Chris - the plumber is my new best friend

In spite of the problems he encountered, he still likes me.  Like when he took the washing machine faucet off the pipe, the hot water heater contents drained into the air return and down the hallway. That was fun.   

So after a mad scramble for buckets, rags and fingers to stem the flow of water, Chris the Plumber was able to turn off the valve up in the attic.  I grabbed a sponge mop and swabbed up some overflow.

Water will haunt me forever it seems.  Then he put in, in his words, superior quarter turn valves.  I think they are like Patty the Quilt Lady's single turnoff valve.

After the Chris the Plumber left we headed out to State Lumber to look at door frames and hardware. It took longer to travel to the place than to choose.  And even longer to drive home.

Woodburners called and told me I have won the Fireplace Lottery.  They were so happy with my patience and purchase of not one, but TWO fireplaces, so they were coming on Monday.  WHAT????

That required a massive amount of rescheduling and juggling.  Cory is putting in the linoleum after the fireplace but before the W/D goes back in.  And andrew needs to run the TV cables.  And the construction guys need to brace the bricks for the TV.  AUGHHH!

Remember that black claw truck picking up the piles of trash?  We had the second pass today.  Our lawn is finally clear of all debris. 


The dogs were at the doggy spa all day getting baths and pedicures. If I have to live in such close quarters, you need to smell nice!  I was not able to enjoy the quiet at home because I was busy getting the purchase agreement together to sell the rent house on Bristoe. It had about 30 inches of water in it and my renter is already in Texas.  She was a Katrina refugee who has never worked a day in her life.  Texas offers higher welfare benefits than Louisiana does.  I guess she will be happier.

Gone Pecan, as we say here in Louisiana.

I am selling that rental to a real estate developer who is buying up a number of the homes in that subdivision.  I really am glad not to have to deal with it right now.

My first load is done and in the dryer.  I obsessively stayed for the entire cycle, wanting to make sure there would be no more water pouring onto the floor.  It didn't, and I got to watch my clothes take a spin on their new thrill ride!

Washer and Dryer Team Rules!

When Frank arrived home yesterday he asked me if I liked the new washer and dryer.  I did, I replied with total veracity.  And I do.  I described to him the various gyrations and sounds the washer makes when it goes through the cycle.  I went around looking for dirty clothes and stuff but could find no more than the original load that morning. 

Frank laughed at me for being fascinated with what was happening inside the washer.  And I was incredulous.  I couldn't believe he wasn't out there hunting for dirty stuff.  I was more than willing to find some clean stuff to put in there just to watch it wash.  He said he had other things to do at that moment.

This morning dawned clear and bright and actually somewhat cool.  That means the day did not start out at 88 degrees.  And there was a wonderful load of dirty clothes available to be washed!  Yeah!  Since Frank didn't really seem to be interested, I was hanging over the washer while it was cycling.  Then I noticed that he would stop in, take a quick look, and head on out.  When the sound would change, he would reappear in the laundry room and look inside the washer. 

Then I noticed he would stay longer each time.  He had to leave to iron his shirt, but he was quickly back at my side in the viewing position.  I had to move over to accommodate him in front of the washing machine. 

After that load was complete, I put the nearly dry clothes in the new dryer (why is it acceptable to say washing machine but not drying machine) and left.  The dryer is not nearly as exciting as the washer.  It just goes around and around and around and around.............ad nauseum. 

A few minutes later, here comes Frank.  With his arms full of dog bed covers.  Here, he says, the dog's beds need to be washed.

I could laugh at him, but I was too busy watching the washing machine on the "BULKY" cycle!

glen:  I'll bet you have never seen your washer pour water into the drum like a waterfall on a clear mountain stream in the pristine snow covered wilderness!  (now that Joel is reading the blog I have to watch these misplaced metaphors....)  Hey, Joel!

The new W/D arrives with great promise

After 3 months of waiting for these darned appliances, the new washer and dryer finally arrived yesterday.  They are truly things of great and awesome beauty covered in a platinum shield; they will save electricity and wash my clothes more efficiently than anyone has ever dreamed of.   Should you see me, I will be the one with the bright glow of super clean-ness emanating from my jeans and shirt.

I am glad to finally get the team.  I waited so long because it is a special order from Maytag that will heat the water to over 140 degrees.  This is important because that is the temperature it takes to set the dyes I use for my hand dyes.  If I ever get to cleaning out my crap in the sewing room and can actually get in there again.  The dryer has the steam function, but that just came along for the ride because it I wanted a matching set.  This is the first time I have had a matching set because the washer and dryer have never died together.  This time neither died, this was a purposeful and totally researched purchase and I had time to wait.

It arrived while three friends and I were traveling to Independence, LA to visit Mama's Quilt Shop for her 9th anniversary sale.  Once there, I bought a kit for Carrie for Christmas, some bundles of solid fat quarters, and two books for 20% off.  I also found a back for the Sailboat quilt for $4/yard.   Nice haul.  And I got to spend a day with quilting people.  Who liked me.

Later that afternoon we had a horrible thunderstorm with huge lightening.   It was a bad one, and I am sure the Swissy Tycho and Hugeaux the Grand-dog didn't do well.  Poor guy is terrified of storms since they moved in the new house earlier this year.  Frank and I were at dinner when lightening hit my mom's place and all the phones and TV cable service were knocked out in her wing. Barry at Lake Sherwood said it took a long time to calm the old folks down after the hit.  And the fire department was dispatched despite the fact that they called them to report the false alarm.  While Frank and I were at the restaurant we watched the 3 firetrucks speed to the place.  But I was unable to reach anyone on the phone either at my mom's apartment or the office area.

(Conclusion: That is probably because the phones were out and not because they didn't like me.)

glen:  maybe a bit paranoid, but my clothes will be super clean........I spent the morning watching my clothes wash in their new washing machine with the clear lid.  I hung over the washer with the wind up searchlight we use when the power goes out during hurricanes and watched my dirty laundry go through numerous gyrations and flume spray.    It was exciting.  Oh, wait, I have to leave you, my washer is in a different spin!