Everything went wrong today...best day in months

Today started out to be a terrible day.

I had a copper service line in my basement rupture behind a shower stall at about 3 am. The best part was there was no shut off valve in line with that pipe and I had to shut off the main and start my own flood job.

At 8 am, I received a call from my Sister that her 2 kids were sick and throwing up all over the house. She wanted the new carpet cleaned before it could stain, so I loaded up the van and took off for her house about 90 minutes away. I drove by a bad crash where a semi rolled and caught fire, not sure if anyone died. The burning smell was very strong and it filled my van with a acrid smell.

For the rest of the drive, I couldn't get rid of that burning smell. Then I realized that the smell was actually my van when I saw smoke coming out of my rear tire.....my brake was locked up, the parking brake didn't release all the way. It was funny, the van was heavily loaded so I didn't figure the engine strain was anything unusual and it didn't give me any other symptoms (no warning lights, pedal felt good, no pulling, etc.) Still, the wheel was too hot to touch.

I managed to back off the adjuster enough to release the brake shoe and decided to continue onward. By the time I reached the house, you could have cooked a steak on that wheel...yup, the brake shoe was locked up again. A few strong curse words and I went to work realizing that I will be rebuilding some brakes this weekend.  

I got the whole house cleaned up and deodorized, but not before I strained a muscle around my neck and it left me unable to move my head without pain (my neck is held together with 3 metal plates and 24 screws from a double fracture years ago).

I was not in a good mood and knew that I still had to limp the van home and fix the plumbing in my house tonight. It was turning into a horrible day in all ways. Then I checked up on my niece (she is the one pictured on my door hangers) who was still not feeling well. I stayed with her and played a game that had rules she just made up as we went along...goofy kid, but a terrific one.

By the time I was about to leave the house, it was already dark. I had to go upstairs and get my cellphone that I left in the hallway and walked by my 3 year old niece's room as she was going to bed. I heard her pray for her parents AND her "Uncle Robbie".

Best day in months!  

Thats one sweet prayer, Don't do to much get your rest and maybe let someone else fix the breaks. I hope your business is doing good enough to not kill yourself.

We all think were super hero's. hope you heal fast!

Thanks for the wishes Sam, but I have already been clinically dead 6 times, so I have been practicing.  

Ouch. Your not a zombie are you?????    

I am pretty close, I think.

I never get hungry and only sleep for 3-4 hours per night. I am always amazed at how little I need for food despite being very active...the body is a strange machine.

I wonder if I can get a special insurance rate if I was declared a zombie? I will have to read the fine print of the Obama plan,  

Great story Uncle Robbie.

That is a good story Rob. Warmed up my cold heart by at least 10 degree's.

You are one tough son of a gun. Pat yourself on the back you deserve it. I thought I was having a bad day, no hot water for 3 days water heater on the blink, the new kitchen faucet leaked all over the floor. Puts things in perspective for me, god bless you and your niece.

Cool day, amazing what a little prayer from the purest hearts can do.