2/4/11

Ever feel totally helpless?

I am feeling it especially this week.

The Hubster has his own one man business he has run for almost 30 years, but the actual business is a lot older, as is the building and much of the equipment. The nature of the business requires refrigeration and freezer facilities for meat storage, they are absolutely essential.

As with any equipment that’s old, we go through stressful phases of breakdowns and repairs pretty regularly. But this time the main compressor that runs all the cooling parts needs replacing and will now only work with constant watching and help. He thinks the severe cold here has caused this to happen, as it was working before and it now seems the oil in it is getting too thick to flow due to the cold, and this was enough to finally tip it over the edge.

The compressor is 40 years old, so there is no straight swap or quick find of a replacement. The Hubster has been trying to source another since Tuesday, but as many of you know, Oklahoma was hit hard by the winter storm and many places have been closed since then. One supplier he got through to refuses to understand that he doesn’t need everything they want to sell him, and that they know better about what he can replace it with. He finally said to them, “what do you suggest I do then, just give up and close my door!”.

There is nothing I can do to help, but I am so worried about him because he is just terribly stressed to the point of not sleeping and little or no appetite. It is just worrying him constantly and now the weekend is here almost and as he said, he can’t be down there 24 hours a day nursing it.

He and his refrigeration engineer are doing all they can today to hopefully find a solution and I am praying they are successful, it’s all I can do right now.

Many think having your own business is a ticket to wealth and happiness and for a lucky few it is, but the stresses are many and for me outweigh the advantages. Right now I would give anything for him to be employed with benefits and not having to carry this huge burden alone.

If by some miracle one of you works for an industrial compressor manufacturer or supplier, let me know!

24 comments:

Kay said...

Sigh... I wish we did, Sarah. I'm so sorry for your Hubster. My son-in-law is also stressed out like crazy. It's hard to watch your loved one go through such constant agony. I guess all you can do is stand by and love him.

Sherri said...

Sarah, I am so sorry for all the troubles. Refrigeration is such a tricky thing! I agree with Kay all you can do is stand by him and love him! Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them and understand. HUGS to both of you!!

Iota said...

Yes, running your own business isn't for the faint-hearted. He's lucky to have you.

Anonymous said...

My husband's company has a warehouse that refrigerates or freezes food for customers. He says RUSSELL is the name of the company that makes the refrigeration equipment. They are located on the mainland.

Hope this helps.

Unknown said...

I too am so sorry he is having this trouble. My father ran a small grocery store all my young life and at the time of my early adult life he seemed to think he wasn't making enough money and tried working for others only to find out he was only happy when self employed. I truly wish I had an answer but I don't. Just keep letting him know how much you love him and you are in this situation together.
Odie

Stella Jones said...

I so understand about the 'own business' dream. It is really hard work as I know from my own experience.

George said...

I'm sorry I can't help supply any answers, but I do hope and pray that your husband can get the help he needs. Cold can cause problems with refrigeration equipment, but it looks as if it will be a while before much of the country gets any relief from the cold temperatures. We'll keep both of you in our prayers.

Daryl said...

I wish I could help .. and I know what its like to feel helpless .. keeping good thoughts for you both

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I wish I could help.

I've known other people that have their own businesses and although most of them enjoy it they all work long hours. A small businessman or woman can't just go home or the job won't get done.

You both are on my prayer list today.

Midwest to Midlands said...

I totally understand what you are saying having had a business myself and the same with the other half. There are rewards and frustrations on both side of the coin. Wish you both the best and as another commenter said stand by and love him. (At least it's not super hot out without refrigeration.)

Expat mum said...

Oh Lord, what a nightmare. And here's my whining about the layer of sawdust everywhere in my house (idiot workman).
The Ball & Chain employs about 100 people and that's no picnic either.
Hope something gets sorted out.

Danielle said...

ack!! Hope he finds what he needs.
We run a business too, and it's so hard. I wonder sometimes if I should just go and get a job. Most people (and employees!) don't stop to think about the sleepless nights and stresses it brings.

Linda Jennings said...

I'm sorry to hear about these difficulties. I can understand his stress. Hugs from KY.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Sarah, I can feel your frustration. Wish I could help--but know nothing about his business. Hope he can get it fixed soon.

I know you are worried about your hubby. My hubby has been stressed also --for a much different reason. His elderly parents have been living in their own home even though both are very elderly (91/99) --and both are legally blind. We have been keeping the road hot going back and forth to check on them. George is very easy-going --but this has caused him much stress. Lucky for us (we hope), they are moving to George's sister's home soon... Praise God.

I pray for your hubby and his business. Hope he finds some help soon.
Hugs,
Betsy

Gaelyn said...

Having been in business for myself I can sympathize with the stress involved. I once thought if you had your own business it meant you were rich. HA! Just be there for HIM and try to understand that if he gets mad, it's really not you. Hope this gets worked out soon. Hang in there.

Pat - Arkansas said...

I'm so sorry your hubster is having to endure this stress, Sarah, and hope he and his engineer can find a solution, soon.

Linda Reeder said...

Sending good thoughts. This kind of stress is very hard to bear.

Unknown said...

THANK YOU everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers, we really appreciate them. I really felt like we had alot of people rooting for something good today as your comments came in.

The Hubster is brighter tonight. It looks like a compressor maybe here next week and the bad one ran okay all day today. My dad also called him and listened whilst he offloaded all his problems to an understanding ear.

He seems less stressed and I am spoiling him.

Anonymous said...

Im glad you found what he needed. I hope he has no further problems with his business.
Good job he has you!

Vickie said...

All I can do is send my prayers. {HUGS}

Pam said...

Oooh! Poor Hubster! I know he has been nursing the equipment diligently for a long while. My grandpa worked in refrigeration but I know of no one these days who does. I hope he gets it sorted soon and is able to relax. Make him some of that bread pudding. That should cheer him up!

Kathy G said...

Sending prayers your way that everything will turn out ok.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Sorry for your troubles, I hope everything works out, and the stress is lifted.
{Hugs} friend,
Jo
x

Arija said...

I wish I could help. I know how hard it is to see a loved one stressed out of their mind.
I pray with you that in some miraculous way it will sort itself out. Is there no thinner oil he could use in the old compressor and do a Lazarus?