Hot Water on Tap, Again!

Just a quick update.

I woke up by 6:30 a.m. (after going to sleep at 3:30 a.m.) to be ready for the gas company technician should he arrive early in the morning.  He didn't, but, I watched portions of the funeral for President Carter, tidied the yarn ends on the pink blanket, and replied to blog comments while I waited.  Thank you everyone for your kind comments and thoughts and prayers for our saftely.

The winds had died down quite a bit and that was very helpful as the fire departments were able to fly their water dropping helicopters, etc., which they couldn't do when the winds were blowing so strongly, earlier.  A friend of mine had posted pictures of what used to be his home, now burned completely to the ground.  He and his partner had evacuated the previous day, but, returned to find their house completely gone.  

The gas company technician phoned me in the late afternoon, saying he hoped to be at my house in about 30 minutes.  He arrived around 4:45 p.m. and thankfully, he was able to restart the gas heater pilot light.  He then taped the door to the cover box, but, told me to ask a handyman to bolt it down.   

My daughter and I got another box of supplies ready to go in the car, later in the evening.  She is anxious because she is hampered by the crutches and won't be able to help grab a few necessary items to rush out of the house at the last minute.  She says she would feel better if the car was already packed and ready to leave, so, that's what I am doing.  The box I packed today contains things like paper towels, toilet paper, some trash bags, a box of baby wipes, a container of disinfectant wipes, some ziplock bags, etc.  

It didn't help her anxiety levels when we received a text alert saying our area was put under an evacuation warning and to get our important items ready if we needed to leave.  However, a few seconds later, we received a second text alert stating that the previous one was sent in error.  It applied to only those people near the new brushfire that ignited in the afternoon, but the alert was sent to just about everyone in Los Angeles County in error.  Whew!

But, as I watched news coverage of people evacuating with whatever they can pack into their cars and then, abandoning their cars on the road because they were in a gridlock and just walking away with just what they can carry, I realized that I had a lot of possessions to declutter!  

People weren't the only ones evacuating; the news cameras captured the sight of a mother mountain lion and her two cubs running along the side of the road.

Dancer was off his food this morning, as he refused tuna from the can I opened the day before, or any of three new cans of cat food (three different flavors - beef, chicken, and turkey).  I was getting worried about him, but, then, I discovered that he was holding out for fresh tuna!  I opened a new can and he happily ate from it!  He is spoilt rotten!  So far, he hasn't had any upset tummy issues today.  Hopefully, that continues to be so.

My half-sister called to check on me in the afternoon.  She resides in an area that is not affected by the wildfires, but, she said she can smell the smoke in the air and there's soot in the driveway.  

Brunch was toast with calamondin marmalade.  Dinner was a salad, followed by rice and curries (meatball curry, dhal, shredded kale  with grated coconut. tomato chutney).  I was in a snacking mood, today, so, snacks included popcorn and cookies.

Today, I am grateful for:

- The winds have died down for now
- The gas company sending out service technicians to tend to problems with gas heaters, water heaters, etc.
- Having hot water on tap, again
- The evacuation warning alert we received was an error
- Daughter and I are together and we are safe, so far.
- Dancer seems to have recovered from his upset tummy

Today's joyful activity was having hot water on tap, again.

Plans for Friday include:

- Picking up groceries
- Tending to the garden with M
- More paperwork

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?  

We Have Heat!

 

Another Completed Gift

A peek at the lap blanket I crocheted as a Christmas gift for a friend of mine.  I washed and dried it, on Monday, and wrapped it up.  She is getting a "Winter Warmth" themed gift of a blanket, a new kettle (that she had requested) and a box of her favorite tea.

I was up early (6:30 a.m., after going to sleep at 2:30 a.m.) on Monday morning, to be ready for the gas company technician who could arrive at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., which was the best they could do when I called on Friday to schedule an appointment.  As things turned out, I could have slept in a bit longer because the technician wasn't able to arrive until after 6:00 p.m.  I rather suspected that he wouldn't arrive first thing in the morning, but, I didn't want to be sleeping if he did get here early.  They do call first, to let you know that they are on their way and will say something like, "Be there in 15 minutes".

Backyard in the Early Morning Light

There's a picture that's rarely seen on my blog!  The backyard (which faces east) in the early morning.  You can see the shadows of the bags of mulch on the patio roof, holding down the roof panels!  That's another project I've spoken about with new neighbor E.

While I waited for the gas company technician, I mended another pair of my knitted socks, washed and dried the crocheted blanket, wrote out a few Christmas/New Year cards, checked on the garden, and put away a load of laundry.  Somehow, by late afternoon, I had developed a pain in my left hip, which felt like the beginnings of a sciatica flare-up.  I was limping as I warmed up some leftovers for our brunch and did a few other things.  I wondered if I was dehydrated or if it was due to the lack of sleep or, perhaps, stress/anxiety over the gas heater.  Or, could it be because I had simply slipped on my sneakers to go out into the garden, instead of wearing the shoes, properly?  I decided to put on my sneakers properly, tying the laces, etc., when I went out to take the trash cans to the curb.  And I kept my shoes on, even when I came inside (I usually don't wear shoes inside the house).

By then, it was around 5:30 p.m. and I started to make us a cup of tea.  That's when the gas company technician called to let me know that he was on his way and should be at my house in about 20 minutes or so.  About 10 minutes later, he called again to say he had been redirected to attend to an emergency (which takes priority over any appointments), but, he was still planning to come over afterwards.  Then, he called around 6:15 p.m. to say he was on his way and should be here shortly.  I told him that he could park in my driveway because there's very little street parking available on Monday nights when people put out their trash bins.  

Jacob, the gas company technician, was here a little after 6:30 p.m.  He was a very nice young man, who offered to put on a mask as soon as he saw that both my daughter and I were wearing ours.  He listened to me while I explained about the heater and the delayed ignition problems I've been having almost from the start, and took a look at the heater.  He confirmed that the safety mechanism had turned the gas off and caused the pilot light to go off during that last very delayed ignition.  At least we know that the safety mechanism works!  He was able to turn the gas back on and relight the pilot light.  He tested the heater by turning it on and off a few times, trying to replicate the delayed ignition, but, the heater worked without any problem, each time.

He did say that the gas control valve should open more, but, it wouldn't do so when he tried.  He recommended that I got a heating maintenance company to come out and take a look at it.  In the meantime, he said to call the gas company any time if there are any further issues, they have 24-hour emergency service and work during holidays (non-emergency service calls are scheduled during regular hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.)  As he left, he thanked me for letting him park in my driveway (there really wasn't any street parking available).

And the cost of today's service? There was no charge! It is a free service provided by the gas company to its customers!  

The heater has been working well the rest of the evening.  I have set the thermostat at 70F and it has turned itself off when the temperature reached the setting and come back on without any delayed ignition. I think I will turn off the heater when I go to sleep, but, it is a blessing to have a working heater and a warm house.  I hope it continues to work for a long time to come!

After Jacob left, I realized that the hip pain had stopped. Whether it was due to wearing the shoes all evening or not being stressed about the heater, I don't know!  I haven't removed my shoes, yet!  

I cooked fresh rice and stir-fried vegetables to have with some of the leftover General Tso's chicken for our dinner.  

On Monday, I was grateful for:

- The gas company sent out a technician who was able to get the furnace to work again
- There was no charge for the service

- The service tech was considerate and offered to wear a mask during his visit
- I have a working heater, again!
- My hip pain seems to have gone away!

Monday's joyful activity was singing with my daughter.

Plans for Tuesday include more gift wrapping and a little bit of tidying up.

How was your Monday?  What are your plans for Tuesday? 

Phone Saga Part 2 on Wednesday

Wireless Phone Device "Black Box"

This is the wireless phone device that plugs into the wall outlet and my home phone charging base connects to this box and gets plugged into the outlet, as well.  You can see that the phone service indicator light is red.  Yesterday, the battery charge light was also red and blinking.  None of the phone signal strength lights are lit.  This is how the phone device looked this morning.  I tried to reset it, again, this morning, but, the phone service indicator light remained red.

Salvador from the Mexico City phone service center called me this morning and apologized for not calling me back on Tuesday evening.  He asked if I had a chance to discuss things with my daughter and if I had decided what I wanted to do.  I asked him a couple of questions about the basic services offered as part of the new landline and then, told him and I wanted to go to the phone store in the afternoon to see if they had a newer device.  He told me that, even if I get a newer device, the phone company no longer services these devices.  But, he said, maybe I could buy a new SIM card and insert that and see if that helps.  I thanked him and he said he will call me back later.

Today being Wednesday, it was gardener M's day to tend to the garden in the morning, so my plan was to be here when M arrived, then, drop a few things off at friend R's place, and then, go to the phone store.  M arrived in the late morning as usual, and we spent some time chatting, as usual, and he cut the grass in the back garden (he actually had to use his lawn mower, as opposed to the weed whacker!)  He also brought me a variegated succulent cutting which he potted up before he left.

After he left, I had some leftover milkrice with friend S's chicken curry for brunch.  Then, I gathered all the clothes I was taking to friend R (some of the clothes that my cousin had given us, which my daughter and I decided we didn't want; R will pick what she wants and then, probably send the rest to Sri Lanka for her daughters and granddaughter to select what they want and give away the rest).  I also took her some pastries I had kept aside to give her and a pair of compression socks I had bought for her to try.  

Then, I gathered the file folder with all the phone related literature I wanted to take to the phone store (the user manual for the phone device, etc.) and unplugged the device to take it with me (so they could insert the SIM card for me).  Of course, all the various indicator lights went off when I unplugged the device, but, then, the backup battery kicked in, I heard a familiar beep that the phone makes after power goes off and comes back on, and the lights lit up, again, including the service indicator light and signal strength lights!  I quickly plugged the device back into the outlet and the lights stayed on!

All Green Lights All the Way!

Oh, my goodness!  I picked up the phone and there was a dial tone!  I called my aunt to see if I could make a call and yes!  I could make a call!  I could access my voicemail!  I had my phone service back on!  The first call I received was a telemarketer, and I let it go to voicemail, but, I was receiving calls!  I hadn't even gone to the phone store to see about a new SIM card!  I was so happy!  

I decided that I didn't need to go to the phone store, after all!  I am not sure how long the service connection will work, but, I will not worry about replacing the phone service until it goes off again!  And if it goes off again, then, I'll know to go through the different steps I took to reset the phone and if it still doesn't work, then, I'll go to the store to see about a new SIM card!  And that's what I told Salvador when he called me back in the evening to see if I bought a new SIM card!  I told him that the phone was working now and I didn't need to buy a new SIM card.  He then said that maybe there had been a service outage in my area, even though there was no indication of it on the website.  Yes, my daughter had already checked to see if there was a service outage in my area and the website hadn't said anything.  But, it could just be that they hadn't updated their website.  

I thanked Salvador for his assistance and told him that I will give him a good review if I receive a survey from the phone company about my recent experience with their customer service.  He seemed very pleased about that!  I was very happy that I decided to wait and not cancel my current home phone service and get a new landline or cell phone line at a higher rate than what I am currently paying.  If I continue to have problems with the services, I'll consider making a change, later.  But, right now, I have a working home phone!  

In the afternoon, I took the clothes and other items to friend R and dropped them off (it was a curbside visit and I had my mask on).  Then, I came home and relaxed.  

I had a call from Dancer's pharmacy regarding the change in his medication and I was told that the medication should be ready tomorrow (Thursday) and they will call me when it was ready for pick up.  As I told my friend, I might treat myself to a doughnut when I go to pick up the medication; I feel like I could do with a treat after all the stress about the phone!  All evening, I've been checking the phone device to make sure that the lights were still on!  LOL.  

On Wednesday, I also gave Dancer his flea prevention medication (I usually give it to him on the 1st of the month, but, I had other things on my mind with the phone being out of order).  

Dinner was some leftover chicken croquettes from the Cuban bakery; daughter was going to take them back with her, but, she changed her mind and took only the chicken empanadas.  

On Wednesday, I was grateful for:

- Having my home phone service back on again!
- I didn't have to change any of the phone services!
- M tending to the garden and bringing me another cutting of a plant for my garden
- A safe drive to friend R's and back
- Working appliances!  Did I mention my phone is working again?

Wednesday's joyful activities included chatting on the home phone with family and friends!  I was even happy to get a couple of "suspected spam" calls (which I didn't answer)!  But, it was joyful to hear the phone ring!  LOL!

Plans for Thursday include picking up Dancer's medication when ready, doing some house cleaning and tidying, and some laundry.  I also need to catch up on some blog reading and commenting, as I am a bit behind on that!

How was your Wednesday?  What are your plans for Thursday?

The Phone Saga on Tuesday

Eurasian Collared Dove

At first glance, it might look like a mourning dove, but, the dark ring on the neck and the more squared tail reveals that this is an Eurasian Collared Dove.  Apparently as happy to eat the cat kibbles as Chicken Little and Rocky Raccoon!  I don't put out birdseeds to feed the birds, with garden cats around (although Mama Cat tends to ignore the birds for the most part), but, the birds don't seem to mind the lack of birdseeds!

Tuesday didn't go quite as planned.  For one thing, I couldn't fall asleep until 5:00 a.m.  As a result, I changed my plans to get up at 9:00 a.m. to call the phone company and went back to bed until 10:00 a.m.  I had a cup of tea and called the phone company about the home phone.

To give a little background about my home phone:  It used to be that I had a regular landline for the home phone.  Then, I switched to a phone/cable/internet bundle, back in the early 2000s, and I was told that the phone company was replacing wired landlines with fiber optics.  So, we switched to a fiber optics home phone, with a service box that the phone plugged into.  Then, in 2022, that box needed to be replaced and they were no longer doing fiber optics, it was replaced by a wireless phone service and we received a new, smaller, sleeker box to be plugged into an outlet and the phone plugged into that.  I know it was in January 2022 because I have the invoice for the new box.  That is the box that was showing that there was no service signal.  

Anyway, I called the phone company and asked to be transferred to a service agent and after a wait of less than 5 minutes, was connected through to Salvador in Mexico City.  I explained the situation with the phone, what daughter and I tried to do (reset it, plug it to another outlet, etc.) described which lights were green, which lights were either flashing red (battery, indicating that the backup battery was at 20% charge or less) or solid red (service status, indicating that there was no service) and the total lack of signal strength lights.  We went through the routines of unplugging and plugging in the device, turning it on and off, removing the battering and inserting it again, pressing a reset button with a paper clip (as it was inside a small hole), then, when nothing changed, taking the battery out, removing the SIM card, wiping it with a tissue, and replacing the SIM card "exactly how it was placed before" and the battery and pressing the reset button again.  And, hurray!  The battery light changed to green!  Woo hoo! 

But, the service status light remained stubbornly red and there were no signal strength lights.  

After over one hour of being on the phone with Salvador and fiddling with the box, he said that the phone company no longer serviced this model of wireless phone service boxes.  Had I been thinking a little clearer, I might have asked him if they could replace the box with a newer model, but, I didn't ask him that and he didn't mention anything about replacement equipment.  According to him, I had two options.  Cancel the home phone and get a new cell phone line or get a new landline (which would cost double what I am currently paying, of course).   But, wait, I thought I had to switch to wireless phone service because they no longer provided landlines?  Well, apparently they do still provide landlines!  Really?

I found the whole thing to be rather stressful and I no longer like to make quick decisions about such things as which phone service option to pick.  I told Salvador that I wanted to discuss the options with my daughter and he said he'll call me back in the evening, around 7:30 p.m., my time.  I discussed things with my daughter after she got off work and I decided that I would get a landline with the most basic of services at the higher rate (the more comprehensive phone package cost three times as much as what I'm paying now), if I could keep the same phone number.  I use my home phone number for most of my contact information and giving it up and using my cell phone number would mean notifying so many people and businesses, and making changes to documents, etc.  It seems overwhelming.  

However, Salvador didn't call me back in the evening.  So, I am wondering if he would call me back in the morning, instead?  If not, I want to call the phone company again (but, I don't want to go through the whole rigmarole of unplugging, plugging, resetting, etc., of the phone service box!)  Another option might be to go to the phone store and ask if they have a newer, replacement box that they do service and see if that works! Or, switch my cell phone number to the home phone number and use that for all my phone uses?  If not, I'll get the new landline, provided I can keep the same phone number!  

After I got off the phone with Salvador, I had a long chat with my aunt who called me on my cell phone since the home phone is out, brought the trash cans back in, checked the mail, etc., and had a cup of tea.  Then, called Dancer's pharmacy and left a message giving them my cell phone number to call me when the new prescription is ready for pick up, because they won't be able to reach me through my home phone!  

Later, I watched the news and chatted with my daughter.  Then, chatted with friend R.  Somehow, I feel that the day got away from me!

Brunch had been a piece of the raisin bun.  For dinner, I warmed up leftovers from the Easter dinner that neighbor S gave.  

On Tuesday, I was grateful for:

- Having a cell phone!  
- Getting a service agent who talked me through the steps to reset the battery part of the phone box
- Daughter helping me with discussing the various options available for the phone service
- Phone calls with family and friends
- Leftovers!

Tuesday's joyful activity was playing come computer games.

Plans for Wednesday include hopefully talking to Salvador or someone new at the phone company to discuss my options, maybe going to the phone store to see if they can help me, tending to the garden with M, maybe pick up Dancer's medication if ready, and drop off a few things for friend R.  I also want to do some cleaning and tidying.

How was your Tuesday?  What are your plans for Wednesday?  Do you still have a landline or home phone?  Or, do you use your cell phone only? 

Tuesday's Adventures

Homemade Gata (Armenian Cookies) from Neighbor S

Last night, after dinner, I did the dishes and ran the garbage disposal.  There was a bit of a whoosh sound and a lot of black debris spurted out!  I assumed it was coffee grounds - my daughter has a metal reusable coffee filter called a phin coffee filter (apparently used to brew coffee in Vietnam) and while I try to dump the coffee grounds into the kitchen compost container when I wash it out, there are still some coffee grounds that get washed down the sink drain.  Later, my daughter was in the kitchen and said she stepped in some water near the kitchen sink and asked me what it was and I said I probably spilled some water when I did the dishes.  She put the kitchen rug over the water and we forgot about it.  Still later, I went to rinse out a dish and afterwards, I noticed water leaking out from the cabinet under the sink!  I opened the door and water was dripping from the garbage disposal and it was all quite wet in the cabinet!  Oh, no!  We pulled out the plastic totes with bottles of dishwashing detergent, and other cleaning supplies I keep under the kitchen sink and put down towels to mop up the water!  I was rather upset to have a non-functioning garbage disposal just days before I was supposed to cook Thanksgiving dinner!  Fortunately, the sink is a double sided sink and the side without the garbage disposal was not leaking and could be used.  And my daughter reminded me that we had two bathtubs if we needed to wash the pots and pans in one of the bathtubs, instead.  Anyway, I decided that I would place a call to the plumbing company I have used before, in the morning.  

I was up relatively early and called the plumbing company at 8:30 a.m.  I explained the situation and asked if they could send a plumber out this afternoon, because I had to go to a doctor's appointment at noon.  They said they could send a plumber out right away and they should be able to repair or replace the unit before I needed to leave for the doctor's appointment.  It was $150 minimum charge and $225 if the unit was hardwired and they needed to replace it, plus cost of the new unit.  My leaky disposal is several years old and I thought it was better to replace it.

While I waited for the plumber to arrive, I brought in the one trash can that had been emptied and accepted the delivery of the second sheet set.  Then, I set about making a cup of tea for myself.

The plumber was here before 9:00 a.m. and took a look at the disposal unit and told me I needed to replace it.  He asked if I would buy it and I asked if he could buy it for me and I will reimburse him.  He was agreeable to do that and said it would come to about $145.  I might have got it a bit cheaper if I had bought it, myself, but, I was willing to pay a bit more for the convenience.  Besides, by this time, I was starting to feel a bit shaky and faint!  I recognized the signs of low blood sugar and I knew I needed to sit down and drink my tea!  

It has been a long time since I last felt the symptoms of low blood sugar, but, I think I have been not as careful with my diet in recent days and my sugar levels probably spiked and dropped rather rapidly.  I rested a bit and felt fine, afterwards.  

The plumber was done with installing the new garbage disposal by 10:00 a.m.  Parts and labor cost $145 + $225 = $370.  I reimbursed him for the parts with cash and paid the rest with a check.

Then, I rested until it was time to go to the ophthalmologist appointment.  The appointment went well.  My eye pressure was fine, my vision was only a little worse than it had been last year, the eye scans for diabetic retinopathy were clear, and my cataracts were still the same size and not ready to be removed.  I was asked to come back in one year's time.

It took all afternoon for my eyes to recover from being dilated.  I lay on the sofa with the blinds closed and my dark glasses on and dozed a bit.  

While I was resting, neighbor S brought over some gata she had baked.  She knows that my daughter loves her homemade gata.  I had a small taste of one, but, I'm leaving the rest of it for my daughter.

Later, I washed all the towels and the kitchen rug that we had used to mop up the spill from the garbage disposal and daughter relined the totes with fresh paper towels and put everything back under the sink.  

Brunch today was half a bagel with cream cheese (me) and a bagel with butter (daughter).  We had leftovers from earlier meals for dinner.

Today, I am grateful for:

- My low blood sugar episode abated after I had a cup of tea and rested
- The ophthalmologist visit went well
- Daughter was here to drive me home, afterwards
- The plumber was able to arrive this morning to tend to the garbage disposal
- The gift of homemade gata from neighbor S

Today's joyful activity was resting all afternoon and feeling better in the evening!

Plans for tomorrow include tending to the garden with M, making the cranberry sauce and cornbread ahead of time, another load of laundry, and tidying the house a bit.

How was your Tuesday and what are your plans for Wednesday?