Monday, August 11, 2008

Ms. Potato Head Gets Her Arm Back



I'm really trying to be positive. After all, my problems pale in comparison to the problems of others. But, it is hot and I am chronically sleep deprived and I'm just a little grouchy. My dishwasher has quit dispensing soap, which, in my mind, is a major part of the cleaning process. Okay, we can wash dishes by hand. The AC in my car has also decided that August is the best time to quit working and refuses to be fixed even after my husband worked on it and spent money (we don't have) on a part. Okay, okay, I can drive with the windows down. It is still hot and I arrive at my destination sweaty with my hair standing on end but I get there. Best of all--my washing machine won't finish washing without beeping out in distress, flashing F codes, and dumping water all over the floor. We tried our various means of coping with this disaster, depending on our levels of hygiene requirements, before I was able to schedule a repair person through the Sears phone robot. The repair man came and spent several hours cleaning out the drain, replacing parts, and testing volts. $300 later (which we don't have) he declared the washer cured of its ills and left. I happily began washing only to have a recurrence of the F-codes and more beeping. I argued with the Sears phone robot (I'm sorry, I didn't get that response.) and think, hope, and pray the repair man will return to find the real problem. Never mind that I had to schedule a day off work to wait for his first appearance. The only bright side to all of this is that one of the items clogging up the drain was Ms. Potato Head's arm. It has a few chunks missing but I think we'll be able to reattach it. I can't say the same about my sense of humor.

Friday, August 08, 2008

Elmo Birthday Fun (Again)

Tabitha's Elmo birthday party was a big success! Thanks to all who helped to make it one. This year she really understood what were birthdays are about. Cake, presents, and a party, of course! She does get the concept of being a certain number and proudly tells everyone, even complete strangers in Target, that she is 3. She holds up the requisite 3 fingers as proof.

As a matter of fact she thinks she should have at least 3 of everything now that she is 3. Her Daddy told her just last night that she could either quit playing in his plate of food or get down out of his lap. She loves to finish her dinner then annoy her Daddy from his lap while he tries to finish eating. As her annoying behavior continued, he gave her the empty threat of getting off his lap or behaving. Her big brother told her, "Tabi, as I see it, you have 2 choices. Leave Dad's food alone or get down." "No, Tyler, I have 3 choices," she replied holding up 3 fingers. Silly Tyler forgot to count the choice where she does what she wants to do.


Hopers eyes the cake.





Birthday girl in the pool.





Birthday girl refuses to smile for the camera.