November 30, 2009

Back In The Basement

On the afternoon of August 4, the basement in our rented house -- where I have my office -- flooded.

I was at my desk at the time and, considering the amount of crap I had down there, I was able to move stuff upstairs fast enough so that pretty much nothing of value was destroyed. And now -- almost four months later -- I am moving back downstairs!

Our landlord made extensive improvements -- a wood floor to replace the carpet, a new ceiling with pot lights, a completely new bathroom. My office is now the nicest room in the house!

By the end of the week, everything should be back to normal.

25 comments:

laura k said...

My office is now the nicest room in the house!

I'm totally jealous! But I won't miss your computer on the kitchen table.

Amy said...

Do we get an "after" photo as well?

allan said...

That *is* the after photo!

Just like it used to be....

Amy said...

Ooops!!! LOL!

allan said...

Re the photo: my heroes.

Rob said...

By the end of the week, everything should be back to normal. • Does that mean there will be a game thread tonight? Oh wait... Crap.

Amy said...

Yeah, also their basement I see. I was really starting to feel sorry for Laura! I assume yours is not nearly that bad?? How about some REAL photos?

laura k said...

Ha ha, no need to feel sorry for me, we've been accommodating each other for a long time, we've got it all figured out. Allan can make all the mess he wants in his own space. That's why it's so wonderful for both of us for him to have the whole basement to himself.

Some photos would be nice, actually. He's got great bookshelves full of Red Sox and music stuff, framed photos of Babe Ruth in 1918 and of the 1918 team (presents from me), tons of music. Maybe at the end of the week.

laura k said...

Re your heroes, you know that both their deaths were direct results of hoarding?? Could you pick other heroes please??

laura k said...

He's got great bookshelves full of Red Sox and music stuff

And of course DFW and everything you need to know about 9/11.

Amy said...

One of the advantages of our new house is that Harvey's "stuff" is now in a separate room instead of in our bedroom where his "office" used to be in our old house. But somehow I think that Allan's stuff would make Harvey's mess look quite teeny.

johngoldfine said...

But, amy, inquiring minds want to know--is Harvey still breaking his back on some chair not fit for a Yankees fan?

Amy said...

Thanks for asking, John. We have made some progress, but as with most things, two steps forward, one back. He now realizes that he must spend more than $129 on a chair. We went to a Relax the Back store around here where a very helpful woman had him sit in various chairs and found one that he really loved...until he saw the price tag---$1000. He says he is going to talk to our employer about obtaining a chair for him at wholesale prices. But so far...he hasn't. Sigh. At least I tried.

He may be a Yankee fan, but unlike the Yankee FO, he does not like to spend too much money, at least on himself.

laura k said...

The $900 chair I bought will last 25 years or more.

Believe me, I balked at the price, too. It seemed insane. But spending $150 for a chair every 2 or 3 years is no bargain - and that's not accounting for the pain and suffering they inflict. Priced per year, the $900 chair is a bargain.

Amy, you've got to make him do it!

Amy said...

I am working on it....I have to nag strategically. Maybe I can convince him that it is my hanukah present for him. I will keep you posted.

Meanwhile, I pulled an L-girl today and twisted my ankle while walking the dog on the road. Just placed it wrong and boom! It turned, and I fell. I have had it elevated and iced for most of the day, taking Advil, and now put an Ace bandage on it. Any other thoughts, Laura? How long did it take for it to heal? I figure with my extra years, I will adjust accordingly... No x-ray done, but if it still hurts as much tomorrow, I guess I should.

Zenslinger said...

I read Laura's post. No need to get lost in that long string of comments on wmtc, which I don't have the time to read at the moment, but I wanted to say that I am sorry she had this experience. Even past the ugliness this reveals about our political situation is the bare fact that any time you are taken into custody and denied your freedom, however briefly, it is a very disturbing experience.

In other news, Alex Cora's going back to the Mets.

laura k said...

Hmm, "pulled an L-girl" usually means putting a troll in his place with a supposedly clever quip. I'm not sure I want my name associated with sprained ankles!

Sorry to hear that, Amy. Sprains can take a very, very long time to heal, and it depends on the extent of the damage, whether or not you've injured it before, and if the joint was healthy to begin with. Mine was not.

It sounds like you're familiar with RICE - rest, ice, compression, elevation. Past that, you'll have to see how it goes, whether or not you need some physical therapy treatment. Good luck!

Also FWIW I think you should buy the chair for Harvey. Whip out the Visa and get it done.

laura k said...

Thank you, Zen. Much appreciated.

Even past the ugliness this reveals about our political situation is the bare fact that any time you are taken into custody and denied your freedom, however briefly, it is a very disturbing experience.

Yes. That's exactly it. Anyone I know who has been arrested or detained, whether because of activism or misconduct, has said the same thing.

Thanks for your thoughts.

laura k said...

Also Amy, an tensor or compression sock is easier to deal with than an Ace bandage - no winding, no determining how tight to make it. Maybe Harvey can pick one up for you tomorrow, while you're ordering his chair.

jgoldfine said...

amy--tell Harvey that ever since your ankle sprain, your back seems to be hurting sympathetically and-- oh! oh! ow!--what you would not give for the chance to sit comfortably while that tootsie is elevated.

Amy said...

You know, John, that could work---if I ever actually sat in his chair. But it's his office, and I never use it. But you are right...if this chair was for me, he would never hesitate to spend the money. I somehow have to convince him that the chair benefits me---for example, how can he help me hobble along if his back hurts? :)

laura k said...

Amy, make it his early or late birthday present, Hanukah present and anniversary present, however many presents it takes him to get over it. Go with him to pick out the chair, take out your credit card, and be done with it. Tell him you don't want to listen to his objections anymore, you're buying it, period.

Try it. It works! :)

Amy said...

Good idea. I will give that a try and see what happens.

Meanwhile, my sprained ankle turned out to be a broken ankle. :(

laura k said...

It's broken?? OMG! Thank [something] you got it x-rayed! I'd like to keep chatting with you, but I think we've hijacked this thread long enough. See you on email or FB. Feel better!!!

Amy said...

Thanks, Laura. Yeah, broke the fibula.

And who cares if we hijacked the thread!? He's too happy, sitting in his beautiful basement. (I am trying to get back on topic here....) :)