Monday, February 28, 2011

Last Basement Run

I didn't realize that would be it.

I'm very sad. I got up this morning, went down to work out, opened my basement door, and was greeted by what I can only describe as a murky, brown lake in my entire basement.

We measured. After it receded, of course, since there was most likely sewage.

6 inches of water. And other stuff.

I cried. A lot. And I'm still crying now. I made it to work for the second half of the day--mostly because I had to--and managed to get through it but was absolutely exhausted when that bell rang after trying to figure out what the sub did and get my AP kids back on track and pick up the pieces from last week's snow day and WOW.

We've lost everything--they came and stripped the carpet and the walls today--literally took the drywall off of half the wall--and all the furniture is ruined. My treadmill. The television. Our brand new washer and dryer we had saved up for the past few months. We aren't sure yet what insurance will cover, but it's been an emotional day.

I'm not sure how I am going to get through any workouts without that treadmill. I will miss the basement we poured our hearts into remodeling four years ago. I will miss snuggling with Bug on that couch and watching Phineas and Ferb. I am swinging back and forth between "things are just things" and, damn, I am really upset about this.

And needless to say, it couldn't have come at a worse time. For work, or the Ohio weather will continue until April that just took out our playroom. The room we go to when it's time to relax.

I am exhausted. Matt is exhausted. I can't take any days off work--I just burned my last half a personal day today cleaning any toy we could save with a bleach-water solution in the 41 degree drizzle. Matt and I won't have another day off until Good Friday, which is April 22nd, and unfortunately we don't have the kind of job that you can just take a day off. Lately, it seems that we've been just passing by, grading late, falling asleep without even having time to talk because we are so overwhelmed. But we do have jobs. And I'm trying to remember that it's just a basement, and things could be much worse.

This is what you call a rough day. I could really use a run right now. But it's icy and dark outside, and my treadmill is gone, and did I just admit that I miss it?, and I'm so, so overwhelmed.

Hopefully I can sleep a little better tonight. And remember that it is just stuff, and that all the memories I have down there of my little ones playing and all the snuggling we did and exercises we did will be made in whatever new place we can replace it with.

10 comments:

bobbi said...

oh good Lord - I am so so sorry! I hope insurance comes through for you and you can get everything restored...I can't imagine how overwhelmed you must feel right now. (((hugs))) to you!

TriEric said...

So sorry to hear about the basement sis. If you need a place to workout let us know. Treadmill, trainer ride on the bike. Anything to help. Ruby and Snickers can even keep Jackson and maybe Emery occupied.

Thinking of you and Matt with all my heart.

RobbyB said...

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about the basement! I hope that you can get back to your routine soon.

Nelson said...

Sorry to hear that, how awful. I know it all seems so insurmountable now, but soon enough things will be better than they were. Trust me on it.

Krista said...

This is terrible. It sounds like you are handeling it the best way you know how, but it's okay to be upset. Yes, it could be worse (it can always be worse), but this is abad *for you* and it's important not to ignore that! Good luck!

E-Speed said...

I'm so sorry Sara!

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about this...I would imagine insurance money will cover a lot of this. Chin up...you can get through this. (You are a tough cookie with lots of wonderful friends!)

R. Jeffrey said...

Sorry to hear about that. I hope it all works out and your life be back to normal really soon!

Andy said...

I am so sorry to hear abou that! A couple years ago when I worked for the bank there was some bad flooding in some places in Atlanta, and I had a number of customers who had 2-3 feet of water in the first floor of their homes. Just like you, furniture, carpet, walls, everything. It was hard to see all the damage, and we went out and helped to do what we could. Hopefully insurance will cover some, if not all of it, things will get fixed, and then you can begin to make new memories (and hopefully a new treadmill) and move on. Keep your chin up :)

Janet Edwards said...

Sara, I am sooo sorry to hear that and can only imagine how you must feel. Hugs! Wish I could help!