Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Calgon, Take Me Away!


I'm shell-shocked. 




Okay, so you know those bloggers who post only happy stuff every day? The bloggers who seem to live in a world where the worst thing that ever happens is that their vintage sheet forts collapse on their heads?  I realize wholeheartedly that Ranch Dressing has become the opposite of that lately. But so it goes. I've lived way too long to pretend that sugar plum fairies wake me up with candy coated kisses every morning. Today has been a horrible day.

Yesterday, I showed you the hole where our kitchen used to be. Today, that hole got even bigger. And that damned contractor that the insurance company forced on us has turned out to be just as lax as we expected. We have to call him every day to ask him what's happening next. It's like we don't even exist. We're here washing our dishes in the bathtub and getting up at six in the morning just to have subcontractors not show up. It's day three and we're already over it. Completely over this whole thing.

To make things worse, we awoke around four o'clock this morning to find that Pip, our tuxedo kitty was very sick. We rushed her to the vet the minute that they opened only to learn that she had become so stressed from the jackhammering and general madness up in here that her poor little system had become constipated into a very dangerous situation. She was in horrible pain. She's been to the vet twice today and has come home to what promises to be a mad house for quite some time. She's endured many injustices today including the worst hack grooming job that I've ever seen.  I feel so horrible for her. And for the vet tech that had to get up this morning and do kitty enemas. On top of the unexpected $400+ vet bill today, well...we're just worried about our Pipster. A lot.

Where we once had a fair approximation of when this project would end, now we have nothing but questions with no answers. And a big gaping trench through the kitchen. And a stressed tuxedo cat who wishes she didn't live here. 

If it weren't for our plumber showing up in a head-to-toe camouflage jumpsuit with a bullet hole straight through the crotch, I'd be convinced that this world is no longer full of wonder and joy.  God bless him.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Light a candle for us. Use your kitchen sink in our honor. We've been bitch-slapped by the fates but we're going to keep getting up every morning until the happily-ever-after begins again.

Until next time,
x's and o's,
Eartha

33 comments:

Mr. Tiny said...

We're sending a few of our sugar plum fairies over right away to assist. What a bummer! I hope things get settled sooner rather than later.

Unknown said...

Sending good vibes post-haste!!

http://aclosetintellectual.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

what a crazy mess, I wish I had a fix for ya .... alas I don't, sending good vibes your way.

Dana@Mid2Mod said...

Oh, man...can I ever empathize! I just posted a bitch 'n' moan about my a/c being out. My house is hot, I'm extremely grouchy, and I'm very apt to slap the next Pollyanna who opens her mouth.

My heart goes out to you and your hubby and your kitty. My poor hot-natured shih tzu can't find a cool place to lie down, and he's miserable too. This is one of those times if it wasn't for bad luck, we'd have no luck at all, huh?

I just keep repeating, "Everything is temporary. Everything is temporary."

Jamie@OwlReally.com said...

oh, friend, i am so sorry to hear about how horrible this mess is. praying for pip!

Donna said...

Sorry to hear about both the kitchen and the kitty. I think for a lot of us, for some reason or other, this is the summer of our discontent. And not necessarily of our own doing, either. I just posted about mine the other day (http://notdonnareed.blogspot.com/). This summer will not be missed! :(

Betty2Tone said...

Sorry that everything is going so horribly :( Hopefully it will all turn around sooner than later. My couch kitten tells Pip to feel better too!

susie said...

This is the worst! Can your fans/readers maybe send you crafts or treats to cheer you up? Or is that creep-tastic and we should stick to well wishes and vibes?

Sara In AZ said...

ugggghhhhh girl! Praying LOTS and LOTS for it too all get better real real SOON!!!!!

Rita@thissortaoldlife said...

Well, as you know, I'm not one of those unicorn and rainbow bloggers. Which is part of why I like you so much. :-) Cannot believe the picture from yesterday, or the post today. (Catching up. Have been out of town with spotty wifi.) No words of comfort. Just empathy. It sucks. It'll pass. But it's still gonna suck, huh?

nancyworegreenstockings said...

Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry that you guys have to go through this, and also poor kitten! I never realized that stress could back a kitten up like that. I hope that things get better for you guys on the double.

susie said...

Poor kitty. I know I'd be heartbroken if that happened to my kitty.

I don't know your policy on this, but I say set up a donation button. I'm sure your followers would love to help you out in this crappy, crappy time. At least we can send you out for a really nice dinner!

Anonymous said...

Well, you know I worked with contractors for three years and that is what they like to do, not show up! That is the biggest pet peeve of mine. This is what they are doing, they start your job but schedule other jobs, so then they leave you with a big mess and go start another job, it's so stupid. I would get on the phone with the insurance company and make them responsible for the no shows. I would say to them we are living without a kitchen and your contractor is not showing up, maybe you need to pay to put us up in a hotel until they can get their acts together and finish this job. Like I said before you have to watch them every step of the way, make sure you know what they are doing, go on the computer research what needs to be done, because most times they cut corners. Make friends with your cities building inspector, make sure he or she knows everything that is going on too. You have to be the boss or they will walk all over you.

frecklewonder said...

ohhhhhhhhhh HEAVIEST SIGH.

I'm so sorry to hear about EVERY.THING.

Saying a prayer, lighting a candle, wishing on an eyelash, lucky penny and shooting star.

xoxoxo

Adrienne said...

I am so sorry to hear about all of this awfullness! Just hearing about the crappy contractors made me angry for you, and I feel terrible for your poor kitty cat :( I really hope things start going your way very soon. Hugs to you-

Adrienne
What Lola Wants

Holly Hall said...

That all sounds awful. I'm sorry. Hope you and kitty regain some sanity ASAP. Hang in there.

Anonymous said...

we had a leak in our house, the whole house had to be repiped. Im sorry your kitty is feeling bad. Try Natures Miracle just for cats calming spray or the plug in Feline Pheromone, i found them in Petsmart. They calmed down my agressive indoor cat. Good luck.

SUZY8-TRACK said...

Sad to say, but contractors go where the money leads them. If they get a big offer on a job, they will abandon any other project to do that. I lived in an apartment building where they had hired contractors to paint the hallways of an old 4 story brownstone in the city. They started about 6 months after I moved in, and by the time I moved out, which was 5 years later, they were still not done! Typical!! I wonder if contractors receive special training on being assholes?? Anyway, I hope that the work can get done quickly, so that your poor kitty won't be stressed.

Leah said...

Omg, I wish there was something I could do to help. This whole situation is ridiculous and now your kitty is suffering because of it. I really am thinking about you and trying to send good luck vibes.

*hugs*

A Day in the Life of One Girl said...

Well, at least you've got your humor! That sounds like something a camp counselor would say after the high school kids beat the crap out of you.
I'm so sorry for Pip! I hope everything gets better soon ;)
A bullet hole in the crotch! Awesome!!!
I will think of you while sorting through my nasty sink that the teenager filled up with curdled milk cups. Thanks "dude"

RetroRuth said...

Oh my god. Poor Pip! I am totally feeling your agony right now. I am sure you got tons of meds and advice from the vet, but one trick that has worked for me is if your cat eats wet food to stir in some canned pumpkin for some extra fiber. Good luck and keep us updated!

RetroSandie said...

Sooo sorry to hear of all of your troubles. Sometimes you just need to vent and we are here with a little sympathy (and iced tea) for you. Sending hugs to you and a kiss on the tip of his nose to Pip!!

cheshirecat666 said...

well,our trouble is NOTHING compared to yours,but we can't do dishes in our sink in your honor just yet. Yesterday I noted a small pooling of water on the floor by our cabinet,and I thought I has sloshed water when I was cleaning some toys in the sink. Turns out,or garbage disposable has been leaking for awhile,and the bucket tray we keep our extra cleaning supplies in was FILLED with icky mildewy nasty disposal water,and it had finally started to overflow

How that never smelled is beyond me,but the entire bottom if cabinet is now mildewed and moldy,and BOY does it smell NOW. We have baking soda and a fan down there,and the guy is supposed to come fix the disposal

POOR PIP! I've been so stressed that Ive had gastric issues,but it's usually the opposite of constipation,if you know what I mean

GOD good luck over there,oy

noone said...

ugh renovations SUCK. and I know what you mean, I think a lot of times bloggers feel that they can't say anything negative to wear off followers... but I just say what I want to say and if someone reads it thats great :)

Unknown said...

That sounds like hell. So sorry you are having all this happen at one time and that it seems to be snowballing. I guess things can only get better, right!??! Well, I for one hope they do so your next few blogs can be about starfish that ride unicorns over rainbows...but frankly, I think that kind of thing is overrated

Laura said...

I'm beginning to feel a little sheepish that I ever complained about a leaky washer when a friend in the blogosphere has real catastrophe on her hands, with a constipated kitty to boot. Talk about perspective! I'm so sorry Miz Eartha! It all just stinks!

Jackie Jardine said...

What a fine mess you and your family are in. Though I have to say I do appreciate how candidly you write. It would be dishonest to downplay the situation, sugar plum fairy kisses or no.

Well I certainly appreciate your sense of humor. Hopefully things will start looking up, so you can start bitch-slapping the fates instead of the other way around.

<3 Jackie @ Let's Go Thrifting!

Rae - Say It Aint So said...

oh goodness, poor pip! i think the jack hammering and dishes in the tub would be getting to me too. when we bought our house our contractor was an old family friend so we were confidant the 2 week estimate would happen...six weeks later we still couldn't cook anything. terrible. i agree with whoever up there said call the insurance and get them to get you a hotel! and a kitty hotel! such a headache. i hope they are OUT soon and your house is back to normal.

Lisa said...

Lord, Lord. At least the bullet hole crotch guy put a glimmer of sunshine into an otherwise dismal situation. Good thoughts for you, the Mister, the kitty, and the kitchen.

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

God Eartha, quit the whining. MY macaroons didn't come out quite crisp enough AND I chipped a nail!

Sorry hon, am sending you Olympic spirit to get through the shitty times, and if that fails, 40% proof spirit. Hope your Pip is OK.
xx

Jen said...

Oh, what a nightmare! :( And poor Pip...obviously we humans are not the only ones stressed out by home disasters. :( I hope she will be okay, because having her ill on top of everything else definitely cannot be helping you and the Mister feel any better. We shall keep you all in our prayers.

Is there a friend who can take the Pipster in 'til all of the noise is over with?

The Curious Holts said...

Oh, poor button! I have SO been there/here and it is AWFUL. Im posting this late, but I'm still feeling your pain. I HOPE the pipster is better!!! Catching up now. Poor y'all. White light blasting your way.

Unknown said...

Woah. I don't why all of you aren't having, ahem, the same issues as the poor little kitty. If we knew that the world was actually 24-7 of "Holmes Inspection" instead of HGTV Dream Home we'd all be choosing to live inbed sheet tents in our parents' living rooms.

My candles are lit.