We have felt settled here for a while, like it is our home. It probably becomes more so with each passing day and week and month. This month, though, feels unsettled. We are prepping. And, what feels like a constant state of prepping.
Our agents have gotten involved in the issues with our house. This may or may not work. It is the last effort before going into a legal battle with the builder. There was a feeling of validation as they walked through our home and repeatedly let us know that the things which concerned us were indeed unacceptable in a new home. With that said, we know one of two things will happen. We will need to prepare mentally and physically for the challenges that will come with having our home under construction. None of the things that are wrong with the home will be easy. They are huge. Doors and windows and floors being torn out and replaced, siding being torn off and concrete being busted up. It will be a mess. If the builder fails to follow through on his workmanship warranty contract, then we will have to be prepared mentally for the challenges that come with going to court. Either way, we have to prep for this.
Before a lot of life got crazier than normal, we planned a spring vacation. We are headed to Florida at the end of next week. That will be a great time of relaxing. We've been before so we know the things we want to do and will have plenty of time to just soak up the sun on the beach. But as relaxing as it will be, there is prepping to do. That falls on me. Except my husband's clothes, I pack and plan everything.
I pack for the dogs. That means, I also schedule groomings and shots and everything else they need before we go. I pack. I pack special foods, medications, toys, bones, cages and anything else that might be needed for a 10 day trip. They get their own bag.
I have to plan for the long car ride, snacks and if we will break the trip up. It is a straight through 12 hour trip. We are not doing that all in one day.
After several trips, I have learned to embrace this as my vacation too. That means, I don't plan to cook. We might buy some breakfast items or fruit for the house, but I'm not cooking. I want to enjoy meals while I'm away. It is cheaper to cook a few meals. However, I've also learned we end up with a lot of leftovers. We make a few meals out of that and save money that way.
One week after we return from vacation, Kent will be having major back surgery. I feel like this is the biggest thing we are prepping for right now. His surgery will last 90 minutes to 6 hours depending on what they have to do. It is a fluid situation for the surgeon. Removing bone may make his spine too loose and they may need to fuse some of his discs together. He also has another nerve issue that he's just not sure how he will fix until he gets into surgery.
My first stage of prep is making sure everything is ok on surgery day and the day after. We have four dogs. They have to be taken care of so that I can focus on Kent. He will be in the hospital 1-2 nights depending on surgery and recovery. That's a long time to need help and we just don't know many people here. I have pieced together some help, but I'm still not sure how it's going to work.
Then I have the 6-8 weeks he will be home recovering. What all does he do that he won't be able to do? All of it! I'll have to mow, but thankfully we don't have much grass. I'll have to drive everywhere. I'll have to manage his needs and appointments, which will include follow up and therapy. I have to plan for things like heavy lifting, salt bags, mulch bags, etc. Not to mention, just the everyday stuff that he helps with around the house, will all fall on me for two months or longer. He will be off 6-8 weeks, but his restrictions will last for a few months. Needless to say, there's a lot of prepping as well as mentally prepping for all the things I didn't think of before hand.
I know this is a season. It's a season that will pass like all the others similar in the past. It is a little anxiety provoking. But, I know once this season has past, it will be good. I'll have more to say about that soon.
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