The Joys of Homeownership

When you were a little kid, dreaming of being an adult and all of the freedom that comes with it, how come no one rudely interrupted and said, Yes freedom is all well and good, but what about the car repair bills, and the property taxes and the a/c bills. Last night, I noticed that the house wasn't cooling. We haven't totally reprogrammed the thermostat since we got back from vacation because the girls and I don't notice when it's warmer in the house and we turn it down when we leave the house as well. Anyway, I figured that I could just turn it up and everything would be fine. Well, it didn't seem to be getting any cooler...and it wasn't. Ugh! It's been really hot here lately. I am not really complaining, I only notice when I get into get into the car. But that's because we have air conditioning everywhere and the pool outside.
So, we called a few places, but some weren't open and one had their first available appointment Saturday afternoon. Not good! So we busted out the fans and I left TD alone in our room. We usually have the hottest room in the house and TD's big muscles generate a LOT of heat, so there was no way I was hanging out with him in a hot room. I got a little creative though, big box fan and plate full of ice cubes. That worked for two hours and then I woke up. So I grabbed one of the blue ice things for the cooler and that worked longer. I managed to sleep until 7am. We usually keep the house around 78 degrees and when we got it up, it was 85 in the house. UGH!
So, at 7am, I called a place this morning and she asked why we didn't call last night!! We were working our way down the BB Bureau's website. So she sent a guy over in less than an hour and in 20 minutes it had the problem fixed. Of course, it cost us $300. And the guy said he couldn't be sure, but in the next few years, we would probably have to replace the a/c unit, to the tune of $6,000.
I suppose it's another reason to be glad that we bought a single level house. I can't imagine paying $12k to replace both units. Still...good grief! I think we might have to put the girls to work. But I am very glad that it only cost $300 and that I found out now what it will cost to replace it. The a/c guy said he had a woman start bawling when he told her she needed to have hers replaced. Well, if you hand me a bill for $6000 and there's no car involved, I might start crying too. At least I know now and can start hoarding my change.