When
it rains it pours. Dealing with our health issues has dominated most of our
time over the past couple years… and things are getting progressively worse. I have tried to
push all the negative aside, and dwell on the good and be grateful for these
riches... because they are what truly matters. But now other problems are seeping
into our daily living... making optimism difficult at best. First... the bad luck in
recent days. My hubby’s old van finally bit the dust. It will cost more to fix
it than buy another one. Since we have the money for neither… we have become a
one vehicle family, using my van, only. It’s been complicated coordinating our
schedules for doctor appointments & such, but it’s getting easier. So we are none the worse for wear, because
of the inconvenience. Just as we were settling into a new routine, dealing the
hand we’ve been dealt about the van.. more BAD news struck. Our air conditioning unit, just stopped working. My hubby has COPD…
so the very high temps and humidity we have had recently… has made his breathing
more difficult than usual because of the air conditioner being kaput. So we
called a couple folks out to give it a look-see. And as if on cue... they said, they couldn't fix it. Because it’s so old, the parts can’t be replaced because they don’t make ‘em anymore. But the real issue is… since it somehow connects to the furnace, that is what really
needs to be replaced. That makes it totally cost prohibitive, period. New
furnaces are NOT cheap. Throw in an air conditioner... and there is no way we can afford that on Social Security, alone. So add another sucker punch to the mix. At first we
had a zillion fans blowing around hot air in the daytime. But in the evening, though… we learned when the temps
drop, to open the windows... filling the rooms with the outside, cooler air. And now we shut them in the morning before the
temps rise… trapping the coolness
inside. Amazingly it works. Reminds us of being kids. We both grew up in houses without air conditioners. It's NOT the end of the world. But not to worry… I
have my own personal handheld air conditioning device. I used a similar one as a youngster and am using one now. Showed my hubby the comfort of such a thing. Only cost $1 at The Dollar Tree. Back in the day, we muddled through to adulthood just fine without air conditioning. And I'm sure... with this current scenario... we'll do it again. Autumn is almost here, then winter . Won't be many more HOT HOT days. Do you have air conditioning? Ever been without it???
You should NEVER take
anything for granted.
14 comments:
When one bad event followed another, my mom always said, "When it rains, it pours," followed by a long sigh. I've been in that place many times.
We have AC but I usually turn it off if Hubby has turned it on. I block the sun out, have fans running where I am, close the morning coolness in before the heat of the day. I will even leave windows open at night in mid 50s to cool the house down to almost chilly just to battle the heat mid day.
Our one son had to buy a new furnace and AC. Took the 5 yr loan with no interest if paid off. Said at times it's been pay the bill or eat.
Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about your car and A/C challenges! Yes, I grew up without benefit of central air conditioning -- windows open to let in the fresh air. (Of course, that was at 7,400 elevation -- when, at 18, I moved to Texas that was a whole 'nother experience.)
ANYway. I can sure relate to medical stuff surrounding our aging. Last month I made a list of doctor's appointments Tom, me and the dogs have enjoyed(?) so far this year -- 22!
Grateful for modern medicine, but still. If my Camry kicks the bucket pretty sure we'll be a one-vehicle family, too. Just takes planning and patience.
It does seem like things can't ge much worse and then they do. Trying to make the most of what you do have is the best thing you can do. Yes, I have air conditioning and when it broke down my land lord had to fix it. One of the reasons I love renting. I could not keep up with a place of my own anymore. Repairs are expensive. So glad you have another working car. For years we only had one and made do. Now it's just me. We can make do if we have to. Prayers for a wonderful fall for you two.
I can fully relate to everything you're saying, and you have my complete sympathy.
I have been posting reruns on my blog, simply because my life is presently so bad that I don't want to write about it. Much like you, my health issues are getting worse. There are days when I can hardly get out of bed from my back.
My car recently broke down, my water heater and clothes dryer no longer work. The "brush" on my property is now over ten feet high due to the continuous rain and it's impossible to maintain.
I don't have air conditioning, but my old furnace is hardly working and I'm DREADING winter. My house is inhabited with mice.
Living in a rural area is hell - I'm completely isolated. Sorry for going on a rant, but I could write a book about my troubles.
Please hang in there and take care. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Well that is a triple whammy. You might consider contacting your electric company. Sometimes they have programs for seniors where if you use approved energy saving units they do the financing and you pay a low payment over a long period of time. It might be worth checking into. Also, reach out to any of the programs in your area that offer to fix things for seniors for no, or minimal, cost. Can't hurt to look. Blessings- Diana
P.S. I hardly scratched the surface. I wouldn't dare tell the rest of my problems....
It seems everyone is coming on hard times these past couple of years, and there does not seem to be an end in sight. I have loved you as a blogger friend for many years... I feel horrible for your situation... especially the air with your husband's COPD. You are a true blessing to me. Somehow, my silly daily complaints are an embarrassment to myself when I find others going through so much more than I am going through. I pray things will get better soon, and I am so very sorry about your loss of Mira. It's an awful grief that only a true pet lover can understand.
Sherry got here first today and asked have you read TT today. I was just getting here. We are proud of how you are handling this 'Triple Whammy' as Nana called it. At lest I did smile when you mentioned OUR youth and growing up BEFORE A/C was plentiful enough for a lot of folks. YES we do remember. We just hate it that it is causing so much distress, something you do not need any more of at this time in your lives.
Wishing you a better tomorrow and the best.
Sherry & jack
I did not have ac until I was in my twenties. However, my health makes it absolutely necessary. It is good you try to make do, but get some help with this! We still each have a car, but I do not know what will happen if either goes.
Oh Taryterre, I feel for you, as I just went three hot Summer months without air conditioning. I finally got one installed, and it is also an air and heat unit. You're right, they are very expensive, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without my brother, so I'm very thankful. The air is cooling down, but it was a hot Summer here with 100 degree temps. I really admire you for the way you handle things, cause I've always had to just deal with things and find ways to improvise, and you remind me of myself. That little cooler for a dollar is creative, and I hope that is helping you and especially your husband with COPD. That must be so hard for him right now. As far as the van, you will get used to having one vehicle. This is a one vehicle house also, and in some ways, you won't have to deal with the car maintenance anymore with the old van. I am wondering if you will have heat for the cold Winter months, and I hope you will find ideas for that as well.
Hang in there, dear friend, and us Taurus' have great perseverance. : )
~Sheri
ps.....my grandgirls didn't help me decorate, they were just helping Nel and Jess in the house while they decorated, and they often bake together too. I really miss those days with the little ones around the house, but that is the circle of life. : ) I hope you are feeling better.
Darn it Taryterre, you have had your share of disasters piled one atop the other and it hardly seems fair to have all happen at once, or any other time as well. We hope our old cars keep running for a few more years, despite others suggesting we replace them. As long as they run, we're keeping them. We live in an apt so if the a/c or heating goes out, it's an inconvenience, but not a financial responsibility. As former homeowners, we do know what it's like to replace a heating system. As for your question about a/c, growing up neither myself or my husband had it in our homes when open windows or window fans cooled the house. Today, many times we still use a fan vs. the apt a/c.
Taryterre, the picture on my post today was a cheesecake. The brand is Jell-O, and it is a No-Bake Cheesecake. It's very inexpensive, and it was the best
cheesecake I've had. You must try it sometime. : )
~Sheri
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