Roughing It - 2/9/07

Why is it that during the coldest part of this very mild winter, my heater quits? Last night about 10:30 I was walking through the living room and smelled something strange. I was sniffing around and finally identified it as those stinky chemicals they put in natural gas so that leaks can be detected. It was very strong so we called the gas company and they said they'd have someone out as soon as possible. So about midnight the guy shows up and sure enough we have a gas leak. The only appliance that we have in the whole condo that is gas powered is the hot water heater. Unfortunately the hot water heater is also the source of heat for our heating system. Hot water in the pipes is run across a blower. The technician had to turn off the gas because the leak was in the regulator that steps the gas down to 1/2 pound of pressure per square inch before it powers the hot water heater. He just shuts it off, he can't fix it. This morning we called for repair and the earliest anyone can be here is Monday. We have no hot water, no heat and its only Friday. So what do we do? Luckily we're on the third floor so we're between two heated floors. We have an electric fireplace which puts out heat so that's running and every now and then I'll heat the oven up. Its stayed around 70 degrees so far and considering its below freezing outside, that's a good thing!

So I had to boil water this morning so that I could wash up. I had to boil water to do the dishes. I actually do have a couple of antique irons that I could heat up in the oven and put in the bed to warm it up, but I don't think its cold enough in here for that yet.

So universe what is my lesson in all this? Am I to learn gratitude for all the things that are working? Because I am grateful. I'm grateful that the electricity is still on. I'm thankful that we don't have 90 inches of snow outside like they do in New York. I'm grateful that I got to go out to lunch with my girl friends today.

Find the things in your life that you are grateful for and hold onto those through the rough times. Its all good.