One step too far…

My parents didn’t give me a middle name, but I think the name I have earned is Holly “one-step-too-far” Snow. Sometimes I say things that are just too much, or I push the joke just a bit too far, or I drive my car just a hair too fast—you get the idea.

I was reminded of this very fitting name two days ago.

This time, it involved a toilet.

Our toilet was leaking. My experience with toilets, besides knowing how to use them 😜, is pretty basic. Still, I thought my first plan was a sound one. I got a new flapper and replaced the old one. SUCCESS! I fixed it! With an incredible boost of confidence that night, I slept well. When I woke the next morning, the leaking was back.

UGH.

This time, I noticed the handle was loose. I lifted the tank lid and tried to tighten the nut on the inside. It wouldn’t budge. I jiggled the handle on the outside of the tank, and if it sat just so—the leak would stop. I found myself adjusting the handle a lot. It was obnoxious.

A few weeks later, my daughter came and told me their toilet upstairs wouldn’t flush. I lifted the tank cover and saw a snapped handle. This was my chance! I could fix BOTH toilets easily. I went to the hardware store, found the new toilet handles I thought would work, and headed home to get it done.

I began with my own toilet. Remember how the nut wouldn’t move?? Well, nothing had changed. That part was welded to the inside of the tank, I swear! I had every wrench I owned assisting me, and NOTHING. I thought getting the handle off the front could open some space for me to work, so I used pliers to bend the metal enough to pull it off. That plan was ridiculous. It didn’t help anything. I was yanking and pulling and sweating as I did it.

I sat on the toilet, frustrated.

I just want to change the handle!!!

(At this point, I should say that through all my toilet repairing, I discovered that the tank cover can open and sit on the back of the tank. Did you know this? I did not, and that little tidbit of knowledge was quite helpful! That is precisely where the cover was sitting at this point in the story.)

Looking back, I should have given up and called a plumber. That didn’t happen. I’m one-step-too-far, remember? I looked at the toilet and wondered if I could tap the metal back into the tank? Maybe that would force the nut backwards and I could get the new handle on. I started tapping.

Nothing.

I tapped a little harder, making sure I would not hit the tank.

Tap.

TAP.

TAP.

Ok, listen—I’ll be completely honest here.

My patience was gone, and the tapping quickly gave way to hitting. I was hot, sweaty, and frustrated.

SMACK!

The lid cover slipped behind the tank, fell to the tile floor, and shattered. It was LOUD. And some stray pieces cut the top of one of my toes.

Whoops.

Brian had heard the crash, and came in to our bathroom. Without even looking up, I said,

“I think we need a new toilet.”

Feeling defeated, I left the mess in my bathroom and marched upstairs to fix the second broken toilet. I was praying for a better outcome. I didn’t want to destroy two toilets in one night. But seriously—replacing a toilet handle could not be that difficult! Thankfully, the nut unscrewed easily and the new handle was on and working in about 5 minutes.

I went back to my bathroom. I walked in, looked around, and walked out. I didn’t even clean up the smashed lid. It’s still there right now. Now, in order to flush my toilet, I reach my hand into the tank, lift the flapper myself, and wait for the bowl to clear. It’s super fun. 🙄

I don’t want to be Holly “one-step-too-far” Snow. I want to do just the right amount of steps. Seriously, I do. The problem I find is that I don’t know it’s too far until it’s too late. My focus is laser sharp on the end goal, and THEN the police pull me over for speeding, I’m cruelly honest, I’ve run over a kid’s instrument, or I’ve shattered the lid to a toilet tank. THEN it becomes obvious that I went one step too far.

Sigh.

I think the missing piece for me is patience. I need to be patient—with myself, with other people, with circumstances (especially those out of my control), and with problems that seem to have no immediate solutions. I could have called a plumber. I could have bought a socket wrench that actually fit the nut and tried that. I could have asked Brian for help. I could have watched a video on how to change a handle on a toilet. But all of these steps have something in common…they require patience. And i just don’t have time for it. Just kidding.

Fine. I’ll be patient.

Starting immediately. 😜😂