I would all myself a Feminist. I am all for women’s rights. But there are something things that I would just like to leave up to a man to do. I like being in charge of my house and my family but when it comes to maintenance on the house, I would really like to leave that up to Jeff. I want to play my ‘dumb blond’ card and just let him take care of it.
But sometimes, I have to put my big girl panties on and deal with things myself.
We built our house almost five years ago. We have a nice piece of property sort of out in the country. I say we live in the country because we use propane to heat our house and a septic system to rid our house of waste. Being that I was, well Jeff and I both were, raised in the city, we know very little about these two systems.
We learned the hard, or should I say cold, way one winter that you have to monitor your propane tank for when it is time for a refill. And since that time, I have tried to pay closer attention to the things around the house. So I when I heard that you are suppose to get maintenance on your septic system every 3 to 5 years, I made a phone call and set it up.
The kids were really excited when the big truck pulled up and they wanted to go outside and watch was the man was doing. I hesitantly allowed them but only as far as the porch. Why? Well, I have seen ‘Dirty Jobs’ and if you ask me, a septic tank cleaner is just about as dirty as they come. And I had no idea what to expect. I was pretty sure that the stench that would rise up when the lids were removed would cause us all to pass out. Of course, it didn’t but I didn’t want my fears of a child falling in a tank to come true so near the house, we stayed.
After a few moments of the septic guy pushing a long tool into the tank and me seeing brown sludge spill over, I had had enough. And I was pretty sure that my lunch was not going to stay in my stomach much longer unless I moved. As I corralled the kids into the house, Hayden said in a very loud voice, “Mom, you were right. This is a very dirty job. I don’t want a job like that. Its too yucky.”
I looked up from Hayden to the septic guy and gave him a nervous smile and laugh, “Kids, you never know what they will say.” And with that I pushed the last kid through the door into the house.
Safely inside as I got the kids ready for naps, the doorbell rang. I ran back down stairs to answer it. Septic guy was waiting for me.
“Um, hello. I just came up to tell you that I did a test and your drain field is bad.”
I just stared at him with a goofy look on my face. I knew that he was speaking English but I had no idea what he was talking about.
Septic guy tried again, “See my tool out there, when I put it in the ground water came back at me. That means that your drain field is not working. There may be sewage spilling out into your yard.”
“Oh” was all I could muster.
“Ma’am, this is not good.” he went on. “You could have sewage backing up in your yard and all the germs and bacteria that comes with that. This is a serious problem.”
At this point, I could tell that he was not getting the reaction from me that he wanted. I was trying so hard to understand what he was saying, I really was. So he tried a different approach.
“You need to get this fixed. You can’t let your kids out there to play. I have a little kid and I would not let him any where near that area. Your kids could get really sick.”
Now, I was starting to freak out. All I could see in my head was my yard full of raw sewage and my kids swimming through it in little life rafts. They were having a great time and totally unaware of the dangers. It was just ‘mud to them. But then a more realistic thought came into my head. We have been cooped up in this house all winter and now this man is telling me that I couldn’t let my kids play outside. Good God, he must be crazy.
“What am I suppose to do?” I asked trying to keep my voice from shaking.
He smiled just a little because I think that I finally reacted the way he wanted me too. “Oh don’t worry, I made a referral to our drain field experts. They will call you about putting in a new one. Here is your paper work. And you have a good day.”
And with that he left. Leaving me to freak out about keeping the kids inside on a gorgeous spring day and the raw sewage armageddon that was going to take place in my front yard.
I took some deep, calming breaths, picked up my phone and dialed. I called the one person, I knew that would know what to do. I called a man.
(Long story short, my father in law thinks that this guy was just trying to take us for a ride. We live on clay and of course after a couple days of rain and being that it is spring, there is going to be water coming up form the ground. There is nothing wrong with our septic system. He is sure of it. And he assures me there will be no sewage armageddon.)
oh boy, yes sometimes you do need a man to sort these things out! It was always the same getting my car MOT’d in the Uk. If i went i got ripped off, if my boyfriend went it was all fine.
Glad it’s all ok and the kids can go out!
My husband’s favorite phrase is, “I gotta guy…” Goodness knows he was not born to do any manual labor … in fact, my parents bought a tool set for him, with the understanding it was really for me.
But like you, sometimes I just really need someone else to take control and “fix” the problems. A septic leak is a mighty stinky problem. So glad it’s nothing you really need to worry about – but nonetheless, it was still crappy that they tried to sell you a bill of goods… no pun intended.
I love this story – funny! I had something similar happen recently when our hot water heater busted. As I’m frantically mopping up water, I realized it was coursing under the furnace. I, too, had to call a man to find out if that was bad or not. Thanks for stopping by my blog – I’m becoming a follower of yours now!
.-= missy´s last blog ..3 Secrets for a Happy Life =-.
Gee, sigh of relief here. Why do men think they can “take you for a ride” because you are a woman. I bet he would not have taken that chance with Jeff.
Omg, I just love when men speak stupid man jargan…I would have just looked at that guy and said, “No hablo espanol.” Because he was clearly speaking a language I know nothing about.
Yikes! I would be freaked out too!
.-= Beth´s last blog ..The Best Lenses for Your DSLR, Bloggography =-.
thank god everything is ok
.-= natalee´s last blog ..Mommy is an addict!!!!!!!!!! =-.
Maybe septic man was getting payback for Hayden’s “very dirty job” comment??
Glad your septic is fine. We have one also, and though we haven’t had any problems yet, I dread the day that we might. Yuck!
love it, I just did this the other day, scheduled my car to go in with my car obsessed husband, because he will know what they are saying
.-= Cindy A´s last blog ..Oopsy Daisy =-.
I just worked on my own septic tank. I didn’t know I could, but I did. The whole time I was wishing Mike Rowe was there to look at, uh help me. Glad it worked out good for you!
.-= Leiah´s last blog ..Monday Musings =-.
You know…that’s what I was thinking the whole time. He tried *way* too hard to get a reaction out of you and that tells me he was making up lies.
I was thinking the same thing. We had a septic tank in Virginia and never had a single problem. Of course there were only 2 of us utilizing it on a regular basis!
.-= Wendy´s last blog ..Another boring OB appointment =-.
Oh heck yeah. Thank your FIL and get another opinion from a septic guy. That guy was trying to freak you out. We had well water and a septic tank on our property AND my Dad was an Environmental Engineer. If he thought for one second that the fact that the field was bad he would have done something about that field. Of COURSE he called his little friend to call you for an estimate. J/A
.-= Scargosun´s last blog ..A 5K Virgin No More =-.
I do NOT miss having Septic and Propane. We spent a cold, cold night one time when we forgot to get it filled and then paid the ridiculous fee for a Saturday delivery. Blech! I’m glad you got your poopy problem all sorted out and that it isn’t what he said it was!
oh yuck!! That reminds me it is probably time to get our septic system flushed. I think I will make my husband be home for that!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..The newest member of our family…(Republished) =-.
When it c!! omes to poo….the men can keep that job!
Ugh. I would get a second opinion too. If the house is only 5 years old, it should not be a problem already unless it was done incorrectly to begin with. and that man? Yep, dirty job.
.-= sara@domesticallychallenged´s last blog ..Post It Note Tuesday-Fitting it all on a Postie =-.
Yes my first thought is I wonder if he was trying to just take you for a ride. That is what I hate about things like that how are we to know?? And yes, I leave things like this up to my husband too
.-= Emmy´s last blog ..Third Trimester =-.
Oh yuckie yuckie yuckie! I hope your FIL is right!!
.-= Stephanie@The Blue Zoo´s last blog ..Always Fashionably Late To The Party, and Everywhere Else…. =-.
Ugh. Septic systems are an education for sure. I knew nothing about them, but I’m also learning…the hard way.
Yuck!
I really hope your FIL is right. That wouldn’t be fun to deal with.
I prefer to leave stuff to men as well–but when Tom is deployed, I have to deal with it on my own. Like lawn crap. I HATE lawn crap. Ugh.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Panties. In My Yard. =-.
Yep, yep. DEFINITELY certain jobs that us woman really need not do. And THAT my friend, is one of ‘em.
.-= Elaine´s last blog ..The Soundtrack of My Life =-.
Ew! A dirty job for sure! Can’t blame Hayden for pointing out the obvious! I totally make Brian deal with a lot of those dirty maintenance-type things. Payback for all of the poopy diapers I change…
the raw sewage armageddon
I love that line.
.-= Jack´s last blog ..A History of My Child’s Life =-.
After our “painting” experience, I realized that our marriage would not survive a fixer upper, because I would be doing all the fixer upping. Having grown up surrounded by handy men, it’s always a little startling that my husband is not a tool man, but that has it’s benefits too. He goes to his job, and we call the plumber. (After I try fixing it of course
I’m glad this didn’t turn out worse than a guy just trying to scam you. I too have a septic system and use propane to get hot water. I HATE when the propane runs out!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Cheers
- CoconutPalmDesigns
.-= CoconutPalmDesigns´s last blog ..Just a Glimpse! =-.
well as much as i’d like to agree with everyone–indeed clay doesn’t drain well. so…if the rain water doesn’t drain well it could just be that neither is your septic tank. i’d get a second opinion to make sure that guy ISN”T right. because if he is then that is a huge health risk. but…didn’t you get your landed tested for the perking before you built and put in your septic tank? most countries demand a perk test when house construction requires a septic tank. anyway, hope it was just him jerking your chain and all is well.
Our sewer line broke a few years back and we had to have it replaced. Turns out it had been spitting shit out underground in our back yard for quite a while. Which explained the beautiful lush patch. No kidding. So living on city sewer line isn’t always better.
PS-Mike Rowe is hot.
.-= Carabee´s last blog ..Take Two =-.
My Dad is my go to “guy” call. I love my husband, but handy he is not.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Mommy and Me Monday =-.
I TOTALLY would have called a man. I would have called my dad.
And I am the gal who can install track lighting, toilets, and retaining walls, so I know where you’re coming from.
.-= Kelly Deneen´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Thoughts: The day I tried to be funny and failed =-.
This is when I LOVE to turn on the stupid little woman charm – “really” and “oh thank you, you big strong man for saving my children” – bat the eyes, clasp the hands under your chin.
And then never call them back.
Poopy head mean man.
And Carabee’s P.S. made me giggle – Mike Rowe is hot. Dirty Job indeed
.-= ash´s last blog ..Luckily, it’s one of my favorite John Lennon tunes. =-.
I hope your father in law is right!
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..What Color Is Your House? =-.
Oh what a great story! We live in the country too…we live in a heavy clay area too…and yes, the ground gets really soggy in rainy weather. We had a similar “issue” but our guy proceeded to tell me how the feces would contaminate our well water too. I actually took that blonde moment to the extreme, dumped a gallon of bleach down into the well and then proceeded to ruin a couple loads of laundry because it took so darn long to get the bleach out of the pipes. Not fun!
.-= Tina@RideOnToys´s last blog ..Power Wheels Toys – Everything You Ever Wanted To Know =-.
Sewage Armageddon! I love it! I am glad you had collected yourself enough to get a second opinion and some sound advice.
.-= Lourie´s last blog ..Sticky Note Tuesday =-.
LOL! I’d burn my bra about as far away from the septic system as I could. Yuck a pooh!
.-= Michelle @ One Crafty Mama´s last blog ..WW – A good day at the ranch =-.
don’t you just hate it when they look at you differently JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE A GIRL?
.-= cheri´s last blog ..wordless wednesday: a day at the arcade =-.
That is too funny! I’m sure it wasn’t at the time, but it is now that I read it.
Found you through SITS!
I can probably count on one hand the times I’ve put gas in my car in the last 5 years. There are some things that are a man’s job in my little world!
I about choked when I read about your visual of the kids floating around in raw sewage!
I’m glad it’s not true, and sorry that butthead tried to take advantage of a woman!
Scamming scammers! Hate that. He knew he had you when he noticed you ALONE in the house. Knew he could prey on you and your parenthood worries. Lame.
Post-college, pre-husband I once took my car into the shop for an oil change. It was making a really low innocuous humming noise. I asked the guy, as I dropped the car off, to take a look. Came back and was handed a bill for $1200! No joke. I cried. Called my Dad (called “the man”) who got on the phone and read the riot act to the loser who replaced a transmission without consent. A-holes.
.-= Cindy S (Serial Swooper)´s last blog ..Phil Collins, Woody & Me =-.
I would have been clueless also!
Thanks for stopping by on my blogtrotting day. Glad you could make it!
.-= Lynn´s last blog ..Table Topics Tuesday: Who’s Hungry? =-.
I hate situations where you feel like someone is trying to take advantage of you, but you don’t know enough about the situation to actually tell!
See: Me and every car repair shop I’ve ever been in. It isn’t pretty.
.-= Megan (Best of Fates)´s last blog ..Golden & Delicious =-.
Gross. I mean, if there is a time to be taken for a ride, and not question it? I think that is the time.
The first night we came home with our newborn, B, it was about 94 degrees out all day. It was awful. And our air conditioner… the one we thought was working? Died. The next day we called the first repair people who would pick up the phone. 8k later, we had a new system and thought to ourselves, “We were totally taken.”
.-= erica´s last blog ..I hate squirrels =-.
ewwww! I wouldn’t have really known what to say or do either…hope your FIL is right!!!
.-= Barbara Manatee´s last blog ..Squeezing in a few play dates =-.