The "trades," and how "I know a guy" is better than gold...

We are at the mercy of a moody hot water heater. Last night, it quit heating altogether, but this morning, it has heated water, so I will get an actual shower. I'm grateful. We have already scheduled repair for Thursday morning with a former student of mine-- he's got his own (very busy) business in plumbing and heating, so I'm grateful we could be scheduled at all. 

And today I get to go to the eye doctor! I'm excited. My eyes are my business, and frankly, they are too tired and blurry too often. I was lucky to get in on a cancellation; they, too, are incredibly busy and the first opening was for March. Two of the eye doctors in the practice have kids at my school, so they are well-known to us.

We need to get car tires changed to winter ones soon, and getting an appointment at the garage is a trick unto itself. I should call soon. I know a mechanic at one place just up the street, and the other place we often go is owned by another former student of mine.  

And I am trying to wedge in a hair appointment-- she is a busy lady, too. I've known her and trusted her with my hair for eons, so I will not go anywhere else. Although there is one "back up" I do trust-- I taught all her kids, too. 

October has been an expensive month, no lie. We just had the furnace cleaned, too. The business we go with for heating products is managed by a former student of mine, and one of the techs he employs went to school with Meg. Yeah, we know them. 

When people talk about "the trades," it is often with disparagement, and that is flat-out wrong-headed. When things need fixing, G is quite handy, but there are things that are not in his scope. I can't imagine not having a list of people you can call to fix things. I saw a meme the other day that said something like "adulting is knowing a guy"-- and it's true. While eye doctors and podiatrists are not technically in "the trades," they, alongside the plow guy, the furnace guy, the plumber, and the hair dresser (et al), are booked out for months. We live in a rural area, and there's not a lot of "guys" (or "gals") to choose from. It is so much better when you actually know them, too-- first, you know whom you can trust, but even better, you know that your money is going to their families. That helps soften the often pricey bill. 

And speaking of finances, G got a good report from the podiatrist (finally) yesterday; he can now go back to work for 30 hours a week. That will be a blessing; the short term disability company has been dragging their heels and have not yet issued a check in almost a month. We manage, but what the hey, right? With all these repairs and so on, it's not at all helpful. And G's self-respect is more stable, too; he can be earning his pay. In his line of work-- helping people fix things and paint things-- he not only feels useful, but he's learned an awful lot in the almost four decades he's been with the company. He knows a lot of "guys." It comes in handy.

So, trades. The people who choose to work those long, hard hours earn their money doing stuff we can't/won't do. I appreciate them, always. I'm glad to know them.

Have a good one,

C