Sunday, August 10, 2008

The Sunday Salon - Spare Time and LOTS of Water

The Sunday Salon.comSpare time. Some of us have it; some of us don't. My spare time these days is severely limited. When I have it, I like to spend it with my kids, especially since I have been working so much lately. I also like to read. Since this is a "book blog", I think you all probably know that. And I've been doing a fairly adequate job of reading the last few months.

But this week has been different. It's been a hell of a week, to be honest. I've been really busy at work, for one thing. We are so short-staffed that there is always so much work that needs to be done. Things don't get finished on first shift, so it carries over to second shift. By the time I get in on third shift, there is even less done. So by the time all of second shift work is finished, there is barely any time to do what *I* need to do for 3rds. And then the vicious cycle starts all over again.

The cherry on top of the proverbial cake happened on Wednesday, though. I came home from work, tired and ready for some rest. But when I opened the back door, the sound of running water hit my ears. When I walked into the hall, there was running water coming through the ceiling. All the ceiling tiles had fallen....and water was everywhere. Apparently, the ice maker on my refrigerator in the kitchen had busted a line while trying to refill......and the water started running. Through the freezer, out onto the floor of my kitchen (and dining room), and finally through the floorboards into the basement. Over $6000 worth of damage. We are going to have to replace the carpets in the kitchen, dining room, family room in the basement, patio in the basement and the tile in the hallway. Also the ceiling tiles and maybe some of the floorboards upstairs. Now...the good news in the insurance agent came out right away and even cut us a check for the amount (plus $2000 to pay someone for the water cleanup.) The Bad news is my house is a nightmare, and I have to now spend my spare time picking out new flooring and finding someone to do the work.

Now that's a picture of the basement. My laundry room is down there and a lot of my CLEAN laundry has to be re-done because it got soaked. The kitchen and dining room are worse. At the moment we still have 11 industrial fans and dehumidifiers going around the house. Sounds like an airplane taking off. It's crazy.

Now, I realize this is supposed to be a book post. And I apologize. I just wanted to let you know why I have a huge lack of reading this week. I did finish my Amazon Vine book, Gone by Michael Grant. You can read my review and see the book trailer here. It was a great YA book, and although I had no idea in the beginning it was going to be a series, I am looking forward to the next installment.

I'm also reading my second Amazon Vine book, Evernight by Claudia Gray. It was described as a book that lovers of the Twilight series would be interested in. Yes, there are teens and Vampires. So far, so good! And I'm also reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt for the Southern Reading Challenge. Although the book doesn't take place in the South, the author is Southern. And the writing is really fantastic. I can't wait to get farther into it.

So....today is Sunday, and I don't think I will be reading much. I feel bad sitting around with a book in my hand when so many things need to be done around the house. The men in the house are going to Chicago today, so the girlies and I are going out for Brunch, and maybe a trip to Barnes & Noble. I've been so good lately, I'm rewarding myself with the latest Gardella Vampire book by Colleen Gleason. Then it's back home to clean up this mess! So....Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!!

28 comments:

Andi said...

Oh Stephanie, I hate to hear this. What a dreadful thing to come home to. BUT, I am glad that the insurance is being prompt and maybe it won't drag out for any longer than absolutely necessary. Good luck reading when you have the time and peace of mind. I can't wait to hear what you think of The Secret History!

Stephanie said...

Thanks Andi! It's not like I don't already have enough to do without this. But at least I will have a bit of a new house coming to me. I must be careful of the things I wish for (like when I said we really need to replace the floor in the kitchen!) So far, I love The Secret History. The writing is wonderful!

Thoughts of Joy said...

Oh my! I am so sorry for your plight, Stephanie. However, NEW stuff is a good thing, right!?! Think of how nice everything is going to look when all is said and done. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, Stephanie, what a shock. I once came home from work to find that the porch roof had collapsed and I had to clear the avalanche before I could get into the house, but at least that was all outside. Thank goodness the insurance people were so prompt. Do enjoy 'The Secret History' which is a perfect escapist read. You need it.

Stephanie said...

Joy, that's about the only thing that is making this week bearable. New flooring! Now that the shock of the mess is over, I'm kind of excited to get some new things in my house!

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry about your water dilemia! Hope everything works out okay.

Evernight - I've not heard of this book, or author. But I love vampires, so I'm off to check them out - maybe my library has it. Fingers crossed!

dhamel said...

Oh, God what a mess. I'm sorry!

The Bookworm said...

I'm sorry about the water damage! At least the insurance is stepping up quickly.

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Clare Dudman said...

You poor thing - that must have been dreadful thing to come home to. I hope you manage to clear up soon. I think you did incredibly well to get any reading done at all in the middle of all that.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

What a nightmare!! I can't believe that all of that damage was created by an ice maker. I hope that you get things cleared up soon--but I know exactly what you mean about having to find the time to deal with this on top of everything else. Well, sounds like you're getting some good reading in anyway! Hang in there Stephanie!

Kim L said...

Oh you poor thing, that sounds just terrible! Actually I know its terrible because I've had something similar happen to me. I hope you're able to get things fixed as quickly and inexpensively as possible.

Maybe it will end up being fun after all to get new carpets and other things!

Laura said...

How frustrating! I'm glad you received money from the insurance company so quickly--one less issue to deal with!

Wendy said...

Oh Stephanie - I'm sorry to hear about your flooding! Ughhhh! Thank goodness for insurance, huh? Well, since I'm someone that always sees the glass half full, I thought I'd share with you my thoughts on this - you are going to have brand new flooring and carpeting! All paid for by someone else!!! Hope you'll share with us the "after" photo when it gets all done :)

Anonymous said...

With things like that happening in your life, it is more than understandable that you didn't begin all happy, happy, joy, joy. I mean, how could you?

Glad to hear you're getting out today. It sounds like you certainly need to do so.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Whew! That's awful! Now you really need to spend some time reading...just for escape value.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry! What a horrible thing to deal with. I hope the cleanup goes smoothly.

Literary Feline said...

It does sound like you had a rough week, Stephanie. And what a mess you had to deal with! I am glad at least that your insurance will be able to cover it. You definitely deserve a reading break--or several for that matter.

Nicole (Linus's Blanket) said...

Yikes! Sorry about the floor.

I can't think of a better book that The Secret History to get you through. That book just draws you in. Everyone in my book club loved it.

I see you read "Where the Red Fern Grows" this year. It's funny because I just looked at that on my bookshelf this morning. I have it from when I was kid and would like to re-read at some point. I loved that book. It's sad but it's hard for mr to find times for old books.

Marg said...

Oh no! What a pain in the butt to have to deal with.

Melody said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the mess and all the incovenience, Stephanie! I hope everything will be fixed promptly. You deserve a break.

Amy said...

While I'm very sorry that your flooding means you don't have reading time, I am most sorry to hear that you won't be able to catch up on some rest since your work schedule sounds so hectic. Hope you are able to take care of things quickly so you can relax!
Glad your insurance people have been so great to deal with.

Chrisbookarama said...

Eek! That's really awful. I had a similar experience but it was in the basement. Nothing like that something's wrong feeling when you step in the door. Glad you have insurance.

Bookfool said...

Stephanie,

I'm so sorry you're going through this, but glad the insurance end went well. We've been flooded numerous times and the aftermath is really a horror. You're very fortunate that it's covered by insurance. Ours was not; it was my husband's fault for adding dirt to the front garden and messing up our drainage, in the process.

chrisa511 said...

Oh no no no Steph! That's awful :( We've been through floods so many times and they're such a pain in the ass. I hope that it gets settled as quickly as possible though I know it's just never quick enough. I hope you did treat yourself to the Gleason book. It's fantabulous and it'll make you feel much better :)

DesLily said...

it sorta looks like Michael Phelps was visiting! heh.. I guess you need a real sense of humor when something like that happens!

Carl V. Anderson said...

I am so very sorry! Water in the house is always horrible, much more so when it causes that much damage. And its not just the money, it is also all the work, the destruction of things, etc. You certainly have all my good thoughts and well wishes!

Iliana said...

Oh Stephanie that is terrible! Our water heater busted last spring but luckily it was just in the garage. What a nightmare you had to go through. I hope all will go well with the clean up/fix up! Hope books are a good comfort for when you need to take your mind off of this :)

Debi said...

Oh Stephanie, that just sucks, sucks, sucks! I am soooo sorry! Seriously sorry. I can't even imagine what that was like to come home to...I'm not sure I would have quit crying yet. Hope the clean-up and repair work go smoothly...