MAMAS, DON'T LET YOUR BABIES GROW UP TO BE COWBOYS

INSTEAD, INSIST THE LITTLE DARLING'S GO TO PLUMBER'S SCHOOL.

Now being a plumber might not be pretty work but it is a secure living for your young'un and think of all the money you will save having one in the family. After living 73 years, I just had my first ever encounter with the sticker shock that comes with a plumber's bill. It was kind of a breathtaking new experience

 Any previous plumbing problems that I couldn't patch my self, I had always sought a boyfriend, brother or  handy man for the fix. This was my first pro.

We have a delightful service here in Tiny Town, Arkansas.  If you have a water leak anywhere on your side of the meter, the water company will call you to let you know. 

I was so pleased when the girl called me to let me know my consumption had dramatically increased andthey did not let me find out via a horrific water bill.

Our water meters are read electronically by some neato gadget held by the reader as he drives past our homes. No dog bites for these fellows. Somehow, they can tell if current usage is intentional or  a leak. 

Regardless, when I checked my meter reading, I realized I was using three times the normal amount of water so off I went in search of a plumber and found a delightful fellow after two good references. 

I got a bit concerned when two panel trucks the size of  Winnebagos pulled up in the drive and two men got out. Yikes, a crew.  I did not totally panic though and reasoned that two men would cut the work time in half and that probably held true. 

The plumber checked all the obvious places inside the house. He did find a minor leak behind the hot water heater and replaced a copper flex hose.  That wasn't the culprit however. Digging up my service was not fruitful. 

Yea, no plumbers crack.

Finally, the culprit.

  I have two cold weather hydrants and sure enough both were leaking deep in the soil. They dug them up and capped them off  which stopped the leak completely.

Sadly, he did not have replacement hydrants so he would have to come back the next day.  I also wanted the innards to my bath tub faucets replaced so he said he would replace them the next day also. 

Now in defense of this fellow, he was very personable and a quick yet thorough worker. His young helper also worked with speed and seemed to read the plumbers mind. They were a good team.

 I was also impressed with their tidiness. All removed dirt was put on tarps and when they filled the three holes back in, you could not tell anyone had been there. Anything misplaced was replaced. They were extraordinarily neat.  

However, the next day and six total work hours later plus parts, I got the bill and it was for almost $900.00. Cough, cough, wheeze. I live on SS so this was staggering to me.  

Ok, I have since rationalized that they worked in wet mud in 30 degree weather and that it does takes years of schooling and apprenticeship to become a master plumber.  I have calmed down a  lot. After all the leak is fixed. 

I've also concluded that  eating is highly over rated  and I do have surplus burnable energy stored up around my middle.  However I am currently not turning away care packages containing food:))      

I am hoping that those of you who live in more urban areas will tell me I got a real bargain. Please!!  That would make me feel a so much better.