Our House

Many of you don't know what's been going on here for the last two months. I chose not to broadcast it here or on Facebook for a variety of reasons, but mostly so as not to come across (as I think I sometimes do) as the poor-martyr-of-a-woman-overcoming-so-many-of-life's-obstacles-thrown-in-her-path. I know that after awhile, it can get kind of tiresome to hear of yet another crisis in the life of someone who always seems to have a crisis. So, but for family and a few local friends, I kept it secret.

Back in late-July, when Adam was home on leave, we decided to get a new roof put on the house. He knew the existing roof was old, in poor shape and starting to compromise the integrity of the house. Since his deployment would end in the middle of a Michigan winter, and waiting until next summer wasn't an option, we decided to move forward with the project while Adam was home this summer. Well, long story short, we ended up leaving for our vacation to the Upper Peninsula while the roofing project was ongoing, the Storm of All Storms blew over eight inches of rain into the city while we were away, the tarp covering the exposed (unshingled) roof blew off, and we had major water and mold damage to half of our house. It was devastating.





Ceilings and floors in our kitchen, dining and living rooms were destroyed, as were a few pieces of furniture. Luckily, nothing of sentimental value was damaged, except for the antique writing desk I'd proudly bought just a few months earlier. Photographs, clothing and mementoes were untouched, thankfully. However, seeing your home lying, tattered in pieces in wet piles on the floor was overwhelming. Where were we going to live? How would I find a safe and sanitary place for my child?



The hardest part was knowing I'd have to deal with the lion's share of this on my own. By the time we arrived home from vacation to assess the damage, Adam only had three days left in town to help before needing to return to active duty in Iraq. I was panic-stricken, trying to imagine how I'd deal with insurance agents, contractors and living goodness-knows-where all while trying to work full-time and parent single-handedly. Luckily, our insurance company was amazing and took care of so many things that would have otherwise sent me over the edge. Just as I was sure I'd have to live in the house amidst the wreckage, we were told that we would be put up in a hotel until the house was renovated. Our hotel room was an extended-stay suite that offered many of the comforts of home, plus cable tv, free breakfast and dinner and housekeeping (!). Really, the majority of my stress was in knowing that strangers had open access to my home, between the mold abatement crew, the demolition crew, the drywallers, the floor installers, the painter, the electrician, the tilers...





But, the house turned out beautifully. I guess the best part of all this was that the parts of the house that were damaged were replaced, mostly in a better style or condition that what existed previously. New, darker-stained laminate wood floors. New ceiling fans and a new dining room chandelier. And, if you remember my story about Chuck , you'll know that I was convinced to replace the existing brick wall with a rustic tile instead. I am very pleased. Oh, and my antique desk was salvageable and is currently being restored.







Anyway, two months after the fact, Bryony, Greg House, Holiday and I are back in our house. While unpacking and organizing is taking a lot longer than I'd hoped, we are really happy to be back here, close to work and school and our friends. And, while I have to make my own bed and wash my own dishes once again, I can't say that I miss the hotel at all. There's just something about being in your own bed again.

Although, I do miss the cable tv. I don't get Burn Notice at home.