Growing older.
One light fitting in my home broke as I tried to put in a new globe. So I bought a new light fitting, and attempted to connect the new fitting myself. I know what to do, so it shouldn't be a problem.
First the chair I stood on to change the globe, was not high enough for me to reach the connection wires just below the ceiling. So I made a plan. I put a small side table on top of the chair, and managed to balance myself on the small table. Now I could reach the wires, and I carefully disconnected the broken fitting. That was quite easy. But connecting the new fitting was a different story! The wires are very thin, the holes in the new fitting are very small, and the screws are very tiny. I managed to get the two wires through the small holes, but getting the tiny screws back in was totally impossible! My glasses fogged up, my hands were shaking terribly and my arm muscles became very painful from working above my head. And the stupid tiny screws kept on falling! My granddaughter was on her knees all the time, searching for the screws on the carpet, and giving them back to me. Later I took my glasses off, but then my eyes just would not focus properly. I started having a heated discussion with the stupid new fitting! Eventually I gave up.
I still don't have a light in that room, but that is just fine! I know what to do to fix the problem, but my body does not want to co-operate! Guess I'll just have to wait until my son comes to visit again. A few years back I would have been able to fix it myself...
First the chair I stood on to change the globe, was not high enough for me to reach the connection wires just below the ceiling. So I made a plan. I put a small side table on top of the chair, and managed to balance myself on the small table. Now I could reach the wires, and I carefully disconnected the broken fitting. That was quite easy. But connecting the new fitting was a different story! The wires are very thin, the holes in the new fitting are very small, and the screws are very tiny. I managed to get the two wires through the small holes, but getting the tiny screws back in was totally impossible! My glasses fogged up, my hands were shaking terribly and my arm muscles became very painful from working above my head. And the stupid tiny screws kept on falling! My granddaughter was on her knees all the time, searching for the screws on the carpet, and giving them back to me. Later I took my glasses off, but then my eyes just would not focus properly. I started having a heated discussion with the stupid new fitting! Eventually I gave up.
I still don't have a light in that room, but that is just fine! I know what to do to fix the problem, but my body does not want to co-operate! Guess I'll just have to wait until my son comes to visit again. A few years back I would have been able to fix it myself...
Replies
I can identify with that \"ageing\" thing very well. I couldn\'t believe how fast I got stiff and sore while dealing with a water soaked basement this past week. The process of getting older sure slows things down in the body and makes what ever we are doing so much more difficult.
I hope you can get your light fixture fixed soon, and without any more problems. Perhaps you have a neighbor or church friend that could assist instead of waiting for your son to visit again.
Good luck. Hugs, Dan
I don\'t change light bulbs anymore... I\'m afraid of heights... and I\'m the girl who used to help on roofing jobs... I think I\'m afraid because I know if I fall I\'m going to break everything... I was reading about how you set a little table on a chair and climbing up... and gosh... I do wonder what we will do as we get even older... and depending on our children... for me that isn\'t working so well... I have a ceiling fan setting in the front room that I\'ve been trying to get one my son or my stepson either one to install... oh sure I\'ll do that... but they just never get here with any time to spare... this is our life... I think I better veer away from this line of thinking... GRRRRRRRR anyway I just wanted you to know someone hears.