I seem to have collected a Christmas jinx. I’m not sure how or why but every year something goes wrong with a household appliance. The washing machine seems to be a common theme.
A couple of years ago the washing machine broke down on 23 December. I went through the local yellow pages to find a serviceman to come to my house and fix it. I rang and asked politely if they could fix my machine. They all laughed at me. I mean really laughed at me as if I was telling a good joke. I reached the last serviceman on my list, blurted out my request and waited for the inevitable laughter. My mouth dropped open when it didn’t come. “Yes, I can come tomorrow. What sort of machine do you have?”
Honestly when he arrived I almost hugged him after having visions of piles of dirty laundry overtaking the house. It was a minor repair and my machine was chugging along happily an hour later. Whenever my washing machine or dishwasher breaks down, that’s the man I call. He’s earned a loyal customer since he gives prompt service.
Last year it was the plumbing at our rental property. It sprang a leak the day before Christmas - a big leak. I knew a plumber lived in our street since I’d seen his signpainted van. I rang him up. He said he was busy and I could tell he was going to say no. I started burbling and told him I’d seen his van because I lived in his street and walked past everyday. “Oh,” he said. “The people with the dog. You said the job is local? I could probably take a look when I get home.”
Yes! I wanted to kiss the plumber as well but refrained and gave a dog a big cuddle instead. After all, she was the one who had unknowingly won the plumber over. Instead he was paid promptly and received a few beers for Christmas. He has also become our plumber of choice.
This year it’s the washing machine again. It’s old now so we decided to buy a new one, however it’s a couple of weeks to go until Christmas. I’m nervously watching my appliances and mentally pleading with them to stay the distance.
Do you have a jinx like this? Which appliance would you most hate to break down over the holiday period?
NO-ho-ho! No jinx’s for me and if they know what’s good for them they’ll stay away!
TJ
by TJ Michaels December 11th, 2007 at 11:11 amCount yourself lucky!
by Shelley Munro December 11th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
my stove is my jinx this season. I turned it on yesterday to make cocoa, and the five burners ignited and the stove blew open smacking me in the leg. I now have a nice bruise from it, needless to say didnt need the cocoa after…. many thing like that happen in our kitchen, mysterious fires in the oven, things turning on by themselves. the kids are scared of the kitchen now
by tina December 11th, 2007 at 5:06 pmTina - that sounds very scary! I wouldn’t want cocoa after that either.
by Shelley Munro December 12th, 2007 at 1:00 pm