I'd planned to write, work on formatting my new book, do some software training, and plant a few things in the garden today.
But that didn't happen. My brother-in-law called me early this morning to say his helper couldn't work today and he needed my help. He's a plumber and his dance card is always punched.
I've learned to say no in many situations, but he rarely asks me for help unless he's up to his buttocks in mississippiensis (scientific name for alligators).
So I put my stuff on hold, pulled out my coveralls and my monkey wrench, and we headed out before the sun peeked above the horizon to the east.
The first job was smooth sailing and we left a happy camper smiling and waving as we pulled out of the driveway. They could flush their toilets, take showers, and have a cool refreshing drink of water right out of the tap. (We have really good drinking water here.)
The second job was straight out of Hell-sinki. I was the gopher handing tools under the house, and turning the water on and off, but my brother-in-law was under the house fighting antique plumbing.
He looked like he'd been mud-wrestling, and had been on the losing end.
I heard him cuss for the first time in my life today. After several hours of frustrating leaks, we decided to break for lunch.
Jilda had cooked for us -- she whipped up baked chicken, new potatoes (out of our garden), tomatoes (out of our garden), English peas (out of a plastic bag from Walmart), and some mac and cheese, because our great nephew Jordan was visiting us today and no meal is complete without mac and cheese.
After lunch, my brother-in-law put on a fresh change of clothes, and we headed to the plumbing supply place and we loaded up with connectors, fittings, and tools. Neither of us wanted a little leak to whip us.
When got back to the job site, we had a few more snafu's, but we were refreshed, and we had new attitudes.
Soon the job was finished, and we called it a day. I can't say I was disappointed to be headed homeward.
But that didn't happen. My brother-in-law called me early this morning to say his helper couldn't work today and he needed my help. He's a plumber and his dance card is always punched.
I've learned to say no in many situations, but he rarely asks me for help unless he's up to his buttocks in mississippiensis (scientific name for alligators).
So I put my stuff on hold, pulled out my coveralls and my monkey wrench, and we headed out before the sun peeked above the horizon to the east.
The first job was smooth sailing and we left a happy camper smiling and waving as we pulled out of the driveway. They could flush their toilets, take showers, and have a cool refreshing drink of water right out of the tap. (We have really good drinking water here.)
The second job was straight out of Hell-sinki. I was the gopher handing tools under the house, and turning the water on and off, but my brother-in-law was under the house fighting antique plumbing.
He looked like he'd been mud-wrestling, and had been on the losing end.
I heard him cuss for the first time in my life today. After several hours of frustrating leaks, we decided to break for lunch.
Jilda had cooked for us -- she whipped up baked chicken, new potatoes (out of our garden), tomatoes (out of our garden), English peas (out of a plastic bag from Walmart), and some mac and cheese, because our great nephew Jordan was visiting us today and no meal is complete without mac and cheese.
After lunch, my brother-in-law put on a fresh change of clothes, and we headed to the plumbing supply place and we loaded up with connectors, fittings, and tools. Neither of us wanted a little leak to whip us.
When got back to the job site, we had a few more snafu's, but we were refreshed, and we had new attitudes.
Soon the job was finished, and we called it a day. I can't say I was disappointed to be headed homeward.
You are a dear friend...period.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
I cannot say enough good things about plumbers. Ours has saved our butts more than once at work (especially with the horrible plumbing we inherited) and home.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a productive day.
Fresh tomatoes. Yum!
Sounds like a rewarding day - no matter how much mud played into it. And I have to admit that your lunch description made me drool ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'd have waded through mud and mississippiensis for Jilda's lunch - except I'm a vegetarian so will just drool from afar then! LOL!
ReplyDeleteTake care
x
I have 4 sons and boy do I wish they would have listened to me...I wanted a 1)plumber...2)roofer...3)electrician...4)auto mechanic...and if those weren't to their liking I would have settled for 1)carpenter 2)doctor 3)lawyer 4)a writer who loves vampires...of course no one ever listens to me. (can't understand why not?) You are a good egg for helping out a friend and that is one big thing my kiddos are good at!
ReplyDelete