Unexpected Events
My week started off the same as usual. I was preparing for classes, grading assignments, and answering endless e-mails. The kids had their homework and projects that needed my attention. Of course, don't let me forget the house work that never seems to end.
I have my week planned out in advance. I know how much time will be needed to juggle teaching my courses, study for the CPC exam, and juggle the kids and the husband in all of this chaos. Also, I had an interview this week for another teaching position. This went well and I hope to hear back from them soon. So far, my week is going according to plan.
The kids wanted to rent the third installment of the long and drawn out Pirates of the Caribbean movie for the weekend. Since my husband is working this weekend, he thought one of us should have some fun. The kids and I cleaned the house and prepared to run a few errands on Saturday. We hit the Walmart around 2:30 in the evening and so did everyone else in town. Once the Walmart nightmare was over, we went to Michael's and bought supplies for my daughter's math project. Ok, now it is time to go home and finish the house work and get ready for a night home at the movies.
I was less than a mile from home when my cell phone rang. Of course, it was buried in the bottom of my purse. It was my husband and he wanted to know where are you. I replied, "We have been running errands." He asked, where are you? I replied, "We are at the Harris Teeter grocery store." He asked," Are you on your way home?" I replied, "Yes we are less than a mile from the house." He informed me that I needed to go home because the alarm company called and the fire department is on their way to our house. I was completed stunned. He replied, "Did you leave the stove on? I replied, "No." At this point, I started to second guess myself and thought I must have left something on.
My husband stayed on the phone with me and keeps asking, "Do you see any smoke?" I was absolutely terrified that the house would be up in flames. When I turned on my street, I could see and hear all the commotion from the fire department. I stop the car on the side of the street and told the kids to stay in the car. The fire department was trying to determine if anyone was at home. I told them that I was the owner. When I opened the door, I was afraid of what I might see. There was no sign of smoke or fire. The fireman went into the attic, searched upstairs and went under the crawl space on the side of the house. Luckily, there was no smoke or fire.
I was told that it was probably a power surge. I felt relieved. The situation could have been worse. About 30 minutes later, I kept hearing this sound. It sounded like a motor from a fan. My daughter heard it too but we couldn't figure out what it was. We only heard the sound in the mud room. I called my husband and he asked me to put my ear to the floor. I heard the sound of water underneath the laundry room.
Apparently, a pipe burst and triggered the fire alarm. The price of paying for a busted pipe is a small price to pay for the safety of your family and home.