Monday, June 21, 2021

WHEN THINGS GO REALLY WELL

First off, my carpal tunnel is better though not cured.  My back is much better. I'm at the keyboard again and happy to be here.

In 2013 I had to take my little Toyota pick up truck to a mechanic to have a head light installed.  No problem but in tiny town Arkansas, the dealers at Ford and Dodge didn't want to work on a foreign car period but they both recommended an independent mechanic. So I gave him a shot.

For some unknown reason, he was on a rant that day in 2013 and pushed all  my liberal buttons.  Here was that occasion when he chose to slam Obama, foreigners, and attempts at gun control.  I kept my mouth shut and was satisfied with his work if not his rhetoric.

Eight years later, I needed some work done again on my little pick up so I made an appointment with him once more.  He is still my only choice in tiny town.  This day however, he was not upset about any current news and we had a normal conversation.  His little dog entertained me  while I waited.  I was astonished to see the little dog had no tail. He didn't even have a place to put one. 

I asked Mike (not his name) about it and he said the little fellow had been abandoned and that most likely the previous owners had tried to bob his tail themselves. When they realized they had screwed up, they just dumped him on the side of the road.  Mike took him in, had him vet checked and the dog was now a fixture in his shop.  Ok, that is my kind of person.  

We talked animal cruelty for a while and I realized we were totally on the same page there. It dawned on me that while we were miles apart politically, on some very important matters, we were completely in sync. You know what, we could be friends if we don't stray into politics. I'm game.

Ok, vehicle fixed and then my tub went wonky.  The handles got so hard to turn, my 80 year old carpal tunnel wrists could no longer coax water out of the faucets.  Oh dear I thought. Here comes a huge plumbing bill. 

The man I called last time had passed away.  The plumber I love (Steve--not his name) had done work for me on two occasions but he only does outside work, so I called the next guy in the phone book. He was going out of town for a week but recommended Steve saying he had done some inside work for him.  

I was running out of options so I called Steve hoping I could talk him into coming inside the house.  He promised to be here that day and was here in just a few hours.  He had to rebuild my faucets but when he left, I could turn them with two fingers.  And hold on folks, he only charged $25.  Any other plumber would have charged more than twice that just to pull up in my drive way.  Yes, I have him on speed dial.

So actually I had two service calls in one week that I dreaded but went exceedingly well. Think I may be on a roll.  Let's see, my back is pain free, my vehicle was fixed without hassle, and my plumbing turned out to be a cheap fix --yep, good things also come in threes. 

Ever dread an encounter only to have it work out smoothly, cheaply and satisfyingly?  Makes you smile doesn't it?

51 comments :

  1. I can really relate to those kind of weeks. I'm truly a sucker for "happily ever after"!!

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    1. Anni,
      I know. It is what we expect yet are delighted when it happens.

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  2. Don't you when things go better than we expect them too. Finding two service people we can work with in the same week is awesome.

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    1. Jean,
      You bet. One would have made my week but two was just bonus.

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  3. It made my heart hurt (literally) reading about that little bobbed dog (my God why!) but what a good reminder Patti, especially for us libs that we are all complex beings. That plumbing episode left me speechless, but happy for you. Patti, I just think you rub people the right way! ;^)

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    1. Doug,
      It does take something like that mechanic to realize we are all complex. We aren't all bad or good. I'm still speechless over the the plumber too though in my previous dealings with him, he was the same. What a guy.

      Delete
  4. I'm glad it went well for you in all areas. Even better that you're feeling better! And you won 2 out of 3 with the Cubs. That ain't nothin'

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    1. Peggy,
      Thank you, me too. As for the Cubs, that was the frosting on my week. Most runs we have scored in a month.

      Delete
  5. Week before last it seemed like Mercury must have been in retrograde. Every repair man available was in my home for one reason or another or I was visiting their shop. This past week has most things repaired but still awaiting the AC guy for a second visit to replace a part that is on order. Some small talk with all but never engaging in politics with anyone.

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    1. Annie,
      The last time, he did all the talking. That was why I kept my trap shut. Guess he needed to rant. This time was just normal conversation. I can do that.

      Delete
  6. What a happy outcome, all the way around. I'm so glad to hear your back is all better, and yes, the cost of getting these things fixed is usually WAY more than you ended up paying. Congratulations, Patti!

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    1. Djan,
      I know, I usually hold my breath when I ask how much but with Steven, I usually get on my track shoes for I might have to run him down to get him to take the money. Don't know how he makes a living but I am glad he answers my calls.

      Delete
  7. Glad you had a good week. But I'm mostly impressed that you went 8 years before needing more work on your pickup!

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    1. Tom,
      You may be more impressed. My 2004 Toyota Tacoma has never been in the shop for repairs, only maintenance and that one headlight in 2013. That is after 180,000 miles. This time all he did was change my differential oil. Best vehicle I have ever owned.

      Delete
  8. I'm smiling after reading this post. Yes! Love these kinds of encounters, when things work out well in all ways. Glad that you are feeling better too. Yay, Patti! So happy for you.

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    1. robin,
      Thank you so much and glad you are smiling too. Sometimes things just work out smoothly and easily when we expect a struggle.

      Delete
  9. You did well. I just don't like having to call in the repair men. Expensive, late and not always a good job. You have found s couple of keepers there. Glad to hear the carpel tunnel plus your back are on the mend.

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  10. Fun60,
    Thank you. Plumbers especially usually know our check book balance and go for it. Both of these guys are keepers.

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  11. I read somewhere that 90% of what we worry about never happens. And the other 10% turns out better than we thought. Your two repairs turned out great!

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    1. Mitch,
      Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I think you are 100% right on those percents. Rarely does what we worry about come true. Sometimes we need a reminder.

      Delete
  12. I need a plumber but no one can recommend a good one to me. Shame I live across the pond from you or I'd be asking Steve to come here.
    Glad you got both your issues fixed. Our swimming pool won't heat up so we are waiting to get that fixed on Friday. I have a feeling it will be a lot more than $25!

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    1. Joey,
      Would love to send you Steve but pretty sure transportation would be a bit more than $25:)
      However, hope you too are happily surprised with the pool fix.

      Delete
  13. Good news for sure! It rarely works that way especially twice in one week!! Congrats. Glad you are back blogging sooner than I expected

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    1. Awkward Widow,
      Isn't that the truth? Think I ought to buy a lotto ticket.
      Thanks, it is good to be back.

      Delete
  14. What a wonderful week!!
    There are certain people I wouldn't discuss religion or politics with but we have so much in common elsewhere--yes! :) :)

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    1. Rita,
      That is so true. I have found that even with family and friends that if we stay away from those two, we have a lot in common.

      Delete
  15. I always say that good things happen to good people!!!

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    1. gigi,
      Aww, thanks gigi but I am thinking it was more luck and good choice on my behalf.

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  16. Thanks for the upbeat stories. We need them.

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    1. Linda,
      Thanks. I know with today's headlines it is encouraging to meet nice folks, especially in business.

      Delete
  17. Oh yes, I do that often. Sometimes I have good luck with contractor's too. Usually G just breaks down and does the job.

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    1. Mage,
      Well with George you know you will have a great experience. Great having a resident handy man.

      Delete
  18. This is great news and makes me feel much more upbeat. I've been so discouraged lately about the political divide, but we are (in the final analysis) so much more than that--people with loved ones, beloved pets, joys and sorrows. I preferred it when politics was more covert though! Now it seems to be more in our faces. :( I need a plumber to replace a cartridge in an upstairs shower and the PART won't come until mid-September. (it's a 25 year old shower--is it really that old??)

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    1. Margaret,
      I so agree about politics being too much in our face these days. Miss the days when we use to talk about family or even the weather. Perhaps if we did, a lot of the anger we are seeing would ease. There is much more to a person than their political party.

      Delete
  19. I enjoyed reading about your good fortune. We had a similar experience when our air conditioner stopped working and a local man was here fixing it the very next morning. Small towns have a lot of good people in them who like to help others.

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    1. Donna,
      One of the problems of small towns are the few choices but the huge plus is if a service man is good or bad, his reputation is all over town quickly. The bad don't last and the good flourish.

      Delete
  20. Well done! I was reading your comment about your Toyota pickup. I have a 2007 Toyota Corolla and while I've had to have the brakes done, I haven't had to do any much more than maintenance too (knock wood it stays that way for many years yet as I don't plan to get another vehicle).
    As for a plumber, it's a minimum $100 call-out here, $150 if it is after hours. So I wait until I have a couple of things that need fixing before I call...I want my money's worth. :)
    I can't recall a specific time when something went far better than I expected but I know there have been times in my life where fate seemed to smile on me.

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    1. Eileen,
      Aren't those Toyota's the best? I have never had a more carefree vehicle. Just maintenance. Hang in there, yours isn't even middle aged yet:)) Hopefully this is my last one too.
      I believe those minimum call out prices. Normal. I would wait too if I didn't have Steven. I should have also said he had to make a 20 mile round trip. He is rare, even for here.

      Delete
  21. Well, that's great! Things really need to go well every once in a while and glad to know things still come in threes.

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    1. Olga,
      Most of us suspect the bad comes in threes but it is nice when the good things do also.

      Delete
  22. I love it when that happens. I usually have the worst anticipation when I have to get things fixed but you did ok.

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    1. Barbara,
      Especially when it comes to plumbers. They are notoriously high priced and sadly necessary. this was a delight.

      Delete
  23. Good to see you typing again, perhaps wear a pair of wrist supports to help those carpal tunnels? They never do get fully better. And hooray for quick and cheap plumbing repairs.

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    1. River,
      I was beginning to suspect they might not ever get totally better. I have been been wearing wrist supports but whenever I'd start to feel good, I'd put them aside. Just have to learn patience.

      Delete
  24. Hi Patti: I needed to hear your wise words today. The people in the county where I live push my liberal buttons every day and I will try to keep your examples in mind. (that doesn't answer your question for this blog entry but so many come to mind that I can't choose) THANKS and I'm so glad your are back with us !

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    1. Ginnie,
      So understand your dilemma. I live in a red county and state. There are only 3 friends I can talk openly with. I have several others that we remain friends by never crossing the political lines. Sometimes awkward but I really don't want to lose them over a belief. They have too many other great qualities.

      Delete
  25. In the midst of news about conflict and contagion, it is encouraging to experience competent and generous workers!My sympathies on the hand challenges. I'm there, too.

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    1. LC
      I know. The news is full of people behaving badly. Cruel and hateful daily that is was such a nice week to have had such pleasant experiences.
      Ouch, so sorry you have one of those hands also. May we both have success fixing ours.

      Delete
  26. Fantastic! Glad you had all that good quality service and at more than reasonable cost. Am pleased to read your aches and pains have rectified.

    I've been pleased with those providing my auto and plumbing service but wouldn't look forward to having to seek others to replace them. I should be so lucky as you were.

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  27. I can’t think of an occasion off hand, but $25???? Seriously? It would cost 4 times that here in Hawaii just to show up. Wow! Oh yes! You are very lucky indeed. They probably realized what a kind and wonderful person you are. Yay!

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  28. You definitely had a charmed week. May your good luck last!

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