Basement Flood
I always think that the best way to begin a new year is with some kind of natural disaster, because that way you can wade right up to your knickers in immediate excitement and not worry that the year will turn out to be dull. I hate to be bored, don't you?When I heard that my friend Lisa B's basement flooded yesterday I made a mental note to check our basement too, because that's what you should do in Oregon if you have a basement and it's been raining torrentially already for two days. And then I...didn't. I just didn't check it.
Until today when my friend Lisa E came over and I wanted to get that box of fabric out for her to go through. As we walked towards the basement door I mentioned half jokingly that I hoped our basement hadn't flooded. And you understand that when I was even thinking about the idea of it being flooded down there I was really thinking maybe and inch or two of a puddle. Something modest.
Considering what a knack for doing everything in a huge way us Williamsons have it shouldn't have shocked the pants off of me to find the entire basement flooded by a foot of water. I know it was a foot because I measured it.
But that's alright. We didn't need anything we were storing down there anyway.
For a minute, just a little one, I almost took it personally that within two days of our new year the Universe was already working us over. I had a phenomenally good healthy day yesterday and suddenly I really want to dig into that giant block of Tilamook. And swig a couple of early afternoon beers. (This feeling was also brought on by the sheer exhaustion of having the kid home for over 21 days in a row now.) I was just about to cry (my faith in the ultimate balance of the universe is still extremely frail) because I really can't take another year like the last three, when I realized that this is just life.
I always think there's going to be a period of calm in my life; of relaxing into life and being able to rest for a little while, catch my breath and regroup. And then I just reminded myself that I'm just experiencing life as it happens- this is it. There is no calm, no quiet, no period of rest. Life isn't a play with intermissions.
THIS IS IT.
People die every year. Accidents happen, both natural and otherwise. People divorce. People fight. People kill themselves, abuse each other, find love, make change, get thin, get fat, they bleed, they have sex, they get diseases, sometimes from sex, they do stupid things, they lose jobs, and they get them....
So we've gone through what everyone goes through: a house fire, job loss, moves, broken bones, lost connections, broken sewer lines, misunderstandings, health issues, entire lack of money, deep debt, and it will just keep coming because that is what life is filled with: a series of events.
It will never stop and I will never get to step to the side of my life and catch my breath.
The only difference between me and some other people is that I don't have the personal reserves to deal well with crap that happens. I used them all up when I was a kid. So I wear out fast and can't take a joke.
So the basement flooded? You won't believe how ironic when I tell you that much of what was down there was meant for the Goodwill and the local charities that never called me back. Yes, I still haven't gotten them out of here. Having the kid around 24 hours a day and constantly in need or crisis means that nothing gets done. So I think I was right in feeling that these things needed to get out of my life. That to move on-they needed to be moved on and it's like there's been a clock ticking for the last year that was set to go off after a certain period and if my store stuff still wasn't gone...the universe would find a way to disburse the junk.
Now that I've had my share of flooding (in Petaluma we got lots of sump pump action and moldy carpet drying experience) and I've had a housefire, which would I say is easier to deal with? I'm really not sure. The fire was really dramatic and involved three fire trucks and all the neighbors and moving away from home for five months...but floods are wet and ruin things just as bad as fire. Hard to say. Very hard to say.
*Incidentally, I can't find my spell check feature so if you are a finicky editor type person you will need to refrain from telling me about all my errors. This is a new platform for me and so I'm sure it will take some time to learn to use it well.
Comments (12)
Oh my! Good luck on getting all the flotsam/would be donated stuff out along with the water. Beg and borrow dehumidifiers if you can, but you most likely know that.
I just started reading having seen you on Riana's blog. Best wishes for the changes you intend to make this year. I am about 4 months younger than you and I've also realized there are things I want to be different before I turn 40.
Carol
Posted by Carol | January 2, 2009 4:06 PM
Posted on January 2, 2009 16:06
I'm so sorry! But indeed, sounds like the universe was speaking to you. I hope it doesn't speak to me so harshly, I don't think I would handle it as well as you seem to be right now.
Posted by MichelleB | January 2, 2009 7:30 PM
Posted on January 2, 2009 19:30
Love the new digs...
okay - flooded basement SUCKS. I'm so sorry. That is not a nice way to welcome the new year - but I think you have a good attitude about it.
Posted by Karmyn R | January 2, 2009 7:35 PM
Posted on January 2, 2009 19:35
Ugh! I guess it's good that you'll be clearing out all that stuff you didn't need. Too bad it had to happen like this.
Posted by futuregirl | January 2, 2009 7:59 PM
Posted on January 2, 2009 19:59
good god, flooding is such a PITA. We had one at the old house, about a foot. Also lost a lot of junk we intended to get rid of but hadn't yet. I like your attitude that the universe took care of it for you...at a cost, of course. Nothing for free, right? I think it's maybe better that it happens in winter, than in summer when mold grows so quickly. Good luck with the cleanup!
Posted by kelly | January 3, 2009 7:35 AM
Posted on January 3, 2009 07:35
To quote Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (the book, not the movie), "Fate just keeps on happening." Or, as Henry Ford reportedly said, "History is just one damn thing after another."
So, yeah. I don't think there's ever really a calm period, although I do think some people react more calmly to things than I do.
Posted by Blaize | January 3, 2009 11:30 AM
Posted on January 3, 2009 11:30
Crikey! That sucks. You do sound like you are handling it a lot better than I would.
I woke up yesterday morning around 2 to the sound of torrential rain, followed by fierce wind. By three I was out in the back trying to make sure the chicken coop roof didn't blow away. I gave up, put her in a cat carrier filled with straw and moved her to the studio, in case the roof did go. It didn't, but I kept thinking this is the kind of stuff that makes me not appreciate winter.
Anyway, I hope it is going better today. -t
Posted by Tonia | January 3, 2009 11:44 AM
Posted on January 3, 2009 11:44
I am so sorry! What a crappy thing to happen first thing in the new year.
I love your new site! It really reflects your style ;-)
Posted by Tracey | January 3, 2009 4:06 PM
Posted on January 3, 2009 16:06
good grief! I'm in Vancouver and haven't had near the flooding as you. The first thing I thought when I saw your picture was I hope against hope there are no photographs in those wet boxes! If I were close I'd be at your doorstep with a bucket and mop.
Posted by Kathy | January 3, 2009 9:15 PM
Posted on January 3, 2009 21:15
I don't know how to do comments yet from INSIDE my site-
Thanks everyone for the compliments on the new site! I love it love it love it!
Yeah- the flood sucked. But we are very fortunate that the sump pump works- it turns out it just jammed so hopefully we won't have another one. Also luckily there wasn't too much important stuff down there. And I'm very lucky that Philip did 100% of the clean up while I was at work today.
Blaize- I love "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", one of my favorites! Yeah, so true. I like what Henry Ford supposedly said. Maybe I should say it too so we can just own it. That's what I have to keep reminding myself. I just posted something else somewhat heavy and it may seem like I'm off to a bad start to the new year but actually I'm feeling a lot of clarity and hope right now.
May it continue!
Thank you all for following me to my new site!
Posted by Angelina | January 3, 2009 9:24 PM
Posted on January 3, 2009 21:24
I so enjoy your blog. You seem a smart, funny, multifaceted woman with too many wonderful and kooky sides to ever attempt to understand. Some amazing, some cringy. I know the same of myself. All of the hard wired genetic/enviro mysterys that make us us. Your son is just fine. Perfectly imperfect is his own style. I could make a list of crazy things I did back in the day, still do and god only knows the wacky stuff I'll do tomorrow. Growing up, I was notorious for hating underwear. Now I can't imagine life without my 'Hanes her ways'. I really believed objects I liked had souls. Still do. I own it. BFD. Max is a smart, funny, gorgeous kid who likes to feel comfy and secure- who doesn't. My favorite line is "no thanks, but that sounds fun for you" as I dash to put on my PJs. I would be stoked to have a complex, little piece-o-work in the making, who really knows himself, over some convictionless simpleton child. The day he starts setting fires, torturing small animals or acting like a politician is the time to freak the F- out. Your cool. Your son is cool. Just highly sensitive, thinking, fully aware creatures. Awesome qualities, just heavy. Believe me, I'm right there w/you. Trippin' on life, loving it, yet inevitably irritated (supportive cocktail in hand!) I wouldn't trade me, you or Max with one of the 'well adjusted' masses for all the whisky in Ireland.
Posted by Melinda | January 4, 2009 9:03 PM
Posted on January 4, 2009 21:03
shite!!! hope you are ok, wish i could help and hide that tiillamok in my roomm, you know forsafe keeping. i love you attitude, i was just thinking that the other day that shit happens, its howwe react to it that really concerns our lives, not the shit persay.
love thee new site!
Posted by rriana | January 4, 2009 9:55 PM
Posted on January 4, 2009 21:55