Monday, May 11, 2009

a lingering sort of limbo

What a rude awakening it was when Marc called on Saturday morning (May 2) to tell me that our house was flooded! It took me a couple of days to recover from the huge disappointment of missing out on the last day of our roommate's weekend.

We ended up staying in a hotel for 6 days while the house dried out -- it was just too loud and hard to walk with all of those industrial fans everywhere.


disaster clean-up guys ripping out the soaked carpet pad

The kids were thrilled about the hotel stay. (can you even believe Eva is still small enough to sleep in a crib?!) Some things were nice -- I got some reading done and completed a knitting project (fingerless gloves). Everyone enjoyed the nice breakfast spread every morning. But the boys were still sick enough when we went there that they weren' t up to swimming! what the? That's how I knew they were really still sick.

We ended up having to bring Jack to the hotel with us because he was freaking out and refusing to eat. Good grief. I did not enjoy the car ride with him -- he was so excited he was running all over the place, panting like a crazy thing and squeaking like a bird.

The boys taught us how to play B.S. and we played quite a few games of cards and Boggle.

The hotel really lost its appeal for me once they went back to school and I was shuttling them to and fro, as well as meeting work crews at the house to let them in. I had to hold my piano lessons at my students' houses. Oh, and then Eva got the stomach flu (which ended up actually to be strep) for two days and I was SO DONE.

We came home on Thursday to utter chaos, but at least it was home chaos.

A plumber came on Thursday and ended up spending the whole day fixing various things and discovering that we needed a new water heater! Oh joy.


The reconstruction crew came on Friday and today, but all that has been accomplished so far is the installation of new baseboards (what the? of course that would be my #1 priority -- NOT!) and new subfloor where the damage was worst.

All of our furniture had to be moved so the carpet could be pulled up and the floor repaired. Our bedroom is filled with things that belong in the family room.

The laundry room ceiling was torn out and there will be much drywall repair and painting. So, it looks like the chaos here will continue for some time. Strangers in the house, making all kinds of loud noises with power tools, etc. We have to move all of the furniture downstairs out to the garage.

But it could have been worse. My craft room downstairs was largely untouched by the water. We will get new carpet in the downstairs and new paint jobs in the laundry room and downstairs bathroom. Most of all, we have good homeowner's insurance!

As I was told in the somewhat reassuring literature the disaster clean-up guys left on the first day, "It will be okay!" Eventually.

{Many thanks to Laurie M. for sending me this card! I love love this sentiment and gave this in poster form to my mother for Christmas. Now it hangs on my fridge to remind me. I need it.}

20 comments:

Cecilia said...

Oh wow, sounds like you're going to be busy for the next few weeks!!!
If you think on the positive side new carpet sounds really good to me ;-) What do I have to do to have a flooded house??? j/k
Love the Keep Calm card! I think I need one of those in my fridge too ;-)

Jill said...

It makes me tense just reading about this and seeing the photos. What a mess! I still don't know why it had to happen on the last day of our roommate weekend ($@#!), but I'm glad you've got good homeowner's insurance and will end up with new carpet downstairs and new paint as well. I'm really hoping that this nightmare will end up being a blessing at some point.

Amy said...

Michelle! I still can't believe this is happening to you! But you're strong. You can get through it--and you will. It's just so hard when you're in the middle of the disaster and life seems so displaced. Thank goodness for homeowner's insurance!

I think it's quite possible that the upside of this will be that the mold question might just get answered.

Barb said...

I have to take Flex to the groomer this morning and seeing Jack in your back seat has me thinking about all the Flex hairs that are going to be all over my car.
That is a great card/poster. (for the extreme and the every day disasters)

Amie said...

This makes ME feel like crying! "Keep calm and carry on" seems like your mantra and like you don't need any more practice! I hope your house ends up new and and improved!

Seriously coming home from your weekend, bringing the dog in the car, sick kids at the hotel... your family is lucky to have you... I hope Marc is kissing the ground you walk on most of us wouldn't have been so nice about it.

Too sick to swim!?

j said...

i love that card on your fridge. seriously- becoming a new mantra for me. perhaps i'll use it in the delivery room...


this is nightmarish, michelle! what the heck?! when it rains, it pours. i can't believe how much can happen in such a short time. i hope the brunt of it is over and from here on out it improves. wow....

and can i just say- the dog looks happiest of all. :) he is seriously loving life in that car.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. I don't even know what I'd do besides cry. You showed real strengh through it all. Water, hotel, sick kids, dog, school shuttle, and all else. You deserve a god star.

Rebekah said...

wow, this was a mighty flood that covered the whole earth. i didn't understand the full extent of the damage=. any time sub-flooring is mentioned, it's not a good sign. i can't imagine it was easy moving your h-u-g-e bookcase.

just look forward to the moment when this is all done, everything is moved back into place, and you can finally EXHALE and sink down into your couch.

Anonymous said...

Those fans bring back memories of our flood- that was just in the basement! Ugh. Sorry Michelle, this totally sucks. Seeing your house in disorder like this just doesn't fit! Here is to speedier work from the restoration people!

Kelly said...

Oh Michelle. I just can't believe you guys are having to put up with all this. I'm so glad you have good homeowner's insurance, and that your craft room was untouched.

Your card is great. That phrase has gotten me through lots of days.

Laurie said...

Oh my goodness! I feel like I should edit the note I sent you since I had no idea that you'd be out of your home for 6 days or that the flooding had gone so far or that it had caused you to miss out on part of your roommate weekend! Good to know your insurance is helping out. Wishing you well, more than ever now.

jenn said...

How funny- I just saw that card at Impress yesterday! (I'm trying to focus on that because the chaos you have dealt with and continue to deal with make me crazy for you!!)

Charlotte said...

I'm cheering for you! Hope your car passes the mechanic so we can see you this weekend!

Liz said...

Oh Michelle, what a nightmare! I can't imagine having to be in a hotel room with sick children, when really the only place you want to be is home. I sure hope this disaster gets cleaned up quickly. Your family has had enough house problems for a lifetime! I hope this is the end of it for you!

I love that card too. I bought myself a poster of it, because I loved it so much. I just need to frame it.

Melinda said...

I hope everything is getting done over there and quickly. What a nightmare to deal with. Good luck with everything. I love the sign. So perfect.

Robyn said...

Oh my, Your poor family! I know I would be a wreck dealing with all that mess. I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. I love the poster you made. Can I order that?! I think we all need one of those! I hope it's all over soon and you can get back to normal life (as if that ever happens, right?!)

crystal said...

Oh goodness, what chaos. It makes me wonder how people get through an actual flood or fire without losing their minds. Can you even IMAGINE being in a natural disaster that levels your home, like an earthquake or real flood or whatever? Just think of the compassion potential you've got now! (trying to spin doctor you)

Seriously, though. Hope you're holding up.

Can you make me a t-shirt of that card on your fridge?

Bond Girl 007 said...

oh dear michelle...there is nothing nothing nothing like water damage. It is a good thing that you have put that card there in order to keep concious on it. Things will turn out better, that is what you hear, and sometimes it is hard to hear when you are in the middle of them...just one day at a time, should do you wonders. Oh, I hope the carpet they replace is the same quality that you bought...oh soooo recently.! I know you dread or find discomfort in clutter, but maybe this time would be reallly good to actually get rid of stuff you wouldn't have touch other wise. I am good at that sort of thing, (not my garage--all alf's stuff') but I find it fun to go and get rid of things. I am so glad you craft room was untouched, that would be horrid with all those glorious paper/fabric goods.
Take care, and carry ooooooonnnnn!

Shawna B. said...

Oh, Michelle. Yikes. I have to say this looks like a nightmare, and I am so sorry you have had to put up with all the chaos that came along with the flood. Here's hoping it all comes together again really, really soon.

I love the card on your fridge - and your charming little magnets. Keep calm and carry on ... good advice for me!

Shawna B. said...

PS - I adore your kitchen floor!!!

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