Jim the Plumber goes to the World of Beers

I was up on time after perhaps the best night of sleep in more than a week. Slept soundly not waking even once during the night. It was 540am by the time I was downstairs. I glanced out back seeing clear skies and what looked like frost covering the ground and most deck plants.

The coffee was already brewed. I did 50 sit-ups then headed in to pour a cup of coffee. I headed to the internet where I checked the weather before anything else. It was cold – about 33 degrees. Expecting highs in the low 60s later in the day under mostly sunny skies. Supposed to be nice on Wednesday too, a day that’s been notoriously cloudy/rainy well back into summer.

Time went by quickly. It was after 6am in a hurry. I was bummed to see that the stock market took a huge hit on Monday after last weeks big gains. Just when I was beginning to think that the DOW might hit my predicted high of 13800 by year’s end. Not only that, but they were predicting another drop on Tuesday. L

After reading the Daily Om I headed to the familyroom for meditation. After meditation and went ahead and delivered Mindy’s coffee since it was already 620am. Mindy hardly budged. I headed back downstairs to stretch and dress for a run. I dressed warmly wearing a thick wicking shirt, hand and ear covers along with everything else. I didn’t get out the door until just after 635am.

It was chilly but I was dressed for it. I remained comfortable throughout the entire 4.1 mile run. It was a good run too. While running I thought about the rest of my work week and all my commitments. I’d be working off site both Wednesday and Thursday. Thought I might try and work from home later that afternoon. This was also dad’s 2^nd knee surgery day. Still not sure the time.

Made it back home by 720am. I fetched Mindy’s keys and started the Pilot. I didn’t walk Eiknarf figuring Jacob needs to get back in the habit now that he’s well. I reminded him as I sat down for breakfast. Jacob got into it with his momma over what coat he might wear. She insisted a heavy one after realizing how cold it was – just over freezing. He challenged her until she was mad. Said he wasn’t gonna do it. I just listened.

He waited until she left and then told me he wasn’t wearing it. I only added that he was. He complied, although begrudgingly. I headed off to the shower just after 730am and was ready by 751am. The kids and I headed out to the bus stop at 810am. I asked Bella to take Eiknarf so I could start and warm my car.   And yes, Jacob had on his heavy winter coat.

Chrissy brought both pugs. Let the baby walk without a leash. I was worried about that, but she picked her up in a hurry. Would be a shame to see that little one as a street pancake. The bus arrived a little early. I walked Eiknarf out front before heading back inside. She did a lot of sniffing but nothing else. I headed inside to make last minute preparations for departure. I’m thinking that it was 822am when I finally backed out the drive.

It was a pleasant drive into the office, the sun shining and all. I spent the first hour of my day working on that project I was assigned. I then spent the rest of the morning working on monthly reports and then a couple escalations. I was busy enough that the first half of the day flew by. It was 1pm in a hurry. Just after 1pm I stayed true to my plan and gathered my gear for home. I planned to stop at Home Depot along the way.

At Home Depot I picked up supplies to rebuild the water supply to the masterbath toilet. The original line was brass coated but is now corroded after developing a small leak where the hose transitions into the tank. I also picked up a new flush lever for the guest bath downstairs. It’s been worn out for a while now. I headed for home arriving by 145pm.

Before doing anything else, I fired up my laptop and then made some lunch. I was pretty daggone hungry. I opted for some of the leftover beef & noodles, now about a week or more old. After getting my laptop going, I replaced the guest bath flush lever. That went quick. Works like a charm.

After finishing my lunch and then checking in with work I headed to the basement to shut off the water main, that way I could remove the water line to the master bath toilet. I headed upstairs next with a few tools and the new plumbing parts, all of which were compression type connections (no soldering required).

I was fairly certain the old shut-off was the same type compression connection to the copper water line. However, the corrosion was such that it wasn’t that easy to tell for sure. I sprayed both the input and output sides with WD-40 before trying to wrench it apart. That worked well. It was in fact a compression fitting.

After getting the old one off, I took the time to clean up the rust and corrosion that was built up both on the tile and grout in and around the water line. I realized right then that I forgot to buy a new trim ring to go around the copper pipe where it comes up through the floor. I was beside myself with anger. I knew I needed one but somehow let my mind wander and forgot to pick one up. Crap! I had little choice but to leave things as they were and head back to the hardware store. It was 245pm. I figured I’d easily be home before Mindy and the kids. I hustled off.

Instead of Home Depot, I visited Lowes instead. There less than a half mile apart. I found what I needed and quickly headed to check out. I shared my story with the check out clerk. She told me to stop and catch my breath, and then asked if I had everything I needed. That made me smile. Yes, I was certain that I did. I headed back home reminding myself to be patient.

Once again, I checked in with work before proceeding with the plumbing work. I had to take care of another escalation, actually a continuation from the same one earlier in the day. I headed back to the master bath and dug into the work. I really could used some water to clean up the Fantastik and Clorox cleaner I sprayed around the area before I left. But with the water supply turned off, I had t make do without. Although, as I write, I realize now that I could’ve grabbed a bottled water.

I managed to get the area looking like new before installing the new shut-off and hose. I even polished up the copper feed like new. The rest of the work went as planned. Took no more than 3 or 4 minutes. I had to give the nut on the water inlet side one extra quarter turn to snug it up, but that was it. I headed to the basement to turn the water main back on. I had to hurry around the house to turn off all the spigots I opened. Worked perfectly. Another job well done, and one I’ve been meaning to complete for well over a year now.  I’ve taken care of a handful of those through late summer and early autumn.

After putting away the few tools it required and cleaning up a small mess, I headed to my laptop to get back to work. I enjoyed working from home for the rest of the afternoon. I didn’t get that out of sorts feeling I normally get, but then again, I still went into work that morning, which is the part, I think, that messes with my mind. Still felt that since of accomplishment, plus I still showered and dressed for work like normal. That makes a big difference.

It was near 4pm that I remembered Mindy advising the kids to bus home with Noah. I wouldn’t then be expecting anyone home until much closer to 5pm. That lent itself to better productivity for sure. I was able to remains focused on work. Just before 5pm, I got up and decided to broom sweep the kitchen floor. While doing so, a knock came at the front door. I figured it Mindy and the kids. It wasn’t. instead, it was Jimaken there to pick-up the kids for dinner. I invited him in while I kept at my chore.

It wasn’t but a few minutes later that Jacob showed up. Said Tony brought him home. I guess it was Beacon Ambassador day. Who knew? Mindy and Bella got home a few minutes later. By then, I was back at work on my laptop. I worked right up until 525pm, or just after Jimaken and kids departed.

Mindy and I planned to visit the new World of Beers in the Brewery District that opened the day before (Monday). We left before 6pm. Mindy shared that Jimaken was keeping the kids until 8-830pm. Traffic into downtown wasn't bad at all. Found a meter - here were many - just a 1/2 block from the World of Beers. I figured it would be packed, this just its 2nd day opened. There was a good crowd but by no means was it full.

I perused the tap menu but before settling on a beer, headed up the stairs to the 2nd level. They have another small bar up there, but with a far smaller selection of beers on tap, none of which are offered downstairs. By the way, the boast a selection of 500 beers. About 450 are in bottles. I ordered a West Coast IPA Hoppy Ale. Mindy went with a Young's milk chocolate stout.

Mindy engaged in conversation with our server, whose name now escapes me. She made sure we knew that while they didn't serve their own food, we could order from four different local establishments and have it delivered fresh to our table. The four includes, T.Murray's, Shadow Box (right next door), Cladaugh's, and Planks. By then, we had already decided that as soon as our beers were done, we were walking over to CBC.

Turns out, our server knows our friend Tina Curtis who works at T. Murray's. In fact, I got the impression that she really 'likes' her. :) We settled our small tab and then headed for the side exit door along Liberty St. They were selling t-shirts by the door along with a beer club membership. Mindy bought me a membership and a t-shirt. We walked to CBC just a block or so up the road.

Given that it was a Tuesday, there wasn't much of a crowd at all. We had the pick of maybe 10 bar stools. Katie was tending bar. And as usual, she was a most gracious host. We both opted for the just recently tapped CBC winter warmer. Cool! Stella came over to visit, sharing how slow of a night it was. She also confided that she recently kicked her baby-daddy out of the house. Mindy spent a lot of time giving her a pep talk. She slipped a little cash into her pocket too. Stella is a hard working single mommy that deserves better. She's beautiful too! Fellas?

We soon opted for some food. Mindy ordered sea scallops, and I ordered the artichoke dip and flat bread. I could've done another beer, but because it was work night I resisted the urge. We left for home near 8pm. I drove.

We weren't home long before the kids returned. Jimaken didn't come in. Just dropped them in the drive. Mindy issued Jacob a shower hall pass. Mindy asked Jacob to walk Eiknarf. We didn't stay up too late, all of us in bed well ahead of 10pm.