When things go wrong… well, it seems they always will! This is how we feel sometimes when a series of bad things happen to us. It disrupts our normal routine and it unsettles us. It ruins the fun we’re having at the moment.
Just last week on our trip to Baguio, I had an unexpected car problem in Tarlac. We decided to check in at a nice hotel for two nights. It was a challenging situation but it was fun as well. Not really, totally bad. We faced the challenge positively, not losing hope. I realize that God does allow bad things to happen to us sometimes according to his own good purpose. And sometimes, we may never know why God allows something evil to happen to us. We just have to continue trusting God fully that all things will work out for good in the end. The Lord helped us and we were able to reach Baguio and back home safely after that interesting stopover in Tarlac.
On our way back home, on the way down along the wet and foggy Marcos Highway, there was heavy rains in some parts of the road. At one time, I did not see a really huge pothole and we hit it really bad. I felt pity for my 18-year old car. It’s the same thing at EDSA. There are a lot of portions where the road is really in bad shape. It can cause damage to a car’s under chassis parts.
After a few days I noticed strange noises underneath my old Ford Lynx. I went to an under chassis shop and suggested to the mechanic that he check the stabilizer links. I was right. Some parts loosened up. The stabilizer link needed re-tightening including the front-right shock absorber. At least it was just a simple problem. I was relieved when it was fixed and the noise was gone.
It was time to relax at home again. But then again another unexpected car problem came up! We need to buy food and groceries after our trip in Baguio but the car won’t start! The car battery was totally drained! Then I remembered that the night before, for whatever reason, I connected the car alarm at the fuse box. I usually unplug it. It could have been the reason — just maybe — for the battery to be totally drained. I should not have connected that old alarm system which I don’t use anyway! I also noticed some loose wire in the trunk and the rear left signal lights casing was filled with rain water. Hmm… I think that I should have the whole electrical system checked for loose wires or anything that is causing the car battery to discharge too fast.
Anyway, I called up Motolite and they are re-charging my car battery at this time. I’m using their spare battery at the moment. If my battery was just drained, then re-charging it is just fine. But if the battery is no longer charging, then I need to buy a new one. Ouch! I will soon find out. Maybe tomorrow.
And then there was water leak in the bathroom! After so many years, the shower knob just suddenly got busted and water was gushing out profusely! It was hard to control the water pressure so I had to to close the main water valve. From a car mechanic, I was now a plumber this time. I bought some needed short pipes, pipe fittings, valve and other items at Ace Hardware and did some plumbing work. After about 24 hours without water, I think that I have fixed the plumbing problem. I just plugged the old and busted shower valve with Vulcaseal and created a new piping system leading to the shower head (see featured photo above).
Well, not bad for a senior citizen. I think I can still be a handyman even though I’m now 64 haha!
I hope to have a another wonderful week. Hopefully, there won’t be another interesting challenge for now so I can relax a little bit. Thank you Lord for taking care of this senior citizen!