.... Is Also HandyMummy

I helped my father-in-law replace our old water pump today with a new one. Just to clarify for everyone: HE did all the work. I just was there. Sheesh! If I knew the inside of the pipes looked like that I never would have drunk that much water here! Now I know why people don't like to come visit....

So the problem all along was the pipes: they corroded and ruined the ancient pump. That was something I didn't know yesterday, and I hope I don't need to learn ever again. I helped with the blowtorch and solder, used wrenches and vicegrips, and I learned the difference between a 1/2 inch nut and a 9/16 inch nut... not a lot of difference after all, but the wrong size still won't work. Multiple trips to the hardware store later, I bought stuff I didn't need, but the $2.47 I wasted doesn't touch the $200 I saved by "hiring" a retired welder. It's bright shiny new. That is, the pump is shiny-new, not the welder. Now I just hope the darn thing is still working in the morning.

Here's some pics of the horror:







And our new pump:
Interestingly enough, they're both blue. I just noticed that. Interesting....

Another Day In the Life

It's funny how tired and exasperated I can be with The Boy and yet, when he's at his grandparents' house and I've nothing to do, how edgy I can get because I'd actually rather he was here. Nothing against the relatives! Happy for some time to get things done or get away or just get some peace. But today, on a blisteringly cold winter's day (-7 Celcius, but it's a damp cold), I'd give anything to be lounging around the yard with him in the summer's sticky heat, or even braving the frigid temperatures attempting to sled down our rather meager hill in the front yard. What's wrong with me?



I felt the need for a change... a new look. And while I got a badly needed haircut (and the boy did too), it didn't satisfy my mid-winter restlessness. Hence, the new blog layout. This might not be the one I stay with... I might continue to pursue a different look... stay tuned.

Random

Is it just me, or a sign of being a single parent that no matter how much I love my little boy, what I most look forward to at the end of the day is a drink? Hmmmm..... Did I say end of the day? I meant lunchtime....

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I feel the need to go shopping for sweatpants for Evan again. Second-hand stores: here I come! Fellow shoppers: watch out... Grouch on the loose!

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Here I am, back from another visit from The Boy's father. Don't know much what's going on in my life other than "things change." My favorite quote, that I can actually remember that is, is from the Bible. It's not a quote in and of itself, but usually a prelude to the description of an event or situation in the gospels. It goes like this: "And it came to pass...." That's all. And it's the most true thing I know. No matter what happens, it also moves on. Things don't just come along, plop down in your lap, look you in the eyes and say "I'm here to make your life a living hell." No...it just seems like it sometimes. Things actually have a way of moving on. And so do we.