Comments on: Things Could Be a Whole Lot Worse

By: M.M.

M.M. — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:15:24 +0000

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. I live in a warm area, but I’ve heard that furnaces have come a long way in the past few years, so it may be that a new furnace will be much more efficient – better for the planet and better for your wallet, at least after a few years.

By: Cricket

Cricket — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:30:00 +0000

WOW and Ouchies at the same time. Thank goodness it is still cold out for the freezer stuff. I can relate to the furnace going out. Mine goes in January early Febuary for the can(trailer). I still have the space heaters for now that I had in my office and waiting to get a “Real” House and saveing pop cans for the wood burning Stove. Try to stay warm and I am sending warm thoughts to the household.

By: M.L.

M.L. — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:23:01 +0000

I’m sorry that so much is hitting you at once, and during such a cold winter at that. I’m so glad you have your wood stove as a backup for heating.

By: Jo

Jo — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:55:22 +0000

Gosh, Shirley, I hope things get better real soon for you. I was going to suggest what Charleen just suggested – see if there is a place that sells used parts. I can’t tell you how many washers and dryers I have fixed by just going to the “dump” and picking over the castaways. Of course, nowadays you aren’t allowed to do this, but some junkyard, like an automobile junkyard might know of someone who saves parts.
I’m an old “war baby” and grew up in a time of ice boxes and outhouses in rural Maine. Things were simpler then, but those trips to the outhouse in the middle of the winter could be an occasion not likely to be forgotten!!
I can remember my mother crying for joy when she got her first automatic washing machine.
Many parts of Maine took years and years to come out of the “Great Depression”. We were all poor, but never realized it because everyone was in the same boat and we all helped each other out.
God bless you, Shirley, for the memories this blog brings back. And good luck surviving another interesting Maine winter.

By: Charleen

Charleen — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:18:33 +0000

These are one of the hazards we face when we live so far north. I hope things get better. Perhaps you should see if there is a place that sells second hand or refurbished parts for the furnace.
I remember one summer when we were at our farm in northern Minnesota we had a terrible summer storm which knocked out our sump pump. water backed up into the basement up to 2 inches and killed our freezer. This happened in August and we didn’t get home for another week. Although my dad was checking the house, he never thought to check the basement. We had rotten meat and maggots. Yes, it could have been worse.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:27:27 +0000

I’m sorry! It does sound like a bad week! If you are having problems with surges, you might want to consider getting whole-house surge protection. This is actually tied into your electrical and not just a power strip. It’s can be expensive, but may not be as expensive as a new furnace and freezer.

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:44:04 +0000

I discovered your blog when researching the economic effects that income loss had on family values. Nancy Folbre referred to the Voluntary Simplicity Movement and I was instantly intrigued. I have gone back to school after losing 2 jobs in 10 months to the “economy”. Before that I had been employed for over 30 years within the same industry. I love the fact that we now recycle everything and have stopped obsessing over money, money.

By: debby

debby — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:51:38 +0000

Wow, what a week! Take time to be kind to yourselves in this midst of all of this stress.

By: Willow

Willow — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:44:57 +0000

Oh I’m so sorry! It does sound like these aren’t just coincidences. Do you have any kind of surge protection (says the wife of a computer geek)? Is there any way to confront the electric co with responsibility?

By: Jamie T.

Jamie T. — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:01 +0000

It sure sounds like you’re getting hit hard. I’m impressed though by how positive you’re being in this situation. It’s like my mother always said, it never pays to go into a panic during a crisis because then you’ve just added a second crisis! Thank you for your posts, I always find your blog inspiring.