Repairs

One could be excused for thinking that our life is a series of adventures, interspersed with days of relaxation in the sunshine.

And many times, one would be right. However, this year our trailer turned 22 years old, and gave us a few more challenges than usual.

We certainly didn’t expect this solid bar of aluminum that holds up our steps to break. It is quite a step up into the trailer when our camping site is level, so we really can’t go without these stairs. But we didn’t know that it was going to be so much of a procedure to actually get this part. 

First, one has to identify to the company just which bar, of the many bars that it could be, that they should order for us. The week before Christmas, of course, because that is when complicated things tend to break. But, Santa Claus was smiling at us, and two weeks later it was re-attached and is good as new.

Every house needs a little TLC.  Sometimes it even needs a good whack with a hammer in places. Or in one case, a spot of glue.

Old things often sag. This is our vinyl ceiling, which in the heat tends to separate from the glue on the aluminum above. This is not to say that we don’t want to be in the heat. Trust me. We like it here.  

And anyway, a comment to dear hubby gets it glued back up lickity split.

He also did a wonderful job of revamping the electrical inlet on the outside of the trailer. The old original set up was rusting and difficult to work with, so hubby simplified the arrangement and replaced the plug in box.

I remember when we retired. Dear hubby was a little concerned that he would run out of things to do and get bored. Well, he’s not bored yet.

He even updated our reading lights over our living room couch. Where there used to be fixtures with flat profiles and dull lights, we now have fancy LED lights that can turn a real pretty blue or become a warm glow to read by.

And then this January, hubby had to fix our toilet. While the problem wasn’t dire, it was something that would have gotten worse in time. The valve at the bottom of the bowl just wasn’t holding the water anymore.  If the valve stays dry, it cracks and becomes useless. Since replacing the valve mechanism would have required completely removing the toilet anyway, the decision was made to get a new one. 

The decision was also made simpler by the fact that a new toilet cost as much as the required part. 

And that could have been put in far faster if dear wife (me) hadn’t messed around with the installation. 

I never have been mechanically minded.

Hubby, however, is very good at all kinds of repairs. Here he is fixing the sputter in our propane water heater.

So far, the only help I’ve given my hubby in fixing things around here has been a hand with sewing the tear in the awning.

It’s usually better if I keep my fingers out of things. I do much better with the relaxing in the sunshine part. 

With my wine, cell phone and book in hand (not in any particular order), of course.

W