A couple of weeks ago, I was merrily doing laundry – yes, laundry makes me happy – till I have to drag it upstairs to put it away, that is. There’s something very satisfying about taking a pile of dirty clothes and turning it into a neat stack of fresh and clean clothing. (Turning chaos into order is one of my super powers, by the way. ) (Creating chaos in the first place is also one of my super powers.) (I’m multi-talented)
I digress.
While doing the above mentioned laundry, I noticed that the twahlette was gurgling. (We’re uppity round here, we called it the “twahlette” or sometimes just the “toidy.”) I thought it rather rude that it should gurgle at me and went merrily along with my day.
Bear was home, with his seasonal bronchitis. He did not find said gurgle to be amusing. I looked out the craft room window, where I had gone to do some sewing while the clothes happily lost their patina of yuckiness, and saw him heading for the field. Concerned that the bronchitis had affected his brain, I watched from the safety of the jeep.* He stopped at the septic tank cover and then I stopped watching because, seriously, who wants to see that mess?
He came inside and informed me that said tank needed to be pumped out. Don’t look at me, Dear, I don’t do septic tanks.
Paperwork was found (by me, that man never knows where things are filed), a phone call was made and the septic guys (oh, that sounds awful, they were very nice, not at all septic) came the next day. Apparently things like septic tanks need to be pumped out every so often – who knew? (Bear knew. I don’t keep him around just cuz he’s cute, you know, he’s very smart about stuff like this!)
However. There’s apparently a pump thingie that makes this whole “flush the toidy and the stuff goes to the tank” or “do the laundry and the soapy water goes away” thing. Who knew? (Again, Bear knew) Well. Our pump was 17 years old and had died a slow and lingering death. (Momentary pause to send thoughts and prayers, please) The septic guys broke the news gently. They also broke the news that said pump was not something they carry in stock – leave it to us to have a “special” pump. A new one was ordered and would be installed as soon as it came in.
Meanwhile, don’t use any more water than necessary. Well, the laundry was done, so that was all good! A few days passed and the new pump arrived and was installed, and the cost of this little adventure? Well, we’re saying “Merry Christmas!” every time we flush and being grateful that while presents weren’t purchased (except for a few little things) we can pay for that sort of repair without flinching and also, we can flush!
And somehow Christmas managed to be peaceful, and joyful, and filled with love – for each other and for our differences that make us crazy at times and yet able to work together and make a great team.
On to next year. May it be better in every way than the one we’re about to call done.
*”from the safety of the jeep” is a reference to an old TV show in which one man would go into the wild to film animals in their natural habitat while his partner would wait “from the safety of the jeep.” It’s been a running joke with my friends and family for years.
Suziecreamcheese Sings the Blues 
Well at least it’s good for possibly however long you live there. At least that’s how I looked at having to replace the entire plumbing system from my house to the county. Happy New Year 🥳
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Happy New Year! It last 17 years so hopefully we’re good till we’re gone!
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This week shall henceforth be known as “Adventures in Plumbing” week! So glad that your story had a happy – if expensive – ending. 😊
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I immediately thought of you!
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I guess at least three of us had plumbing issues that day. 😂
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Merry Christmas! Fortunately it didn’t backup into your house.
We had a septic system for 22 years then were able (forced) to get connected to the sewage line. Our water bill tripled, thank you very much, but a least we don’t have to remember to get the septic tank sucked out every so often.
So glad your Christmas was peaceful and joyful.
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What we save by not paying water and septic makes things like this seem minor!
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It never fails! And always around a holiday. Thankfully, the repair was made! Our septic fellas are called “Royal Flush.” I think a sense of humor is a prerequisite for working in that business!
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I love that – Royal Flush is a great name! I think a sense of humor is needed for any business where you work with the public, but for septic more than most. 😂
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I read through this and, at the end, just sat looking at the screen and shaking my head! The silver lining is that this issue was repaired before sewage erupted onto your lawn. That would be bad enough, but what if a 4-legged member of your family then has to go and sniff everything to try and determine who has been marking his territory?
I’m glad it has been taken care of and hope you have a LOT of days before you share another story like this! Happy 2024!
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A friend of mine’s family had to move out of their home for over a month because it backed up into the walls. So I’m grateful we didn’t have that mess!
Happy 2024 to you too!
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Sorry that your septic pump went out at this time of year, but glad you were able to have it replaced. Life without a septic tank would not be fun :P.
Hope you have a relatively peaceful and quite new year being able to do all the things you love to do!
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