We’ve had some big time rain in the last several days. When we had that dry stretch, the thought went through my mind…we should get the drain snake out and make sure the roots aren’t encroaching in the French drain around our house. That’s what the gutters drain into, and if we don’t keep it free and clear, we can easily end up with water in the basement. We’ve been diligent about it since last fall, but the last time we did it was just before we went to the beach in April. Needless to say, there’s been some root growth and our procrastination bit us in the butt yesterday.

I bought a water sensor several months ago. It is connected to our weather center that I bought Mr. FixIt a few years ago. The sensor sits on the cement floor by the door and as soon as it detects water, it sends a text to my phone to let me know. That’s great, except for one thing. I have notifications turned off except for emergencies and I forgot to include the sensor as an emergency! *shaking my head*

We kinda slept in yesterday. At about 9:30, I looked at my phone and there was an alarm notification for 4:00am! I jumped up and found Mr. FixIt and told him the basement was wet. We both went down and fortunately, it wasn’t bad at all. But that drain was certainly plugged up. We set up the sump pumps and got them going to try to get ahead of the game. 

I didn’t feel well yesterday. I keep getting this pain between my shoulder blades and some pressure in my chest so yesterday was the day I decided to get it checked. After tests and an EKG, we decided it’s a combination of stress and my hyperparathyroidism. Both can cause symptoms that mimic a heart attack and after watching Mr. Virgo die, I don’t take chances. I came back home and rested in the afternoon and felt much better by dinner time.

Pork chops, baked potatoes, and fresh steamed asparagus is just what I needed to start eating a more balanced diet. Once I did the dishes, I went downstairs and the two of us worked on the drain. We ran the drain snake down and when it hit the spot that was clogged, the water just drained down so nice. We ran a hose down and flushed it out for ten minutes for good measure and gave each other a well deserved pat on the back.

We finished the day trimming the giant forsythia bushes along the fence. We reached as high as we could, but I refused to let either one of us get up on a ladder to trim the high stuff. I have my limits and that’s where I draw the line.

I was thinking about that drain as I sat down to write this post. Our lives are often like that drain. We go along taking good care of ourselves till we start getting too busy. Things happen…like a pandemic, and husbands with strokes, and a contentious election, and an insurrection, and your lifelong happy place sells and you can’t do anything about it, and then it’s mowing season and the house is a mess and company is coming and…..BAM! The drain clogs…the bucket gets full…my cup runneth over. 

I’m better about giving things to God. I really am. But, old habits die hard and I just put my head down and put my shoulder to the wheel and keep pushing. Today is another day, and I can get up and try again. I am just really glad we got that drain unstuck and we will all work better now.

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“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

Proverbs 12:25 ESV