Once More for Good Measure

After a truly wonderful vacation across the pond, we came back to a disaster at our house.  A flood caused by an inept roofing company and a heavy rain came through our ceilings in 4 rooms destroying drywall, insulation, and carpet.  Luckily Son #1 knew exactly what to do and took care of hiring a reputable (albeit slow) restoration company.  The stuff that was not salvageable was removed.  The furniture in the affected rooms was piled in safe corners and covered in plastic. 

I knew ahead of time that the damage was substantial, but I just was not prepared for the reality of walking into a war zone.  Especially after over 27 hours in airports and on planes with no sleep.  Sam always says I am a wonderful person in a medical emergency.  I stay calm and do what's needed.  He also knows I do not do well when there's something big wrong in my house.  It also seemed like everything was covered in a thick coating of white plaster dust, even the rooms that had escaped the disaster.


The damage was bad enough that our insurance company had already offered to put us up in a hotel for the duration of the repairs, none of which could be started until it was determined that the new roof was actually watertight.  But we had already been in hotels and lodgings of some type for 4 weeks.  We wanted to be home with our dog.  And, believe it or not, the kitchen and the bedrooms were spared.  Just nowhere to sit down!

Jet lag was not my friend either.  We went to bed totally exhausted but I woke up 4 hours later.  For a second I forgot about the mess, but then the reality set in.  I honestly did try to get started on cleaning the white dust off everything in the kitchen so we could stock the fridge.  Also started some laundry.  There was plenty of that.  But I was tired and sad and felt so down that I just began to close off from everything and everybody.  Including Sam.  I did the tasks I usually do when we return from a trip, but the spark wasn't there.  I was not talking and went through the motions like a robot.

Sam tried to reassure me that things would be right again soon, and I would nod and try to hug him back.  But the days went by and nothing changed.  No ceilings and a filthy concrete floor where my living room used to be.  Not able to sleep through the night.  The only thing that did change was that I started to get angry.  Angry in a snarly sort of way.


It reminded me of a time very long ago when our home was burglarized.  I was SO, so angry that someone could violate our house - our space.  Screw up our lives and probably never even get caught and punished.  When the policeman asked us would we want to press charges if they arrested the guy, I rode right over any response Sam might have had.

                     "You're damned right I would!" I answered firmly.  
                               Of course, that was before TTWD.

And that's the same way I became about this STUPID roof contractor whose house was probably just fine!  Mouthing off and swearing every other word.  Sam told me to let the insurance company take this guy to court.  They would take him down over this mess. 

       I, however, said, "I'd rather skewer that asshole with a rake!"

Sam just looked at me for a second with his mouth open and finally stood up.

"That's enough," he said calmly.  "In the bedroom."

Well, one helluva spanking followed.  The paddle was out and I was over the bed.  And both Sam and Mr. Paddle did a lot of

talking.

• About not getting mopey
• About not losing my temper
• About picking a better attitude
• About staying positive
• About staying patient

It was a doozy, and I finally cried.  All the frustration and anger was released, and I couldn't stop crying even when the spanking was over.  Sam hugged and comforted me.  We would get through this together.

I did feel much better.  Well, except for my bottom.  Next morning

I woke up early and felt better than I had in 4 days.  Made the coffee and kissed Sam before I got in the shower.  Did all my lotions and combed out my hair.  Suddenly Sam was behind me in the mirror.

He took my hand and I could tell he was in a spanking mood.

"But, Sam, you already..........."

"I know," he said, "but I believe a little reinforcement wouldn't hurt."

I was pretty sure it would.  I frowned and protested some more, but this time he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me over his knee very gently.  No implement.  Just Sam's hand.  And just hard enough to keep my attention.  He said he wanted his house back just as much as I did, but more importantly, he wanted his Ella back.  Happy and chatty and with a sense of humor.

                                   Funny how TTWD works.......

                                              Ella was back.