Thursday, March 5, 2015

RAIN MUD FREEZING MISERY


The good news is that the rain is now frozen


So, Jon, how is everything going?

Let me put it this way:
have you ever seen the old 1947 movie The Egg and I? It featured Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert as a city-bred couple who attempt to start a chicken farm in a ramshackle Ozark shack. Everything that could possibly go wrong does go wrong.


Well, picture me as Fred MacMurray.
Aw, what the hell - - you can picture me as Claudette Colbert, if you like. I'm versatile.

What exactly are you trying to say, Jon?

I'm not exactly saying anything, except that here in the mud-sopped reality of the hillbilly hills, there are no happy Hollywood endings.



The title of this post aptly sums up my situation. The only thing I left out are the curse words.

Actually, the plumbing ordeal went fairly smoothly - despite the torrential freezing rain and the nearly-insurmountable obstacle of endlessly oozing, knee-deep mud.

David the plumber arrived early and unexpectedly (interrupting my breakfast). Since he recently had knee surgery and can't get around easily, I did my best to assist him (without mentioning that I'm still in pain from falling on the ice).

It's probably unnecessary to recount all the morbid details, but - in a proverbial nutshell - we were both completely drenched and covered in mud within two minutes.

Remember those new boots that were ruined when I went over the cliff in Arkansas? Well, they look even worse now......

Several pipes were leaking, but not in the location that I had initially thought. The pipes near the water heater were fine. The leaking ones were far away.

There were several other strange plumbing issues that were puzzling me (and puzzling Dave). I won't bother you with tedious details.
Eventually he figured out that I need a new water pressure valve. The old one is rusted and faulty (much like myself).

So, he fixed the broken pipes. And he will install a new pressure valve as soon as the weather improves - -

- -which might not be for several years, from what I can discern. More snow and drastically cold temperatures are expected later today. I'm terrified that the frigid pipes will give a repeat performance.

Anyway, I finally have water again, after a week and a half.
Let's say it all together: hip hip hooray!

Unfortunately, I have water in the garage, too, from the unrelenting deluge. I have to install rain gutters along the back of the house. I could provide a lot more unpleasant details, but I'm not in the mood.

My clothes kept getting so soaked with rain yesterday that I had to change them three times. I finally ran out of outfits (i.e. jeans and sweatshirts) and had to go in the wet, icy garage to look for more (most of my stuff is still packed).

Is there a positive outcome to this tale of woe?

Not a chance. After I tossed my wet clothes into the dryer, I discovered that the old three-pronged cord on my dryer isn't compatible with the new four-pronged outlet in my laundry room. Courtesy of a law enforced in 2000, in yet another attempt by the government to alter/control our lives.

I'm still trying to wrap my weary mind around the concept of those hideously bizarre, unwholesome new light bulbs that they're presently forcing us to adapt to.

I have a lot more to say, but I'm too tired to write another word. 
Stop applauding. It's rude.

It's presently 5:30 a.m. Just starting to get light. I looked out the window and.....

......it's SNOWING!!!

I plan to go out later and have a snowball fight with myself. I might win.


22 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks to your previous comment, I feel guilty for silencing the clock. I'm considering enabling it again. It also has a ticking mechanism - - which would really drive everybody crazy.....

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    2. guilty = nooo
      ticking = yes!
      you can change the name on it, too
      so cool
      I want it but, don't want to be a copy cat ;)

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  2. Heaven to hell and back again. Does this never end? One issue gets resolved and another surfaces. I guess it's just daily life.

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  3. Jon,
    I am so happy that your water is back on! YES! We're having miserable weather here too. Cold, freezing rain. Had to go out this morning, with Bill's help of course loading me and my stiff leg in the back seat of the car, to shop for some necessary vitals before the SNOW later today. Of course I'm scheduled to see my cardiologist tomorrow in this mess. Ron
    What kind of heat do you have? Fireplace? Cozy up with your feline friends and enjoy that running water while the snow whips and rants outside.
    You know I have a great deal of empathy for your plumber with his recent knee surgery. I feel his restrictions on getting around, believe me!

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  4. Jon,
    I apologize for the out of sequence comment but Blogger is bouncing around on me again when I leave comments. I do the best I can. Stay warm and safe Jon.
    Ron

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    Replies
    1. Ron, no need to apologize for anything. I've been out of sequence my entire life.

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    2. Jon,
      You are so funny and genuine. That's why you're so well liked. I see you have most if your following back, we need you Jon! And remember, your situation will get better. 👍
      Ron

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  5. Hi Jon you might need to run you a few tubs of water in case your pipes burst again. I went out earlier to put out some fertilize in shorts and short sleeve shirt and before I got through it was Cold, and I thought it was an early spring here in our part of the country. Well maybe not. Take care and stay warm.

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    Replies
    1. Unfortunately I don't think anybody will be getting an early spring this year.

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  6. Hip hip hooray for the water. I think you have a new found friend in the plumber, two hurting men working in the mud together. Hope you don't have any more leaks or problems for that matter. Surely spring is right around the corner.

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    Replies
    1. If I can get through tonight I might have a fighting chance. A "warm up" is expected next week.

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  7. I join you (and other commenters) in your cheer about plumbing. Sounds like you found a plumber of integrity. Don't lose his phone number. You're learning a whole new set of survival skills --which I appreciate.

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    Replies
    1. Geo, I now have enough survival skills to teach Daniel Boone a few lessons....

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  8. I guess no one place someone lives can be perfect. You found plenty to not like where you lived in Texas. You’ve had a rough time so far at your new location in Tennessee this winter but hopefully the other seasons of the year there will make up for it. You can use the lessons learned this winter to make the needed changes to your home to make the one next year a lot less traumatic. I hope your overall evaluation of your relocation will turn out to be positive.

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    Replies
    1. You're right - - NO place is perfect. Of the two evils, I still prefer Tennessee to Texas.

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  9. It's the other side of the coin from texas, I detect you would still rather be in Tennessee despite everything! But I hope the weather cheers up soon and you can get organised for next winter when it is warm and dry outside.

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  10. I was going to say baptism of fire but more like an immersion in mud..... Sure hope you can get your clothes dry or find some dry ones, you don't need a cold on top of everything else.

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    Replies
    1. I might have to take my clothes back to Texas in order for them to dry.

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  11. HIp-hipping-hooray over here! David sounds like good folk, Jon. Don't lose that number!
    For the record, I agree those new light bulbs are hideous. So far, I've managed to hold out buying any (cross fingers).

    Meanwhile, you've bigger issues at hand than light bulbs. Mother Nature is a fickle B****.

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    Replies
    1. Tonight is going to be another COLD one. If I can get through this I MIGHT be OK. As you said, Mother Nature is a B****

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