A long time ago, like summer 1999, we tossed the AC and natural gas hook-ups in our newly purchased home and bought a heat pump. We really thought it would be the best decision in the long run, lower bills, one less monthly payment to worry about, a steady temperature in the house, and no more dry sinuses because of gas heat.

A local company was running a special on heat pumps, so we bought one. You know, if a company is selling very expensive heat pumps for a really great price, you might want to look into why they want to get rid of them by dropping the price. Live and learn, right?

Every single summer, sometimes more than once per summer, we have had trouble with this heat pump. Since we bought it new, it was under warranty for the last six years. Every time we’ve had to have it serviced, the company has paid for it. Several times they tried to make us pay for something, but if there is one thing you don’t want to argue about with my hubs, it’s about paying for something under warranty. “I don’t care how many times you come over or how long you spend in my attic, I’m not paying for this!” He even had to write letters to the owners. Folks don’t like to work and not get paid for it, y’all.

We’ve learned a lot about our heat pump. I even know what to do when it stops working now.

It stopped again today. I checked all the thingies I’m supposed to check. It’s not the usual problem.

This is our first summer without the warranty. We’ve had to call for help twice in the last two months. It’s still early June.

So, we’ve had a car accident. Bought another car. Van engine messed up over the weekend. Got it fixed yesterday. Now this. And it’s HOT in the South.

I really don’t mind it at all. I turn the fans on. It reminds me of when I was a kid. My parents didn’t run the AC all day long. I was used to being hot and sweaty; I played outside most every day. We slept with the windows open. I miss those days. I’d never do that these days.

The newsman tells me that we are experiencing a drought of biblical proportions. “No burning! No watering your yard more than twice per week!”

And yet…there are fireworks stands at every corner?

Somehow I don’t think being able to turn on the tap and get water equals a drought of biblical proportions, but alright.

Speaking of my parents…Dad came over and put a golf club in Noah’s hands. It seems he’s a natural with anything involving a ball and stick. Golf is his new passion. Benjamin broke a window not five minutes after I said, “You may not swing that club in the house. Go outside.” (Add that to my list of broken things.) Not that B isn’t good a golf, I’m just sayin‘.

I haven’t been able to get in touch with my mother for the last couple of weeks. I’m going over to her house tonight to check on her. My grandmother says that Mom keeps having these coughing fits that don’t stop, but she won’t go to the doctor…says she’s too tired to get up. That doesn’t sound good to me.

I can’t remember a time that Mom has not been a smoker. She swears that she never smoked during pregnancy, though. I have no reason to doubt this since my brother and I were very healthy babies. Anyway, after I learned in school all about the dangers of smoking, namely, that it will kill you, I made it my mission to help Mom kick her habit. Children just don’t have any idea how long it takes for cigarettes to kill a person. I fully expected my mom to drop mid-puff. I used to take severe beatings for hiding her cigarettes.

If you ever want to see a woman really angry, then just hide whatever it is she’s addicted to.

Anyway, her habit is finally starting to kill her, I think.

My husband has a habit of sleeping in a room with the temperature of a meat locker. And if I can’t find someone to get over here and fix this thing before he gets home, then he’s going to be an angry man. He won’t beat me or anything, but I love the way this post is coming full circle even though my brain is mush because of the heat.

Have a blessed day and drink some extra ice water for me!

Read part 2