Sunday, December 09, 2007

If it isn't the roof, it is the other direction.

Well, the problem with water outside the sink and tub this time is not from the roof leaking. Today, we have the opposite problem, a clogged (and full) sewer line.

Richard was cleaning the bathrooms and ran out to find me when he saw a potential problem, the toilet started to bubble. He could not figure out why cleaning the sink made the bubbles pop up in the toilet when they were on other sides of the room and came running to get me (and I am very grateful he did it). I knew what the problem was.

The secondary sewage line cleanout in the basement.  This is one of three lines that go from the house, to the street.  Why there are three, I do not know, but I am very glad that the house is compartmentalized into three sections.I went down to the basement and checked. I thumped the pipes. They were full. All I could do it get everyone to help me move the boxes and such from that side of the house.

Richard and I ran the garden hose from outside to the basement and started opening the cleanout fitting. It was rather nasty emptying the contents of the lines onto the floor, but there was no choice. After dumping about 60 gallons on the deck and into the sump, we cleaned up everything by hosing it down.

There are three fans down there now, circulating the air to try and dry out the moisture caused by hosing down the concrete. This is not an unusual configuration for a sump pump.  It is rather pathetic in the design area.  The water runs continiously uphill to the exit fitting.  I need to repipe it to head up the wall on the left, then across and then down to the exit fitting.  That way, I believe it will not freeze when it gets real cold outside like it did last year.  The cold ran down the pipe and conducted the temp change to freeze the water.  The wall could also be consided a heat sink in the fact that it didn't get cold.The smell in minimal (by what Richard says) and should not be a problem. Not much was contaminated and only a couple of boxes should be needing a replacement.

Tomorrow, I will have to get a snake to clean out the line. I know the blockage is somewhere between the house and street. There is a cleanout just past the sidewalk and when I opened it up, was clear but the flow was a tiny trickle. Aside from a little contamination, I think we have done pretty well so far. Tomorrow's plumbing task will be the real mess with a big snake and all that implies.

I will also have to replumb the sump exhaust to a more manageable route. Currently, it all runs up hill to the exit pipe. That freezes up and we can not pump anything after that. If nothing else, this will give us an emergency pump in case this happens again this winter.


Thursday, December 06, 2007

Today's 'Fact of the holidays'

People wonder why I dislike the 'holiday season' so very much. Sure, my ex had a lot to do with it. As well as the bills, the constant barrage of 'Christmas sales', (See footnote number 1 below) 'Holiday commercials' and 'special television shows', Plus the need for some to 'out do the neighbors' in Christmas lights and decorations. These are just a few of the things that makes me want to throw up.

If your saying "get over it" or something along those lines, then go screw yourself. My life, my thoughts, my blog. You don't like it, don't read it. Even better, make up an 'Anti-Todd blog' to rebut me. I would be glad to read it.

Even company hold music is Christmas music.

I have had to be on hold for about 90 minutes earlier in the day and every time, there is Christmas music playing when I am on hold. I can't stand this anymore.

Of all places, I called the phone company 4 times today and yesterday to assure my voice mail was still working. Apparently, someone important had called to tell me that they didn't get an answer. I had to make sure it was set up correctly (after they updated the service a week ago). Well, after a 3 minute lecture on fixing static on my phone line by a recording, I spoke to a woman who put me on hold for 8 minutes, they subsequently transferred me to to someone else, who put me on hold for 12 minutes, who then transferred me to another person who either couldn't or wouldn't help me to get my voice mail fixed. This kind of thing makes me want to get rid of the phones all together. Of course I can't right now, but I sure would like to. (See Footnote #2)

Anyway, after yesterday and today's bout with the phone company, I had to endure about an hours worth of combined time with various doctors offices. All of them had this irritating jolly music that just made me more and more angry with every passing minute..

What ever happens, don't get sick this month!

A new billing period for Medical.

Isn't it just grand that the new billing period for your medical deductions starts on October 1st?!? That means that if anyone in the family is sick, you get the bill for the deductibles just in time for Christmas (when everyone else has broken your spirit and emptied your bank account. It is comforting to know that there are parents all around the country, just worrying themselves into an early grave because the kids got sick from some stomach virus they brought home from school before Halloween. Or maybe, they have to see the doctor because they just received a bill for the $3000 of the deductible cap for the 2008 fiscal year just after Thanksgiving. I guess you could call it a after dinner treat.

I know we received enough medical bills to crush any kind of thought of Christmas surprises for the kids. If that was not enough, I still have bills I know are coming from when I was injured at work and no one will pay. That in itself is a medical bill list to destroy my holiday spirit on it's own. Or should I say, 'Enough to suck the life blood from me, just as things looked their darkest."

Footnote #1: Christmas sales are BS since they could have sold the stuff at the discounted price, brought more people in and made up the difference in the first place. So, Stuff the 'Christmas sales'.

Footnote #2:The phone company is not the only one to provide phone service. Shoot, Walgreen's and Kroger sell prepaid cell service which works just as good. I will have to price everything this week to see who is best.

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Does the demise of Sears also equate to Craftsmen?

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Baby, it's cold outside!

Click me to enlarge the photo.Burrrrrrr......, today is cold. The temp is 17 degrees and the snow we had yesterday is now frozen.

The good part is that the kids are back to school today. Yesterday was a snow day for the elementary and middle school. They were happy, we didn't get anything done.

The weather (temp) is supposed to say below 30 for the remainder of the work week, but it should clear up a little by the start of next week.

Click the picture to get a larger version.


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Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Today's 'Fact of Life'

Now, this is the story of my life right now.

What is the use some times. It really is the little things that are the most helpful, or most destructive.

I just see this sight as my typical day right now. Yes, we have what is needed, but it seems that no one else can do their part to help out.

I wonder how long it will really be before everyone gets their act together and helps out?!?

I wonder a little more every day if the kids will ever clear their heads and see that every little thing they do to disrupt life around here (intentionally or not) really does have an impact on the whole.

I have to admit, that when I have to stop, do something trivial (like actually stopping to put the toilet paper on the holder), there is a big time delay in getting to the things that should matter.

I have to imagine I am 'beating a dead horse' here. But at least I am not keeping it all bottled up inside.

Thanks for reading.


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Monday, December 03, 2007

Today's 'Fact of Life'

"No matter how hard you work, how much dedication you put to a task, or how much you commit to something meaningful and just, there will always, always be someone there to kick you when your down."

Todd


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Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Bridget's Cat

Bridget needed a picture posted of her cat so we could use it for a user forum. It is a good picture.


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Friday, October 26, 2007

Family Watchdog

Family Watchdog, where you can find the people who live in your area.

Now here is a great site. On this site, you can view the offenders in your neighborhood and see what they were convicted of. Not too shabby.

I found this site on accident when I was looking for a person who had a DUI at work. But this is really good if you have children. You never know about your neighborhood when people don't talk to each other.


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Monday, October 01, 2007

Presenting the Flag

Richard and William were requested by the Mayor and members of the New Richmond Village Council to present the flag at the Village Council Meetings.

We all try and attend the meetings and try to be active in the Village government. The boys normally wear their uniform because it seems like the right thing to do.

I have to say that the boys have attended more council meetings over the last year, than 99% of the village residents have ever attended. On top of that, we have only lived here for just over a year and have only attended about 85% of the meetings, so that is saying a lot.

Richard and William Presenting the flag at the New Richmond Village Council Meeting

I am very proud of them for taking this responsibility. Hopefully, they will have enough experience to run for council when they reach 18. Who knows, they might be very political. They have opinions about a lot of the things that are discussed at the meetings. They even spoke to most of the candidates while at the Clermont County Fair and asked good questions there too. I like the sound of Senator Wuerdeman. Who knows what might happen!

Richard and William are members of BSA Troop 519 out of the Forrestville, OH American Legion Post.


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Beyond XM = Customer Service Nightmare

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