Dorothy, I divided the toilet repair into two parts. This evening I went out and uncovered the water shutoff (this one is mine, a foot over is the box for the city shutoff). Lifted out some extra dirt then sprayed WD-40 to loosen the gate valve. Only three trips to be sure the water was off (you really have to push it all the way to turn if off). Then the toilet water tap - emptied the tank, used a wrench to remove the valve, and it was a simple matter of a broken washer. Replace it, use some Teflon tape on the threads, and screw it back into place. When the outside water was on no more running into the toilet tank - that is still off.

The kit is all-encompassing, it replaces everything in and on the tank, and I have decided to take the prudent move of doing the rest during daylight and when plumbers are on call easily. I've done this before, it shouldn't be a problem, but doing it at night just seems to court disaster. So tomorrow the rest happens, but the worst is done - just getting started and fixing one leak!

I noticed a blooming iris in the yard today, and there are several daffodils scattered around. In a few weeks the yard will be full of blooming iris - this is when it looks best in the whole year.