This past Saturday, November 2, at 12:30 we were in the middle of washing dishes and laundry, baking naan for my mother-in-law’s birthday dinner, irrigating a field to prepare for garlic planting, planting garlic in another garden bed, and had just gotten four more kids to stay for the weekend while my friend headed to the hospital in labor with her fifth child! Needless to say, it was a busy day!
Saturday
At 1 PM, the water stopped working. None of the sinks would run, the dishwasher and washing machine stopped, and so did the irrigation. I first checked the breaker box and could not tell if the well breaker had flipped. Then I called Stephen, who was planting garlic, and asked him to come take a look. The breaker had flipped, and would not be reset.
So we called Andrew Wivell, who built our house, and asked him what we should check or do next. He knew that one of the electricians who worked on our house was in the area and could come by around 2:30 PM. Once he arrived, the electrician checked the breaker, found that the breaker itself was not the actual problem, and then checked the well pump electric for continuity. The well pump was getting electric, so the problem was not with the electric.
And so we had to call the plumber. Unfortunately, they were not in the area and could not make it out on Saturday. We opted to wait until Monday, rather than have to pay extra for an emergency call on Sunday.
So what did we do? Well, we were heading to Hagerstown for the birthday dinner, so we knew we would be able to enjoy running water in the evening at least! We called our neighbor and asked if we could fill buckets of water at his hose–and he graciously said of course. Stephen then took his truck over to the neighbor’s and had our son Raphael fill buckets and coolers for an hour or so while I got the other kids gathered up and packed–that way we could all get a shower and brush teeth at Marmee and Granddaddy’s before heading back home for the night. Then Stephen headed out to the pasture to move the sheep, as their grass was low and they could not wait another day.
We had enough buckets that we could keep using them to refill toilet tanks and be able to flush, as well as have enough water for the chickens and sheep the next day. We bought bottled water for drinking and also used gallon jugs stationed at sinks to be able to wash our hands.
But the most important thing, which we did not do until the car ride home from Hagerstown, was to remind our children (and the four children who were staying with us!) that this is all an adventure! Life is an adventure and as long as we look at it like this, we can face the challenges as they come. I hope when the kids look back at this memory, they will do so fondly and have courage to face the many adventures that will come their way in life!
Sunday
On Sunday, we went to Mass, enjoyed running water again at Coffee and Donuts, came home, changed, and got ready for a picnic in Gettysburg–where we knew the Visitor’s Center had nice clean bathrooms! We picked up sandwiches at the Kennie’s grocery store in Gettysburg and then enjoyed a beautiful sunny day! Once it started to get dark, we headed home, put on a movie, and ordered pizza. We decided to top the day off with ice cream–we wanted this to be a positive memory after all–and then put all nine kids to bed!
Monday
As promised, the plumber arrived early Monday morning–half an hour early in fact! When they pulled up the pump, they could smell that it had burnt out! Since there was a 5-year warranty and it has only been 3 years since we had it put in, that should be covered! The water was back on by 10:30 AM! These things always make it so exciting to do dishes and laundry!
P.S. My friend had her baby the evening of November 2! The four kids got picked up Monday afternoon, and I forgot to tell their dad about the well pump adventure! I guess they’ll read about it here! Though their kids have probably brought it up already!
P.P.S I did find out that the kids told their parents about the adventure already! I’m sure this is something their kids and our kids will never forget!
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