of moss and leaves

I survived the weekend from Hell.

We had hoped to have a relaxing Saturday of shopping and visiting with family out of town.

Murphy's Law had other plans.

We woke on Saturday morning to a freezing cold house.  No heat from the main unit and the pellet stove wouldn't work either.  50 degrees and falling.

Fortunately, the fix for the main heater was simple: set up a small space heater to thaw out the frozen drain pipe.  We still don't know what's wrong with the pellet stove.  Our dearest enemyfrigate stayed with us all day, kept us company, and made a lovely beef stew for supper.  (Thanks, sis!  I never knew that eating stew could help cure migraines!

On Monday, stormsongk woke me up at half past midnight to tell me the toilet wasn't flushing properly.  He was running late for work because he'd been trying to fix it.  He called about 10 minutes after leaving to tell me he'd been in an accident.  His car had slipped on the black ice and he'd driven down an embankment in the dark.  He finally got the car turned around and was able to drive back up onto the roadway.  He got as far as the next town when he discovered he had a flat tyre, so he called again asking me to pick him up and drive him to work.  So out I went at 2am to retrieve my wayward sweetie.  I headed home, got about 4 hours of sleep, and then drove out to pick him up again.  I took the same road he'd slid on.  The accident was on a hairpin turn edged with trees.  He'd managed to drive BETWEEN the trees, only clipping one on the way down,  If he'd slid sideways on the ice, he'd have broadsided the trees and likely rolled his car.  And if he'd been going any faster, he might have ended up in the marsh.  

He's very lucky to be alive. ♥

As if that weren't enough, the toilets started overflowing when we washed the laundry on Monday.  o.O  The sink drains and bathtub also made bubbly noises.  So tomorrow we will be getting the septic tank pumped and the pipes looked at. 

Oh, the joys of home-ownership.

Hopefully, this will fix the problem.  

I'm ready for a good day now, please.
 

What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Qualified for a full driving licence.
What was your favourite moment of the year?
Photographing the sunset on Samhain. Perfect light, the sound of the waves, and Venus and a beautiful crescent moon in the sky. ♥

What was your least favourite moment of the year?
A difficult talk with my girlfriend.
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More energy efficient features in my house.
What places did you visit?
New Hope, Pennsylvania.
What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The US election.
Coming from a family with a very prejudiced dad, I never anticipated that we would see so much diversity and acceptance within my lifetime.  It's a welcome change. 
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Sending my art out into the world.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
A sprained ankle that sent me to hospital.
What was the best thing someone bought you?
My brothers gave me a tool kit for Yule.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My partner, who is meditating more and is a calmer person.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Two siblings who are going through rough patches.
I love them, but wish they could act like adults.
Where did most of your money go?
Home and car.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My art getting a wider audience.
What song will always remind you of 2008?
"Fang Into Vein" by Alec, because I first heard it on the internets this year.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) fatter or skinner?
c) richer or poorer?
About the same on all counts.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Camping.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Cleaning.
How do you plan to spend Christmas?
Home with my dearest stormsongk
What was your favourite TV program?
Doctor Who and Torchwood.
What was the best book you read?
I didn't read much this year, but Lascaux: The Final Photographs was quite good.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
The fan-made Celtic/filk Firefly & Serenity sountrack I gaveenemyfrigate for Yule.
What did you want and get?
More time at home.
What did you want and not get?
Moved in.
What was your favorite film of this year?
The Dark Knight and Wall-E.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being home for good.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Eclectic, casual, and much more colourful.
What kept you sane?
My photography.
What political issue stirred you the most?
Equal rights. ▼
Who do you miss?
Badger.
Who was the best new person you met?
Kat, a talented young artist.
What was the best thing you ate?
Barbecued ribs, baked taters, and corn-on-the-cob cooked over a campfire.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"It's in every one of us to be wise.
Find your heart; open up both your eyes.
We can all know everything without ever knowing why.
It's in every one of us, by and by."

I love you and I'm so glad you're in my life.
Remain strong.  :*