On Saturday, J realized that our hot water heater was leaking. Nothing major, but enough to warrant a call to our home warranty provider. We were told that someone would contact us to set up a service call "as soon as possible." Needless to say, "as soon as possible" does not mean quickly. So, we called again (on Monday) and got set up with a technician on Tuesday. In the meantime, we changed out the towel that was absorbing the leak every few hours and continued to go about our daily business.
When our service call actually happened on Tuesday morning, the plumber told us the water heater needed to be replaced and that it would be a one to two day turn around. We were cool with that. Everything was working fine and we didn't really mind swapping out a towel here and there. Plus, our home warranty was going to cover the cost.
But, then on Tuesday night (after my second run of the day), I took a shower. And when I came downstairs to swap out the towel, we had an issue. LIKE A BIG ISSUE. Like Old Faithful had erupted in our utility room. Water was everywhere and the shut-off valve wouldn't budge (we later learned the valve was shot).
I called J in a panic. There was no containing the water and I couldn't find the shut-off for the water line to the house. I tried to catch the water in a bucket, but that was pointless. When J got home 20 minutes later, he was able to cut the water to the house (well, partially), which slowed the flow of water. At that point, there wasn't much else for us to do. We had to sit and wait for a professional to come and remedy the situation.
An hour and a half later, the "on-call" plumber showed up to drain the tank and restore water to the rest of the house. It sounded great to me. Sure, we wouldn't have hot water until the unit was replaced, but that would hopefully be within a day. Easy peasy.
Except it wasn't. Because not only did our hot water heater provide hot water to our home, it also served an integral part in our home heating system. Meaning that if we don't have a functioning hot water heater, WE DON'T HAVE HEAT. And it's freaking 20 degrees outside. Needless to say, we are cold. And I'm not good with cold.
And to top it off, it is over 24 hours later and we still don't have any clue as to when we will be getting our new water heater. Apparently, it is "special" and is more difficult to obtain than your standard water heater. Right.
So, until it arrives and is installed we will be doing (or not doing) the following ...
1. We will be sleeping with WAY more blankets than anyone ever should. I'm pretty sure that Dilly is going to get lost in the three queen sized blankets on her bed.
2. We will be wearing multiple layers and hats indoors. Not ideal, but at least I don't have to brush anyone's hair.
3. We will be snuggling. A lot. Which doesn't really suck at all.
4. We will not be doing laundry. Kind of sucky, considering I only own 35 pieces of clothing and I am wearing most of them right now.
5. We will not be using the dishwasher. And all of our dishes will be cleaned in ICE COLD water. (That will be J's job.)
6. We will not be bathing. I'm not into the whole cold shower in the winter thing. And although I know I could fill the bathtub part of the way with cold water and add boiled water to the tub, that is just too much work.
7. We will count our blessing that this didn't happen a week from now, right before or right after we go to Disney.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
potty mouth ...
For all of you who love a stories about bodily functions, here is a conversation I had yesterday with Doodle ...
Doodle: "Mommy. My side hurts."
Me: "Well, honey, you probably have to go to the bathroom."
Doodle: "NO! I! DON'T!"
Me: "Whatever, Doodle. Then stop complaining." (Obviously, I am really sympathetic.)
Doodle: (Whining) "But, my side hurts ..."
Me: "Then go to the bathroom."
Doodle stomps off and I proceed to pick up around the house.
Doodle: (all of 30 seconds later) "Mom?"
Me: "What?"
Doodle: "I am going to the bathroom."
Me: "I'm super happy for you."
Doodle: (not to me, but loud enough for me to hear): "I just can't stop pooping! I am pooping so much! I'm gonna fill the toilet up. I guess I really had to go poopie."
Doodle: "Mom? What are you doing?"
Me: "I'm putting away the laundry. Why?"
Doodle: "Well, I am going poopie and there is so much. I can not believe how much poopie came out of me. And my side doesn't hurt anymore. That is so silly!"
No, Doodle. What's silly is that you didn't just listen to me in the first place ...
Doodle: "Mommy. My side hurts."
Me: "Well, honey, you probably have to go to the bathroom."
Doodle: "NO! I! DON'T!"
Me: "Whatever, Doodle. Then stop complaining." (Obviously, I am really sympathetic.)
Doodle: (Whining) "But, my side hurts ..."
Me: "Then go to the bathroom."
Doodle stomps off and I proceed to pick up around the house.
Doodle: (all of 30 seconds later) "Mom?"
Me: "What?"
Doodle: "I am going to the bathroom."
Me: "I'm super happy for you."
Doodle: (not to me, but loud enough for me to hear): "I just can't stop pooping! I am pooping so much! I'm gonna fill the toilet up. I guess I really had to go poopie."
Doodle: "Mom? What are you doing?"
Me: "I'm putting away the laundry. Why?"
Doodle: "Well, I am going poopie and there is so much. I can not believe how much poopie came out of me. And my side doesn't hurt anymore. That is so silly!"
No, Doodle. What's silly is that you didn't just listen to me in the first place ...
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
control ...
I have never claimed to be ladylike. In fact, I will openly admit to being quite the opposite. I have been known to wipe my nose (and my kids') with my sleeve. I unabashedly pick my wedgies. And I only wear a skirt when I am running. But perhaps my most unladylike behavior is that I burp with the best of them. I never try to hide it. And most days I make a joke of it.
Usually, the joke goes one of two ways.
1. I burp and blame someone else. The kids seem to find this funny. As long as they aren't the one who gets blamed.
2. I burp and tell whichever kid is closest that she "made me do it."
Most days, the girls appease me and laugh at my rather pathetic attempt at being funny. But recently, Dizzle just isn't having it. Yesterday, when I told her she made me burp, she turned to me and said ...
"Mom. We control our own bodies."
Right, Dizzle. I had forgotten that. Why don't you keep that in mind then next time you try to tell me that Doodle made you do it ...
Usually, the joke goes one of two ways.
1. I burp and blame someone else. The kids seem to find this funny. As long as they aren't the one who gets blamed.
2. I burp and tell whichever kid is closest that she "made me do it."
Most days, the girls appease me and laugh at my rather pathetic attempt at being funny. But recently, Dizzle just isn't having it. Yesterday, when I told her she made me burp, she turned to me and said ...
"Mom. We control our own bodies."
Right, Dizzle. I had forgotten that. Why don't you keep that in mind then next time you try to tell me that Doodle made you do it ...
Monday, December 6, 2010
feeling festive ...
Yesterday morning, I woke up to this ...
So, I ran 9 miles wearing this ...
Then once I warmed up, we did a little bit of this ...
And this ...
And this ...
And, yes. I was there too ...
And then we ended up with this ...
Yup. Definitely feeling festive around here ...
Then once I warmed up, we did a little bit of this ...
And this ...
And this ...
And, yes. I was there too ...
And then we ended up with this ...
Yup. Definitely feeling festive around here ...
Friday, December 3, 2010
if I could change one thing ...
When someone asks me if I have any regrets or if there is anything I would change in my past, I have always said no. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason, both good and bad. I have faith that I am exactly where I am meant to be at this very moment.
And if we are being honest, I am amazingly content with my life. I have a loving husband, three beautiful daughters and an amazing support system. There really isn't much I can complain about. Sure, some days are stressful and sometimes things don't go my way, but all-in-all, I am blessed. We all are.
But being blessed doesn't prevent you from being stupid. I will admit that I have made some dumb choices in my life. I've focused on the wrong things. I've stressed about things I can not change. I've gotten caught up in commercialism. In having the latest and greatest. The biggest and the best.
And that last one? Well, that's something I am committed to changing.
I remember being 18 years old and getting my first credit card. For the next four years, I was a credit card company's worst nightmare. I made a few small charges each month and paid off the entire balance WEEKS BEFORE the due date. They NEVER made a cent off of me. And in return, I was rewarded with an excellent credit score.
I remember how I used to make purchases. I was a poor college student who only bought what was NECESSARY. I always thought before I swiped. If I didn't have the money in the bank to cover what I was buying, I didn't get it. So, if that meant that I ate cereal or mac and cheese at every meal because that was all I could afford, I was cool with that.
Until yesterday afternoon, I couldn't really pinpoint when that mentality changed. I knew it was sometime after graduation and before Dizzle was born, but the exact moment alluded me. But, in my ongoing purging, I stumbled upon my "wedding portfolio" (the book I used to plan my wedding).
Inside the book was the final bill for our wedding. Not the dress. Or the favors. Or the photography (which was free by the way). Or any of the costs leading up to the event. Just the total price of the wedding and reception.
$6091.
$6091 that was put entirely on a credit card. $6091 that I am probably still paying for.
As soon as I saw that bill, I remembered that moment. (And it instantly became the moment I would go back and change.) J and I had to pay for the wedding somehow and our credit cards were the only way we could at the time. And I'm pretty sure that when that charge hit, we became "OK" with carrying debt. It almost seemed like a necessary evil. I think I've known all along that it's not, but when you are carrying debt it becomes easier to justify more debt.
I really wish we could go back 6 years and change our spending habits. I wish we could return all of the items we wasted our hard earned money on and get a refund. But, it doesn't work like that. Instead, J and I are actively choosing to break the cycle. We have kicked the credit cards to the curb. We have set a strict budget. And if we can't pay for it in cash, we can't pay for it at all.
I know it's going to be hard to change our habits. And I know the "unexpected" will happen. But, I also know that I am extremely driven and when I set my mind to something, I find a way to make it happen. This will be no different. I refuse to let it be.
And if we are being honest, I am amazingly content with my life. I have a loving husband, three beautiful daughters and an amazing support system. There really isn't much I can complain about. Sure, some days are stressful and sometimes things don't go my way, but all-in-all, I am blessed. We all are.
But being blessed doesn't prevent you from being stupid. I will admit that I have made some dumb choices in my life. I've focused on the wrong things. I've stressed about things I can not change. I've gotten caught up in commercialism. In having the latest and greatest. The biggest and the best.
And that last one? Well, that's something I am committed to changing.
I remember being 18 years old and getting my first credit card. For the next four years, I was a credit card company's worst nightmare. I made a few small charges each month and paid off the entire balance WEEKS BEFORE the due date. They NEVER made a cent off of me. And in return, I was rewarded with an excellent credit score.
I remember how I used to make purchases. I was a poor college student who only bought what was NECESSARY. I always thought before I swiped. If I didn't have the money in the bank to cover what I was buying, I didn't get it. So, if that meant that I ate cereal or mac and cheese at every meal because that was all I could afford, I was cool with that.
Until yesterday afternoon, I couldn't really pinpoint when that mentality changed. I knew it was sometime after graduation and before Dizzle was born, but the exact moment alluded me. But, in my ongoing purging, I stumbled upon my "wedding portfolio" (the book I used to plan my wedding).
Inside the book was the final bill for our wedding. Not the dress. Or the favors. Or the photography (which was free by the way). Or any of the costs leading up to the event. Just the total price of the wedding and reception.
$6091.
$6091 that was put entirely on a credit card. $6091 that I am probably still paying for.
As soon as I saw that bill, I remembered that moment. (And it instantly became the moment I would go back and change.) J and I had to pay for the wedding somehow and our credit cards were the only way we could at the time. And I'm pretty sure that when that charge hit, we became "OK" with carrying debt. It almost seemed like a necessary evil. I think I've known all along that it's not, but when you are carrying debt it becomes easier to justify more debt.
I really wish we could go back 6 years and change our spending habits. I wish we could return all of the items we wasted our hard earned money on and get a refund. But, it doesn't work like that. Instead, J and I are actively choosing to break the cycle. We have kicked the credit cards to the curb. We have set a strict budget. And if we can't pay for it in cash, we can't pay for it at all.
I know it's going to be hard to change our habits. And I know the "unexpected" will happen. But, I also know that I am extremely driven and when I set my mind to something, I find a way to make it happen. This will be no different. I refuse to let it be.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Three Things Thursday ...
1. Revenge of the Pinkeye - Remember last week when I posted that Doodle had been hit with pinkeye? Well, it seems that the eye of pink has taken permanent residence in our home. Dizzle was diagnosed with it on Monday and Doodle (after finishing both an oral and topical antibiotic) woke up all crusty again today. Seriously? Isn't one round enough? Dude, if this doesn't clear up soon, our Disney photos are going to be scary ...
2. Post Thanksgiving Immune Deficiency - Did you know that such a thing existed? Well, it does. For the past three years, I have gotten sick in the week following Thanksgiving. I'm not sure why, but it hits me pretty much immediately after Thanksgiving dinner and it hits me hard.
And because I am a runner first, logical thinker second, I have been running this week despite not feeling great. Yesterday was rough. I didn't know if I just lacked motivation or if my body was trying to tell me I needed a rest day. I hoped I was running low on motivation and headed out in 40+ mph winds with G, J, K and two strollers. Needless to say, sometimes I question our sanity.
3. San Francisco Stalking - Last January, G and I traveled to Bermuda for the Bermuda Half Marathon. It was a FANTASTIC girls' weekend and we decided that we wanted to make it an annual tradition. After much talk (of where we could stay for free), we decided to run the 2011 San Francisco Half Marathon. (Feel free to join us!)
Registration was supposed to open yesterday. So, like any sane person I stalked the website ALL DAY waiting for it to go live. But, it NEVER did. Apparently, there is some sort of technical glitch holding everything up. And although, I know the race probably isn't going to sell out on day one, I REALLY want to register. It makes it all official. And then, J can't change his mind about me going ...
2. Post Thanksgiving Immune Deficiency - Did you know that such a thing existed? Well, it does. For the past three years, I have gotten sick in the week following Thanksgiving. I'm not sure why, but it hits me pretty much immediately after Thanksgiving dinner and it hits me hard.
And because I am a runner first, logical thinker second, I have been running this week despite not feeling great. Yesterday was rough. I didn't know if I just lacked motivation or if my body was trying to tell me I needed a rest day. I hoped I was running low on motivation and headed out in 40+ mph winds with G, J, K and two strollers. Needless to say, sometimes I question our sanity.
3. San Francisco Stalking - Last January, G and I traveled to Bermuda for the Bermuda Half Marathon. It was a FANTASTIC girls' weekend and we decided that we wanted to make it an annual tradition. After much talk (of where we could stay for free), we decided to run the 2011 San Francisco Half Marathon. (Feel free to join us!)
Registration was supposed to open yesterday. So, like any sane person I stalked the website ALL DAY waiting for it to go live. But, it NEVER did. Apparently, there is some sort of technical glitch holding everything up. And although, I know the race probably isn't going to sell out on day one, I REALLY want to register. It makes it all official. And then, J can't change his mind about me going ...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
November Rewind ...
Holy Cow! It's December, which means that a BIG holiday is coming up quickly.
My birthday - there are only two months until I turn 29. And you probably should start planning your gifts now. I accept cash, checks, credit cards and running gear of all kinds. And if you are feeling really generous, go ahead and send me a Christmas present too.
Or, if you want to send me a gift to commemorate all I accomplished last month, I'm not going to stop you. And so that you have a reference point, here is my November 2010 in review ...
Miles Planned/Miles Ran: none - for the first time in forever, I ran without a training plan/140.67 (which brings me to 1609.15 on the year)
Rest Days Planned/Rest Days Taken: 8/9
Highest Mileage Week: 11/22-11/28: 34.3 miles
Long Runs Planned/Long Runs Completed: 4/4
Donuts Burned: 97 (my favorite statistic on Dailymile)
Current Book: None, unless children's books count. Which I don't think they do. Especially considering I have most of them committed to memory.
Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Cream Puffs. Have you ever noticed how I have a thing for desserts? Well, I do. And thanks to a $2.00 off coupon at BJ's, I have almost single-handedly consumed a box of 70 cream puffs. God, I hope J has been sneaking them too ...
Current Colors: Pink and Charcoal Grey
Current Drink: Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla Coffee. With the temperatures dropping, I find myself drinking it non-stop just to stay warm.
Current Song: Club Can't Handle Me - Flo Rida
Current Triumph: My 3:04 PR in the 8K two weeks ago. And a complete purge of my closet. And my pure awesomeness, of course ...
Current Goal: A new 5K PR at my December 26th race. Rebuild my base before heading into marathon training on Jan 1. Not go broke while on vacation at Disney.
Current Blessing: Pretty much everything. Life is pretty sweet right now. And I don't take that for granted.
Current Excitement: Did I mention that we are going to Disney? Like in 14 days? And that my kids have NO IDEA? (Note: We surprised them with a Disney trip in March. It was classic. You can see their reactions HERE.)
My birthday - there are only two months until I turn 29. And you probably should start planning your gifts now. I accept cash, checks, credit cards and running gear of all kinds. And if you are feeling really generous, go ahead and send me a Christmas present too.
Or, if you want to send me a gift to commemorate all I accomplished last month, I'm not going to stop you. And so that you have a reference point, here is my November 2010 in review ...
Miles Planned/Miles Ran: none - for the first time in forever, I ran without a training plan/140.67 (which brings me to 1609.15 on the year)
Rest Days Planned/Rest Days Taken: 8/9
Highest Mileage Week: 11/22-11/28: 34.3 miles
Long Runs Planned/Long Runs Completed: 4/4
Donuts Burned: 97 (my favorite statistic on Dailymile)
Current Book: None, unless children's books count. Which I don't think they do. Especially considering I have most of them committed to memory.
Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Cream Puffs. Have you ever noticed how I have a thing for desserts? Well, I do. And thanks to a $2.00 off coupon at BJ's, I have almost single-handedly consumed a box of 70 cream puffs. God, I hope J has been sneaking them too ...
Current Colors: Pink and Charcoal Grey
Current Drink: Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla Coffee. With the temperatures dropping, I find myself drinking it non-stop just to stay warm.
Current Song: Club Can't Handle Me - Flo Rida
Current Triumph: My 3:04 PR in the 8K two weeks ago. And a complete purge of my closet. And my pure awesomeness, of course ...
Current Goal: A new 5K PR at my December 26th race. Rebuild my base before heading into marathon training on Jan 1. Not go broke while on vacation at Disney.
Current Blessing: Pretty much everything. Life is pretty sweet right now. And I don't take that for granted.
Current Excitement: Did I mention that we are going to Disney? Like in 14 days? And that my kids have NO IDEA? (Note: We surprised them with a Disney trip in March. It was classic. You can see their reactions HERE.)
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