Post Trip Report – Casa de Agua de Dallas, Tejas….

[Tyramania]

My trip to Playa was wonderful, as always. I hope to be able to post a trip report about this last trip, eventually. Really, I do. Let's hope my memory holds up until I weather through my current trauma . If so, I’ll share some info on planning a trip for a gaggle of family members and other tidbits of info/opinions on ‘things I did in Playa.’ But first, my post trip report….

My last day in Playa began as almost any traveler’s worst nightmare. I sleep in (have nowhere to be and nothing but chill-time planned) . Grab a latte and head to the internet café to see whaz up. My email comes up and two subject lines jump from the screen…the first being….”Water Problem” , the second….”Flooding Problem” . These enticing emails come from my pet/house sitter, Heather, that usually sends updates with….uh, more chipper subject lines.

The incoming water line to the toilet in the master bath had sprung a leak. By the time it was discovered, there was an estimated 2 inches of water in the master bedroom with damage to the kitchen, den, portion of a guest BR and hall. The inflow of water was quickly stopped and my uber-pet/house sitter got someone out to extract the bulk of the water – all before I stepped off the plane in Dallas. (Note to Dallas residents in the White Rock Lake, and vicinity of Dallas – have I got a great pet/house sitter for you).

Long, painful, story, short….I sit in my ‘office’ tonight. My house (once named the RR Bar and Bait Shoppe, currently dubbed Casa de Agua de Dallas, Tejas), has been invaded by nine industrial fans and a couple of large dehumidifiers, blowing and sucking up all the moisture. All I need to do is close my eyes, toss a little sand in my pants, don some noise-blocking ear phones playing, “sounds of Playa Mammitas” and I’d be all set. Not.

ALSO, note to Verizon cell phone users – my phone worked, both sending ( once I figured out what numbers to dial, ie., country code) and receiving (kinda) calls, both local and to the US. I was able to receive a call from the Austin area but didn’t have a good signal – it was a bust, mostly. Please note that I had an urgent message (from Heather) that I didn't receive until I returned home - glad she had my email address. We’ll have to wait and see what they opt to charge me for those calls – update upon bill receipt.

There ya have it. My post trip report. So far (important caveat), all is proceeding well in my dealings with the insurance company and water restoration folks – you’ll hear about it if it doesn’t .

The joys of home ownership…..big sigh…..- Tyra

PS: All plans are still "GO" for the "P2D2 - Crossroads Extravaganza and Warm Up Fiesta" We may just be partying at Casa de Agua on concrete floors! Tougher on the knees if ya fall, but makes clean up a breeze.

[denisea]

Tyra that sucks! I knew something was up when I received your urgent email late Saturday afternoon. Sorry I wasn't online at the time to help you out.

I can sympathize with burst pipes and flooding. When we were house hunting in Ohio during a blizzard, we got a phone at 4am in the morning from our tenant back in Upstate NY telling us that the pipes in the main house had frozen and burst and could we tell him where the main shutoff valve was located.

Then shortly after moving into our house in NC the main water line to the house detached at the foundation. Had to have a brand new line run from the street to the house because upon inspection we found out that the pipes used weren't up to code back when the house had been built.

Isn't homemoanership wonderful!?!

Perhaps Scott can arrange for a truckload of sand to be brought to your house for the upcoming P2D2 weekend.

[cuffedlinks]

Tyra...Oh no girl...

Sheesh....NO WAY to have a time away in paradise tainted...

Hope it all works out...I'm sure it will. Just too bad you couldn't come back from a trip and just relax - after having made ALL those decisions for everyone else - than to have to come back and make yet MORE decisions...

....just breathe, right?....

I remember once driving down to the airport the night before leaving for Mexico and my car quits...We get towed to the airport motel...I call for a dealership to come pick up the car and find out what's wrong...

Get a call in Mexico after a few days from my own mechanic who I called to have monitor the process...MAJOR problems...just weeks after warranty expires, ...over $2000.00 in repairs - legitimately so...

CRAP - nothing like adding $2K to your trip's expenses...could've had ALOT more fun...

Let us know how things are progressing, k?

[Tyramania]

Denise & Cuffed -

Thanks for your empathy and sharing your tales o'woe...

Besides! I never liked the carpet in my bedroom anyway!

- T (too tired for the whole name thingie)

[sctx]

Originally Posted by denisea

Perhaps Scott can arrange for a truckload of sand to be brought to your house for the upcoming P2D2 weekend.

Sand ???? I can do that !!! But don't worry Tyra, after everyone has a couple of my Kawama Mama Margaritas, no one will give a damn what the house looks like

[denisea]

Originally Posted by sctx

Sand ???? I can do that !!! But don't worry Tyra, after everyone has a couple of my Kawama Mama Margaritas, no one will give a damn what the house looks like

Actually, Scott brings up a good point. (Oh, did I really say that? )

Knowing this crowd, it might be wise to reconsider having any required remodeling done after the P2D2 fiesta.

Either that or require a deposit from everyone.

[squish]

Good one Tyra...

Get us all down to Dallas for some reality TV house remodelling show!! FREE Labour!! Is there really a concert?

Seriously, after talking to you last night I am awed by your calm demeanor and am actually in envy of your new decorating project! Seems like a (knock wood) potential silver lining in that ole cloud... but keep us posted!
I am sorry that this catastrophe clouded your trip memoires a tad. However, In but one week we can certainly help motivate some recollections fer ye! WHOOHOOO.. One week ... one week... one week (nuff said)

[Tyramania]

Casa de Agua update:

Today's a big day at Casa de Agua de Dallas. I am anxiously awaiting the insurance adjuster and water restoration guys to show up and tell me what they're gonna replace.

I have endured the fans and dehumidifiers blowing and going 24 hours a day for a week now. This place better be dry as a bone.

Sooo, everyone....send all your positive mental energy this way (don't hurt yourself) - new flooring (mostly), paint - big $$$$!

- Tyra - thank you for your support

[cuffedlinks]

You've got it....and MORE!

[squish]

C'mon... BIG money!!!

[Critter]

Originally Posted by squish

C'mon... BIG money!!!

Yeah what Squish says.

Along with no major structual damage

[TAPPY]

andy hopefully no mold problems !!!!!

[denisea]

Would you recommend packing a candle to eliminate the musty smell? It's not really that bad is it? You see, I'm terribly allergic to mold and mildew. If we cancel our trip, we'll be covered under the Casa de Agua travel insurance plan, right?

[Critter]

Denise - Go to your local auto store and get a 3 pack on pine scented air fresheners. Open all three in your room. That will take care of the musty smell.

Mold and mildew can be a little tougher. But a good scrub down with a 50/50 mix of bleach and water should help. (walls and floors not you).

You should be able to buy beach in Texas, so you won't have to take it with you on the plane. Just ask for Bleach-o. You may have to ask loudly so that they will understand you :o :p

[sctx]

Originally Posted by denisea

Would you recommend packing a candle to eliminate the musty smell? It's not really that bad is it? You see, I'm terribly allergic to mold and mildew. If we cancel our trip, we'll be covered under the Casa de Agua travel insurance plan, right?

Hey tyra, you checkin this out??? another one of them foreigners making excuses and tryin to weasle out of the gig..... and they say they're not sceered !!!