The "To Do" List Never Ends!

I miss having a man around the house to handle my “To Do” list to complete some major and minor home repairs which would certainly go easy on my wallet. It is understandable that maintenance and repairs are necessary but I guess I was spoiled when living in New England and coming from such a large family.......most of the men in my family always were able to handle most repairs for me. Purchasing an item is usually not bad, it is the labor that is very costly and that is what I can't afford.

We all know that we can pay our auto mechanics a little now for routine service, or pay them a lot later for a major repair. The same idea holds true for your air conditioner or heating unit. If you don't service your air conditioner or heat pump regularly, you'll find yourself uncomfortable and broke.

I have been real good replacing my a/c filters faithfully (I have my computer to remind me with an alert feature) and I was also instructed by an a/c tech to add a little white vinegar in the air handler in that back narrow pan about every 90 days. And, I call for a maintenance service once a year. This year, however, I was just about to make that call and the other night my a/c was not running properly. It was running all night long yet the condenser outside was not moving so I knew something was wrong. I was beginning to sweat and very uncomfortable to say the least. I like to keep my house “meat locker” cold as I overheat easily. Most women out there understand! Of course this happened during the night so I tried to sleep with three fans facing me in bed! I did not sleep very well to say the least. My insomnia is an issue to begin with but I have to be cool at all times.

Well, I called my a/c company that provides high quality work and comes within a reasonable time, so that discomfort is not too bad. Hey, I live in Florida so it’s important to have the a/c working properly.

This maintenance visit was disturbing; as I was informed I need a new condenser outside. Heck, it is 9 years old but I always thought they would last a good 12-14 years!

Here is the whopping price $1,795.00! Yikes! I also included the One Year Maintenance Agreement so I wouldn’t forget to call for the twice a year maintenance which was another $150. raising my bill to $1,945.00. Holy Crapola! Looks like I won’t be doing any Happy Hours for a while. I don’t remember the last time I’ve been to the Mall to treat myself to something new………….Ugh. I have no choice, so the installation is tomorrow morning.

I’ll officially get it off my mind but I have not recovered yet from my recently replaced water heater last December and my new washer/dryer last August. It never ends!

Sometimes, I wonder if it would be better to rent than own? (provided you would have a very good landlord) I’m in a small condo and for the most part, I enjoy it. And, there are times; I do get annoyed with the Condo Commandos! That is when I miss owning my own home and I’m the solo commando of my domain! LOL Plus, the rents today are more than my social security check!!!!! What would I do?

Sunshine Award---come see if you were picked!

Thank you to Val from "Joy in the Rain" for bestowing this Award to me.  The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers who have positivity created and  inspired others in the blogesphere!

The "rules" have changed a little through time. I am choosing my own rules. LOL Val chose 7 Bloggers and I have chosen 12. It was difficult to narrow down, as I feel mostly everyone deserves this Award.

Place the Sunshine Award on your Blog, either in your text or on your sidebar.  Send this Award to whom ever you feel deserves it.

List the bloggers you feel deserve this Award so others can view their Blog. And, if you find the time, notify the bloggers you have chosen!  Val listed 7 things about herself.  I already listed 100 things about myself in an older blog! So, there isn't much more to add about me! LOL

Please enjoy viewing the blogs listed below:

http://vtriders.blogspot.com/
(Michelle)

http://jimsulliv3.blogspot.com/
 (Jimmy Sullivan)

http://vagabondjourneys.blogspot.com/
 (DB)

http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/
 (Jack & Sherry)

http://mysouthernhome.blogspot.com/
 (Sonya)

http://garnett109.blogspot.com/
 (My Brain is in Pain)

http://joyintherain-val.blogspot.com/
 (Val)

http://nutwoodjunction.blogspot.com/
 (Beth)

http://buckoclown.blogspot.com/
 (Beth's Hubby)

http://onyama.blogspot.com/
 ('On Ya'-Ma)

http://frenchessence.blogspot.com/
 (Vickie)

http://boylerpf.blogspot.com/
(Alicia)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's almost that time again to raise your glass and wear some green because everyone is Irish on St. Paddy's day!

I have a friend from Ireland and she told me things I never knew like......Did you know the original color associated with St. Patrick was blue, not green?  However over the years the color green and its association with St. Patrick's day grew.

My girlfriend also told me that she and her family never ate corned beef and cabbage on St. Paddy's Day!  Hmmmmmmmmmmm!  So, who started all these traditions here in the United States?

Well, I'm not Irish but this Italian gal will raise my glass of Johnny Walker and make a toast with my Irish friends.  I probably won't be wearing green either.....maybe someone will pinch me!!!!!!!!!  LOL