Flooded with Blessings

Last Friday night we were hit with a big storm that dumped over six inches of rain in a couple hours. Our basement never floods, so it didn’t even cross out minds to check it out. Shortly after lunch we noticed most of our neighbors had half their house contents sitting in their driveways. So we rushed down to find our own little swamp.

It wasn’t long before most of my family was here to help us move all the furniture, rip out the padding, prop up the carpet and locate dozens of fans to blow it all dry. It was Friday night and they all put their weekend plans on hold to help out. The cold beer afterwards didn’t seem like a big enough thank you.

Almost everyone pitches in to help.

The next day we hauled the padding to the dump in my brother’s truck that he so graciously gave us. On the way there, stopped at a light the man next to us yells over saying we can save some money if we put a tarp over our haul. So we pull into the next hardware store to buy a $5 tarp and spend $250. But we also discovered a well prized¬†dehumidifier. A rare commodity in town.

Returning from the dump, we decided to get rid of the carpet. So we set out to cut it in strips to make it easier to carry out. And just then, our friends came by to help. It took us less than an hour. Another cold beer thank you.

The biggest blessing is that we have insurance and they were wonderful about providing the full amount of our coverage. There’s a lot of stories brewing about some companies with crazy clauses that make it next to impossible to get a check.

Putting it back together again means moving some built in cupboards so we can install new carpet, changing out all the doors, trims, and while we’re at it, let’s put on a new color of paint.

This little disruption reminded me just how lucky we are in so many ways. Our family and friends are amazing. As well as living in such a friendly town.

Yes, he has that look all the time.

On another note, I’d like to introduce you to my main man, Castro. He’s a real charmer. Be careful, hang out with him too much and he’ll have you wrapped around his little paw!