One of Those Days

Do you ever just have one of those days where absolutely nothing you do seems to turn out right? Or maybe one of those weeks? I think I'm having a week like that, but today, it's almost comical.

Let me give you some background. Two years ago, we bought a house with a pool. The pool is partially in-ground, partially above. It has a deck all the way around, so that we can walk out our back patio doors, onto the deck and be on the same level as the pool. The pool had a filter/pump combo that we've been using for the last two years, that the previous owner installed under one end of the deck. If you stand under that end of the deck, from ground to the top of the deck, it measures 46 inches. I'm 5'6", my husband is 5'10" (I might be giving him a bit much credit there!) As you've already deduced, doing any repairs on the filter/pump is, quite literally, a pain in the neck...and back. Not to mention the spiders...and wasps...and bugs...

So guess what broke this week? Yep, the filter/pump. First the filter had "issues" then the pump died. While that certainly wasn't ideal, it also wasn't the end of the world. We bought a new, stronger, better (at least that's what the pool store guy assured us) filter/pump combo and came home to put it together and install it. We decided, for lots of practical reasons to install it outside of the deck for easier servicing. Apparently, this is a good decision...but we'll get to that. We got ready to hook up all the hoses, and found that we didn't have the proper fittings to do so. No one's fault, just the way it was.

So yesterday, I made my 3rd or 4th trip to the pool store (the employees all know me now), bought the fitting, installed them myself (I can handle tools if need be) and filled the pool to the required level in excited anticipation of being able to run the filter and start cleaning the pool. When Andrew got home from work, we carefully read the instructions on priming the pump (the instructions are worthless), followed them to a "t" because we're a little well, conscientious would be one word for it...and plugged it in....

And heard a decidedly unpleasant "POP" followed by a few wisps of smoke from the motor of the pump. Not good. Not good at all. Needless to say, things got ugly quick. Andrew, Emily and I all turned on each other, we wanted to swear (okay, at least I did, even though I never have and don't intend to, but come on...you've all been there!) The night was not a success.

So today, I've called the pool store again to see if I can get anyone to give me any ideas to try or advice. (Not likely.) The employees now know me by voice as well... Their advice...bring the pump back in, it might be a dud. GREAT! That's no problem, I'll just unhook everything, let water go everywhere, drag a very angry toddler back to the pool store and start from scratch. Sounds like fun to me.

If we're really lucky, it'll be a problem with our electric. FUN STUFF!

While I was out, my old college roomate called. I haven't talked to her in months and I couldn't wait to call her back. So I did. She wasn't there. Now we're playing phone tag. I think I'm "it". I decided to call my mom...she wasn't, and still isn't home. Apparently no one is home except for me.

It's been one of those days and weeks....My advice? Don't have one of those days/weeks. Just don't do it.