After drilling for more than 4 hours, we are now officially unplugged. The good news is that he only charged me $100. Eric decided to look at it this way. It was a $500 drain job with a free washing machine thrown in. :) This could have been so much worse. Eventually, the toilets and showers would have started backing up into the laundry room. The drain guy says he sees this a lot with families who flush baby wipes down the toilet (which we DON'T). So word to the wise, don't flush baby wipes.
So I get to spend today finishing a weeks worth of laundry and since it's payday, I also get to figure out the bills and how I'm going to fit the last expenditures into the budge.
I am looking forward to the weekend.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
wrong answer
Well, the good news is that we didn't need to buy a new washer. The bad news is that we didn't need to buy a new washer. The problem is that the main sewer line going out of the house is plugged. So now the guy has spent 2 hours trying to declog the disaster. *sigh*
This is not only frustrating, but nasty.
This is not only frustrating, but nasty.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The death of an appliance
Several years ago, my aunt gave me the washer and dryer that she had in one of her rental units. I figure that they are about 25 years old (at least). Two years ago the dryer kicked the bucket, and on Monday the washing machine followed suit. Eric and my brother-in-law, Brandon, tried to fix it, but to no avail. I must add that Brandon can fix ANYTHING. So Eric is on the way to pick up and bring home my new washing machine. Tada! My sister commented that the washing machine must have sensed that I was doing my taxes and that I was getting a rebate. *sigh*
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Saturday Activities
Eric and I knew that the calendar was empty today, so in an attempt to keep the children from fighting and arguing, Eric came up with the following idea. Each member of the family wrote down two ideas for activities that they would like to do. Each activity could only last for a maximum of 30 minutes and it couldn't cost anything. The kids had a great time thinking of ideas, even Jon-Jon got into the act. Then we folded up the papers and put them in a jar. Each member of the family, starting at the youngest, got to draw a paper out. Jon started and drew out "Watch Pink Panther cartoons and do voices for all of the characters." That was really funny since the characters don't talk at all and the kids had a great time making up comments to go along with the story.
After Pink Panther, Adam drew "Watch Horton Hears a Who." So we watched the last 10 minutes of the movie.
Emma's turn was "Make something blow up." So we all went to the kitchen and did science experiments with balloons, baking soda and vinegar. The kids LOVED this one.
Braden drew out "Wii Sports". So the boys had a bowling tournament and then the girls did one as well.
Mom's turn was "Wii Fit" and since this was Adam's paper, he choose that we all had to do the running games. *sigh* Not my favorite.
On Eric's turn, we played a short game of Boom Blox on the Wii. Then we wrapped around to Jon's turn again which was "Make a family sandwich." A family sandwich starts with Eric laying down on the Love Sac. Then each of the children pile on and Mom squishes everyone as the top layer.
Adam drew "Make Valentine's Day cards with Mom's card stuff." Surprisely, the kids all had a great time making card with my card making supplies. I was really surprised when Braden said that he wanted to do it again sometime. He made a card for his teacher with a cute poem inside that he made up himself.
Emma got the last draw before dinner which was "Read to each other." Eric took this one and read a really mixed up version of Green Eggs and Ham to the kids while I made dinner. To top off a fun afternoon, I made something special that we had never had before. I made cheese fondue and served it with bread chunks, steak chunks, and apple wedges. The kids loved eating out of my fondue pot (which has only been used once before). They begged for chocolate fondue for dessert.
Karen came over at 6 pm and brought her game "Curses". In this game, you get cursed and have to do funny things like "talk like a vampire the rest of the game" or "your wrist have been glued to your head." While you are cursed, you draw other challenge cards that you have to complete such as "sell an insurance plan to your neighbor" and "sing a holiday song". If the other players catch you NOT doing your curse, you lose.
After Curses, I made chocolate fondue and we ate bananas, Maria crackers and palmeras with it. Yummy. We played "Swap" with the kids and then Eric, Karen and I finished the night off with games of Dominion and Ticket to Ride. It was a great day.
Of course, I just realized that I missed the first half of the day, when we went to a very excited Braden basketball game. His team pulled off a 18-13 win over a very tough opponent. Then we cleaned house. All in all, it was a very satisfying Saturday, and I loved how the kids interacted positively with each other instead of fighting and arguing over the Wii.
Have a great Sabbath.
After Pink Panther, Adam drew "Watch Horton Hears a Who." So we watched the last 10 minutes of the movie.
Emma's turn was "Make something blow up." So we all went to the kitchen and did science experiments with balloons, baking soda and vinegar. The kids LOVED this one.
Braden drew out "Wii Sports". So the boys had a bowling tournament and then the girls did one as well.
Mom's turn was "Wii Fit" and since this was Adam's paper, he choose that we all had to do the running games. *sigh* Not my favorite.
On Eric's turn, we played a short game of Boom Blox on the Wii. Then we wrapped around to Jon's turn again which was "Make a family sandwich." A family sandwich starts with Eric laying down on the Love Sac. Then each of the children pile on and Mom squishes everyone as the top layer.
Adam drew "Make Valentine's Day cards with Mom's card stuff." Surprisely, the kids all had a great time making card with my card making supplies. I was really surprised when Braden said that he wanted to do it again sometime. He made a card for his teacher with a cute poem inside that he made up himself.
Emma got the last draw before dinner which was "Read to each other." Eric took this one and read a really mixed up version of Green Eggs and Ham to the kids while I made dinner. To top off a fun afternoon, I made something special that we had never had before. I made cheese fondue and served it with bread chunks, steak chunks, and apple wedges. The kids loved eating out of my fondue pot (which has only been used once before). They begged for chocolate fondue for dessert.
Karen came over at 6 pm and brought her game "Curses". In this game, you get cursed and have to do funny things like "talk like a vampire the rest of the game" or "your wrist have been glued to your head." While you are cursed, you draw other challenge cards that you have to complete such as "sell an insurance plan to your neighbor" and "sing a holiday song". If the other players catch you NOT doing your curse, you lose.
After Curses, I made chocolate fondue and we ate bananas, Maria crackers and palmeras with it. Yummy. We played "Swap" with the kids and then Eric, Karen and I finished the night off with games of Dominion and Ticket to Ride. It was a great day.
Of course, I just realized that I missed the first half of the day, when we went to a very excited Braden basketball game. His team pulled off a 18-13 win over a very tough opponent. Then we cleaned house. All in all, it was a very satisfying Saturday, and I loved how the kids interacted positively with each other instead of fighting and arguing over the Wii.
Have a great Sabbath.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Jon-Jon and Potty Training
Jon has decided that he wants to use the potty. What usually happens is that he goes upstairs, while I'm not aware, and takes off his diaper. I discover this later as he is running around the house pantless (which happened tonight in front of our dinner guests) or pulls up his pants without a diaper. *sigh*
I'm hoping that this enthusiasm leads to a much quicker potty training than the last child.
I'm hoping that this enthusiasm leads to a much quicker potty training than the last child.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
More New Years Resolutions
OK. So I actually made more resolutions that previously mentioned. I also decided to de-junk the house from top to bottom. Today I did my bedroom. I reorganized all of the "hot" spots, the nightstand drawers, under the bed and the closet. Now I have piles of papers to shred and bags of stuff to take to the DI. There is something fulfilling about going into a closet and seeing lines of shoes and nicely folded sweaters.
Right now, Jon and Adam are watching "Kung Fu Panda" which is much preferable to "Elmo's Potty Time"... any time. I think that my shredder is going to die of overuse though. Jon wanted to help me shred so He sat on my lap and I tried to teach him how to put papers in without putting fingers in as well.
OK, I just remembered a funny situation from yesterday. Due to complications of the holidays, Jon didn't get into the doctor for his surgery follow-up until yesterday. The doctor looked in his mouth and said that he could hardly even see evidence of a wound. Of course, then he handed Jon the wooden tongue depressor and told him he could keep it. The thought ran through my mind that it was a stick that got us into his office in the first time. I was wondering if he was hoping for repeat business. Needless to say, the tongue depressor went into the first garbage can I saw.
Right now, Jon and Adam are watching "Kung Fu Panda" which is much preferable to "Elmo's Potty Time"... any time. I think that my shredder is going to die of overuse though. Jon wanted to help me shred so He sat on my lap and I tried to teach him how to put papers in without putting fingers in as well.
OK, I just remembered a funny situation from yesterday. Due to complications of the holidays, Jon didn't get into the doctor for his surgery follow-up until yesterday. The doctor looked in his mouth and said that he could hardly even see evidence of a wound. Of course, then he handed Jon the wooden tongue depressor and told him he could keep it. The thought ran through my mind that it was a stick that got us into his office in the first time. I was wondering if he was hoping for repeat business. Needless to say, the tongue depressor went into the first garbage can I saw.
Monday, January 12, 2009
New Years Resolutions
At the beginning of last year, Eric and I set goals to lose weight and improve our spirituality. This year is a continuation of those goals. I had lost 27 pounds and Eric about 15, but the end of the year proved too much for our will power. We both gained about 10 pounds back. So starting this week, we are back on the plan. My arms are really tired now, since we just finished doing step aerobics (which I'm sure that Eric doesn't want spread around). Look for weekly updates on our progress.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
It Pays to Read
The kids' school does a reading program. Every month, the children in the school who have read over a certain number of minutes (per grade) are put into a drawing for the "It Pays to Read" Assembly. The chosen children get to shoot baskets for money. The child shoots the first basket, and then 4 teachers are chosen to shoot the others. The first basket is worth $1, the second $2 and so on, up to $15.
Well, at the last assembly, Adam's name was drawn but he couldn't participate because his class was doing their Christmas Program for the families at the same time. So today, Mr. Rowe, the principal, called Adam and his class down so he could have his turn... The grin at the bottom tells all. "Mom, I got $15"
Well, at the last assembly, Adam's name was drawn but he couldn't participate because his class was doing their Christmas Program for the families at the same time. So today, Mr. Rowe, the principal, called Adam and his class down so he could have his turn... The grin at the bottom tells all. "Mom, I got $15"
Monday, January 5, 2009
Perfect Day
The house is clean, the kids are happy and obedient. Everyone was up and ready on time. I'm sure life doesn't get any better than this.
Friday, January 2, 2009
We Are Home!
We arrived home today at about 7:30, after a brief stop in Lehi for dinner with Eric's parents. That was exceptionally nice since there is very little edible in the fridge, and I will go on a hunger strike if I have to eat at McDonald's anytime in the next month.
Right now, I am unpacking and trying to fit back into my life. I am realizing that I have several pressing Primary issues that need to get dealt with. Argh.
It is nice to be home.
Right now, I am unpacking and trying to fit back into my life. I am realizing that I have several pressing Primary issues that need to get dealt with. Argh.
It is nice to be home.
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