January 18

Today was the day that my bath tub drain FINALLY got fixed. It hasn't worked since we moved in 8.5 years ago. I mean, the drain works. It isn't clogged or anything...the drain STOPPER hasn't ever worked though. Since we're moving and most likely renting the house, we decided our renters would appreciate a properly working bath tub stopper. Easier SAID than DONE.

So we tried installing one type of stopper and as it turns out, the old stopper had corroded and broke off inside the drain causing this particular stopper to not work. We cleaned it and returned it. We then bought another type of stopper, a drain wrench and a new flange. The old drain and flange were both so corroded that the drain wrench effectively BROKE the inside of the drain. Well, shit.

All of that above happened LAST weekend. We gave it a rest for a week and then decided that we'd just bite the bullet and buy the expensive drain key needed to PROPERLY fix the drain. My dad picked it up for me from the store...it was the last one they had there at the store. Lucky me.

We got home and oohed and aahed over this awesome tool. We inspected it. We tested it to see how it worked. And then we hastily put it to use...only to find that our drain flange was too narrow for the tool to work properly. Well, shit.

We took a beer break to assess the situation. It was then that dad realized that the tool would work...wait for it...IF WE TURNED IT UPSIDE DOWN. Well, shit.

So let's get this straight. I just paid THIRTY EFFING DOLLARS for a tool that I will most likely NEVER use again only to find that it only works UPSIDE DOWN?!?

At any rate, after only one more trip to Menards, the drain is fixed. And I've started a drain key rental program. Let me know if you'd like to get in the schedule.

*Supplies and materials to fix drain stopper: $48.00
*Beer needed to keep sanity whilst working on drain: $17.00
*Gas for 8 trips to Menards, Lowes, Home Depot: $7.00
*Having a properly working tub drain stopper: As you can see, NOT FREAKIN' PRICELESS.

And here is my beloved "key to the universe" as I've now named it.