Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Sparks & Stuff


I just said in a recent post that I’ll always be happy. Hmm. Guess I meant that in a general sort of way – as in acknowledging the ups and downs of life and figuring there will always be more ups.

Not so happy right now.

The garage door is busted.

And two elements on the stove blew – with loud “pop” sounds and sparks. I’m afraid to turn on the other elements or the stove. I had a little cry after the second pop/spark. It scared me. While malfunctioning stoves are not worth shedding tears over, when this sort of thing comes on top of other stuff, I “pop” too.

All the other stuff is too boring, mundane, personal or private to mention. But I will say this – it all took place in the span of 24 hours.

I’m going to look on the bright side of having a stove that terrifies me. I will not be doing any cooking until it’s fixed. And if the repairman says I need a new stove? Then my no-cooking days will be extended even longer.

The realities of life are screaming for my attention. Maybe the pops and the sparks were simply a means to accomplish that. It worked.

***

Hours later – the repairman finally called back. After it was established that he thinks he can fix it, this is how the conversation went.

Me: “So, after you think it’s fixed do you promise to turn on the elements and stove full blast and wait around for awhile to see what happens?” (Just telling me it’s fixed will never be good enough.)

Him: “I promise.”

Me: “One more promise?”

Him: “Uh, yeah?”

Me: “If the oven and stove are already on and good to go, will you make dinner?”

Him: “Ha! (big laugh) You might not like my cooking!”

Me: “I like anybody’s cooking as long as I’m not the one having to do it.”

Him: “Pasta okay?”

Me: “Sounds great.”


He thinks I’m kidding.

23 comments:

The Author Of This said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! I really can imagine you having that conversation!! Brilliant.

Sherry said...

Don't you just feel like screaming "crap, crap, crap" at the top of your voice when things compound on one another? You can be the happiest person in the world but when life seeems to have it's finger pointed at you, it's nto about being happy it's about survival!!

Only you could turn a conversation with a repairman into flirty chat!! lol!! Tell him if he cooks the pasta you'll do the salad!! :)

Travis Erwin said...

Funny stuff. I've been battling the homeowner blues as well and I just bought the place.

oreneta said...

SWEET.

I am teetering on the brink of tears over here. Tears of frustration with Eldest's school. OMfingGod.

I needed that laugh. Thank the man for me, m'kay?

The Guy Who Writes This said...

What a flirt!

Sornie said...

How broken is the garage door/ I replaced the springs on mine last year in under an hour after the guy at Lowe's said "people die doing that, here's the number of the guy who replaced mine".

Angel said...

oooooh! You hot little thing! What if he really takes you up on it???!!! OMG! I cannot wait to hear all about this!!!!! I'm so excited! You just made my whole day Beth!!!

WOOHOO!!!!!!!

Beth said...

While housebound waiting for the repairman...

amc:
Of course you can. ;)
That's who I am and what I'm like. (Brilliant.)

sherry lee:
I did yell something similar to "crap" - but a bit worse.
The package of penne is sitting on the kitchen counter.

travis:
May your roof, furnace, garage, appliances... (I can't continue with this list - too painful) be in good condition!

oreneta:
Go over the brink. Tears are okay and then take action. You can do it.
And I'll only thank him if he fixes the stove!

guy:
Honestly? I don't think of it as flirting. It's just the way I am.

sornie:
Die??! It is the springs and I'm taking the advice of the guy from Lowe's - will not even attempt to repair it on my own.

beth:
The only thing that will (hopefully) get hot around here are the stove elements!

The Bodhi Chicklet said...

Some days...some days...are overwhelming. And we get shovelled so much crap some days that you want to cry uncle. Or just cry. Did you really ask your stove repairman to cook you dinner?!

Anonymous said...

i think there's a natural law that if you are too happy, something bad happens.
but poor stove. that sounds very strange, popping like that. perhaps you needs to get a shaman to scare away the evil spirits...

Lainey-Paney said...

speaking of 'sparks'....dinner...with the repairman??? sparks??? hmmmmmm.....

Beth said...

the bhodi chicklet:
I really did - but if I'd been speaking to a woman on the phone I'd have kidded around he same way.
(Yeah, some days...)

seraphine:
I think there's also some truth to the expression that bad things happen in threes - or fours, or fives...
Do you know any shamans?

lainey-paney:
No sparks - the stove elements are fixed! But he was a great guy - we had some laughs.

PG said...

That may be the best pick up story ever!

Ed & Jeanne said...

Now wait a minute...the stuff that's too personal for the post is right after the pasta dinner, isn't it? Oh I get it now! ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry that there are so many pops and sparks going on in your life. But a random act of kindness, even from a repairman, is surely cause for a smile. I find that service people who have to be nice to women in the house are a joy to have around, they generally make me feel good, that is when they aren't making me feel stupid because I'm not a boy who understands pops and sparks.

Enjoy the pasta!

Bee said...

I think that it is often the little things giving out that make us mourn for the big things.

Even though I know that you know that life will be good again, I'm sorry it seems so overwhelming right now. Much empathy from this corner.

Gary said...

Was he kidding? That would be a repairman to recommend. I agree - if someone else is cooking, it's delicious.

As for the 24 hours from cuckoo land... it will pass. (I hope it did :)

Barrie said...

The way I look at it is--after a period of a bunch of stuff going wrong/breaking/etc, lots and lots goes right! Maybe your stove be fixed inexpensively and safely, may your pasta dinner be delish (no matter who cooks it!) and may you be moving forward to a period of calm. xo

JR's Thumbprints said...

Yeah, I just had a 40 gallon hot water tank installed. Almost burned myself taking a shower. Didn't think to ask the repairman if he'd soap my back for me - way too obscene.

Anonymous said...

The most important question of course is...was he cute? Oh hell, who cares, if he cooks you dinner?

It's been my experience that all house appliances decide to die at pretty much the same time. It is a conspiracy. It requires great investigation....or perhaps just some wine and takeout.

Glad you still have your sense of humour intact! Now if THAT goes, I don't know what kind of repair man could fix it!

NYD said...

Everything's ok so long as you don't get too much snap and crackle to go with that pop.

How was the pasta?

ted said...

i'll fix the garage if it's still broken. i know how to do it. pretty sure i'm the one who broke it too.

ted said...

i'll fix the garage if it's still broken. i know how to do it. pretty sure i'm the one who broke it too.