Plumber I'm Not

Today I decided to fix a leaky faucet in the bathroom. I bought new gaskets or whatever they are and got out some tools. I watched several YouTube videos. I knew to shut off the water under the sink. I tried and tried but the valve wouldn't budge. I decided to go ahead anyway. How bad could it be? 

 I unscrewed the screw and pulled off the handle and - BOOM!! Water shot out of the faucet, hit the light above, the light exploded, glass splintering everywhere. I tried putting the faucet back in, but it was the hot water and it was too hot. The sink filled up right away and overflowed. Water was shooting up everywhere. I tried again to shut off the water valve under the sink. Still wouldn't budge. I ran to the basement and looked frantically for the main shut off valve. Couldn't remember where it was. Water was coming down through the floorboards. 

I grabbed my phone and called Sam. Joe answered, said Sam was under his car fixing something, couldn't come to the phone, that I had to figure out how to turn off the water. I finally found a valve over the hot water heater in the basement and was able to turn it off and the water slowed to a trickle.

I decided to call Dad since Sam wasn't able to come to my rescue. The phone rang and rang, and I got the answering machine. I left a frantic message and started cleaning up the water. Seven rolls of toilet paper ruined. Every towel I had was soaked. I was soaked. 

Then, I was standing in front of the sink looking at the faucet, and suddenly the very large, heavy mirror fell off the wall! Luckily it did not break, but the screw that was holding it up pulled out of the wet plaster.

Meanwhile, Dad showed up at my front door. They had been to the eye doctor and as soon as he heard my message, he came over. He put my faucet back together. He didn't want to work on the other faucet, though. He said, "Don't fix what's not broken," and he left. 

I guess my next career will not be plumbing. But at least I tried.

Instagrams

I love editing my photos. Since I have upgraded to a Smart Phone and an iPad, I have discovered an app called Instagram. You simply upload a photo, click on various settings until you find one you like, then you save it. It gives a photo you might not have looked at twice a very unique look. 

Self-photo during my birthday carriage ride.

A rose is a rose is a rose. 

Everyone dreaming different dreams. 

Summertime feet. 

Dad picking tomatoes. 

Caterpillar's dinner.

Backyard sky.

Kitchen help. 

Fussy-time. 

This is a different app called "Sketch". 

Love this one. 

A place that holds many memories for me - what is left of the amphitheater at Eagle Creek Park. 

This app is called "WaterBooth". 

A couple more of what the "Sketch" app can do.

What are your favorites?

The Blizzard of 2012

Two days after Christmas, the Blizzard of 2012 arrived. The weathermen called it a "blizzard emergency" and viewers were advised to stay at home. So home I stayed and watched the snow from the safety of my living room sofa. This is the view outside my window.

The next day, this snowman was built in my yard.

My son and two of the kids came over to help clear my driveway, so Avery and I built a snowman.

She had such fun and took lots of care in fixing the hat and scarf just so.

Of course I had to run to get my camera and make a record of this fun event.

We sang "Frosty the Snowman" and made up our own words and were being very silly. Somehow you feel silly when you're rolling around in the snow building a snowman.

Avery likes to take pictures, too, so here I am with the snowman and a shiny new orange sled. They all went sledding at Ellenberger Park afterwards and had a ball. 
And such was the Blizzard of 2012.

Christmas Recap 2012

Realized I have not written a Christmas blog. So here are my favorite pictures and a Christmas Recap.

 One of the first things to do is get packages and a few cards in the mail.

I made votives with scraps of old linen and lace and clear votive candles.

I made a yummy Christmas drink, Cranberry Slush, that was just pleasantly potent.

Here is the view out my kitchen window. There is snow out there!

Every year I make my granddaughter a Christmas dress. As she is getting older, her tastes are a little simpler. This year I made a white peasant blouse with red rickrack trim.

And I added a cute Christmas tree button.

Candy canes in an old Ball jar.

This concoction is simply called "Wreath". It is like rice krispie treats only made with cornflakes and lots of green food coloring.

I don't especially look forward to wrapping presents, but after I get started I am usually pleased with the results. Pretty.

This year I cut an old t-shirt into strips and stamped with my Merry Christmas stamp to decorate.

I got together with my kids and grandkids at one of my son's house on Christmas Eve. I guess you could say we gathered 'round the Christmas tree in this picture! 

My younger son has a great booming voice and agreed to be Santa. He really gets into it!

Here is my now 7 year old granddaughter in the cute Christmas top I made.

Christmas Day found us all at Great Grandma's and Nathan played Santa again. Fun.

And here is the youngest grandchild enjoying his first Christmas.

Avery took her role as an Elf very seriously. Here she is consulting with her uncle.

Now on to the new year.
Welcome 2013!!