Someone drew me Shiko!

I was browsing DeviantArt at the advice of one of the NaNoPrep Pep Talks, in search of something to inspire me for a novel I might actually finish for once. And then I came across this.

It's Shiko, Yasta's cousin in FtD! Her face, her coloring, even the poofy dress! The only thing missing is her fluffy black tail! ♥

I'm also highly entertained that she's surrounded by white cats, which look exactly like Yasta's cat features.

I WILL NEVER FEEL CLEAN AGAIN.

Today came with a fun wake-up surprise early this morning. Brother poked his head into my room to tell me there was a puddle in the laundry room downstairs, and asked if I could mop it up while he was at work. I guess I acknowledged this at some point? He claims I responded at least.

I actually thought I'd dreamed it. But I went downstairs this afternoon and yes, there was a fairly large puddle of water taking up a small portion of the laundry room. I mopped it up, tossed the mat that had soaked up a good portion of it into the washer, mopped up what dripped, and headed back upstairs to take a shower and deal with dishes.

Brother got home, and we both took some time to eat and digest a bit before he went down to check on the puddle to make sure it hadn't come back.

That's how we learned that the septic tank is leaking.

I'll spare you all the disgusting details. Luckily for us, there was a neighbor with a special tool who came over to switch something to make it drain out in one of the pastures around here. So the water coming in has stopped, leaving us with clean up.

Unfortunately, this is a split-level house, which means half the downstairs is actually underground so we can't just sweep/mop it out the door. And 98% of it is carpeted.

We ended up going to Wal-Mart to look for a Rug Doctor, because we already knew the shop vac they have wasn't going to cut it. Instead, we ended up buying a carpet shampooer because a) the one his parents had disappeared like, two years ago when someone borrowed it and never gave it back, and b) Brother figured we could use another one around the house anyway. We also stopped for milkshakes at Jack in the Box, because we agreed that we needed them. Desperately.

Between the two of us using the shampooer just to vacuum up the water, we've pulled up more than seven gallons so far. And the carpet is still squishy in places. We only stopped because we're both exhausted, and he has work in the morning. It's already been discussed that the carpet is more than likely going to need to be replaced; at the very *least*, the padding underneath has to go. (Fortunately they have a stash somewhere, so it won't be near as pricey as it could be. x.x) Someone's going to be making a call to the carpet cleaning specialist they use tomorrow or Monday, depending on when they're open, but they probably won't be here for a few days.

The one good thing he and I have both agreed on at this point is that his parents aren't here: they're visiting family until next week. And with all the Drama that's been happening lately, we're both really glad they don't have to be around to deal with it. Which sucks to be us, but it's something.

... I think it's time to make a Life Dama tag.