Tuesday, December 05, 2017

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!  


27 comments:

  1. Where it comes to the systems that make life comfortable and connect us to the world, it seems there is always something. Hope your problems are fixed soon and that you are nowhere near the latest huge Southern California fire. Scary stuff.

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    1. I think of these people with thousands evacuating, at least one life and 150 homes lost, more threatened as I write this, with these current fires — almost hurricane strength Santa Ana winds are reported to be fanning those flames, grounding fire-fighting aircraft. One wildlife rescue ranch with big wild animals including lions, tigers, bears phoned our L.A. all news radio station, KNX (CBS affiliate at 1070 A.M. frequency) alarmed with fire encroachment, but no signs of firefighters. News reports of more help on the way everywhere there. A couple of numerous communities of concern include Ventura, Ojai where folks I know live. This is a rapid ever-changing situation.

      I appreciate your concern — I’m quite safe where I live in the northeast corner of Los Angeles County, above the freeway connecting routes to Las Vegas and Palm Springs (cities names most people recognize). So far no wind to speak of here and the fires, not headed my way, are far far away northwest of me closer to the Pacific Coast.

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  2. Sounds like progress is being made. Mental exhaustion is as debilitating (if not more so) than is physical exhaustion. As to the "old" guys: If your service people work for a company, the company probably finds the younger people to demand lower wages. Good luck on your plans for pre-Christmas completion.
    Cop Car

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    1. Guess the young ones are the worker bees and you’re probably right about their lower wage appeal in business — we all know how that works.

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  3. I've been wondering - probably missed a posting - about the status of Old, Old Lady of the Hills who doesn't seem to be blogging.
    CC

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    1. I, too, have been concerned about Naomi, the Old Old Lady at Here in the Hills. Vagabonde (who hasn’t posted on her own blog for some time) left a comment on Here in the Hills dated in January 2017 that she had spoken on the phone with Naomi who hoped to regain strength and enthusiasm to resume happy blog posts. That’s the last news of which I am aware. Perhaps we’ll read more on both their blogs this holiday season. Meanwhile, we can leave greetings on each of their blogs Vagabonde has written in the past of moving, health issues of her own and increasing caregiving needs of her husband.

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    2. Thank you, Joared.
      CC

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  4. I don't envy you having servicemen in and out. That plumber was just trying to sell you a new toilet and pad his bill considerably. I hope your planned schedule of completion falls into perfect place from here on in.

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    1. The plumber from my tried and true company provided the needed commode rehab. It was the handyman who refurbishes houses who said I needed to install a new commode, so I’ll stick with my plumber in the future.

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  5. House repairs are so scary and seem to mushroom into major jobs. Can't believe they worked till midnight. Sure hope you are finally running out of major work to be done. Ah the joys of ownership.
    I too have been checking on Naomi and am concerned by the silence. We do get attached to our blog buddies. I'll check to see if Vagabonde has posted.

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    1. When one of my youngbworkmen was here, I said maybe I should have a newer house to which he quicklybresondec,”I prefer an older house any day”as I gather many may not be constructed as well.

      Maybe Naomi and Vagabonde will leave brief updates on their blogs with holiday greetings.

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  6. Keep up the energy on your house repairs. They are all important and I am glad you are keeping an eye to costs. I have kitchen stuff to do and may wait until January.

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    1. Probably good exercise for my thinker is another way I can look at this, to put a positive spin on it — and all the new people I get to meet. Waiting until January sounds like a good idea for you — after the holidays.

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  7. "They encountered unexpected complications" How often have I heard that! And the bill rises accordingly. You'll be glad when all the fuss and bother is over with and you can just get on with your life....

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    1. That’s for sure! No chance to get bored. You’re quite correct that complications lead to increased costs.

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  8. I truly understand. 40 years ago moved from the big city
    to an over 100 farm house in the country. The work continued on and on and I had thought just paint and a few things.
    The whole inside stripped as it needed insulation, new wiring, plumbing and on and on. But when finally done
    a beautiful old home that I enjoyed for 20 years and moved on.

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    1. Ideally would just strip house down to basic structure as owners did up the street several years ago and even enlarged some areas, not that I need to do the latter. Haven’t had to do quite the extensive work you describe, but enough if I can get this next step going. Glad you had those years in your rejuvenated home. At my age don’t know how many more years I’ll be able to stay here — to the end, I hope.

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  9. Glad to hear you're safe from the latest round of wildfires.

    So many repairs! Sometimes the Joys of Homeownership...Not So Much. Sigh.

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    1. Fires are ravaging so many areas, actually burning down to ocean in one area, jumping the highway. So many evacuations, homes lost.. A number of horses lost on one ranch. A late night TV news report of that exotic large animal rescue refuge I mentioned earlier asking for fire protection and help has been able to evacuate some of their animals but were continuing to work through the night with the rest — having to tranquilize some of them in order to safely move — lions, Tigers, etc. They said this was using up the funds needed for their routine daily care, so would need more contributions for the future. The devastation is far from over as they continue to try to get these fires in several different areas under control. Homes continuing to be threatened. The costal city of Ventura had a curfew for everyone to stay off the streets last night to prevent looting of homes so many had to leave for their own safety from fire. Many other communities threatened.

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  10. Oh yikes! I was writing something and it completely disappeared. Arghhh! I was saying that I get nervous when repair people come out because I know it’s going to cost me... a lot. Sigh... It can’t be helped though. I’m glad your problems are getting resolved.

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    1. Yes, one thing seems to lead to another, but maybe all will be completed before the new year.

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  11. I'm so glad I've left all that behind me. My stress metre was through the roof. It sure takes it out of one. I would roll with all that when I was younger.

    Good luck with it all and may it be over with in a blink.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Maybe I should have listened to my husband years ago when he suggested we should consider selling, but we never got to the point o deciding where to move. I had no wish to move back to places where we lived before — one place that gets even hotter than here and the other locking us into long freezing winters of snow and ice. Thanks for your good wishes.

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  12. Sometimes, I wish I (had the finances to own) a house, but then I read back-and-forths like this, and am just as happy that I'm a renter. I have a few things on my list to be done after the first of the year, but nothing particularly big. The ice maker in the fridge has stopped working, and for some reason water's draining into the bottom and on to the floor, but it only drains out about every four or five days, so me and my big towel can cope until after New Year's. I just don't want to be bothered right now.

    I will say that, whenever something needs doing, it gets done pronto. Often, the maintenance fellow will show up the same day, which is great.

    I was interested to see that some of you know both Vagabonde and Old Lady of the Hills. Naomi and I used to communicate a good bit, and then as she began posting less, I stopped visiting so often. I need to leave a note on her blog, at least.

    I'm so sorry about the fires. I have an old blogging friend in Santa Paula who was trying to decide whether to evacuate with her mother, and I was equally concerned about the Getty Center. It was fascinating to read about the various materials and techniques they've put in place to deal with the possibility of fire. Forethought is such a good thing.

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    1. Renting has its advantages which some prefer to owning a house — a view that I can appreciate. I’ve been lax in downsizing my belongings which would be necessary if I moved into an apt or smaller quarters, but need to pare things down, regardless. Having such prompt attention from maintenance would be important so glad you have it. Have been newly disappointed in a couple handymen who are each also licensed professionals in their specialties I thought I could depend on.

      These fires have been devastating in California. Our Los Angeles TV coverage is live throughout each day. We didn’t receive our Nov. rains and are said to be in a dry La Niña, so fire threats aren’t going to go away in the predictable future.
      There has been concern for the Getty. I, too, was intrigued to hear about the pre-planning for possible fire as you mention.

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  13. Sorry for all your house problems. Back in 1955 I lived in Santa Barbara and had a sister and her family in Venture. It is almost impossible to think of so much of that area ravaged by fire. So sad and I'm glad you are not in the midst of it.

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    1. Yes, the areas you mention around Santa Barbara and Ventura are very much at high risk with evacuations still necessary. The devastation is tragiic for residents, animals, and the countryside. Homes for some aren’t re-established as readily as the vegetation re-growth will ultimately emerge.

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