When I went to school, we took an aptitude test that would give some idea what career path you might enjoy. While many of my friends were getting results like doctor, nurse, lawyer, and teacher…I came out as a mechanic. I was mortified but later in life learned that interest would serve me well as an adult. I studied to be a Radiologic Technologist…a career that is quite mechanical based. Drawing blood, visualizing internal structures, reading x-rays all require special thinking…something I excel at. When it came to doing things around the house and building things, I was aces. I can tear things apart and put them back together. Even the simple tasks of putting up a tent or towing a trailer involve a great deal of mechanical skills. And besides…they’re fun!
When I was canning the half-runner beans last week, I had two canners going on the stove top. The two larger burners are on the right front and the left rear. My smaller canner was on the left and it was pushed back against the control panel on the back of the stove. I remember smelling a very slight odor that reminded me of melting plastic, but it was fleeting. I had some plastic containers a little to close to the stove so I assumed that was where the smell was coming from.
When I was cleaning up everything the next day and wiped down the stove, I noticed I had actually melted the left side of the control panel. The buttons would not work on that side. So, Mr. FixIt showed me what pieces to order to fix it. They arrived on Tuesday, so yesterday morning after breakfast, I unplugged the stove and pulled it away from the wall far enough to get back behind it to work.
I had no idea how to change this piece, other than a general understanding of “plug and play” electronics. I found the right tool to take the cover off the back of the stove. I carefully observed the panel and how it was connected to the power. There were four screws holding it in place. Philip’s head. I got the right screwdriver and removed the panel being very careful to place the screws in a small bowl for later. I unplugged the power connection on the panel and removed the four screws. The whole panel easily slid out from the opening and I set it aside.
Using a damp cloth with some grease cutting detergent, I wiped down the area and placed the new unit in the opening. I reinserted the four mounting screws and plugged in the panel. At this point, I plugged in the stove to test the control panel and it worked perfectly! I screwed the back cover in place, cleaned up all the drips and grease from the sides of the stove and the cabinet wall. Then carefully slid the stove back in place.
Voila…done!
The next chore was replacing the cover on the secondary filter assembly on the pool pump. Mr. FixIt bought a new one and we soon figured out this was a two person job. One of us had to plug a drain hole while the other removed the old like and replaced it with the new one. Try as I might, I could NOT get that lid to seat right. So, we switched places and Mr. FixIt gave it a shot. He was sure it was the right piece, but this pump is a different brand and the size was off by the slightest of margins. We ended up putting the old lid back on and now we’ll have to take the new lid back and exchange it.
As I was straightening the living room and moving some things out of the way for the carpet dude who is returning today, I noticed places where the termites have made small holes in the wall. I wasn’t around when Mr. FixIt discussed the treatment plan, and I like to have a thorough understanding of what is going on and what to expect. I’ll have to call the termite dude today and quiz him. It may be perfectly normal to get migrating termites after a treatment…I don’t know. But I’ll find out…if for no other reason than curiosity.
I have always had to assume a good deal of the responsibility for repairs at the house. Hubby #2 was a doctor and was gone a lot. Mr. Virgo was NOT mechanically adept in the slightest and I did the repair things that I could to save money. Then, when I became a widow, there WASN’T anyone but me to do stuff. Thank God for YouTube videos and how-to books. Mr. FixIt is often stunned that I not only CAN do these kinds of things, but that I WANT to and genuinely LIKE to do them. I think he kinda beams when I can figure something out. And when I am finished with a job, he invariably says, “Great job, baby!”
That’s when I kinda beam right back!
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“Do all things without grumbling or disputing,”
Philippians 2:14 ESV