New Years Day 2011

Usually on New Years Day we take down the Christmas Decorations, relax, maybe do a little Shopping. We like the Dillards extra 50% off lowest marked price sales.
Not this year, we had quite the New Years Day!!!
Let me start the story: Earlier in the week our microwave stopped working. What did we do before the days of Microwaves? Well we decided that instead of going to K-Mart and getting another one that fits in the cubby hole in the cupboard that we would replace it with one that goes over the stove. Now we had never done this before because we thought they all had to be vented outside and that would mean cutting a hole in the ceiling, and then through the roof. To much work. But then we found that they make some that have charcoal filters rather that being vented outside. So we went to look. We found the one we wanted at Lowe's.


Now Lynn had mentioned awhile ago that this year he wanted to change the fuse box out to a box with breakers, and since we were going to have to come out of that fuse box to put an outlet in for the new microwave, I said why don't we just do that today. Boy I wish I could take back those words.


We measured the box, went to Lowe's, bought a new panel box and breakers. With great difficulty we tore out the old box. We could not figure out what was holding it in, well there were two little like flaps that had nails in them that were covered with the plaster. So we finally got it out. then we found out that the studs were 12 inch centers not 14 inch center. So the box that we bought would not fit. Back to Lowe's we went, while I returned the box, Lynn went to find a new one to fit. Well, I have go to find him and he says. they don't have a smaller one, now what do we do. Well we decide to buy the other one back, so I go tell the guy at the return desk that I want the panel back. We will run the wires down in the basement and put the panel box in the Laundry Room.


We needed wire to do that, so we go back to the electrical department and a Lowe's worker measures some wire for us. He asks what we are doing. we tell him and he says O' you don't have to tear out your old box. They just came out with new insides for the old boxes, the you will replace the fuses. New Guts! and it only costs 30.00. We had just spent a lot more on they new box and wire. But we had pretty much demolished the old box getting it out. so guess what we could not put it back. Plus they did not have any in stock but could get us one. Well we had a box at home with wire hanging out and our power had already been off for a few hours.
So off we went with our New panel box and wire. Mike and Lynn got the new panel wired, after another trip to get more wire.


We then had to cut the cabinet down that was above the stove to make room for the microwave, put in an outlet, and the whole thing took us until 10:30 that night. It was quite a day but we now have a nice new microwave that cost us a lot more that we were planning on to install.


I am just glad I have a husband that can do anything!!! Thanks Honey I really appreciate it.