Today's post is for yesterday and today. While doing dishes at the daughter's house yesterday after the "Thanksgiving" meal, I thought to myself that I was thankful for running water. I have lived without it - for 4 months. In 2000, a friend was going through a bad divorce and offered me the opportunity to "rent to own" her place in the county because she could not afford to keep it up. It was a friend and was just a word of mouth agreement. It was the most perfect spot you could imagine - surrounded by woods with no neighbors close by. I loved it. For ten years my kids and I worked on that place, cleaning up a lot of "trash", making the yard look good, doing all maintenance. It had a well in a pumphouse. We fought that pumphouse every winter - frozen pipes, heat tapes, space heaters..... In 2009, the pump finally gave up - not a cheap fix - either 2000 for a new pump to be put in (it was a drilled well) or 1900 to put rural water in. I told the landlord (my friend) that we should just go ahead and put the place in my name legally and I'd fix the water - she wouldn't do it. Red flags went off in my head. I wasn't about to fix it myself without the place being in my name. The first month, she kept saying she was working on getting it fixed. I was hauling water for the necessities, showering and doing laundry in town. During the second month, I went and got pre-approved to buy a house and started actively looking for one. It took 4 months before I closed on this house and got moved. I still paid my rent during those 4 months. As far as I know, there is still no water at the old place. The yard wasn't mowed at all last year and the place looks awful. The landlord is no longer my friend which makes me kind of sad. She blamed me for leaving the house "dirty" and I must say, the walls did need to be washed and the carpets could have been shampooed - neither of which can be done without water. Other than that, the place was clean. That's the story of how I ended up here in town. Yes, I am thankful for running water.
I am also thankful that my ex-husband and I can tolerate being at the same place during special occasions. I think it makes things a lot easier for my kids - knowing that they don't have to worry about inviting us both.
I can relate to relationships with the ex. It took awhile, but I am no longer bothered, but his new wife of 20 years still has problems. My kids just shake their heads. It is good to remember to be thankful for the ordinary things like water. Until we have to do without, we take them for granted. This one I have no experience with.
ReplyDeleteI am most certainly thankful for running water. A few days out of the year they shut our water off, but I can't imagine living 4 months without it!!!
ReplyDeleteI am more thankful however, that you and Jery can put away your differences and be around each other. Coming from a home where that was NEVER possible, I remember being in shock when you got in the truck with him to drive home from Quincy. And your kids acted like it was normal! I am certain it hasn't always been easy, but I appreciate it, and I know they do to! Thank you for always putting them first - just one more way you're a fantastic mom! And going to be an AMAZING grandma! ;)