Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Why you should replace the fridge filter more than once ever.
Because it can make a huge mess! And be very expensive! And make you look like a fool to the 8 plumbers you call to repair a hot water heater that isn't broken!
Apparently, changing the water and ice filter on the refrigerator isn't so much of a suggestion as much as it is completely and utterly necessary. Greg found a puddle around the water heater in the garage early Saturday morning, and assumed it was leaking. After some investigation and making the connection with some recent musty smells, we discovered the carpet under our dresser in the master bedroom was soaked, which is just on the other side of the wall from the water heater. The tile grout in our two pantry areas was also wet-looking. So we called around to several plumbers, trying to find someone who was 1) working on Saturday and 2) wouldn't cost three arms and two legs. We ultimately decided to buy our own heater and get the hourly plumber out to install it for maximum money savings. His first available was Monday morning, so we unplugged it and turned the water off to it and attempted to drain the water out. That evening we noticed MORE water by the back door, and figured the water heater was still leaking somehow. We traced the water to the fridge. Greg pulled it out from the wall and discovered a huge puddle under it! STILL thinking it was from the water heater, but wanting to be safe, we unhooked the water line from the fridge and mopped up the water. By that time it was time to get packed and ready to leave for Austin early the next morning. No time to mess with it anymore.
Skip forward to Monday, the heater gets installed while we are living it up in Austin, and we come back home to dry floors and hot water. Yay! So Greg reconnected the water line to the fridge. Couple of hours later there was more water. HUGE puddle under the fridge, and wet carpet in the bedroom again. Just great!!!!!! This time the investigation showed us the filter was leaking when attached, and when he unscrewed it, the water stopped. Awesome. The filter was apparently clogged and full and spewing water onto the floor. So, today I picked up a new filter for $40ish and we have a brand new hot water heater that was totally unnecessary. I'm going to tell myself we preformed preventative maintenance on the water heater to keep myself from having a money meltdown. Argh!
p.s. In regards to preschool (see previous post), we've decided not to send him. One more year with my boy getting to be a little boy at home with his mama is the right decision for our family. Thanks for the comments on here and on Facebook. I respect each and every one of you and am thankful for wonderful friends!
Apparently, changing the water and ice filter on the refrigerator isn't so much of a suggestion as much as it is completely and utterly necessary. Greg found a puddle around the water heater in the garage early Saturday morning, and assumed it was leaking. After some investigation and making the connection with some recent musty smells, we discovered the carpet under our dresser in the master bedroom was soaked, which is just on the other side of the wall from the water heater. The tile grout in our two pantry areas was also wet-looking. So we called around to several plumbers, trying to find someone who was 1) working on Saturday and 2) wouldn't cost three arms and two legs. We ultimately decided to buy our own heater and get the hourly plumber out to install it for maximum money savings. His first available was Monday morning, so we unplugged it and turned the water off to it and attempted to drain the water out. That evening we noticed MORE water by the back door, and figured the water heater was still leaking somehow. We traced the water to the fridge. Greg pulled it out from the wall and discovered a huge puddle under it! STILL thinking it was from the water heater, but wanting to be safe, we unhooked the water line from the fridge and mopped up the water. By that time it was time to get packed and ready to leave for Austin early the next morning. No time to mess with it anymore.
Skip forward to Monday, the heater gets installed while we are living it up in Austin, and we come back home to dry floors and hot water. Yay! So Greg reconnected the water line to the fridge. Couple of hours later there was more water. HUGE puddle under the fridge, and wet carpet in the bedroom again. Just great!!!!!! This time the investigation showed us the filter was leaking when attached, and when he unscrewed it, the water stopped. Awesome. The filter was apparently clogged and full and spewing water onto the floor. So, today I picked up a new filter for $40ish and we have a brand new hot water heater that was totally unnecessary. I'm going to tell myself we preformed preventative maintenance on the water heater to keep myself from having a money meltdown. Argh!
p.s. In regards to preschool (see previous post), we've decided not to send him. One more year with my boy getting to be a little boy at home with his mama is the right decision for our family. Thanks for the comments on here and on Facebook. I respect each and every one of you and am thankful for wonderful friends!
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
To go or not to go?
That's a lot of Os!
We might have the opportunity to send Caleb to pre-k in the fall. I just found this out last week, and now my universe has been altered. I had it in mind that Caleb would be at home one more year before starting Kindergarten, since we really can't afford preschool. But this opportunity has come up, and it's very hard to say no. My only hangup is that it's 8-3 every day. For my boy that still takes a 2 hour nap every day, 8-3 is going to be hard for us. I'm sure they will get a rest time, (they better, if they know what's good for them!) But that is not 2 hours in bed at home = not top-quality rest.
I am torn. Send him or not? I still have to apply and be approved, but I think the mama in me is the only one here that isn't ready. I'm sure he would do fine, and probably excel beyond my expectations. But he's my baby!!! When did this growing up business happen!?
We might have the opportunity to send Caleb to pre-k in the fall. I just found this out last week, and now my universe has been altered. I had it in mind that Caleb would be at home one more year before starting Kindergarten, since we really can't afford preschool. But this opportunity has come up, and it's very hard to say no. My only hangup is that it's 8-3 every day. For my boy that still takes a 2 hour nap every day, 8-3 is going to be hard for us. I'm sure they will get a rest time, (they better, if they know what's good for them!) But that is not 2 hours in bed at home = not top-quality rest.
I am torn. Send him or not? I still have to apply and be approved, but I think the mama in me is the only one here that isn't ready. I'm sure he would do fine, and probably excel beyond my expectations. But he's my baby!!! When did this growing up business happen!?
Monday, August 02, 2010
Grandpa's 75th Birthday party
When my mom's side of the family gets together, it's always a huge occasion, simply because there a LOT of people. My mom has 3 siblings, all of which have at least three kids. I am one of 13 first cousins and most of us live within a 2 hour drive to Grandma's house. Last weekend we got together to help celebrate my Grandpa's 75th birthday. It was definitely a full house! There were my 2 grandparents, my mom, two aunts, two uncles, my brother, 6 cousins, one cousin's boyfriend, one cousin's best friend, my great-aunt and -uncle, one family friend, my little family of 4, one dog, and one cat. That's 23 humans and 2 animals.
Since Caleb seldom sees paper plates at home, he had no idea what to do with it! I joke, I joke...
Grandpa always has time for a tractor ride.
Driving the little tractor out to the barn to get on board the big tractor
It took quite some time in the kitchen to get food ready for all those people! I helped a little.. I made the brownies.
Carly entertained herself with some games. Grandma was fascinated that a 2-year old was playing games on my phone.. and that she was so quiet while she was playing!
Then we had a bit of swimming. It took Caleb two days and one semi-traumatic experiece where Greg grabbed him off the steps and the dropped him in the shallow end for Caleb to realize that he could touch the bottom. Then he walked around for hours! He only slipped and dunked himself once, and that was the end of swimming for him. Silly kid!
Carly never left the steps. I remember spending hours on the steps when I was a kid at Grandma's. They built this pool the year I was born, so I have LOTS of memories here!
After dinner we had dessert...
... and singing. That was Grandpa's request -- to have Grandma play the piano and they had a list! Mom said she heard them downstairs late at night giggling at the piano all week long planning this music list! It was a very sweet time with lots of old favorites, and lot of tears. Yes, we are a family of crying singers..
Singing "Unworthy" together... beautiful!!
Three of the four siblings singing together with mom on piano
My bro on the guitar
Carly and her Unca Dodo
I just love this:
Singing "Pick up the shovel, and dig another well."
Cody again
Related much?
A bunch of the teenagers (my cousins and assorted others) in attendance
It was WAY past bedtime at this point, but Carly was hanging on in my uncle Steve's lap.
Cody and me
And I had to put this one in... I asked them to smile and this is what I got. Steve's face makes me laugh out loud every time! What a goofy uncle!! And this is typical Greg too. Never serious!
Since Caleb seldom sees paper plates at home, he had no idea what to do with it! I joke, I joke...
Grandpa always has time for a tractor ride.
Driving the little tractor out to the barn to get on board the big tractor
It took quite some time in the kitchen to get food ready for all those people! I helped a little.. I made the brownies.
Carly entertained herself with some games. Grandma was fascinated that a 2-year old was playing games on my phone.. and that she was so quiet while she was playing!
Then we had a bit of swimming. It took Caleb two days and one semi-traumatic experiece where Greg grabbed him off the steps and the dropped him in the shallow end for Caleb to realize that he could touch the bottom. Then he walked around for hours! He only slipped and dunked himself once, and that was the end of swimming for him. Silly kid!
Carly never left the steps. I remember spending hours on the steps when I was a kid at Grandma's. They built this pool the year I was born, so I have LOTS of memories here!
After dinner we had dessert...
... and singing. That was Grandpa's request -- to have Grandma play the piano and they had a list! Mom said she heard them downstairs late at night giggling at the piano all week long planning this music list! It was a very sweet time with lots of old favorites, and lot of tears. Yes, we are a family of crying singers..
Singing "Unworthy" together... beautiful!!
Three of the four siblings singing together with mom on piano
My bro on the guitar
Carly and her Unca Dodo
I just love this:
Singing "Pick up the shovel, and dig another well."
Cody again
Related much?
A bunch of the teenagers (my cousins and assorted others) in attendance
It was WAY past bedtime at this point, but Carly was hanging on in my uncle Steve's lap.
Cody and me
And I had to put this one in... I asked them to smile and this is what I got. Steve's face makes me laugh out loud every time! What a goofy uncle!! And this is typical Greg too. Never serious!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
One Good Reason
This 20 second video shows one good reason why Carly doesn't want to move out of her crib. Can't say I blame her much! Looks like fun to me!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Our Monday Project
So...... Carly is potty trained. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I was commenting to some friends yesterday, this should not have been so easy! I mean, in a matter of days, SHE decided she wanted to use the potty, wear big-girl panties, and never look back. Once SHE decided that, it only took two accidents, and she knows now. We are on day five (at least) with zero accidents. Praise the Lord! This is vastly, immensely, polar-oppositely different than my first (and still somewhat ongoing) experience with teach Caleb the potty. We have even gone so far as going to the church nursery in panties, and taking naps in panties. I know she will probably regress, and have off days, but so far so good. And I have to say, I think I deserve this just a little.. can I get an amen?
Anyway, since she is a big girl now, it was high time to start the transition out of the crib and into the big girl bed. Over the weekend we bought some new mattresses, play switcheroo with Caleb's and Carly's, and set up a brand new queen size bed in Caleb's room (after a little bit of creativity with a very large drill bit) and moved Caleb's full-size mattresses into Carly's room. However, taking cues from her assertiveness with the potty training, when she said she didn't want to sleep in the big bed yet, we let her stay in the crib for now. So we have a crib and a full size bed, and all the furniture that goes with it in her room right now..
Disregard the pile of foam mats.. that was Caleb's idea for a "step" to help her get on her bed.. they are now back in his room acting as his step.
And since Caleb's bed got bigger, and Carly's got girlier, I needed to take inventory of our linen closet. That led to a total cleanout and purge. Sadly, I didn't take any picture of the before.. but I'll just tell you, it was badly in need of a makeover. Like puking pillowcases when the door opened bad. And here's the finished project. Now what to do with the pile of linens I took out? Currently they are in a pile in the living room. It makes for a nice TV-watching pallet for the children.
I had one with out the cheesy kid in it, but this one is too cute!
My Project Manager:
Anyway, since she is a big girl now, it was high time to start the transition out of the crib and into the big girl bed. Over the weekend we bought some new mattresses, play switcheroo with Caleb's and Carly's, and set up a brand new queen size bed in Caleb's room (after a little bit of creativity with a very large drill bit) and moved Caleb's full-size mattresses into Carly's room. However, taking cues from her assertiveness with the potty training, when she said she didn't want to sleep in the big bed yet, we let her stay in the crib for now. So we have a crib and a full size bed, and all the furniture that goes with it in her room right now..
Disregard the pile of foam mats.. that was Caleb's idea for a "step" to help her get on her bed.. they are now back in his room acting as his step.
And since Caleb's bed got bigger, and Carly's got girlier, I needed to take inventory of our linen closet. That led to a total cleanout and purge. Sadly, I didn't take any picture of the before.. but I'll just tell you, it was badly in need of a makeover. Like puking pillowcases when the door opened bad. And here's the finished project. Now what to do with the pile of linens I took out? Currently they are in a pile in the living room. It makes for a nice TV-watching pallet for the children.
I had one with out the cheesy kid in it, but this one is too cute!
My Project Manager:
Summertime
More pictures of my sweet kiddos and the great outdoors... but before you start thinking I'm the kind of mom that spends all day outside learning about bugs and plants and such, don't be fooled. I take pictures outside for two reasons: 1) My house is usually too cluttered with toys and laundry and I don't want anyone to see that and 2) My camera takes really great pictures in natural light.. plus we have a great backyard. We just go outside for a few minutes to take the pictures, then we come back inside to the A/C.
My favorite big oak tree.. just love how the branches look like veins.
Our Mammoth sunflowers!
I love Carly's face in this.. indignant!
My favorite big oak tree.. just love how the branches look like veins.
Our Mammoth sunflowers!
I love Carly's face in this.. indignant!
Carly's First Haircut
In her first two and a half years of life, Carly hasn't really grown much in the hair department. My thought was, why would I cut what she DOES have? I want it to grow! But, after seeing a couple of my friends' little girls with the same type hair and cute cuts, I decided to let go of the rat tail-mullet, and even it out. AND I took before and after pictures!
Before:
After:
That's all I cut off, but what a difference! It was nearly three inches in the middle.
Then we decided to really girl it up and paint toenails:
Before:
After:
That's all I cut off, but what a difference! It was nearly three inches in the middle.
Then we decided to really girl it up and paint toenails:
Come On
I made a post about this before but deleted it. But come on!! I have gotten numerous comments in languages I can't understand in the last few weeks. Stop already! I don't speak or read Chinese so don't comment on my blog in any language but English! And if I can't understand it, why in the world would I publish them? Really, that's enough. So stop.
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