Oh, Right: Our Refrigerator Died Last Year

This household now has a new dishwasher. It looks pretty good and, much more to the point: it works. As I wrote yesterday, we don't really need a dishwasher - but having one sure frees up a lot of time.

I missed something in that list of big household expenses we've had recently.

When the old refrigerator gave out last august we decided that we were spending more on repairs than it would take to get a new one. I think we were right, but getting the thing was a little more complicated than we expected.

The way the kitchen is designed, the only practical spot for the refrigerator is between a counter and the chimney. There's exactly so many inches of space available, and no more. A technician measured the opening, (accurately) recorded the numbers, and sent them through the system.

I have no idea what happened after that, but when the new unit came, a couple guys snaked it in through a door and two doorways - and found out that it was just a fraction of an inch too big for the opening.

We could have torn out part of the wall that's around the chimney, or pulled part of the kitchen counter apart.

It seemed like a better idea to have the supplier try again.

Out went the slightly-oversize fridge, over the same cramped route. Time passed, punctuated with phone calls. As I recall, the discussions were mostly about the measurements the tech had taken - and how inexplicable it was that the unit was just a little too big.

Another, and slightly smaller, refrigerator came - and fit in the opening. Even better, it works! And, I trust, will continue to do so for some time.

That list of major household expenses over the last year, revised, is now a new

• Street
• Refrigerator
• Van
• Dishwasher

The van won't be 'new,' of course - our budget will let us have a used vehicle, several years old. And the street isn't exactly 'new' either: just the paving; curbs; sewer, water and gas lines; and about the first fifteen feet or so of soil.

Just on that score, 2008-2009 has been an interesting time for this family.

Again, the dishwasher works: Good news, since that gives me more time to work.

Tuesday: We're Getting a "New" Van

Yesterday, after picking up some groceries, my wife told me that we were getting a new van. What she actually said was, "we're getting a new car," but since "car" is used as a term for any vehicle that isn't a truck, and since she had been driving the van, I knew what she meant.

Where was I?

Right. We're getting a new car. Van, actually. In fact, I doubt that it'll be new: 'previously owned' vehicles work just as well, as a rule, don't cost as much, and generally have the same maintenance costs as new ones.

I'll be starting to take a look around (online) later today, to see what sort of thing is available in our area, and get an idea of what prices are like. We'll probably have to spend more than the $500 or so that #3 daughter's car cost, but I don't want to be a spendthrift, either.

My son's making a contraption in the living room - but that's a topic for another post.

Kids moving out, New Water Heater, Street Repair Coming

I haven't been bored since my wife and I got married and started this family. This week has been less boring than usual.

My wife and the kids were in Alexandria, about 20 miles (32 KM or so) up the road, most of the afternoon, checking out apartments for our oldest. It's exciting times at this household right now.

#1 daughter has a job, and is moving out this weekend.

#2 daughter is going back to college this weekend.

Thankfully, #3 daughter and #1 son aren't going through anything quite so major right now: just back-to-school stuff.

Which isn't exactly minor, except in comparison with those moves.

Meanwhile, the household has a new water heater. That should fix the issues of having hot water for washing, and not having a funny taste in the water. Also, that puddle in the basement won't be around now.

That's mostly good news, but of course it cost money.

The street maintenance planned for later this year will, too. It's needed, even overdue, and they're going to work on the water mains and sewers. More good news. Just one problem: someone will have to pay for it.

I know the local paper wasn't trying for laughs, but I thought this was funny - "water main and sanitary sewer improvements will not be assessed against residential property owners with the city picking up the cost."

True. Property owners aren't assessed directly. But we pay, directly or indirectly, for all the revenue that the city picks up from taxes and fees.

On top of that, There's an average of $8,400 that every household on Ash Street will get to pay for having the street torn up. I'm not complaining. It has to be done.

But thinking about that, and a layoff that's into its second year, and a tiny business that isn't quite off the ground yet, is giving me the heebie-jeebies.

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