Monday, March 7, 2011

Plumber’s Helper No More. The Whole Story.

On Steve’s day off last Friday he decided to do replace the faucet in Sarah’s bathroom. (Which also doubles as the guest bathroom.)

I had moved all the stuff out from under the bathroom sink to give him room to work and I had also piled some clean laundry outside the bedroom that needed to be put away. Doesn’t all the chaos made for such a poignant pictorial presentation?

_DSC0010

_DSC0007

After Steve had been working for a while he hollered out to me, “Honey, will you please come here and help me with something?”

I forthwith appeared obediently in the bathroom, curious as to what sort of Important Plumbing Task I might possibly be entrusted with.

_DSC0012

As it turned out, Steve had disconnected the sink trap, which is the “elbow” looking thing that can be found under a sink.

sink

From my (limited) understanding, a sink trap somehow keeps sewer gases from leaking back up into the house and also collects yucky water consisting of tooth brushing spit and other assorted, um, stuff. (Technical explanation there.) That basically means that the water in a sink trap would not normally be described as pristine. By any stretch of the imagination.

Also, as it turns out, when a sink trap is removed, it has to be held carefully upright because a good bit of the aforementioned icky water will remain in the trap.

And so. When Steve called so plaintively for my help, it was because he was lying under the sink on his back like this . . .

_DSC0029

. . . and was carefully holding the plastic elbow thingie upright so that none of yucky water would spill out.

As I bent down to take the sink trap from him, he proceeded to instruct me in his most knowledgeable, sonorous, and manly tones, “Becky, just take this trap over to the toilet, dump the water out and bring it back to me.”

I carefully retrieved it from his outstretched hands while all the while saying to myself, “Hmmm. It appears as though Steve isn’t thinking very clearly right now. Otherwise, why would he tell me to walk all the way across the bathroom to dump nasty water when there is a perfectly good sink right here in front me?”

And so, feeling especially pleased with myself for being so efficient and proactive in my Plumber’s Assistant Career, I leaned forward and happily dumped that ol’ slimy water right down the drain. As I did so I blithely inquired, “Steve, why would you want me to walk over and dump this is in the toilet when there is a sink right here in front of . . . .“

Then I trailed off miserably and said, “Oh. Right.”

There was silence in the bathroom for about five seconds. (Well, I should say that there was silence except for the squelchy sounds of Steve’s head squishing around in the cascading water he’d been so recently baptized in.)

And then? After the silence?

There were five minutes of hysterical laughter. Which were followed by me asking my (very patient) husband, “Does that mean that I’m fired as your helper?”

And I’m sad to report that I really was fired. Sort of.

It appears to me, though, that firing no longer means what it used to mean back in the day. Because somehow, even in my Officially Fired State, I was still summoned throughout the day by my Prince Charming Plumber Husband to hand him things or hold things while he worked on various projects.

So what’s a girl gotta do around here to get herself fired for real? I mean, look at my working conditions! I have to work with a man who spends his time pretending that the old faucet paraphernalia is growing out of his. . . . nose?

Sigh.

_DSC0018

Oh well. I think I’ll keep him. He doesn’t eat much and he’s really good help around the house.

_DSC0023



*****************************************************************************************

I did manage to get a few pictures of The Couple yesterday as they were doing dishes after lunch. When they are together they are truly too cute for words.

nathan meagan 3-11

Today, my gathered extended family is working together to plan my birthday meal. (My birthday is actually tomorrow but since Steve’s parents have to leave in the morning we’re celebrating tonight.)

I’m looking forward to good food, good fun . . . and lots of good opportunities to take pictures!


**********************************************************************

COMMENT AREA

Mary H. asked about the date of the wedding.

It will be in Florida on July 23rd .

Katie said, “Post who's recipes u use!!”

Katie, I actually already used three of the recipes this weekend; however, I’d prefer not specify which ones so that no one feels left out of the Recipe Round Up. :-) I WILL say that I have plans to try all the recipes that came in over the next couple of weeks because the ones we’ve had so far have been great.

Lynn asked, Did you think this (proposal) would happen so soon? Do they plan a long engagement?'”

Nathan and Meagan have been talking about marriage for quite a while now so the proposal really wasn’t a surprise to anyone. Although the engagement seems short (4 1/2 months), the wedding has actually been on the horizon for much longer.

Kim asked, Did you redo the shower door trim? as I thought before it had gold trim and now it appears to be a more modern silver?

Actually, the shower door trim has always been silver; it probably just looks different in different lighting and depending on whether or not I use the flash.

Steve has plans to somehow dress up the shower stall without having to replace it; I think one of those plans is to paint the trim a color which will match our new faucets. (Which is brushed bronze.)

Jodi asked, “Does Nathan want to find a job first? What is his major? Where will the wedding be? I am guessing Megan's Dad and Steve will officiate?”

Nathan will continue to work at Chick-Fil-A for the forseeable future but will always be keeping his eyes open for other opportunities. His major is in Human Services.

As for who will officiate, Steve and Meagan’s dad won’t be doing it. That’s sort of a nice thing because it lets them relax and enjoy the day and also allows them to sit with their wives during the ceremony.

And speaking of who will be participating, Meagan has asked Sarah to be a bridesmaid! Sarah is so excited about that; she has wanted to be in someone’s wedding her whole life. I’m sure I’ll cry over her walking up the aisle in all her finery as much as I will over Nathan and Meagan.

Looks like it might be time to buy stock in the Kleenex corporation.

29 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Anonymous said...

Dear Becky, I just want to be early and say happy birthday to you.
:)
Second, so exciting with a wedding. I have to smile it is the first wedding I have heard about :) None of my friends are getting married so far :D

Trine

Anonymous said...

I really laughed at your plumbers ineptness! Sounds exactly like something I might do!
The wedding news is so exciting! I hope the couple and the photographer will allow you to share photos with us!
Jill-FL

Guerrina said...

Words in my head, "Oh no she wouldn't..." Followed by too much laughter to hear further words in my head! Thank you for laughter on Monday!

Anonymous said...

Your post made me laugh out loud!

CJ said...

What a funny story :) well, maybe for those who werent under the sink!! And how exciting about the wedding! Will you be able to take pictures at the wedding too?

Anonymous said...

You do have a treasure of a husband there....mine would have come out from under that cabinet like a mad bull. Thanks for the laugh on a Monday.

Anonymous said...

I didn't even think to ask about Sarah, Becky. I assumed she was going to be a bride's maid. I know that could get me in trouble but in this case, I know it wouldn't have. Just the thought of Sarah walking down the isle brings tears to my eyes. And to be honest I have shed quite a lot of tears this week and these were the first happy tears. Yippee for Happy Tears. Will the WI Clan be coming out to Florida? I hope so. Happy 29th Birthday, Becky! Take care. PS. We went with our second choice of Hilton Head Island (first choice was South Padre Island but there was some problems with Delta flying there). Finally, something to look forward too. I am saving spoons from now until we go and then I will "crash and burn" for at least 10 days after but I will be prepared. Love, Jodi

Anonymous said...

Becky, I gotta say that was the best laugh I've had in a long time. I still laugh just picturing it in my mind. Your Steve is a special guy to be able to laugh after being hit in the face with that "stuff."
Hope you have a wonderful birthday dinner with family. Happy birthday.

Anonymous said...

TOOTHBRUSHING SPIT!! A WHOLE PIPE FULL OF....TOOTHBRUSHING SPIT! ACK!! JOJY

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Becky! I laughed out loud at your plumbing post. Steve is such a patient guy.
Jan (Toledo)

Nancy said...

That plumber's story is too funny! I remember when I was about 8, my dad was upstairs in a bathroom with a troublesome toilet -- my brother had called him in because it was clogged. My dad yelled downstairs to me, "Go get the plumber's helper!" *blink blink* I was a kid - what did I know? So I yelled back, "What's his phone number?" I did not know that that was another name for a plunger (and honestly, at that age I'm not sure I knew what a plunger was)

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Becky!

And. AND! I read this post, verbatim, to Mike. And when I got to the part where Steve told you to dump the trap in the toilet, he knew EXACTLY what you had done. And then he said, "He's a preacher, isn't he?" meaning: "If you had done that, the air would have been BLUE. Blue, I tell you!"

Great story, and wonderful pics of the happy couple. I absolutely cannot WAIT to read your blog posts about the wedding planning and stuff! :)

Stefanie in St. Louis

Anonymous said...

First of all, Happy Birthday!! My birthday was last week and I celebrated all week. After you turn 50, you get a birthday week--something to look foward to!
I loved your plumbing story. I was wondering if Steve will use it in a sermon. If so, I would be curious to know how he works it in!
Congratulations on the upcoming wedding! What a special time. Please post pictures!!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! My son, who is also graduating in May, is getting married on July 23rd in Alabama! I think that's a good omen! My son got engaged last summer while he and his then girlfriend were studying abroad in Germany. :)

Gayle in AL

Karen C said...

Happy Birthday Becky! I'm sure your birthday meal was lots of fun.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Becky

mrs pam

jmckemie said...

Happy Birthday!! How wonderful that you get to celebrate with extended family. Hope it is a blessed day for all.

deb8able said...

I laughed out loud!!!

Catherine said...

I have so enjoyed your vignettes lately. Congratulations to all of you in getting a new of the family. She already fits in perfectly. I know all of you are thrilled. I am so happy for all of you.

As for your sink story, you make me feel better. I just did pretty much the same thing in my kitchen. Unfortunately, I didn't get fired because the master plumber wasn't under the sink when it happened, so I still have to deal with the dang plumbing issues in this house. I'll have to remember to do it with DH under the sink so I get fired.

The Pennington Point said...

Happy birthday! Wow, a lot of my blog friends have birthdays the same time as mine. How fun! Next year we need to have a big party.

Enjoy your family! Lisa~

Unknown said...

nba jerseys shop
cheap nba jerseys
nfl jerseys wholesale
replica rolex watches
louis vuitton outlet stores
toms shoes
parker jotter ballpoint pens
lebron 13 low
red bottoms
jordan 11
2017.2.22chenlixiang

Unknown said...

coach outlet
nike tn
ray ban sunglasses
ralph lauren outlet
coach outlet
hermes birkin
cheap mlb jerseys
cveland cavaliers jerseys
oakley sunglasses outlet
ralph lauren outlet
20170429caiyan

adidas nmd said...

michael kors outlet online
ralph lauren polo
ray ban sunglasses
dolce and gabbana outlet
true religion outlet
ugg boots
coach factory outlet
cincinnati bengals jerseys
louboutin shoes
nike outlet

raybanoutlet001 said...

kansas city chiefs jerseys
oakley sunglasses wholesale
pandora outlet
michael kors handbags
ralph lauren outlet
michael kors handbags
ralph lauren uk
mbt shoes
ray ban sunglasses outlet
nike outlet

Unknown said...

WWW0508
ralph lauren polo
pandora jewelry
mulberry handbags
cheap mlb jerseys
fitflops sale clearance
fitflops sale clearance
cleveland cavaliers jersey
pacers jerseys
cheap jordans
cheap jordans

Unknown said...

www0628

isabel marant shoes
adidas uk
air jordan retro
nike roshe one
baltimore ravens jerseys
bape clothing
76ers jerseys
kobe shoes
links of london
five fingers shoes







zzyytt said...

kyrie 4
golden goose sale
chrome hearts outlet
damian lillard shoes
nike air force 1
cheap jordans
jordan shoes
vibram fivefingers
yeezy
nmd

yanmaneee said...

michael kors purses
adidas tubular
nike roshe
reebok outlet
kobe 11
moncler jackets
adidas nmd
golden goose sneakers
kyrie 3
off white

yanmaneee said...

calvin klein underwear
christian louboutin
calvin klein underwear
yeezy
cheap jordans
yeezys
kobe byrant shoes
moncler jackets
kyrie 5 spongebob
cheap jordans