Oh No...Time to Turn it ON!

 

This is what I woke up to, this morning. A fire (made by my husband) in the family room fireplace. Why is this so unusual? Because it's October in Virginia and we have snow. It's also a bit chilly out and I have an issue, twice a year, when it comes to turning on the heat and turning on the air conditioning.

Let me explain.

There are a few reasons why I dread doing both. Let me just start with that fact that before each "turn on", I have enjoyed a lower than usual electric bill for a month or two prior (our whole house is electric) without the heat pump running.

Secondly, I have this "thing" with turning on the heat before November 1st and the air conditioning before June 1st. I'm not quite sure what it is. Maybe, I have a weird psychological issue with the month justifying the change in temperature and therefore justifying the turning on of the heat pump.

Third, and most importantly, our system is just as old as our house. Our house was built-in 1974. We have owned it for about 11 years. We bought it from the original owner who was quite proud of the fact that he replaced nothing in the house, ever! Therefore, we are the only ones in the neighborhood who still have the original heat pump system (the others have replaced theirs at least twice now)

We would have replaced it if it had broken down, but it hasn't yet. It works great and everyone else in the neighborhood who has upgraded has had issues with their systems. So why invest $6,000 to $8,000 of funds we do not have if we don't have to? With that being said, whenever I turn the system on, I have a bit of an anxiety attack beforehand because I'm afraid that it will not work. We can only hope for so long that it lasts, and so far, we've been lucky.

And so, the modus operandi  for turning the heat/ac on is this: I announce to the entire family that I am going to turn it on. I hold my breath. I close my eyes. I open my eyes. I turn the switch to on, (mind you I'm still holding my breath at this point) and wait, and wait a bit more, till I see, hear, and feel the air being pushed out of the vents. When the mission is accomplished successfully, I say a prayer of gratitude and keep my hope up that it will last through the season.

Well, it's about that time, dear reader, that I have to do the "dirty deed", as I refer to it. I will be holding out till November, which is right around the corner. And when all is said and one, and it turns on without a hitch, I will then have Peace Of Mind.

WISH ME LUCK!

 

Rain Rain Wash Away

Oh, how I just love a calm rain on a sultry day in the summertime. The smell, the sound, and the cleansing nature of it all. Today it is raining and I find myself relecfting on it's literal (as well and figurative meaning) for me.

We all know the importance rain holds, in it's crucial and essential relevance to our existence on this planet. Without water we cannot survive, nothing can. Metaphorically speaking, we also cannot survive without the hopes carried by the rain to wash away our sorrows, to cleanse our souls, and to wait for the sunlight to break through the storm and shine upon a brighter path to peace and harmony in our lives.

At this moment in my life I find that there are many unsettled things around me. We all have these times, dear reader, in which we are experiencing some form of limbo or another where major and minor decisions need to be made. Seeking answers, not knowing what the outcome may be, while moving forward with a bit of fear and anxiety.



If only the rain could wash away our fear on the unknown, enabling us to walk without worry. If only we could see a break in the dark cloud cover to help guide us to this place of peaceful destination and fulfillment. These are the hopes I hold today as I ponder my next move. I must zone in on my fears and overcome each one. At this point it's a difficult task for me, as I'm sure for others. Being a confident individual does not make you immune to moments where you feel that confidence lacking. It happens to the best of us depending on the situation at hand and the tools we feel we do or do not posses.


And so, today, as it rains, I look out the windows of my home and at the same time need to take a look also into the windows of my ego. Two different views which must come to the same conclusions. If you are also, dear reader, battling with yourself in one way or another, I wish the rain to wash away your worries, fear, anxiety, and apprehensions  May the sun break through and shine upon your being with much hope and grace while showing you the path to a peace of mind.