Friday: End of June!

So today was very unusual for me. I slept and got up at noon? Yes, it was noon. Hot day again. I skipped fooding and went out to saw remaining wood from shed that was still in the driveway. While I was doing that, neighbor grandma came over to ask if I knew anything about what she could do about her water. In the kitchen, the hot water wouldn't turn off! Even if the water to the house was off. It sounded bad and I asked to take a look to give her advice.

I realized quickly, first, one of the cutoffs under the kitchen sink is useless and just spins but that the faucet had broken inside and had to be replaced. I told her I had another that was going to be put in a yard sale and offered to install that one. We had gotten it for this house years ago. It was only used once, that as a temp last summer when countertop and plumbing was replaced.

I came back to house to get tools and the faucet. I returned to her home and set about removing old faucet after we turned off water. It turned out she had two master cut offs: one old style that turns and a separate for the hot that is a lever like was installed new here last year! I was just glad water got turned off there. Worst case, I knew I could turn it off at the street too but that wasn't needed.

She got a towel and I asked for a bucket to catch water from the faucet feeds. We settled on an old stainless mixing bowl. She asked where I learned how to do this, had I gone to school for it, and I said I "learned by doing" at home. We laughed. She said she needed a man at home and talked about her life a bit. It's sad because she has one (a son or grandson?), and there are the father's of her grandkids but instead she turned to random neighbor!

Anyway, I got the old faucet out without too much trouble. I swear plumbing is intended to be done my pygmy people. Still, there was more room to work than I had had over here because of the sink design. I got lucky in that regard. Anyway, I then installed the new faucet. I admit I guessed which to use for hot & cold. We then went out to turn on water, I showed her the second cut-off. I checked faucet worked, cleared the air in the line, didn't notice any leaks and checked hot and cold worked. Everything seemed OK! Yay me. I cleaned up my work area. She then asked about her sliding door. It seemed like it latched but even she could pull on it and cause it to open! Scary. I noticed the plate had area around the screws for adjustment and said I think I could solve it right then and loosened the screws and moved the plate down. After the adjustment, it latched well enough after that I couldn't pull it open with my weight. She tried it too and was glad it was fixed. She said she would pay for the faucet. I was glad to do the install and door adjustment. It was just a "good deed" from a neighbor.

I had wondered some time ago if she colored her hair. I could see her white roots beginning to show. She's not the only grandparent bringing up their grandkids. Neighbor I visit did that too. Of course, he wasn't alone doing it but this woman is. Very sad. Brother had sad Father had threatened him that he wasn't going to be raising no grandkids for him. HAHA. We all knew that was from seeing neighbor doing it. And Mother felt the same way, unless "something happened" (deaths). Of course now Mother & Father have gotten away from having to do that. I would take kids in if there was deaths and try to do my best with and for them.

So after I did good deed, I returned and washed my hair and changed my shirt. Then I fetched gatorade (Lemonade flavor) and went back to sawing. Neighbor startled me. He had come over while I was putting wood in bin and I hadn't noticed. He apologized for not coming over to give me a hand as I'd asked yesterday. I said it was OK, I knew he had obligations. And I was able to get it accomplished. It just took a bit of ingenuity and working the saw a bit hard. His wife is having a bad day, headache again and her world is confused today though she recognizes her grandson who is staying with them. My bins are filled and very heavy! But only the shed doors remain. And some trim piece 'sticks' but I kept them in case I need stakes for yard signs or something. Grandma neighbor borrowed rake while I was sawing. I cleaned up the sawdust. Now I am inside. It is 4am. Radio show is at the County Fair today so it is boring? Other shows have fill-in hosts which is worse than boring! Maybe I will go outside awhile. Kitty is still sleeping in her chair. I gave petting earlier.

I am feeling OK about things I accomplished today. Was good to help neighbor. I like old women. There is something cool about some of them like my grandmother was. Mother would probably have said, "Help her if you can." Or if she was in bad mood, tell her to call plumber! :D This was one of those things Mother mentioned about me... stepping up to fill need. I really hadn't done faucet replacement like that, not alone, but I knew what to do. I didn't think twice about confidence? I was calm and focused, not tormented by anxiety. That is good? Although I didn't promise results just that I would try? :D

Made me think after that 1. I am handy? 2. I am OK neighbor? 3. I am decent person? 4. Maybe I was good example to her grandkids?

Neighbor just sneaked off in his truck to home improvement store. Maybe I will go outside for awhile. It is 4:15. Radio is talking about lamb. Born in January, now up on auction by girl who raised it for killing and eating!

Radio says there is fire but doesn't sound nearby. It is north, up on county border. Sounds like it is under control?

6:30. It is hot indoors! Kitty is still lounging in her chair. Maybe she will be more active tonight. Neighbor might call because his grandson isn't there tonight. I talked with him a bit in the driveway. His wife had overcome her headache but was not very interested in the chat. She look so pale and old! Older than Mother! And Mother would be 7 yrs older? Older like grandmother who was 20 yrs older than this? Anyway... I am kind of tired? Heat and lack of food. I didn't eat until after 4pm when I had cereal.

Neighbor had termite inspector over? There is termite damage to one of the eaves on his addition. He was very angry. He hates house! Said he was sorry he every bought! Addition was done before he bought house and has had many termite issues? Anyway, this was ugly damage and seemed like a lot to me but didn't actually get under the roof. It is old termite area? I would fix it differently than he is going to. He is going to use many tins of wood putty! I did walk around here to check for termite signs. Again, nothing found. The only place I've seen such damage was shed and old fencing never on house (knock wood--oh, a funny!).

I left the lizard roam. It was underwood pile. I let it move to new spot although initially I know I scared it! Lizards are good for pest control! I try not to abuse nature? Unless it gets into house and is evil thing like big hairy spider! Lawn-Sprinkler guy did not come for measurements that I know of? He did say Friday or Saturday and I was away for awhile fixing faucet. It is after 6:30pm, I am going to have decent fooding. Probably about all for tonight. Well, maybe will snack later. There is apple sauce in fridge!

It is 10:30pm! I am back from neighbors? Watched some TV and chatted. He folded his grandson's laundry, his wife seemed tired and very disinterested tonight. Look! There is Duckie online! Must give many pettings!