Day 22 of the Great Flood

Finally got both bathrooms back in place and operational. Ordered the carpet last week, this week we were told it won't be manufactured until at least next week. Which means it won't be installed until the week after next, or close to day 32.

But all in all,

we have God who loves us,

a roof over our heads,

a job that keeps me busy,

good friends,

a great church'

and our health.

Above all, I have Stacy, nothing else matters.

Day 17 of the Great Flood

We are on day 17 of the great flood at our home. So far we have the new tile installed in the guest bath, new tile in the laundry room and the master bath up and running again. Next week we get to look forward to getting new carpet installed.

I'm a little behind schedule today because I had to take the zx2 to the shop for an alternator. The battery light has been coming on and going off over the last few weeks. Now it's staying on longer than off. I did the 73rd oil change yesterday and removed the negative battery cable while the engine was running. The engine died, a sure sign that the alternator was gone.

263,115 miles and counting.

Oh, yea, Stacy's brakes are squeaking, another repair coming soon.

Thank You Dave Ramsey!

Stacy and I read the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey about 6 years ago (at her urging). I have to tell you, I was hesitant at first, because I like to buy stuff. Technology stuff. Expensive Tech stuff.

I'm a truly blessed husband, as Stacy HATES to shop.

Anyway, thanks to Ramsey's plan, except for our home we are debt free.

Good thing.

Since December of 2009 we have had to deal with the following:

My car, melt down.

Stacy's Camry, catalytic converter shot.

Burst pipe in house, working on a fix.

But because of our emergency fund, we've got the money to cover deductibles. We also have the cash to replace the zx2.

Good thing. It's got 262,835 miles on it, and as I hit a bump on the way to Knoxville yesterday.

Crack! This crack went from driver's side to center. This morning, it spread all the way across the windshield.

Day 7 of the Flood.

We are on day 7 of the great flood, the pipe that broke was under the house and was spraying up on to the sub floor. There was also a drain leak in the master. What a mess. Stacy took everything out of the master bedroom closet for the restoration company, and moved things all around. Being an Army wife, she is used to dealing with hardships, and I have got to sing her praises on this one. She has adapted, improvised and overcame.

Stacy's 'closet' just outside the dining room.
Laundry room in the hallway.

Toilet in the tub. Had to rip up the new tile in the guest bath to dry the floor.

We did have a bright spot this evening. We have Emma for a Nana and Poppy sleep over tonight. Emma and I were watching Veggie Tales, 'Saint Nicholas' (my fav) when I looked over and she was 'in' the arm rest pushing buttons on the chair phone.

The effects of Holiday Oreos on a grandchild.

Quaker Steak and Lube

I left Clarksville this morning in a snow storm and after a brief stop in Nashville got into Knoxville about dinner time.

Next to the hotel is the World Famous, Quaker Steak and Lube. Man vs Food did an episode on the Atomic wings here. So since I was in town and right next door, I wanted to check out the wings. I already tried the burgers here last week.

In the parking lot, getting ready to head in.

Inside, looks like one of my daughters is employed as a valet.
I have more than one daughter.

Tuesday is all you can eat wings. So I ordered all I could eat and an un-sweet iced tea. These were mild wings.
My next round was hot, and yes they were, and yes after an hour I still feel the burn (it's a good burn).
I have to work tomorrow so I didn't try the atomic, maybe next time. I wish I was still in Clarksville so I could stuff my face into the snow to put out the fire.

Mo Snow.....

When you live in Clarksville on the rain/snow line, you can't rely on the weather people to get it right. So I just go with whatever happens. This morning I was delighted to see light fluffy snowflakes as I got my paper.

Delighted with the snow after the snow hell from two weeks ago? Yep, it didn't stick in Nashville so I didn't take any, "I can't get to work calls".

Big snowflakes.
Montgomery County schools closed again.

Mo snow....

The dogs are not going to like this when I get them up in a few.

Squish Went the Carpet

I went to the bathroom Friday night and the carpet in the hallway squished between my toes. Carpet squishing is never good on any night, let alone on a Friday. I really don't like it when it happens inside my house.

Stacy asked me to get her steam cleaner, and she got up as much water as she could.

I called a local contractor I know Saturday morning and he came right over. He took a look, said he would be back on Monday morning to rip up the floor and find the leak. I also called my insurance agent who directed me to report the leak, which I did.

I borrowed David and Mandy's shop vac on Saturday and vacuumed the area three times a day until Monday when my contractor came back. The area in front of the bathroom, after the carpet and pad were removed.

The nice view from my home office to the laundry room and guest bath. How lovely. A better view of the area in front of the bathroom, after the vanity was pulled. The source of the leak was not here. After more investigation, a leak was discovered at a drain in the master bath.

The master bath after the vanity and double sink were removed. But, after this drain was patched, a pressure test was done. Guess what? A pressure leak was detected back in the guest bath. Oh Joy.

Who would not like a double sink in their living room? Don't be jealous.

So this evening, we have two showers we can use, no sinks in either bathroom, and one functional toilet in the master bath.

It's all good.

Please pray for Stacy, if you know her, you will know why.

David is a big 34!

Saturday we celebrated my son-in-law David's 34th birthday. It was the first time since Christmas that we had all the girls, husbands and significant others to the house at one time.

Aunt DiDi and Emma sharing chocolate.

The birthday boy (man).

Emma and David have a special relationship, they became fast friends from the day she was born.

Emma giving David some birthday love.

A good time was had by all.

Friday to Friday-What a Week!

January 28th, will be a day I remember for at least a week. Returning from a business trip on Thursday night, just in time to be home for the mother of all snow storms to hit middle Tennessee the next morning.

Friday morning came, I jumped to my feet to look out the window only to find, nothing. I had planned on working from home because driving to Nashville would have been too dangerous according to the Channel ___'s (add your station) Weather. If I was as accurate as these guys, I would have been fired along time ago.

Waiting for the storm on Friday, I completed all my reports, watched and watched the sky. I was able to hit Ft. Campbell and retrieve my ironing, still watching the sky. Have lunch at the PX food court while watching the sky. Then made it home, while still watching the sky.

Friday night was a night from hell.

I had employees who could not make it to work, employees who could not make it out of work. Not just in Nashville, but Johnson City, Rockford, Knoxville, Gordonsville, Cleveland and Chattanooga. In all I took/made 83 phone calls from Friday night to Monday morning. I was changing schedules to make sure there was no missed coverage. To those who toughed it out and in some cases pulled a 24 hour shift.

I salute your dedication and service.

Thank you.

Our deck Saturday morning.
People say, "I love the snow. It's so pretty."

Not so pretty when Sammy dumps on the deck. (I found Sammy's little deposits today after the snow melted off the deck.)

Monday it was to the ortho doctor to look at my hand.

My thumb a year ago this week, after a great weekend with Graham in upstate NY. After the check up, no artritis, no bad breaks, just a skier's thumb.

My thumb today after steroid treatments this week. Looking good.

Monday after my orthopaedic appointment for my hand, it was off to Knoxville. Woo Hoo!

Thursday I was already to hit it again in Nashville, when I realized I had worked everyday since January 25th. So I took yesterday, Thursday as a day off, I went geocaching and relaxed.

Part of the green way at the end of Pollard Rd. Some snow remains.

Fencing on the green way.

Trice Landing, New Providence.

Stream feeding Cumberland River at Trice Landing.

Trice Landing with the Cumberland in the backdrop.

Amazing, the weather forecasters on Channel____ are again predicting snow. I have already had one employee call tonight, February 6th at 12:29am about getting to work tomorrow.

Give me a break.

All in all a great week. Tomorrow we celebrate David's 34th birthday. Family get together, my favorite.