When you start to need specialized equipment to continue with your renovation, it's either time to go whole hog and just buy it all (we'll call that the sarameg/Laura approach) or call in the professionals.

I did buy a honking big wrench to fix my kitchen sink, but it was less than $13 and I avoided a much more expensive plumber visit thereby.

Is that a murder weapon in Clue, the honking big wrench?

And that seems long-term useful. And not just for murder....

I read a thing that really crystallized my thinking about tools/appliances/etc. If you're already doing the thing, and think, "If I had X, this would be so much easier/better," that's worth buying. If you think, "If only I had X, I would totally start doing the thing!" that's not so good.

I definitely don't see myself as doing many more home reno type projects, so probably have all the tools I need.

That's a good insight.

I totally forgot to put butter in the pan for my scrambled eggs and they are fine. That is some good nonstick whatever.

Colonel "Drunk" Mustard, in the ugly-ass Library, with the honking big wrench.

Pretty much my MO. And funny to see my name attached to a method I fuly accept as semi-insane. That said, if I get my ass going on the cleaning here soon, I'll have time today to go to the hardware store to buy a sander I can use on the spindles. Been vertical for a couple hours, but the coffee seems slow to kick in.

I wish I knew why Loki choses the digging method to get me up. It's really annoying (which is the point, I know) but honestly, Pumpkin's method of sitting on my head and grooming me is much more effective; it gets her positive attention and me up, whereas his just gets him repeatedly thrown off the bed. For a couple hours at a stretch. Yes, he started in a little after 6.

It would be really easy to kill someone with the honking big wrench. Not quite the reach of a baseball bat, but that much inertia would leave a crater.

Not that I've contemplated this. Much.

Timelies all!

Made oatmeal in the slow cooker overnight Friday. Was mostly successful(some was overcooked, some was a little watery). Found that storing the leftovers in the fridge makes them thicker.

Using the plumber that had been around forever and knew just what supply house would have thingamabobs that saved us replacing whole units was totally worth it because we would not have that insider knowledge. Using the carpenter that could deal with hanging doors in an old house with nothing remotely square was worth it.

DH did a lot of the fine carpentry in the kitchen like making new drawers and stuff because he enjoyed it and installed vanities, electrical fixtures, and stuff.

Putting butted tile throughout the whole uneven house. Totally a job for professionals.

Sometimes there are tough lessons when you think it is a DIY and it really isn't. Fortunately I learned many of those years ago.

Made oatmeal in the slow cooker overnight Friday.

I don't know why I haven't done this yet.