Where we at, and what we got??? (Week #6)

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Well, we are finally AT a stopping place!


To quote Mark Twain, "Life is just one damn thing after the next."


It all started on Wednesday night.  #4 son was taking a bath, and when he went to shut the hot water off, it just kept running.  Now, this is nothing new.  The faucet in the hall bathroom is notorious for wearing out washers and seats...so much so that I keep a supply on hand.  So, after he got finished I went in there to change the hot water side seat, and replaced the washer (they did not look bad at all...so I'm figuring I've got trouble).  


As I start to screw the valve back in, it goes in about two turns and then seizes up.  A twist with a wrench...and it falls back out.  This continues for about 7 tries...it's late...the water to the house stays shut off for the night.  Next afternoon, I discover that the faucet (1948 model) is corroded through where the seat screws in, and even if I could get a valve back in there, hot water will continue to run.  

So, I'm screwed.


After calling my good buddy Two Dogs (yeah, I know he doesn't post anymore, but it's still polite to link), it is determined that I should try to replace the faucet from the back.  The entire tub/shower is tiled...and the tile extends on around the backside of the tub into an alcove with a dressing mirror & cabinet.

I really did not want to rip the cabinet out, but with luck, I could avoid that.


So, early Friday am, I begin to tear in to it.  I figured I'd better start up there behind the shower outlet, seeing as I vaguely remembered having some problem with it in the past...this would be a good time to take a look.  (Turns out that it was just fine).  But, I started by cutting out a piece of sheet rock.  And, what do I find behind the sheet rock?

Wood.  Yep.  Wood.

I reckon The Mrs. can hang a picture over it.

Sometimes I would like to strangle the guy that built this house, but he's probably already dead, and it wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

A hole saw, and jigsaw take care of the wood, and I discover I'm good at the shower outlet.  Now, comes the busting out of the tile behind the faucet.

Fortunately, this is gonna give me access to get the old faucet out without ripping out my cabinet (it has a nice tiled counter that I am WAY glad I didn't have to rip out.  So, we're doing good.  I figure I can just duct tape a piece of cardboard over that, and color it yellow!  This is gonna be WAY easy.


I remove the old faucet, and head to Lowe's.  There's where the problem starts.  It seems that in 1948, some tub/shower faucet deals were 11 1/2" wide (like mine), and EVERYTHING available now is 8".  Yep!  EVERYTHING!  I ended up going to three hardware stores, two plumbing supply places, and the liquor store.


My only option is to buy an 8" fixture.  My problem is that the holes are already set in the tile for my wider faucet.  Only one option...

Yep!  Had to tear out a section of tile on the front side.

Crud...


I had torn out the master bathroom tile several years ago (just the shower...not all of it).  So, I knew what it was.  This stuff is about 7 feet thick concrete reinforced with wire.  I was as careful as I could be, but as you smash out one tile, the concrete gives, and the tile next to it starts to crack.  


All in all, I felt pretty good about only destroying 18 tiles.  It coulda' been worse.


Anyway, by about 1900 HRS on Friday, we were to this point.

And, that is where we shall stay for a while.  Water back on to the house...faucet installed, though not really all that usable...an enormous mess cleaned up...a re-tiling job in the future (probably distant future)...and THE GAAAMZZZ....


What we got?

There are only 3 games that interest me today.


Well, early we got the OU v. Texas annual clash in Dallas.  This is being built up as a game with National Championship implications, but I really don't see it that way.  


It is becoming more and more evident to me that the winner of the SEC West will be the BSCS National Champ.  It will be either Corch St. Nick's Crimson Tide, or my beloved LSU Tigers.  Regardless, Texas can certainly put a hickie on OU if they come up big.  And, I look for the 'Horns to come up big.


OU is likely to stumble early on in this game.  I look for them to fall behind, and stay behind most of the game.  Yes, I do believe they will win, but it will not be impressive.  I'm thinking OU 27 - Texas 26.

Mid-afternoon, we gots my beloved Tigers hosting the miserable 'Gators of Flarda.  I don't know if their starting QB will be available to play or not.  I have not kept up, because it does not matter.  This will be a blow-out in favor of my Tigers.  As likely as we are to really play poorly in the daylight at Tiger Stadium, I am marking this one as a "W" right now.  LSU 40 - Flarda 14.

Then tonight, the Hawgz take on Auburn in Fayetteville.  This should be a VERY entertaining game between two very good football teams.  Look for lots of scoring...poor defense...and a disappointed home crowd.


Auburn 38 - Hawgz 36


Well, that's it!


It's time for another Advil, and to get my football watchin' gear together.


Y'all enjoy the games!