ZOT, continued

Thanks and blessings on a_belletrist's P who drove a considerable distance to check out my electrical problem last night.

Unfortunately, he could not find the cause -- and therefore no solution for -- my dead outlet. The breaker is fine. Other outlets and lights on that circuit work. The outlet box itself appears undamaged. It just doesn't work.

Oh, and our breaker box is in serious need of upgrade. It's rated at 120, and modern houses are rated at 200+.

So the Ex and I had a lengthy telephone conversation last night, and we're upping the priority of getting the electrical upgraded. We've been talking for quite some time about getting the upstairs and downstairs on different breaker boxes, and we've known that we needed to upgrade the wiring -- but we're not looking forward to either the expense or the impact on our walls. (I've just recovered from last summer's plumbing upgrade!)

In the meantime, I have an unused wall socket on the wrong side of the living room, so I'll be investing in a very long extension cord -- which I am promising myself I will not overload. It will support an essential light and the electronics in the living room, on a rotating basis. The computer will continue to live at the kitchen table. The mini speakers and printer will go elsewhere to be used, or the tv and cable box will be unplugged while they are in use.

Why is home ownership such a struggle? We didn't have these problems when I was growing up. Water stayed where it was supposed to. Toilets occasionally got plugged, but never flooded. Eletrical systems were stable and dependable. I never saw a Shop-Vac.

Counting My Blessings

1. I own a home that keeps me and my daughter sheltered and safe.

2. My daughter: healthy, smart, loving, and a good companion.

3. uncrowned_king and _storyteller_

4. A loving family living close to me

5. A sane and good-intentioned Ex-Husband

6. Ever-increasing self awareneness

7. A stable job that is likely to evolve into something that is far more challenging, satisfying, and financially rewarding.

8. Lots of great girlfriends, several of whom I would not have known if not for LJ

9. Game this Saturday, and time to hang out with Hob beforehand

10. A spa treatment on Sunday afternoon, courtesy of some generous gift cards from the holidays and my birthday

11. Lunches next week with kateri_thinks, a_belletrist, and Jeannie.

12. My Water and my Electricity get along well enough to produce the hot shower which I am about to enjoy.

13. Today is payday, and I will be taking my daughter to Payday Pizza at California Pizza Kitchen, followed by a search for a quill pen and sealing wax, which is what she wants for her birthday.

14. That I could go on and on with this list, had I not other things to do this morning.