The boyfriend finally showed up this week so I got a couple of nights in my own bed! I'm headed back shortly, so I'll be off line again for a few days.

I was pretty busy this summer. After three no show plumber-types, I finally took matters into my own hands. I had to pull the whole sink out to get the drain piece disconnected and I still had to get out the hacksaw. When I realized how many stains it had, I popped into the kitchen sink for a good scrubbing.


The original problem was a clogged drain pipe that broke when I tried to undo the p-trap to clear it out. I did a thorough snake job as far as I could reach while I was at it and the water runs out like it's on fire.

I also replaced the faucet. Twice. I think it's pretty.


It feels good to have a sink in the main bathroom again.

I did a lot of landscaping too. More about that later. But I'm really proud of the gate I built from scratch. I took pickets from left-over fence sections but the rest was brand new. I got a book - The Fence Bible - from the library. Great book! It had the best explanation of how to brace the thing so it won't sag. At least it better not. I learned how to make a half-lap joint so that's how I did the corners. It would have been a lot easier with a router, but I don't have one. I also pegged the diagonal brace at each corner.


The darn thing weighs a ton, but it swings freely and hangs truly level. It's actually square! The book said to let it hang for a while before installing the latch, so that's I'm doing. It got cold before I had a chance to add it, but that's okay. I have to replace the latch side post next spring anyway.