Eventful. That would sum up the weekend I just lived through in a single word.

Of course, if all goes as it usually does, my life is typically pretty eventful. Even so, I have to admit that I sometimes wish it weren't so. Last week, things started off on a crazy note with meetings on Monday night and Tuesday night, along with working pretty late. When these meetings occur, I usually have to work all day and then be there all evening and into the night. We usually have other people to help out with that, but we didn't last week. I hope we find someone soon.

On Wednesday I took on an evening of work to make a little extra money. I was glad to have the opportunity. Anything to help refill my depleted bank account is much appreciated.

The last time I checked, I think I was about $800 from even, probably at least that much more away from where I would like to be. Not that I have ever been $800 to the good in my checking account for any appreciable amount of time, but I've always heard that it is a good idea to aim high. However, in my personal experience, I have found that it is usually better to shoot for the middle, that way if you are a little high or low, you still hit the target. I don't think my practical wisdom applies here, since when it comes to matters of finance, it would seem that I am shooting at a dinner plate from 300 yards with a BB gun.

I started off my Thursday evening at a meeting for a local committee, for which I have been elected secretary. Of course, in some cases, positions aren't given as awards, but as assignments. Anyway, this particular committee isn't one in which I normally dread taking part. Even so, with the schedule I have been living with, I dread anything that doesn't involve a couch and a remote control.

After that meeting, I whiled away the rest of the afternoon in a local coin-operated laundry trying to get enough clothing dried to get through another week.

I only recently got the plumbing run to the laundry room in my new place in Sparta. I had to run a new kind of plumbing that I had never tried before, but the knowledgeable folks at the local hardware store were more than obliging. They sold me pipe and fittings and even showed me how to put it together.

Once I had the hookups through the floor, that gave me the ability to put in a washing machine, but my dryer that I was using before I moved only operates on lp gas. I don't intend to install gas at my new place for several reasons, the foremost of which is a fear of having an oil bill and a gas bill simultaneously.

Instead, I opted to search for a good used electric dryer. So far, I haven't come up with one within my price guidelines — free or close to it.

So, by Friday night, I was ready for a little time to unwind. Some friends and I play cards on weekends when we can all get together. I did enjoy the camaraderie, but I found my thoughts moving in the direction of the recliner for the better part of the evening.

Saturday morning I had an appointment with a repairman to try and cure the ills with my kitchen range. Having little or no ability to deal with large appliances, I opted instead to call someone. After about $50 worth of visit, he figured out that the stove was wired incorrectly to start with. So, I paid for him to switch one wire with another. Even so, I didn't have the ability to find the problem myself, though I could have fixed it easily. Therefore, I am going to chalk it up to money well spent.

I recall a story I read in a Pat Morley book of a service technician called to a factory where all the machines were shut down. One of the main pieces on the line wasn't working and all the mechanics at the business were befuddled. The technician looked at the machine and pulled out a hammer, giving the machine a hard tap on one side. It immediately came to life and everyone cheered.

However, the boss was more than a little upset when he got a bill for $1,000. He called and angrily demanded an itemized statement. Soon afterwards, the statement came, reading: "Tapping machine, $1. Knowing where to tap, $999."

Sometimes it is worth a lot just to know where to tap. Even so, right now I feel like I am almost tapped out.

After the repairman left, I headed off to help with a wedding party for a little more extra money. I don't know why they call it 'extra' money. That would infer that I have enough and this is some sort of a bonus. Anyway, I spent the better part of the day enjoying camaraderie with a raucous crowd of young folks. That was enough to make any 30-something feel old and tired.

After that ended, I rushed back home at about 7 p.m. to have supper and go to bed soon afterwards.

Sunday evening found me heading back to one of my places in Virginia to clean up and get set up for a renter. I helped him move some of his stuff, including carrying a 25-inch console television down two flights of stairs and toting a recliner and several boxes of clothing. I finally made it back home around 11 p.m. and fell down on the bed, asleep before I hit the pillow.

I'm just hoping this week proves a little less hectic. If not, I will be satisfied with getting caught up by the time trout season opens in April.

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