After purchasing a three handle replacement faucet, then getting the wrong single handled one, then getting the right one with a plate to hide the extra holes in the tile and finding out it didn’t fit. We ordered replacement stems and we seem to have fixed the issue. All we should need now are a couple of replacement knobs and I’ll call it a success and that should allow us to start with the master bathroom remod.

Also got the rack for the office closet but I’ve run out of steam to do anything with it. I got the garage organized and put away the tools from the last trip. Pulled out the blower and cleaned up the alley and back & front porch. Plumbing done. Filled up the Xterra and did tires and checked oil. Got milk and bagels. Watered the front plants. I feel there should have been more done considering I’m at 12k steps, 145 minutes and 684 calories. But I’ll take the progress and be thankful for the day and be hopeful I get another chance tomorrow.

The household maintenance task that I abhor the most is plumbing. There’s just nothing easy when it comes to plumbing. Case in point: Today, I set out to fix the leaky faucet in the main bathroom. First thing to do is take off the faucet knobs, well the one that needed to come off would not come off. To the point I went out and got a puller from Harbor Freight and the brass broke off in the knob. Then we got the 3 handle new faucet only to find out they are out of code. Don’t want people scalding themselves when the toilet is flushed. So we’ve got one of those ready for pickup and will return the other. There’s a plate that covers the other holes and we’re up to code if we need to make it a rental.

The issue with the racoon is ongoing. I resolved yesterday to trap him and pulled out some beef stew as bait and sure enough he got trapped. But his huge ass just basically walked right out of it. We’ve got it on video. Going to need a bigger trap for that one.

Got the tires on the truck rotated today. I don’t think that I’ve ever done that on a regular basis but we hit 7k or so miles since we put on the new shoes so it was time.

I think we all know where we were 23 years ago today. It’s somber to think back on that day and how it made us feel and what’s happened in the passing years.

I’m thrilled about some progress being made also. I got the generator off the RV and pulled the mounts so we can traverse the side alley.

It rained today, outer bands from a hurricane hitting the gulf coast. Now we’re in for a heatwave for the foreseeable future. Oh well it can’t last forever.

Also it was nice to hear the box scores from the debate last night. Although we’re seeing some serious cheating from the republicans down here. Tarrant county is shutting down polling places on select college classes that accounted for 17k votes last cycle. Here is the story for your review.

I got a few of the things done that I wanted to get done today. I got the FASS thing registered, I’ve been having a block about getting that done. I got all my laundry done and I mean done done, put away and everything. I cleaned the carpet in the bedroom. I also fixed the front screen door so that the lock can be opened and closed without using a tool to do so. Been wanting to do that for 13 years. I also mowed the front and back yards as well as ordering a rack that will be used in the office bedroom to organize the closet. Another Vevor find.

Also there was a new cat out back, I just walked out to change the water and there they were, meowing like they were lost. They loved being petted but seemed to have someplace to go. I hope its alright and finds what it was looking for. I told them to come on back if they needed a home. Hopefully if they need one they’ll be back.

Also it looks like Sandy will be taking the inspector job for the state. It would be the pinnacle of her career and I’m super happy and excited for her, I mean aside from the fact that I get to be a stay at home cat date, it’s a great position for her. It would ease us back into me going back myself. My gap year is coming to an end soon.

So my friend David had surgery today and it was a triple bypass on the heart. They took a vein from his leg and chest to do the bypass. I thought they were just doing one. But he’s awake and alive after it all so that’s good. My friend Tim is going in for an aorta fix later this month. My older friends are in some bad shape but at least are getting attended to.

Sandy made the trip up to hang with Keli, Jeff and Claudia for a bit. I’ve never been one to do that, even though I probably should. If it were serious I’d be there. I need to get some things done but have been slow on the uptake. Tomorrow if another day and I’ll get some more done then.

While it’s not technically the first day of the season, the Cowboys played their first game of the season today against the Cleveland Browns and came away winners and actually looked fairly good doing it.

We started the day with a 2.5 hour bike ride that took us 17ish miles or so. I’ve been sore most of the day and I’m going to attribute it to that. It did make quick work of the time and calorie circles though.

I did some more cleaning on the truck although I didn’t feel at all like putting in the FASS system. That will wait for another day. Tomorrow is Monday, David is undergoing by-pass surgery at noonish, I’m wishing him the best of course, these things are old hat these days:)

For whatever reason, I was up at 4:18am this morning. I mean no big deal but still. I stayed up and then cleaned out the back of the truck and went to men’s breakfast at the church. It was good to see Adrian, Hanna and Mike as well as the rest of the guys. Since I was in the area I went and saw mom, talked to Ron and Cortney as well. Then cruised on home and actually got the truck washed. I also pulled and printed the FASS fuel filter so I’m ready to install it. Sprayed the front and back yards for stickers. Cooked burgers on the grill and tater tots for dinner and then did some interior detailing on the truck. Looks like I’ll sleep well tonight (hopefully).

I did get the front yard done today and finished the back yard and got the branches Sandy cut from the east side of the house bundled and set out. So officially everything is back to normal, lawn maintenance anyways. We had a little rain this afternoon and a cold front moved through. Should be a beautiful weekend. I may even head over to men’s breakfast at the church tomorrow. Then I’ve got some maintenance to do on the truck so it’s ready to roll for the next adventure.

So with the sticker harvest almost complete and the lawn initially mowed on the highest setting, it was time to lower and mow again. I also decided to sharpen the blades on the mower. I got the bench grinder and mounted it to the sudo-bench that I have and pulled the blade off with the impact gun and away we went. It was nice to have all the tools to do that properly.

Tomorrow we’ll knock out the front yard and then we’re planning an agent orange event to combat the stickers. And tomorrow is Friday and even though it doesn’t mean much to me, I still like it. Oh, and football starts again tonight and while I’m no a fanatic about the sport, it’s nice to have it back, it signals fall.