Tuesday was the coldest day on record here in decades, or so they said on the news. Below zero, with a load of snow already on the ground. A number of people lost power in some surrounding areas here, but magically, I never did lose power–although I was very prepared and expecting it. Any time power goes off in this area, my farm is almost always one of the ones involved. I’m just lucky that way! However. This time, my power stayed on. However! Not everything was roses as I battled in and out internet and my furnace broke down Tuesday morning.
Did I mention about Tuesday being a very cold day with below zero temps? Yeah, that Tuesday. THE COLD ONE. Addressing this problem, along with keeping animals sheltered and watered with frozen hydrants at the barn took up my day. Despite the fact that my road was snowed over and icy, I managed to get first my neighbor to come take a look at the furnace and give me some advice about what to do next then I got a well tender out here to double check the regulator at the well, make sure the problem wasn’t that my gas was frozen off. (It wasn’t.) He was very helpful and gave me a little tutorial about how to tell if the gas is frozen off and what to do if it is. Then I got an electrician out here, secure in the knowledge that it WAS the furnace and not the gas. He had to order the part I needed (a new motor) and it wasn’t going to be in until the next day, Wednesday. By then I was pooped and cold and trying to keep a fire going in the house.
Wednesday morning, I was out early and my car broke down. I managed to get assistance and actually get to the car repair shop. This is where I spent the entire rest of the day waiting while I got a new water pump, idler pulley, and thermostat. Worrying the whole time about getting home in time for the electrician to repair my furnace and about my very cold house without me there to keep a fire.
By the time I got home Wednesday evening, it was 40 degrees in my house. However! I had not missed the electrician and soon it was a balmy 50. (That’s what I told Morgan, anyway. Look, Morgan, it’s 50 degrees now!) And by the time we went to bed it was back to normal.
I really like heat.
Just sayin’!
holstein woman says:
I’d be JUST SAYIN too if it was me. BLESS your heart, you take a beating and come out on top.
The older I get the more I like LOTS OF HEAT.
On January 9, 2014 at 1:08 pm
Southern Belle says:
Wintertime is really too hard!! I used to love winter, but the older I become, all I see are the hardships and danger. You have been through the wringer! It’s a good thing you are such a strong woman!! :butterfly:
On January 9, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Shaarilla says:
I’m in WI. Even with heat the bitter cold seemed to get into the bones. I don’t know how you do it. You’re an inspiration for sure.
On January 9, 2014 at 1:30 pm
GA_in_GA says:
No matter what you went through on Tuesday and Wednesday, you handled it all! 😀 And I know you are thankful to have been at Sassafras, not at the old farm.
On January 9, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Sue, a Florida Farm Girl says:
Oh, I’m sorry you had such troubles. If there’s a flaw or weakness in any piece of machinery, extreme weather like that will wreak havoc. Glad you’re back up and running. Stay warm!!
On January 9, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Joell says:
:happyflower:
I was worried about our furance too, it isnt that old but that doesnt matter, anything can happen, I dont think it quit running for 3 days, I am glad things are getting back to normal.
On January 9, 2014 at 2:52 pm
tractor57 says:
A bit further south but I also had some issues. The hit water to the tub froze.
On January 9, 2014 at 3:15 pm
enjay says:
I really like heat too! unfortunately our thermostat has a loose connection and keeps resetting itself to 62, not fun when it’s bitter cold outside, but it’s better than not having any heat. I’m really glad that you got your furnace fixed and that you were able to find help Tuesday. I dispatch for a towing company and it has been berserk out there all week.
On January 9, 2014 at 4:17 pm
margiesbooboo says:
Our furnace broke down last month. The first day of a predicted cold snap. Finally called the repairman out & luckily he had the part on his truck. Unfortunately, I started passing a kidney stone while he was here in my house! Quite unexpected, it’s been years since I’ve had a kidney stone. He was finishing up, I was doing my deep breathing from Lamaze class on the couch trying not to look completely insane. I whispered that his check was the table beside the door. He took pity on me and locked the bottom lock for me. He got away before I was able to beg him to call 911. Luckily, the stone passed quickly.
On January 9, 2014 at 6:02 pm
Dghawk says:
I think you experienced Murphy’s Law number…..whatever. No matter how prepared you THINK you are in a weather situation, something is bound to mess up. We had single digits over here in Flatlandia (I just made that up), and the auxillary heat went out on my heat pump. So I was a little chilly, but at least I had some heat. Glad you and all the critters are OK. :reindeer:
On January 9, 2014 at 6:05 pm
yvonnem says:
Suzanne, Something else to worry about. Don’t know if you are using your well water or city, but check this out if your water is from WV American Water… The state of emergency includes West Virginia American Water customers in Kanawha, Boone, Putnam, Lincoln, Logan, Clay, Roane and Jackson counties.
https://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/Firefighters-Investigating-Strong-Smell-in-Kanawha-Valley–239434751.html
On January 9, 2014 at 8:17 pm
Joell says:
:happyflower:
After reading the news this morning about the water situation that affected several countys around you—glad that you have your own water supply.
On January 10, 2014 at 9:29 am
mb96210 says:
Hey Suzanne – I figured you were busy with cold weather. Heard on the news today about a water ban in WV in the counties around Charleston. Hope this doesn’t affect you, Morgan and the critters. Be careful out there and hope the warmer weather from TN makes it your way this weekend.
On January 10, 2014 at 9:48 am
Glenda says:
Surely, the worst is past. Things have to be looking up….don’t they?
We are running a l970’s era furnace and I keep my fingers crossed every winter. God bless free-standing wood stoves. We could keep a few rooms very warm and always keep a supply of wood on hand.
DH always says extreme cold and extreme heat is very hard on equipment (and people).
I hope things improve.
On January 10, 2014 at 12:15 pm
whaledancer says:
I’ve been following the story on WV water, but it wasn’t clear whether it only affected water from West Virginia American Water, out of the Elk River, or if it’s in the water table. Is well water okay? And the story about water distribution centers said there was a 20 gallon limit, but it didn’t say what provisions were being made for livestock. I hope you’re getting better info locally. Crossing my fingers that you aren’t affected, and hoping to hear from you soon.
On January 10, 2014 at 2:50 pm