Sunday, May 18, 2008

How do they know. . .

"They" being expensive kitchen appliances. How did the refridgerator find out that there was a slight (unusual) surplus in the checking account this month? Did it hear us talking last month about the floor sample fridge we saw at Home Depot (french door top fridge with a bottom drawer freezer in stainless steel) that was on clearance? Did it not hear the end of that conversation when we decided "no, our fridge works just fine - there are other ways to spend our money"? Was it so offended that we even considered a replacement that it decided to take extreme measures all on it's own?

Whatever the cause or source, our faithful side-by-side refridgerator / freezer (original equipment when the house was built in the early 80's) has decided to mix it up a bit. Let's freeze the fresh veggies in the crisper drawer, yet thaw the salmon steaks and Ego's that are in the freezer.

Simultaneously, our range (of identical vintage) is suggesting a similar tactic. A few months ago, it refused to completely roast a pork tenderloin. "Just. Can't. Get. That. Hot!" Ever since, it's been just fine. Before we left on vacation, one of the eye's on the stove decided to give up the ghost. Now we're down the three (and only one "big" one!). Worse yet, this is a really fancy (for it's day) Jenn-Aire range with the down-draft vent that, if we choose to replace it with a like brand, will cost a fortune and will NEVER be on clearance at Home Depot. It is not in a critical state yet, but holding one's breath everytime one starts to cook a meal ("will it work?") is no way to keep the blood pressure down.

So, this week, in addition to the spring Children's Chorale Concert (Belle), dress rehearsals for the spring dance recital (all three), and The Boy's last three day's of 4K at our church, we get to go shopping for at least one, maybe two, major appliances.

How do they know?

The good news items hidden in here are 1) we actually do have some surplus to work with, so we don't have to automatically go (further) into debt; and 2) I'm not traveling this week.

Did they know that too?

3 comments:

Timothy Power said...

You know, you probably shouldn't discuss your travel plans around your appliances. Otherwise they'll wait until you're in the air somewhere above Oklahoma, and then say something like, "Ok, guys--just like we planned it... Three, two, one, now!"

I think you should go through your kitchen every few days and loudly state, "Well, I'm so glad I'm going to be home for the next week!" Note that this is whether or not it's actually true.

And under no circumstances should you let them know when you're going to have company.

Unknown said...

That's a riot!

Big Doofus (Roger) said...

So, you think these kitchen appliances have a death wish and want to be replaced? It seems to me that if they really were alive, they'd WANT to keep running and stay in your house--unless there was a good reason to get the heck out. Is there something else we should know about? It's quite possible that the laundry room appliances tricked them into this. You might just need to enlist a licensed appliance psychologist.