Tombstone Update
We are halfway through the cleanup at Tombstone, and we have it listed for rent again. I’m hoping one more weekend of hard labor and perhaps a volunteer or two (hint, hint) and we will be ready for someone to move in. It is amazing what a bunch of people, a ton of elbow grease and bleach can accomplish.
We have hauled over a ton of stuff to the dump and still have more in the shop. We have replaced the toilet seat, scrubbed, located the floor, scrubbed, conquered the smell of cat pee, relocated the cat they abandoned, scrubbed, fixed one of the plumbing disasters, cleaned up the water damage it left, laid laminate in two areas of the house, scrubbed, cleaned the oven, cleaned the fridge and… salvaged the composting toilet.
The final task wasn’t one either of us was looking forward to but given my line of work, it seemed fitting that that task be mine. I “borrowed” a plastic isolation gown from work, double gloved with heavy duty cleaning gloves and had a good laugh. As I was getting suited up, what came on the radio but “Eye of the tiger” right then I knew I could do it. The only detail that I will share with you is this little public service message: Baby wipes don’t compost. When I came back into the kitchen after stripping off all my gear to hear “It’s all gonna be alright” sometimes I love the radio.
This project (Tombstone 2008-now) has been such an amazing experience. Chris and I have felt so much support over the last few years, not only in getting the farm to where it was 12 months ago, but as we were scooping up garbage and cat S*(& by the armful. The first weekend we had at least five other people helping us, other neighbors offered a place for us to stay, fed us a delicious home cooked meal and listened to us vent, and family was watching Lou so she wasn’t walking through the whole mess, amazing. Given this season of gratitude, I just want to say thanks, to all of you who have participated in this journey, whether it be with muscle, skills, time, or kind thoughts and words. We wouldn’t be here without you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
