Day 4

It has been a long, long week.  Mozart and I got home on Monday evening to find the heat out again. On the usual inspection, we found that I was not able to fix it as I've done every other time it has gone out.  The water heater had let go of its 50 gallons of water, all through the basement, and wasn't filling back up. 

I called Mme. Child to watch Mozart while the plumber disconnected the water heater from the boiler.  The good news is that we now have heat that won't shut off at random and inconvenient intervals.  The bad news is that the water heater is most definitely never going to work again. 

We are four days in without hot water.  I've got quotes for two different options of water heaters and am waiting for a third quote to come in.  Once they all come in we have to decide how we are going to pay for it.  Seeing as the bank account is empty, and while we've got money coming in tomorrow, we've also got the mortgage due, so that leaves us in the same tight spot.  Thankfully Mme. Child and other friends have offered the use of their showers/baths.  We've tried not to do this too much, however, and have been relying mostly on the trusty African Bath.  That is actually less bothersome, however, than doing dishes.  I bought paper plates for this venture, but still there seems to be a never ending stream of them.

I figure we can manage this for about another week before we really lose our heads.