I had a wonderful birthday weekend. I couldn't ask for a better time, gifts, or better company. I had a blast dancing, and shopping throughout the weekend. On Sunday I made it to Lush, and should have enough soap to last for several months. While I was up there I had the opportunity to have lunch with Sober Chick. We talked for hours sharing our experiences and talking about sobriety. It was such a pleasure getting to know someone from the blog sphere in 3D.

Seems all my good fortune was spent on the weekend. I started tearing off the siding on the northern side of my house when I discovered a concrete curb right on the siding. I wouldn't be able to replace the studs that were damaged if the curb remained, so I grabbed the sledge hammer and started breaking the concrete apart. To make a boring story short, or at least shorter, I jarred the old water pipes that led into the pool room, and sprung two separate leaks.

These pipes are old, multi-colored with flakes of corrosion falling off everywhere. I shut the water off and started with the modified version of the Serenity Prayer. "Oh my God, grant me the patience to fix this mess". Then I went to Homo Depot and picked up all the necessary parts, and equipment to put the waterline back together.

By sundown I couldn't get the solder to stick to the old 3/4" pipe and I desperately needed to take a shower so I wrapped, and taped the pipe, and used roofing shingles to direct the water out of the house. After the shower I promptly turned off the water and it remained that way till the following day.

After several failed attempts, I finally figured out that the old water line had to be perfectly filed, and sanded so that all the visible imperfections were erased. I filed and sanded for hours till it was time to solder. Soldering the couplings took about 30 seconds each. If one of the joints didn't take I would have to start all over again. And, I did several times.

Then, success arrived, and not a moment too soon. It was time to go dancing.

Laelia caulescens