Disaster, heartbreak, disillusionment, tears...and hope

[Lynzee]

So I'm being reminded that life is not always kind...

We bought this little place several years ago. It was sad, lonely, dilapidated and abandoned. There were rooms with no walls, rooms with no floors, exposed wiring everywhere... We put our hearts and our creativity--because we had very little money--into fixing it up and creating the cottage feel that I love so much. While we hadn't finished everything, we loved it.

And now, tomorrow, we will begin to demolish what we have worked so hard to complete. Apparently, there is a leak in the kitchen. I discovered mildew on one of the walls when I was throwing a load of clothes in the washer after spending the week at the beach house working on some projects there. BPG has already ripped giant, gaping holes in the walls and the backs of the cabinets and has narrowed it down to the pipe that carries the water from the house but, so far, we have been unable to get to it as it is located in the wall behind the sink cabinet. Unfortunately, the "room" the previous owners built to hide the washer and dryer is attached to that cabinet so we have to demo the room in order to move the cabinet away from the wall. We have no idea how long it has been leaking, but the damage is quite extensive. All of the lower kitchen cabinets are affected, as is my window seat and the flooring and the walls in several rooms.

It would seem that our little cottage has come full circle and now, we will begin again.

[Breezy]

Aww Lynz I'm so sorry you & your hubs are going through that. It would be so hard to see something you've worked on have to be torn down again. If it's any consolation it's a blessing in disguise that you spotted the mildew when you did otherwise it could have been worse. You can mend your poor cottage and fix her up good as new. Best wishes to you and your hubs on the work ahead. ((((((((((hugs))))))))))

[chyna]

That is horrible! Guess if you want to find a silver lining you can look at it as the perfect time to make the laundry room more to your liking. Sure that didn't help though did it? :(

I agree that at least you found it when you did or who knows what could have happened that would have been even worse. darn water!!:mad:

[ChapterTwo]

Oh, boy, Lynzee...I'm very sorry to hear about all the problems that have cropped up, and that such drastic measures have to be taken.

Now I'm going to sound like ALL our mothers. "You've got your health!" THAT is the most important part.
You will grit your teeth and use your will and your muscle and your creativity and you will begin again. It's not fun, it's not what you planned on, but here it is...and you will conquer it! Life sure stinks, sometimes...

I know I speak for the other ladies - I wish we were all close by and could pitch in and help you. But know you've got our support, and we're hoping that everything will go along without too many added problems, and quickly!

[annielinz]

Lynzee, ((hugs))) I am so sorry to hear about your little cottage.


Ditto what everyone else said, especially about living closer and helping you out.

As hard as this is to comprehend, it is a blessing you found this. Mold and mildew can take a toll on your health. I know you will make your cottage shine again.

[RoseMary]

So sorry to hear about this, Lynzee! ChapterTwo is right:)--you have your health:)and your family:D--it'll all be fixed up even better and you'll be more proud of it than you are now. I'm just glad you found it when you did and it wasn't an even worse problem!

[cheapdiva]

Just know we would all love to come and put our arms around you then say "okay, let's get to work"!

[Gigi]

Ooooooooooooooooo this sounds so horrible~ I just know you will work it out~ certainly ONE DAY AT A TIME... when the sun feels warm and the flowers are starting to spring---enjoy that moment.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Gigi's "ONE DAY AT A TIME" advice is the same advice Hubby gave me when I felt so completely overwhelmed. We love you, Lynz. Come by often and get some hugs - we're here for you.

And remember, whether you are tearing down walls, or finishing up some part of the project, be sure to yell "TOWANDA!!!" really, really loud. That helps.

Zu

[Evelyn]

Lynzee....I am so very sorry to hear about the water damage in your home. I will send good thoughts your way....please keep us posted on the process and changes.

I can offer a story of my own with our studio that we built a few years ago. We used both metal siding and cedar shake siding. The contractor did not appropriately account for cold weather and water condensation on metal in an insulated building. Just when we were putting up the final coats of paint we realized that all the insulation was sopping, sopping wet. We had to rip out everything. Dry everything. Research the right way to redo to prevent a reoccurence as well as prevent mold. It was a cold rainy day in january and the building was an utter disaster. But, our contractor stuck by the project, my husband did extra work and after many months we had a lovely new studio.....no moisture (so far....we still check).

Sending good thoughts your way!!!!

Evelyn

[Lynzee]

Quick note to thank you all for the hugs and positive thoughts. We appreciate it so much.

Day one demolition went fairly well. We are down to the studs and the cement slab on one side of the kitchen and have finally made it to the pipe in question. Everything we have pulled out so far is wet, so we know we still have far to go. We are also dealing with a seemingly endless series of storms and tornados, so work is really going slowly.

Again, thank you so much for the support. Huge hugs to you all!

[ChapterTwo]

Lynzee...I think, in a situation such as this one, STARTING is the hardest part. And you've already done that! Yippeee! We're all with you in spirit.

Some day you'll remember all this and wonder how you got through it, but you will! Continued hugs and support...

[shabbychick]

Hang in there, Lynzee. I'm so sorry for all your troubles. Sending virtual sunshine your way...

[Lynzee]

Thanks again for the continued support. We are at a stand still now and I find that incredibly frustrating. BPG had to return to work today and there is little I can do by myself.

It looks like the leak is under the slab. Thus far, we have been unable to find a plumber who is willing to come out to the middle of nowhere to even get an idea of what we are looking at there. Much of the framing on one exterior wall is affected and will have to be replaced and we have not been able to remove the cabinets on the other outer wall (which hold the cooktop and oven) to even see what is behind them. The cabinet bases are wet, so we're assuming the worst at this point. No big disappointment that way. :D

I try to check in on your projects from time to time. Can't wait to see the window boxes and all of the other finished projects! Take care, everyone!

[ChapterTwo]

Lynzee...Life has taught me that too - Expect the worst, hope for the best!
And yes, spinning your wheels and waiting is beyond frustrating...

Sending more hugs!!!

[Evelyn]

Lynzee:

Yes, sending hugs your way!!!

Water is amazing and powerful. It brings us life and brings us tears...........

Thanks for checking in. I was thinking about you today.

Evelyn

[Suz]

Lynzee, man- you scared me with your title--I thought someone had passed!!

Well, I am sorry to hear about the mold find, BUT at least you found it, and are tackling it and like the ladies and gents say--it is your health. Besides - once the redo is done, you'll be able to say it was sooo worth it :)

[Lynzee]

The good news is the leak was above the slab, so our insurance company has now stepped in and taken over. They are sending in the pros to dry up the water and do the clean up--though it could be weeks due to all of the flooded homes in our area from the recent rains, then they will take over the demolition and rebuild. In the meantime, we are adjusting to life without a kitchen and laundry facilities, eating meals that can be prepared in the microwave, and doing what few dishes we have in the bathroom sink. :eek:

The bad news is the adjuster does not think salvage and restoration of anything in the kitchen will be an option. I asked that they at least try to save and restore the cabinets. He said he would make a note of it in the file but that I should "be prepared to select new ones". :(

[ChapterTwo]

Hi Lynzee,

Very good news that the insurance company has stepped up. I hope things will move along more quickly than you're expecting.

Will the insurance cover the new cabinets? I sure hope so and, if that's the case, let's put a positive spin on it. NEW cabinets! It might be better in the long run - there would always be the possibility the old ones would have a funny warp to them, or a smell to them, over time.

Another positive - thank goodness for the microwave!
Keep reminding yourself, Lynzee...This, too, shall pass. (I know...easy for me to say.)

[Zuzu's Garden]

Lynz,

"Above the slab" is very, very good news. Also, sending in the pros is good.

Can you post a picture of your cabinets? If you must buy new ones, maybe we can help find new ones that are a close match? Let us know.

Hugs,
Zu

[Lynzee]

Yes, it is very good that the leak is above the slab and that the insurance company has stepped in. Believe me, we knew we were in over our heads from the beginning, but we had to keep plugging away at it until the source of the leak was confirmed and they would get involved.

The insurance company will pay to replace everything once the clean up is finished. As I said, that could be weeks, even months, from now. We are experiencing another series of storms that the meterologists say will probably continue through the weekend and the flooding of homes continues, so we are still having no luck with finding a water mitigation company who can take on any more jobs.

The cabinets are really nothing special to look at, but they are solid wood and they were designed and built by the the original owner to fit a rather unique shaped and sized space. They are, we think, one of the few things remaining that were original to the house and that is why I was hoping they could be restored.

[shabbychick]

You might consider asking a cabinetmaker or woodworker to come over and look at the cabinet and tell you if restoration is possible. The insurance company might not want to pay for it, of course, but it sounds like the cabinet is special to you, so it might be worth paying out of pocket to have it rebuilt by a pro while the other work is being done in your kitchen.

Here's hoping Mother Nature sends you some warm, dry weather soon.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Lynz - been thinking about you. How is it going?
Zu

[chyna]

I like Shabby Chicks idea of contacting a cabinet maker. If nothing else you could always keep the old ones and use them elsewhere in the house or garage. Same really but sounds like you have little choice on that. Perhaps the cabinet maker could replace the parts that are damaged by the water like the backs and the "floor" and you'd still have the fronts and shelves. :confused:;)