There’s Shit Everywhere

So two long travel days later we returned home from Summer vacay to smell-find bathtubs, showers, and toilets backed up with sewage.  #welcomehome. Being exhausted and it being a Sunday evening what this responsible homeowner did was close the bathroom doors and open all the windows, while breathing deeply, through my mouth.

I channeled my inner Scarlet O’Hara and proclaimed, “I’ll think about it tomorrow.”  Mike, Ax, Brownie, and I proceeded with bedtime, truly grateful for the luxury of having one unsullied still-functioning bathroom.

The next day, Monday, came and the high-speed/low-drag non-vacay vibe of Ax’s first day of school and Mike’s early morning meetings kicked in while the shit ponds remained, waiting to be addressed (by me).  I texted, and called, appropriate helpers who reassured me that — good news — our situation had us triaged to the head of the line.  They would come at some point that day.  In the meantime, try not to use the water.

Of course, I considered moving.  I considered buzz-sawing all the trees and shrubs near our home whose roots had surely caused this untenable situation.  I considered getting a law job, because “Hey, why not pile misery on top of misery?”  Plus then maybe we could afford the plumbers.

I observed that I was experiencing anxiety, which was leading me to generate sub-optimal solutions, which were causing me to have more anxiety:  I don’t want to move.  I like trees.  I like volunteering and don’t want a law job!

“Hmm,” I thought, “I am having anxiety.” The reality was there actually was real shit where shit shouldn’t be.  The other reality was it would be taken care of.  That day.  I was okay.  I was not drowning in it.  Our home had not gone from livable to unlivable.

The appropriate action for me, as a responsible mom/wife/homeowner (!) was to get the kid breakfast, take him to school, walk the dog, feed myself, and stand by to receive help.  I did all that and then the plumber came, identified the issue, and gave the go-ahead to commence the cleaning process.  N95 masks are useful for many things it turns out. 

Then it was time for Ax pick-up, a quick grocery shop, yoga class (a genius last-minute add on), dinner, and bedtime.  I am alive, my family is alive.  I’m gonna keep going.

www.livingeveryminuteofit.com

www.combatcovidstress.com