Dolores, I think everything in the house waited to break until after Cliff died. It was mind-boggling all the repair stuff I was having to deal with the first couple of years. I had a toilet re-seated, two plumbing call outs, frozen burst water pipes, a dryer fail, well pump fail, pool pump fail, fridge freezer fail, various tech problems which only Cliff would have been able to solve, to say nothing of the various car problems - you ever notice how some unsavory mechanics look at a widow like a vulture looks at meat?

Cudos that you took charge and got in resolved. The thing that saved me in the long run was that I had continued paying for the home warranty policy that came with our house. I used that for repairs. I tried asking for help, even offering to pay for help, and got shafted or stood up too many times. Using the warranty, all I had to do was make a call and they would send an approved tradesman out to do the repair within 24 hours. I had to pay a call out fee, and the monthly premium, but for me it was less hassle and less heartache than trying to rely on "friends" to help me. I was too far down anyone else's priority list, so I paid for professionals instead.

I wouldn't have tried to move the toilet either. There are a bunch of things I have done myself, helped in large part by youtube videos. You can find a how-to video for just about anything. Eventually, I also got my own lady-sized tools to use -- Cliff was big fella, and some of his tools were just too bulky and heavy for me to make any headway with. All of his weighed 20 pounds - mine all weigh about 1 pound - much easier to use.

I hope all is fixed and nothing else breaks!

Love and Hugs,
Martha

Well all is good now.!! It was an interesting day. I sent the plumber away. It was as Martha said ,like the car mechanic seeing a widow (darn vulture) He wanted to charge way too much to suit me. I called my friend and he said "WE" can fix it .. I'm thinking "WE"? Being the true reliable person he is,. He went and bought the seal came over and the job was done in a half hour. I was worried about him lifting the toilet (He's had heart issues) but all went well. I sure will treat him to dinner. No signs of water now. Hugs, Dolores

Glad to hear. He's a prince.

i always thought i could fix things, jean new better. i always tried, and mostly failed. thats how our children learned to curse

Nebby I’m glad you are back I missed your humor! And Delores I’m glad your toilet was fixed. I had a “try to take advantage of the widow” experience today. Called to have the oil changed in my vehicle and the mechanic said at 35000 miles we recommend this, this and this. Want us to take care of that at the same time. Well I text my son in laws and asked them, they both said just have the tires rotated, you don’t need the rest. They are great and very helpful. And I’m guilty of not giving Charlie more credit for all the things that he always took care of for us. Sorry Charlie, love and miss you.

Mmmm... I shouldn't have said this, but my love knew better too.
My department is opening jars and catching spiders.

i feel bad, all these widows missing handy husbands,if i had died first and jean was on this thread she would say "broken water heater"ill call a licenced professional who will get it fixed the first time and clean up his mess

but gotta let boys be boys.
No one was born to be a contractor.

i should have gone into demolition, i would be rich

Somebody gotta keep the fire department and handymen employed.

I was watching a Youtube channel of a guy doing woodwork. I betcha he wasn't receiving as much attention during his working days.

Oh I am so glad you got that fixed easily. triple hugs~

I was married to a handyman, but he never had time to fix much at our home. I was always a bit jealous of the single women he worked for; now I am in the same boat. The poor man did a lot of toilets!! I would ask him, "Why??" What did it profit him in the long haul? I will have to admit, he would have made a good burglar, as fast as he could pick a lock. He knew his stuff there.

That plumber who I sent away now knows This lady did not get old too soon and smart too late. Heh! heh! Heh! .

for my first husband, I wanted someone spiritual
for my second husband, I wanted someone successful and rich
Now, if I look for a third husband (which after 3 years I still don’t have the desire) I would want someone who can fix things and is handy