Hot under the collar

So today, I got a curve ball. Less than one year into a brand new, high efficiency, extra quiet air conditionig unit, it begins to make strange noises and leaking water into my son's bedroom. Plenty of water on the floor and now drowning in a big bill.

It's a new unit, I think. It's under warranty I think.

Repairman comes out. Apparently the drip line was clogged and backed up the water into the inside unit. Also the drain pan had a crack in it (ON A BRAND NEW UNIT) but fortunately that was under warranty.

Now comes the bad news on the strange noise. It's not the unit, it's a bad copper line from the unit to the outside compressor. It's leaking freon like crazy and forcing the air conditioner to work twice as hard. Not under warranty. Just under $2000.oo dollars to fix. OOOuuucchhhh!

So here comes the rush of irrational feelings. As I stare the tech down with a tight lipped grin, I'm thinking, "What? Are you nuts??! You know how long it takes me to earn 2000 dollars? That's a mortgage payment! That's a Disney Vacation on Disney property! That's almost 6 months of FPL payments! (That's another story) Its food for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years! Santa's Gifts!

But, Phil relax, said another voice in my head as my brow softened a little. You ARE employed, you HAVE a roof over your head, your children live in a nice home, what more do you want? It's only money.

I know its only money, as my glare on the tech got more focused, but I don't want to stimulate the economy single handedly. That amount is more than one year's worth of gas for my very small economy car. That's why I got it, to save money. I brown bag my lunch to work in my kids old school lunch box to save money. (I look like a dork). I mow my own lawn, to save money . I could go on and on.

Meanwhile the tech, who has been very professional and courteous... is waiting for my decision.

The moment of truth was upon me, I had to give him an answer. The response began deep in my gut, slowly rising with a taste of bile. Drops of sweat began to flow from my forehead. My breathing got more labored as the words I was about to speak neared my lips. I looked down for a brief moment as if waiting for divine inspiration, then slowly raised my head looking like Linda Blair possessed in the Exorcist and gave him the answer. "Sure when can you start?"

So here I am stewing under the circumstances.

I know it' s a problem that needs fixing, I can't be without air conditioning in Florida even in Fall. I'm blessed to have a job for which I can pay for this big expense. But dang!!! Hot under the collar.