Does your house occasionally go through phases where everything falls apart at the same time? It seems I can go months without needing to call any kind of repairman, then all of a sudden, wham! (I think you can guess what's coming.)
2009 has already seen the dishwasher repairman twice (once to replace an internal fuse that died, $110; once to replace the broken latch that he'd diagnosed and ordered the first time, $110), the plumber for a completely blocked shower drain that even my master-blaster couldn't get to ($115), and the Roto Rooter guy to ream out the sewer line since it seems to back up every two years and we are nearing that mark ($300). (Granted, that last one was preventive care, but it's worth it to me to avoid another sewer backup.)
On Friday, the fridge decided it was time to pull its old trick of getting the (non-user-accessible) fan clogged with ice again, so I have to make that repair call tomorrow—thank heavens we still have our old dependable fridge in the basement (the one that has never broken down but didn't fit properly in this house's kitchen). Also on Friday, Andy's garage door pulley system went off its track, so we have that repair bill to look forward to this week also.
And, on top of all this, the door to the only downstairs bathroom is broken again—after we spent $830 just about a year ago to have a carpenter fix it. Because the bathroom is so tiny, it has this ridiculous sliding-door situation; when it falls off its track, we have to take the whole wall down. But we won't think about that today, will we?
We've had those times too-but I have a bit of an advantage since my husband is a carpenter, former electronics technician and has done plumbing remodels. (hates them, but he knows what to do)He's quite handy to have around. However, he doesn't work on dishwashers or refrigerators.
Posted by: Margaret | February 01, 2009 at 05:46 PM
Oy. I kept waiting for the "priceless" punchline, but I guess not.
I hope this is the last of your troubles. :)
Posted by: Naomi | February 01, 2009 at 10:03 PM
The door handle broke off our microwave and one of my sliding shower doors came off its moorings. Hope that makes you feel a little better!
Posted by: Elena | February 02, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Yikes! That's more than half my monthly income! I'm so tired of being one of America's poor. This is so NOT what I had hoped for my life. Wish I owned a home and had a husband to help share the expenses. Or at least a really good job. I'm an unemployed Administrative Assistant. Anyone know anyone who is hiring in Chicago or St. Louis?
Posted by: Laura | February 03, 2009 at 05:09 PM