March 27, 2010: May I Pause for a Moment?

Maybe I should have said "May I pause this blog for a day or two (or three)?" You see, yesterday's microwave explosion was just one of several mishaps this week.

First, Mr. H heard a loud snap in his upper arm, while shoveling compost out of the pickup bed for me. It was painful enough that he went to the emergency clinic for an X-ray, but it turned out to be a pulled muscle. He managed to get "doctor's orders" excusing him from any other household or garden duties for the next couple of weeks. I think he's pushing it, myself.

Yesterday, as if the microwave mess wasn't enough, I was washing a quilt when the washing machine began to make the most horrible, loud noise. I guess it stripped its gears or something, the tub won't spin any more. Since the machine is probably 8-10 years old, repair costs would probably be so much that we might as well buy a new machine. Which I did. Today. It won't be delivered until Thursday.

Good time to paint the laundry room! Off I went to Lowe's, where I bought the new washing machine, then headed for the paint department with color card in hand. In the paint department, two male employees were having fun trying to put black tape on each other. I waited. And waited. Finally, one employee noticed me and asked "Did you want something?" No, I'm just standing at the counter because I have nothing better to do with my time. OK, I didn't actually say it, I just thought it. I informed him I wanted to buy some paint, to which he replied "Oh, we don't sell paint". Yes, I know he was trying to be funny, but I was in no mood for playing by then, so I said "Fine, I'll buy it at Wal-Mart" and I walked off. I stopped at the customer service counter and paid for the new washer, then went across the street to Wal-Mart. Wonder of wonders, there was actually an employee in the paint department! Yes, that is unusual in our Wal-Mart. I can't count how many times I've gone there for paint, but couldn't find anyone to wait on me.

I handed the girl my color card, and asked for a gallon of interior satin. It took her a while to figure out how to run the computer, but she finally got it. She put the can (actually a plastic container of Dutch Boy paint) into the mixer, but it made an awful racket when it started. She stopped it and adjusted it a couple of times, and finally got the mixer going the way it should. However, upon removing the container, we noticed there was wet paint pouring out from under the lid (that she had neglected to tighten), all over the mixer and down the sides of my paint can. Not wanting to waste any more time, I took the 20% discount she offered, and had her put the container in a plastic bag to protect me and everything else from the wet paint.

The laundry room is nearly finished, I'm just writing this while I eat my take-out Chinese dinner. Oh, I forgot to mention....when we moved the washer out, we discovered the faucets had been leaking. Evidently for quite a long time. There was lots of damage to the wall, so my dear, darling, always there when I need him, son John is coming tomorrow. He'll cut out the damaged drywall, replace the faucets, the drain and the thingies where the hoses hook up. Then he'll put in a drywall patch and tape and texture it. It should be good as new by the time the new washer arrives.

I also bought some free-standing cupboards for the laundry room. They have to be put together, but will give me a lot more storage for all that stuff I canned last summer. And I need to give all the other shelves a fresh coat of paint. Can't put ratty looking shelves back in a freshly painted laundry room, can I?

So I'm going to take a day or two away from my blog...and get 'er done! There will be photos, of course.

13 comments:

  1. Sounds like you have your hands full. I hope it goes well!

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  2. Holy Cow! When it rains it pours. It does seem like things happen in groups like that. Your laundry room will be pretty spiffy after all is said and done - but what a pain in the patooty in the meantime! Look forward to seeing the finished product.

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  3. Sounds like the luck we have been having. Computer crashed a little while ago, vacuum line on the truck went last week and it wouldn't run right, furnace exhaust blower went last thursday... truck needs brakes now too... erg!

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  4. You didn't stop by the managers desk and complain ?? Customer service, Bah. The young whippersnappers need their pay checks docked.
    Tell Mr. H to take it easy and get well.

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  5. When it rains it pours doesn't it. You are lucky to have a son that is happy to come help you with such things. I can get my son to help my with computer things, but I can do drywall better than he can. I don't think he has ever done it. I think I've neglected his education.

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  6. Wow.

    If I had to go without a washer for 5 days, they wouldn't be able to find me under all the laundry by the time they delivered it!

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  7. Good lord, I can't believe that stupid boy didn't chase you down out of the lowes and try to get your business. The nerve of some people!!!

    I hope things can slow down for you soon, Granny. You deserve a break. Hopefully something nice will sprout for you in the garden and make it all better.

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  8. Sounds like I got better service at the Lowes paint department than you! Only it took Cody and me 20 mins to find help ... The cupboards sound great! And Granny, I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures! Hope your hubby is feeling better soon!

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  9. OH my! That is a bit of bad luck. I home Mr. H's arm feels better soon and he can get back to work :) I hope the rest of the unplanned laundry room revamp goes well and you are pleased with the results.

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  10. What a story! I love that you actually marched out of there, LOL! You sound like me, one thing needs to be changed in a room so the whole room gets painted and reorganized - but wow, you have a lot of energy to do that on top of all the other spring stuff going on in the garden! Hope your husband feels better very soon!

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  11. I think we all have weeks like that. Your son John is a true keeper.

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  12. Well, that's enough of that now, Lady... No more bad luck for you! ;-)

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  13. Thanks for all the comments....I'm just about caught up with my repairs now, so I'll hopefully be able to reply to all your future comments.

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