The leak that drained the bank

Kelly: So, we knew that we had a leak in our shower. Matt removed all of the old, nasty grout and re-caulked it. No more problems. One month ago, I noticed a spot on the dining room ceiling (AKA the bathtub is leaking again). We called our contractor who assessed the problem and said it would take 2-3 days max (famous last words) and that he'd call with an estimate of the cost. One day passes...no estimate. Two days pass...no estimate. Five days and many phone calls and emails later...no estimate. So, we contacted another contractor who said the problem was bigger because all of the walls were wet and needed to be torn out and replaced along with the sub floor. Translation... $$$. We have no choice. We leave in two weeks. So, we signed on the dotted line. Yesterday, the manager and the two contractors (Carlos and Julio...I'm not even kidding) worked all day. We returned home at about 8:00 pm, pleased to see everything removed but depressed by the extent of the water damage. We later learned that the toilet seal was broken and had been leaking for who knows how long. Translation... $$$ We returned to the kitchen to make dinner, but when I turned on the faucet...not a drip. So, I guarded the bare pipes and Matt turned on the water.
"Ready?" he said.
"Go ahead," I replied.
"Any problems?" he yelled.
"Seems okay," I returned. So Matt clamored up the steps just as the water began to shoot from the toilet valve in a sprinkler-like pattern and trickle from the pipe near the tub. Matt zoomed to the basement to turn the water off. I attempted to stem the flow of water. Ugh. Matt was done and was ready to dial the Hampton inn's number. I was not having it. I called the neighbors who graciously allowed us the use of their basement bathroom and shower.

Today we waited 4.5 hours for the shower to be delivered to learn that the essential drain piece was not included. Fabulous. Carlos and Julio are now banging away efficiently upstairs. I'm hoping that I'll be able to flush a toilet and boil water tonight. Oh, the simple things we take for granted.

We are appreciating the little things and are convinced that this experience will make moving to a foreign county seem a little easier.