Two weeks without a blog post! Are you wondering if I’ve gone on an extended vacation? Given up on quilting? Abandoned my blog? No, no, and no.
But here’s what has happened: Late at night on Friday, Dec. 1, a fierce rainstorm swept through Portland. We were in the process of having the front and rear dormers on our house reroofed. (Late in the season for roofing, I know, but there were extenuating circumstances.) The roofers weren’t quite finished with the rear dormer by the time it started to get dark, so they covered the unfinished part with tarp and left for the day.
When I got up in the morning, it was raining inside my house! The wind was so strong it had literally ripped the tarp in half, giving the rain an opening to enter our house uninvited. The ceilings in the master bathroom, hallway, and sewing room — all on the second story — were damaged, and some of the water traveled down to the main floor and damaged the kitchen ceiling, too.
So far the roofing company and my contractor have been wonderful in dealing with the repairs, which couldn’t even be started until the attic and all of the ceilings and walls were determined to be dry as a bone. Industrial strength fans were strategically placed to help with the drying out; they ran for days. Everything in the master bath and linen closet had to be moved into either the master bedroom or the Annex, the name I’ve given to the other second-story bedroom I’ve claimed as a second sewing room. Everything in my sewing room except the cabinets and sewing tables had to be moved into the other rooms as well, of course.
Several years ago I had the ceiling in my sewing room replastered. Our home was built in 1913 so the original lath and plaster was covered with another coat of plaster. The water damage from the Dec. 1 storm resulted in part of the second coat of plaster separating from the original coat. This is what my sewing room ceiling looked like a week after the storm, when everything was dry and the roofers had removed the plaster that separated from the original layer as well as the original plaster ruined by the rain:
The solution we all agreed on was to fill in the lath and plaster area with plywood to level out the ceiling and then cover the entire ceiling with drywall. This is what the room looks like now:
But a temporary halt has been placed on finishing all of the ceiling repairs until some serious structural issues in the attic have been dealt with. (Part of those extenuating circumstances I mentioned in the second paragraph. . .)
My world is feeling very topsy-turvy at the moment. I am doing my best to maintain my equanimity but I do confess to moments of feeling overwhelmed. Tomorrow I’m going to try to rearrange the things that have been moved into the Annex so that I can at least get to my sewing machine. I know without a doubt that creating something with beautiful fabric will cheer me up considerably.
I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with all of that! Water problems are really difficult, but it sounds like you are managing very well.
Being able to get back to doing what you enjoy most should increase your happiness. Maybe you will even create a new quilt in response to this unexpected event! I hope your holidays are nice. Carolyn B
Oh, Dawn, what a nightmare! At least the roofing company and your contractor have been responsive. Try your best to stay calm through this trying period. Wishing you serenity during this busy holiday season.
I’m so sorry to hear about your travails! Hope things can be fixed up soon. Take care.
Oh Noobie, you have been such a trooper through all of this! Thankfully, you are dealing with a very reputable general contractor and roofing contractor who are standing by their work. Trust me, once the sewing annex is open for business, you are going to be a VERY happy girl!
I’m so sorry to hear about this event! But things are looking up and I’m sure we’ll be seeing beautiful quilts again soon!
Oh my goodness, Dawn! What a difficult situation you have had to endure. I’m glad you felt confident and comfortable with the workers. Thank goodness your fabric & machine did not get soaked.
I love your cheerful spirit, to say that creative sewing will mend you!
Show us what you sew to “mend”!
❤️ Christine
Oh my word! I am so sorry to hear this Dawn! Of course, you are feeling overwhelmed! That is the very definition of an overwhelming situation. But I know you will overcome it, and all will be well in the end.
If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.
Oh, Dawn, “remodeling” is stressful even when you’ve planned and prepared for it. Doubly so when you have not. Fingers crossed that all of your beautiful fabric stash and sewing machine escaped water damage.
I’m so sorry you are having to deal with this, particularly at this time of year with constant weather changes. Hope all goes well and you will be back in your space before long!
Sure hope someone has insurance to cover this for you.
Oh Dawn, I’m so sorry you have been going through so much. It sounds very overwhelming! Hopefully things get better soon.
Oh , Dawn! What a thing to happen, and so close to the holidays! Sounds like your contractor and workers are great, though, so do get some sewing done. You may borrow my mantra ( the mantra for a worrier!) ‘All will be well”…. repeat many times! Hugs, Suzette
Oh, My! I hope no fabric was harmed during this process.
Oh My Gosh! What an ordeal! So sorry you had this happen to your house. I can understand feeling overwhelmed. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon.