Whenever there's a "major appliance crisis" in our house, it always occurs at the worst possible time. As it was last night. I was sitting with my feet up watching the TV when I heard this "beep beep" from the kitchen. On investigating it was the washing machine, which had stopped working, "error code E18. Drain pump filter blocked." Normally this wouldn't be a problem, just a case of opening the little door, using the little hose to empty it, (takes for ever) and the unscrewing the filter holder and removing the blockage. Had to remember to put the little plastic stopper back in the end of the little hose! No chance! it wouldn't turn. I knew what it was likely to be, as it had happened before, a couple of years ago and we had to "get a man in." No chance of getting anyone in before Tuesday or Wednesday if then. In this house that would rank as high as "A National Emergency." But I'd watched the guy do it, so I knew what to do. It took a bit of "fettling," using two hands, one through the little door after disconnecting the pump mounting, and one through the underside after removing a couple of screws and pulling the bottom of the front panel away a bit, disconnecting the drum drain hose from the pump and poking around in the pump with a finger. I removed two hair grips and £1.75. This was enough for me to be able to unscrew the filter and remove a ball of lint. I put it all back and finished washing the load of towels that were in the machine. I did notice that the long plastic strap that's the emergency door release hadn't been put back in it's holder when it was mended before and was swinging around inside the machine, so that went back in. We're back to normal, machine working fine (it's on twice a day on most days) and no pools of water on the floor. Must remember to check pockets of my trousers before putting them in the laundry bin! (again!)
Rufus was getting scruffy. I don't like giving him winter haircuts, because of the cold. On the other hand, he likes to roll around in the grass and sometimes gets muddy. All that wool is a challenge at bathtime. Where is Rufus? All I see is a ball of dust! About 90 min later. New we're both tired. I got my dog back! I think we'll always do his haircuts at home now. It's a job, but he seems a lot less stressed than at the groomer. Plus, it costs so much now, and he'd rather we spend that on rawhide chew treats.
Today I attached my keyboard tray to my new work desk. I never thought preparations for screwing in a dozen screws could be so hard. I spent a lot of time measuring, checking, double-checking, and making certain I had what I needed before I put the first screw in. I also fetched my last saddle from the stables to clean, polish and put up for sale. I lent it to a friend after my own horse was put down, because her horse had back trouble and needed a saddle that could be regulated as the back changed. There were a few tears mixed in with the saddle soap and leather balm, but the saddle was cleaned with love. I'll polish and photograph it tomorrow, in daylight.
Today I cooked. I made lunches for the week. I baked a cherry pie. I made a pizza. I've been baking for 45 years, maybe more. There are still things to learn. Today I used a marble rolling pin for the first time. That made the pie crust easier to roll out. It was easier on my back, because I didn't need to press down as hard. When I froze pie fillings last summer, I made some with flour thickener and some with starch (Clear Jel). The last pie used starch, this one used flour. I decided I like the flour better, because it seems to cut the acidity of the cherries a little better. I still like Clear Jel better for apple and peach pies. I also learned something when making the pizza. Last summer I canned Roma tomato sauce for the first time. I didn't care for it because it was too acidic. Today I decided to add baking soda to the sauce before spreading it on the pizza. It foamed a bit but I thought the flavor was MUCH better this time. That's good because by canning the tomato sauce, I'm not using freezer space to store it. The canned sauce has to be acidic, so lemon juice added as preservative, so it's nice I can neutralize it when I open the jar to use it. So it was a pretty good day. Plus, everything I cooked had at least sone ingredients from last summer and fall's garden crops.
So sorry for your loss. I would feel sad too. I have been procrastinating adding a pull out drawer for sewing machine storage in my desk. The desk was built for old computers with big CPUs. The CPU niche is perfect size for storing a sewing machine, but it's a challenge getting the machine in and out. I bought drawer slider mechanisms and a board more than a year ago to make it easier, but just can't seem to make myself do it.
It's been 4 weeks since I had my second cataract surgery done and this morning had the 4 week checkup at my optician and everything is ok. Had to have prescription reading glasses because my left eye is worse than the right. I've always had to have glasses and I thought that it will be the case. They're going to replace the lenses in my old pair. They charged £63 to do that but new frames are £150. So hopefully if they don't break them by removing the old lenses it should be good. The new lenses will be ground down to make them thinner and the lenses will cost £167 My distance sight is ok so I don't need a pair for that like before.
Good to hear you're doing well, @Logan. Glasses sure are expensive when the eyes are different. I actually had an eye test and bought a pair of new reading glasses the last time we were in Greece. Came out at half the price I would have to pay here. Thank you, Daniel. Your sewing machine storage pull out drawer sounds like a very good idea. I can cheer you on from here. Don't forget to post photos of it once you get into the remake spirit.
Thank you @Droopy so sorry for your loss. I could have gone to another opticians that are cheaper but they don't do the proper examination. Can get on with the gardening now but it's so windy I don't think I'll be able to.
Trying to catch up with some of the house work. Tomorrow it's going to be very windy so no gardening.
We planned to do outside pickup today, but one thing led to another and we tackled work on the finishing touches for our new bathroom. I find the last things to do, the " niggly" stuff as we call it, take a surprising amount of time:. fitting the electrical plate on the three outlet thingamabobby. Installing the ceiling curtain rod & caulking it. Then painting over the caulk. Installing the towel rods & making sure they are even etc. I still have to seal the marble tile..... And then we will be DONE!!!
After I fixed the washing machine the way I'd seen it done when the same thing happened three years ago when we "got a man in," I checked on YouTube to see if there was an easier way. There wasn't one unless you count this.
