We Are Coping

Thought I'd start this post with something nice.  We have had Liriope in our mulched area in front of the porch for years.  This year the plants have gone all out with their blooming.  Prettiest ever!  Soon, as cooler temperatures get here they will start to wind down and I'll have to cut them back for the Winter, but they are still pretty right now!

Les and I are coping with the plumbing issues and trying not to stress about how much this is all going to cost.  We have no idea what, if any, our insurance will pay.  But the process has been started and the claims people say they are working on things.  Honestly, the repairs have to be done no matter what they tell us, so on we go.

That is pretty much what I told the HOA inspector, too, when she tried to tell me we had to wait for the Board of directors to give us permission for a POD if we needed it.  Right at the beginning I had given the office a heads up about what was going on.  Initially it had been a possibility that we'd have to have the driveway and garage floor dug up as well as the bedroom floor. In that case a POD would have to be delivered and furniture and things moved out.  The inspector woman replied that we'd have to get approval from the Board before doing anything.  I replied to her that that was fine if they had to give approval, but we were getting the repairs done as soon as possible whether we heard from them or not.  I suspect her supervisor (that I copied on my messages) might have told her that she was harsh because her next message to me was she was sorry we were going through this mess and please keep them informed.  This is same woman who demanded we have the roof and house powerwashed last November in the cold and rain with ground so soft we couldn't walk on it.  Oh, well, if only she paid as much attention to the places with peeling paint, trash, and in one instance a big boat sitting at the curb.  (that is a no-no)

So, anyway, Les and I are getting into the routine of getting to the "Y" for showers.  I pulled out the stash of assorted paper plates and cups for us to use.  Washing dishes in cold water is not great, but I've boiled a pan of water and dumped into the sink and that has helped.

Tomorrow we will start moving the small things out of the bedroom and getting things ready.  The plumbers are coming between 8:30 and 9:00 Monday morning.  The drywall in garage will come out, the carpet will be pulled up or cut out, the jackhammers will dig up the bedroom floor with the leaky area.  We've been told repairs will all be done in one day.  When the concrete sets we can start getting things back in order.

We're going to go look for carpet this afternoon.  We have someone that can come put up new drywall in the garage.  Cleaning everything up will take some time, but until those two big jobs are done, most of the cleaning is waiting.

Life remains great, if even it's challenging.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

The Latest Updates

The plumbers were back today and did more testing.  Two leaks were found.  One in the wall in the garage behind the hot water heater and one in the bedroom floor.  Drywall will come down in the garage.  The men will return early Monday morning with their jackhammers and get to work.  Part of the bedroom floor will be dug up, repairs made, things inspected, and new concrete put in.

I should explain that these two areas are back-to-back and close to each other.

We are not messing around with the risk of mold from wet carpet, so we will soon be out looking for new carpet and arranging installation and someone to move everything.  We are so past that!  It is important to know your limitations.  😊 We have talked with Steve and he has someone to come later and put up new drywall. 

In other areas of news.....

Les is all set up for some PT for an Ulna nerve problem in his left arm.  He will have the same PT person that I had. 

I had a dental check-up.  All okay until the next time in six months.

Les had to mow again today and ready the yard for aeration tomorrow when the guys come.

Our furry boys have been doing a lot of hiding the last couple days and today Angus is walking around doing a lot of sighing. 

And while I don't really feel it right this minute, life is great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Today's Update

Busy day here that started with Smith & Keene calling early to say their plumber called in sick and no one was coming.  Our "GUY", Steve, had recommended Just Plumbing and Les called them.  They were here in less than two hours.  Very nice guys, clean uniforms, professional, and seemed to  know what they were doing.

They brought in their equipment and testing tools.  Couldn't find any evidence of leaks or problems.  The water meter out at the curb wasn't spinning.  They told us if there was a leak it would be going like crazy.  They checked all areas, and at one point even said it was possible that a natural spring had formed.  I asked if that happened often in our area and they said "more often than you would think".  (it has now been decided a spring is not the problem) They left and came back with more, different, very loud equipment.  It seems like the leak is somewhere in the water line from the hot water heater.  Our cold lines seem to be okay.  So for now, we turn the line on when we need hot water for showers, and then turn it back off.  Then clean up any water that has come up through the carpet.  But we still don't know where the leak is or if there is more than one.

Tomorrow they are coming with more equipment and putting nitrogen into the line with some other testing tools and hopefully will find out where they need to work.  We have pretty  much accepted that something is going to get torn up and a mess is going to be made.  And new carpet will be purchased when this is over.   And that is why Fall cleaning is off my to-do list now!  This whole experience is a process of elimination.

So that is how we are here.  Les is watching the Browns' game.  I just finished some desk work.

I'll keep you posted.  Life is still great!  Stay safe.  And God Bless America!

Harrumph!!!

I thought I would just let everyone know that the extra cleaning for Fall is now off my to-do list!  There is just no sense in doing any more.  We have a mess here.

A couple days ago we noticed water at the the corner of our garage in the mulched area.  It did  not go away.  We thought maybe a problem with the sprinkler system.  They could not come until sometime this coming week.  Then water started coming up at the seams in the driveway.  Then, yesterday morning after Les left for golf, I discovered a wet spot on the bedroom floor over by the window on that side of the house. 

I quickly determined it was nothing spilled or kitty related and threw some old towels down to soak it up.  Sadly, the water is still coming.   And no one is available to come and search for the problem until tomorrow.  I got out the old Hoover carpet shampooer and we have been using that to suck up water.

The thought now is that there is a break in the water line.  Our house is built on a slab foundation.  This is NOT going to be an easy fix.  Our go-to Guy, Steve, called us after seeing a Facebook post that Les made last evening and said fixing could involve digging up at least part of the driveway, the garage floor, and the floor inside.  The carpet and padding will be history, new will have to be gotten.  I think Steve just didn't want us to be shocked by anything and wanted to give us a heads up about the possibilities.  Said to call him if he could help.

We've cancelled the sprinkler system service call, and left a message with our insurance company.  I will keep you posted.  It's time to go clean up more water.

Stay safe.  I would love to say that life is great, but at the moment that might be pushing it.  But remember God Bless America!

Another Beautiful Sunrise!

It didn't stay this pink and purple for very long.  Picture was taken about 6:30 a.m. when I was on the way to Starbucks.  Les was getting ready for golf. 😊

I plan to do a little more Fall cleaning today.  I was just outside watering flower pots and filling the bird feeder.  All the mulched areas are in good shape.  The back corner one still needs some major pruning to be done, but I am waiting for cooler weather for that.  Supposed to be in 90's today.

Les and I went to see a movie, "Angel Has Fallen".  It was very good.

As always, life is great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Remembering

We are all remembering this horrific day. Please think about what happened and God Bless America!

I remember I was just leaving for my job as church secretary when the first report came out. There were many phone calls to the church that morning and people stopping in to talk with the minister or just sit in the sanctuary.

With our area having many military installations, they were all on alert and on duty.

We are three hours away from D.C. and in a couple days we had soot and grit that the wind brought in. I thought if we had just a little of it here, how bad it was in the three areas of attack.

Les and I have been to the beautiful Pentagon Memorial.  We have also seen the Somerset Memorial, but it was not completed at the time.  It was still impressive.  When we were in NYC we did not get to see the Memorial there.  Sadly, we did not know we had to make reservations in advance for that.

Remember.

Just In Case You're Looking for a Unique Gift.....

I have noticed while out doing errands that there is now a mix of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and  Christmas things all on display at once.  So if you are Christmas shopping.....

This little doll is actually kind of cute!  

Stay safe, people!  Life is great!  And God Bless America!