Hi everyone!
OK here goes........I wasn't going to even say anything on the DIS. I actually don't even like talking about this in RL but this is my story in a nutshell......
The end of August we found out we had 3 feet of hot water spewing from a burst pipe all over our crawl space on the bottom of our floors. This had been going on for almost a month. Fast forward, the house is sinking as we speak and there's mold everywhere down in the crawl space.
Oct 4, we're moving to an apartment for 5 to 6 months because it's unsafe for me especially (with my lung disease) to be here while they gut 2 thirds of our house. There will be no heat or bathroom that whole time.
It has been a nightmare suddenly up and packing your whole house to a little 2 bedroom apartment but it's something we have to do.
Not looking for sympathy just telling you like it is........thanks.
Eta.......I do love you guys!
Oh my holy, I have no words... and that rarely happens, LOL! I cannot imagine going through this and all the associated stress, in many areas. Good luck and know that we are all thinking of you!
Let's see... Sarah (who turned 25 today) and I had an amazing trip to Disney. I got a killer rate through a
travel agency, so we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It's always been her dream to stay here, so we did, for 6 nights, at about $195 a night. This was the "biggest" Disney vacation we've ever done, but with free air miles on Southwest, $500 in Disney gift cards, and about $1200 in Disney Visa rewards, it wasn't too much out of pocket. We didn't have a savanna view room but we had a great view, with 2 addax and an ostrich (we named her Maude) that visited us several times daily, as well as some zebra and giraffe that were less "regular" but still seen fairly often. We did all the usual park things, including riding Flights of Passage. I'm sad to report that even with a scope patch and a backup medication, it made me motion sick to keep my eyes open. I rode most of it with my eyes closed and while I wasn't happy, I was OK. Occasionally Sarah would say, "Mom, open your eyes!" when the movie was stopped, and I have to say, it's pretty amazing! One thing I am glad we did was the Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert party. The desserts were OK, there were a few savory choices, but the viewing spot is perfect. Main St. was so packed that I am sure that if someone picked up their feet, they'd remain upright, as the crowd was shoulder to shoulder (on the 22nd of August). We had a clear view, and there were few enough people in the garden area that we could actually sit down to watch the show. There is no way to get your money's worth in food (and especially for me, with gastric sleeve instead of a stomach), but I think of it like I do character meals: I am paying for the experience, not just the food. I am not one to give my money to the mouse willy-nilly, but I am glad we did this. Not sure we would do it again, but it was worth it one time. This was the "relaxing" Disney trip. Yes, we went to parks every day, but we didn't go commando, we took extra time to relax by the pool (pool bar), hot tubs, visited some of the lounges in the parks, ate amazing meals, etc. It was an excellent vacation first and foremost because we spent the time together, not because we were at Disney. In fact, I've been in kind-of a funk ever since we got home, wishing I could spend more time like that with Sarah again. Guess I'm still missing her.
Fall has set in (it's about 40 out there right now) and school is in full swing. I don't love this new job, but the pay is more than worth it. It is more hours than I was led to believe, as grading takes about 18 hours a week on top of doing the job full-time. If I'd known this in advance, I'd have negotiated for more money. Oh well. We've been having some home repairs done, to fix the damage from an ice dam last winter and also from a less-than-qualified contractor who replaced some windows a few years back but mis-measured and botched the job. The general confusion of having a contractor in the house every day, furniture moved around and stacked, and the mess of construction/repairs aren't helping my glum mood. Ah well... two more weeks and we'll be on fall break. Columbus Day is early this year, so break is early also. It'll be a long haul til Thanksgiving, but I am ready for the break, for sure! We are going to spend it doing some minor home repairs we've been putting off, and of course the usual housework and laundry. We thought about going away, but it's just few enough days, and both DH and I will have just enough grading to do, that traveling will be more stressful than relaxing. Anyhow... so work-woes are adding to my funk, as is being stuck here for break. Sigh.
To answer a few questions... Socks? What is this item of which you speak? I haven't switched entirely into fall/winter mode, so I am still barefoot under my crocs/sketchers. I know the day will soon be here, though, and when it is, I'll let you know if I'm a sock/sock or a sock/shoe person. And speaking of shoes, we don't wear them in the house here in Maine, either. Everyone automatically takes their shoes off as soon as they get in the door, be they family, friends, or guests. Between long messy winters and mud season, it's just a courtesy/habit to remove your shoes at the door!