Can We Talk 2

Everything Goes Bad At Once

         My vacuum cleaner makes noise but won't suck up dust. I looked it up online: that brand only lasts about 7 years. I've had it about 8. YouTube has a video for replacing the motor, but I can't find a source that sells them and I'm not mechanically inclined. My late brother could have done it, so I miss him in many ways.

         My bedroom lamp needs rewiring. Who knows how old hat is. The dishwasher, about 20 years old, isn't getting the plates and bowls clean (I do pans by hand). The washer is acting up. It is only about 6 years old and won't empty all the water but stops mid-cycle. My computer is Windows 10, and in a few days won't work with the Internet. The wheelchair ramp out the back is splitting, and the rail is falling off. No wheelchairs are currently in use at this house; I like to walk off that side of the porch, however, to do yardwork or take out the trash.

         I am on a restricted budget, so prioritizing repairs or replacements is important. The ramp can wait; I just make sure I always step over the supporting 4X8 underneath the slats. I can use a broom and not replace the vacuum. I can keep opening the washer and readjusting the load to continue, until my finances allow a repairman to adjust it. The web says they only last about 8 to 10 years. I remember when people had washers or dryers for decades. In fact, my dryer is at least 30 years old and has had only one repair. The article online said that refrigerators and freezers only last a maximum of 15 years.

         Not only are machines not built to last for decades, but the repair people have also become scarce. The labor is expensive, and the workers have to keep updating their knowledge of newer models and computerized parts. Keeping a home stocked with workable tools is an ongoing and expensive process. It's not a poor, poor pitiful me thing. It's modern life. We should tell new homeowners, and other young people starting out, just get used to it. You're never home free!