Glad I wasn't washing my hair ...
I'm not really moaning because no-one is interested in that, but ...
This morning I woke up late. I know 10 past 8 is not late in everyone's book, but it is in mine. After a moment or two of panic, I heard signs of life downstairs, and as I was venturing down I came across D3 and said "Ah I have independent children!" or something like that, which seemed to go down well.
So I ventured toward the kitchen to make coffee and saw the-man-next-door coming in the next door yard. He doesn't actually live next door, but owns the shop and the flat, and uses the downstairs bit out the back for his storage and workshop area. The back door was open (breach of privacy issues) and I was about to close it when I suspected that D2 was outside, which I confirmed with D3. Shortly after that I heard him say "Excuse me, Darlink ....."(didn't hear the rest) and I heard D2 respond in her best public contact/customer service voice (I am always impressed when I hear her make business phone calls or when I see her at work, and realise that it is also a distancing voice, because I know that she finds him somewhat creepy)saying something to the effect that she would check. When she came inside, she told me that he wanted to pinpoint where "the leak" was, and was asking if anyone was going to be home, and she asked me to let him know, because she didn't know what my plans were.
Now, anyone who follows the live journals of anyone in this family, knows "the leak" as a fully fledged member, now 2-3 years old, who plays a greater or lesser role in family activities and plans, but a role nonetheless.
Anyway, I was not feeling great, having a bit of an upset tummy, and proceeded to grump within myself about another few days off getting eaten up by this place's maintenance needs. After D2 had left for work, I proceeded to have a shower, so that I could get dressed and then go and discuss the matter with the-man-next-door in a civilised fashion. In the shower, I started by washing myself all over, just with water, which I always do prior to deciding where needs the bath gel and special skin wash. But then the water went off! It takes a moment or two to realise that the water has actually gone, and it is not just a hiccup in the supply, or an intermittent change in levels brought about by another water using device. It was off. Nothing else to do but get out and get dry. I was very grateful that I wasn't all soapy, but still started swearing out loud even though no-one else was home and also cursing the-man-next-door and thinking "you only had to come and knock on the door to tell me" etc.
But, having got dressed, I went outside and he wasn't there. A few minutes of thinking "well, you were in such a hurry to turn off the water, to do what? ... (and similar). But then he appeared and I said mildly "You turned off the water." (obvious but indisputable) to which he replied "Yes." I said (again, mildly) "I was in the shower." He then proceeded to apologise and said that I should have called out. I confirmed that I had sworn a bit and laughed. He then explained the misunderstanding; he had been expecting D2 to come back and let him know and when he saw both D3 and D2 leave, and he hadn't heard anything,he assumed I had gone to work and no-one was home. And he apologised another 104 times ...
So he came in and had a look at the source of the problem, and made a time on Friday afternoon to come and repair the hot water pipe, which we know is leaking. I don't believe that that is the only problem, but I really do have more faith in his abilities than the other guy who made attempts to cure "the leak" before. And I'm am feeling more optimistic about the house than I have felt for some time.
This morning I woke up late. I know 10 past 8 is not late in everyone's book, but it is in mine. After a moment or two of panic, I heard signs of life downstairs, and as I was venturing down I came across D3 and said "Ah I have independent children!" or something like that, which seemed to go down well.
So I ventured toward the kitchen to make coffee and saw the-man-next-door coming in the next door yard. He doesn't actually live next door, but owns the shop and the flat, and uses the downstairs bit out the back for his storage and workshop area. The back door was open (breach of privacy issues) and I was about to close it when I suspected that D2 was outside, which I confirmed with D3. Shortly after that I heard him say "Excuse me, Darlink ....."(didn't hear the rest) and I heard D2 respond in her best public contact/customer service voice (I am always impressed when I hear her make business phone calls or when I see her at work, and realise that it is also a distancing voice, because I know that she finds him somewhat creepy)saying something to the effect that she would check. When she came inside, she told me that he wanted to pinpoint where "the leak" was, and was asking if anyone was going to be home, and she asked me to let him know, because she didn't know what my plans were.
Now, anyone who follows the live journals of anyone in this family, knows "the leak" as a fully fledged member, now 2-3 years old, who plays a greater or lesser role in family activities and plans, but a role nonetheless.
Anyway, I was not feeling great, having a bit of an upset tummy, and proceeded to grump within myself about another few days off getting eaten up by this place's maintenance needs. After D2 had left for work, I proceeded to have a shower, so that I could get dressed and then go and discuss the matter with the-man-next-door in a civilised fashion. In the shower, I started by washing myself all over, just with water, which I always do prior to deciding where needs the bath gel and special skin wash. But then the water went off! It takes a moment or two to realise that the water has actually gone, and it is not just a hiccup in the supply, or an intermittent change in levels brought about by another water using device. It was off. Nothing else to do but get out and get dry. I was very grateful that I wasn't all soapy, but still started swearing out loud even though no-one else was home and also cursing the-man-next-door and thinking "you only had to come and knock on the door to tell me" etc.
But, having got dressed, I went outside and he wasn't there. A few minutes of thinking "well, you were in such a hurry to turn off the water, to do what? ... (and similar). But then he appeared and I said mildly "You turned off the water." (obvious but indisputable) to which he replied "Yes." I said (again, mildly) "I was in the shower." He then proceeded to apologise and said that I should have called out. I confirmed that I had sworn a bit and laughed. He then explained the misunderstanding; he had been expecting D2 to come back and let him know and when he saw both D3 and D2 leave, and he hadn't heard anything,he assumed I had gone to work and no-one was home. And he apologised another 104 times ...
So he came in and had a look at the source of the problem, and made a time on Friday afternoon to come and repair the hot water pipe, which we know is leaking. I don't believe that that is the only problem, but I really do have more faith in his abilities than the other guy who made attempts to cure "the leak" before. And I'm am feeling more optimistic about the house than I have felt for some time.