The law of probability, as described by my father: “Seven accidents happen over the course of the week. The probability that all of them happen on the same day is seven times higher than having them happen once a day.”
I have no idea if it’s right, because I hated probability laws in school and I fought against them the way one fights against the most terrible injustice. But I can tell you that in the last two weeks:
- garbage disposal in the island had to be replaced
- baseboards in the kitchen have to be replaced. Delilah the Doberman is the culprit. She developed a charming habit of biting the water and then spitting it out. Gordon purchased a no-spill water dish, so we solved it, but baseboard is kaput
- chimneys had to be swept
- front door needs to be replaced
- Gordon’s PC suffered catastrophic disk failure. It’s always fun when you access the BIOS settings to see your boot options and the computer looks back at you and says, “HDD? What is HDD?” We bought a new PC because we are on a deadline and we have zero time to screw around with it.
- and the coup de grace, downstairs HVAC must be replaced. It is a huge bill, over $10,000, and they’ve been trying to install the new system since yesterday and it is clearly defective. We’re having a storm tomorrow. Right now we are heating the downstairs with the fireplaces.
I decided that Oliver has the right idea. I need a basket.
Also. The book sucks. Which is actually normal at this stage, but it’s not contributing to my sense of well-being in any way at the moment.
But such is life. 🙂 It can always be worse and I am glad it isn’t. And now that I have vented, I am going to get a glass of water and kidnap my husband for a long writing session.
Deary, I don’t know what to say. Holy crap? I’ve had the boo-hoos before but Never like that. Umm, how about I’ll simply wish you’ve had your share, and tomorrow gets better?
Yes, it could be worse, but my word you guys must have the buzzard of bad luck perched on your roof!!!
Wow, your bad luck runneth over! So sorry
It’s like The Money Pit except real. Wow. Hope things improve quickly.
‘Tis the season!
And the books Never suck, sweetheart. That’s a figment of your marvelous writers brain.
The Book Devouring Horde doesn’t commit yo just any random overlords, ya know.
True!
+1
We are here for you! If there is something we can do let us
Know
+1
+1
Yesterday was my sister’s birthday. She has a thing about blanket forts. (Also knitting blankets for stress relief. I am finally understanding this…) We were talking longingly of a New Year’s Eve party that was all about blanket forts and sleepovers and cats. (This sadly is probably not going to happen because of my relative broke-ness and career transition, though I might yet say hell with it and flee to the coast.)
So in addition to having a chocolate torte and sorbet and a bunch of antipasti delivered to her door, this is what I sent her yesterday. I kind of think we could all use more blanketforts right now.
(Also, our favorite aunt is in Maui, which is awesome for her, but there is more than a little jealousy involved from both of our northern climes.)
+1. Corn snow and sleet here.
…Of course only a few hours after I write this, I get a note from said same aunt, who hurt her knee hiking and is now having a fairly horizontal and medicated start to her Hawaiian vacation. Can I take back everything I said about jealousy?
I really think you should.
I so do!?????????? to my poor Aunt! (Okay, I’d sent that to her when I first heard she was there. I hope Uncle T is bringing her fruity drinks and good books.)
…really, half the jealousy is that my sister and I had been discussing a trip to Maui* and also down to Tuscon to spend time with aforementioned aunt. And here, it’s one of the nicer times of year in Tuscon, and she’s skiving off to Maui – ?? …I don’t even. And we’re not even there to wait on her and make a fuss of her.
* I’d even bought my first bikini… maybe ever?
LOL, I haven’t worn a bikini since I was maybe 17. Even Maui did not induce me to buy one, though I did get myself a lovely Speedo racerback for that trip. The tide pools on Maui are fabulous, so I do get the envy. We were watching a crab walk over a rock, when a little speckled moray maybe 20″ long popped out from under the rock and came a foot out of the water to grab the crab and disappear, just like that.
If I ever wore one it was well before puberty. I swam competitively from when I was a kid into my teens, and as far as I was concerned, swim suits were plain nylon speedos. …and as puberty progressed, that was amended to included “tight things that keep one’s breasts in place”. Seriously diving and larges breasts aren’t the best combination.
…and even when I’m down to the same weight as I was at sixteen (and I’m about twenty pounds above that now) I’m several cup sizes larger. So these days it’s mostly about seeking adequate support. Which is half of how I ended up buying the bikini – it looked like it would to a really good job, and it was on sale. I still think bikini bottoms are an accident waiting to happen, but I found a style I’m happy with, and that seem fairly secure. …we’ll see? I’ve danced with a bare midriff – not the least because it flipping hot and dancing made it more so – but that tended to be in dimly lit places. Exposing it under the sun might be a bit much, even with my general stompy “Fuck it, I’m not here to impress anyone,” approach to fashion.
Bikini bottoms are easily dislodged by high dives, I’m here to tell you. A word to the wise should be sufficient. Come to think of it, that may be why I haven’t worn one in 40+ years. Although it’s probably been 40 years since I went off a high dive too. For some reason.
Also, it had been a day of formatting hell.
The joys of home ownership.
+1. It really blows that it is happening during the holidays, which are stressful enough….
Hug, also apparently human sized baskets exist so maybe Gordon can get it for you for christmas/holidays
https://piximus.net/others/this-human-sized-nest-is-the-cure-for-the-common-couch
This is information worth knowing. Human sized baskets, for the day that you want to finally find the answer to why cats enjoy it so much.
I had a papasan chair in front of the non-sliding section of a sliding glass door which let in afternoon sunlight. Throw in a few pillows and it was the perfect place to enjoy the view, soak up the sun (so great during Minnesota winters which I escaped), nap, read and cuddle with my cat who graciously allowed me to share her basket. Woe to anyone else. Pier One has papasans, swingasans and sunasans.
Oliver is gorgeous. Despite the multiple problems you’ve had, your home seems so welcoming and, it seems contradictory since it is a big house, cozy.
I’m having a rotten year and besides the priceless gift of escape into your worlds and discovery of the BDH, finding your blog and seeing how you and Gordon keep on going is inspirational. Thank you so much.
Buy two and invert one over the other. Wicker Chicken, anyone?
That looks big enough for at least 2!
Fingers crossed it gets better soon x
::hugs:: Well, get it out of the way before Christmas!!!
Just think… if the book didn’t suck at this point you’d be wondering when the other shoe would drop. Keeping my fingers crossed that the day will get better.
I’m sorry that you seem to be catching some of my luck. I hope that your luck turns around soon.
Katrina
I love the look Oliver is giving you. Its clearly “find your own basket silly human.”
I hope that everything is fixed asap and the week ends on a better note 🙂
Screw the basket! Have a drink! On a beach! ???
…On the other hand, none of you are sick! Yay!?! ??
We didn’t know it, but we wound up being very happy the previous owners of our house were lazy and left a waterhog rug that we put the 3 gallon water bowl. Between the the toddlers playing in it and the cats that believe that to mothership is in the bottom of the bowl, it’s been a lifesaver.
I have 2 waterhog mats, and they’re great. ?
+1 We have them for the pet bowls and at each door. Really an excellent product. It will not, however, prevent a Doberman from spitting on the baseboard.
Adulting is hard. I feel the pain.
My sympathies on everything going wrong at once. Also, Oliver is adorable! First guarding Batty’s food the other day, and now the basket scenes. Thanks for sharing him with us.
Sorry about house infrastructure issues. I always reminded myself there was a reason the prior owners moved.
In the last three years, we have had to place two HVAC units (old house, no access across remodeling barriers) several appliances, rework ducts for bathroom exhaust, AND tent for termites. These are times that provide a strong argument to move and let the new owners deal with it all. HAHAHAHAHA.
I will pray for you. ❤️
Ugh! I’m so sorry. It sucks when life knocks you over and then kicks you a few times. I hope your luck turns around. Stay warm and healthy ❤️
My personal experience with Gordon’s computer issue is that, almost always, an update installed and screwed everything up. Then I follow my friend’s instructions to access windows, uninstall it, restart, and everything is fine. (This happened to me a few times.) I got tired of it so I disabled automatic updates and no more problems again.
Remember – this too shall pass! And no matter how much you think the book is bad, it always ends up being that much better than the last book. I’ve lost track though – which are you concentrating on now – Hugh 2 or Catalina 1 (how I’m naming them in my head..)? And wishing you a Joyeux Noël from the Great White North.
Here, have a mental umbrella…
You are loved and appreciated by many. Thank you for all that you do.
Omg when you have a bad day. You have a bad day. Oliver is right.
Have fun with your hubby.
Taking care of a house is a constant fight against death, disease and rot. Like humans.
Just keep your go-to names up to date, ask for recommendations, and always presume there will be $$$$ to pay to fix something all the time.
Still: Christmas is coming and some joy will occur. Be brave.
After last year – they moved, misplaced presents, general horribleness – I’m thinking with all the current fiascos it is still MILES better this year.
I am so sorry about all of it. If you lived in South Carolina, you would be protected as a home purchaser for a certain time after buying. I hope your string of bad luck is over.
Your books never suck. Oliver is gorgeous! I hope this is the last in the run of bad luck and everything takes a turn for the better now!?
I REALLY don’t understand why Americans have garbage disposals (or why your bad things don’t come in threes like normal people ?)
hahaha, I *LOVE my garbage disposal. Not having one when I grew up, of course, Mom always tasked me with dish duty. (Brothers got out of certain things, being boys)…and there was this moment when it was time to clean the drain of all the disgusting bits of food… with bare hands. It was horrifying and gag-inducing. 🙂
I think the 7s are for Russians? She said it was from her father, and in my family, it comes in 3s, lol.
-Tiffany
Ilona is Russian American now, troubles should probably come in fives ?
Fingers crossed! 3s are bad enough as it is!
-Tiffany
LOL Not all of us have garbage disposals. Some of us have compost heaps. Much quieter.
And more useful in the long run
TV HAS LIED TO ME!
Who’d have thunk it?
Does this mean Americans don’t drive around in massive trucks and SUVs, and drive sanely sized cars like the rest of the world? ?
Please. We know you have trucks in Oz. Mad Max, hello? Those of us who haul hay regularly do have pickup trucks, yes.
Although tbh, there are definitely people here who drive vehicles they don’t need. I once overheard a guy at a party humble-bragging that he had felt compelled to buy himself a yellow Hummer. I avoided him for the rest of the night. I could not think of a single thing to say to someone who would do that.
Not a single polite thing, anyway, except possibly “Bless your heart.”
Kid 1 drives a H2. 🙂
🙂
Is it yellow?
“Food scraps range from 10% to 20% of household waste,[18] and are a problematic component of municipal waste, creating public health, sanitation and environmental problems at each step, beginning with internal storage and followed by truck-based collection. Burned in waste-to-energy facilities, the high water-content of food scraps means that their heating and burning consumes more energy than it generates; buried in landfills, food scraps decompose and generate methane gas; a greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change.[19]
The premise behind the proper use of a disposer is to effectively regard food scraps as liquid (averaging 70% water, like human waste), and use existing infrastructure (underground sewers and wastewater treatment plants) for its management. Modern wastewater plants are effective at processing organic solids into fertilizer products (known as biosolids), with advanced facilities also capturing methane for energy production.[20][21]” – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage_disposal_unit
Google is your friend. 🙂
You have all my sympathy. Three years ago my furnace (no ac ) went out during the Polar Vortex. I was unemployed at the time. My generous ex-husband came to my rescue, but I had to wait a week for installation. Incandescent lights near all the basement pipes, a ceramic heater, and three German Shepherds on the bed.
Hence the term Three Dog Night.
Oh my, feeling your pain and we’re only renting at the moment. The week we moved in, we discovered that some type of gnawing critters had invaded via a rotted board. It’s been a month and our property management company can’t seem to get their act together to eradicate the unwanted guests and repair the siding.
Fingers crossed that your spate of maintenance is now over until at least the new year. I agree with everyone who said that your books never suck.
You cat is beautiful. Is he a Maine Coon?
Oh I thought you were going to say you adopted the stray cat. My sympathies especially with the hvac. We did get a tax break with ours but I don’t know if that still applies.
You’ve had quite a year. Try to relax and give yourselves time for December Want you to destress and stay healthy.
Sorry for your bad day!! Thank you for sharing Oliver’s pix – he is a very handsome guy!
I know your doggie bowl pain. I have one dainty drinker and one slob! Hardwood floors and water…no bueno.
I hope your week gets better…and the book only sucks because you’re not finished! It will be wonderful when you’re done….just like everything else. Take a chill pill (or a really big drink) grab the hubs and stage a mock fight scene. It will be a good stress relief….=D
Cat in a basket, perfect! Hope things improve for you. You always exceed our expectations, so keep doing what you are doing, as it is done well!
I thought for a minute the header of the column was when it rains it “purrs”.
Sending good vibes. Hope luck turns around for you soon.
Or a glass of wine.
I’m a college student and this and the next are my final weeks. Everything is due and study must occur at the same time.
I already had my glass of wine.
You too, huh? Fun times ahead for us students!
-Tiffany
We are sorry you are having so many troubles, and right before the holidays. How can we, the BDH, help?
You just re-enforced by decision not to buy a house anytime soon.
When something goes wrong, I like being able to call my landlord and wash my hands of the problem, lol.
I hope everything gets better. I grew up with wood heat so I know it’s effective. Just be careful it doesn’t get to hot or it’ll melt your candy canes. My brothers and I did that one Christmas. LOL
Your books could never suck. Damn, you are sucking a bunch of lemons right now. Breathe deep, have a margarita or 3 and feel free to vent to us. Hoping stuff improves soon.
Cheer up!
AWW, love to Oliver! He has the right idea for sure!!
Sorry about the HVAC, ugh. I hate being cold. Hope that sorts out soon. quite an ouch with that bill.
I think Pier 1 has those cushiony chairs that are like baskets, haha….with your high ceilings, I think you could do it.
A couple of things:
A)your books do not “suck”. Never, ever could you and Gordon possibly *write* a book that sucks. (Well…unless it’s about a vacuum. But I digress.)
B)having to replace the HVAC in winter *does* suck, especially before Christmas. Thank God for fireplaces.
C)You had the chimneys swept, which obviously makes you omniscient, considering B. Nice!
You’re allowed to be a basket case (literally!) if you want to. Some days we just don’t want to adult. Hugs to you and yours, and may the rest of the month be nicer to you.
Well that list sucks! However, we know your book does not. May need some work but does not suck 🙂
We had to replace our central air conditioner for our 900 sq ft apartment in NYC. First it took WEEKS to find someone who would fix it. Nobody wants to do residential – commercial properties make more money. It was during the middle of summer. So HOT. So expensive. $11k. Sigh 🙁
There must be a conspiracy where laptops and other electronics manufacturers program them to die out in December so that people will do more holiday shopping. My laptop wouldn’t turn on the other night. Finally had to reset it. Fingers crossed it will last a while longer.
Oliver is a cutie. I found the best cure all is having a cat lay purring on your chest. 😉
Ohhhh man. I saw the thumbnail with the kitty, and was worried something happened to them. I’m sorry you’re having so much trouble, but at least everyone is okay. Silver lining, Author Lords, silver lining!
-Tiffany
A long writing session…..is that what the kids are calling it these days? *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge*
Good luck and I hope things get better for you.
That was my first thought too, “writing” is the new word for…..
Oh good, I thought my mind was just in the gutter! Nice to know it wasn’t just me, rofl.
-Tiffany
That is a run of seriously bad luck. You definitely need a basket, but it needs a nice comfy cushion. Oliver is a beautiful cat ?
Things in baskets on my kitchen counter are food or food prep items. Oliver better keep his eyes open!
Good gods. I am speechless.
?❤️
Hope your day gets better. Home maintenance and upkeep always sucks. Good day for soup or stew ?