December 23

So, the 23rd day of December brought me many surprises, gifts disguised as disasters....starting at 3:30 am.  I get up to take more cold meds, walk into the kitchen, take my Nyquil, and hear 'drip, drip, drip'...I assume that I did not tighten the faucet all the way. I tighten the faucet and the drips continue. I suddenly realize the drips are coming from the ceiling and the light fixture.  WHAT????? I race up the stairs : check the sinks, check the tubs, check the toilets, crawl around on the floor in my jammies. My mind was racing with the frantic mantra "where is it coming from, where is it coming from". I think back to earlier in the night when I yelled at my son because closet smelled so bad, "What are you putting in here, dirty poopy clothes???" He looked at me wide eyed and quietly said "no, I don't know".  I got down on my knees and felt his closet floor. Soaked. The hallway. Soaked. The walls. Damp. I felt small and mean. I yelled at my son and accused him. I scared him. And all that time, it was a leak.  I have apologized to him many times today.  This lesson was the first gift I received today.

I spent the rest of the night worrying about how I was going to have family over for Christmas with no water, no electricity. I could not sleep, so I went online, researching, filling out claim forms.  By 7am I was showered, I took care of getting a plumber, a contractor, and a home owners insurance claim. My second gift was realizing that I am strong and efficient when I need to be.

Fast forward to the plumber coming over. A ridiculously high quote to replace a water heater nearly brought me to my knees...I was already panicking about the deductible. A kind neighbor happened to be here and saved me from having to pay this absurd quote. I also had phone calls from friends and their husbands that helped me feel less alone in this frenzy. Gift 3, the kindness of friends. I am not alone. It is okay to accept help.  I sure am learning that the HARD way this year.

So, my carpets upstairs are pulled back, some baseboards are missing, and my house is filled with these LOUD LOUD LOUD dehumidifiers and fans...I am not allowed to turn them off:

So, yeah, my house is filled with the loud noise of blowers, cooking Christmas dinner will have to be managed around these contraptions,  my house will not be back to normal for a couple of weeks, and we are out a few thousand dollars:/...but the gifts I recieved today are worth so much more.  Besides the ones I mentioned above, my kids think this is a cool adventure. They stand over the fans and let the air blow up the backs of their shirts and pretend they a sky divers. The boys, displaced from their rooms, decided to camp out together for a few days. I realized that Christmas will be perfect...perfectly memorable.

Comments

[Ailith Blesington]

In every dark cloud, there is always a silver lining. Way to go! Looks like you had an epiphany in every problem you encountered. Sorry to hear about the leaks in your house. My family has been there before, and it was not pretty.

[Stacy of KSW]

Oh my goodness Steph, so sorry to hear about the bad parts and so proud of how you turned them in to good things. Keep on rolling with the punches and hope you feel better soon. Crossing my fingers you get a run of good luck for the new year - you better make some collard greens & black eyed peas for New Years ... that's what my family always does to bring good luck & prosperity our way. Love you & Merry Christmas. Way to keep your chin up & roll with the punches

[JackieK]

Oh, Stephanie. How awful. I am so sorry!

[AmyC]

You rock Steph!! Glad you can see the good in all this. Please let me know if you need anything.