Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Someone Told Me Job's Last Plague was Boils....

For anyone who has not read my last blog, this one will not have the proper effect, so do go back and catch up on my latest adventure.

Hi there all you warm, dry people with running hot water...........this is day 5 or 6 (I am not sure) of Lois' Sore Trials........

Just to bring you all up to date, on Sunday we had a positive deluge for at least 12 - 15 hours and the roof of the sun room (added separately from the regular roof) just couldn't take the punishment so we can add Leaking Roof and 2inches of water in the sun room to my list of afflictions which  still include no heat and no hot water and incipient bills of  $6K to $8K.  I  am grateful that I inherited my Dad's supply of towels some years ago (and being the packrat that I am kept them all for an emergency)  so that I had enough to sop up the water without having to use my own bath towels.

I have grown accustomed to sleeping and living in several layers of sweats augmented by a fleece Hoodie and occasionally a blanket or afghan draped tastefully around my shoulders.....  And, would you believe, just when you need them, those damned cats refused to huddle in bed with me to keep me warm, choosing instead to stay in the living room where I have a little electric heater going which manages to bring the temp up about 3 degrees.

I want you to know that I have NOT been idle. I am constantly on thephone making arrangements and mopping puddles..   My handyman finished laying a new floor in the water heater compartment and I have had the installers out yet again but have only progressed to the point of having them leave me new water heater.... in carton..... sitting on the bricks outside the water heater house where it ultimately will live. There are so many adjustments that need to be made to accommodate the new unit that the guy advised me to save the installation and improvement fees and have my handyman do the work.  He is, as we speak, at the DIY store getting supplies.

Meanwhile, the heating company cannot schedule to install my new heating unit until we get a day of no rain.  Right now that looks like it might not be till Saturday.....this is Tuesday.  And can you believe it.....I still remain calm.  I think I have finally got the knack of coping gracefully.....or I am so exhausted and used up that I can't feel anything anymore and cannot remember the words to the appropriate ditty,  "shit, piss, fuck".

All  this and I still haven't told you about yesterdays bonus adventure in which one of the hummers, in a frenzy to get breakfast,  flew into the house and jetted around the atrium until, as usual, it fainted.  Because of all the hoods over my ears I didn 't hear it and only found out when two cats refused their breakfast in lieu of climbing the spiral staircase in the atrium and peering fixedly  at the little windowsill 8 feet up off the floor.  When I finally located the little creature on the sill I didn't give him much of a chance.....  still I rushed to the garage, schlepped in the 6 foot ladder, clambered up it (in spite of my previous resolutions not to ever do that again) (well, I DID scream for Florence, my caregiver, but she was outside feeding the  birds and didn't hear me and time was of the essence.)  Happily I was able to reach the critter and cupped his limp body gently in my hand while I rushed to grab a full feeder and plunged his beak into it.  It seemed to take forever  before I saw any signs of life but then I saw signs of swallowing and little by little the body firmed up and after about 3 or 4 minutes the wings flapped and off he went to the nearest hanging feeder to finish his breakfast.  Whew.
  I was so thrilled it took several minutes for me to begin shaking. (I had postponed it during the emergency).

 I did get Florence to take a picture while I was feeding the little critter and, while it is not art it will prove my story and give you an idea of what the scene looked like plus what this incredible hulk looks like currently.  I shall now attempt to retrieve it.  Eureka!

So......and how was YOUR day?

13 comments:

  1. All Hail the Hummer Rescuer!!!

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  2. A bird in the hand... well, you've certainly got enough to keep you busy in the next few months! Been there; hope, I've done that... not fun. Glad you're able to remain calm... Come visit when you can...

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  3. ...so THAT's where all those illegal Afghan immigrants are hiding - draped around the unsuspecting shoulders of nice innocent American ladies! Have you advised the CIA about this?lol So sorry to hear about your latest 'disaster' Lo, but you appear to be calmly taking it all in your stride as usual, you plucky woman! I trust you are insured for all this? (Every year when I note my property insurance premium has rocketed once again I moan and moan - but always end up paying for it because one never knows when that 'rainy day' may happen!)Take care - and do try to keep warm (invite a few more Afghans over?)

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  4. That's good about the towels. You can never have too many of those. (Unless of course you can't open the door for them.)

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  5. Glad you are staying calm, but you really should stay off that ladder! Still, you saved the little hummer, and that has to feel good. Stay warm!

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  6. Good to hear that you saved the little bird. You really are having a hectic time at the moment though so I do hope things calm down a bit soon. x

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  7. I'm so very sorry for your house woes. And those darn wretched cats! How dare they abandon you!

    You've held a hummingbird! That's so cool. The closest I've come is when they dive-bomb me under the patio umbrella.

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  8. I think it's a cosmic metaphor: You will survive. You are in good hands.

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  9. You are a riot!
    Do you know who Barney is?

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  10. It's all very good for your karma saving little birds like that. Meanwhile, maybe you should stay at a hotel for a night or two just to get warm and dry? Love seeing the photo.

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  11. I do REALLY wish you would not climb like that! Watch that little heater, too ... nothing around it within 6 feet, ok?

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  12. There is only one thing for me to say- I LOVE YOU! You are my idol.

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  13. My day included a run to rescue five 2-day-old kittens whose mama had been run over. Not quite as dramatic as your rescue, and done without the need for extra warmth, or rain.

    Glad the little guy is okay, and hope you are too.

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