One of the things I enjoy about my husband is that although we’ve been married for a good long time, he frequently comes up with new things to refresh our relationship.  And in the past week he has really chosen a winner when it comes to refreshment.

He bought me something.  It’s a real WOW. 

Now, it would be absolutely no fun to just tell you what it is so I will give you some hints.  See if you can guess what it is after each clue.

Clue #1:  It is in the exact color of sleek metal that I like.

Yes, that’s an Avalon in a color I like.  Alas, it was not one of those.  But I sure like those.  If you are giving one of those away, I’ll take it.   I’d be happy to FreeCycle it for you.

Have you a guess yet?

Clue #2:  It can be enjoyed in summer or winter – creating a vacation type atmosphere.

Yes, that is beautiful New England before it was settled.  I love the way the Hudson River Valley Painters believed that God revealed His majesty through His creation, which is sometimes termed General Revelation.  This is a famous painting by Durand, who painted himself conversing with a famous poet of that age.

Have you a guess yet?

Clue #3:  It’s a health upgrade for my life based upon water.

The New Thing dates back to this photo of Ancient Rome.

You have guessed it – right?

Clue #4:  This lady really needs one.

 This is “The Song of the Lark” by Jules Breton, but don’t you think she’s really too hot to hear the lark?

Clue #5:  Your last clue!  It’s an improvement on this.

Yep, you guessed it.  Originally invented by the Ancient Romans with aqueduct water channeled into the walls of their houses, and then later turned electric in 1902 by Mr. Carrier, and a great improvement on the hand-held fan, it is an air conditioner!

In April our AC failed and the upstairs unit was replaced.  Last week, the outdoor condenser failed.  We had AC for a few hours each day, waiting for a new unit to be installed on Tuesday.  On Tuesday the crew arrived and installed the outdoor unit, rerouted the attic stuff that goes with it and after 12 hours of diligent labor they produced no AC.  On Wednesday the trouble shooter came to figure it out and said the new condenser was defective so on Thursday another condenser was delivered and installed.   Thursday night still no AC.  These days without AC were buffered somewhat by the usage of our attic fan, but keeping up with the summer sun was impossible.  Finally on Friday a trouble shooter came out and diagnosed an installation error and after correcting it and upgrading the system further, we now have a better, quieter, and fully updated HVAC in our home.   And it has a 97% allergy filtration in it.

Somehow in the process, at no extra charge to us, the system is the brand new one that will be the only legal system starting in 2010.  All new construction must have these systems, and the old systems will no longer be repaired. 

I’ll have to admit it isn’t as exciting as a new Avalon, but I can sure say it is refreshing.  And one final note:  each part of the crew that worked on our AC during this four day process remarked how it was unheard of that our original system has lasted 17 years.  It was installed poorly, was not up to par in any way, and the average life of  HVAC systems in Texas is 8 to 10 years.  The service men would look at the plate on the old condensor and just shake their heads when they saw the year 1992 on it.  They just don’t see them that old any more.

What they don’t get is that for years I have prayed to the Lord that many things would not wear out (the AC specifically), just like how the Israelites’ shoes did not wear out in the wilderness.  And God answered this prayer.  The HVAC has been replaced at the right time, just in time for the turnover to the new standard, and after extended years of service.  So thank you Lord for the longevity granted to our old system.  We also have a 25 year old freezer and a 23 year old refrigerator.  Also an egg cooker that is more than 30 years old.  Wonder when they’ll wear out.

Here is The Foot.  After six years, four doctors, one surgeon, two hard cast boots, five prescription ankle braces, numberless ace bandages, cold packs, two chiropractors, eight pairs of SAS shoes, tubes of vitamin E oil and maderma, one physical therapist, orthodopedic shoe implants, and a very special $942.00 titanium screw … today The Foot was released from treatment.  What remains is adhesions to a major nerve that need to dissolve in the next year or further surgery may be needed.  Until then, we call it the twenty six thousand dollar foot.  Just think what kind of piano you could buy with that.  Just think how many Hershey bars that is worth.  Just think how many jugs of root beer that would buy.  Just add up how many trips to Alaska we could take.  Just think how we could remodel our house and build an addition.  Just think what kind of musical library we could acquire.  Just think of the new truck we could park in the driveway.

But … Just think how happy Mommy and Daddy are when they call her name and she thunders down the stairs – the first in six years.

This Thanksgiving was a little different.  We did the usual Creepy Crawlers and the Thanksgiving meal.  The unusual thing was that a cowboy showed up early this morning in overalls, a straw hat and a bandana.  He twirled Abigail around the den just as the morning sun streaked in the eastern windows. 

We also have a house guest for two weeks.  Here is Miss Cassie.  She’s a miniature Australian Shepherd.