changed a load over, put away the towels that were folded, and took the comforter in to be washed. It is too big to be spun dry, so it will go out and air dry. As it warms, my guess is I can put that up for the year, to be taken to Burning Man is my guess. I didn't think, at first, that 40 was all that bad. After a little thinking though, yeah... 40 is pretty darned cool. I don't know what I'm thinking sometimes. Now, 60, that's not too bad. But even that would slow me down until I could get some blood pumping again. Good sleeping temp though. Oh, a trick I am going to start doing with laundry? Smaller, more varied, loads. I can put a lot in, but I burn out folding so much. Two pair of jeans, six to eight shirts, half a dozen unders, you know, mix and match too. Some t's, which I fold, some hanger bound shirts. That way I don't burn out too much on any one thing, or too much in general. I'm not healthy, I need smaller loads of this sort of thing. It's not weight, it's... something else. A lack of patience with some things, I think, is the issue.
I'm going to have to look over my list. I'm trying to fit bits and pieces between bits and pieces. Luckily, today, I can work. I truly feared pulling up lame this day. It happens, it isn't a choice, and I am done. Not like this week-long job that has turned into more like three weeks hasn't seen me lame, or too tired. And, by rights, my body has every right to be quite unhappy with the pace. It hasn't run this kind of race since my mother was here last, and before that since the Navy. At least under it's own steam.
Back to the mines. Later.
.
Nothing like swallowing flame and soot and whatever the heck else comes off pipes. I have, with the mapp torch, been able to part the parts as I've been dismantling the old piping. *cough* I did set the fire alarm in the bedroom off. But it seems to know what's what, and just let me know to shut the en suite door. One peep of that was enough. Getting the dryfit together, for the inlet side, was a... the first four or five connections were fine. The last one was an absolute monster. I have finally busted a knuckle. I know, innit? Who would have thought a faucet, a water heater, and a toilet would all have gone in without busting a knuckle so far? All those bolts and nuts and screws and tight places already. Ah well, it had to happen. At least it waited until near the end.
One load of laundry was still in the dryer. I gave it a whirl while I put the sheets into the wash. Before long, when I needed a little break, I took those out and folded and put them away. I have since put a washed load into the dryer and am about to do another switch, putting the clean sheets right on the various beds, and right away. Hmm... best wash my hands before messing with those. I'm trying to keep going, but I do have to take breaks once in a while. At least my back isn't hurting from standing, as it did the other day. Why one day and not the other I have no clue. Perhaps I broke the rust free? Bleh.
Well... back to the races. And they are off!
---------------------
That stung just a bit. I doubt if I am actually fireproof. But I do seem a bit resistant to burns. By the way, those pipes get a bit warm to the touch. Doing what I shouldn't, all in the process of doing what I should, and without exception mostly the only way to do things, I had just finished soldering a joint and laid the pipe right across my arm. Still stings, actually. But I can't find the exact area, or I'd... hmm, cold water might help. But for as much as that hurt specifically, and burns now, you would think there would be a hole, a blister, or at least a red mark. It takes a bit between joints. At least, I am finding that to be true. I guess I had this idea that you could just solder, add, braze, add, and so forth. But when the pipes get hot they don't fit together. I suppose you could flux, fit, and then go on? I am just not sure I trust the flux not to burn off? I don't know, I'm just a pup! I won't slap a wet rag right on them. I want to give them about five minutes to generally cool off a bit on their own before adding the cool of wet. I have heard shocking them can break the seal, one I'm not even sure I am producing as is. I want to eliminate as many of the unknowns as possible.
Before I got back to it last time, the laundry was ready, I got the sheets on the beds, changed a load over, put away the towels that were folded, and took the comforter in to be washed. It is too big to be spun dry, so it will go out and air dry. As it warms, my guess is I can put that up for the year, to be taken to Burning Man is my guess. I didn't think, at first, that 40 was all that bad. After a little thinking though, yeah... 40 is pretty darned cool. I don't know what I'm thinking sometimes. Now, 60, that's not too bad. But even that would slow me down until I could get some blood pumping again. Good sleeping temp though. Oh, a trick I am going to start doing with laundry? Smaller, more varied, loads. I can put a lot in, but I burn out folding so much. Two pair of jeans, six to eight shirts, half a dozen unders, you know, mix and match too. Some t's, which I fold, some hanger bound shirts. That way I don't burn out too much on any one thing, or too much in general. I'm not healthy, I need smaller loads of this sort of thing. It's not weight, it's... something else. A lack of patience with some things, I think, is the issue.
I'm going to have to look over my list. I'm trying to fit bits and pieces between bits and pieces. Luckily, today, I can work. I truly feared pulling up lame this day. It happens, it isn't a choice, and I am done. Not like this week-long job that has turned into more like three weeks hasn't seen me lame, or too tired. And, by rights, my body has every right to be quite unhappy with the pace. It hasn't run this kind of race since my mother was here last, and before that since the Navy. At least under it's own steam.
Back to the mines. Later.
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There is almost a pattern to it. Braze the cold water inlet side, sweat the hot outlet side, wait or check the laundry, a cycle or two then sit for a bit. The first set of blankets has been put on the beds, a new load cycled through, the piping is slowing being built to a place where it can be useful. One new fitting was bent beyond repair. Lucky for me, I hope, that one of the fittings I de-soldered fits perfectly and seemed in good enough repair to use. What do you do with deformed bits? Finding the receipt would be a bear, I bought this particular part a very long time ago. Turn it into an impromptu baseball? As long as I'm not the catcher or receiver. This is when I wish I had a son... "Go long"... and "This is going to hurt!".
The news cycle seems to have gone with the economy. Oh, people still write stuff, they just avoid the truth, so as not to offend their principles, owners, political affiliates, or... whoever. So we get tons of coverage of things that can usually be summed up in moments. All the scandals are being convoluted into toss-worthy stuff, while they truly aren't. All the real headlines are stricken before written. It doesn't matter where you get the news. The word is out, no news is all that is allowed. And we are getting it. I'd be happier if I thought that was the calm before the storm. It isn't. It's the calm of the caving in. Oh, I understand to a degree. For people who still think it 'can be saved', the notion of just how thin it is has them all holding on with their toes, and being good little boys and girls, hoping that by clenching their feet the Titanic will not sink. There aren't enough lifeboats, fewer than the Titanic had. The extreme upper-crusty gents, since they can do so invisibly, have taken the boats. Little did they know, the lifeboats were developed by their boards, built by unions or in China (same-same), and every nickle was spared in their production, thus they are less safe than the ship itself. Hubris and greed, all around. Still, I can scan. You never know when someone will send a signal through all the smoke.
I am hungry. Like a bear. I just don't have any way to get to cooking, let alone cleaning in order to cook in the first place! I might... figure out some pasta and a cheese sauce anyway, somehow. Toss in some tuna and call her done. A little heat to top it off. Yeah. Hungry... And I still have some break time coming, enough to get it started before hitting another round of sweating. Hungry, boy, I say boy.
A few notions as I prepare to work.
.
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What is on for today? God, truly, only knows. I know what I have planned if that is good enough for you? The first thing I am going to do is pull bedding and begin washing that. I am most certain, if I have to pull my teeth, that my spare bedroom, and to the extent of my bedding, my bedroom, will be in good order by bedtime. I will get as much laundry done, on top of that, as possible. Next I will begin sweating pipe. Some cleaning of pipe, some hope that the old pipe is cleaned well enough (I hit it hard yesterday and will hit it hard again today, before trying to use it). Next in that project line will be to fill the tank and check for leaks. I dread that part because a leak means taking it all apart, drying it, and trying again. Really, the goal has to be to hit it right, first time. Then I have to figure out the electrical. There may be a way to do it without power on, though I am not holding my breath. Once switched on, there are two possible ways to check it. Then to hook that up. Then comes the toilet installation. That is much less fraught with serious set backs, and I bought an extra hose in case that is needed. Once those things are done, then I need to clean the main bathroom to five-star levels. It's a smaller area, I think I can do that. Assuming all goes well with the en suite, I will be vacating my stuff from the main/guest bathroom in the cleaning process. Then I need to collect trash and recycling and put out what I can, not just to the bins but the bins to the curb. My mother, no doubt, will have those full by Tuesday. *le sigh* The woman and her ways are incredible. No complaints, just, domestically, she wears out even my mind! And, finally, I need to put the bedrooms back together.
Can I actually do all that? I CAN write it! :p Shush... let's not go there. That IS the plan.
I actually have a few projects left for further in the week, or, next. The first will be to get the ac installed. I have all that I need for that, proof positive. It has just been, first, waiting out the rain, then higher priority projects taking their due precedence. I am not quite sure we are there yet, with dry weather, but... in it will go, hell or high water. Next? The new faucet is running slow already. I have NO IDEA what that is. I will do the stupid, and check the screen. But I am telling you right now that is not the problem. And, no, it isn't water pressure. When it was first installed, and for several days, just like the last one, it ran heavy and hard. Then, after a few days, the flow has weakened. There is no leak, the screen is not blocked, it just is not running. I doubt if it is the faucet itself. There might be bigger chunks of sediment that have somehow gotten into the far side, but are too big to make it to the screen. But why am I having problems only with the kitchen and bathroom sink faucets and nothing else? Gah! Those are my two next projects. I may have to check on an inline filter and do a bit more brazing. I can easily get to the pipes in the basement, so a quick-change/clean filter might work, if such exist. Hopefully those will keep me out of my mother's hair while... she does her stuff. It's odd, but she doesn't mind me not cleaning if I am... otherwise indisposed. Or... I'm running with that theory based on history and with a bit o' hope that it's still true! Oh, I'll still be helping her. No doubts. "Hey, when you get done carrying that tree... or better yet, could you put that down and help me now?" *grins*
Actually, I have another project or three that will delight her notion of a working man earning his keep. I have some branches that need to be cut on one of my evergreens. From low to rather high. It is, at least, a forty footer. There was a year of very heavy snow a bit before I arrived, or a freeze perhaps, that ended up killing a number of branches on one side. I need to clear those out. Do evergreens repair such damage when cleared? I suppose I will find out. This project requires my recently acquired, so still relatively new to me, chain saw and my similarly relatively newly acquired extension ladder, and some of my climbing gear and very old, unused for decades, skills at climbing. Safety first... give or take... and as men see things. I just need her close enough to check that I haven't broken my neck or cut off a leg, or at least get some help if I have. Why do women love it when men try to kill ourselves? Maybe because we like it even more? :p And, while doing that, I should ask D.C. how much clearance he needs for the RV. I could trim, if reasonable, some branches, so that he can park it in the drive, under shade. It sure beats parking longside to a busy street, and in the sun. Oh, and I am... almost sure... I could find other mostly non-cleaning projects, plus the garden.
Ducking cleaning? Who, me?
Well... on to laundry. Good day!
.
What is on for today? God, truly, only knows. I know what I have planned if that is good enough for you? The first thing I am going to do is pull bedding and begin washing that. I am most certain, if I have to pull my teeth, that my spare bedroom, and to the extent of my bedding, my bedroom, will be in good order by bedtime. I will get as much laundry done, on top of that, as possible. Next I will begin sweating pipe. Some cleaning of pipe, some hope that the old pipe is cleaned well enough (I hit it hard yesterday and will hit it hard again today, before trying to use it). Next in that project line will be to fill the tank and check for leaks. I dread that part because a leak means taking it all apart, drying it, and trying again. Really, the goal has to be to hit it right, first time. Then I have to figure out the electrical. There may be a way to do it without power on, though I am not holding my breath. Once switched on, there are two possible ways to check it. Then to hook that up. Then comes the toilet installation. That is much less fraught with serious set backs, and I bought an extra hose in case that is needed. Once those things are done, then I need to clean the main bathroom to five-star levels. It's a smaller area, I think I can do that. Assuming all goes well with the en suite, I will be vacating my stuff from the main/guest bathroom in the cleaning process. Then I need to collect trash and recycling and put out what I can, not just to the bins but the bins to the curb. My mother, no doubt, will have those full by Tuesday. *le sigh* The woman and her ways are incredible. No complaints, just, domestically, she wears out even my mind! And, finally, I need to put the bedrooms back together.
Can I actually do all that? I CAN write it! :p Shush... let's not go there. That IS the plan.
I actually have a few projects left for further in the week, or, next. The first will be to get the ac installed. I have all that I need for that, proof positive. It has just been, first, waiting out the rain, then higher priority projects taking their due precedence. I am not quite sure we are there yet, with dry weather, but... in it will go, hell or high water. Next? The new faucet is running slow already. I have NO IDEA what that is. I will do the stupid, and check the screen. But I am telling you right now that is not the problem. And, no, it isn't water pressure. When it was first installed, and for several days, just like the last one, it ran heavy and hard. Then, after a few days, the flow has weakened. There is no leak, the screen is not blocked, it just is not running. I doubt if it is the faucet itself. There might be bigger chunks of sediment that have somehow gotten into the far side, but are too big to make it to the screen. But why am I having problems only with the kitchen and bathroom sink faucets and nothing else? Gah! Those are my two next projects. I may have to check on an inline filter and do a bit more brazing. I can easily get to the pipes in the basement, so a quick-change/clean filter might work, if such exist. Hopefully those will keep me out of my mother's hair while... she does her stuff. It's odd, but she doesn't mind me not cleaning if I am... otherwise indisposed. Or... I'm running with that theory based on history and with a bit o' hope that it's still true! Oh, I'll still be helping her. No doubts. "Hey, when you get done carrying that tree... or better yet, could you put that down and help me now?" *grins*
Actually, I have another project or three that will delight her notion of a working man earning his keep. I have some branches that need to be cut on one of my evergreens. From low to rather high. It is, at least, a forty footer. There was a year of very heavy snow a bit before I arrived, or a freeze perhaps, that ended up killing a number of branches on one side. I need to clear those out. Do evergreens repair such damage when cleared? I suppose I will find out. This project requires my recently acquired, so still relatively new to me, chain saw and my similarly relatively newly acquired extension ladder, and some of my climbing gear and very old, unused for decades, skills at climbing. Safety first... give or take... and as men see things. I just need her close enough to check that I haven't broken my neck or cut off a leg, or at least get some help if I have. Why do women love it when men try to kill ourselves? Maybe because we like it even more? :p And, while doing that, I should ask D.C. how much clearance he needs for the RV. I could trim, if reasonable, some branches, so that he can park it in the drive, under shade. It sure beats parking longside to a busy street, and in the sun. Oh, and I am... almost sure... I could find other mostly non-cleaning projects, plus the garden.
Ducking cleaning? Who, me?
Well... on to laundry. Good day!
I tried, I did.
.
.
I bought a mapp brazer. I hope it takes less time than the other. Standing, at this point, for an half hour on each sweat, is killing my back. I have pushed my body beyond it's limits and kept going. Through exhaustion, through pain, and then on still. I am seeing the price, with little things ripping me up or wiping me out. Still, I have more to do. And... I'm loving it... if limits are... pushing in on me.
I got the new brazer together, and tested the flame while figuring out the controls. I truly hate manuals. I think I did a few other minor things after shopping as well. But I was falling down drunk tired when I returned. I slept the rest of the day and a good part of the night. Which is fine. I'll get done what I get done. It is all I can do. Yeah, I'm way behind schedule, but is that a huge surprise? Every step of the way there has been something new, some missing supplies, some technical problem to figure out or bypass. Little, all of them little, mostly. But true. And I haven't quit, ever, anywhere. I've trudged through, carried the load, learned the solution, and applied it. But time is what it is.
Today? Okies... Today is all about brazing and figuring out electrical, with a side of laundry and bathroom cleaning, and some trash and recycling gathering and tending. Tomorrow is the day. I want the bathroom done and her primaries clean so she doesn't have to fuss right up front, more than... she will. If it looks like too much, she should at least have a place to hide away for a little bit while I... focus on a bit more cleaning as she sleeps off jet lag and culture shock. It ain't perfect, but...
I have a doctor's appointment the 6th, so that will be a bit of a day off. But there is still the drive. Compared to what I have and will be doing, a day of driving is easy though. We can do a bit of shopping on our way back, for foods and supplies she might want. And while the cave is a mess, it's not... too bad, overall. There is less to do this time, save that there is gardening to tend as well. At least she loves to garden. She is a girl of the sun.
Oh, for all the rain we have gotten this spring, they are saying water levels are quite low? The reservoir is down to 52%? There may not be water for late summer? *sigh* The Western drought is finally hitting here too. Last summer was worse than most thought, and it hasn't yet improved. We are on odd/even watering, as is. I think I am the evens, though I will sort of watch my neighbors to... know for sure.
Morning blathering... A bit of "stuff" to wake, then on to brazing. Good day!
.
I bought a mapp brazer. I hope it takes less time than the other. Standing, at this point, for an half hour on each sweat, is killing my back. I have pushed my body beyond it's limits and kept going. Through exhaustion, through pain, and then on still. I am seeing the price, with little things ripping me up or wiping me out. Still, I have more to do. And... I'm loving it... if limits are... pushing in on me.
I got the new brazer together, and tested the flame while figuring out the controls. I truly hate manuals. I think I did a few other minor things after shopping as well. But I was falling down drunk tired when I returned. I slept the rest of the day and a good part of the night. Which is fine. I'll get done what I get done. It is all I can do. Yeah, I'm way behind schedule, but is that a huge surprise? Every step of the way there has been something new, some missing supplies, some technical problem to figure out or bypass. Little, all of them little, mostly. But true. And I haven't quit, ever, anywhere. I've trudged through, carried the load, learned the solution, and applied it. But time is what it is.
Today? Okies... Today is all about brazing and figuring out electrical, with a side of laundry and bathroom cleaning, and some trash and recycling gathering and tending. Tomorrow is the day. I want the bathroom done and her primaries clean so she doesn't have to fuss right up front, more than... she will. If it looks like too much, she should at least have a place to hide away for a little bit while I... focus on a bit more cleaning as she sleeps off jet lag and culture shock. It ain't perfect, but...
I have a doctor's appointment the 6th, so that will be a bit of a day off. But there is still the drive. Compared to what I have and will be doing, a day of driving is easy though. We can do a bit of shopping on our way back, for foods and supplies she might want. And while the cave is a mess, it's not... too bad, overall. There is less to do this time, save that there is gardening to tend as well. At least she loves to garden. She is a girl of the sun.
Oh, for all the rain we have gotten this spring, they are saying water levels are quite low? The reservoir is down to 52%? There may not be water for late summer? *sigh* The Western drought is finally hitting here too. Last summer was worse than most thought, and it hasn't yet improved. We are on odd/even watering, as is. I think I am the evens, though I will sort of watch my neighbors to... know for sure.
Morning blathering... A bit of "stuff" to wake, then on to brazing. Good day!
---------------
Something I see now, personally, that didn't make as much sense before? As D.C. works his projects, he usually has many on tap. He might be doing the evap cooler, brakes on this or that, some electrical project or three, etc. He has many tasks he can put his hands to at once. If he hits a block, runs out of parts for what he is immediately doing, doesn't have the money for a specific part(s) or tool(s), or the time-frame is wrong for completion on a task, he can simply choose another task or spend time wrapping things up for a bit. Oh, don't think I didn't see this before now. It is just that, for me, that wasn't practical. Why? Because, until recently? Actually just finishing, just seeing one project through to completion, was often nearly impossible.
I have been getting better. If I am still gimped, more sometimes, less other times, I am finally... waking, quickening. As can be seen with the project list I have actually completed, and the projects I still have on tap, I can, sometimes, actually push things through. Several projects at a time, perhaps. So, now... in the future really... when I start a project, one that has multiples of tasks? Now I will be using the notion of having several open projects at once. Work each to some closing point, then move on. Creating a parts and tools list as I go. This will greatly, if not completely, cut down on runs to town. That really adds to delays and expense. Actually, it reminds me of project planning, employing multiple teams, that I was exposed to in engineering school. A jobs list, with deadlines; expectations; possibly parts, tools, skill lists; quality checks at various points; and other things. Only, being a single man "team", I am running, doing, checking, and pushing. A little trickier, but... a good formula.
The thing is, on many projects, there will always be... more than what one thinks. You can never completely be prepared. Sometimes you have to engineer something from scratch. As well, it is easy to overlook some little thing. I knew I would be running pipe upwards, but didn't consider needing to brace the pipe. Inexperience played a part, but too, thinking the pipe would be shorter so not considering the need for bracing was a part of overlooking the need. I might be able to get by with 'plumber's tape' though, at least in the short run. It is more an accidental positive, or more just using what is available... a new skill all it's own. I am learning.
While I would love to have everything I do and use be exactly to spec, the cost and complexity of reality doesn't always allow that. I have to... come off my idyllic cloud a bit, I think. Yeah. Something like that. Experience helps with this, too. Gah! Just... I'm... improving. Things are coming together. Actually, it is extremely pleasing. Frustrating, but very satisfying. Later.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Finally, warm!
.
.
Now just wait, it will end up getting too hot! But not yet, for sure. I am still doing well, awake and aware. Now that I am warm though? Well... I'm... dragging my feet. I'm ascared, a bit. Oh, fine... I'll get to it before too long. Another cup of coffee and some more heat first though. Gosh was it chilly this morning! In the meantime I will look over some YouTube vids on the topic too... Just to... I don't know... steel my nerves. To be sure. To see if there is something I am missing. Should be easy enough, painless really. I have the tools. It's just copper. The chances of a real fire are quite slim. But like jumping into a body of water, I just wish someone (I trusted) was already in and saying that it wasn't too cold. Odd what can strike fear in a man's heart?
Never mind... coffee!
Yeah, well... of course. I was sure I had everything I needed. No elbows, not a one. As well, while I had some 3/4 inch pipe, and a bit of 1/2 inch pipe, I didn't have enough for the bigger heater. I had, basically, planned to put a similar sized heater back in there. Another trip to town. It wasn't a waste though, I needed milk and soda. Soda is good for when I don't want to mess with coffee and just for a change. Coffee all day can get heavy. Straight water causes me to cough. No, it isn't the local water. Bottled, through my water softener then r.o., it just doesn't matter. It's probably something to do with the odd fluid flow in my body due to my heart... that's my guess.
I really want a nap. But I would like to get a mockup dry plum in, then braze it. Then take a nap. That should give the solder time to cool and set up, or something. Then to check water tightness and... yeah, I had best put in those unions... In case it does leak. Now, I don't have to do a complete plum, not with the shark bites. My worry is with the pipes being so close to the wall, if they aren't clean enough, or cleanable enough... a hole in the drywall, probably back to an elbow. It all gets tricky then, and I just have to hope the elbow is cleanable. Though, that isn't too bad if not. I can just cut a bit below the old elbow and put a new one on clean pipe.
There were three elbows on the old pipe. But in deglazing them, they pretty much fell apart. It was a lot of work for no gain. At least I feel a little more comfortable working with the kit. Blathering because I am tired, again. Later.
By the way... you should have seen what I saw coming home... Miles and miles of... bikers. Girl bikers. Pedaling girl bikers. About that? I'm pleading the 5th. God either loves me or He hates me. I'm... never absolutely sure... in the fleshly way. Oh, I know, I just think He has a funny way about it. Not even the X'ters air filter spared me... Oh... the 5th... Hushutup... *mum*
.
Now just wait, it will end up getting too hot! But not yet, for sure. I am still doing well, awake and aware. Now that I am warm though? Well... I'm... dragging my feet. I'm ascared, a bit. Oh, fine... I'll get to it before too long. Another cup of coffee and some more heat first though. Gosh was it chilly this morning! In the meantime I will look over some YouTube vids on the topic too... Just to... I don't know... steel my nerves. To be sure. To see if there is something I am missing. Should be easy enough, painless really. I have the tools. It's just copper. The chances of a real fire are quite slim. But like jumping into a body of water, I just wish someone (I trusted) was already in and saying that it wasn't too cold. Odd what can strike fear in a man's heart?
Never mind... coffee!
-------------------------------
Yeah, well... of course. I was sure I had everything I needed. No elbows, not a one. As well, while I had some 3/4 inch pipe, and a bit of 1/2 inch pipe, I didn't have enough for the bigger heater. I had, basically, planned to put a similar sized heater back in there. Another trip to town. It wasn't a waste though, I needed milk and soda. Soda is good for when I don't want to mess with coffee and just for a change. Coffee all day can get heavy. Straight water causes me to cough. No, it isn't the local water. Bottled, through my water softener then r.o., it just doesn't matter. It's probably something to do with the odd fluid flow in my body due to my heart... that's my guess.
I really want a nap. But I would like to get a mockup dry plum in, then braze it. Then take a nap. That should give the solder time to cool and set up, or something. Then to check water tightness and... yeah, I had best put in those unions... In case it does leak. Now, I don't have to do a complete plum, not with the shark bites. My worry is with the pipes being so close to the wall, if they aren't clean enough, or cleanable enough... a hole in the drywall, probably back to an elbow. It all gets tricky then, and I just have to hope the elbow is cleanable. Though, that isn't too bad if not. I can just cut a bit below the old elbow and put a new one on clean pipe.
There were three elbows on the old pipe. But in deglazing them, they pretty much fell apart. It was a lot of work for no gain. At least I feel a little more comfortable working with the kit. Blathering because I am tired, again. Later.
By the way... you should have seen what I saw coming home... Miles and miles of... bikers. Girl bikers. Pedaling girl bikers. About that? I'm pleading the 5th. God either loves me or He hates me. I'm... never absolutely sure... in the fleshly way. Oh, I know, I just think He has a funny way about it. Not even the X'ters air filter spared me... Oh... the 5th... Hushutup... *mum*
Oh, that's not right!
.
.
I couldn't get going! Ah, it's cold, I realized. So, I turn the furnace on. An hour passes and. It's still cold. Ah, the windows are open. I close those and turn the furnace up. It's STILL cold! Ah, the f$@^*#& back door is open! Okay, well, that should fix it. Gah! I just can't, today anyway, get going... not without some heat. Great, now I am hungry. I am not sure I have anything reasonable or... wait... chops? I think I thawed some. That might work just fine, if I have a clean pan. Gah!
Oh, I am pretty sure I will get to it. I just really have to warm up and put some food down my throat. I'm feeling good, better now that I know the water heater fits. I'm a little anxious about sweating pipe for the first time, and for messing with the electrical. But basically the big things are mostly done, the more physically demanding potentials have been handled. Now it is just... new stuff. Shouldn't be too bad, when I can get to it.
I don't know how much cleaning I will get done. I want my clothes washed along with the bedding for my mother's room, the (her) bathroom cleaned, the trash and recycling policed and out (what of the recycling will go out... too many big boxes), the dishes done, and maybe her bedroom steam-vacuumed. That on top of finishing the water heater installation and putting in the other new toilet. I am sure there are other things... Like putting in the air conditioner. But as cool, and as wet, as it has been and continues to be, that isn't an immediate concern.
.
I couldn't get going! Ah, it's cold, I realized. So, I turn the furnace on. An hour passes and. It's still cold. Ah, the windows are open. I close those and turn the furnace up. It's STILL cold! Ah, the f$@^*#& back door is open! Okay, well, that should fix it. Gah! I just can't, today anyway, get going... not without some heat. Great, now I am hungry. I am not sure I have anything reasonable or... wait... chops? I think I thawed some. That might work just fine, if I have a clean pan. Gah!
Oh, I am pretty sure I will get to it. I just really have to warm up and put some food down my throat. I'm feeling good, better now that I know the water heater fits. I'm a little anxious about sweating pipe for the first time, and for messing with the electrical. But basically the big things are mostly done, the more physically demanding potentials have been handled. Now it is just... new stuff. Shouldn't be too bad, when I can get to it.
I don't know how much cleaning I will get done. I want my clothes washed along with the bedding for my mother's room, the (her) bathroom cleaned, the trash and recycling policed and out (what of the recycling will go out... too many big boxes), the dishes done, and maybe her bedroom steam-vacuumed. That on top of finishing the water heater installation and putting in the other new toilet. I am sure there are other things... Like putting in the air conditioner. But as cool, and as wet, as it has been and continues to be, that isn't an immediate concern.
Wow.
.
.
I have no idea what time I went to bed. All I know is that I hurt for sleep. I couldn't have stayed awake for love nor money. I was literally flashing to sleep, having to jerk myself awake just typing that last post. I was fine in the drive home, oddly. And I got everything in and sorted. I knew I was tired, but I hadn't started nodding in and out. I sat down to type and got going on it and... I remember it though. I do not remember what time it was, at all. My guess... ah, right, the post was timed at 17:41. I doubt if I more than walked into the bedroom, undressed as quickly as a zombie can, got the fan blowing, then was asleep in no more than a minute. I might have preferred a little more sleep, and may still go back... Just don't know.
I know what my plans are, once I wake up for sure. Sweating some fixtures off the inlet and outlet, then figuring out where, exactly, I want the water heater... with a dry plumb enough in place to know my full limits, then to sweat the dry plumbs into wet handling plumbs. I'll have the, maybe both actually, fire extinguishers on hand. Hmm, and the axe too. Some of the area that is at risk to fire, even with that shield I bought, is behind a wall... Better to lose a little drywall than the whole house. I'd be mightily disappointed.
Assuming that all goes according to plan, and after a bit of cooling, if those seems are holding, then to change the drain plug with brass and fill the water heater. Then I have to do something new... actually I have never sweated a fitting, on or off, before either. I will have to figure out which of the wires is hot, which is ground. I may see if the wires are far enough apart that the non-contact voltage checker can differentiate them, first. If that fails, I may try to test one of the closer outlets, make sure it has power and ground (hopefully, hard to tell with this wiring), then use the ground from that to check the other wires for continuity? I saw something like that listed. D.C. suggested another way, but... I didn't quite know if there were limits and haven't see that way explained well though I have seen smidgens of it, so far in my digging. Actually, I will probably do a bit more checking online... just... to double check whether the ideas I have seen are... reasonable, and again, and probably triple check. I'm not in the mood for one more major catastrophe. And it won't kill me... If anything it would freeze me in place long enough to light my whole home, then let me go just in time, if with a bit of a limp just to be a jerk. :p
I have been collecting bits and pieces, for the trip, in a box. Every time I order from Amazon, a few pieces are added to the cart. Occasionally but not every time, while in shopping, I see and snag something. This last trip saw to me buying disposable ear plugs. Beside buying a box of MREs, I bought a survival whistle with a mirror, compass, and a compartment (which I filled with water/windproof matches), those matches, another waterproof container for those matches, 'churchkeys', little smiley-face buttons for gifting, personal lighting, and a dozen other things that work well for both BMan and typical prepping but that I didn't have. Little tidbits are coming together for the trip. In that box were the 2-way radios. Yes, waterproof. I haven't had time to open the plastic monstrosity of a shell they were in. How the... are you supposed to open those? I was almost thinking the chainsaw would be the only way! Ah, but the machete worked splendidly, after a few opening cuts with the axe. Well... maybe I fib but hush up, twice. I got them, put the rechargeable battery packs in, then set them to charge. I should have checked. I think the batteries were up to full power. Ah well. I turned them both on, just because the red light was still on, as when I put them in. Those will be checked once in a while, and tinkered with a bit while looking the "manual" over, or finding other easier to digest sources of usage guides.
Oh, some good news. It seems I have overpaid one of my utilities to the tune of $$$. That... might put me back to zero, or close, regarding my recent home repairs and upgrades. Well... something anyway. While not the greatest of savings plans... It was a nice little surprise. Then again, like I'm earning interest at the bank. On top of having little there, ever, I'm probably more at risk of having little electronic fingers filch from my banking accounts... both unofficial and after recent EU attempts, official. I simply think, if they did such a thing, they would do all in their power to keep it secret if done here... Assuming it hasn't been done already, under the guise of some fake fee, fine, or such. We honestly cannot trust our government, at all, on any thing. While these employees are honest, hard working, and decent... these over here are doing everything in their power to hurt America, Americans, the law, the constitution, and us personally. And they have a LOT of power now. Something has to give. Now, a week, a month, a year, three... Our government is bankrupt in every way that it can be. Never the mind. Just that some good news, finally, a bit, in the small way that it is. I won't say God provided, He already did that. And while this might constitute burying a talent, I like to think, due to my inability to keep up, that this wasn't so much burying as being unable to keep up, so losing, then finding, a talent. As I suggested, like I'm earning anything in the bank. Actually just having cash is losing wealth, a form of burial, at this point... if there are reason for it, too, potentially.
What the... did I just write? Never mind. Time for me to decide whether to stay up, and then either get some coffee or go back to bed. Oh knose! My shadow! Nope, not back in the hole like a ground hog... I'm contrarian that way, so... coffee it is. Later or something.
.
I have no idea what time I went to bed. All I know is that I hurt for sleep. I couldn't have stayed awake for love nor money. I was literally flashing to sleep, having to jerk myself awake just typing that last post. I was fine in the drive home, oddly. And I got everything in and sorted. I knew I was tired, but I hadn't started nodding in and out. I sat down to type and got going on it and... I remember it though. I do not remember what time it was, at all. My guess... ah, right, the post was timed at 17:41. I doubt if I more than walked into the bedroom, undressed as quickly as a zombie can, got the fan blowing, then was asleep in no more than a minute. I might have preferred a little more sleep, and may still go back... Just don't know.
I know what my plans are, once I wake up for sure. Sweating some fixtures off the inlet and outlet, then figuring out where, exactly, I want the water heater... with a dry plumb enough in place to know my full limits, then to sweat the dry plumbs into wet handling plumbs. I'll have the, maybe both actually, fire extinguishers on hand. Hmm, and the axe too. Some of the area that is at risk to fire, even with that shield I bought, is behind a wall... Better to lose a little drywall than the whole house. I'd be mightily disappointed.
Assuming that all goes according to plan, and after a bit of cooling, if those seems are holding, then to change the drain plug with brass and fill the water heater. Then I have to do something new... actually I have never sweated a fitting, on or off, before either. I will have to figure out which of the wires is hot, which is ground. I may see if the wires are far enough apart that the non-contact voltage checker can differentiate them, first. If that fails, I may try to test one of the closer outlets, make sure it has power and ground (hopefully, hard to tell with this wiring), then use the ground from that to check the other wires for continuity? I saw something like that listed. D.C. suggested another way, but... I didn't quite know if there were limits and haven't see that way explained well though I have seen smidgens of it, so far in my digging. Actually, I will probably do a bit more checking online... just... to double check whether the ideas I have seen are... reasonable, and again, and probably triple check. I'm not in the mood for one more major catastrophe. And it won't kill me... If anything it would freeze me in place long enough to light my whole home, then let me go just in time, if with a bit of a limp just to be a jerk. :p
I have been collecting bits and pieces, for the trip, in a box. Every time I order from Amazon, a few pieces are added to the cart. Occasionally but not every time, while in shopping, I see and snag something. This last trip saw to me buying disposable ear plugs. Beside buying a box of MREs, I bought a survival whistle with a mirror, compass, and a compartment (which I filled with water/windproof matches), those matches, another waterproof container for those matches, 'churchkeys', little smiley-face buttons for gifting, personal lighting, and a dozen other things that work well for both BMan and typical prepping but that I didn't have. Little tidbits are coming together for the trip. In that box were the 2-way radios. Yes, waterproof. I haven't had time to open the plastic monstrosity of a shell they were in. How the... are you supposed to open those? I was almost thinking the chainsaw would be the only way! Ah, but the machete worked splendidly, after a few opening cuts with the axe. Well... maybe I fib but hush up, twice. I got them, put the rechargeable battery packs in, then set them to charge. I should have checked. I think the batteries were up to full power. Ah well. I turned them both on, just because the red light was still on, as when I put them in. Those will be checked once in a while, and tinkered with a bit while looking the "manual" over, or finding other easier to digest sources of usage guides.
Oh, some good news. It seems I have overpaid one of my utilities to the tune of $$$. That... might put me back to zero, or close, regarding my recent home repairs and upgrades. Well... something anyway. While not the greatest of savings plans... It was a nice little surprise. Then again, like I'm earning interest at the bank. On top of having little there, ever, I'm probably more at risk of having little electronic fingers filch from my banking accounts... both unofficial and after recent EU attempts, official. I simply think, if they did such a thing, they would do all in their power to keep it secret if done here... Assuming it hasn't been done already, under the guise of some fake fee, fine, or such. We honestly cannot trust our government, at all, on any thing. While these employees are honest, hard working, and decent... these over here are doing everything in their power to hurt America, Americans, the law, the constitution, and us personally. And they have a LOT of power now. Something has to give. Now, a week, a month, a year, three... Our government is bankrupt in every way that it can be. Never the mind. Just that some good news, finally, a bit, in the small way that it is. I won't say God provided, He already did that. And while this might constitute burying a talent, I like to think, due to my inability to keep up, that this wasn't so much burying as being unable to keep up, so losing, then finding, a talent. As I suggested, like I'm earning anything in the bank. Actually just having cash is losing wealth, a form of burial, at this point... if there are reason for it, too, potentially.
What the... did I just write? Never mind. Time for me to decide whether to stay up, and then either get some coffee or go back to bed. Oh knose! My shadow! Nope, not back in the hole like a ground hog... I'm contrarian that way, so... coffee it is. Later or something.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Oh, yeah, I got it, and some extras.
.
.
I didn't want to go in the first place. I didn't want to go when I went, either. The post office had called and asked me to deal with my post box. I had just laid down to rest at 14:30, and set my alarm for 17:00, when I realized they wanted me in today. Okay, so no nap. A quick shower, a bit of hunting and pecking for clean clothes, and on the road by 15:00. I headed right east. I got four or five miles out when I realized I had to stop at the post office, which would just as likely be closed as not, depending on how many stores I hit. Enervating, in the bad way, but it's about getting things done. So I did that.
Back into town. Running down a seven piece list... or more... in a big store where anything could be anywhere if you don't know where anywhere or anything is... can be taxing. I got everything on my list. The last few items I almost skipped. I am zapped. But, no, I wanted the concrete screws, plumber's banding, and vent pipe. I had to have help finding the banding and the vent materials, which ended up being very easy and quick, actually. I went with a $100 or so DMM. I didn't like what they had for higher end, mostly name price thing (though not Fluke). Everything else was standard. Oh, I did buy pipe and thread glue for higher temps and pressures, as well. I suppose the other stuff will work... for a while. But I wanted to be sure and I wanted the right stuff for when, or if, the other type fails.
Dinner on the way home. I really wanted to grab and go. But I didn't want the girls all over me when I brought it home, either. So I ate in then headed out. So... very... tired. I have everything sorted. The stuff for up here is there, the stuff for the basement is on the freezer (but that is all that is there... oh, wait, the insulation for when it dries out enough to risk putting the ac in the window. But, I mean, nothing non-essential is up there. Tired. Screaming tired. Now I get my stinking nap! I can work on what I can do when I wake. Good night, sort of.
.
I didn't want to go in the first place. I didn't want to go when I went, either. The post office had called and asked me to deal with my post box. I had just laid down to rest at 14:30, and set my alarm for 17:00, when I realized they wanted me in today. Okay, so no nap. A quick shower, a bit of hunting and pecking for clean clothes, and on the road by 15:00. I headed right east. I got four or five miles out when I realized I had to stop at the post office, which would just as likely be closed as not, depending on how many stores I hit. Enervating, in the bad way, but it's about getting things done. So I did that.
Back into town. Running down a seven piece list... or more... in a big store where anything could be anywhere if you don't know where anywhere or anything is... can be taxing. I got everything on my list. The last few items I almost skipped. I am zapped. But, no, I wanted the concrete screws, plumber's banding, and vent pipe. I had to have help finding the banding and the vent materials, which ended up being very easy and quick, actually. I went with a $100 or so DMM. I didn't like what they had for higher end, mostly name price thing (though not Fluke). Everything else was standard. Oh, I did buy pipe and thread glue for higher temps and pressures, as well. I suppose the other stuff will work... for a while. But I wanted to be sure and I wanted the right stuff for when, or if, the other type fails.
Dinner on the way home. I really wanted to grab and go. But I didn't want the girls all over me when I brought it home, either. So I ate in then headed out. So... very... tired. I have everything sorted. The stuff for up here is there, the stuff for the basement is on the freezer (but that is all that is there... oh, wait, the insulation for when it dries out enough to risk putting the ac in the window. But, I mean, nothing non-essential is up there. Tired. Screaming tired. Now I get my stinking nap! I can work on what I can do when I wake. Good night, sort of.
I wasn't sure anything I planned...
.
.
I made plans as if I was going to get to them. I had no idea if I would, could. While stumbling around I made it to the basement for the hose, got that up here, and... figured out part of my problem with lifting the old water heater. Oh, it has plenty of water in it. And it does have some heft all it's own. But too, and primarily as it turns out, it has a vent that goes through the floor. It isn't just passing through, though, either. It was pretty much wedged in that hole. So... after trying to cut the pipe, and that failing, I couldn't get the clamping pipe cutter close enough or a hacksaw in there, a closer inspection showed that the pipe was bolted in. Now, getting a wrench in there was a trick. And it was one slow fifth of a turn per run... after I figured out, mostly, which was was tight, then which way was loose. I just don't get that natively yet. Done. And the thing is draining as well. In an half hour I'll check it. If light enough I will remove it. Then to get the new one unpacked and in there, to just see if it will even fit. Gosh I hate this not knowing part.
I will have to go to town. I need a multimeter. While pricey, this one or this one looks about right for my needs, and is class IV, true RMS, and a few other tiddlies, just in case. Are they the best? Look, I tried to dig into the topic and came up with a bunch of suggestions that don't exist on even $400 devices. Either that or I am told the cheaper the better. When you do just a bit more digging, you find out why the "cheaper the better" will just as likely get you killed as not. Many of the cheap ones do not even have fuses for the 10 amp. What? Never mind, just... look... if you are a pro, and doing little stuff, then you know what you are doing and can probably get away with some of the safety features. Or if you are working on battery powered things, where you won't blow your hand off accidently. If you are a noob, you wear the good, and right, armor. N'kay? I had planned at starting looking in the $100 range. I looked on Amazon, and other places. But I need this now. At least with this store, they might have it in stock. Or the other big box might have similar or better. Amazon has lost it's price edge, in many areas, as well. It's great for those things that are hard to track down, or an occasional deal, but...
Yes, I'm... most likely... going to get some things done today. Although I've got to admit, if I have to take this water heater back, I might be in energy exhaustion again before I can get the one I buy to replace it in place. That is a beast to haul around, especially being... oh... so... careful! Argh but I hate that part. Updates later.
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I made plans as if I was going to get to them. I had no idea if I would, could. While stumbling around I made it to the basement for the hose, got that up here, and... figured out part of my problem with lifting the old water heater. Oh, it has plenty of water in it. And it does have some heft all it's own. But too, and primarily as it turns out, it has a vent that goes through the floor. It isn't just passing through, though, either. It was pretty much wedged in that hole. So... after trying to cut the pipe, and that failing, I couldn't get the clamping pipe cutter close enough or a hacksaw in there, a closer inspection showed that the pipe was bolted in. Now, getting a wrench in there was a trick. And it was one slow fifth of a turn per run... after I figured out, mostly, which was was tight, then which way was loose. I just don't get that natively yet. Done. And the thing is draining as well. In an half hour I'll check it. If light enough I will remove it. Then to get the new one unpacked and in there, to just see if it will even fit. Gosh I hate this not knowing part.
I will have to go to town. I need a multimeter. While pricey, this one or this one looks about right for my needs, and is class IV, true RMS, and a few other tiddlies, just in case. Are they the best? Look, I tried to dig into the topic and came up with a bunch of suggestions that don't exist on even $400 devices. Either that or I am told the cheaper the better. When you do just a bit more digging, you find out why the "cheaper the better" will just as likely get you killed as not. Many of the cheap ones do not even have fuses for the 10 amp. What? Never mind, just... look... if you are a pro, and doing little stuff, then you know what you are doing and can probably get away with some of the safety features. Or if you are working on battery powered things, where you won't blow your hand off accidently. If you are a noob, you wear the good, and right, armor. N'kay? I had planned at starting looking in the $100 range. I looked on Amazon, and other places. But I need this now. At least with this store, they might have it in stock. Or the other big box might have similar or better. Amazon has lost it's price edge, in many areas, as well. It's great for those things that are hard to track down, or an occasional deal, but...
Yes, I'm... most likely... going to get some things done today. Although I've got to admit, if I have to take this water heater back, I might be in energy exhaustion again before I can get the one I buy to replace it in place. That is a beast to haul around, especially being... oh... so... careful! Argh but I hate that part. Updates later.
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I did get it drained. I finally got it out. It was pretty nasty, so I put cardboard underneath then backpedaled the thing through the whole house and out the back door. I tipped it so as to let anything remaining drain out, or so I hope. Next, to get the new water heater carefully unpackaged and in there, oh so carefully. But first I want to clean that area a bit. Someone was saying they had helped install it twenty or thirty years ago, and I think they were right. This thing is truly ancient. I wondered why I couldn't find even the make and model, let alone the company names on it... now I know. All good though. It did not have an anode, and was a small cheapy, essentially a smaller tank size but similar price range of the replacement.
See, this is the part I hate. I know I have to do all this work just to see if I can fit the thing in. And I really can't know until it is in. Measurements just aren't enough with the experience I have to know, or figure out how to measure accurately enough to know. Trial and error. If it does fit, I still have to go to town for a few things. What was it again? A dmm, strapping wire and concrete screws... milk but that's something else... wasn't there something(s) else I needed from the hardware side of things? Ackh! Whatever the case, after towing the thing in, fit or not... If it needs to go back I may try to box it up. After fit and rebox if necessary, a nap I think. I just hope I wake in time to make it in to town yet tonight. They are open until 22:00, should work, if I don't tarry and my nap is short enough.
Hey, at least I'm back to work. I'm not moving fast, but some movement is better than none. I'll take it. Later.
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Yes! Eureka!
The water heater fits, and well. I think I was way over worrying. It might actually fit just as far back in. I was thinking it had a larger diameter, by just a bit, than the old one. Regardless of what my measurement of the old one and the box of the new one indicate, I think the new one is slimmer. Now, as I was putting it into the bathroom it seemed... almost too snug to get in. Oh was I sweating things at that point! Yes, yes, I put the cinder blocks down first. Though I may have to adjust them a bit. I think the whole thing can go back another six inches. But I haven't dealt with removing some fixtures and refitting for the height of the new water heater. I actually feel better just having that major concern lifted.
I did clean up the bathroom, as well as I could. I'm just a man, and maybe not even that. Ogre, nephilim, giant... it's not our area. Oh, and the other toilet just arrived. As soon as the water is flowing in there I will be able to install the new toilet post haste. Yum! Then I can shower, shave, and do my duty, free of any entanglements with guests. I know I can do that part, assuming the toilet is whole, intact after shipping. The water heater, though, is what was giving me motivational constipation. I just... didn't want to know... in case... or something. I am sure I can get the sweating done, too. The one thing I need to add to the shopping list... well several things... is galvanized pipe, two pieces which I will need measurements, and an elbow join for those. That will be my new vent. I will also need to drill a new vent hole. The old water heater required a 1/2 pipe, this one, if I had to guess, will require 3/4", though I will at the manual first. Now I am quite disappointed about one thing. The box said 40 gallon. I didn't notice until I got home, but someone had penned "50 gallon" on the side of the box. I did not see this until just today. Sure enough, I have two 50 gallon water heaters. There wasn't that much extra cost, or electric per year, but enough. I am going to check the receipt and raise a little heck if they charged me for what was written and not what was printed. A little peeved, I am... But I'm not taking the damn thing out, boxing it, and then taking it back. I will simply expect them to make good on it.
I feel like a king! But, yeah, a shower then a nap, or such. Hopefully up in time to get my shopping list filled before the stores close. Hmm, I'll skip the shower until after my nap, actually. Never the who. Later!
Yeah, well, okay. I had to hit it sometime soon.
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I've been in the dirt all day. I don't hurt, so it's not that. My batteries simply did not charge last night. I have been trying to sleep, mostly uselessly most of the day. When I try to wake, mostly, I end up back in bed pretty quickly. If nothing else I don't have the energy to simply sit. Seriously, I can't even sit for very long. After a ton of sleep off and on all day, then dinner, I have been awake a little longer this evening. I did bring the cinder blocks in. And I am about to get the garden hose connected to try to drain what I can with the water heater as it sits. I just don't have the strength to deadlift the 200-250 pounds of water and heater. Then again there really isn't anything with which to safely get a grip on it either.
I don't know. The one good thing about today? I get to see what happens when I seem to be fine and then get hit. I get to realize, first hand, that it isn't just laziness. My will, and want, was good... right up until it all failed. No push or shove or lift or anything can move the mountain when I settle. I had hoped showering, shaving, and dressing a bit nicer for dinner would shake me. It just made me a bit more tired. Tomorrow. That is the catch-all for days like today. At least now I know there will be a tomorrow... if I don't always know... which tomorrow will be the one. I've got to get it going... time... tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. Ugh.
On the good side, I think I am voided out! I'm actually a little on the dry side. It may take a bit for me to find balance on that again, but it will happen. Restarting meds, or being off them perhaps, might be part of the problem. But I don't think so. I believe I just pushed so far past what I... can do in the time allowed that I must now just take a short break. I could definitely get the next toilet in. But the water heater is both a technical and, well, multipronged mental, physical, and perhaps financial difficulty. I need to get a good quality multimeter, I'm thinking the one's I want for safe use are in the $100-$150 range. Eventually I will want two, if I am going to try to dig into the electrical a bit more deeply... and I will try. But, for now... And that is just for starters. Which means another trip to town, during their hours of operation, on top of some... other things. I want to see if the new water heater will fit first, in any case. If it doesn't, my trip won't be totally wasted. Tomorrow? Maybe. Either that or the more general "tomorrow".
Never worry kiddies. I'm impressed I have done what I did do. I am impressed I haven't quit from the pains, both felt and not. I am pleased that I am still struggling to get up so quickly after this fall. Just... just hold on. I'm on that, I really am, if I might not quite do everything on my list beyond a few niceties. Amen.
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I've been in the dirt all day. I don't hurt, so it's not that. My batteries simply did not charge last night. I have been trying to sleep, mostly uselessly most of the day. When I try to wake, mostly, I end up back in bed pretty quickly. If nothing else I don't have the energy to simply sit. Seriously, I can't even sit for very long. After a ton of sleep off and on all day, then dinner, I have been awake a little longer this evening. I did bring the cinder blocks in. And I am about to get the garden hose connected to try to drain what I can with the water heater as it sits. I just don't have the strength to deadlift the 200-250 pounds of water and heater. Then again there really isn't anything with which to safely get a grip on it either.
I don't know. The one good thing about today? I get to see what happens when I seem to be fine and then get hit. I get to realize, first hand, that it isn't just laziness. My will, and want, was good... right up until it all failed. No push or shove or lift or anything can move the mountain when I settle. I had hoped showering, shaving, and dressing a bit nicer for dinner would shake me. It just made me a bit more tired. Tomorrow. That is the catch-all for days like today. At least now I know there will be a tomorrow... if I don't always know... which tomorrow will be the one. I've got to get it going... time... tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. Ugh.
On the good side, I think I am voided out! I'm actually a little on the dry side. It may take a bit for me to find balance on that again, but it will happen. Restarting meds, or being off them perhaps, might be part of the problem. But I don't think so. I believe I just pushed so far past what I... can do in the time allowed that I must now just take a short break. I could definitely get the next toilet in. But the water heater is both a technical and, well, multipronged mental, physical, and perhaps financial difficulty. I need to get a good quality multimeter, I'm thinking the one's I want for safe use are in the $100-$150 range. Eventually I will want two, if I am going to try to dig into the electrical a bit more deeply... and I will try. But, for now... And that is just for starters. Which means another trip to town, during their hours of operation, on top of some... other things. I want to see if the new water heater will fit first, in any case. If it doesn't, my trip won't be totally wasted. Tomorrow? Maybe. Either that or the more general "tomorrow".
Never worry kiddies. I'm impressed I have done what I did do. I am impressed I haven't quit from the pains, both felt and not. I am pleased that I am still struggling to get up so quickly after this fall. Just... just hold on. I'm on that, I really am, if I might not quite do everything on my list beyond a few niceties. Amen.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
A very pleasant dinner.
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While tonight is not a feed night, one had been missed. This is never an issue, sometimes I miss, sometimes they miss, life is messy. So, to make it up, I was invited to a party. One of the young ladies graduated tonight. So a dinner was being held for her. It wasn't extremely packed, but there were a number of folks there. I know the primaries, holding the dinner, which helps. I met several families and members of each of the couples family, in-laws, parents, a nephew, and such. I won't remember names, but I might remember the associations. His sister and brother-in-law, her sister, their parents. The Mr. knew how to do the introductions, from a male perspective. The thing I love about hereabouts is that, when invited to a family gathering, people are just... how to put it... real. And they are quite open. I'll bet the brother-in-law, for example, is a hoot, and yet a practical friend to have. And my friend's father is... just plain father. You can tell he has raised em', and now is comfortable just being grandpa. But he is a patriarch, have no doubt.
It was good to get out and meet real people. People who know people I know, and vise versa. Generally when I meet people, neither of us know the other from Adam or Eve. And, with my sleep cycles and blue periods, it's difficult for me to maintain the sorts of relationships most folk take for granted. In some ways it is like being banished to being a city-folk! Of course, being who I am, and while I like male companionship, the thing I miss the most are womenfolk. Not just for romance, just for the shy appreciation of the feminine and loose civil companionships.
.
While tonight is not a feed night, one had been missed. This is never an issue, sometimes I miss, sometimes they miss, life is messy. So, to make it up, I was invited to a party. One of the young ladies graduated tonight. So a dinner was being held for her. It wasn't extremely packed, but there were a number of folks there. I know the primaries, holding the dinner, which helps. I met several families and members of each of the couples family, in-laws, parents, a nephew, and such. I won't remember names, but I might remember the associations. His sister and brother-in-law, her sister, their parents. The Mr. knew how to do the introductions, from a male perspective. The thing I love about hereabouts is that, when invited to a family gathering, people are just... how to put it... real. And they are quite open. I'll bet the brother-in-law, for example, is a hoot, and yet a practical friend to have. And my friend's father is... just plain father. You can tell he has raised em', and now is comfortable just being grandpa. But he is a patriarch, have no doubt.
It was good to get out and meet real people. People who know people I know, and vise versa. Generally when I meet people, neither of us know the other from Adam or Eve. And, with my sleep cycles and blue periods, it's difficult for me to maintain the sorts of relationships most folk take for granted. In some ways it is like being banished to being a city-folk! Of course, being who I am, and while I like male companionship, the thing I miss the most are womenfolk. Not just for romance, just for the shy appreciation of the feminine and loose civil companionships.
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