Our house has needed a new roof for quite some time. “Luckily,” we had some hail damage from a storm, and our insurance company decided we were deserving of a new roof and they would foot the bill. Praise be!
As the day approached for when the new roof would be installed, I began to dread how this would go down. I have anxiety and hate a lot of noise. I also have two high-strung dogs and one that couldn’t give two shits about much. I knew two would bark incessantly, and the third would join in for shits and giggles.
Luckily, my husband had the foresight to call the vet and get some calming drugs for the dogs. He may be a genius. I love him.
Continuing his giving behavior, he got up at 5 a.m. and dosed them before the roofers arrived at 6:30, allowing time for the drugs to kick in. We were ready for the day. By we, I mean me. I was going to be the one home with them all day, trying to work whilst my husband went to his quiet, banging and barking free office.
I’m not kidding when I say this was one of the longest days of my life. It started at 6:30 a.m. and continued till 8:30 p.m. The dogs were nuts initially. Eventually, they calmed somewhat. Thanks, drugs and chew toys.
To distract me and the dogs, my dear friend Kara came over to knit with me and watch the Olympics. Figure skating, anyone?
My TV is in the basement. That put us as far away from the noise as possible. This was good. However, we soon realized the dogs, especially Mavis, were higher than a Georgia pine.
Mavis is my most high-strung pooch and at times, acts like a goat. A 45-pound goat. By that, I mean she stands on furniture in various random poses. Under the influence of the meds, she began a game of “The floor is lava.” She proceeded to hop from one piece of furniture to another without touching the ground. Her eyes were glassy, and I was worried for her safety. Kara looked at me with a very serious face and said, “I think she thinks she can fly.” She may have been right. This dog was loopy. She also wanted me to get Mavis a cape with an “M” on the back. She is a super dog.
Hazel also came downstairs looking dazed. She managed to settle down. Gus, the newest addition to our family, does not do the basement. He stayed upstairs and chilled. He is a hobo. He just wandered into our house one day about four months ago and stayed. It takes a lot to get him wound up. He was like, “Noise? What noise?” God, love him.
My anxiety was at its peak all day. I’m so grateful my friend came over. That certainly helped. However, it was just so much barking and banging on the roof, Momma did hit the Xanax.
I’m happy to report the roof is finished and looks great, and the dogs have come down from their epic high. They are not worse for wear.
Every time we have workers at the house it is always an adventure with the dogs. They are very protective of their domain, which I appreciate despite the stress it sometimes causes me.
I’m not gonna lie. At one point, I thought of taking one of their “chill pills.” However, we all survived one more home improvement project.
Thank goodness for a vet who will give us meds. Also, thank God for a good friend who will come over and attempt to keep you sane despite utter chaos. We raised the roof. Now, may it keep us dry.
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
