POWERING ON

So much going on in the country and the world – pretty serious matters having bearing on all our lives.   I continue staying abreast of much, especially issues from our government, but for now will refine my focus here to my immediate concerns. 

I haven’t shorted out yet, but these household projects go on … and on … and on … or so it seems.   I’m awaiting another written proposal for some needed work on the house in the area where the upgraded electrical circuit box was installed. 

No, same-size electric box trade-out there – the new box is bigger.  So they whack away at the house exterior which later requires hiring other workers to repair all that, then paint to match as best they can – but we’re not there yet.  I hardly expected as much shattered exterior as I saw when they had installed the box.   I don’t recall that I was forewarned about this eventuality, but they encountered more than they expected, too, I guess. 

  

Did I mention the electrician was here from before noon with first an estimate and then about noon began a 4-5 hour job, they said, but didn’t finish until after midnight?   I was exhausted, and I hadn’t done anything and am even, usually, a night owl.   They encountered unexpected complications – isn’t that always the case!

One such difficultly had to do with the power line from the pole to the house – I’m still waiting for the power company to come raise and lengthen that line – hoping strong Santa Ana winds blowing now don’t come through here breaking my connection.   The city official to clear the electrical work meets code must check yet, also.  

Meanwhile, electricians managed to get me connected so all systems go -- I finally had light, other than my emergency lantern. 

At least the much needed servicing of my furnace and air conditioner could now be finished, so I called him back to complete that service.  This is what started all this as our crazy weather has bounced back and forth from Southern California’s summer warm  to fall’s cool, when, coincidentally, suddenly the blower didn’t work. 

Then, I had my previously planned service from the plumber who simply replaced one commode’s entire innards and handle.  No more water running briefly into the bowl for a short while after each flushing due to slow leakage from the tank. 

No need to replace the whole commode contrary to what a handyman said who’d put in a new part of the unit’s “guts” last spring, but offering only I needed a new commode for this latest issue which he likely was prepared to install.   I may not use him again.

So, I now await a final service proposal, then I’ll make a selection for the next steps -- repairing, culminating in allowing the stucco to dry, then painting.   What is it that all of this exhausts me thinking about it and seems more draining of my energies than when I was younger?   And I’m not doing the physical labor!   

I’m looking forward to slightly decreased electric and water bills – every little bit helps.  I think of all this as contributing to the economy – that I’m helping the young businessmen coming to work – who need money for the holidays.   Where are all the old timers -- blogging about aging?    Can’t help noticing these service guys are all much younger than me, but then who isn’t!  

My goal is to have all of this completed before Christmas – maybe even within this week or surely by next week at the latest; absolutely before New Year's Day!