mamamc7's Journal, 05 June 2018

Ugh, I get ants like that at least once a year. One year, they were falling from the ceiling onto my table - they had entered through a ceiling fan fixture. Vinegar for the battle, grants for the war. Might think about craigslist for a short term fix on the fridge. I see them cheap or free all the time here when people move.  

We used to get them terrible!! I hated it! I am so sorry about the food loss, I know how pricey that can get. I hope that you fridge works again. Fingers crossed!!  

Man that is really tragic about the food. Hope your fridge just needs a "reboot." 

Hope you have enough water out there... oh, quick idea, in THAT heat, take some dark chocolate, drizzle it over the ants... just kidding. 

GREAT NEWS!!! The fridge is working after being thawed out!!! I am so happy I could cry!! Now I can get some groceries and restock!! From371 we need so much water... our gorgeous lake that was once overflowing during El Niño is at only 34% now ☹️ and it’s currently fire season in Cali... and even after the Thomas Fire there’s still plenty to burn here!! 

Ants are the worst!!!! I hear they don’t like cinnamon and peppermint... (I replied earlier about how I add oils to my cleaners in hopes it keeps them away, but the reply isn’t here?!) 

Last week I replaced my dishwasher and dryer. 3 months ago it was the washing machine and refrigerator. I feel your pain. 

We had to get a new fridge and on a whim checked at The Salvation Army first. We found a stainless steel French door fridge for $400! Better yet, it was the end of the month when everything was half price, so $200! It cost us $65 to get it home (hired movers) and $165 for an appliance guy to come out and fix a small problem. Totally worth it. 

Socalpam you scored a great deal!! Our fridge seems to be working again after we thawed it. But keeping a close eye on it and also keeping ice in the deep freezer just in case we need to chill Foods if it dies again!! Last year it was our toaster oven gave up, vacuum burnt out, clothes dryer and oven... this year it’s our fridge, front door knob busted off and I was locked in my house unless I wanted to climb through a window, Our toilet was old/slow/not water friendly, tub drain busted out when the plumber tried snaking it’s to remedy the water damage/drain/have no shower for two days, our kitchen faucet broke and the wash machine belts broke!!! It’s like a comedy over here. If it can break it will...  

So glad all is well sounds like my last couple of week. The big expensive dryer decided it had worked long enough then the lower plate of my denture broke and it was more costly than the dryer. Then had almost 6 hours on the road yesterday to get dentures remade only to come home to no air conditions, which for SC is not an option. At least that was a cheaper fix the the 2 prior problems, as it was like your fridge and had frozen up and low on refrigerant. We have plenty to be thankful for. 

The beauty (?) of home ownership 

just some advice the fridge did not fix itself by thawing it out what you need to do is pull it out take off the back panel clean all the coils in the back of the refrigerator and at the Bottom clean out the drip pan and then see if it works 

I had a year that I had to replace all the appliances in the house. Looked for scratch and dent sales all over.... Also, had to do the laundrymat visit a couple of times. Hang in there 

Sorry to hear about your fridge. Speaking from experience, take gigs1968's advice--my fridge once did the same thing and I thought it was fixed--until it happened again, and then again. Wish someone had told me about the coils in the first place. Also make sure nothing is blocking the air vents inside, freezer food especially can get leaned up against the vents and block refrigeration. 

When my fridge went out, I called a repairman, he replaced a $50.00 part and with labor only about $79.00. He also told me, 9 times out of 10 the problem is that part. 

We did take he back off, clean the coils, and we always make sure the vents inside aren’t blocked. We have had everything freeze because of that a few times 🤦‍♀️ So far everything has been working great with the fridge. I put a digital thermometer inside to keep an eye on it. It’s still pretty bare since most of the food spoiled... but so glad we don’t have to buy a new one (yet, knock on wood)!!!  

NICE LOSS! Sorry about all the other problems though. Be encouraged. 

Thanks Marsha. I am trying to stay motivated!! 

Mr. 184, your remark made me recall the day my Uncle Ralph walked in our house with a tin of chocolate-covered bugs, and ate one in front of us! Bigger than ants -- more the size of a bee -- and it was CRUNCHY! My mother and I were squealing, we were so grossed out! 

Mamamc7, glad to hear that your fridge is working again!