BS: I need to whine

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Becca72
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 08:06 PM

LOL...I'll keep my stuff in the car. It's not like Seamus will protect me, either.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 07:52 PM

Becca, my love, you will be spending two nights alone with Alice. A word of warning - leave nothing NOTHING on the floor to attract her. A scarf across the back of a chair is fair game. Ask Micca...
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 05:44 PM

Sins - I saw her and thought of you - truly!!!

Hope she brings a smile to your face occasionally, despite the floating kitty poop and soggy stuff.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 05:26 PM

In UK, a pump carrying sewage to the Seafield treatment works failed last Friday and more than 100m litres of raw sewage was discharged into the Firth of Forth in Scotland....

Hope things are getting better for you, Sins!

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Becca72
Date: 23 Apr 07 - 07:57 PM

Tami, LOL. Poor Alice gets no respect.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: GUEST,SINS at work
Date: 23 Apr 07 - 03:22 PM

Liz - did I ever thank you or that truly hideous flamingo in high heels? Thank you. She (I assume it is a she) is nestled in my kitchen.

The kitty litter is disgusting. I toosed out three litter boxes and shoveled out most of the washed out litter. Now i am trying to dry the rest so I can vacuum, bleach and treat with nature's Miracle. it stinks down there.

Thanks Art, i will. New fence, new dehumidifer, new washer, clean basement. Two weeks from now I won't vn remembe this.

SINS, grateful for the chance to whine.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Apr 07 - 05:25 AM

What, only nuns, no flamingoes?

At least they'd swim....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: artbrooks
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 10:32 PM

SINS, I suppose that it is entirely inappropriate to talk about our warm and dry climate, so I won't. I've been watching this, but haven't really had anything to say except to express an additional pair of condolences. By now, you have started the backbreaking work of getting it all straightened out again, and I (almost) wish we were there to lend a hand or several.

The only thing that I really have to contribute is a minor bit of advise: look carefully for hidden damage, document everything, and submit it all to the insurance company, even if you are sure they won't pay. When my parents' house in Florida had hurricane damage, my mother didn't notice until she smelt the mildew that a hole in the roof had been directly over her cedar chest, and her winter coats had been basically destroyed. An insurance claim and subsequent denial is excellent documentation for claiming a tax loss...IRS calls it a "casualty loss deduction".

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: ranger1
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 09:20 PM

Give a call if you need us, Mary. Jason is laid off and I've got Monday and Friday off this week. Will work for food. And are you sure it was the water and not Alice?

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 08:56 PM

Nothing would surprise me about what insurance companies will not pay.....nowadays, as soon as I put someone under contract for a house, I tell them to check on insurance IMMEDIATELY.....since 9.11 they seem to have been terrified to insure anything.

We actually stayed dry....but I feel so guilty about all those who didnot.........; and I am crap at shovelling soggy kitty litter as you probably could guess!!!

See you at Woodchuck's Revenge (late but I'll be there.....) - let us know if we can help in any way.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 07:29 PM

So, when is the Cleaning Party?

Damn insurance companies anyway. I've been known to pitch a hissie fit in my agent's office. Worth a try.....they might pay just to shut you up. Then you could be a legal precedent.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 06:45 PM

AWWWW Deborah - I was talking about heavy manual labor. They have hefted air conditioners, repaired furnaces, moved furniture, loaded trucks for the dump, shovelled snow, repaired fences multiple times, installed light fixtures, repaired plumbing, etc.

You and Tom are the household slaves who tend to the cooking and serving. I will start another thread for you if you like. heh heh How are you at shovelling soggy kitty litter?

Love,
Mary

PS Goddamn dehumidifiers! One conked out before the storm. The other refused to dehumidify after the storm. So I bought another, hauled it into the basement, set it up and on. Then in frustration I kicked the old one. Needless to say it turned on. SIGH!


PPS I don't see how the insurance companies get away with not paying. This damage was caused by the power outage which killed the sump pump. I too am debating whether or not to get flood insurance. This was bad enough but I could have lost the furnace too.

Did you stay dry, Deborah?

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 06:34 PM

Flood is normally covered by contents or buildings insurance in the UK. Sometimes both, in which case you have to argue about what insurance lawyers call "average".

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Bert
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 05:42 PM

I found out the hard way that extra flood insurance doesn't pay out for a regular storm. Has to be a rising river of something. Check the fine print before you cough up the extra premium.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 05:04 PM

Sinsull - not nice. Because of being a realtor I have had so many calls from clients reporting in on similar situations. One client called me in tears asking if I had any thoughts to offer (I wish I could have answered her question. I do know from this point forward I am advising all my clients to pay extra for a flood rider on their insurance policy -- it is one of those things you just assume are covered but without the rider, you are S.O.L.

It puts our being out of power for 12 hours back in proportion .... the willow lost some huge branches but they obligingly stayed away from the garage roof.

I found the weather very frightening.....it put we poor mortals in our place quickly!!

I forgive you for mentioning Jacqui, Kendall, Tami and Jason as friends and omitting the TruBrit and partner!! I still love you.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 05:01 PM

Sinsull-

Happy to hear that your roof held out this time and no more major tree limbs attacked your house.

This last nor-easter was a real whip-snorter!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Tinker
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 04:13 PM

No, we have no carpeting as we have a housefull of folks excessively allergic to dust mites. As you've seen I occaisionally get behind on the laundery and for the same dust mite reasons the boys often leave their laundry downstairs away from the bedrooms --- it all had to be rewashed. Luckily it's beautiful today and the windows are all open.

IF I could only refresh the budget as easily...

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: curmudgeon
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 12:47 PM

You certainly have our sympathies, Mary. All we had to deal with was a coupple days without power and the quest for new and creative routes to home while the major raods were washed out.

Be well and optimistic - Tom

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 11:33 AM

Tink,
Micca and I were just wondering about how you are doing. I will raise a glass of single malt to you tonight. Is there carpeting down there? YUCK!
And now for the mold allergies...
I could easily have run away from home this week.
Mary

PS When does hurricane season start?
M

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Tinker
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 09:10 AM

SINSULL -- we need to share a stiff drink. Even plastic crates float and tip at half height water !!! The furnace and water heater although elevated need new thermocouplers and given the demand here in Jersey a stiff service call. But we did salvage half a week of vacation where I got to nurture a grand new sinus infection.

I vote with the enough already cry


Tink

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: MBSLynne
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 08:19 AM

Awww Sins! How awful. I do sympathise.

(((((((((((((((((((((Sins))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: RangerSteve
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 07:01 AM

It's a good thing you sent me that commemorative whiskey bottle for safe-keeping. I'd hate to think of it being lost in the flood. I't still here, so if you need to redecorate, I'll reluctantly part with it. If I can find it. I think it's still under my couch in the living room.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: bfdk
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 05:08 AM

Sorry to hear about all your trials and tribulations, Sins. Wish I could pop over and lend a helping hand in the cleaning up.. Oh, well, distance doesn't permit that, so instead consider yourself hugged :-)

Best of luck with the cleaning up process, I hope no irreplaceable items were lost in the flooding.

Best wishes,

Bente

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 11:39 PM

Furnace was wisely placed on higher ground. No furnace problems. It seems the biggest loss is the washer and I am due for a new one anyway.
Just tired of dealing with mini-dramas. I need a break or a real crisis.
heh heh
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Bert
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 10:44 PM

Yonks ago in England we had a big rainstorm.

The whole town was flooded so I set off on foot to check on my friend Syd who lived a mile or so away on lower ground.

Very soon the water came over my wellies and I was squelching with every step. I kept on going, knowing that he was lower still.

Then the water came up to my chest and I was a little concerned 'cos I can't swim.

I kept on going, not thinking that I would be able to get there. But strangely the water didn't get any higher.

I finally reached his house and the water was a couple of feet deep.

They were all still alive and well, but not too happy 'cs the water had brought up the sewage and the turds were floating around in his living room.

We went to sleep upstairs and started cleaning up in the morning.

They were alive and well which was all we cared about.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Bee
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 10:10 PM

I'd be whining too. I've dealt with the aftermath of fire (awful), but there was minimum flood involved, excepting everything being soaked from firehoses. Yuck.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 10:05 PM

Hey, at least it's just the basement and NOT the entire house. You can do this. Call a friend. Or several. Good advice from Richard too.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: kendall
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 09:42 PM

I wish I had known you had lost your power. You have a backup generator and I know how to operated it.
What about your furnace?

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: maeve
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 08:37 PM

We Serve No Whine Before Its Time...

I'd say this one was overdue.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Midchuck
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 08:20 PM

If your junk is wet and has to be thrown out, we, and many other 'Catters, I would assume, will gladly send you more junk.

More seriously, let us know if there's anything we can do at a distance.

Supposed to be a couple days of freakishly warm weather coming up. Good for drying, at least.

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Janie
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 06:42 PM

Yucko Sins. So sorry.

Unlike Amos, I'm a little disappointed in the whine. I think you can do better. For only $19.99 plus postage and handling, I'll be glad to send to you my newly released instructional CD called "Learn to Whine Like You Mean it."

{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 06:33 PM

Thanks, Richard. This is a basement used mainly for laundry and storage. Concrete floor. Very little on the floor. Wet laundry and the scattered used kitty litter are the main problems. I will speak with my insurance agent on Monday about possible getting a professional clean-up. I do not have flood insurance but this was caused by the power outage so I may be covered. More mess and inconvenience than anything. And fortunately, this was not sewerage but rain and melting snow. Mold is my main problem.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 06:23 PM

If power is back it may be worth hiring a dehumidifier. Shut it in each affected room for a week (emptying the collection chamber every day. Otherwise you WILL have mould problems. THe electricity bill will be astronomical, but do it.

Lift carpets before doing this. If there has been sewerage in the carpet, junk, otherwise lay on reasonably dry surface and wash like hell - then put back in drying room with things to keep off the floor. Chuck underlay and replace.

Bedding and clothing should wash and dry. Record sleeves treat like books - keep the vinyl or CDs away from drying heat, and if contaminated wash with clean running water and pat dry. Tapes - sorry, not much chance. Too bloody long to hang out to dry, and the water between each turn of tape will cause problems. Professional recovery needs to be done at once and is very dear. Books are a major problem.

Tools - wood will usually dry OK, don't rush it too much. Metal may corrode, but can be oiled and saved if not left too long.

Electrical items can be dangerous. Insurance companies will usually condemn them on suspicion, but they speak with forked tongue. Dry reasonably fast (dehumidifier is good) and test wearing rubber gloves!

Some repairs may be needed, and integrated circuits are vulnerable - but my last flood, the insurers condemned a powered mixing desk, I took the money, then I bought it back from them (for pennies) as scrap, turned it on and it worked perfectly and is still doing so today. Another mixing desk needed £20 of repairs. They were ready to scrap high-poer PA speakers where teh wood only had got wet, but I was too honest and told them! Still using them too.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 06:13 PM

LOL, good idea, Whiz! And we did this due to a sewer back up in the basement last March. Lost 2 dogs to it. We used pure Clorox then found out later we didn't need to at all. If you don't feel safe, use a couple capfuls per gallon, but it doesn't need to be strong enough to burn and dry out your hands.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 06:12 PM

Any money sent will be forwarded to Max. Do Not, I repeat, DO NOT send money. I am financially fine, employed full time and have multiple friends who help me out with repairs, especially Jacqui, Kendall and Tami and Jason. I also have insurance covering the damage.

You can however continue to hide little nuns about the place. That I find amusing.

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 05:42 PM

Like SINS, I open my home for Mudcat events.

Like SINS (as far as I know), I have never charged for people to stay.

Now she's having this trouble.

I would sure be tempted, if I had ever stayed with Mary, to send her a little something right about now. I bet if I checked with her first, she'd turn it down. (I would too.)

In that case, I'd do the same thing to her that I do to my sister when I stay with HER and she won't take a contribution-- I hide the gratefulbucks somewhere I know she will find them, like under the extra roll of TP. And if she doesn't like it-- screw her!

:~)

No jury would convict me.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 05:22 PM

Hey.....Suppose you had moved to a rural community in the foothills and the only water around was a meandering little creek? Then one day a major rainstorm produces this tiny tidbit of knowlwedge unknown to you..........This is a floodplain.

So we threw a lot of shit out and became older and wiser......and a bit less encumbered by all that crap we thought we couldn't live without..................

Smile......Buy a lot of Chlorox......and plan ahead for the next time.

Karen and I love ya'!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 05:10 PM

That's what the extreme weather tavern thread was for... so there's a virtual mug of something soothing waiting there for you.

Hope all gets sorted, take care dear.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 04:55 PM

LOTS of Sympathy and hugs {{{{{{{{{{SINS}}}}}}}}} from this side of the pond too !!

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 04:42 PM

WOW! I thought you meant Seamus Kennedy and that I had missed an earlier thread.

Thanks for all the advice. Luckily most of my stuff was off the floor or in plastic bins. Ironically we had just moved a bunch of stuff in cardboard downstairs to get it out of Kendall's motor home.
I can clean it easily enough and hope the insurance will replace the washer. Thanks for the tips on the amount of bleach. I had planned to empty bottles down there.

Just had had enough and needed to vent. I appreciate the sympathy and advice.

SINS

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 04:34 PM

Don't even go there. . .

What was in those cardboard boxes? If you don't remember, maybe chucking them without looking inside might be the best bet.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: gnu
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 03:49 PM

Well, Seamus is a friendly dog, so....

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Amos
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 03:48 PM

Gnu:

What a vile thing to wish on a friend, indeed. I don't even want to imagine it!


A

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: gnu
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 03:38 PM

My sympathies, SINS. Wish I was close by and could pitch in to help with the cleanup. Maybe you could have a combined song and cleanup circle?

Amos... naughty! I hope Seamus bites your anus next chance.

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 03:37 PM

Are there any locust headed yer way? Sheesh, Sins! How about a big {{{{HUG}}}} and a bottle of something to help it all go down? At least the kitty litter is replaceable and you and they are okay, right? Take care and continue the whine if you need to, darlin'...luvyabuncheskat

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 02:52 PM

Life's a bugger isn't it! We lost our garage in the January storms (roof wobbled up and down and walls colapsed under it)and of course we kept all sorts of junk in there including toys tools etc. Some were savable others have been consigned to the great tip in the sky. We thought we could store some of it in the shed but discovered that had been leaking and a lot of books stored in - yes you've guessed cardboard were damp. Again some were fit for nothing except disposal but we brought some into the house and treated them with anti fungal spray and dried them out between layers of kitchen paper. We now have most of the contents of both shed and garage in our living and dining rooms but thankfully apart from a £100 excess (deductable) a new garage is almost complete and we can have our home back. I hope you get your stuff sorted soon, Sins we'll be thinking of you.
Love Jane and Geoff

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: maeve
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 02:51 PM

" Bet yer song circle buddies will come over and help if you buy the beer."

Or if you ask us to...No beer required!

(((Sinsull)))

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Amos
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 02:47 PM

That's an excellent domestic whine, SINS. Round-bodied, flavorful, but with a faintly bitter after-taste, no pretensions and appropriate for chicken as well as beef.

Well done.

A

Subject: RE: BS: I need to whine
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 02:31 PM

There's a five dollar charge for whining...

Oh you poor thing. First, get the water out. Then, if you can bear to part with it, toss all the soggy stuff you can starting with the cardboard boxes. Go get some plastic tubs with lids. Clean each item as you repack it in the tubs.

Get as much STUFF out of the house/room as you can. Start at the top with a mild soap and bleach solution. It doesn't take much bleach to be a sanitizer--about a capful (NOT a 'splash') in a gallon of warm water. Sponge mop or Swiffer the walls without getting them too wet. Just damp. As you work around the room, move the stuff that couldn't be put in a diff place or tossed.

Then, do the floors. After each section of floor is clean, clean the items that go in/on that spot. As you move stuff back into the room (from another room, or pref. outside) clean it.

How many rooms involved? Just the bedroom, or the whole house?

Bet yer song circle buddies will come over and help if you buy the beer. I'd come help if I could. NO booze til after the Cleaning Party tho!!

(Did you learn not to store important, keep able stuff in cardboard? Smile....)

Subject: BS: I need to whine
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 02:23 PM

In the first Nor'easter, my roof leaked and damaged the bedroom. Insurance covered the roof but not the flooding. In the second, a huge tree limb fell causing a mess and expense. Now, in this last one, I lost power and the sump pump went out. About a foot of water washed in. I just had a chance to assess the damage - the kitty litters filled and washed all over. Everything in cardboard stinks. I don't know how to thoroughly clean the mess. AND the washing machine went up in a blaze of glory when I turned it on. The fences finally died and I had them taken down thinking that with my deductible it made no sense to call the insurance company. Five years without a claim and now my second in a month.

I know that people in Maine lost homes and lives this time 'round. And in a month none of this will mean anything. But today I just sat down and snivelled.

Whine over...thank you for your attention.

SINS