Any day now I imagine that a new red sports car will show up in my driveaway. This is to be expected When Your House Has a Mid Life Crisis.
When Your House Has a Mid Life Crisis
Storybook Cottage is approaching 40 and she is not taking it well. Until recently, she’s been pacified with a few nips and tucks suplimented with fillers. But now she is beginning to demand a full on facelift and total body makeover.
Back in December she became steamed and busted a hot water pipe. Three days before Christmas. The hot water plumbing is located beneath a cement foundation (also known as a slab foundation).
I became aware of it when the hard wood floor began to look strange.
Did I mention the stove also gave up the ghost? Christmas dinner came from the crockpot.
Due to the holidays we had no running hot water for over two weeks. That was fun.
The plumber thought that it would be best to rip out the two old hot water heaters and replace them with one tankless hot water heater.
One tank was located in the family room.
After the hot water tank was removed we needed to repair the sub floor, huge holes in the walls, etc.
The other hot water heater was located in the attic.
It took three strong men and a series of hoists to bring that rusted beauty down.
Plumbing repairs were made and a tankless hot water was installed in the attic.
Access holes in the walls need to be repaired. We also now have a leaky roof in the attic where the tankless exhaust vent was installed.
We learned about the attic leak last week when Texas was hit with a deluge of rain.
At the same time we discovered a major leak in the sun room.
Are you thinking, “When will it end?”
I’m not even going to tell you how much the repairs have cost up until this point. But we possibly could have purchased a red sports car. (smile)
Then recently the microwave gave up the ghost.
When Mr. Decor pulled it out he discovered that when the microwave was originally connected a second live wire was left exposed. HUGE FIRE HAZZARD!!!
We were so lucky it only MELTED a wire.
So Storybook Cottage currently has bits and pieces all over the house.
A bathroom remodel we were supposed to have started has stalled because we have not heard from our contractor.
But It Is All OK!
I truly believe that. We are still so unbelieveably blessed. These are all little obstacles and inconviences that we will overcome.
How can I be so calm?
Right before Christmas my brother lost half of his 100 year old Victorian home to a fire. He and my sister in law are currently living out the freezing Idaho winter in a motor home while their home is repaired.
Did I mention he’s also battling cancer?
But he is SO positive, keeps a smile on his face and focuses on what really matters.
If he can do it, so can the members of Storybook Cottage.
I’ll be back next week.
Laura
What an inspiring story your brother is. It helps us to stay focused on the things that really matter and realize how blessed we are. Even with house mid life crisis. Thanks for sharing and making me take a minute to thank Jesus for my many blessings!!
Houses mean repairs. Even brand new homes can be trouble when something isn’t done right. But we are blessed to have a roof over our heads (and one that doesn’t leak after a major replacement a couple years ago) and someplace cozy and comforting to come home to. So many do not have that privilege. We built ours in 1978 and have patched, repaired. renovated, replaced and added on for most of those years. We have done without vacations because something fell apart and Christmas gifts to each other have often been something we needed to replace.. But when we come down the road and see it sitting there it is the best site in the world. It is home! <3
That's what important at the end of the day! Good luck with all your repairs and renovations
Oh wow, that’s a lot to have happen all at once. So glad the fire hazard wasn’t worse before being discovered. I hope all the repairs go as well and quickly as possible.
I am so sorry to hear about your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with him as be battles this terrible disease. And gets his house repaired. Thank God they were not injured in the fire.
Perspective is a hard thing when it feels like your life is falling down around your ears. It is a great things that you were blessed with it.
I will be honest, every time I want to complain or whine about something I am reminded that someone has it so much worse. Like my 34 year old friend who is the last of her 5 siblings, they have all passed in the last 10 years, she has no parents as they died as well and she is batteling stage 4 breast cancer and yet every say she shows up at class even on her chemo days and she is so happy….to be alive.
Every time I speak with my brother and I get an update on my niece who was recently diagnosed with Rett’s syndrome I realize that I am blessed in so many ways and that no matter what happens in their life they carry a heavy load daily, the health and well being of their daughter who will never be cured and whose life is uncertain.
I thank you for sharing your trials and for keeping your blog real, its one of my favorite things about you. I hope that things get fixed soon and that you have a great week.
Elizabeth
OH my goodness, Laura, what a huge amount of issues you have had to deal with! Any kind of water issues really get messy and difficult to deal with. I’m just so thankful that your microwave didn’t set your home on fire! That is truly a blessing! What part of Idaho is your brother in? We are in North Idaho. Yes, we have been having quite the winter this year, sorry to hear that he is battling cancer and also dealing with losing part of his home! So awful! But you are right, our attitudes make the difference in all things. Praying that all things smooth out for you soon 🙂 Happy days ahead! Hugs!
It seems as though repairs and such come in batches. They are nothing. What your brother is going through is something. Here’s hoping the Universe first smiles on him, and then on your needed repairs. As someone above said, you don’t have to look very far to find someone who is a lot worse off than you are. Keep your positive outlook and everything concerning your home’s mid-life crisis will be just fine.
Laura,
I hear you when I comes to plumbing issues. Our townhouse is on a concrete slab and had pipes under the slab. Many years ago, those pipes burst and they had to jack hammer through my Living Room!!!!! Our townhouse is 40 years old and we have constantly sunk money into it We will be replacing windows in the Spring as my “New” replacement windows for 30 years old!!!! My “new” roof will need to be replace din 10 years……. I am on my 4ht floor downstairs…. We have decided when it comes time to replace the roof again and we will be in our 70’s, we will sell this house and move into a maintenance free Apartment complex located right by us and where my 2 sons live…. Good luck in all your remodels…. It is a trying time..
Hugs,
Debbie
My sister has ALS and any time I find myself facing some small obstacle I realize how lucky I am.
Oh my Laura, those house issues certainly do come in spurts and you have been hit with one thing after another. Eventually, there will be an end in sight. Your darling brother has a beautiful smile and I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. No doubt he has lots of love and support helping him through his ordeal. Thanks for sharing.
So sorry you are dealing with multiple problems. You have a wonderful attitude. Will be saying some prayers for you as you deal with these issues.
Blessings to your brother.
Oh my word Laura, this sounds like the Money Pit. I am so sorry for all the problems. I know you will repair everything perfectly, and you always have a smile and fabulous attitude no matter what. Keep your chin up.
A positive attitude goes a little no way. Hope you see the little get at the end of the tunnel soon! Praying for your brother too!
Laura, when someone we love is fighting a battle to regain their health, that’s just about all we can think about. That is overwhelming in itself. And, like Pat M. said, when trouble comes “It seems to come in batches.” Anything can be fixed in a house, I guess, but the surprise attack on one’s finances is pretty dismal. Besides things happening in batches, what is the phenomena called when a person works extra hard and saves a little nest egg and then something goes wrong and the new expense equals the exact amount saved? That happens to me all the time! Well, if I was in your town, I’d come over and help you patch the walls. You wouldn’t believe what I’ve learned to do since I’ve been single. I made some pretty funny mistakes at first when I no longer had my father or a husband to rely on. I once hooked the doorbell up to the furnace. I can do a lot now, but, please, dear Father in Heaven, don’t test me!
~Ginene
Laura,
I am sorry to hear about your brother’s battle with cancer and the fire at their house. The hard part is having to deal with house issues when you really want to focus on your brother. Prayers for all of you to be comforted as you go through these trials.
Judith
When it rains, it pours. Sorry I couldn’t resist. This is just how things happen in my life. I can go along for awhile with nothing drastic happening. Then, boom- everything seems to go off kilter at the same time. We have been having all kinds of stuff go wrong in our lives since New Year’s Eve, but we are dealing with them one at a time with our Lord’s will. That microwave wiring you found would have scared me. I had a 40 year old condo that I finally sold as it was quite a money pit and we moved into a rental home that removed all that stress. Comically, this home is also 45 but in much better condition. You have such a lovely home and I’m glad you are making it safer. Hang in there girl and best wishes to your brother. mary in Az
Wow, Laura. Your brother sure puts things in perspective. I wish him wellness, light, and a sustained positive outlook. As for the house, {sigh}…I wish you a positive outlook, and perhaps a pot of gold. I know many of those issues you’re dealing with, all too well. Some we just bandaid, others put us in crisis mode – that fight or flight adrenaline approach. And still yet, some we have to consider a blessing to be hit with (such as the live wire at the microwave), so they can be fixed timely enough to avoid the imminent disaster that could have happened.
You have a whole host of supporters!
Wow – that’s an overwhelming amount of repairs! It’s true though, we all need reminders of what REALLY matters so we can put even the most difficult of situations in perspective.
Oh wow! That is a lot going on at once. I have a quite a bit going on in my life at the moment too and I am trying to maintain your positive attitude. I truly enjoy reading your blog and fb/ig posts and I am hopefully learning (slowly) to see the blessings even in the harder times. Thanks for your inspiration. I pray things will calm down for you soon and everything will be repaired! Mary
Dearest Laura,
I’m so sorry all of this is happening at the same time. I never do well in times of crisis and tend to lose it all easily. Still, your perspective is a good one and prayers for your brother.
We are currently in the process of trying to get some estimates so that we can replace our roof this spring/summer since our house is 18 years old this year and it’s time. We’ve already had roof leaks around the flashing by the furnace shoot, etc., but thankfully not to the extreme that you’ve written about. Still, there is always something with owning a home, for sure. ♥
Love, Linda
Oh my gosh that is a lot of stuff going wrong in a short time…..but your attitude is perfect, and sending prayers for your brother!!!!
I’m so sorry about your brother’s illness – thank you for sharing his picture, that is a winning smile. I read another article today that echoed your message, and reminded me that except in rare life or death situations our lives have very few actual problems. We certainly face challenges, but they are truly “first world”.
I totally hear you on the house, we’re going through the same thing – our house is the same age as yours, and we love her, but she is super fussy and has been having a complete meltdown over the last year or so. Good luck with your repairs!
Oh boy…sorry for the messes and the need for some major repairs. Glad you found potential hazards, too. Good to have the right perspective. Hang in there!
Laura, it all sounds overwhelming until we get to the part about your smiling brother. Prayers for his recovery and thanks for helping us keep things in perspective. I surely hope that you are able to get all those leaks and breaks under control.
Oh Laura, I remember the things on FB around that time — I don’t remember seeing so many photos. Had to cost an arms and a leg and yes, that’s what home equity loans are for but who wants to do that? Sending many good thoughts your way to both you and to your brother. I am grateful no one was hurt in his fire but that had to hurt the heart and soul to the core. Big hugs.