Right now, I'm not particularly enthusiastic about blogging. I'm dealing with matters which are more pressing.
A perfect storm of Murphy's Laws — yes, laws in the plural — has borne down on this household.
Beginning on October 27, a cascade of problems has struck this household: furnace malfunction (incompetence on the part of the company that installed the new furnace in July 2013), electrical problems (one serious, with arcing in the electrical panel box, thanks a faulty GFCI outlet, which shut down the electric hot water heater), car problems (Thank goodness for AAA's jump start!), car repairs (brakes failure, power steering malfunction), Medicare Part D doughnut hole ($24 medication is now $648), hospital-bed malfunction (still awaiting the arrival of the new motor), physical assault at the public library's reference desk, and blood pressure instability (Mr. AOW's, not mine).
Enough is enough!
I have blog posts queued up for this week. I'm not quite sure how I've managed to do so. I must be committed to my blogging venture — or something.
3 cheers to you an your for your attitude
ReplyDeleteHoping to get some r&r during my Thanksgiving Break. A visit to the nail salon would do the trick!
DeleteSo sorry you are traveling in rough straits right now.
ReplyDeleteI'm not having a pity party. I'm frustrated -- and angry. Waiting for two weeks for repairs to the hospital bed is unacceptable, but there's not alternative other than spending $2000 for a new bed. Medicare doesn't pay for an electric hospital bed, and a manually operated bed doesn't help in the least.
DeleteThe Asian Indian wasn't at the library yesterday. **smile**
Let's hope your perfect ---t storm passes and you and Mr. AOW can enjoy the Christmas season with all systems working in harmony!
ReplyDeleteJim,
DeleteI'm worn out. I took a long nap today.
When you're down and out,
ReplyDeleteLift up your head and shout,
"ESS-AITCH-EYE-TEA!"
However, it might be better t repeat this Christian Mantra constantly between battles with the dragons ...
God is my help in every need.
He does my every hunger feed.
He walks beside me, guides my way
Through every moment of the day.
Believe it or not I have found this simple, child like affirmation of faith very helpful when things seem threatening or oppressive.
ALSO:
May God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. The courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
And may you find much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving in spite of it all. ;-)
FT,
DeleteThere is a lot for Mr. AOW and me to be thankful for. But the last few weeks have been a terrible torment.
FT,
DeleteAddendum...
When you're down and out,
Lift up your head and shout,
"ESS-AITCH-EYE-TEA!"
I've been doing a lot of that!
"Overwhelmed"
ReplyDelete"This too shall pass"
Jon,
DeleteYes, "This too shall pass" -- one of my mother's favorite sayings along with "We'll get through this."
The question is: Will I still be standing?
Q: Will I still be standing?
DeleteA: YES, indeed!
Must be the month for everything to break, wear out or just stop. Been an ugly time but thankfully it isn't every month.
ReplyDeleteJMD,
DeleteThe hot water heater is due to go next. **sigh**
Seriously, AOW, I hope you get that electrical problem resolved quickly.
ReplyDeleteNo fires.
Came close to having a fire here. All is fine now, but those GFCI outlets are treacherous.
DeleteI am very grateful that Mr. Baysider has the expertise to provide strict oversight to house repairs and installations and can talk plumber talk to the plumber and carpentry talk to the contractor, and so on. I only wish we lived next door right now to help you out!
ReplyDeleteBaysider,
DeleteI wish that you lived here too. I could use some help -- although I'm bad about asking for any kind of help.
Mr. AOW used to take care of so many things about which I have no clue to fix. I can usually diagnose, but I can't swing the wrench.
This too shall pass...
ReplyDeleteI pray this perfect storm of events passes quickly for you.
You're a very smart lady, you will rise above these issues. Just break the problems down into manageable pieces. Regards auto problems, stop buying domestic vehicles if you can. Listening to the weekend car repair talk shows, no one ever calls about a Toyota for example. fwiw.
ReplyDeleteKid,
DeleteThe 2009 Hyundai is fine so far. The 1996 Crown Vic (police package, less than 137,000 miles on the odometer) is what cost me the money this time around, but it's my backup vehicle for hauling Mr. AOW and his scooter. That scooter won't fit into the trunk of a smaller vehicle. I'm getting too old to hoist the scooter into and out of the trunk many times a day, but for one doctor's appointment on a given day, I can manage.
As for buying domestic vehicles, I gave up on that in 2001. Domestic vehicles are nothing but money pits now.
Silverfiddle,
DeleteI need all the prayers that I can get!
AOW, I was remembering you had a Chrysler van to service Mr AOW and his equipment. Hyundai is probably Ok. IF it ever comes to it, the Toyota Sienna van would probably make a good candidate for such a vehicle. Very configurable seating out of the box and whatever equipment you have for securing the scooter and the ramp for entry and exit should be transferable to the Toyota. Fwiw... I had a 2000 Sienna - put 190k miles on it and did nothing other than maintenance.
DeleteEven drove it in Ohio with salted roads for 95% of it's life and when I traded it in it didn't have a speck of rust on it. Ooofta....
Kid,
DeleteThe Dodge Caravan isn't giving any problems. It's a 2007 model with less than 28,000 miles on the odometer.
I tried to get a Toyota van -- few available at the time I was looking. You see, the floor of a handicapped van has to be lowered via cutting and welding so as to accommodate the mechanism of the handicapped ramp.
AOW, take it one task at a time, one problem at a time, one day at a time. Prioritize. First, the furnance and the electrical problem must be solved as they could be life threatening. Then the car brakes. As for the expensive prescription, ask your doctor if he has any free samples of the prescription he can give to you. That will tide you over for a while. My doctor freely gives these out upon asking, and yours may do so too.
ReplyDeleteIt's time for your readers to hit your tip jar. We all need help now and then, and it's your turn on the receiving end. I will put in $50 tonight; who will join me? Hit the AOW tip jar with $5, $10 or whatever you can afford. Let's raise some money and get Mr. & Mrs. AOW through this rough patch.
Also, spread the word. I will post an appeal on my blog, you all can do the same! With links to the AOW tip jar.
Oh, Stogie! How kind of you! I never think of asking for money. But I greatly appreciate any help right now.
DeleteI just peeked at my PayPal account and see that at least one blogger other than you has chipped in to help.
No more money in the bank/
ReplyDeleteNo cute baby we can spank/
What to do about it?
Let's turn out the light and go to sleep!
Anonymous,
DeleteI did some sleeping yesterday -- afternoon nap, then all night long.
I had to cease blogging for a few months recently due to some troubled waters. I hope you get to the other side soon, safe and as sound as possible.
ReplyDeleteJMJ
Came here from Woodsterman"s blog and then through Political Clown Parade. Read what he had to say and this is my first visit here. This contribution isn't much but every bit adds up.... heck... I still bend over to pick up pennies. Like the # of blogs you reference... and hope these troubles for the two of you smooth over quickly!
ReplyDeleteHow many pennies would it take?
DeleteEvery little bit helps! Thanks Anonymous.
DeleteAnonymous,
DeleteThank you so much. It's such a relief to see a light at the end of the tunnel -- not the light on an oncoming train for the first time in weeks.
Titan,
DeleteI can't count that high. ;^)
God will bless you for helping her out. All the best to you and your family today and always.
DeleteHit the tip jar at Curmudgeon's request. She's a good friend, and you're a good voice. Sorry I've not been by before. Will try to in the future. And will pray for you. Blessings in your hard times.
ReplyDeleteGruntofmontecristo,
DeleteYou are so kind! Thank you so much.
Stop by here anytime.
Thanks Grunt. You're a good man.
DeleteThe medical supply company called this morning to say that the hospital-bed motor is in and that the repairman would be here today. Still waiting to get the final verdict on the feasibility of repairing the bed.
ReplyDeleteFinally! The repairman has been here and finished up.
DeleteThe hospital bed is working now!
Yeehaw!
Now Mr. AOW can get some decent sleep for the first time in weeks. And he can elevate his paralyzed leg so as to reduce some of that edema and, hopefully, bring down his blood pressure.
Wonderful news. I will post an update over at my place. I hope folks are hittin' your tip jar.
ReplyDeleteCurmudgeon, you are like the cavalry appearing in the nick of time. Thanks for your usual excellence.
DeleteCurmudgeon,
DeleteI have transferred the donations into our checking account. The bills are going to be rolling in soon.
I cannot express how grateful I am for folks' willingness to help out.
I'd rather die than ask for money, but if it's freely offered, I will graciously accept the generosity of others.
Thanksgiving blessings to you!
Stogie,
ReplyDeleteLike I said in the post over at my place, we only have what we give. We have to help lighten the burdens of our friends. Hope all is well with you and Mrs. Stogiechomper. Is it too early to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving?
Am praying, AOW. So glad the bed's fixed. Once one thing starts to improve, it's my experience that most things follow suit! I hope so for you.
ReplyDeletexxx