Winter Blunderland
When I first woke up this morning, any part of me that was sticking out from under the covers felt … frosted over. Now, that’s not new, since we’re in an old, drafty house, and have no regular heat … and – we’re in Maine … so, I didn’t think much about it, except to make a quick decision to not get up yet! ;o)
Anyway, a few minutes later, Doug and I were re-awoken by water dripping onto the shelf at the top of our waterbed headboard … and it was dripping long, loud, and fast! Ugh! Without thinking, I grabbed the little bucket that I always keep at the bedside, and tossed it to Doug (thank God I hadn’t had any queasy problems overnight, or he’d have gotten a real surprise!) and he quickly put it under the waterfall leak.
He wondered aloud if the pipes in the bathroom overhead had frozen … which I doubted, because they’re in the middle of the house, and although it goes below 40F (4.4C) in there, it seldom freezes.
Doug got up post-haste, threw his clothes on, and gingerly ventured out of the bedroom. Not only had the bathroom frozen, but the kitchen pipes were all frozen solid too. The sink has an irritating hot water leak which splashes all over the place, and it had also frozen, leaving the sides and bottom of the sink cased in a clear, lumpy sheet of ice. Apparently, the kitchen had gone well below freezing overnight. Brrrr!
I decided to blog about it … and that’s when I realized that I didn’t have any internet … *sigh*. Right about then the phone rang … it was my husband’s place of work putting off his return for yet one more week. He’s only worked about 4 days since two weeks before Christmas. So now he’s home until January 26 instead of the 19th.
Blog Friends, I lay back on my nice comfy waterbed and started laughing! Hey! What else can I do?
Anyway, the pipes are thawed, although I doubt I could do dishes or laundry, because those are separate from the sinks. Miraculously, nothing burst! Yay us! The wood stove has warmed things up enough so that I can’t see my breath anymore, although my hands are still cold, and I’m sure the rest of the house is still geezely uninhabitable a bit, ummm … frosty. My internet revived when the modem and router were reset … so no harm there, either. Except for an icy mess and a cold, rude awakening, we’ve had no permanent damage this time.
Anyone in a warmer climate looking for several (semi-permanent) house guests? *innocent blink*
January 17th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Hi Moof- Your life is sounding similar to mine these days. You are right…what else can you do?
Glad your pipes are alright. We are concerned about that if the heat doesn’t stay on.
Okay…I whine. But then what else? ;)
We hit 13 below last night and for 2nd night in row heat went off because outside oil tank and I opted not to have the HEAT product put in with oil at delivery. (will never do that again) have a nice plumbing & heating guy talking us through options so we can save money on a service call.
heat comes on..then back off.
My husband is out there now trying to warm the filter.
Fingers so cold. I am going to make coffee and wrap my hands around it.
May we have a wonderful weekend anyway.
Call me crazy… but barring calamities for people and high heating bills…i do so very much LOVE winter!
Must be exquisite up by you. :)
P.S. wish we still had our wood stove but got rid of it in the 80s. i used to feel like Laura Ingles up on the mountain when we used it and boiled water and made stews and chili on it. Also used open pot with orange peels, cloves and cinnamon to put moisture back in house. I think I will do that now. :)
January 31st, 2009 at 8:18 pm
You’re more than welcome Moof to come down here to the Texas Hill Country for the winter.
Sorry I haven’t been by to visit for such a long time.
God Bless!