Before You Dig...

Yup, we've all heard it a million times. Before you dig, have the utility companies come out and mark everything so you don't inadvertently ruin a power line (and a perfectly good life).

Two days ago, little flags started showing up in my yard. But I didn't call. I'm not planning on digging. The neighbors are all asking what we're up to. And I have to answer, sadly: nothing.

So why the little markers everywhere?

Gas lines in yellow, Power in red

When we moved in, our phone crackled with static and made every conversation a lesson in listening. Difficult to do anyway with five children upset that your attention has wandered. Then our internet also started acting up. It probably never worked right. Doug called at least once a week to complain. We even had a few techs come out to tell us they had no idea, but they messed with xxx and it should be fine.

Wasn't.

Finally we got a tech that realized that our problem wasn't the internet. It was the phone line. The phone line needed to be completely replaced. And in pouring rain, the darling man put in a new line. It was December, though (yes, a full seven months after we started our service), so the crews couldn't bury the line until probably April. Never mind that this year has been unseasonably warm (did I tell you I have been weeding this February?).

Apparently, though, said crews realized that the ground is not frozen, nor does it have any plans to become so. And they called the utility companies. Mystery solved.

The kids were very concerned about the spray paint on the lawn.

Just to feel like I had some say in it all, I went out and took pictures. Now we can know where those lines are when we want to dig. Like for a fence (hint, hint, Doug).