Handywoman!!!

I love being handy. I think I get this from my mom. Mom can pretty much do anything.  I grew up completely confident in the fact that Mom could do everything from decorate a wedding cake to helping me draw a cover for my book report. 

I love her for instilling the "can do" attitude in me.  I hate hate hate having to ask for help for household fix-it type problems...so I generally try it myself.  I also generally foul the project up a few times...but it eventually works out ok.

So, we needed a new toilet. The old one wasn't broken....but it was terrible. 

I once read a book by Jack Weyland called Charley. One of my favorite parts in the book was when the newlyweds got a new appliance- - I think it was a washer and dryer. The author described how much they totally loved their new addition and how they gazed at it lovingly.  I feel that way, too.  I love new washers, dryers, frying pans, water heaters...these lovely little contraptions that make our lives so much easier.

So, here is my fantastic new toilet.  Hmmmm...I tightened down the water source, stood up and flushed it, and found myself gazing lovingly at my beautiful new throne.  It didn't even leak!  The lid didn't blow off nor did water shoot ten feet in the air. So, to all you out there who may think twice about taking on a project like this....give it a try.  I say if you can read directions you can install a toilet!

p.s.  The kids thought I was the bomb when I got it installed. They fought about who got to use it first!  haha.

Stop Thief!!!

I am not really a green thumb, but I am good for all kinds of labor! This is the second year we've had a garden and it was pretty good this year. I put no effort into the planting, watering or harvesting...Merile did all of that.  My job? Weeding and getting it ready to plant.

We grew the standard fare this year.  I was particularly excited for our corn on the cob...last year: pitiful. This year: bountiful!

So, I was walking up our driveway and saw a bunch debris all over the front yard. There was a distinct path from the side of our property where our garden is located. As I focused in on what the samhill the craziness was all over the yard...I saw the culprit:

Little monster!  He stole our corn. Not just one corn on the cob. The furry rodents cleaned us out! 

Oh well, I guess he needed it worse then we did!

Here's to some fat and happy squirrels this winter!

Tagger

Well, being a mom is always an experience.  Here's a little story for you:

Merile's car ignition seized up.  The only way to get the ignition cylinder out was to take a drill to it and drill the tar out of it. So, I took a sharpie and marked a big "X" where I wanted the hole in the ignition and armed with my trusty drill and some safety glasses, I went to town.

Jack was sitting in the back seat of the car watching me drill.  However, it was about 100 degrees in the car, so he wilted and hopped out. He was on the lawn, running around the deck, playing with his trucks. I could see him out of the corner of my eye. He wasn't playing in the street or bugging the neighbors, so he was good.

I took a break from drilling to rest my hands. Jack said, "Mom, how do you spell Damon?" I said "D-A-M-O-N and went back to drilling.

Crazy thing drilling an ignition. It was kinda awesome. I felt kinda like criminal! hehe.

I got out of the car and gathered up my tools...headed into the house and went about my day.  A bit later, I went back outside to get the mail.  Here's what I saw:

Hmm. This picutre looks kinda familiar. In fact, I've seen this type of monster truck before. Yep, this is Jack's "tag." My kid took the sharpie I used to mark the ignition and he tagged my mailbox!!! 

Might I tell you that tagging aka "grafitti" is illegal in Washington?!  I've prosecuted certain juvenile deliquents for less!

I looked at Jack. He had a very proud smile on his face.  "Look, Mom...do you like my monster truck?"
Mom: "Jack, did you tag anything else?"  Jack: "Mom, what is tag?"  Mom:  "Tagging is drawing on other people's stuff, son."  Jack:  "Yeah, Mom, but our mailbox was UGLY."  Mom:  "Point taken."

It only took a brief look around the yard to behold additional tags.... 

Apparently, I am an accomplice to this crime. I told him how to spell "Damon." 

What can I say???  He loves his mom.

And, well, most criminals leave some type of incriminating evidence. Most, however, don't leave their REAL name behind!!!

So, truth be told...I was a little ticked off at first.  But now that I've had time to reflect....everytime I get the mail I smile.  It warms my heart.

What a monkey!