Moving…Slowly
In my previous post, I detailed three things which have reduced my energy. For my whole life I have abounded with energy. So, it is weird feeling…reduced. It is like I was a 200W bulb, now dimmed to 20W.
Still, one can accomplish things with but 20W.
The other day, I met with Travis from Modern Air. I love Travis. He is always responsive to my calls, and he radiates competence and experience.
I had him look at two radiator pipes which have been leaking since the system was restored. Luckily, the leaks are to pipes in the basement so the little bit of water just falls to the concrete floor, damaging nothing.
And, while Travis is a, ahh, pipe guy, I directed his attention to the fan unit of the #1 AC system.
NOTE:
The Cross House House has a three-zone AC system.
Zone 1: Basement and 1st-floor.
Zone 2: Second floor.
Zone 3: Third floor.
Last week I flicked the switch to Zone 1…and nothing happened. The fan did not even go on.
So, what was wrong? I checked that the fan unit had power. Yes. I checked the fuse. That was OK. So why the fan unit just dead?
Anyway, as Travis and I walked around the basement discussing pipes, I pointed to the fan unit and said: “I know you’re a pipe guy, but can you possibly help with this?”, and I explained the problem.
In an instant, Travis said: “You have the front panel off. It won’t work without it on.” Then I recalled taking off the panel last month because I thought a bird had gotten into the return duct (it had not).
He picked up the panel leaning against the wall, snapped it in place, and the fan unit kicked right on.
The look on my face must have been priceless.
I looked at Travis. “Have I told you today that I love you?”
After the shower was installed and tiled, the room was a mess. Ordinarily, I would have cleaned all this the next day. But 20W Ross? Nope. So, day after day I ignored the mess. Several times I walked into the room fully intending to clean it…and then backed out, just overwhelmed at the prospect.
But, I had The Other Justin scheduled to finish the final flooring issues in the kitchen and bathroom. And I never never never want anybody working in a mess. Sigh. So, I hauled my 20W ass up to the bathroom and cleaned it. Whoee! The next day Justin finished the flooring. Whoee!
Yesterday, I got the second shower wall grouted! Whoee! Just one more wall to go!
Tonight is taco night, and my neighbor Brad, and our friend Steve, will be coming to the Cross House. I am hoping to arrive a few hours early and finish the grouting.
Cross your fingers.
Once the grouting is done, the next project is to climb up the scaffolding on the north side and do the gutter repair. I do not think this will be a big deal, and maybe 20W Ross can actually get this done. If so, the scaffolding can be taken down, making the north facade look a whole lot better.
Cross your fingers.
14 Comments
Leave a Comment
Your email address will NEVER be made public or shared, and you may use a screen name if you wish.
Crossing fingers and toes! And wishing wind to your sails.
….and eyes, arms, legs and crossing all T’s, too.
Hooray, Other Justin for another solid flooring! Hooray Travis for the easy fix! Hooray to Brad and Steve for taco night! Hooray Ross for another grouted wall!
I feel your pain, and your lack of wattage; I am like an old Edison filament bulb that glows, dims, and flickers. Crossing my fingers for you, but with a word of caution; low wattage can also mean a loss of dexterity and coordination, which can be dangerous at high altitudes and precarious locations, so please be careful. We do not bounce like we once did.
Fingers & toes crossed but, I guess I’ll be the worrier here: heat warnings today & tomorrow. 🔥
Heat will further sap your energy so, don’t feel as if you need to push to your usual “Ross level” workload.
It can sneak up on you: if you feel chilled at all or, even slightly light headed, make for the shade & rest with some water. Lot’s of breaks, lots of water. You’re still on meds which can magnify dehydration. If you need to finish another day then, do so. Overtaxing your system while its trying to heal – ill advised.
The Cross house is a lady in waiting – she isn’t going anywhere.
Hi, Ross! I think I’ve mentioned this before, but Travis was the guy who kept my mom and dad’s radiators humming at optimum. I love him too, and I’ve only met him once. What a great guy.
I’ll be in Emporia twice in the next month or so. I’m hoping we can catch up while I’m in town!
Ross, if your get up and go went maybe you should get your thyroid checked. Happened to me, had thyroid cancer but just might be hypothyroidism in hour case. Oh please post more pics of everything
Mark
You got a lot done in your diminished energy level, cleaning up the bathroom and grouting a wall in the shower. I wouldn’t try repairing the gutter and climbing on the scaffolding in your 20W Ross state. The gutter can wait until you have more energy. Better to be safe than sorry. Here’s hoping you feel like your old self again soon.
Travis sounds like a gem. Keep on his good side. Is he a brownie man or a bread man? If you have any talent for baking at all, find out his weakness and then make sure to have some piping hot temptation every time he comes over. Glad he didn’t charge you for the “AC repair.”
I so feel you. After I dumped the statins I got better but was never back to my pre-statin self. Of course, I was also 10 years older by that time. During this “statins time” I would complain to my doctors and the response was. “Well, you are getting old.” My response? “I’m 42.” Reality is that some doctors treat women like shit. Like we don’t know our own bodies. Like we get hysterical or lie for attention or just like to complain. I know what’s normal and what’s not. And it was me that figured out it was the statins and stopped taking them. But still, 10 years of lethargy has an effect. Don’t let the doctors dismiss you with that “old” line. There are people that are old at 30 and people that are young at 90. You’re one of the young ones. I don’t think I ever had your energy, not even when I was in my 30s. I am confident this is a temporary slow down and you’ll be back to your old self. The most difficult part of recovery is patience.
I know it’s a plod, but one wall of grouting at a time is okay. Grouting does take a bit out of you as it is time sensitive and once you start you have to finish. So nothing wrong with one wall at a time. It does feel good to get things cleaned up. You are so lucky you have been able to get parts and labor this past 15 months. In fact, I have been amazed you have been able to get done what you have.
It’s June, soon to be July and August. Do you get much rain over the summer? If not, the gutters can wait until you are closer to your old self. (After the meds are over and out of your system.) It would be nice for the scaffolding to be down but it is what it is.
Since Cory is staying in the coach house, are there things Cory can do TO the Coach house that need to be done so that you don’t have to do them? My guess is that he would love to have some projects to do on that old house, being that he loves old houses. Good practice for when he eventually buys an old house of his own.
Take care. Stay safe. Hug Limpy.
Hi Ross,
Has it ever occurred to you that this house will be your Picasso or Monet – your greatest accomplishment that will be admired and enjoyed long after you are gone? Even though you weren’t the original owner or architect, you are playing a role that is every bit as, or even more, important as they. The likelihood is that the house will continue forward for an additional century (or two or three) all due solely to your hard work and dedication. People who haven’t even been born yet will, in the future, admire your work.
That won’t be the case for most of us. It is a pretty cool thought in my opinion. And something to be very proud of.
I’m sorry you’re not feeling up to par and hope you recover soon.
Hey Ross – I know how you feel! Since I’ve been renovating my house, I find some days I go like the energizer bunny, but most days i just don’t have the energy I used to. I finally hired 2 teens to come over and help me finish a project. But I also tell myself that I have to do at least one project per day, be it big or small. Otherwise, I’m sure my house would not get done. 😊
Hi Ross, sorry to hear you’re not feeling so great – being tired when there’s so much you want to do can really be discouraging. Just remember your patented baby-steps method – even a little effort is still moving forward. Also, perhaps this is the summer where you will get to take more time to relish and enjoy all the amazing things that you have accomplished.
Glad you are still productive. Maybe not 200w but that’s ok! Someone else said, the house isnt going anywhere. Let Cody do some of this stuff when he arrives. Take care, look forward to seeing what’s done.
I can empathize with you. I know how frustrated it is to try and get things done with low energy. I, too, have been continually amazed at all you do. There’s no disgrace in slowing down. You have to develop a healthy selfishness. You have to take care of you (and your fur babies). All the rest is ‘just stuff’. 🙂
If you are a 20W then I am a tapered candle!