Rainy Sunday

[magid]

I started out well, having motivation to do income-producing tasks which lasted most of the morning. And I got a sinkload of dishes done, making room for the rest of the the things that need washing. Plus I pruned the bigger of the two lavender plants.

After that, it headed downhill, as I noticed that I was rather cold. Now, I keep it pretty cool in my apartment anyway (around 60 during the winter, except on Shabbat/when there are guests), so feeling colder than that was not particularly good. I checked the thermostat, and saw that the display screen was a bit faded, though it thought it was 60. The thermometer on the mantelpiece said 56, however. The thermostat didn't say it needed more batteries, but that was my best guess. Unfortunately, that did not fix things, so tomorrow I shall venture into new territory, acquiring and installing a new thermostat.

I got more lightbulbs (not only were two of the hall lights out, but the dining room light blew out over Shabbat) and batteries, and dropped off compostables, as well as resupplying cranberries. Which would have been fine had I not, soon after heading out errandizing, discovered that I've worn a hole in the middle of the sole of one of my shoes (which is odd, since that has never been a wear spot for me before). It's been raining most of the day, so by the time I got home, one foot was cold and unpleasantly wet.

What I should do now is more dishes, then a batch of cranberry chutney, since I now have all the ingredients. I might just curl up under the comforter and read instead.

Comments

[gingicat]

I've discovered that Rocco's Shoe Repair in West Medford Square is run by a grandfatherly old Italian guy who is extremely honest about what he can and cannot fix. There may be a place closer to you, of course.

[magid.livejournal.com]

I think there's still a cobbler in Harvard Sq. Though now that I think of it, my mental map may be out of date. Thanks for the pointer.

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

Replacing a thermostat is pretty easy: but make sure that you purchase one that supports whatever type of furnace that you have: oil, gas or electric, steam, hot water, you know... They may ask if you have a micro-volt system or not. It is good to know.

The big mistake, the one that makes people cry, is when the wire that controls the thermostat falls back into the tiny hole in the wall, and you have to rip up the plaster to try and get it back. I use a big fat binder clip to make sure it can't fall into the wall, and if I feel especially paranoid, some masking tape too.

You can bring the old thermostat with you to buy the replacement. But there will be no heat in the apartment until you get back... Plus no heat until the new thing is hooked up.

I cannot recommend highly enough that you get a thermostat with days and set backs and stuff like that. You can save plenty o'dough with one of those.

[magid.livejournal.com]

The current one is programmable, in that there are 4 time periods possible/day, and 3 distinct days/week (Saturday, Sunday, and Weekday). I'm hoping for 7 distinct days for the next one. Oh, and for a gas furnace; thanks for that tip - I can well imagine coming back with the wrong thing. Though I have no clue whether I have a micro-volt system. If it's something new, then likely not.

I know I won't have heat until I replace it. Luckily I have a very warm comforter, and tomorrow's supposed to be warmish (and I'm in a multi-unit building, so I'm not likely to get to pipe-freezing range, anyway).

I've left the base of the current one hanging off the wall so the wires are right there, and once it comes off, I'll grab a binder clip or tape.

I've not done much with wires and anchoring things in plaster and such, so it'll be an adventure.