We just spent the day at Sarah’s new apartment, helping her to connect her new washer and dryer. Well, her OLD washer and dryer that she purchased from Craig’s List . The washer is working great; the dryer not so much. A piercing squeak arose once the dryer drum was filled with wet clothes and that produced a look of exasperation on Sarah’s face since she is a young mother with lots of baby clothes that are in severe need of a good washing and drying.
Ray, aka “Daddy” to the rescue.
Ray immediately trotted out to the car for his toolbox. He is truly a handy fellow when it comes to these sorts of things. Ten minutes later, he had the top off of the dryer and was peering inside, assessing what might be the issue.
Having been trained for YEARS as his helper, I took a good look, too, and pointed out how the drum seemed to have slipped slightly away from the front of the dryer. He nodded, then continued to assess while I went inside to do my grandmotherly duty of tending to baby Luna.
A few minutes later, I re-emerged with Luna on my hip only to see Ray stringing up a line up between posts on Sarah’s fence. Sarah was looping her wet laundry over the line. I surmised the dryer situation was bleak.
I was correct.
After a trip to the Habitat for Humanities “Restore” and a gander at another gas dryer, the decision was made for Sarah to consult with Gregorio on whether they can live for a time with a squeaky dryer that can only handle small loads (plus a clothesline) or if it was time to buy the Restore dryer. Luckily, they hadn’t paid too much for the washer/dryer combination so it’s not too much of a loss.
Plus, Sarah seems to think she might get $35 for the dryer if she puts it back on Craig’s List with full disclosure about the squeak.
That is their decision, not ours, so our job is done for today.
We are now back home and ready for a quiet evening.
Sometimes watching Sarah and Gregorio I marvel that we ever survived those early trials of marriage along with three little girls. I remember being very tired a lot.
I suspect they are tired, too, tonight. Moving, plus faulty appliances, plus a baby who is darling but still needs attention can wear you slap out.
We are headed off to walk our dogs. I guess that’s the advantage of having survived those early years.
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