Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Well, this week is turning out only slightly better than last week. The thing that is keeping it from being a total loss is that Corinne is feeling a lot better since the doctor gave her antibiotics and she is getting over her ear infections and upper respiratory infection. We have heat and water, and all the fans are out from under the house so all we have left to take care of is the insulation. The insurance is refusing to pay for anything because the water that caused the damage was a "subsurface" leak. I tried to talk to them today, but all I got was emotionally and physically drained. All I want for them to do is to help us find a way to pay for all this. I really don't care what the policy says. Damage is damage, and if they won't pay for the pipe they need to pay for the clean up and replacement. I really don't know what I am saying. I want to fight them, but I don't know where to begin. I just wish I could handle things like this better. I want to be calm and not worried and have that "whatever will be will be" attitude but I am just the opposite. I am frustrated and angry and scared and worried.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
My tale of "whoa"
Monday morning started out pretty routine, except our furnace sounded "funny," and there was a weird "static-y" sound somewhere in our bedroom. I didn't think too much about it because I was busy getting Ethan off to school and seeing Brian off to work. Plus, I was anxious to get Corinne fed so that maybe she and I could get back to sleep. She was sick and cranky all weekend, and hadn't slept well at all. So of course, I was exhausted and I needed to do a little catching up on my sleep while she slept. We went back to bed around 8:00 am, and slept until 11:00 am or so. Corinne was ready to be up, but I was kind of stalling and trying to get her to hang around in bed a little longer. Eventually I just had to get up because she wasn't having any of me being lazy. I got her up and went into the kitchen to get some juice/water for her. As I was filling her cup I noticed the water pressure wasn't as strong as it usually was. For some reason I still don't understand my brain found a connection between the furnace sounding funny, the weird static-y sound, and the lower than normal water pressure, and I decided I better get to the bottom of things. I went in our room and realized the weird sound was coming from under the floor in our closet. We have a crawl space under our house that is accessed in our closet through a trap door (no we are not magicians and it sounds a lot sexier then it actually is). I lifted the trapdoor to find our crawl space was completely filled with water, and the water was practically in the house! I began checking the heat registers and quickly realized that every furnace duct into our house was also filled with water. I started panicking right away. I called Brian, my parents, and eventually the city to come and turn the water off to our house before water came flooding in.
So now, almost 36 hours later here is where things stand: tonight, we are spending a second night in a hotel. We now have running water (the controlled, in-the-pipes kind) in our house because Master Rooter came and dug two huge holes in our yard to try and find the problem and eventually fixed it. It looks like the main pipe that runs under the foundation was installed incorrectly by our builder 8 years ago. Unfortunately we still have no heat because all the air ducts need to be replaced, and it's still too wet for anyone to get down there and install them. Theoretically we could have heat by tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath. In addition to the air ducts some of the insulation needs to be replaced. Our insurance company has been... unhelpful to say the least. It's likely this is going to cost us a lot of money. Brian has missed a day and a half of work, and will maybe miss tomorrow. We are both physically and emotionally exhausted. To add to all my worries about the house, Corinne is still sick. She is running a fever again tonight, has some sort of rash all over her body, and coughs so hard it looks like she is going to pass out. I've taken her to the doctor twice in the last month and all I ever get is that it's a virus so all we can do is put her under the vaporizer, give her some Tylenol and wait it out. But the poor child isn't getting any better and I don't know what to do. I have to say that Ethan is doing great, though. He was pretty excited about staying in a hotel, and he came home from school today to find an excavator in his yard. What could be better than that! And he lost his two front teeth yesterday (yeah two teeth in one day and he's lost 4 total in the last week!) and got two dollars.
My parents came to offer assistance but since Dad feels like there isn't much they can do as far as repairs to the house they are going home. I know I am a grownup and I should face this like an adult, but, man, I dread seeing my Mom and Dad go. They may not have been able to crawl under the house and get stuff done, but I really appreciated their emotional support. Does that make me weak? I can't help it. I am feeling quite overwhelmed. People keep telling me, "It could have been worse," and that's true. Yet I still feel scared and worried and unsure of what to do. Yeah, I could look on the bright side. I keep trying to tell myself things like, "Well, hey, at least we got rid of all the spiders and other creepy crawling things under the house," or, "for awhile we had our own basement swimming pool," but I still have this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. What are we going to do? How are we going to pay for all this? Why isn't Corinne getting any better? When do we get our house back?
When I was in 5th grade, I took skiing lessons at Magic Mountain resort, south of Twin Falls, ID. I don't remember being totally sold on the idea of learning how to ski. My mom and older sister were taking lessons, it was some special four lesson package that our church was getting, and somehow they convinced me to come along. The first day I got put into a beginners class, and I was separated from my mom and sister. After a quick lesson on the basics, the instructor took us over to the bunny hill. My first time up the rope tow, I fell forward at the top, my skiis crossed in the back, and I couldn't get up. The rope tow operator had to stop the lift and come rescue me. I remember him walking me back down the hill and sitting me down in a chair, where I cried hysterically for awhile. Scared, and alone, I then wandered back to the rental shop/cafe to wait for my mom and sister. After that day I felt pretty strongly that I was done with skiing and I wasn't going to go back, but Dad convince me to give it one more try by telling me he would come with me. So I tried again, and I even made it up and down the bunny hill a couple of times without too much trouble. I will never forget, though, the feeling of panic when I would feel myself going too fast, and then falling down on purpose so I would stop going too fast and ending up out of control.
Well, that is a LONG way of explaining that that is how I feel right now. Things are getting just too out of control and I am feeling panicky, but there is nowhere to fall. I have to keep going down the hill no matter how messy it gets. Yeah, it could be worse, and I know that the most important thing right now is my family. I could lose 10,000,000 houses and be okay as long as my family was okay. I know we have a lot to still be thankful for, but that still doesn't stop me from feeling like someone drop a ton of bricks on us. I guess, "whatever will be will be" and "just take one day at a time" and "this too shall pass" and "that which does not kill us makes us stronger", right?
So now, almost 36 hours later here is where things stand: tonight, we are spending a second night in a hotel. We now have running water (the controlled, in-the-pipes kind) in our house because Master Rooter came and dug two huge holes in our yard to try and find the problem and eventually fixed it. It looks like the main pipe that runs under the foundation was installed incorrectly by our builder 8 years ago. Unfortunately we still have no heat because all the air ducts need to be replaced, and it's still too wet for anyone to get down there and install them. Theoretically we could have heat by tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath. In addition to the air ducts some of the insulation needs to be replaced. Our insurance company has been... unhelpful to say the least. It's likely this is going to cost us a lot of money. Brian has missed a day and a half of work, and will maybe miss tomorrow. We are both physically and emotionally exhausted. To add to all my worries about the house, Corinne is still sick. She is running a fever again tonight, has some sort of rash all over her body, and coughs so hard it looks like she is going to pass out. I've taken her to the doctor twice in the last month and all I ever get is that it's a virus so all we can do is put her under the vaporizer, give her some Tylenol and wait it out. But the poor child isn't getting any better and I don't know what to do. I have to say that Ethan is doing great, though. He was pretty excited about staying in a hotel, and he came home from school today to find an excavator in his yard. What could be better than that! And he lost his two front teeth yesterday (yeah two teeth in one day and he's lost 4 total in the last week!) and got two dollars.
My parents came to offer assistance but since Dad feels like there isn't much they can do as far as repairs to the house they are going home. I know I am a grownup and I should face this like an adult, but, man, I dread seeing my Mom and Dad go. They may not have been able to crawl under the house and get stuff done, but I really appreciated their emotional support. Does that make me weak? I can't help it. I am feeling quite overwhelmed. People keep telling me, "It could have been worse," and that's true. Yet I still feel scared and worried and unsure of what to do. Yeah, I could look on the bright side. I keep trying to tell myself things like, "Well, hey, at least we got rid of all the spiders and other creepy crawling things under the house," or, "for awhile we had our own basement swimming pool," but I still have this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. What are we going to do? How are we going to pay for all this? Why isn't Corinne getting any better? When do we get our house back?
When I was in 5th grade, I took skiing lessons at Magic Mountain resort, south of Twin Falls, ID. I don't remember being totally sold on the idea of learning how to ski. My mom and older sister were taking lessons, it was some special four lesson package that our church was getting, and somehow they convinced me to come along. The first day I got put into a beginners class, and I was separated from my mom and sister. After a quick lesson on the basics, the instructor took us over to the bunny hill. My first time up the rope tow, I fell forward at the top, my skiis crossed in the back, and I couldn't get up. The rope tow operator had to stop the lift and come rescue me. I remember him walking me back down the hill and sitting me down in a chair, where I cried hysterically for awhile. Scared, and alone, I then wandered back to the rental shop/cafe to wait for my mom and sister. After that day I felt pretty strongly that I was done with skiing and I wasn't going to go back, but Dad convince me to give it one more try by telling me he would come with me. So I tried again, and I even made it up and down the bunny hill a couple of times without too much trouble. I will never forget, though, the feeling of panic when I would feel myself going too fast, and then falling down on purpose so I would stop going too fast and ending up out of control.
Well, that is a LONG way of explaining that that is how I feel right now. Things are getting just too out of control and I am feeling panicky, but there is nowhere to fall. I have to keep going down the hill no matter how messy it gets. Yeah, it could be worse, and I know that the most important thing right now is my family. I could lose 10,000,000 houses and be okay as long as my family was okay. I know we have a lot to still be thankful for, but that still doesn't stop me from feeling like someone drop a ton of bricks on us. I guess, "whatever will be will be" and "just take one day at a time" and "this too shall pass" and "that which does not kill us makes us stronger", right?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Hello sun
The middle of February suddenly got busy for us. With Presidents' Day both Ethan and Brian had the day off, so we spent the weekend in Buhl. Ethan also had Tuesday off, and with the Friday before off he had a 5 day weekend. We are also now back to being a two car family. My awesome and generous parents gave us their old mini-van! We are grateful beyond words.
I am back to work, so to speak. I am working just two hours a week, from 6-8 on Tuesdays at the middle school I use to work at. They want to keep the library open in the evening for parents and students to use the library and computers. So far in the two nights I've worked we've had a total of zero people come in. I am hoping it picks up a little.
Corinne is still suffering from the never-ending cold. Now Ethan is coughing, sniffling, and complaining his ear hurts. It totally could be worse, but it's hard seeing my kids not feel well. Corinne turned 9 months old Tuesday, and she is playing peek-aboo, babbling up a storm, standing a little on her own, and just generally being cute and lovable. Ethan is doing well in school. According to his reading scores he is ahead of where he needs to be as a first grader, and he is doing well in math. He just needs to work on making his work a little neater. Of course, I think he is a pretty bright, imaginative kid.
I am back to work, so to speak. I am working just two hours a week, from 6-8 on Tuesdays at the middle school I use to work at. They want to keep the library open in the evening for parents and students to use the library and computers. So far in the two nights I've worked we've had a total of zero people come in. I am hoping it picks up a little.
Corinne is still suffering from the never-ending cold. Now Ethan is coughing, sniffling, and complaining his ear hurts. It totally could be worse, but it's hard seeing my kids not feel well. Corinne turned 9 months old Tuesday, and she is playing peek-aboo, babbling up a storm, standing a little on her own, and just generally being cute and lovable. Ethan is doing well in school. According to his reading scores he is ahead of where he needs to be as a first grader, and he is doing well in math. He just needs to work on making his work a little neater. Of course, I think he is a pretty bright, imaginative kid.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Trip to Puyallup
Last weekend Ethan, Corinne, and I flew to Seattle with my mom and dad to visit my in-laws who live in Puyallup. We were a little concerned since it seemed like Western Washington was being flooded, but despite the weather we had no problems getting there, getting around, or getting back home. It was Corinne's first plane ride, and her first visit at Nana and Pappy's house. She also got to meet her Uncle Bren and Aunt Michelle. It was a great trip, and both of the kids were good as gold. Corinne didn't fuss on the plane at all, and despite an erratic nap schedule she was generally a happy baby the whole trip. Ethan was his usual happy self and a great helper. Ethan also bonded with his Uncle Bren, was his teammate for "Apples to Apples" and talked with him about movies and video games. Even though it was a quick trip, I am glad we went and I am thankful that my parents were with me to help navigate through the airport with two kids. It's also nice to be one of those people who gets along with both parents and in-laws, and who has parents and in-laws who get along with one another. I also couldn't ask for better grandparents for my kids.
The kids with Nana and Pappy at Stanley and Seafort's, Tacoma.
Corinne with Grandma and Papa.
Ethan with Grandma and Papa.
Ethan chillaxin' with Uncle Bren.
Corinne with Aunt Michelle.
The kids with Nana and Pappy at Stanley and Seafort's, Tacoma.
Corinne with Grandma and Papa.
Ethan with Grandma and Papa.
Ethan chillaxin' with Uncle Bren.
Corinne with Aunt Michelle.playing catch-up
For all my "bah-humbug-ness" Christmas turned out pretty nice. So nice, in fact, that I was sorry to see the holiday season end. I bought a new digital camera with my birthday money, so I was able to capture a lot of holiday memories. We spent Dec. 20-27 in Buhl. It was nice to be with my family, but Brian had to go back to work and didn't come back until Christmas Eve, and I missed him. But the kids had so much fun with cousins and grandparents.
It snowed, and Melissa, Jackson, Leah, and Ethan made a "Snow Sea Turtle" as you can see.
The kids also did a pre-Christmas show. Ethan, with a Boppy on his head, and Jon are doing some sort of stand-up routine.
Boone looking wistfully out the window at the snow and the little birds.
Ethan and Corinne on Christmas morning.
Corinne seemed to enjoy all the excitement of her first Christmas, even if she didn't quite understand what was going on.
Ethan is a BIG Wall-E fan. He got the DVD plus a Wall-E and Eve toy. I have since watched it twice and I have to say it's one of my favorite Pixar movies.
Brian teaching Grandma Murray how to bowl on my parents new Wii.
We were back home for New Years and spent New Years Eve playing games at Pam and Chad's. Both Ethan and Corinne were up at midnight, but we all slept in on New Year's Day. As with all vacations, the time went by way too quickly. But, like I said, we have a lot of good memories.
It snowed, and Melissa, Jackson, Leah, and Ethan made a "Snow Sea Turtle" as you can see.
The kids also did a pre-Christmas show. Ethan, with a Boppy on his head, and Jon are doing some sort of stand-up routine.
Boone looking wistfully out the window at the snow and the little birds.
Ethan and Corinne on Christmas morning.
Ethan is a BIG Wall-E fan. He got the DVD plus a Wall-E and Eve toy. I have since watched it twice and I have to say it's one of my favorite Pixar movies.
Brian teaching Grandma Murray how to bowl on my parents new Wii.
We were back home for New Years and spent New Years Eve playing games at Pam and Chad's. Both Ethan and Corinne were up at midnight, but we all slept in on New Year's Day. As with all vacations, the time went by way too quickly. But, like I said, we have a lot of good memories.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Bah humbug
I've put out our Christmas decorations and our tree is up. I even put lights outside (not a lot but some), but I am still not feeling very Christmas-y. I just feel blah. I guess I should say "Blah humbug" then. So far, I am completely without Christmas spirit. I sort of feel more like hibernating. I just want to crawl into some dark hole and sleep.
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