Real Life vs Social Media

Most people who post on FB or IG or relics like me who have a blog, only talk about the good and the great things that happen. Who wants to read about tragedy or wade through a bunch of complaining/whining/moaning? Not me. 

But last month we were evacuated from our home because the rain was serious and an actual flood was happening! I wasn't paying attention and was watching TV in my room when there was a pounding on the front door (note to Mel: buy a doorbell). It was the fire department telling me we had to go! Whoa Nelly. The kind fireman came in and carried Dave to the car, and brought his wheel chair too. Then we drove at a snail pace to my sister's house, usually 18 minutes away, but on this day it took over an hour. There were many streets closed and lots of traffic diverted, so it was a wet mess. 

The next day all the water was gone and we could return home to see what happened to us. 

This is our porch where debris reached almost to the front door. No water got into the house itself, thank God!

Our big flower pots got lifted by the water and floated into the neighboring yard. 

So of course I was feeling quite relieved. 

But then thinking the worst was over, I noticed that our AC was not producing cold air and it was getting hot in the house. Hmmm. I called my HVAC guys and they looked in the crawl space and saw that it had flooded and the ductwork was full of water which is why it was stinking like a sewer in the house. O dear.

So I just sat there for a day and did nothing. Delayed reaction I guess. 

Then I followed the advice they gave me and called the Fire and Flood pros. for a complete cleanup. Out went the ductwork, insulation and vapor barrier and lots of money. No flood insurance. 

Those bags are full of what was in my crawlspace. Notice the flower pots are back in place. 

So we had no AC and it was in the 90's, but my friend Ashleigh brought over a floor unit which kept us from total misery while we waited for part two of the recovery, the new ductwork and vapor barrier. We had fans going day and night for almost two weeks, with the front and back doors open for fresh air when it was cool at night. This invited in lots of flies, which I finally triumphed over, this week. 

Yes we now have AC and it is blissful. 

An offshoot of flooding was the boost the water gave my garden. As you can imagine the deep drink was just great for my viburnum, lilac bushes and lots of perennials. However the zinnias which were already about 5 feet tall, all fell down and some even broke, so I ended up pulling them out and now have lots of bare spots in the garden. O well. 

 Dead zinnias.

But there are other things that happened that turned out to be great. When the AC unit was in the living room I moved the tv in there (against all my decor beliefs) and the two big red recliners. And that meant finding room in the old studio space for the rest of the living room furniture. 

Turns out I really like having this be the living room. It feels like my sanctuary and I'm keeping it this way. It's where I am blogging from this very minute. Since that footage was taken, I have also moved the dining room table in and now I am considering new things for the former living room. Heehee. 

Now that the flood is over, the idea of having another one gives me the 'moves' again. My sister thoughtfully gave me permission to look at Zillow, which is so dangerous, as long time readers will attest.  But nothing spoke to me, as I love my little house,  and when given the options of ductwork from my HVAC guys, I chose the most sturdy and dependable setup which is guaranteed for ten years, and my goodness, I'll by 87 by then and you can just cart me off if it floods again.