Sympathizing here. DH is replacing the shower faucets here. Trip to hardware store resulted in clerks shaking their heads and saying they've never seen that part before. Not a good sign.
Dh over here was doing maintenance on our woodstove. There was quite a lot of cussing, a rather mutilated thumb, and totally disgusting pair of work clothes by the end. However, said woodstove is now roaring away making us warm!