Power outage

Last weekend I was setting at the computer after I had just finished typing a post but hadn’t proofread it yet.  I decided to take a  break before proofreading.  I fixed lunch and ate before getting back on the internet.  As I was preparing to answer a comment from Cath I hear a faint pop and the computer goes dark.  Aww, ghee whiz.  What is it this time?  Its not a neighborhood power outage because the hall light works and so does the kitchen light.

Well that means it must be a circuit breaker.  Yep, one of them has tripped.  I try to push the button to reset it but it won’t reset.  I tried several times.  Nope, it won’t reset.  Hmm, maybe I over loaded the circuit when I plugged up the new space heater.  I unplug it but I still can’t reset the breaker.  Must be that the breaker has gone bad.  They do that even though it doesn’t happen very often.

I guess this means its time for a call to the electrician.  Do I have enough money for a repairman? Before I can set up an appointment I need to be sure I have enough money to pay.  How much is their fee?  Only one way to find out and that is to call to ask.  I look in the phone book for someone with a nearby address and pick up the phone to call.   Arrr, no phone.  The phone is on the same circuit that won’t reset.  So is the computer with internet.

I can’t call anyone and they can’t call me.  But my brother will be here in a couple days to pick me up to chauffer my SIL to her appointments.  We have a pre-arranged routine so its not necessary to call before arriving.  Nothing else I can do until then.  I still have heat and lights in other rooms.  I decided to do some machine quilting.  Dang!  The quilting machine is on the same circuit breaker.

Only thing left that I can do without power is cook or clean.  I decided to do a little of both.  Junk day was coming up which was the time to get rid of larger items.  The love seat that I originally planned to reupholster got tossed.  I was a little sad to see it go but I simply can’t do that kind of work anymore.  I offered it on freecycle but no one wanted it.

I donated a couple dozen fairly new quilting books to the library book sale.  I got rid of the baby bed, the brand new mattress, the baby gate, and several infant toys.  I seriously doubt there will be any more infants staying the night with NaNa from now on.

I was really sad to see that go.  But, time marches on for all of us.  I still have lots to sort and purge.   I decided now would also be a good time to do some canning since the weather is cooler.  I need canned navy beans prepared because I’ll be baking bean pies as Thanksgiving gifts.

So, I canned beans.  Navy beans and Boston style beans.  I use the plain navy in the bean pies.  The Boston style is flavored like baked beans but are not baked before canning.  I had gotten sweet potatoes on sale at .49 cents a pound the week before so I canned ten pints.   I’m hoping they go on sale again this month and I’ll can more.  I eat these often and its so easy.  Open, drain, add a pat of butter, and heat in the microwave.

I had called to set up a Friday appointment with the electrician when I was at my brother’s house.   Friday came, the man took out the old circuit breaker and installed a new one.  Voila!  Power again.  But the phone and internet box needs time to reset itself and I’m about to leave to chauffeur again.  Its later in the evening when I return home and both phone and internet work fine.  Which brings me up to today and this post filling you in on what happened.

However, last night (Friday) at around 1 am I start hearing a beep every few minutes.  Its the beep of a smoke detector signalling its about to go dead.  Every room in this house and also the stairway has “two” smoke detectors.  The person who lived here before me must have had a great fear of fire.  Upstairs has two chain escape ladders too.   By morning I hear not just one beeping but four different ones.  Aw come on now, give me a break!  At about $25 each its going to be expensive to replace.  Hopefully I can find these in bulk purchases at Lowes or Home Depot.

Now to finish proofreading the previous post and get both published.