Monday, September 15, 2025

Monday, September 15, 2025

Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2007. That week my parents and I took Mattie to San Diego. We were staying on the island of Coronado. Outside the hotel was this fountain filled with swans and flamingoes. Mattie just loved visiting this fountain. When we got up to the fountain, I asked Mattie to give me his impression of a flamingo! So this was 'Mattie the Flamingo' in action!

Quote of the day: The grief within me has its own heartbeat. It has its own life, its own song. Part of me wants to resist the rhythms of my grief, yet as I surrender to the song, I learn to listen deep within myself. ~ Alan Wolfelt

I got up at 5am this morning. I needed to do this in order to do my usual morning routine and then work with the fellow who was coming over at 8am to fix my doorbell. As I told him, you never know how important a doorbell is until you don't have one! If you have been following along on this blog, then you know that nothing I have experienced so far has gone smoothly or easily. I was really hoping that I would get the doorbell and camera replaced and then things would go back to normal within an hour! Of course not! No matter what we tried, we couldn't get this camera to work or pair with my phone. So he concluded I needed a whole new device. FINALLY! I have been saying this for over a week. As he was trying to install the new device, he stopped and then said he couldn't! That we have a problem! OF COURSE WE DO! I am getting used to this reality.

So what was the problem? Well apparently new doorbell devices need a voltage of 16-24 volts. However, my doorbell transformer provided only 13 volts. While he was telling me this, I was thinking..... I do not care about hearing about voltage, I just want this thing fixed. He then explained to me that I needed to hire an electrician, because this kind of wiring he DOES NOT do! Again, my reaction to myself was..... OF COURSE, why should this be easy!? Then he said to me that it is hard to get electricians now, and it could take me up to two weeks! I literally looked at him! My response was.... I don't think so! Literally while saying this, I called Bob, my electrician. I have been working with Bob since 2021, when we moved into this house. I can't tell you the extensive work Bob had to do on this house... try rewiring the whole thing. My joke back in 2021, was I saw Bob more frequently than my friends and family. 

Any case, the doorbell fellow was just observing what I was doing. Bob didn't pick up when I called, so I then text messaged him. Within two seconds, he told me he has a transformer on his truck and could be to me within three hours! When I told the doorbell fellow this, he was stunned and don't you know it, I wasn't having him leave today, without scheduling another visit to my home THIS WEEK. Which means another 5am wake up. 

Bob came over at 1pm. Bob is an extraordinary electrician and a wonderful family man. He shared photos of his granddaughter and I got the update on the family! Then Bob and I went on a fishing expedition... looking for the old doorbell transformer in the house! Guess what? WE COULDN'T find it. I literally can't make this stuff up! Bob had to get out a gadget that he attached to the doorbell wires and then this device allowed him to find the transformer within the ceilings of the house. You heard me, the transformer was sealed by drywall in the ceiling! Which is actually illegal (as I have learned) because all transformers are required to have a means of access. Truly you had to see us, scanning the basement ceiling! This device beeped in various locations and truthfully with any other electrician, I am sure my ceiling would have looked like Swiss cheese... filled with holes while looking for the elusive transformer. But not with Bob. He worked at it for 90 minutes and then figured it out. The transformer was in one of the closets in the basement. This closet at one time must have been unfinished. It was then finished by the previous owner, and the transformer was sealed over in the process. 

When I look at my existence, I can't tell you how grateful I am to be able to turn to all the amazing men who help me run this house. In turn, I try to think of them too, in various ways, such as I always give them snacks and treats! In fact, I know which treats each of them likes, and I always have them on hand. So as of tonight, I have a doorbell transformer and an intact basement ceiling. That is today's blessing. 

As frazzled as today was, dinner was even more challenging. As my dad eats way too fast and then had trouble swallowing, got the hiccups, and was aspirating up food (which meant food got into his lungs). Alzheimer's is a disease that tests my patience, fortitude, and daily existence. In these dark moments, all I can say is...... GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH.