Xmas Xpletives

Dogonnit but when you think you’ve got everything settled you should be prepared for surprise. I our case Claudia and I had Christmas all wrapped up early. We’d put up the decorations early. The presents were all purchased if not gift wrapped. Everything suggested a leisurely walk to December 25th.

Then I woke up this morning after a glorious night’s sleep and found I’d left the tap in the upstairs sink running all night and that the drain was partially clogged. I wouldn’t have cussed so much if I’d thought someone else’s carelessness had been to blame. I just hate being an idiot. It was worse when I turned off the tap and still heard water running. That was the puddle growing in the living room. I ran to get mops in the basement and had to step over more puddles there to grab towels.

We’ve been finding more nooks and crannies all morning to mop up after we thought we’d gotten everything cleaned up. We’re running a couple dehumidifiers and I’ve got a big fan spinning in the living room.

I cut some dripping, bulging skimcoat from our new basement ceiling to let it air out until we can call someone to do some plaster work.

I couldn’t get in a very holiday like mood till Claudia brewed some coffee a couple hours after the clean up had eased off and we could sit down in the sun room and press Elmo’s mitten to get him to sing “Deck the halls.” Its Jakeie’s favorite decoration. Now I know why.

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