That Time I Flooded the House

Wednesday night I decided to replace the last piece of two toilets that hadn't been flushing nicely. Felix was taking a bath (upstairs bathroom) and I was sitting right there with a wrench, so I figured it was as good a time as any.

I had taken 3 trips to Home Depot, 1 trip to Fred Meyer, and spent a good amount of time reading forums and even watching some YouTube tutorial videos to make sure it really was going to be as simple as it looked: unscrew the old supply valve and screw in the new one. And, keep a small container and a towel handy in case a little water came out during the process.

So I grabbed the wrench and started removing the old nut. A couple of droplets of water formed under the valve, just as the video warned might happen. I gave the nut another crank and WOOSH it was like a fire hydrant blasting out of the wall. Water EVERYWHERE and it just kept coming at full speed. I’m sure I swore or yelled or both because Felix immediately stood up in the tub and started freaking out, reaching for me to get him out.

Over the sound of the blasting water, I tried calling my dad – no answer. Tried calling my mom – no answer. So I ran downstairs and grabbed my kitchen garbage can, thinking maybe I could catch the water and throw it into the tub while I called emergency plumbers with my free hand. But the water was hitting the garbage can with such force, it was bouncing back out and hitting the wall. I tried plugging it with my hand – not a chance. Tried forcing the new valve on to close it up – not a chance.

I called a couple of emergency plumbers but my phone was so wet at that point, it wasn't working and they couldn't hear me. It was the stuff of nightmares. “Hi! My house is flooding and I need help!” And all I’d hear was “Hello? Hello? Click.” Omg.

Meanwhile Felix was standing in the bathroom naked, crying and covered in bubbles. I put him in the living room and ran outside to start banging on my neighbors’ doors. (One benefit to living in a townhouse, I guess.) First one, not home. Second one was a grandma with a friend. Third one was a guy and they all came running over. The grandma asked if she could help with Felix, so I just motioned to a diaper and said “Sure! Put a diaper on him!” But he ran from her, climbed the stairs and slipped in the water, his little bare bum hitting the floor. I took him back downstairs and the neighbor got him diapered and wrapped in a blanket on the couch. Then the three of us ran around the house turning off every valve we could find. We didn't know what else to do.

Anxiously looking out the window while random neighbors come and go.

Meanwhile, the water had filled the hallway and started creeping down the stairs. At some point I had tossed the cats into Felix’s room behind a closed door, but the water was approaching that room and was working its way into my room.

Moments later, another neighbor appeared with a tool to turn off the water supply to the house - which happened to be outside under a manhole cover in the street in front of someone else's house. The grandma’s friend had to move her car so he could access the shutoff valve, and a few seconds after that, silence. Thank god, the water was off.

I went into “get this shit outta here” mode. The neighbors brought piles of towels and even sleeping bags to soak up the water. I tried calling my parents again a few times but they still couldn't hear me, so I headed to the kitchen to get a bag of rice. It was raining in the kitchen. Water pouring from multiple spots in the ceiling and pooling on the countertops and all over the floor. I threw my phone in the bag of rice and started trying to squeegee the water out the back door with a Swiffer. It sort of worked.

Nothing a few towels can't handle. Pfft.

I called my parents with someone else’s phone and they came over. The next couple of hours were a blur of soaking towels, ringing them out, and running Bissell carpet machines over the carpet to suck the water out. It was working well – we probably pulled up 20 – 30 gallons.

Before bed, I was feeling pretty good about everything. I had installed the new toilet part and turned the water back on, and my phone had dried out and was working again. The carpet was feeling remarkably dry and I had a couple of fans going. After working hard to get Felix to sleep in his own new toddler bed over the previous week, I had to give in and cosleep. The evening was just too chaotic.

Yesterday morning I got to work and decided to call my homeowner’s insurance company and have a pro take a look at my house just to make sure it would be okay. Oh, ignorance is bliss. I met the guys at the house later and their little moisture meter revealed the true extent of the damage. Nearly all the flooring upstairs has to be replaced, including the first layer of subfloor, as well as most of the kitchen ceiling downstairs. Even though it didn't appear the water had reached Felix’s room, it seeped through the carpet pad and through my closet wall into his closet.

This is quite a few feet from where I thought the water stopped.

Bonus damage: My next door neighbor’s bathroom floor and kitchen ceiling. We share a bathroom wall so it makes sense that the water got through to his side.

My kitchen ceiling is out. I'll probably upgrade to recessed lighting while we're in there.

I have homeowner’s insurance and paid my deductible out of savings. Sometimes I feel like the universe is conspiring against my plans to save money so we can move.

To be continued…

Just Loving Summer

We've been busy! Tonight as we headed home after 4 hours of fun at the fair, the song "Good Time" by Owl City came on the radio. I decided I'll have to set some photos and video to it for a little Youtube promotion when I start the adoption process again. It's really the best soundtrack for life right now.

In the past couple of weeks, we:

Squeezed in one last hot springs camping trip.

Listened to live music and played in the fountain downtown, stopping at Trader Joe's for goodies on the way home.

Had a work-from-home day while Felix got over a fever. (Being silly in grandma's hat.)

Packed a lunch and biked to Tour de Fat.

Built a swing set for cousins Natalya and Hayden. Hilarious teeter-totter footage followed!

And went on rides at the fair!

Soccer lessons start soon, and classes resume next week. (I'm teaching the same course as last fall.) I'm being sure to put all our favorite events on the calendar so we can soak up what's left of the warm weather. Almost time to start thinking about Halloween costumes. Almost...

Lasik Weekend!

I finally had Lasik done this weekend. After almost a year of chronic contact lens issues, I decided I'd had enough and went for a couple of consultations in June. I chose an August date to get a summertime discount - there's a ban on swimming for 30 days afterwards, so business is slower.

I figured the procedure itself would be quick and painless, and it was. I figured I'd have clear vision pretty much right away, and I do. What I didn't plan on was how rested and bright my eyes look without the persistent irritation of contacts. I wasn't too excited about the "no eye makeup for 2 weeks" rule, but I hardly miss it. The doctor said he hears this from patients often.

Shameless selfie two days later - in the car, no eye makeup. (Not even concealer.)

Afterwards, we headed to my parents' house so I could lay back with my eyes closed while the gritty/stingy feeling subsided. Felix had a great time running around all night, and it was so nice to have the help. I felt bad for the woman who went before me - she had to call a cab for her ride home.

Saturday morning I went in for a follow-up and was cleared to drive, then I made french toast for everyone before heading to Felix's first soccer class. We'd had a rough night of sleep so he alternated between participating and melting down. But when we got home, he zipped around the house mimicking the moves they had learned.

Having fun with grandpa and french toast.

After soccer, we ran ourselves ragged shopping and eating all day and late into the night. Today we had a fun and chaotic family BBQ...I wouldn't even know where to start describing it! Constant playing, noise and laughter and lots of tears when it was time to go. If only Felix knew how lucky he is to live 10 minutes away from everyone he loves so much...

Post-lunch shopping for me, nap for him.

5 Things I Learned When Trying to Sell My House

About half of your scheduled showings will no-show or cancel at the last minute.

I couldn’t believe it kept happening and wondered what I was doing wrong…then I learned this is typical buyer behavior. If you’re looking for a new house right now, please, please, just show up and see the ones you’ve asked to see. The seller put a lot of time and energy into getting it ready for you, and is likely killing time by driving around with a car full of kids and pets.

Buyers won’t read the description you provide.

They will show up, look, and decline to make an offer based on features that are clearly described and shown in photos in your listing.

Agents will show your house to people who don’t want it and/or can’t afford it.

The first couple of prospects who looked at my house didn’t make offers because they didn’t want a townhouse – their agents just dragged them along so they could see something in that price range. Another said she “just couldn’t go that high” budget-wise, after scheduling and no-showing.

Buyers will almost always expect more than they can afford.

They will want bigger yards, more space, and more updates than anything in your price range could possibly offer.

Your house won’t sell in “one day”.

A dozen real estate pros can tell you how perfect your house is, how there’s nothing like it on the market, how it’s “priced to sell”, and how you’d better go find your next house TODAY because yours will sell FAST. Doesn’t mean it’ll happen. Check the average DOM (days on market) stat for your area for a more realistic timeline.

A couple of tips:

Require a 24-hour notice ahead of any showing. In addition to giving you time to straighten up, the waiting period will weed out non-serious buyers who only want to look because they happen to be driving by. Not a single person who called for a drive-by showing had any interest in seeing my house another time.

If you have young children, include in the listing notes a request to be considerate of showing up late and canceling at the last minute. Adding this after 60 days on the market cut down somewhat on the number of no-shows I experienced.

Happy selling, and good luck!

Bits and Pieces

The Breakup
Tonight I formally left a group I had hoped would be a good source of support and friendship for Felix and me. Despite there being nearly 200 families in the group, we only really connected with one (in two years). There were almost never kid-friendly evening or weekend get-togethers, and people would either no-show or cancel at the last minute when I tried to host. (Despite pleas for more evening and weekend events.)

This morning I was expecting 9 families to come for a bbq at 5 PM. For one reason or another (or no reason), no one showed. As Felix and I sat eating our veggie burgers, I looked around at the clean house, spiffed-up backyard, and array of condiments, buns and cheeses, I felt like I was waiting for some asshole boyfriend who was supposed to have called. I knew it was time to break up, so I did. I'm a little sad, but I can't keep putting energy into something that just isn't working.

Potty Training
Last night, Felix laid down on the floor and looked up at me. I said, "Do you need a new diaper?" He said, "Yeah. Poot." So I checked off another item on my mental potty-training readiness list and bought him a potty chair and book today. The potty chair is awful (way too small) so it's going back. But after one read of the book, he was climbing on the real deal to act it out.

First time he's ever climbed up. I think he needed to know it's for him, too.

Legal Updates
My broker reimbursed me most of the funds I was out due to the lending fiasco - thankfully I won't end up in court over it. And I won my court case against the uninsured driver from March's accident. It doesn't meant I'll ever see my money, but at least she's held liable in the eyes of the law. I'm also working with one of my State Representatives to see if there's opportunity to strengthen our uninsured driver laws. (Current fine is just $75 for first-time offenders.)

And Finally, Allow Me to Brag
Felix is the best. He eats his vegetables, lets me wash his hair and cut his fingernails and toenails, loves wearing shoes and hats, loves when I put sunscreen on him, and happily leaves his toys in the house or car when we leave/go in to the store. Last week when it was time to leave a party, he said "bye" to the trucks and waited for me by the front door. And the other day, he noticed me getting out of the shower and came running over to hand me a towel. This week we went to evening swim, the rodeo and a baseball game. All led to late nights and disrupted schedules, but he has done great.  He's just so easygoing and sweet, he makes life easy to enjoy.

He jumped in and deliberately went under over and over and over.

4th of July camping trip.

Going to the rodeo! Wildfires in the area caused the smoky skies.

 

 

SMC Camping Trip 2014

I’m pleased to report the SMC Camping Trip was a total success this year! And, attendance was doubled compared to 2013. 

Four moms and 5 kids rented a cabin and tent-camped at a nice little resort called Silver Creek Plunge. We accidentally got THE best site available - Tara rented a roomy cabin that had tons of outdoor space just for us. (All the other cabins were positioned very close to each other.) The resort also has a lodge, large hot springs swimming pool, playground and hiking paths near creeks and the river. The kids hiked and swam their little hearts out, and there was also plenty of time for playing with cars, chasing with pool noodles, and doing art projects.

Felix chasing the girls with a pool noodle.

Our lovely heated and furnished cabin. Most of us tent camped, but it was nice to warm up during breakfast.

This was near our site. Felix would pause and say "woah..." every time we walked by.

There was a big thunderstorm the first night, followed by hours of rain. (Big by Idaho standards, anyway.) But the rest of the weekend was warm and partly cloudy – just perfect. On the second night, all the kids were asleep early enough that the moms got to huddle around the campfire, talking for hours until the wood was burned up and the air was chilly.

It was great to meet two new SMC families. I feel like we are an interesting bunch, and we definitely do the “single mom” demographic proud. In terms of parenting, I see a type of patience and gratitude in SMCs that I don’t typically see in other parents. It was really a wonderful weekend. (I will update with a group pic soon, so check back.)

The real single mom test came when my car needed a jump start on Sunday. Three of us had jumper cables, and Claire and Patty got it right the first time. (There was still some squealing and jumping back, but hey, who isn’t scared of a possible explosion?!)

Despite Claire’s upcoming move to D.C., she started brainstorming locations for the 2015 camping trip before we’d even packed up our cars. We’re thinking about going to Idaho City, just 1 hour from Boise, with cabin rentals, hot springs, hiking, and a quaint little town to explore with shopping and an ice cream parlor. If you’re interested in coming, leave a comment or message me through Yahoo or Facebook. Let's see if we can double again to 8 families!

The older kids on a Sunday morning hike, when they finally got past the big log.

Goodbye and Hello

It was so hard to say goodbye to my sweet Monica, but I know it was the only option. All the money in the world couldn’t have saved her. The veterinarian who came to the house did an amazing job, as did the staff at the animal crematorium. They were so professional and caring, and gave me a little certificate proclaiming she was treated with dignity and respect. I cried daily for about a week - first the diagnosis, then the grim news there was nothing to be done, then her health fading literally overnight, then the vet coming, then the crematorium calling, then the trip to pick up her ashes, then putting together a memory book, then my first few mornings without her on my bedside table meowing for breakfast, then, then….lots of thens when you’ve had a loyal pet for almost 11 years.

I wrote a post about how awesome she was and all the things that made her unique, but decided to save it for myself. It wouldn’t make very interesting reading for anyone who didn’t know her. I don’t think I could even choose one favorite thing about her to say here – there were so many!

Felix comforting Monica.

I lasted a whole week before browsing available kittens and cats online. I was looking for a light-colored female for allergy reasons, figuring I’d just see what’s out there and wait a month or so before going to get one. None of the shelter cats were said to be good with kids or other pets (I guess that’s why they’re there…) so I checked Craigslist. Someone had just posted about a litter of kittens available and it sounded like they had an orange female, like Monica was. It’s unusual for orange cats to be female, so I decided to go see her.

Felix and I drove 30 minutes to get to the house, and I told myself the whole way there that if she was too furry (allergies), too young, or didn’t have the right personality, I wouldn’t take her home. We got there, and not only was the kitty way too furry, she had a serious eye infection (which could signal a viral issue). When I said she wasn’t going to be right for us, the family said, “Oh, we have other kittens!” So we went to a back bedroom where 3 mama cats were with their 3 litters, all born around the same time. Most of the kittens had darker Siamese markings, and while cute, weren’t going to work in terms of personality and coloring. Then I spotted a little white kitty with just a hint of orange on his ears and tail…and the rest is history. We named him Leo and he is Felix's new best buddy.

Leo on his first night home.

Leo and Luisa met in person after about a week. They're aren't quite cuddling with each other yet, but they get along great.