With Reverence for Plumbers

Needless to say, if you read my blog, you may wonder why I haven't make any jewelry lately.  As you may recall, we moved oh, was it only two months ago??  Oh yes. Two months and two weeks.

 You see, we are pretty handy folks. We can do a Lot of things around the house, and typically find these things challenging, enjoyable and great learning experiences.  There was an ominous looking wet spot along the walk on the outside wall.  My husband, with his wonderful sense of anticipation, went out, shovel in hand.  Ten minutes later, he came in and pronounced in what seemed a very grave voice, "We need a professional."  A Professional.  I tentatively replied, "What sort of Professional?"  To this he replied, "I'm not really sure." 

Now, few things make the warning bells go off in my head, but that did it for me.  If he didn't know what to do, nor whom to call,  this did not sound good.   A little searching online answered the question. Oh.  Plumbing.  Goody.

 To whit, we have met our local utilities management staff. Very nice. Then we spoke with a Professional. Very nice.  Turned out, it was necessary to call a Team of Plumbers.  Then two men showed up within an hour to survey the situation. Very nice again. The situation was outlined. EW.  Not so nice. 

It was Saturday, but they dug a trench by hand on the side of the house.  Four hours later and we knew the full story.   ICK.  Again.  They found all of problem, which turned out to be most of the problem, because parts of it are still revealing aspects of said problem, every day of this mystery.  It was a Large Problem by our standards.  Didn't seem to faze these amazing men on the scene.  Oh, and if I haven't said so, let me be quite clear that this problem involves a Smell of such defining characteristics that there can be no doubt as to the nature of said Problem, or the lingering issues.

I did not take pictures last Saturday. I tried to leave town. Suffice it to say that this was not anything I wanted to deal with in any way, whatsoever. Ever.  In that moment, I never appreciated MEN in the same way before.  Total nonchalance, like this just happens all the time and it's No Big Deal. I was so happy to see that, I slipped on my sneakers and POOF! was gone faster than the Invisible Man.

More visits during the week. White pipes delivered.  100 feet!   People arrived en masse, all with a white pickup truck,  spray cans in 5 different colors, painting stripes in the yard, down the driveway.  All while I chatted on the phone, sitting on the front steps.  My only job was to remember what my Mom taught me as a child.  When MEN come to do things, have lots of cold things to offer them to drink.  I took here words to heart and on Friday, went to the grocery store.

Saturday morning, one week later.  Here we go.  The Big Job.  It took a full 8 hours, and my hubby worked until just past dark trying to rake, spread and prepare to get some grass seed down as it just might rain today.

The trench early in the day

All the men held a meeting under the house??

Filling it in. Note the man just at the front of the shovel. He's 6'4" tall!

Johnny makes working this machine look easy.

So that was yesterday.  Mind you, I went shopping for HOURS.  Those who know me well know that it had to be fairly crazy for me to actually resort to shopping as an escape!  And for those who really know me well and are dying to know....I bought some socks.  Then I people watched.

There are still about 4 more hours of work to be done....by the Pros.  And it is true. Poop really does run down hill.  I just didn't know that it is a ratio of 1/4" per linear foot.  Not that I see using that information again in the future. Near or Far.

Thanks Guys.  Thank you for the MEN in my life who know things I don't want to be bothered with or by, and thank you for knowing how to use these big pieces of machinery.  I can honestly say that I don't think I will ever walk by the Plumbing isle at the local hardware without some quiet moment of deep Reverence.  And that's all I have to say about that.

One Day at a Time

This week's lessons:  1. Poop really does run downhill.  
                                       2.  If  there is karma, sometime in my youth or childhood, I must 
                                            have been very, very bad.
                                       3.   We really need a type of transformation. Here. Now.
                                       4.  Always appreciate an Excellent plumber and have ice cold beverages.
                                       5.  This too shall pass.  Not nearly as fast as I would like.

Book Review - Shared by Lori Anderson @ Pretty Things

From Lori Anderson at Pretty Things!  A great book review and book give-away starting this week!  All Lark titles, with wonderful color and inspiration.  Click the link to read Lori's review and enter to win something Amazing!

I choose authenticity

I choose authenticity

A day of painting

Today the weather finally broke and a bit of sun came shining through the clouds. After a number of rainy days, this often beckons to me to get up and get moving.  Make hay while the sun shines and that sort of thing.  What better way to spend the day than to start painting the kitchen cabinets?  I started with the new center island as it is to be black and let's face it, I've already gotten it sanded and prepped.  Today I felt like painting and not prepping! 

We also are lacking wall paint to cover the caulk from the installation of the new countertops, so I cracked that can open first to be sure to be able to get two coats on in one day.  Not too hard.  Of course, the wall paint is latex.  Water washable. Wish all things are so easy!

The island is to be black; and an oil satin.  Not water washable. All things considered, there is not much paint at this point where it is not supposed to be...on the wood.  I did find a twist that I had not expected.  I can only paint 1/2 at a time.  Due to the cabinet doors, which cannot open all at once, I am left with a partially painted, semi-dry, very tacky door flung open and whole project at a halt until something dries sort of confinement.  There will be no cooking today, but now I am guessing I will be painting beginning at about 6 pm to try and finish the first coat.

So here I am in the middle of the afternoon with nothing to do but wait for the proverbial paint to dry.  Items to consider: 

1. The Young and the Restless comes on at 3 pm.  My Mom got me hooked on this soap opera when I was young. I can go years without seeing it, and suddenly there it is, and it's like only a short time has passed between viewings. In that regard, it's like seeing old friends.
2.  Nap. 
3.  Go to the grocery store.

Let's face it, I will probably see part of the Young and Restless before I fall asleep in a nap.

But so you can see the progress, here's a picture of the kitchen as it looks now!

My Studio

First, my suggestion is to make a cup of tea.  After all, it is raining.  When is it better to sip hot, enticing, aromatic tea than when a tropical storm like Isaac is sending Lots of water your way?  My favorite is called Happy tea.  I found it on Amazon.com and liked both the name and the color of the can.  The tea itself is a warm orange, although it does not taste like oranges, but lemons and peaches.  For the truly decadent, slice a fresh peach and add two slices into the hot water. YUM.  Well, after all, I am a Georgia girl.  Even better,  peaches and honey. 

Add a couple of friends:

Almond

Oyster

...and it makes for one sweet cup of tea.   There is one more baby, Amelia, but she is camera shy and for the most part hides under the bed.   Almond has been with us for 16 wonderful years and one can see the wisdom in this stone-cold killers' eyes.  She weighs less than 5 pounds, but has been seen dragging home 5 foot long black snakes, large squirrels and many voles.  Let's just say she likes to hunt.  Oyster found us on vacation in Florida.  She had almost no hair and we could see all of her bones.  She ran over, sat on my feet and well, the rest is history.  You can always find her to my left on the desk, and she has a wonderful skill in always, no matter how she turns, or twists or rolls....she never ever misses the chance to hit the CAPS LOCK key.  REALLY. 

Some of you have asked to see pictures of my studio.  Finally unpacked and mostly re-organized, I tried to capture the essence of the space. 

This is my fire station.   I can solder, anneal, pickle, polish and generally make an unsightly mess on this old folding table.  I found a great old Peach crate for keeping files and hammers.  And yes, that is a drill press too, although for things of late, I find it more efficient to use my hand drill.

My drawing table has been flattened out and holds beads and assemblage parts that I am working on. I have storage containers, a mini stereo and a small television in the background.  This table was the hardest to pack and un-pack!  I like to keep lots of things loose on the top or in those small white dishes.  Those are actually sushi saucers for wasabi and soy sauce.  They make great bead holders, and the crisp white means I can see the colors very clearly.  I purchased these years ago at Pier One Imports.  I love getting inspired there.  I find all sorts of unusual objects that I use in unusual ways.  They even have a Pinterest page that has DIY, Fan ideas and ways to show off your ideas.  Can you say U-NEE-QU?   

And to the left of this table, I not so subtly swiped, is my husband's water color table which has lots of thin drawers down the middle, and a top that opens on sliders.  The top can go from 4 feet wide to 6 feet wide...and there are bead boxes ALL over it.

This is the Awesome work table that my new-to-woodworking-husband made this spring. It is measured and cut to just my height.  It is wonderful for for polishing and drilling with my hand piece.   The table top is very heavy which is great for pounding, forming and the oil rubbed finish is very smooth.  I love it!  Here is where I keep my punches, my vise, my Sizzix machine, cutter and dapping tools, and my hand piece. 

Here is another of my husband's brilliant ideas.  He took an old scrap of 2 X 4, trimmed and shaped to fit under the handles of my pliers collection.  He sanded it and lightly stained it too.   I'm not the only creative one here and it shows.

Well, my tea is gone, the cats are asleep and the old clock is chiming...time to get back to work!  I hope you enjoy your rainy day too.

The Beading Gem's Journal

The Beading Gem's Journal

Check out the banner give a way on Pearl's site. If you want a great highlight for the fall shows, you might get one free!