Monday, October 5, 2009

It all started with a book shelf

It all started with a bookshelf.

I wanted it to go from looking like this:


To looking like this:


Much better, right? So on Friday, I went into my storage unit to retrieve the bookshelf. It's important to note that my condo and storage unit are both on the 2nd floor. I walked into my storage unit and had a super delayed response. My brain said:

"Self, are we starting in about a 1/2 inch of water?"


Yes, indeed I was. Now I am used to dealing with flooding because I grew up in the Red River Valley and our basement flooded a few times. I'll never forget the morning my mom came down to wake us up for school and discovered that our carpet was floating on inches upon inches of water.

But, stupidly, I thought I had left those flooding days behind. Especially since I live on the 2nd floor. Wrongo batman. Apparently when they turned the heat on yesterday, something went wrong, which resulted in lots o' water in my storage unit.

Fan-freaking-tastic. Luckily most of my stuff was in plastic bins, but I did have a box of books and a box of sheets/mattress pads that were sitting in the water. 2 books were damaged and I had to throw out a mattress pad. Not terrible - it could have been much worse. But still super annoying.

So my condo went from looking super clean and spacious, to looking like this:

That's the majority of what is in storage. The building manager kept telling other residents that he hoped they didn't have 'that much stuff' in their storage units. I personally don't think that is alot. 3 of those bins have Christmas stuff, and most of the boxes are actually empty, just waiting for the day that I can sell this place and start to pack up.

So yah, this little fiasco threw a curve ball at me so I didn't get the rest of my to do list done - it took quite a while to move all those boxes (and some other boxes that aren't in the picture) from my storage unit into my condo.

And I was already in an epically bad mood to start with since my Home Depot shopping experience that morning was 'pleasant', as usual. I walked in, asked where I could find the laminate floor putty, and was given a 10 minute pitch on how I should remodel my kitchen. Um, yah. I own a depreciating asset that has tanked in value so much as it is, I really don't feel like putting even more money into it. Oh, and the person delivering the pitch was like a toned down version of Micheal Scott. He got uber excited when he described how I could have glass doors on one of my cupboard to display - wait for it - wine glasses!! I wanted to say - calm the hell down, sir. No one is that excited about a glass display door on a cabinet.

Oh, and when I said no thanks, he walked away and didn't answer my initial question. And then I finally found what I was looking for, but they didn't have the color of putty that I needed, so I had to go to a 2nd Home Depot store.

So yah, Friday was pretty craptastic.

But I am lucky that I went into my storage unit on Friday because more damage would have been done if my stuff had sat in the water for days, weeks, etc.

So that was the conclusion of my stay-cation. Today is my first day back at work and I am so excited! I kind of feel like it's my first day of school - I have been thinking about my outfit selection for days now!

I'm sure I'll be back tomorrow to let you know how it goes!!

So tell me about your weekend! Did you do anything fun!

13 comments:

Nicole said...

That all does sound pretty craptastic, as you put it. My weekend consisted of directing drunk tailgaters to the bathroom for a work event and yelling at them when they went roaming about the building. Aparently no one can read signs that say "DO NOT ENTER." So yeah, loads of fun.

Good luck at the job. I hope it's great. I'm like you and like to pick out my outfit ahead of time too when I'm going to something new.

Becky said...

Oh.em.gee. That sucks sucks sucks about your storage unit - so sorry about that! I agree that is not much stuff at all, but thank goodness you went in there when you did!

Ugh. Home Depot. I could live without any of those home improvement stores. Why is it you always seem to come out more stressed than when you went in?

Hope you have a great first day at your new job! Can't wait to hear about it!

Mandy said...

Oh no! That does sound like a bad day. I am glad that you discovered the water before the damage was too bad. Best of luck today!

Over the weekend I went to an October fest and caught up with my best friend who was in from out of town and a friend from high school I hadn't seen in years.

Oh said...

what is it with us? we LOVE looking at pictures of books and bookshelves - no kidding!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know you have an "award" over at my blog if you want to stop by!

BTW, oh yes, great weekend.

Abby said...

Oh my goodness, Lisa! I had no idea you had such a rough awful horrifying Friday!! You would never expect to get water in your home living on the 2nd floor. You poor thing!!! How frustrating.

I agree with you on Home Depot. That place is awful. I always feel like I'm going to get hit by one of those big beeping bobcat things carrying boxes too! Plus, in Tucson everyone at Home Depot speaks spanish. Therefore, being woman and Caucasian makes you feel really really at the odds!!

Anyways, good luck today--and I home everything is getting back to normal!!

Anonymous said...

Man, that sounds more like shit-tastic than craptastic. I'm glad you were able to salvage most things, and no, that's not much stuff to have in a storage unit at all.

Hope the first day goes well!

Amber said...

Oh no! What a crappy end to your vacay. Boooo!

That really sucks about the water, BUT on the bright side, you didn't lose too much stuff. And thank goodness you DID go in there on Friday or it could have been way worse!!

Stupid Home Depot - I never go there without Eric!

Good luck at your new job today!! SOOOO excited for you and can't wait to hear how it goes!! XO

Little Fish said...

So glad I live on the 14th floor!

Lisa-Marie said...

If i go near B&Q, which is our version of Home Depot, It is only ofr things I know I can find immediately. Otherwise Dave goes. I hate the place!

Also, I understand your annoyedness about having the boxes in your flat. We still have packing boxes everywhere, an it's v annoying!

I hope your first day was AWESOME!

Anonymous said...

Hey Lisa- I was kinda snooping and found your link to your blog through your Goodreads website; I thought I'd stop by and say "hi"

I'm sorry about the water; that really sucks. That's the worst part about condo/townhome living-- when things like this happen, everything gets referred to management, who doesn't always care to take a walk in someone else's shoes.

Good luck with the new job- I hope all goes well.

Shoshanah said...

That's pretty awful about the water, but at least nothing was major was lost. And if you're on the 2nd floor and had water, I'm hoping the 1st floor wasn't too bad!

Kelly said...

Wow, that is terrible! But I'm glad you caught it before it was way too late. On a positive note, your bookshelf looks great!

Anais said...

Woah that sucks :( You're lucky not too much stuff got damaged! And I recognize those Christmas bins, I have the same ;) They're awesome! ( I just love the color coordination lol).

And good job on the shelves! Your little library looks beautiful :D