Tuesday, February 8, 2011

That Hindsight Thing!

I have to admit that while I enjoy spending time with Carl, there are times that when he's working on the weekends, and I don't mind his being gone all day.  This wasn't the case on Saturday.  I was looking forward to the day.  But when I went to run errands in the early afternoon, I let the dogs out one last time and noticed that our heat-pump had frost all over its outside.  A closer look and I could see that there was a significant amount of ice built up on the inside. I had noticed earlier in the week that ice had formed along the bottom, but never thought much about it.  I 'googled' the problem on the internet and read that it could just be lack of air circulation and the ice should be removed. I don't know how many buckets of hot water I poured on the ice to thaw everything.  I even laid on the ground in an effort to break all the ice up underneath--After 2 hours of back-breaking work that I know Carl could have done in half the time, I had cleared most of the ice and was feeling pretty good about what I'd been able to do.  I turned the system back on and waited.  A little while later I went out and looked at it, and could see frost was forming again...I called my brother who told me to turn the thermostat to 'emergency heat' and call someone.  I didn't know whether to be upset about the 2 hours I spent laying on the cold-wet-ground or because we're going to be charged $100 JUST to get someone to come to the house to look at it.  Feeling defeated, worn out and cold I did the only thing I could do--I made a chocolate cake (from scratch) and took a nap.

Carl was thankfully off of work on Monday and someone came to look at it.  A circuit board or something is out and needs to be ordered and will be put in later in the week.  I'll let him handle it.  All I know is it's a fix that will cost about $500.  It would have cost us only a deductible if we'd renewed our home warranty at the end of last year.  What's that saying about hindsight? 

In hindsight I should have also not waited to make a grooming appointment for Charlie. His coat is long and thick, and starting to mat a bit.  But I kind of like the shaggy-dog look--He's well suited for the cold weather, don't you think?     

38 comments:

  1. Oh Kim, I think Charlie is adorable!! I always did like the long shaggy look. "Okay Charlie... let me see those eyes..."

    That cake looks wonderful. That's exactly how I would have made it all better - a cake :) Glad your getting the heat pump fixed but it's too bad it has to be so costly. I think you should have some more of that cake.

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  2. That chocolate cake looks heavenly Kim! Yum!!

    I think Charlie's extra fur is helping him keep warm in all that snow. :)

    xo Catherine

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  3. at least you gave it your best effort!! :)
    i think Charlie looks very cute, his winter cut!
    xoxo

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  4. So, were you without heat in this weather? Hope everything is working now! Charlie looks like he enjoys the snow...well protected. You sure made a beautiful cake.

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  5. I love Charlie's look, but I bet it's hard to get a comb through that!!

    Glad you got the furnace situation under control - a chocolate cake always helps any situation.

    Lynn

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  6. Charlie is ADORABLE!
    As is that CHOCOLATE CAKE!!!

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  7. You always know that if you have to call a repairman for anything it's going to cost big bucks. At least now you guys will stay warm and toasty.

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  8. Charlie looks appropriately dressed to me! Wow, you have a LOT of snow. I didn't think it was allowed to snow south of the Mason-Dixon line.

    Cake looks pretty darn good too.

    My experience is that heat pumps are a pain in the ass, especially in winter weather.

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  9. Nancy K said it well. :)

    Sorry for the heat pump troubles! What a pain for you (literally!)

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  10. Looks like its cold enough for Charlie to wait for a couple of weeks before having the Samson treatment !

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  11. Looks like its cold enough for Charlie to wait for a couple of weeks before having the Samson treatment !

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  12. It's always hard to make these tough decisions when the man is away.

    I deal with those on a regular basis. You did what you could do and should be proud of that.

    The cake photograph -- is great. I want-some-now.

    And as long as the weather is cold, let Charlie go au naturale!

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  13. Charlie looks so deserving...what a sweet boy!!!
    Sorry about the heating bill...that is just terrible! When those things work, they work so well, and when they don't, they are SO expensive!

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  14. Chocolate cake...or chocolate anything for that matter is the solution to all disapointments. At least yout still have heating!

    As for Charlie, he is adorable!!! I have always loved long haires dogs, especially the little guys :o)

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  15. I think that Charlie looks wonderful, all cozy and warm, in spite of the snow. Sorry about the heat pump problem. You must have been so frustrated, after all of that hoard work.

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  16. My dog... the chocolate cake looks yummy!

    We think Charlie looks great with his long thick coat - we like the shaggy-dog look!

    Love,
    Homer

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  17. kudos to you for trying! heat pumps are not as effective when it goes below 32. yum, that chocolate cake looks wonderful. charlie needs his coat for the cold walks outside and he looks so cute!

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  18. Chocolate and a nap - you have the perfect prescription for any kind of problem!

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  19. Charlie is PERFECT! Chocolate cake is perfect too!!! xxxxxxxxxxxx

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  20. Couldn't think of a better solution to something....chocolate anything will do for me!
    And Charlie....well, I'm speechless at his cuteness!

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  21. Hi there, So sorry about your heat pump and your trying to fix it-thus laying on the cold wet snow. So glad it will be up and running. We don't have one but I imagine it is very necessary. Loved seeing Charlie in the snow. Also I wouldn't like stink bugs either! But we have carpenter ants that burrow and then push dirt up under our carpet-yuck so we can't shampoo the carpet(luckily it is new and we don't have to worry about that.). Have a warm and wonderful weekend dear Kim.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  22. Perhaps just a good brush and trim for Charlie?
    I agree, he looks quite warm as he is. :)

    Sorry to hear about the heat pump. I know the feeling well.

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  23. Mmmmm chooooocolate.....gooood! My goodness the long hair makes your Charlie look a complete different dog. I let our Sophie get a bit fuzzy and I thought she was going to trim herself before I got with it. She is such a diva.

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  24. I couldn't have delt with the motor thing either, I'd have baked a cake too....but YOURS looks much better!!
    Charlie is a handsome devil!!!

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  25. Kim,
    Charlie is so cute. The chocolate cake is too die for. I really want a piece because I'm having a chocolate crazy cake fit.
    I guess I'll have to settle for some chips and dip.
    Hope you get the heat pump fixed soon.

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  26. The cake looks so yummy! I like your thinking!! Charlie is unbelievably adorable. I love all that hair.
    Staci

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  27. I think that Charlies looks cute and perfectly suited for the weather!

    We're having a hindsight moment too, kind of like your heat pump one. We figured out that a pipe burst because the basement sector of our heating system isn't working. Ah, in hindsight, why didn't we realize that much sooner???

    That chocolate cake looks scrumptious!

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  28. Hi Kim
    I think the chocolate cake would help to sooth from frazzled nerves after all that you went through trying to fix that heat pump.
    A nice bite of chocolate cake and go take a nap, is the perfect perscription.
    Charlie is too cute.
    He does not need a hair cut- nope. I love those fluffy dogs-
    I hope you still have some cake... gee wish I had a bite..
    which reminds me- this little doggy is still enjoying those cookies you sent at Christmas...
    love
    tweedles

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  29. Personally I think Charlie looks like one of those throw rugs that were around way back when!...:)JP

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  30. Let me start with Charlie. He looks great! Does he shed in the house?

    Our lab mix sheds like nothing I have ever seen! All the time! I comb her fur and remove the excess that is loose but to no avail. It never stops! We love her anyway!

    Your decision to stop fighting with the heat pump and go bake a cake, and take a nap was so perfect. It made me giggle.

    I hope everything is back in order.
    xoxo

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  31. Well, the chocolate cake is some consolation. I think I would have eaten the whole thing! You are a trooper getting out there and working so hard. Have some more cake!

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  32. Kim,
    I sure hope everything works out well with your heat pump. Sorry about those problems.

    Charlie sure is an adorable dog.

    Your chocolate cake looks so good. I would love to have a piece.

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  33. Popping in to check on you.
    This happened to us the first year we were in our house, with a brand-new heat/ac unit. I did the same thing you did, and ended up having to stay on emergency heat for about a day until the dealer could come fix the thing. The worst part about it was of course it happened on the coldest day of the year. Also, because of having stayed on emer. heat our power bill that month was about $300 more than usual. We could have stayed in a hotel for a day for less. Oh well, you learn.

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  34. Yeah, that darn hindsight thing!

    I think your Charlie looks great with all that fur!
    - Anne

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  35. It's usually when you are home alone - that things break, I think there must be some law or something.

    I think Charley just needs a good bath and brushing - it's COLD out there!

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  36. Looooooove the shaggy look - he's adorable :)

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  37. I just love all your fuzzy dogs in snow pictures. What a nice family :-).

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  38. I just love all your fuzzy dogs in snow pictures. What a nice family :-).

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