The electric company FINALLY came yesterday. Uncle D had gone home, so I had to call him back when they finally showed up. So the guy from the electric co. started taking everything apart. The kids were fascinated by the burnt marks on the breaker. I was thankful that it stopped at the breaker, and didn’t go into the house! So Uncle D got here, and the 2 worked on putting the new breaker in. Well, it wouldn’t fit! So Uncle D had me call an electrical supply co. to see if they had one, and they did, so he left to go pick it up. The electric co. guy worked on the box for a few minutes, then went to sit in his truck. So I came in the house and got a book on electricity and went back outside to read to the kids. The electric co guy didn’t ask why all these kids were out in the yard, and why weren’t they in school. So anyway, I was reading to the kids, and were were discussing circuits, and currents and lots of stuff related to electricity. So he comes back to the pole before we finished. The pole is right next to the swing set, were the kids were sitting. So He had his back to me, and I couldn’t see his face. So we continuted reading and discussing. Talking about making circuits with batteries and lights, so we got the a section about making a door bell. So I asked “How does a doorbell work?” So you know, I’m expecting the circuit answer. Well, that’s not what I got. lol Abigail says “You press the button, and it goes ding dong!” LOL Mel said the guy was cracking up! ROFLOL We started discussing the experiments we were going to do when we came in. I said well, we’re down with the book, but I skipped a couple of parts that are outdated. Well, the kids were not happy about that. So I had to read it all. lol So we read a chapter on fuses, so Hannah proceeds to say that she wishes that we still had fuses that she thinks they are better. ROFLOL So we discussed fuses versus breakers. Hannah refused to believe that breakers are better, and still wants fuses. LOL I hope I sounded like I knew what I was talking about. LOL The poor electric guy got a little more than he bargained for when he came to our house! LOL
Uncle D finally got back with the new part, and they worked together to get in in. We all stood around and watched, and talked about it, and pointed out stuff we had learned in the book. They had to cut a couple inches off the main wires to have them fit in the breaker better, so we watched that, and got to get the pieces they cut off, the kids thought that was cool. So they got it all in, and turned back on. I heard the outside fridge come on, and Zach had turned on the kitchen light so he could tell when the electric came back on. LOL So we could see that. So Uncle D, and the electric guy left thinking everything worked. We came in, and the kids each picked a heating vent to lay on while flipped the breakers in the house, and turned the heat on. Only the heat wouldn’t come on. The phone rang then, and it was D checking to see if everything was on. I got him up to speed, and he said go try it again. Nothing. He had me try the stove. nothing. So he said I’ll be right home.
He got home and tried everything. nothing. Uncle D was next door so D went over to talk to him. Uncle D went to the electrical supply company to see if we could buy just the piece of metal in the back of the box. But you can’t, you have to buy the whole box. So he got one of those, and I have to start all over this morning calling the electric com. then have Uncle D come back over and replace the box. Wonder if we’ll get the same guy? LOL But it’s always fun to get someone new. I love to watch repair men’s faces when they see us. LOL When they come here to work, they don’t expect to get a women and a bunch of kids standing around watching, and discussing what their doing. ROFLOL It’s like a field trip without leaving home! LOL
After D came home last night to check on the electric, he had to go back to work to paint a van. When he got home at 8, he brought a kerosone heater that his boss had. So he fired that thing up (I HATE THOSE!) He had it up to 72 in the living area when I went to bed. It was down to 68 when we got up this morning. so it’s staying pretty warm. D asked if this house holds heat this well, why does the furnace come on so much? Good question! We keep the thermostat set on 68. But the thermometer in the living room always says 72. But it went up to 64 in here during the day yesterday, and stayed there all day, until D turn the little heater on. So don’t feel too sorry for us, it’s not that cold in here!
This morning I was awaked by the phone at 5:45. Betty Sue calling collect from the hospital. Kenn was there with a bad case of bronchotis and they need a ride home. So D went to get them. He offered to turn the heater on before he left (I HATE THOSE!) I said no, because I don’t know how to turn it off. D’s on the way home now, but they has to turn around and go to work. I’m not sure how Kenn ended up at a hospital an hour away, well, ok, it’s not an hour away from his house. But this is the second time! So going to have to tell him to use the hospital closer to us if he wants rides that early in the morning! Last time he wanted a ride around midnight. Why can’t he be sick during the day?! LOL Does that sound mean? I don’t mean to be mean. But we are paying for the gas, so shouldn’t we have some say in how much gas we use? And we have to pay an arm and a leg for the collect call! There I go, sounding mean again. sigh. I’m not trying to be. sigh.
Well, I better get off. The kids are waking up. I’ve been typing this for 40 minutes! but now it’s time to get dressed and start calling the electric company! Wish me luck! LOL