More bad news...or is it?

The day after my van died, our refrigerator died. Like my car issues, the refrigerator has always been a thorn in my side. Let me count the ways:

• Tom purchased it while I was out of town. I had no idea what it looked like.
• The seal around the freezer broke. We had it repaired.
• The ice maker kept freezing underneath the catch bin. We had it repaired.
• That repair did not fix the problem. Every week we had to take off the bin and defrost it.
• The dispenser on the front door dripped water. I always had streaks.
• It didn't hold much food.
• It was hard to clean (although that was more due to our small space than the refrigerator)

I swore I would never purchase a side-by-side refrigerator. Yet, somewhere between my old and my new one, I changed my mind. It was a mistake. Why I thought there would be more room is beyond me. Unfortunately, there isn't. Don't kid yourself.

The repairman appeared. He was a man of few words. That is until he saw the magnet on our refrigerator from Oleg's family. Then, his whole face lit up with joy.

Him: "That's Ukraine!"

I explained how my daughter was dating someone from Ukraine. He told me that was where he was from. We were buddies from then on. He first thought the problem was simple. I waged internally with this news.

Me: "This is good. We have car problems that are going to cost an arm and a leg. We can't afford another expense. But I hate that refrigerator. It doesn't work. Why can't the damn thing die? No! No! We need this to be an easy fix!"

Things like that. 

He had to pull the refrigerator out from the wall, and he wasn't keen on letting me sweep behind it. So every time he disappeared to his truck, I'd take a stab at cleaning up the dust bunnies and various nonsense that had fallen behind the refrigerator. I washed all of the internal pieces that he took out. I was quite the little helper. Meanwhile, my food, which was semi still frozen, was defrosting on my kitchen table.

Then the repairman announced the problem was not simple. He had defrosted the refrigerator to where it worked, but the part we needed would be $500, and it would take six weeks to arrive. I called the hubby and handed him the phone. They discussed it. Tom asked for his opinion. Fix or not? I crossed my fingers and internally hoped for not, and when that came out of my Ukrainian friend's mouth, I happy danced around the kitchen.

Yes, people, I was happier about getting a new refrigerator than I was about getting a new car. Ah, the life of a housewife!

I immediately jumped on researching and had several picked out to look at when we got to Home Depot. Tom had one in mind that the finance guy at the dealership had suggested. When Home Depot's employees were not helpful--or courteous--we went to Lowe's, where we had a delightful, helpful employee. In less than fifteen minutes, we were the proud owners of a new appliance. And yes, it was the one Tom wanted. But, in my defense, it was on sale and AVAILABLE THE NEXT DAY!! 

It doesn't exactly fit in our small space. It encroaches past the door leading to our garage, and despite the removal of the molding and other stuff on the wall, it is a problem we decided we could live with. We did discover that a roller was missing from the drawer in the refrigerator, but Lowe's assured us they would bring out a new drawer the following day. 

Instead, they brought us another refrigerator. I'm not kidding. When the lady called to tell us this was how they did things--and she was scoffing and rolling her own eyes at admitting this--we told her there was no way in hell we weren't just taking the drawer. 

Which we did. The delivery people loved us. And I love my new refrigerator, even though I never use the knock-knock feature for the light to come on so that I can see what's inside my refrigerator even before opening it.

I also did not hug my old refrigerator like I did my van. I shouted good riddance and then happy danced all around the house.

But that's it. Nothing else can break. Seriously.

Another car story

Tom's car sat in our driveway for a couple of weeks until he sold it for parts. He had my car one day before one of the tires went flat, and he had to replace all four of them. I harassed him a bit about that--in jest, of course--but I think it probably occurred when I rescued him on the bridge. The area where he'd pulled over was quite the spot for broken-down vehicles and tow trucks. I wouldn't doubt I picked up something in the tire there.

No matter. The van looked spiffy with new wheels, and Tom drove her most days except when I needed her. Maddy became my chauffeur, which was nice, but the thought of not coming and going when I wanted was tough. Not that I get out much. But, need milk? Nope, I don't have a car.

One evening, Tom and I went to Grammy's. On the way to her house in the van (with Tom driving), the fuel indicator light came on, and the van began its familiar sputtering while stopped. Now, those who read this blog know this isn't my first rodeo with that light coming on. For those who aren't familiar but care to see, you can find those here and here. 

We made it to Grammy's and later back home. The next day the van went into the shop. Where we were told the SAME THING, WE WERE TOLD LAST TIME. I made sure to get it from the horse's mouth.

Owner: "Hondo recalled that issue years ago. We told you that the last time you brought the van in."

Me: "Yeah, well, Honda told me, according to my VIN number, all was fine."

Owner: "Idiots."

Mechanic: "Listen, I'm the one who worked on your van. I've got a buddy who works for Honda. He said this is a huge problem that doesn't get better even after it's repaired. So my advice to you is to get Honda to fix it, and that's going to be a big if since the recall expired already, and then sell the damn van."

Me: "Can't you just fix it?"

Mechanic: "For about six grand! Honda will do it for free!"

Me: "If they honor the recall that has expired."

Mechanic: "Yeah, there is that. But I think they'll fix it. And then you sell the van and get something else."

I did not cry in front of them, although I may have mentioned we were already down one car and had already replaced one kid's car. They pursed their lips, gave me sad eyes, and nodded in solidarity, but unless I was forking over six grand and having them fix it, what did they care? I appreciated them faking it, though.

So, Tom called and made an appointment with Honda for the next day. Then, he decided that we should take the mechanic's word and get another car. I reminded him that he needed a car. He shrugged and said we'd worry about it later. 

Tom: "I'm concerned that Honda isn't going to honor the recall because it expired in 2018."

Me: "So, if I had just taken it to a Honda dealer in SC when it first happened, this might have been a non-issue."

Tom: "We can't speculate about what-ifs. But, we also can't keep driving this van because it is in serious condition, and I don't want the engine to blow. So, we hope Honda will honor it and fix it, and then we get rid of it. If they don't, then I'm going to insist they help us with a deal on another car."

And off he went the next morning to the Honda dealership. As soon as he set off down the road, he noticed the fuel pump indicator light was not on, and the car was driving nicely like it had been since January. 

Tom: "It was the weirdest thing ever. I mean, nothing. It ran like a dream."

He turned it over to the mechanic and explained the issue. The mechanic said the recall had expired, but he'd check things out. He told Tom to sit down, and off he went with the van. Tom instead went into the dealership. 

Tom: "And while I was with the dealer learning that leasing is the way to go during this crazy car-buying time, the mechanic returned with a perplexed look on his face and told me there was nothing wrong with the van and did I want an oil change?"

Me: "Dear God, the mysterious fairy has reappeared!!"

Tom: "It doesn't matter. We can't keep driving the van. You know, and I know that the light is going to come back on. The van is going to break, and we need to get rid of it before it costs us more than what it is worth. I had them appraise it, and we can turn it over to them when you find something you want."

So, the next day he sent me off to test-drive vehicles. I reminded him that he had no car, but he insisted I have mine first. Whatever. Darcy came with me, and we entertained our salesman--the greatest guy EVER. 

After spending--and I'm not joking about this--twelve hours at the dealership in two days, Tom and I both left with two leased vehicles, a new insurance company with lower rates, and a newfound friendship. While I have quite a bit of anxiety over this, I do love the new car smell. Now, if I only had somewhere to go...

Six month resolution check

Every two months, I check in to see how I'm doing on my New Year's resolutions. I give myself a score between 1-10 with the hopes that I'm perfect by the end of the year. 

Let's check-in (6 months):

•  To be like 2020 Rebel Wilson and make this year a focus on health - I've continued walking, but I can't say I've been good with the eating. Some days, I'm great. Others, not so much. Score: 5

• To eat breakfast before I drink my morning coffee - I have conquered this resolution. Score: 10

• To think of three positive, happy, uplifting things for every negative thought that runs into my head - And this one, which I have to say has been great for mental health. Score: 10

• To edit book one and complete book two in all phases and attempt to publish. - Book one is currently being worked on and book two is complete! Score: 8

• To continue down the path of completing past resolutions - Too busy with writing to work on this one. Score: 0

• To learn Russian - I was doing great with this, and then summer hit, Oleg left, and I haven't studied the language at all. Score: 0

Total Score: 33 out of 50 - Guess I'm going to be buckling down these next two months!

Our June summer

June came and went in a blink of an eye. I used to think this during the summers when the girls were young. You know, no school, no routines, nothing but endless days of vacationing and fun. Yet, summer flew by, and I used to think that one day when school was no more, summer would gradually meander. Yeah, no. It isn't happening. Maybe it's because one daughter is home and the other is on the verge of returning? 

The month began with another overnight foray for me. My local writing group had a weekend conference where I apparently forgot all about the pandemic. Not only did I forget to bring masks with me, but when I got them, I didn't use them. I wined and dined out, and handwashing and sanitizer seemed like a distant memory. Yes, yes, I've been vaccinated, and I've gotten the memo on how protected I am. Guess what? Several days later, I was sick in bed with a sinus infection!

My job at the conference was selling tickets for the 40+ raffle baskets. I got close and personal with every attendee. I handled money. I haven't handled dollar bills in over a year! Still, it was tons of fun. I put myself out there and met new people. I learned tons of new information about the writing business. All of it sustained me while I spent the next few days in bed and on the couch, sniffling and blowing and whining about how the real world outside my home sucked.

Also, at the beginning of the month, my SIL and family from Chicago visited. She and Darcy share the same birthday, so we were able to celebrate them together. We had dinner at a restaurant of Darcy's choosing.

Darcy: "I turned 21 during a pandemic! I couldn't go out and celebrate that milestone. I had to legally drink at my house with my parents. I don't want to hear it!"

Nancy: "Okay, you win."

Then we went back to Grammy's and had cake and champagne. Oleg arrived from the other coast to spend the weekend, and the visit was filled with lots of cards, beach time, and swimming. Unfortunately, I missed out on most of it since I was at the conference, but the cousins had such a good time they made plans for the girls and Oleg to visit them in July.

My writing program with RWA heated up in June. With only one month left before we submitted our work, everyone was furiously writing and finishing up manuscripts and pitches. It was a flurry of activity, and I was very sorry to have it all end. I got so much out of working closely with an expert in the field. This month was an introduction to social media as an author. I had to start a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram account in my pen name, and I tweeted and instagramed the heck out of June! While nothing came of the showcase (which turned out to be a dud), I got exactly what I wanted from the program, and I hope my mentor and I stay in touch. Frankly, truth be told? I wished she'd edit anything I ever write again. 

As great as the beginning of June began, the month slowly went downhill. First, Madison and I got sick. Then Darcy fell next. She spent the month running back and forth between here and her apartment at school, taking jobs as they were available. Finally, Tom's car, which stranded him on the causeway at the end of May, died. The engine blew, and it wasn't worth it to fix, and since I hardly go anywhere, I told him to take my van. 

Me: "We can manage through the summer. The girls will be here. We can drive you to work if and when I need the car. That will give us three months of saving for another vehicle."

Yep, folks. That's what's called foreshadowing...