Today was challenging. After dropping Lori off at the airport I stopped by our office building in Fort Walton Beach to drop off some stuff that was cluttering up our new home. When I opened the front door, an avalanche of water came pouring out onto my flip flops. Oh boy…..
As I investigated, I found that a pipe had burst in the kitchen flooding the lobby, kitchen, bathrooms and all but three of the twelve offices. The inside was a lake.
I called an emergency water clean-up service but the soonest they could get out to help was a few hours. So, I rolled up my pants, kicked off my flip flops and got to work.
I spent the next four hours cleaning the water up as best I could. At my disposal were a weed blower (key), a broom, some sheets that were drapped over our furniture, some furniture pads, and a half dozen hand towels. To say I MacGyvered the situation is an understatement. Finally, after I got all 5e water up, the emergency water crew showed up. They then told me they would need to remove all the flooring in the building, take all the floor boards off and possibly remove some walls. We literally just out in the flooring.
How much will this cost? Twenty minutes later they quoted me a minimum of $50,000.
Feeling like I was at an oil change getting sold services I didn’t want or need, I said “Nah, that’s a hard pass. How about you boys turn some of those high powered fans on, finish what I started and call it a day!”
The guy calls his Supervisor. After fifteen minutes he hangs up and says, “We can do what your asking for $9000.”
My reply, “Looks like I’m just getting started then.”
He calls his Supervisor again. Another fifteen minutes goes by, which I spend cleaning up water. He says, “Tell you what. We’ll comp you a day and spend the next four days cleaning this up for $6800. How’s that sound?”
To which I quickly replied, “Sold……..you want my weed blower? I found it very effective.” Laughs all the way around. I spend the next two hours moving furniture back into the building while a virtual Armada of cleaners shows up.
Despite the nastiness of this little affair, I find myself grateful for three reasons. One, I had luckily stored all our things in the three rooms that the water didn’t flow into. It could have been much worse if we lost irreplaceable photo albums & a lifetime of keepsakes. Two, when I called my wife, she didn’t panic, and we came up with a great game plan on what to do with the building rather than haphazardly writing a blank check. As mold is sure to follow, we need one. Without getting into details, know that we are going to turn these watery lemons into a beautiful jug of tasty lemonade. I love my wife! Such a Badass! Three, after I got done cleaning, I looked down at my Fitbit and saw that I had set a new personal best of 27,893 steps! Woohoo!
Given that one of my top goals for 2022 is to lose five pounds a month, I’m pretty sure I did that today alone. What a work out. Beats going to the gym. I can barely move I’m so sore!
I end this day of unexpected unique moments with gratitude in my heart. What a day!
