Daily Archive: July 1, 2010

friends

Sad Sack of Home Repair

My friends give me grief because I would rather pay someone to do a home repair rather than try to do it myself. Seems every time I try to tackle something around the house,  I end up making things worse!  There are many MANY stories.   I’ll just give you my top three, in no particular order.

One day, years ago, I noticed the Dining room table was wobbly.  A quick look under the table showed that there were only 3 screws securing the table top to the base. No Problemo! Mr. Fixit to the rescue.  I grabbed a few more (6) screws and proceeded to secure the table. It wasn’t until I was done and ready to show off to Barb that I realized that I chose screws that were just a little  too long,  and now had 6 screws poking up through the table. “sigh*  Covered the stupid holes with a bowl so I wasn’t reminded of my ineptitude. *sigh*  Sold the stupid table at garage sale after kitchen remodel.

One day, a few years later, I noticed that our toilet was running.  A quick look showed that all that I needed to do was to replace the handle. Easy! Went to the hardware store and got a new handle and proceeded home to do the easy change out. Since we are talking original toilet handle, it wouldn’t come off that easy! I tried WD-40 to loosen things up but darn if that handle was on there tight! OK. I give one good hard push and …..CRACK!!!!!!!  The toilet tank cracked and water proceeded to flood the bathroom. *sigh*  $2 handle turns into $100 toilet  *sigh*

One day, a few weeks ago, I decided to power wash the house in preparation for Kelly’s grad party. I borrowed Armando’s pressure washer, got a quick lesson and off I went. So I’m power washing the house like a mad man. Loving the power! Its really working well. Then , right when I’m almost done, the pressure washer loses pressure. I look over at the pressure washer and notice smoke and water everywhere!  Quickly turn everything off and notice that I got the hose too close to the motor and melted it. causing the hose to spring a leak.   *sigh*   borrowed pressure washer turns into $60 hose replacement *sigh*  So I try to replace the hose and I can’t figure out how to get the old hose off! *sigh*  Sorry Mando!

So next time you need something done around the house, give me a call!

vacation

Pulgas Temple Ride

002 Did a great ride on Saturday. Barb and Diane had planned this one. Diane invited  Ben, so it was a mini-reunion of our 2004 Lake Tahoe ride,  as well as many other rides that we all did  together. We all met at the park and ride lot at Page Mill road and 280. Saddled up and it was off to follow Ben. He was most familiar with the area so we were golden.  About 14 miles out to Canada road and the Pulgas water temple. Soooooo many riders out on this beautiful California summer morning. Although there were tons of riders out on the road, when we pulled into  the water temple, we were the only ones there! The gates were closed to car traffic and only a slightly hidden pedestrian gate was open. We slid in and spent about 30 minutes resting up and enjoying the peaceful beauty of the place where Yosemite water ends its hundreds mile journey to Crystal Springs reservoir.

The ride back was great, took the “back way” back through Portola Valley and shady tree lined streets of any town  U$A.

night out

McCartney plays San Francisco

IMAG0048 I guess this is one we can check off the bucket list. Saw Paul McCartney in concert Saturday night in the city, outdoors at ATT park.  A great concert was the topper to a great day. Barb and Marie were already in the city seeing Wicked. We all hopped on BART with the plan to meet for dinner near the park.

All the pieces fell perfectly into place. Barb and Marie waited in line to get into the the old Acme Chop House, which is the full service restaurant at the park.  By the time we all got there, the line was still long, but we got to stroll right on in, like rock stars!   The place was packed but the girls had cocktails and barstools  waiting for us. Now we had to try to find a table. BINGO!  Not there 5 minutes and we were all sitting down, having a drink and ordering dinner and watching the Giants finally win a game on TV.   The concert was supposed to start at 7:30. by 7:15 we didnt have our food but the waitress plied us with free shots and appetizers. WOOHOO!!  All was good because when we finally finished and strolled into the park, found our seats it was 8;15 and the show hadn’t even started!

But at 8:30 the show started, and what a show it was. First of all, its a BEATLE!!!  Second, its San Fransisco!  3 hours and 39 songs later, all 40,000 of us shuffled out and onto the streets of the city. We walked 2 miles to BART and barely caught the last jammed packed  train to the east bay, did a last minute transfer in Oakland and caught  the last train to Pleasanton!

 Are we golden or what?!?!?