The Best Laid Plans

The local gas company has decided it’s best to relocate all the gas meters to the outside of the house.  Not to be paranoid but just think of all the potential scenarios an overactive imagination such as mine can come up with.

I received the notice stating they were about to begin work in my block on Monday.  Oh goody.  Tuesday the various colors of paint appeared indicating which lines are where.  Wednesday the no parking signs were lining the street when I got home.  Today as I drove up the street, I saw a man tapping on my door so after Howie was parked we chatted.

Yes, I stated that I would prefer them not to blow up my house and they promised to do their best not to.  Then we discussed when they would be repositioning my meter.  Monday. Morning.  They will try to have it completed in half a day but can’t guarantee it.  So I need to use at least a partial vacation day for this nonsense.  I suppose overall they believe it will make things safer since they are replacing ancient pipes as they go not to mention the added benefit of ease of meter reading.  Let’s hope they’re right but if I suddenly vanish you’ll know that their best wasn’t quite good enough.

On a lighter note, they left the digger right out front which, as I see it, give me free reign to poke around.

Ack!

I was a good girl today. No, really. I was!

Instead of going out to play in the dirt like I wanted to, I came straight home to wait for the gas meter man. As expected, it’s just fine. I’m curious though. They seem to be replacing a lot of the gas lines in Reading. The short ones connecting the pipes running down the center of the street to the houses. But there seems to be no pattern to it. They’re doing a block here, a block there. I asked the man when they’d be doing my block and received a blank stare. Makes me wonder what the criteria are to determine which get replaced.

While I was waiting, I collected up all my tax material. Well, organized. I am fairly good about stuffing statements in an envelope as I pay bills so all I really had to do is sort through them to make sure I had everything. Yay, me! I do. Next step, motivation to actually drive across town and drop it off. I really shouldn’t be this way. They’re very nice, kind people. They seem to feel genuinely bad as they’re telling me how much money I owe every year.

I should have delayed putting on my lounging clothes and gone off to the farmers market instead. Thinking about that has me depressed. I need cake.

Simple

I cam home today to an orange notice on my door. It was from the local gas company. It seems they wish to come and inspect my gas lines and meter. You see, my bills are significantly less than other years and they are concerned.

Very nice of them to worry and yes, I will be calling for an appointment. The whole natural gas infrastructure in this part of the country is old and decaying. I’m happy to come let them make sure that my little corner of the world is safe.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is unnecessary. I can tell them why my bill is so low. It’s been very warm here this winter which means I haven’t felt the need to turn on the heat. It’s set at 53 and hasn’t come on by itself more than a handful of times.

No heat = no natural gas usage = a very inexpensive bill.