Thursday

Dropped my refried beans off on the way to work (the gathering is in Building 12 and I work in Building 47). At noon, I headed over for the luncheon. Very nicely set up. Building 12 is Jack's museum, you see, and there are literally hundreds of antique, classic restored cars and trucks along with his race cars, etc. Dinner was described as "Make your own taco" and I knew I'd be sick all afternoon, so I ate sparingly. Everybody said the refried beans were excellent, loved the little kick, etc., but there was a problem. Most people had a spoonful along with everything else, so that left over half the crock pot still filled with beans. Took them home and put them in the fridge, trying to figure out how to use that many (say three of those bigs cans) spicy refried beans...

The best thing about Thursday was my friend B___ solved a puzzle that's prevented me from installing the over-the-stove microwave. You see, it needs its own, dedicated 20 amp circuit. Well, I have a 100 amp circuit box, but all are being used. And, its not pretty now: For example, if you use the dishwasher, you can't use the current microwave, toaster or coffee maker as it blow the fuse. Remember this house was built and wired in the 1950's when kitchen appliances meant the toaster and occasionally a hand mixer.

So, I was discussing this with B___, who at first recommended getting an electrician to add a circuit breaker box, run two lines (one to the dishwasher and one to the new microwave) from the box in the garage through the attic and down the wall into the kitchen. I, of course, balked at the expense. In passing, I mentioned that, this being an old rental house, the landlord had set everything up for dual usage, i.e. there is both an electric outlet and gas line at the stove and at the dryer. His eye's lit up and "Bingo!" Since I use (and love) a gas stove, I can change the circuit breaker for the stove into two and run the lines from the base of the stove up the wall into the cabinet for the microwave; and across the wall for the dishwasher. Problem solved. Now I just have to get the guts to do it, lol!

Spent the early evening measuring and making lists of stuff I will need for this and other projects, made dinner and watched TV. I have Friday and Monday off (need to burn up unused vacation days) so maybe all these little projects will come together and get completed before the holidays. Wouldn't that be a nice Christmas present to myself?