I went to the grocery store today. Normally, I don't get very excited about going. Truthfully, I usually dread the chore, at least the part of bringing the groceries into the house and putting everything away. Sometimes, if I'm in a good frame of mind, I can appreciate the abundance and variety that is available and can spend a couple of hours wandering up and down the aisles. I look at new products, read labels, compare prices, juggle coupons and fantasize about enjoying cooking. Today I was eager to enter those automatic doors and grab a cart. What brought about this change of attitude, you ask? The answer can only be appreciated after knowing the background story.
Two weeks ago I acted on information I received in a letter from Maytag that stated I must get my refrigerator/freezer repaired or risk a fire. So, of course, I called Maytag and within two days, the repairman came. In short order he had replaced some "thingy" and he was on his merry way. A few hours later I decided I needed some ice cream (yes, needed - but that's for another blog). I opened the freezer door and discovered, much to my horror and disappointment, that the ice cream I needed had melted and that other things in the freezer were thawing. Now, I may not be a genius, but I determined that the freezer failure probably had something to do with the "repair." At this point, the repair company office was closed for the day, so I did the only thing I could think of - adjust the settings to a colder temperature and obey the rule, "DO NOT OPEN THE FREEZER OR REFRIGERATOR!!" It was a long night.
Adding insult to injury, I had to get up EARLY - 8 AM - the next day so that I could call the repair shop. I was told, "We'll try to work you in today." and I was thinking, "You'd better!" The same repairman came that afternoon and gave me the glad tidings that the compressor was kaput! BUT he had a magic solution called a hard starter which he installed, along with giving me sage advice on how long the compressor might work - anywhere from 1 day to 5 years. That was comforting................. By this time, the appliance had not been working for a full 24 hours. Day 1 of a non-working refrigerator after being "repaired." I was full of hope the hard starter would last the maximum. It didn't even last the minimum!
I placed another call to the repair shop. By this time, they recognized my voice. The previous visit the repair shop and Maytag had decided they would replace the compressor. It sounded good but I didn't trust that I was being told the truth. I needed to call and hopefully push them to an urgent response. It was now the beginning of Day 3 with no refrigerator. I had tried to triage the contents. What would fit in the dorm fridge in the garage? What would survive in a cooler? You just don't realize how much stuff you can cram into a refrigerator until you try to find another place for it all. I concluded that I didn't really need 6 flavors ice cream toppings, 4 different kinds of mustard, 3 types of pickles, 8 kinds of salad dressings, and 10 cheese varieties - cottage cheese, cream cheese, sharp cheddar shredded cheese, mild cheddar shredded cheese, mozzarella shredded cheese, quesadilla cheese, Mexican shredded cheese, Colby Jack cheese, Swiss cheese, and Havarti. Yes, I like cheese but do I need that much all at the same time?
I learned that an ice chest will not keep ice forever. Being raised by a mother shaped by the Great Depression, I was in anguish having to throw food away. What overwhelming guilt! Why, there are starving children in India! Nonetheless, toss it I did. I was thankful when trash pick-up day rolled around. One week later with no refrigerator, I called the repair shop again to track the shipment of the compressor. No compressor. The next day I received the wonderful news that the compressor had arrived and the repairman would be out the day after to install it. Then, I was told the most amazing thing! The caller said, "We'll call before the repairman comes to make sure someone is at home." I said, "You've got to be kidding! I've been without a refrigerator/freezer for over a week. I'm SURE I'll be home. I wouldn't miss it for the world!"
The compressor has been replaced and that hum is a beautiful sound. That is the reason for my excitement in going to the grocery store. I have a more keen appreciation for that marvelous appliance. I think the interior of the refrigerator will seem more spacious without all the excess. The leftovers won't get lost now. The dreaded job of cleaning out the refrigerator has been done. Best of all, my refrigerator looks new and performs like new, provided by Jehovah Jireh by way of Maytag. I'm wondering if God has a contract with Jenn-Air and Kitchenaid because I sure could use a new stove and dishwasher, and if it takes two weeks to get a stove.............. It will be a sacrifice but I'm willing to endure not cooking.