Pura Vida Story Time

Put on your jammies. Pop some popcorn. Settle in for Pura Vida Story Time.>>>>>>> Yes, the weather where you are is kinda crappy. Yes, i live in Costa Rica, don't work a 9-5 (or longer) job, and have a daily schedule that involves nothing more taxing than studying foreign language "homework" and walking a couple miles at 7 in the morning.. It's easy to think that all is "happy-happy, joy-joy" but let me tell you a couple of stories.>>>>>>> We bought our house in Atenas in October, 2019 and it had a 10 year old refrigerator and 10 year old freezer (separate units, installed next to each other in the kitchen). The whole house was10 years old. That first year, we had to get a few repairs to the roof for leaks...which didn't address the problem....so we had to get a whole new roof installed, two layers, and installation infused(there was none before) to keep the iguana influx down and decrease the noise from the rain to the roof. And we needed a new refrigerator and freezer. The problem? The units that we had were BIG and the only models available, Frigidaire, were being "updated" and not available in the US, much less Costa Rica. Then COVID. So, the models were even longer to be available. Our freezer in Costa Rica leaked water and didn't keep everything "hard frozen". Frozen foods were pretty​ cold but not hard frozen. I was a bit uncomfortable with fish/chicken in the freezer and tried to keep the stock reasonably low, thinking that any day now we would be able to replace the units. >>>>>>> Pura Vida.>>>>>>> Three years later, this past month, we were able to replace the refrigerator and freezer. It took seven (7!) men, seven(7!) hours to install the two units, which are 1" wider and 4" taller than the old units...requiring us to move cabinets to accommodate the "built in" units. There is now a hole above the two units as the wooden piece that had been there is too high (by ~4") and too narrow (by ~1"). But the "best" part? This installation somehow knocked out the power to the wall switches in the bedroom (behind the kitchen) and the lights on the ceiling of the kitchen. The lights in the kitchen work...if i use one set of switches but not the other one. So, to light up the kitchen, i have to turn it on at the hall entrance...walk across the kitchen....flip the switch on the other side of the kitchen...and the room lights up. To turn on the bedside lights in the bedroom or charge my phone overnight or use a plug in the bedroom (vacuum, etc).....not possible. The overhead fan and light work but that's it. >>>>>>> Pura Vida.>>>>>>> We called an electrician (who was there for the refrigerator/freezer installation) only to be told that we need a bigger fuse/power box and that he can do that. Apparently, according to the electrician, we always needed this but it was, as many many things are in Costa Rica, "jury rigged" and "worked just fine" ....until it didn't. He said that he'd come on Monday but needed a deposit of $700 (yes, dollars, not colonnes) to get supplies then the remaining $300 when he came to repair/replace the box that week. It is Tuesday....eight days after he is coming for the explanation and to pick up the deposit. We are still waiting.>>>>>>> Pura Vida.>>>>>>> Oh. And our electric bill for last month (including a week or so of the new units) came. Ten times the amount that it was the month before. No, not $10 more than the month before. Not 10% more than the month before. 10x the amount of the month before. >>>>>>> Pura Vida. >>>>>>> I have another story for you but am too wound up now reliving this "fun" to continue. So...hold onto your popcorn for story time later in the week. I'm off to have an ice pop (freezer works! ) and try to calm down and be appreciative of the blessings that i DO have. Good marriage to a good guy. Good health. Able to swim outside every day of the year (and not as a "polar bear plunge"). Life IS good...>>>>>>>