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The lights dim as my wife switches on a burner on the stovetop. There is heat felt in the wall above the outlet where the refrigerator is plugged in. It is time for an electrical makeover for this old ranch house.
The electrical panels and wiring are at least 40 years old. In that 40 years there have been new appliances added to the overall electrical load. Gas appliances were used in abundance back then. Over the years the water heater, stove and space heaters were replaced with the electric variety. These items were not in the plans when the electric service panel was installed.
To add to the problem, many newer appliances were added as well. Things like a dishwasher, garbage disposal, and a nice jacuzzi tub were added to the mix. See the problem here?
What needs to happen first as we give this old house an electrical upgrade? First, plans are drawn up and then the work begins.
The first order of business is to remove the old wiring and service panel. The new will then be put back in it's place. The whole process will take a whole lot of time and effort to make this ranch house safe again. No more worrying about the fire danger lurking in the walls.
Now it's time to let you know of my mental rewiring project over the past few months. But before I do that let me take you back half a century to the time that my electrical pathways were first laid out.
The toddler years is where the foundation was set. I learned that good deeds were rewarded while being a bad boy brought punishment.
As a young boy I was taught that I needed to study hard in order to get good grades. Bad grades meant that I would not be able to go on to college. No college meant that I could not get a very high paying job!
The wiring pathways began to be more permanent. The good grades throughout high school would allow me access to a great college. Once I arrived at the university it was time to get good grades so I could land a great paying job.
What was the purpose in getting good grades? The end result was to make more money. That is why my dad who had a third grade education wanted his sons to go to school and get good grades! He wanted his sons to be more successful than he was. Isn't that every father's wish?
I did my part and I studied hard. I learned to memorize facts and regurgitate them at test time. I became a master at it. These good grades helped me to land a great job after finishing my schooling.
Awe! Success at last! I accomplished my goals. I began to earn more money than I had ever dreamed possible! This ole cowboy was feeling pretty good about life at this point!
Stay tuned for part 2 of the Electrical Remodel Project.
It's been an ugly picture, but now is the time to update! So did the articles make sense standing alone? I tried to make 'em that way. Maybe I need to read them backwards and see if it works for me, too! It worked for Ben Affleck in the movie Paycheck! LOL
Congratulations! Delighted things are going so well for you. Blessings for continuing to create more goals and accomplishing them in double portions;)
Thanks, Cynthia! I appreciate the encouragement and blessings!
Gayle makes a good point. I also did well in all the academics, but my big love has always been the graphic arts. I knew from the cradle that's what I would be doing. Yet the teachers poo pooed that idea. They wanted the good students to pursue law or medicine. There are many different kinds of intelligence, but our education system favors only one kind. Nice article McK.
I hadn't really thought of it that way until Gayle mentioned it. The school system is geared only in developing the student that can memorize things. It squashes any other talents we have. I certainly am glad I have found a creative platform to re-learn some talents I left behind. Thanks, Joan. I appreciate you reading and commenting. It means the world to me.
I think that is the job our family play in our life, push us down the 'left brain' path. Get good grades, get into college and get a good job. But what if you have to move to speak then maybe you are a dancer, or write to speak the maybe you are an author. Creative kids have been educated out of creativity into math and English for years. Hopefully some day this will end, looking forward to part 2
That is so true what you said! Schooling seems to do that to a person doesn't it! They will teach you right out of being creative! Thanks again, Gayle! I enjoy your comments.
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