hillfarm Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 When I pulled down the driveway this evening after a full afternoon of running errands and worrying about money, I was met with the sight of the hood up on our new-to-us truck. Most of dh was sticking out from under the hood, but he had a fire extinguisher in hand. Never a good sign. Then 15yo dd reported that the hot water cut out on her after only 5 minutes in the shower. And it did the same to me when I was in the shower. When dh and I cam home from picking up dd after the youth group meeting at the church, a strong skunk smell filled the air. Our black lab has been skunked. I later saw a skunk out skulking around the chicken coop, so I went out with a pistol. The first 2 bullets were duds and had to be cleared. By then the skunk was long gone. We have to go out of town this weekend and every.single.place I look around here is another job overdue to get done. I am overwhelmed, a day late and at least a dollar short. If anyone has any extra happy thoughts, I surely could use them about now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Geesh---sounds like a very Hope tomorrow is much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upward Journey Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Hugs to you, that sounds like a long day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
school17777 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 :grouphug: :grouphug: hugs your way. Hoping tomorrow turns out much better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in FL. Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Sorry that you are having such a tough time right now. I hope that things turn around for you soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I would say tomorrow has to be better, but I don't want to jinx anything. Hope you're well-stocked in chocolate and wine! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfarm Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks to all for the pep talk. I am drowning my sorrows in yoghurt covered pretzel balls even as I type. The poor black lab is trying to help de-stinkify herself. When I took the indoor dog out for a bedtime walk, the lab was covered in mud where she has been rolling by the creek. It is too cold tonight to wet her down with peroxide or other odor remedy, so that will have to wait until tomorrow. Dh is going in to work late tomorrow am and will flush the water heater before he leaves. Hopefully that will buy us a few more months before we have to replace it. I am bummed beyond belief about the truck, but we do already have this winter's firewood supply in place. It will probably have to wait in line until after we get dh's little work car to the shop. But it is what it is. Hopefully we can get it fixed when the tax refund comes next year. I have a copious amount of whine on hand (I don't drink the other kind), a full bag of yoghurt pretzels, my cyber friends, and a strong faith. I promise all of us that I will beat this. (PS: For those of you who have mentioned that you dream of rural life, this is what the seamy underbelly looks and smells like!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflections Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I have had days - weeks - months - like this. The cliche is true: Tie a knot and hang on. Personally, at some point I just stop thinking about it all and just start doing the bare minimum. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I'm so sorry! I hope today is better. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Said a prayer for your endurance. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom@shiloh Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I have felt this way all week, just struggling with lots of discouraging events. Keep reminding myself, ".....and be thankful." Sorry you're having such a rough week. Cling to your faith... and be thankful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Hugs! Dh is going in to work late tomorrow am and will flush the water heater before he leaves. Hopefully that will buy us a few more months before we have to replace it.I'm sure your well-versed in such things but I thought I'd mention that between flushing and changing elements dh has been able to greatly extend the life of our hot water heater. Usually we get a few years in between, we have extremely hard water here and most people only get about 5-6 yrs before they die and we are on year 14 here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfarm Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks, Soror. We have lived here 13 years and the water heater was here when we moved in. Our water is hard also. I love to use those warm mist vaporizers during the winter months when we are using the woodstove nonstop. However, they clog up quickly with minerals. I have learned how to take the heating element apart and how to clean the "fingers" inside to prolong the life of the unit. But still, I am lucky to get one whole season out of one before the insides degrade to the point of being nonfunctional. In my mind's eye, that is how I envision the inside of our water heater, but that is mostly my imagination. It doesn't get as hot, therefore not as many deposits. We should probably flush it more frequently than we do. I am hoping for at least another 6 months and then hopefully our financial situation will be a bit better and we can replace it with less angst! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks, Soror. We have lived here 13 years and the water heater was here when we moved in. Our water is hard also. I love to use those warm mist vaporizers during the winter months when we are using the woodstove nonstop. However, they clog up quickly with minerals. I have learned how to take the heating element apart and how to clean the "fingers" inside to prolong the life of the unit. But still, I am lucky to get one whole season out of one before the insides degrade to the point of being nonfunctional. In my mind's eye, that is how I envision the inside of our water heater, but that is mostly my imagination. It doesn't get as hot, therefore not as many deposits. We should probably flush it more frequently than we do. I am hoping for at least another 6 months and then hopefully our financial situation will be a bit better and we can replace it with less angst! one thing that I found that worked on humidifiers is running it with vinegar water for one whole cycle. I think it was about 1/4 cup to a full tank - run it OUTSIDE!! for the day... I was amazed at how well it got all the gunk off. I think my dr recommended doing it once a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 dp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks, Soror. We have lived here 13 years and the water heater was here when we moved in. Our water is hard also. I love to use those warm mist vaporizers during the winter months when we are using the woodstove nonstop. However, they clog up quickly with minerals. I have learned how to take the heating element apart and how to clean the "fingers" inside to prolong the life of the unit. But still, I am lucky to get one whole season out of one before the insides degrade to the point of being nonfunctional. In my mind's eye, that is how I envision the inside of our water heater, but that is mostly my imagination. It doesn't get as hot, therefore not as many deposits. We should probably flush it more frequently than we do. I am hoping for at least another 6 months and then hopefully our financial situation will be a bit better and we can replace it with less angst! Well, thank God for husbands who can fix things, it really saves money! I figure we've already saved the cost of a heater compared to others around here, which is nothing to sneeze at as expensive as they are! I keep thinking we should replace ours preemptively so it doesn't burst but it keeps on working. It is a pain in the butt when it comes to cleaning but at least the water tastes good. I love our water! Hopefully you get a good long while out of it still! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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