I find myself faced with very complex relationships in this house. Relationships with objects. Most of my angst is caused by the kitchen appliances. I have always (or 99% of the time) had a gas oven/stove. I am comfortable with gas. I know when the heat is on, I know how high the heat is, I know when it's off. My new-to-me electric stove is showing itself to be a challenge. This kitchen was "modern" in the late 70s/early 80s, with a separate range top and built-in oven. My mother cooked thousands of meals in it. My sister cooked hundreds. I struggle to get through the day.
My relationship with the oven is what one would refer to as a "love/hate" relationship. I love the fact that I don't have to bend down and haul out bakeware. However, it is a miniscule oven. None of my baking sheets fit. Then, again, it is self-cleaning.
My range top is a whole other kettle of eels. The heating indicators on the knobs have worn completely off, so I need to guess at the temperature I am setting the burners. The burners are not flat. The stovetop is black and shows everything. I am learning to cook on it via the BL Method. Burn and Learn. Needless to say, it has a four-star hate/hate rating.
Another appliance that gets my spleen in a state is the washing machine. It's brand new and must have been designed by people with exceptionally long arms and an unending source of patience. I have neither. BUT I have a dryer. This is very convenient in the winter and it's nice to have soft bath towels again, but I will be hanging my clothes outside, come spring. To heck with the HOA.
All of the hate/hates fall to the wayside, however, because of the garage. I have an actual garage with doors that open and close and with space to park my car. It makes me incredibly giddy every time I tuck the car away. I choose to turn a blind eye to the chaos that is next to it. And in the basement room. And in the den. And in the spare room.
Coming up in the ongoing saga that is my new life: Covid, Covid rebound (it's a thing - who knew?), Lyme's, RSV, the State of NY, real estate agents, and lawyers. Oy.
