Fixing the Rusty Sinkhole Cover

So this is what I have to look at every day.

A rusty cover for an unused sinkhole. It was bugging me. For the last 11 months. Since I got married and moved in to my husband's house. So I did something about it. I went to Lowe's, got out some tools and supplies and set to work.



Surface scrub (to get rid of the rust underneath on the sink), screwdriver, hammer, replacement cover. I didn't mess around. Here's me getting harsh on the rusty monster...










Note that I am cheap. I buy the generic surface scrub.











Ew.
Ew.
And again I say Ew.



Scrubbing commence! (no pictures because I have only two hands.)

After shot of the rusty monster.






Hmmm... now that we've gotten this far, perhaps I should read the instructions?

Aw crap, I need plumber's putty? Well luckily I've got
some laying around the house (to fix our sink (which will
follow in another post!).







Okay... let's open this puppy up... ew.
I have to TOUCH that? Eh.








Rolled into little snakes and threaded around the cover
and the putty cap...then set the cap in the hole...








...and crawl under to twist on the nut. (Don't judge by the disposal.)










First attempt didn't work, the whole thing moved. So I stacked
something heavy on top.

Crawl under and try this again... [ugh]






and Ta-DAH!!! Small victory in plumbing. $3.00 piece of mind = obsessing done.





Next week: Fixing the Jiggly Faucet

Security Measures, Seen and Unseen, Are Planned for the Pope’s Visit - New York Times

Security Measures, Seen and Unseen, Are Planned for the Pope’s Visit - New York Times

I think we can now consider "popemobile" to be an actual word.

I mean really... shouldn't being used in the NY Times constitute grounds to be included in Merriam-Webster's Dictionary?

This is fantastic

http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/product.php?productid=3110

from Mighty Goods

I survived the blizzard of 2008.

Seriously. That's what they called it. We ended up with 20.4" of snow. By the time we shoveled out, we had a 4 foot pile in front of our front door. Of course, it's Ohio. So it's all melted now since it's been raining for a WHOLE DAY.

Since our yearly "snow dump" has ended, I figured it was time to start gardening. And now...I haz tomato seedlings! I'll post pics later this week.

"white death"

I grew up with snow. LOTS of snow. But now, two inches throws me off. Only because I am worried about everyone else who doesn't know how to drive in it. Or doesn't realize that with a FORD EXPEDITION you can go faster than 10 miles per hour on slush. Or that you need to leave some extra stopping distance between you and me, Mr. I-am-going-to-tail-gate-you behind me! Luckily they let us out early, so at least most of the idiots were still at work.

I have plenty of food in the pantry and fridge, eggs and milk, things to make bread, and frozen meat. Lots of things to do too. I think we might be housebound for the weekend. Send search parties if you don't hear from us by Tuesday.

you vote like a GIRL!

Okay, I voted for Hillary yesterday.

 

Part of me struggled with the idea of voting for her because I wanted to see a woman run for President… to be President.  I couldn’t rationalize voting for her JUST because of that.  Because, like Maggie said, I didn’t want to answer my daughters “No” when they asked if I voted for our first female President.

 

So I did a little more research.  Business Week.  Watched the MTV interviews.  Probably could have done more… but I tend to follow my gut and my gut said “vote Hillary”.  So I did.

 

Then I came home and got a phone call from Barack Obama.  Sorry dude… I already have a date for the party.

I think my dad already knows I'm great, but thanks!

"Barack Obama emailed your dad and told him how great you are"

more pain

Hearing "this might hurt a little" from you chiropractor is never a good thing. Of course, mine is also my friend, so I usually remember that I will feel better later.

The back is slowly healing. Less pain, most of my adjustments from Friday held, and today was just minor corrections. I still have annoying shooting pains down the back of my arms - due to dislocated shoulders - but that's nothing compared to Saturday.

Our taxes are done - we got a call from our accountant (ooo, shmancy... really it's for my business and Steve's sanity) that our return is done and we are (thankfully) getting a nice refund. Granted, I would have liked the money last year, but hey, this will work too!

Don't TOUCH me!!!

I threw my back out on Thursday.

What did you do?

I didn't DO anything. I went to bed, I woke up, and felt like crap. So I used one of those weird heating pad therma-wrap thingies all day and suffered with some Aleve (c).

So do you feel better?

Yes and no. I feel better than Friday (when I had to call in sick to work for a few hours til I could actually roll out of bed), but I am still in pain.

Is there anything I can do?

Yes. Buy me a massage. Get me a heating pad. Clean my house so I don't feel guilty just sitting on my butt today. I hear Merry Maids is good nationwide cleaning service for hire...

THIS

is what you need to do if your blog is bland. I just updated mine, but it’s still a template. What you can’t tell *BLUSH*? Thanks.

thrilling

My Friday night in... doing taxes. Yeay.

My yak is named George

"Aha!" moment this morning (see yesterday's post): yak shaving

(Props to Deanna.)

ack!

I cannot bring myself to blog regularly. I suppose this is due to the fact that I am B-to-the-USY.

They say that busy people get more done, but I feel lately like a lot of my hecticness is due to my OCD. I am constantly having to work on being on time for meetings (at work and after) and to keep focused on a particular task. Example: I went to find the tax information, and then I went to dig for it in the hall way and I remembered I wanted new foundation out of my stock and wanted to find out if it matched and then I saw my computer and wanted to check if the internet was working... and where did I put that tax form?... now where is that compact?... do I need to revise my order tonight? should I just buy samples somewhere else or... do I have enough money in my account to pay my credit card bill... when am I going to make time to make the money... where is my calendar?

...
See my problem? Luckily, I have an appointment with my psychiatrist next week. And a hair cut. Because both my crazy and my hair are getting on my LAST FREAKING NERVE.

knowing what''s coming

... doesn't make it any easier.

My grandmother passed away yesterday, after many years of illness. Please keep her in your prayers or at least send good vibes to my family. We need it.

I want these...

You know, in case you wondered what I want for Christmas:

 

A good book

A thermos to keep my coffee hot at my desk

New Pajamas

Jewelry (here and here)

Art supplies (for sketching and watercolor painting)

 

heaven...

…is a hot cup of strong coffee when you are very tired and congested.

 

I have the cold that just won’t quit.  My nasal congestion is gone, but the sinus congestion remains.  It’s not enough to warrant taking more medication.  I’m thinking my allergy meds might just do the trick on the inflammation and clear it up.  Which would be great… if I could find the bottle…

 

UpDATE!

The forecast today called for scattered flurries.  FLURRIES.  I live in Ohio.  I expected this sooner.  But then, I forget I live in Central Ohio, which is a GIANT MASSIVE HEAT SINK where it doesn’t get cold until well after fall starts and my flowers planted next to the house are STILL BLOOMING.

they say you know you are out of things to say...

...when all you can think of to talk about is the weather.

Considering the current date, I shouldn't be bummed by the weather. But the awful way that the weather flips from nice to nasty has got me down and has got me sick. So here's to hoping I feel better before tomorrow and can think of something better to say.

bonus 2

[post 2]

I was talking yesterday to a large group of people, and we all agreed that this time of year is just hard.  There is a lot of transition, you face burnout from nearing the end-of-year/end-of-semester/holidays, and usually life just piles up on you like a stack of unfolded laundry.  They all kept apologizing and worrying and expressing anxiety over this “blah” they all felt – knowing it could have an effect on their work or performance was a huge issue for them. 

 

I have experienced this feeling before, so I reminded them – it is NORMAL.  A period of the “blahs” after a lot of activity or in the midst of demands from life is very common.  It’s also common this time of year, with changing weather, shifting day length, change of seasons.  So don’t fret over it.  Just OWN it.  Let yourself feel this feeling.  Realize it is temporary and use it as a time to reflect and recharge with the knowledge that after the first of the year, you can come back fully enthused and ready to tackle life.

 

bonus

[Okay yes, I know I did not post yesterday.  I thought about it.  A Lot.  But being as I was in the CAR for a large majority of the day, posting via computer was impossible.  I need to figure out how to post via phone…Since I didn’t post yesterday, I’m doing double duty today.]

 

[post one]

Go HERE to check out iGive.com.  Best idea ever.  Since online shopping is all the rage, this combines it with the idea of “ads” that iGive tracks.  For every purchase you make online via the iGive.com portal, a donation is made to your favorite charity.  Mine is the foundation associated with my fraternity.  So go sign up.