Perspective

Good Monday morning, friends,

today I'd like to discuss "perspective". Last week I got our first summer electric bill. I whined and complained and threatened to just turn the damn thing off and live in the back yard to spite the cost of cool air. Well, I guess the universe took me at my word, as the universe often will. Last night, our main air conditioner unit bit the dust. A little background on our house and the cool/heat system. Our home was built in 1907 (or there abouts). The house really is very similar to when it was built. The front porch was screened in somewhere in the 50s, the back porch was extended and turned into an extra room and the front bedroom was opened up to create on long front room and it serves as my dining room now. Other than that, everything is the same. Old floors (wood), old windows (double hung), doors everywhere, tall ceilings. This house was built to deal with the hot summers.

Back to the story. My first instinct was to get that familiar lump in my throat and fluttery feeling in my stomach. We can't afford to replace this particular unit right now and all I could think of was "OMG! It's only June...not even really hot yet for Texas". But then, things started to really fall into perspective. The main point being that people have lived (and still do) without a/c in this part of the world for centuries. They deal. They adapt. They work with nature to do so. And of course, I can't ever be satisfied with the explanation of "shit happens". There has to be some existential reasoning behind everything. Perhaps I was taking things for granted. Perhaps I need to learn how to live without a/c for some future disaster. Perhaps I need to spend more time outdoors doing things that I need to do instead of hanging out inside watching movies and sucking up cool air. Perhaps I need to take advantage of this situation to see where I need to improve things in the house (ie: insulated drapes for the windows, more ceiling fans, etc) Perhaps I just need to learn to adapt and make the best of things and still be thankful for what I've got instead of being a brat about things I don't.

This morning I got up early and went out on the front porch to drink my coffee and plan my day. I even got my husband to turn off the morning tv and come out and spend some time just being and chatting and enjoying each other's company. It was lovely. All my chores got done early and now I can sew during the heat of the day. C and I are setting up our summer kitchen today outdoors. I've been wanting to do that for a few years and never have b/c I never needed to. I love being outdoors and cooking outdoors, you'd think I'd have an outdoor kitchen set up year round! Well, now I will.

Since we don't have central a/c, C has a small window unit in her room and there's also one in my sewing room. We've closed doors in such a manner to create a cool area (bedrooms and sewing room) and it's fairly comfortable for sleeping and sewing. This could be a good experience for all of us. Best part? We're going to save a LOT of money this summer and that's always a good thing.

I've put it in perspective. Instead of thinking this is a disaster, I'm now thinking that I'm pretty stoked about it. Everything happens for a reason. We just have to roll with the punches and put things in perspective. Attitude is everything, and everything is a learning experience. It's also a chance to count your blessings and realize that you still have it pretty good.

Ok. I think I'm done. I need to go hang some more laundry. We have a 50% chance of rain, and I've found the second best way to ensure rain (1st is washing the car and leaving the windows down) is hanging 3 loads of laundry on the line.

ya'll stay cool and keep things in perspective

peace