Today might just go down in history as the most physically hardest day in motherhood… ever or recently, I’m not sure.
Our septic tank has been threatening. When we bought our house, we were told the septic was “a little small for the house size” Add eight people and it was bound to happen eventually and a miracle it didn’t happen sooner. Saturday, the septic gave it’s final warning, demanding a proper cleanout. We’ll make it til Monday… You know, that Monday that Blaine heads off on a work trip for eight or so days. It’ll be grand. I can do this.
Sunday night, I got a sinus infection. Perfect timing. I’m assured it’s a day and a half to better. I’m a day and a half in and waiting for the promised better.
This morning, bright and early, I called a cleanout company. Many companies later, I found out that we needed to have someone dig out the tank first. This is sounding like a bad situation gone worse. With a guy coming to dig it out, I set to digging myself, hoping and praying I might find it first and save that expense. Three hours later, my yard looked like a mole made itself at home and I’d found exactly nothing – except rocks. Rocks, we’ve got.
Finally the guy comes, informs me that the septic tank is nowhere near where I thought, it already has a cap on it compliments of my husband, and it was too late in the day to get the tank cleaned out.
My kids refilled the five three-foot deep holes I’d spent a good chunk of my day digging. We didn’t find gold. We didn’t find anything. But my yard looks pretty stinking fabulous right about now. Or not.
This is the dirt that the guy who came dug out. It’s puny compared to the holes I dug today. I’ll spare you a shot of the septic tank. You’ll have to come up with your own mental image.
Talk about frustrating.
On the bright side, I got a whole lot of exercise today. The kids pitched in remarkably well and are thoroughly exhausted. Bedtime was a dream.
Ellie spent the day on a blanket in the shade. She didn’t complain. Baby Girl loves the outdoors.
Ellie Adelaide – 3 months
I bathed seven children and myself in 12 minutes tonight. That has to be a new record.
Exhausting to say the least. My goodness, that was exercise you could have done without. Thank goodness Miss Ellie was a good baby and your children helped with the holes being filled back.
BLESS YOU!!!
We’re in the process of buying a home, with septic that will also require an upgrade in the future. Your blog post has me scared now.
Septics can be fine, but when they have problems, oh, the misery and expense! It is a little bit scary how bad it can get in a hurry if things stop working properly. But, if it makes you feel better, the guy who uncovered ours said he was just at a place that the owners built 50 years ago. They just had their first septic problems ever. Sounds good to me!
Hopefully you came home from your “girls day out” yesterday to an empty septic tank and free flowing water lines. One can only hope. Hope you had a wonderful day with friends. You deserved it.