If they can't find you handsome
Red Greene says that if they "Can't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." I think handy was a good description of me today, but I gotta give praise and credit where it's due. Here's my story:
We bought a microwave for the kitchen, the over the range kind, to replace an old one that came with the house. The one we bought didn't last very long so we found a replacement demo model from Home Depot for a reasonable price. This was a few years ago. I had to have both units repaired under warranty and we kept using the newer one because the turntable went round and round and back and forth and it has a cool blue interior. The older new one was kept in storage as a spare.
A couple of weeks ago, all the buttons quit working on the fancier of the two except the easy on button and the lights button. I swapped it out for the spare. Three days later, all of the buttons on the spare quit working. I swapped it out for the one with at least some functionality. Yesterday, though, it gave up the ghost.
With our hectic schedules, a microwave oven is a bit more than a nicety. It's almost a necessity. But a replacement that matched the same brand as the stove brand new at Lowe's started at $269.99. That's a bit out of my budget for the next while, especially with the washer maybe being on its last legs. It works but it might not last. So, I went to my favorite sources for cheap used stuff: KSL and Craigslist.
KSL by far is the better marketplace. I found one like the one I wanted for $100. Still, it's a bit out of budget so after giving it the 24 hours, I decided against it. I had to go to Salt Lake today to resolve something with the ex. We get along better now than we have in a very long time and we were able to solve our issue quickly and amicably. I'm so grateful for that. God does soften hearts. Anyway, after coming home, I looked again on KSL for a microwave and there it was:
$50. Over the range, good quality brand. I called the guy and he was in Roy so I bought myself a used microwave that looks brand freaking new. $50 was in the budget. You gotta move fast when you see stuff on KSL. The microwave was on for less than fifteen minutes before I bought it and it had already been looked at by 15 people. Anyway, another $5 for toggle bolts and $10 to replace my measuring tape and I was in business. My tools showed up from the person who borrowed them at just the right time. So for $65, I have a new microwave. And a holey cabinet.
My computer tells me I spelled holey wrong. I don't care. Holy is God. Holey is my cabinet. Here's why:
Nothing is standard. I had to install the new mount bracket and of course, the cord for the oven is in a different spot. So are the top mount bolt holes. Hey, that's what they make wood putty for though, right? Next time I paint the cabinets, I'll fix the holes. But would it kill them to make things standard?
My theory is that they think you'll always buy their brand so that you won't have to ruin your cabinets to mount the new microwave. Why not just make a better product?
So, I may not be handsome, but I am a little bit handy. Sort of. But we do have a microwave that works.
I did file a complaint with the company that made my two microwaves. If they don't offer to fix them, they're headed for the scrap heap. I'm about to make some little junk guy really happy by getting rid fo two freezers, a washing machine, and an old water heater. They can take the microwaves too if they're not going to be fixed for free.
I want to give Glory to God, praise Him, and thank Him for meeting my need for a microwave for an affordable price, for letting me have most of the tools I needed, and for the sense to figure out where to drill the holes without having the proper template to install the microwave. And for a peaceful and productive day here at the "farm".
Now it's daddy/doggie time and time for a nap. For some strange reason, both the Immigrant and I woke up this morning at six thirty.
Remember that today we remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On Friday, we commemorate the day that He paid it all for you and me.
We bought a microwave for the kitchen, the over the range kind, to replace an old one that came with the house. The one we bought didn't last very long so we found a replacement demo model from Home Depot for a reasonable price. This was a few years ago. I had to have both units repaired under warranty and we kept using the newer one because the turntable went round and round and back and forth and it has a cool blue interior. The older new one was kept in storage as a spare.
A couple of weeks ago, all the buttons quit working on the fancier of the two except the easy on button and the lights button. I swapped it out for the spare. Three days later, all of the buttons on the spare quit working. I swapped it out for the one with at least some functionality. Yesterday, though, it gave up the ghost.
With our hectic schedules, a microwave oven is a bit more than a nicety. It's almost a necessity. But a replacement that matched the same brand as the stove brand new at Lowe's started at $269.99. That's a bit out of my budget for the next while, especially with the washer maybe being on its last legs. It works but it might not last. So, I went to my favorite sources for cheap used stuff: KSL and Craigslist.
KSL by far is the better marketplace. I found one like the one I wanted for $100. Still, it's a bit out of budget so after giving it the 24 hours, I decided against it. I had to go to Salt Lake today to resolve something with the ex. We get along better now than we have in a very long time and we were able to solve our issue quickly and amicably. I'm so grateful for that. God does soften hearts. Anyway, after coming home, I looked again on KSL for a microwave and there it was:
$50. Over the range, good quality brand. I called the guy and he was in Roy so I bought myself a used microwave that looks brand freaking new. $50 was in the budget. You gotta move fast when you see stuff on KSL. The microwave was on for less than fifteen minutes before I bought it and it had already been looked at by 15 people. Anyway, another $5 for toggle bolts and $10 to replace my measuring tape and I was in business. My tools showed up from the person who borrowed them at just the right time. So for $65, I have a new microwave. And a holey cabinet.
My computer tells me I spelled holey wrong. I don't care. Holy is God. Holey is my cabinet. Here's why:
Nothing is standard. I had to install the new mount bracket and of course, the cord for the oven is in a different spot. So are the top mount bolt holes. Hey, that's what they make wood putty for though, right? Next time I paint the cabinets, I'll fix the holes. But would it kill them to make things standard?
My theory is that they think you'll always buy their brand so that you won't have to ruin your cabinets to mount the new microwave. Why not just make a better product?
So, I may not be handsome, but I am a little bit handy. Sort of. But we do have a microwave that works.
I did file a complaint with the company that made my two microwaves. If they don't offer to fix them, they're headed for the scrap heap. I'm about to make some little junk guy really happy by getting rid fo two freezers, a washing machine, and an old water heater. They can take the microwaves too if they're not going to be fixed for free.
I want to give Glory to God, praise Him, and thank Him for meeting my need for a microwave for an affordable price, for letting me have most of the tools I needed, and for the sense to figure out where to drill the holes without having the proper template to install the microwave. And for a peaceful and productive day here at the "farm".
Now it's daddy/doggie time and time for a nap. For some strange reason, both the Immigrant and I woke up this morning at six thirty.
Remember that today we remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On Friday, we commemorate the day that He paid it all for you and me.
Comments
Post a Comment