The R word

I had forgotten that one can adjust the temperature in the shower by simply turning a (thankfully waterproof) dial left or right.

For over 2 years and until yesterday, we were accustomed to using the implement that left a lovely rust mark on the bath tub. But yesterday when the little bit left of the temperature-adjustment broken bit broke for good, I was left standing in an electric shower that could not be stopped.
Until I remembered that there was a fuse for the said shower and finally located it in the fuse box, once I had carefully dried myself.

I had to call Eddie. We live in Eddie's house.
Or to be more precise, Eddie is the guy whose house belongs to the bank until he has made the final payment with the rent we pay him.

We rent.

It is something rather hard to admit in public. Well, it is in Ireland. Well, it was until it all went pear-shaped not so long ago.
Mrs Raheny and I are raising 3 (beautiful - but I am obviously biased) kids in a house that does not belong to us.
At the time when the Dublin property market was seriously inflated as opposed to downright unrealistic, we were too busy gallivanting around the globe to accept the money that the banks were trying to throw at us.
By the time we had finished exploring the globe, our combined income could have bought us a parking space in Lucan, a charming suburb 3 hours of traffic jam away from anywhere remotely central.

"Rent money is dead money" How many times have heard that one without really giving a flying monkey. The French can live quite comfortably with not owning the roof over their head, as long as it is a roof that is not too much hassle, affords them flexibility and value for money.
But that's when you live in France. And have reasonable security of tenancy and an efficient regulator.
Here renting is a lot more risky. But we have been quite lucky so far. Except for the electrical shower. And the poxy kitchen with the derelict cooker. And the nauseating carpet in the hall. The rest is our own furniture and I call Eddie's bank's place "home".

And negative equity is dead money plus unbearable amounts of stress.