Faucet Woes

 A GREAT morning from rainy California.  Oh yes ... once again it rained all day, stopping for a quick breather around 9:00 p.m.  That's when it ramped up again and rained all night long.  

Just for kicks, I looked up online to see just how much rain we have received.  Here's what it said, and I quote:  Merced California has received ZERO rainfall this week and there have been no reports of precipitation in the past seven days.  The area is experiencing a dry spell. 

Now I've heard of bad weathermen, but these guys must be living on another planet.  After considerable web surfing, I finally found we have received 2.94 inches in the last 15 days.  That's good ... the farmers need it.

Mr. Cooper doesn't like the rain much at all.  I have to wait for a slow drip before he goes outside, which is why he looks a little wet behind the ears.

The wind doesn't help, but I admit it makes my flag look nice!!  I'm very happy it's still up there and not three houses over.

Kitters is not a fan either, but lookie here!  The heated pad she previously would not lay on, has now become her favorite.  Yes she has a nice warm HOUSE to sleep in, but she refuses to go inside.  This is her spot and she's sticking to it.

It was a slow morning.  I just could NOT get my act together.  Gin (or vodka in this case) fizzes are not on my Christmas list.  It's mostly half and half cream ... and I just can't go there.  When I found out I would be watching people drink for two hours before breakfast would be served, I sank a little further into the couch.  Oh gee ... it's too late to go now!!  I think my party animal got up and left ten years ago.  Football on the couch it is!!

Until there was a knock at the door.  My Delta faucet parts came.  I read the instructions, laid them quietly on the counter and went back to watching football.

This does not look fun or easy at all.  I finally had to watch a video on my phone to figure it out.  Nope ... not today Delta.  I just had a bad feeling about this.

An hour later I thought to just take the handle off and see what there was to see.  It's a good thing I watched the video.  Yes I did turn the water off below the sink.

But not tight enough.  When I finally removed this ball valve, water came flowing out.  I tightened the valve three more time and water STILL came out.  Oh I see this going in the wrong direction .......

Down inside were two washers with springs to be replaced.  It would have helped if I wasn't dealing with water running over, not to mention that I couldn't see anything and my fat fingers would not fit inside.  I tried needle nosed pliers, but it wasn't happening.  

It got worse.  I thought I had them in correctly, replaced the ball valve with a new one and screwed the lid back on.  The ball valve would not move.  I put the handle back on.  Nope!!  I took it apart again, only to find I couldn't get the thing back together.  I'm just not cut out for this stuff.  

Finally ..... SUCCESS!  Ummmm that would be a no.  I put the handle back on and the ball valve moved,  but alas, after all that hour's work, there is STILL NO HOT WATER.  So it's not the valve, it's the supply.  I'm not going there ... I'm just not.  No doubt I would flood the house.  I'll have to find a plumber.

And so I went back to watch football, where my favorite Kansas City LOST to Denver.  Rats!!

Dinner was a quick quesadilla with leftovers.  I went to barbecue the UGLY STEAKS I found in the freezer, only to find I had no propane.  Yup ... it was just that kind of day.

Turns out the best part was missing the breakfast.  Apparently they had the same kind of day I did, with burned hash browns, dried out ham and lumpy gravy.  Maybe next year guys .............. maybe next year.