thanks sounds yummy
Ooof. Was one of those insomnia nights…up til 3 awake at 5. I think no power tools today. I feel odd. Maybe I’ll program the CNC to make some stuff. Maybe I’ll try to sleep on the couch. Who knows.
Good morning everyone.
It’s currently 67 degrees with an expected high of 95. Blech.
Yesterday and drove to Wenatchee, did a little work, had a couple of Teams meetings, drove over to the old location for the GSA/building owner inspection, grabbed a late lunch and drove home. When I left Wenatchee it was 103 degrees and the expected high was going to be 107. I got home around 4:00 or 4:30 and more or less drank ice water and suffered.
The house still hasn’t really cooled off, but it’s better than it was last night. I’m not looking forward to sitting in my upstairs office to work, but at least it’s my last day until the 15th.
nellie and red, I hope you manage to avoid the virus.
Today, I have to deal with a very snotty and bitchy email from someone who was unhappy with me. Monday, she contacted me and asked about agency-provided COVID tests. I told her we had some, but they are to be used by people preparing to or returning from official business travel and asked if that was the case for her. She doesn’t really fall under our auspices, she’s stove-piped and has a different leadership structure. She said she was “thinking” about going out on an inspection, so I told her I would tell the management staff where the tests were located so they could give her one.
OH. MY.GOD. She sent a very nasty email telling how she was offended that I wouldn’t tell her where the tests were (we have to control them), how she’s never stolen anything, and that we (the state office) were required to support her. All of these emails included the director, by the way. There was other nasty stuff. I didn’t bother responding yesterday, but I’m sick of her shenanigans. I’m not going to apologize for “offending” her, but I am going to close the loop. I think she thought could be nasty, but she’s forgotten that “homey” don’t play that game.
Why do people have to be so dramatic? Someone I work with said, “Oh, that’s just A”. BULLSHIT. You don’t get to be nasty, period. She’s going to find out, but not in a nasty way.
The kicker is that she stated she was coughing and stuff and wanted to come into the office to get the test, but she just went out and bought one herself. So, let me get this straight…you’re potentially infected with COVID and you want to drag your ass into the office to pick up a test. NOPE.
People are entitled and stupid.
Well, I should finish my coffee and run the dishwasher before it gets too hot.
That could be interesting if you’re really tired…
“Because me! Me! Me! Me!” C’mon, you know how some folks are… 
You reinforce my long-past decision to never be in charge. I’m truly a peon at heart! Kudos to you for shouldering the yoke!
Morning all. 60% chance of rain today and 75% chance tomorrow, so letting the lawn go without mowing and waiting for the weekend might not have been the best move. Will still get it done, just more bags of clippings to haul.
Also have a dilemma. Mailed a fairly sizeable check for a donation to a place in mid-June (I do most of my donations one time a year) and it still hasn’t been cashed 6 weeks later. Checked with my bank and to stop payment will cost me $36.00, but if I don’t I can’t balance my checking account and I admit to being a bit…well..anal about that. Might contact the place I donated to (Dr.s Without Borders) and see if they can check for the check (and if they have an office in Prague, it would be a Czech checking checks…).
Taters, some people… I’m sure your response will be professional, accurate, and devastating. Enjoy your down time, you’ve earned it.
VanGo, ugh. I was up at 6am, but did get 6-7 hours sleep, I think you are being smart not to use any power tools.
Speaking of power tools…
Nah, dynamite will work even better… 
Just take care, ok?
nellie, welcome home, hope you stay well and COVID-free. And lovely news from the IRS (how many times in your life will you get to say that!). Buy whatever you want.
Might me just me, but generic chips are less…flavorful?.. than name brands (I buy Lays the very few times I buy chips). Might be different cooking or salting, or maybe it’s just me. Which doesn’t mean I turn down an offer of generic chips anytime.
OK, need to break my fast and plan for the day…which is mostly nothing. All y’all take care.
I think my house read over my shoulder about metal mouse’s plumbing problems and became jealous of the attention. Yesterday morning Sunflower noticed a puddle of water under the water heater. We cleared the area and, upon inspection there was a small leak in the drain valve at the bottom. No problem. I went to Lowe’s for a short hose and a new valve. They stock every part you could conceivably need to repair a water heater except a drain valve. I asked about it and they said I could go inline and order one. Not a good answer. I found a new valve at an Ace hardware and the game was afoot.
I shut it off and drained the water, thinking the replacement would take fifteen minutes or so. The original valve was PVC plastic. It snapped off flush with the opening when I tried to unscrew it. Removal of the remaining PVC in the threads was almost impossible. I tried to just pry it out, no luck. I even used a hacksaw blade to try to cut it into pieces with no success. I came up with a solution. I chased around town and ended up at a plumbing supply store to buy a 3/4 npt tap. ( this is a tool that will cut new threads in an opening to allow a new pipe to be screwed in.)
Back home I needed to thin the walls of the stuck PVC enough for the tap to get started. I used a 7/8ths inch step bit in my drill to thin it down but that was still not quite enough. I ended up using a propane torch to melt the PVC thin enough to get the tap started and, after quite an effort, was able to finally use the tap to clear the threads.
I screwed in the new valve (brass this time) in and refilled the water heater. That fifteen minute job took all day and took a very hard toll on my patience. Next water heater problem will mean hiring someone to come in and replace it. I am getting too old for this.
Sorry for the boring rant…
Up, caffeinated, and sheveled. Gonna take Carmen to get shocked in a bit. Other than that, no real plans. for the day.
Two of the best chips I’ve had were the Kroger brand BBQ chips, and Aldi’s Clancy house brand chips.
Odd as in “I don’t feel quite well” or odd as in “I feel like CNC-ing an army of cyborg lemurs TO DESTROY YOU ALL!”
Because the world revolves around them.
It’s not boring, it’s quite interesting for the technical challenge.
Weird sequential replies in the MMP:
I was actually thinking thermite would do the trick, especially since one has termite holes. I’d hate to burn anything else down, though.
Up, not caffeinated, and getting ready to take the bus to the eye clinic, as I have to return the contact lens that didn’t even come close to fitting. I will mask up and stay as far as possible from other hoomans, but I must get the bad lens there today, as the manufacturer is being jerkish and won’t issue a new one until the eye clinic sends the old one…and THEN it takes 4 weeks.
My tummy is crummy. Hopefully it’s from travel and not the plague. Anyway, not going to risk coffee.
I also have to pick up an Rx that can’t be delivered. (It’s eyedrops that have to be kept cold.) I WANT to isolate, but life is making it hard.
Mumpers, I am very worried about my morbidly obese sister. She can barely walk, even with a walker. She has arthritic knees and says she “wrenched” one getting into bed. She hasn’t been to a doctor in months, just keeps saying she has to get around to making an appointment. She’s warm, smart, funny, generous, and VERY stubborn and contrary. She’s also the Queen of Denial and Princess of Procrastination. Her hubs loves her dearly and takes good care of her but is powerless to do anything. I fear we won’t have her much longer, and it’s tearing us up.
FCM, my mom used to make that recipe for family gatherings before food processors were a thing, so it must be possible. I get a kick out of these recipes we have in common.
Taters, the offended complainer sounds like she spreads trouble wherever she goes. If there’s anyone who can take the wind out of her sails, it’s you. Hope your day goes smoothly .
Hippy , any post that starts with a house reading over someone’s shoulder definitely isn’t boring.
MetalMouse, I missed most of the last MMP. Did the last round of leak-fixing resolve the water meter running amok?
Oh, honey, I can give her a run for those titles.
Sorry if that was mean. I know your family’s going through shit. I was trying to be funny.
FCM, I have Mom’s recipe box and found her liverwurst paté recipe. It says to use a potato masher to blend. Once again, that engineer’s mind stands you in good stead.
You didn’t come off as mean at all, more like self-deprecating.
Yes, the water (and I’m checking the meter every couple of days) is back to normal usage, so one more big bill to start August and the water bills should return to their previous average.
And if sister is very stubborn, there is only so much you can do except pray (or if you’re not a prayerful type, send positive waves). See FCM/FCD and his parents for examples.
Hippy, at least you had the knowledge and skills to fix it; I would have had to get a plumber out first thing. Hope the fix holds.
Going to go outside now and mow the lawn, the weather this afternoon and tomorrow just looks too likely for rain (of course, once I mow it, the chances of rain will go to Zero). Still, will get my exercise in even if I don’t make it to the gym today.
Take care all.
It is - just strenuous. I started with a potato masher and ended with a wooden spoon. It looks to be well-blended so I’m sure it’ll be fine. I crammed it all into a throw-away plastic container so if it doesn’t get eaten while we’re there, I don’t need the container back.
Sorry about your sister - there’s no dealing with the stubborn, pig-headed, denialists. The best you can do is resolve not to become one yourself, sparing your spouse/children/friends with having to deal someday. I keep reminding myself that when I don’t feel safe driving, I will give up my car keys. And if I need to use a cane or walker, I’ll do it, dammit!
Just remind me in case I forget…
Tobias drank about 5oz and is crashed in bed. I harvested two more little cukes, giving me a total of 5 from my patch, and I made a big-ass cuke-onion salad. I still need to empty the dishwasher - I don’t know why I hate doing that so much - it’s a simple task. I arrange everything for efficient removal and stowage. It doesn’t take but a few minutes. But I don’t wanna!!!
Anyway, it’s almost lunch time - when your day starts at 5, lunch is definitely at 11!
Me: < opens shower curtain >
Spider: < screams >
Me: “Dammit Fred, it’s me.”
Fred: “Sorry, I forgot what tou looked like without your exoskeleton.”
[Beavis]Heh heh fire…heh heh[/Beavis]
Hope you feel better. nellie. And sorry about the lens and your sister.
Woman, you singin’ my song.
Weekdays, I’m not motivated to have breakfast. Either I’m too busy, or I don’t wanna. I don’t have any mini-frittatas in the freezer. But I need breakfast, so I was like, ‘Oh, all right…’ I nuked a couple of Costco chicken breakfast sausages and cut them up, and put them into a 2-egg omelette that’s cooking right now. I’ll add some cheese once it solidifies, and top it off with Tabasco.
Yesterday’s diesel training was… a mixed bag.
First off, management has proclaimed that the new diesel locomotive will not be our full-time engine, but is for when the steam engine is out of service for maintenance. So the Little Puffer lives on! This is good news - for now. My gut still tells me the writing is on the wall, but time will tell. Anyway, we can’t run the diesel with passengers until the state ride inspector signs off on it - which may not happen for some time, for reasons I’ll soon get into.
The first half of the day was for classroom instruction. Meanwhile, the locomotive was delivered and placed on the track. One of the guys from the manufacturer then proceeded to run some test laps.
Our steam engine weighs about 3000 pounds. The new locomotive is 5500 pounds. As you can see, one of these numbers is significantly larger than the other.
The track bed is mostly gravel, and some of it is not packed quite as tightly as perhaps it should be. This hasn’t caused a problem before, but with the extra weight…
During the second time around, one of the rails buckled over a stretch of too-loose gravel, and the engine derailed. This was right before we were supposed to start the practical hands-on portion of the training.
So when we got up there, the rear of the locomotive was a good 18 inches or so to the left of where it oughta be. Oops.
With the help of a jack, a stack of old ties, two giant crowbars, and five of us pushing, we managed to get the wheels back on the rails. Then the locomotive was moved ahead, and some emergency track repair implemented.
Finally, after walking through all the start-up and shut-down procedures, each operator got to drive it once around the track… slowly.
We wrapped up the day about 2 1/2 hours later than planned.
Bottom line is, I don’t hate the thing. It’s really a marvelous piece of equipment. It’s rather simple to operate, has great traction, and the speed is much more precisely controllable than the steam engine. And it’s not quite as ugly in person as it looked in the photos I’d seen.
But, we’re definitely going to need some extensive track renovations before we can really use it. And the one thing that worries me is that it’s actually much more powerful than we need. My biggest concern is that someday somebody will enter a turn too fast, and with all that extra weight, very bad things can happen.
Of course, in a few months, I’ll literally be able to say “Not my zoo; not my monkeys.” But I still care what happens.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 
Blender?
JtC I hope you have a marvelous time with mom!
Welcome back Nellie!
Happy Vacation Eve Taters!
'Twas not boring. I counted along how many stops to how many hardware stores were mentioned, there being a corollary of Murphy’s Law invoked somehow in the 15-minute project assessment. Also, home projects never, ever go as planned so far as I can tell. Last also, you are very impressive with tools!
Have you tried being this blunt with her? Telling her you think she will die in the next few months? Asking her to help get her affairs in order? I don’t know what else suggest, so I will send you 
I use this as a mantra to keep pushing myself to do more now. The more I do now, the better shape I will be in then.
waves at Fred
wheelie it sounds like they didn’t consult anyone who actually drives the trains or maintains the tracks when purchasing the new engine, which sounds about right for management.
Migraine Day 2 or Migraine Recovery Day? Time will tell, but it’s feeling like the latter.
Happy Thursday everyone!