So much for frequent updates...

I had a blindingly busy week. All went well for the most part. No major malfunctions to speak about. Ate at all the regular spots.

Took my car in Friday to diagnose and fix several little things that I haven't had time to get repaired. Some brake stuff, a rough idle issue, oil leak and O2 sensor problem. The shop didn't get done with everything as a part that was needed hadn't arrived so I'l be taking it back Monday for them to finish up on it. Ate dinner with the Burns at Dead Lobster. Ran into the Wes's (yeah I know Kim...) and the Prevatt newlyweds.

I had a pretty aggressive schedule for Saturday. The plan was to fix 2 toilets, move my drums to the church, and move some furniture around in anticipation of my guests arrival. Packed up my drums - which also made me realize how thankful that I don't have to do this every week anymore. That was a chore but it went by suprisingly quickly. Kevin showed up and we hauled it all up to the building. Unloaded and set them up. Kev brough along his new guitar, a VERY nice Fender HSS Strat. While I was getting things adjusted, he was playing on his big amp. That axe sounds TONS better than the Hooptiephone model he'd been using up to now. Once I got all my crap in order, we jammed a bit then made our way to meet Stacey and their larvae at Logan's. Next stop was Lowe's for some gaskets and plumbing junk.

Got started on toilet #1 - it needed to have the gasket between the tank and the bowl replaced as when you flushed, water leaked out as the bowl was filling up. Kev and I wrestled with some corroded bolts and finally were able to get the tank off. Put the new gasket on and installed all new innards as well. Re-assembled things then turned the water back on (had to use the water main - that's another story though). Took a couple of flushes but we were still leaking. We theorized that the bolts holding the two together weren't tight enough. So... as we were tightening, I mentioned at one point that I had a small drip going. Suddenly, a huge crack appeared and water started shooting out. I scrambled out to the front yard and cut the main off again but not before I had a small pool in the back bathroom.

So we're at Lowe's buying a toilet now. Get one picked out and heave it back to the house. Got the old toilet removed and then had "fun time with the wax ring". Got ready to install the new one and the wax ring that was supposed to be included with it was missing.

So I'm standing at the customer service counter at Lowe's... Third time there today. The got me a new wax ring no questions asked. Back to the villa for more action. Oh, also in the same trip, Kev picked up his wet/dry vac to clean up the mess. Got most of the water up then proceded to work on getting the new toilet in. SUCCESS! At this point though, I had no desire to do any of the other things I had planned. This plumbing debacle sapped the life out of me. Big kudos to Kevin for the help he was today.

I'm looking forward to church tomorrow, especially since I'll have my "good" drums there. Kev will have his Roland and his Strat and Eric will have his fly Lakland. I hope Kyle brings the Jem and his Mesa Rig. We'll be in full-bling mode at that point. I hope we have lots of visitors AND lots of returning folks as well. Should be a good day.