When I was quite young, I learned how to weave the palm I got each year on Palm Sunday.
Showing posts with label My Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Life. Show all posts
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Taxes: Income vs. Property
I read an article last Sunday in the Star Tribune (the one that I got for $1 for a year, and have saved oh-so-much-more in the coupons that have come out of it!) about property taxes paid in Minnesota and this Voss report. In this article, Tice talks about "modest incomes" (between $10,000 and $45,000, which is where my husband and I fall), and how they pay 5% of their income in property taxes. Right away, I thought something was wrong with this article.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Grieving: Men vs. Women
At the "Fall Family Day: Getting Back to 'Normal,'" we split up, men and women (and children). The men and women each came up with their own list that they wanted the opposite sex to know about their grief.
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My Grief Wish List
This isn't something that I wrote, the author is unknown, but it was given to us after the "Fall Family Day: Getting Back to 'Normal'" at Children's Hospital, and I thought I would share it with people. Maybe it will help you understand us a little bit better or be more relaxed around us. (I edited it a little bit, putting in Danni's name and "she" and what-not.)
My Grief Wish List
1. I wish you would not be afraid to speak Danielle's name. She lived and was important and I need to hear her name.
2. If I cry or get emotional if we talk about Danni, I wish you knew that it isn't because you have hurt me; the fact she has died has caused my tears. You have allowed me to cry and I thank you. Crying and emotional outbursts are healing.
3. I wish you wouldn't let Danni die again by removing from your home her pictures, artwork, or other remembrances.
4. I will have emotional highs and lows, ups and downs. I wish you wouldn't think that if I have a good day my grief is all over, or that if I have a bad day, I need psychiatric counseling.
5. I wish you knew that the death of a child is different from other losses and must be viewed separately. It is the ultimate tragedy and I wish you wouldn't compare it to your loss of a parent, a spouse, or a pet.
6. Being a bereaved person is not contagious, so I wish you wouldn't stay away from me.
7. I wish you knew all the crazy grief reactions that I am having are in fact very normal. Depression, anger, frustration, and hopelessness, and the questioning of values and beliefs are to be expected following a death.
8. I wish you wouldn't expect my grief to be over in six months. The first few years are going to be exceedingly traumatic for us. As with alcoholics, I will never be 'cured' or a 'formerly bereaved, but forever be 'recovering' from my bereavement.
9. I wish you understood the physical reaction to grief. I may gain weight or lose weight, sleep all the time or not at all, develop alot of illnesses and be accident prone, all of which are related to my grief.
10. Danni's birthday, the anniversary of her death and the holidays are terrible times for us. I wish you could tell us that you are thinking about her on these days and if we get quiet and withdrawn, just know that we are thinking about her and don't try to coerce us into being cheerful.
11. I wish you wouldn't offer to take me out for a drink, or to a party, this is just a temporary crutch and the only way I can get through this grief is to experience it. I have hurt before and I can heal.
12. I wish you understood that grief changes people. I am not the same person I was before Danielle died and I never will be that person again. If you keep waiting for me to get back to 'my old self,' you will stay frustrated. I am a new creature with new thoughts, dreams, aspirations, values, and beliefs. Please try to get to know the new me: maybe you will still like me.
Monday, January 4, 2010
What I Would Say to Other Drivers
I've always wished that I had one of those scrolling light-up headliner attached to the rear window of my car (or sometimes the front or side...). There are so many things I wish I could tell drivers as they are being idiots on the road. Here is a list I've compiled so far of "pre-set" headlines I would like... feel free to comment and leave you own.
Even if you tail me, my cruise control won't set itself faster.
Even if you tail me, the car in front of my won't go any faster.
Even if you tail me, the car in front of my won't go any faster.
1 blink, once you've already cut me off, does NOT count as a blinker.
Yes, you may cut me off, your time is MUCH more important than mine.
See that sign there? It says the speed limit is ___!
Why in God's name would you be doing 1/2 the speed limit with your 4-ways on in the left lane?!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
A Short Re-cap of 2009 (aka - Christmas Letter)
Dear Family & Friends,
We hope 2009 has been as wonderful a year for you as it has been for us. It started off on a sad note, as I lost my grandmother in March. I was devastated that she would not be at my wedding, but my grandma always seemed to know what she was doing. She was going blind and told me she needed a seat up front so she could see, so I figure she probably had the best seat in the house with her view from heaven.
The beginning half of the year, I spent planning our wedding and on May 9, we were wed at Holy Trinity Church. The church was decked out in flowers from Easter, so I loved not having to worry about that myself. We enjoyed having a small event to celebrate our love for each other, and loved being able to spend time with all our family who had traveled such a long distance to see us!
After our wedding day, I enjoyed finally moving into the townhome I bought in November 2008, where Adam had been living since then. Adam was excited to have someone there to cook for him (though I think he may be finding that one to be a bit of a letdown).
Adam was kept busy over the summer by working two jobs: early AM’s at UPS, and Target a few days a week and weekends. While Adam brought home the paychecks, I turned the bachelor-pad of a house into our home filled with warm-loving memories from my grandpa and grandma's home.
At the beginning of August, we went for a road trip with my parents out to Oregon and Washington, where my mother’s family lives. We spent time on my grandparent’s farm, and then went up to San Juan Island (kind of off the coast of Seattle) for my cousin’s wedding. It was a beautiful garden wedding overlooking the ocean.
At the end of August, Adam started his sophomore year of college at Century. Next year he plans to transfer to the U of M and graduate in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in electrical engineering. Shortly after Adam started school, I went back to teaching math at Saint Bernard’s. I am in my third year, and it is now beginning to seem to be easier.
Near the end of September, we found out that we are expecting our first child! About the middle of November we were able to hear the baby’s heartbeat. I am due the first part of June 2010. We are very excited to meet our baby!
2010 seems to be a very promising year for us! We hope the coming year brings many blessings and much happiness to your lives as well!
All our love,
Sarah & Adam Gibson
We hope 2009 has been as wonderful a year for you as it has been for us. It started off on a sad note, as I lost my grandmother in March. I was devastated that she would not be at my wedding, but my grandma always seemed to know what she was doing. She was going blind and told me she needed a seat up front so she could see, so I figure she probably had the best seat in the house with her view from heaven.
The beginning half of the year, I spent planning our wedding and on May 9, we were wed at Holy Trinity Church. The church was decked out in flowers from Easter, so I loved not having to worry about that myself. We enjoyed having a small event to celebrate our love for each other, and loved being able to spend time with all our family who had traveled such a long distance to see us!
After our wedding day, I enjoyed finally moving into the townhome I bought in November 2008, where Adam had been living since then. Adam was excited to have someone there to cook for him (though I think he may be finding that one to be a bit of a letdown).
Adam was kept busy over the summer by working two jobs: early AM’s at UPS, and Target a few days a week and weekends. While Adam brought home the paychecks, I turned the bachelor-pad of a house into our home filled with warm-loving memories from my grandpa and grandma's home.
At the beginning of August, we went for a road trip with my parents out to Oregon and Washington, where my mother’s family lives. We spent time on my grandparent’s farm, and then went up to San Juan Island (kind of off the coast of Seattle) for my cousin’s wedding. It was a beautiful garden wedding overlooking the ocean.
At the end of August, Adam started his sophomore year of college at Century. Next year he plans to transfer to the U of M and graduate in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in electrical engineering. Shortly after Adam started school, I went back to teaching math at Saint Bernard’s. I am in my third year, and it is now beginning to seem to be easier.
Near the end of September, we found out that we are expecting our first child! About the middle of November we were able to hear the baby’s heartbeat. I am due the first part of June 2010. We are very excited to meet our baby!
2010 seems to be a very promising year for us! We hope the coming year brings many blessings and much happiness to your lives as well!
All our love,
Sarah & Adam Gibson
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
A Letter that Will Never Be Read...
Dear Big Government,
I know some people call you Uncle Sam, but I really don't think calling you Uncle is the right word. Uncles would look out for us, and I don't think you are.
My main concern, right now, is that Health Care Bill you are trying to pass. I know it is supposed to be "free" for everyone. Let's face it, we all know what the word "free" means when it comes from you. All the people that pay taxes are going to be paying more in taxes to fund this bill. But, those that aren't paying taxes will be taking full advantage of (what is for them) free health care. Right now, for my entire family (even if I had 10 kids right now), it costs us $20/ month. That's it. If I choose to go into the doctor's office, I pay a minimal $10 copay, and that is all. If I need medication, I pay another small copay. It's all very minimal, in fact, some would say it's darn cheap.
I know there is a seperation of church and state, but as a Catholic, I cannot be funding "free" abortions for people who were sleeping around and made their own "mistake." If they are making their own "mistakes" then they can be aborting them on their own dime, or they can decide to use your "free" health care to carry and deliver their "mistake" and then give their "mistake" up for adoption. As I am sure there are plenty of people who would be more than willing to love their "mistake."
Now, since I love my health insurance so much, and would much rather keep it than pay into your "free" health care, I would like to make a deal with you. No matter how big our family becomes over the years, you will not tax my family more that $20/ month, and then I may consider your health care option. But I have other concerns...
My insurance right now will let me pick any doctor I wish to see. So if I need to have surgery, I can find the surgeon that has the most success at this procedure. If the doctor is not "in network" or doesn't accept my insurance, I pay a little more out-of-pocket, to make sure that I have the best. I don't need to wait months and months to have surgery, because the doctors typically have openings within a month (or so depending on the severity, i.e. is it an emergency?). I may also consider your health care option (I don't know why I call it an "option" when you are forcing all tax-paying US citizens to pay for and enroll in your health care), if I still have these options, and I don't have to wait in long lines to be seen.
Another issue I'm for seeing, is the loss of a ton of jobs. I hear on the radio how Mr. Obama is trying to create new jobs by throwing tax-payers money at this and that. But if you take over health care, everyone in the health insurance industry will be loosing their jobs, along with some that are in general insurance (where you can also get health insurance). Does that mean once we are out of this recession, that in 5 years when the "insurance" part of this bill takes effect, that we will start to see another recession?
Which, actually brings me to another point. Isn't the United States of America a place where everyone has the freedom to make their own choices? Isn't our country, one that strives to not have monopolies, so that we do have the freedom to choose? How are you not going to have a monopoly on health coverage if you are forcing everyone to "choose" your "free" health care "option?"
I really think a better bet for your Health Care Bill would be to have it be another option for people to enroll in. Those that choose to go with big government health insurance, can pay whatever tax amount you will be charging your citizens. Those that choose to have the health insurance we have can keep it and not pay a penny more.
Sincerely,
Your "niece" that would love to sever connections with you if you pass this bill,
Sarah
I know some people call you Uncle Sam, but I really don't think calling you Uncle is the right word. Uncles would look out for us, and I don't think you are.
My main concern, right now, is that Health Care Bill you are trying to pass. I know it is supposed to be "free" for everyone. Let's face it, we all know what the word "free" means when it comes from you. All the people that pay taxes are going to be paying more in taxes to fund this bill. But, those that aren't paying taxes will be taking full advantage of (what is for them) free health care. Right now, for my entire family (even if I had 10 kids right now), it costs us $20/ month. That's it. If I choose to go into the doctor's office, I pay a minimal $10 copay, and that is all. If I need medication, I pay another small copay. It's all very minimal, in fact, some would say it's darn cheap.
I know there is a seperation of church and state, but as a Catholic, I cannot be funding "free" abortions for people who were sleeping around and made their own "mistake." If they are making their own "mistakes" then they can be aborting them on their own dime, or they can decide to use your "free" health care to carry and deliver their "mistake" and then give their "mistake" up for adoption. As I am sure there are plenty of people who would be more than willing to love their "mistake."
Now, since I love my health insurance so much, and would much rather keep it than pay into your "free" health care, I would like to make a deal with you. No matter how big our family becomes over the years, you will not tax my family more that $20/ month, and then I may consider your health care option. But I have other concerns...
My insurance right now will let me pick any doctor I wish to see. So if I need to have surgery, I can find the surgeon that has the most success at this procedure. If the doctor is not "in network" or doesn't accept my insurance, I pay a little more out-of-pocket, to make sure that I have the best. I don't need to wait months and months to have surgery, because the doctors typically have openings within a month (or so depending on the severity, i.e. is it an emergency?). I may also consider your health care option (I don't know why I call it an "option" when you are forcing all tax-paying US citizens to pay for and enroll in your health care), if I still have these options, and I don't have to wait in long lines to be seen.
Another issue I'm for seeing, is the loss of a ton of jobs. I hear on the radio how Mr. Obama is trying to create new jobs by throwing tax-payers money at this and that. But if you take over health care, everyone in the health insurance industry will be loosing their jobs, along with some that are in general insurance (where you can also get health insurance). Does that mean once we are out of this recession, that in 5 years when the "insurance" part of this bill takes effect, that we will start to see another recession?
Which, actually brings me to another point. Isn't the United States of America a place where everyone has the freedom to make their own choices? Isn't our country, one that strives to not have monopolies, so that we do have the freedom to choose? How are you not going to have a monopoly on health coverage if you are forcing everyone to "choose" your "free" health care "option?"
I really think a better bet for your Health Care Bill would be to have it be another option for people to enroll in. Those that choose to go with big government health insurance, can pay whatever tax amount you will be charging your citizens. Those that choose to have the health insurance we have can keep it and not pay a penny more.
Sincerely,
Your "niece" that would love to sever connections with you if you pass this bill,
Sarah
Friday, November 27, 2009
No More Secrets... the Rumors are True...
I think today we finally finished telling the family... the rumors are true... and many already figured it out from the last posting on here.
We are pregnant! Our first baby is due at the beginning of June. I am currently 13 weeks along, and just started the second trimester. I have been keeping a blog about the whole thing if you would like to keep updated on how things are progressing. We have our first ultrasound on Monday, and I will try to post pictures or something on the other blog for all to see!
We are pregnant! Our first baby is due at the beginning of June. I am currently 13 weeks along, and just started the second trimester. I have been keeping a blog about the whole thing if you would like to keep updated on how things are progressing. We have our first ultrasound on Monday, and I will try to post pictures or something on the other blog for all to see!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Secrets, secrets...
... are no fun, secrets, secrets hurt everyone!
I've kept a secret for about two months now, and its so hard not to tell. You see, I'm a really bad liar, so when people ask me questions about the topic of this secret, it's really hard for me to come up with a lie on the spot and weave in other lines to create a whole new lie of a story. I've done very well so far, I might say, of keeping this secret though. (Much better job than I have at say, writing in this blog...) I've only told two people, and really, one of them already knew, so I'm not sure you can count that. I'm finding that I am able to avoid questions quite well, and in such a way that people don't suspect that I know anything about said secret. Though I think in about a week I can tell the secret to anyone I want...! So watch out for some juicy gossip... coming soon... to a blog near you!
I've kept a secret for about two months now, and its so hard not to tell. You see, I'm a really bad liar, so when people ask me questions about the topic of this secret, it's really hard for me to come up with a lie on the spot and weave in other lines to create a whole new lie of a story. I've done very well so far, I might say, of keeping this secret though. (Much better job than I have at say, writing in this blog...) I've only told two people, and really, one of them already knew, so I'm not sure you can count that. I'm finding that I am able to avoid questions quite well, and in such a way that people don't suspect that I know anything about said secret. Though I think in about a week I can tell the secret to anyone I want...! So watch out for some juicy gossip... coming soon... to a blog near you!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Aren't allowances for kids?
Money seems to be an issue in a lot of marriages. In fact, it leads to many divorces each year. Money hasn't been a huge issue for the hubbs & I, but it comes up from time to time. Some of our married friends have separate accounts and then they can do whatever they want with their money, some have joint accounts.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Pushing Buttons...
I've never been good at video games, I never really played them as a child. The few times I did play with the neighbor boys, I was getting stuck in corners, never knowing which button to push!
I figured out how to play the Wii we got, as there aren't many buttons, and it's often motion controlled. But my husband's Playstation 3 finally was replaced by Sony (after much arguement with Sony... don't even get me started on that one!), and he's been wanting me to learn how to play. I played a "simple," fun game yesterday at our friends' house. There's the X button, the triangle, the square, and the circle... two joysticks, a "d-pad", then two "R" and "L" buttons... HA! I got the running around part with one of the joysticks, but the rest of it... let's just say, I died a lot!
I talked to my husband about my fustration in playing games with such a complicated control, and after, I realized something. Men have to figure out all of the buttons that women have, so when it comes to figuring out buttons on a game controller, it's so much easier, because they're right there in front of you!
I figured out how to play the Wii we got, as there aren't many buttons, and it's often motion controlled. But my husband's Playstation 3 finally was replaced by Sony (after much arguement with Sony... don't even get me started on that one!), and he's been wanting me to learn how to play. I played a "simple," fun game yesterday at our friends' house. There's the X button, the triangle, the square, and the circle... two joysticks, a "d-pad", then two "R" and "L" buttons... HA! I got the running around part with one of the joysticks, but the rest of it... let's just say, I died a lot!I talked to my husband about my fustration in playing games with such a complicated control, and after, I realized something. Men have to figure out all of the buttons that women have, so when it comes to figuring out buttons on a game controller, it's so much easier, because they're right there in front of you!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The End of Homecoming Week
Tonight's dance (which I am not chaperoning this year) marks the end of Homecoming week! This week has really shown how awesome our freshman class is this year. In my years, I don't believe that I have ever seen a freshman class come in anything but last place for homecoming. Since they are new, they don't always know what is going on, so don't always do quite as well as the other classes.
On Tuesday, we had a dodge ball tournament. Whenever there are any competitions, the first match-up is always seniors vs. freshmen (so it's almost a guaranteed loss). With five seniors left and one freshman girl left, everyone was pretty sure that the seniors were going to win (as usual). This one freshman girl, single-handedly took down the five seniors one-by-one, and won their match-up with the seniors! It was awesome to watch! Her whole class jumped off the bleachers and huddled around her jumping and cheering. The next round they lost, taking 2nd place in the tournament.
All week the class totals were announced, but on Friday at the end of the pep rally, all points are in, and the final totals are announced, marking the winning class. Our dean of students stood up in the middle of the gym, reminding everyone that this is all for fun, then shaking his head, read off the totals... "Fourth place... the sophomores" (cheering came from the sophomore section) "In third place..." (and this was a longer pause) "...the juniors" (the freshmen section broke out cheering, the juniors sat on their bleachers, and the seniors waited nervously) "Second place..." (again, another long pause) "... the freshmen" (cheering broke out from both the freshmen and senior sections so loud that you couldn't even hear the announcement that seniors had taken first place.)
What a great spirited week! Now back to normalcy and kids actually doing their homework! :) That makes for a happy teacher.
On Tuesday, we had a dodge ball tournament. Whenever there are any competitions, the first match-up is always seniors vs. freshmen (so it's almost a guaranteed loss). With five seniors left and one freshman girl left, everyone was pretty sure that the seniors were going to win (as usual). This one freshman girl, single-handedly took down the five seniors one-by-one, and won their match-up with the seniors! It was awesome to watch! Her whole class jumped off the bleachers and huddled around her jumping and cheering. The next round they lost, taking 2nd place in the tournament.
All week the class totals were announced, but on Friday at the end of the pep rally, all points are in, and the final totals are announced, marking the winning class. Our dean of students stood up in the middle of the gym, reminding everyone that this is all for fun, then shaking his head, read off the totals... "Fourth place... the sophomores" (cheering came from the sophomore section) "In third place..." (and this was a longer pause) "...the juniors" (the freshmen section broke out cheering, the juniors sat on their bleachers, and the seniors waited nervously) "Second place..." (again, another long pause) "... the freshmen" (cheering broke out from both the freshmen and senior sections so loud that you couldn't even hear the announcement that seniors had taken first place.)
What a great spirited week! Now back to normalcy and kids actually doing their homework! :) That makes for a happy teacher.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
An Amazing Senior Class
I was lucky enough to be able to go on the Senior Retreat this year. I started as 10 of the girls' advisor last year, and followed them through to this, their senior year. I remember being a senior, and going on my senior retreat, and it was nothing compared to what the campus minister & advisors, and especially, the seniors have made of it. (Of course on my senior retreat, four or five kids got kicked out of our school because they were smoking pot.)
We started off when we got there with some small group games, like the trust fall (always a popular one!), pipeline, black magic (which has nothing to do with satan worship), and others. The seniors went in their small groups to each advisor who had a different game for them to play. Then we had two alumni speakers (who happened to be from my class), who spoke about life during and after college. The told the kids about the different paths they will have to choose from, and how the path they may want to choose, may not be the one that God wants them to take, but he has his way to showing them where to go.
After lunch, our principal spoke to us about her cancer, and how she trusted in God to get her though it. Then we had them back in their small groups on a scavenger hunt to find pieces of a quote about the past, present, or future. The kids ran (full sprint, sweat everywhere) from clue to clue. (My group won, of course, but one of the other advisors claims that his won... it was a close call.) Next, we had put together a baby picture game. We hung up a baby picture of each of the seniors around the room with numbers on them. The seniors then went around and had to guess who each senior was (that night, the advisors corrected them, and gave the winning senior a $10 gift card).
After that, the seniors had some free time to hang out with their friends, and relax. Several went into the water to swim or canoe, while others played volleyball, football, or soccer. One couple in the senior class, had broken up two days before the retreat. I saw several of the guys looking out for their buddy, and making sure he was having fun, and several of the girls hugging, and making their girlfriend smile. It was so warming to see them caring for each other!
Once their free time was over, we had dinner, the seniors had a chance to write notes to each other in booklets. It works like yearbook signing, but it is so much more heartfelt. Then our dean of students talked to us. He spoke about his struggles with God and forgiving his father. I think the seniors were stunned at his ability to forgive, even if it did take a while. I saw a couple kids come up at the end and give him a hug, they were very moved, and it really set the stage for the next event of the evening... the bonfire. This tradition started at my senior retreat, but has grown into something much more amazing than I would have imagined it would ever be.
We start by saying an evening prayer about light, then one by one, each senior takes a candel, and lights it. They walk down a path, lite by candels, to the bonfire where they sit and wait for the rest of their class. We asked them to be completely silent, and they were, other than the sounds of a couple people's tears. Once all the seniors were down at the fire, each one had the opportunity to stand up, and saw a few words, then throw their candel into the fire. The things these seniors said were very open and moving. Some asked for their friends' forgiveness, others thanked everyone for welcoming them into the class, or told the class how much they loved each one of them. Some stood up and talked about their struggles and how much it meant to them to know that they could go to anyone in the class to talk to. Some of the things that came out of these senior's mouths almost brought tears to my eyes. I was amazed at the fine young ladies and gentlemen that we helped them grow into.
The next morning after breakfast, the seniors had one last chance to write notes to their classmates. Then we handed out their booklets and enevelopes with letters from their parents and a teacher. They were able to go to any place around the grounds of the retreat center and read all of their notes. We, as staff, didn't read any of these, but watching the seniors come back after reading their notes, you could tell they were moved by what their parents, classmates, and teachers had to say to them.
Shortly after, we packed up the bus, and headed back to school, where the seniors had vowed to make it the best year of high school.
We started off when we got there with some small group games, like the trust fall (always a popular one!), pipeline, black magic (which has nothing to do with satan worship), and others. The seniors went in their small groups to each advisor who had a different game for them to play. Then we had two alumni speakers (who happened to be from my class), who spoke about life during and after college. The told the kids about the different paths they will have to choose from, and how the path they may want to choose, may not be the one that God wants them to take, but he has his way to showing them where to go.
After lunch, our principal spoke to us about her cancer, and how she trusted in God to get her though it. Then we had them back in their small groups on a scavenger hunt to find pieces of a quote about the past, present, or future. The kids ran (full sprint, sweat everywhere) from clue to clue. (My group won, of course, but one of the other advisors claims that his won... it was a close call.) Next, we had put together a baby picture game. We hung up a baby picture of each of the seniors around the room with numbers on them. The seniors then went around and had to guess who each senior was (that night, the advisors corrected them, and gave the winning senior a $10 gift card).
After that, the seniors had some free time to hang out with their friends, and relax. Several went into the water to swim or canoe, while others played volleyball, football, or soccer. One couple in the senior class, had broken up two days before the retreat. I saw several of the guys looking out for their buddy, and making sure he was having fun, and several of the girls hugging, and making their girlfriend smile. It was so warming to see them caring for each other!
Once their free time was over, we had dinner, the seniors had a chance to write notes to each other in booklets. It works like yearbook signing, but it is so much more heartfelt. Then our dean of students talked to us. He spoke about his struggles with God and forgiving his father. I think the seniors were stunned at his ability to forgive, even if it did take a while. I saw a couple kids come up at the end and give him a hug, they were very moved, and it really set the stage for the next event of the evening... the bonfire. This tradition started at my senior retreat, but has grown into something much more amazing than I would have imagined it would ever be.
We start by saying an evening prayer about light, then one by one, each senior takes a candel, and lights it. They walk down a path, lite by candels, to the bonfire where they sit and wait for the rest of their class. We asked them to be completely silent, and they were, other than the sounds of a couple people's tears. Once all the seniors were down at the fire, each one had the opportunity to stand up, and saw a few words, then throw their candel into the fire. The things these seniors said were very open and moving. Some asked for their friends' forgiveness, others thanked everyone for welcoming them into the class, or told the class how much they loved each one of them. Some stood up and talked about their struggles and how much it meant to them to know that they could go to anyone in the class to talk to. Some of the things that came out of these senior's mouths almost brought tears to my eyes. I was amazed at the fine young ladies and gentlemen that we helped them grow into.
The next morning after breakfast, the seniors had one last chance to write notes to their classmates. Then we handed out their booklets and enevelopes with letters from their parents and a teacher. They were able to go to any place around the grounds of the retreat center and read all of their notes. We, as staff, didn't read any of these, but watching the seniors come back after reading their notes, you could tell they were moved by what their parents, classmates, and teachers had to say to them.
Shortly after, we packed up the bus, and headed back to school, where the seniors had vowed to make it the best year of high school.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Rants About Comcast...
From the beginning I have had problems with Comcast, but the other day they actually did one thing right...
When I was still living with my parents, my brother and I decided to go halv-ies on internet. We both agreed that Comcast had the best "bang for our buck." So I went to Best Buy to get us signed up. I was told by two different employees that I could get $19.99 for the first 6 months, even if we didn't have the cables run, or Comcast tv or anything, if I signed up. So I did the pre-registration thing, and called the next day to get it set up. After being told three different times to call another number, I finally got to talk to someone who could get us signed up. However, the $19.99 for the first 6 months only applied if we were current cable tv customers. Even though I explained to the store guys (two different ones...) that we didn't have cable, that was the quote they gave me. So this lady said she couldn't do it, but could give me $24.99 for the first 6 months. Well, I was irritated with them, so I told her I'd call back tomorrow if my brother and I were still interested.
I talked it over with him, and we decided that it was still our best bet. So I called back the next day to take them up on their $24.99 deal, to which they told me that that deal expired yesterday. Of course, that made me even more irritated. They finally agreed that I could have $34.99 for the first 12 months. I set up a time for them to come out and run the cables and get everything installed. They said it would be sometime between 1pm and 5pm. I told the lady that I didn't get off work until 3pm, so she said she'd make a note that it should be the guy's last stop.
That day I was getting ready to leave work and, I checked my cell phone to see that I had a call from my mom. I checked my voice mail, and it was a very panicky irritated voice mail from her saying that the Comcast guy was there to install the internet and she didn't know what to tell him or where to set it up and what-not. I in turn left a nasty voice mail for the lady that had set up the appointment.
When I got home, the guy who came, upon seeing the 4 computers in the basement, the modem and the wireless router, had decided to install the internet in such a way that only my laptop could be connected. So I spent the next hour or so waiting to hear back from the lady and re-setting up the entire internet at our house. She eventually called back and said she would send someone out to fix it. I told her she needed to refund our installation fee, since A) the guy didn't show up when asked and B) I had to re-do everything he did anyway. So she agreed to credit our account, so that for the first 2 months we didn't have a bill at all.
At the townhouse where my husband and I live, we had the internet set up through Comcast despite all the problems we had with them at mom and dad's house. Even though we had our own modem that they, themselves saw when they set up the internet, they still decided to add on a $3 modem rental fee. I caught that right away and instead of calling and sitting on hold forever, I used the message center to email them. Of course they sent me a message back saying that I needed to call or use live chat (which also takes forever). I told them they better fix it, cause I wasn't wasting MY time on THEIR mistake. And so they did.
Back to my parents' house... they didn't receive a bill for 2 months, and so didn't pay it. Once the bill finally did come there was a late fee attached to it. Again I used their email messages to tell them to fix the problem. And again they told me to call or chat live. In response I told them they better fix the problem, or I would be writing to the attorney general. After reading the exact same message for the third time I put at the top of my next message ACTUALLY READ THIS, because obviously they weren't. This time I got a message back saying that they were refunding part of the fee. I told them they better have the correct amount, so they said they'd correct their mistake.
After that I signed up for automatic payments, then tried to pay the next bill, but couldn't. So I figured that it was because the automatic payment was set up. But about a month later, I got a phone call from mom saying that the internet wasn't working. I called up Comcast and they got it re-connected and paid the "unpaid" bill. The guy I dealt with told me that he would waive the late fee as he saw that I was signed up for automatic payments.
But then the next automatic payment came up and they charged us too much, apparently for a re-connect fee. So again I messaged them, telling them they needed to credit our card for the full re-connect fee, or if they decided to hold our money and take it off of our next bill, that they could credit our account for the full amount plus the same 20% late fee that they tried charging us before. If it wasn't taken care of I would contact the attorney general. Of course they didn't, so I ended up filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. After which I received a phone call from Comcast, and they credited our account for the fee +20%.
Once my parents' 12 month-intro rate ran out, they decided to switch it to my brother's name. So him and I went down to the store to have it switched. No problems there... until the next day... My mother tried to access their account to enroll in automatic payment. It wouldn't let her in since the account was closed and a new one opened in my brother's name. But somehow, she was able to access the account at our townhome and enroll in automatic payment. So when I got home from work, I had to deal with that, of course, I spent over a half hour on the phone with the guy un-enrolling and resetting my username and password.
Now here comes the part when they actually did one thing right...
At the end of our conversation, he asked if there was anything else he could do for me. Starring out my patio window at my neighbor's unburied cable that has been laying in our yard going on 3 months, I told him to send someone out to bury it. He told me someone would be out in a week to check it out. I told him that wasn't good enough, as it has already been there for quite some time, and whoever "checks out" the cord, it going to say, "Yep, someone does have to come out and bury it." And then it would be another 3 months before they got out here to bury it and by then the ground would be frozen, so they couldn't. I told him I'm sick of starring at it and tripping over it on the way to the mail box. Plus, the lawn crew that mows has been dealing with it for way too long (frankly, I'm surprised they didn't just cut it to be rid of it!)
Are you ready? Cause here it comes...
He told me that he was sorry for the inconvenience, and would credit my account a $20 inconvenience credit.
HOLY CRAP, I thought! I told him he better do the same thing for my neighbor!
Still though $20 doesn't make up for all the other crap they've thrown our way, but it sure is a start...
When I was still living with my parents, my brother and I decided to go halv-ies on internet. We both agreed that Comcast had the best "bang for our buck." So I went to Best Buy to get us signed up. I was told by two different employees that I could get $19.99 for the first 6 months, even if we didn't have the cables run, or Comcast tv or anything, if I signed up. So I did the pre-registration thing, and called the next day to get it set up. After being told three different times to call another number, I finally got to talk to someone who could get us signed up. However, the $19.99 for the first 6 months only applied if we were current cable tv customers. Even though I explained to the store guys (two different ones...) that we didn't have cable, that was the quote they gave me. So this lady said she couldn't do it, but could give me $24.99 for the first 6 months. Well, I was irritated with them, so I told her I'd call back tomorrow if my brother and I were still interested.
I talked it over with him, and we decided that it was still our best bet. So I called back the next day to take them up on their $24.99 deal, to which they told me that that deal expired yesterday. Of course, that made me even more irritated. They finally agreed that I could have $34.99 for the first 12 months. I set up a time for them to come out and run the cables and get everything installed. They said it would be sometime between 1pm and 5pm. I told the lady that I didn't get off work until 3pm, so she said she'd make a note that it should be the guy's last stop.
That day I was getting ready to leave work and, I checked my cell phone to see that I had a call from my mom. I checked my voice mail, and it was a very panicky irritated voice mail from her saying that the Comcast guy was there to install the internet and she didn't know what to tell him or where to set it up and what-not. I in turn left a nasty voice mail for the lady that had set up the appointment.
When I got home, the guy who came, upon seeing the 4 computers in the basement, the modem and the wireless router, had decided to install the internet in such a way that only my laptop could be connected. So I spent the next hour or so waiting to hear back from the lady and re-setting up the entire internet at our house. She eventually called back and said she would send someone out to fix it. I told her she needed to refund our installation fee, since A) the guy didn't show up when asked and B) I had to re-do everything he did anyway. So she agreed to credit our account, so that for the first 2 months we didn't have a bill at all.
At the townhouse where my husband and I live, we had the internet set up through Comcast despite all the problems we had with them at mom and dad's house. Even though we had our own modem that they, themselves saw when they set up the internet, they still decided to add on a $3 modem rental fee. I caught that right away and instead of calling and sitting on hold forever, I used the message center to email them. Of course they sent me a message back saying that I needed to call or use live chat (which also takes forever). I told them they better fix it, cause I wasn't wasting MY time on THEIR mistake. And so they did.
Back to my parents' house... they didn't receive a bill for 2 months, and so didn't pay it. Once the bill finally did come there was a late fee attached to it. Again I used their email messages to tell them to fix the problem. And again they told me to call or chat live. In response I told them they better fix the problem, or I would be writing to the attorney general. After reading the exact same message for the third time I put at the top of my next message ACTUALLY READ THIS, because obviously they weren't. This time I got a message back saying that they were refunding part of the fee. I told them they better have the correct amount, so they said they'd correct their mistake.
After that I signed up for automatic payments, then tried to pay the next bill, but couldn't. So I figured that it was because the automatic payment was set up. But about a month later, I got a phone call from mom saying that the internet wasn't working. I called up Comcast and they got it re-connected and paid the "unpaid" bill. The guy I dealt with told me that he would waive the late fee as he saw that I was signed up for automatic payments.
But then the next automatic payment came up and they charged us too much, apparently for a re-connect fee. So again I messaged them, telling them they needed to credit our card for the full re-connect fee, or if they decided to hold our money and take it off of our next bill, that they could credit our account for the full amount plus the same 20% late fee that they tried charging us before. If it wasn't taken care of I would contact the attorney general. Of course they didn't, so I ended up filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. After which I received a phone call from Comcast, and they credited our account for the fee +20%.
Once my parents' 12 month-intro rate ran out, they decided to switch it to my brother's name. So him and I went down to the store to have it switched. No problems there... until the next day... My mother tried to access their account to enroll in automatic payment. It wouldn't let her in since the account was closed and a new one opened in my brother's name. But somehow, she was able to access the account at our townhome and enroll in automatic payment. So when I got home from work, I had to deal with that, of course, I spent over a half hour on the phone with the guy un-enrolling and resetting my username and password.
Now here comes the part when they actually did one thing right...
At the end of our conversation, he asked if there was anything else he could do for me. Starring out my patio window at my neighbor's unburied cable that has been laying in our yard going on 3 months, I told him to send someone out to bury it. He told me someone would be out in a week to check it out. I told him that wasn't good enough, as it has already been there for quite some time, and whoever "checks out" the cord, it going to say, "Yep, someone does have to come out and bury it." And then it would be another 3 months before they got out here to bury it and by then the ground would be frozen, so they couldn't. I told him I'm sick of starring at it and tripping over it on the way to the mail box. Plus, the lawn crew that mows has been dealing with it for way too long (frankly, I'm surprised they didn't just cut it to be rid of it!)
Are you ready? Cause here it comes...
He told me that he was sorry for the inconvenience, and would credit my account a $20 inconvenience credit.
HOLY CRAP, I thought! I told him he better do the same thing for my neighbor!
Still though $20 doesn't make up for all the other crap they've thrown our way, but it sure is a start...
Friday, September 11, 2009
Back to School with the Students
I will start by saying that last year was a rough year. One of my classes drained all my energy, plus I was planning a wedding in five months. So the thought of starting the school year off again wasn't so pleasant sounding, espeically with a study hall this year. In fact, after freshman orientation, with a study hall student asking me if they could play games in study, I was even more terrified of what the year would bring.
So far, granted we're only four days in, it's been pretty good. I teach first through fifth hours, which I was worried about not having a break until sixth hour, but it works quite nicely. Then seventh hour I proctor a study hall in my room.
I was worried about study hall being a huge headache, but it really hasn't been as bad as I thought. The only headache I've had, was actually from an administrator, who admitted he had forgotten to include me in the email saying that there were going to be four new girls walking into study yesterday. I sent him an email ranting at him, but he appologized and forwarded me the email that he forgot to include me in on and said that he were me, he would have come down and ripped his skin off, and told me if it ever happened again, to do just that.
The Dean of Students has been stopping in just about everyday to peak in and see that the students are behaiving themselves. Today he caught one of the junior boys making one of the freshman girls switch seats with him. He's a hilarious, but very serious guy when he catchs kids doing stupid little small things like that. The kids know he means business and respect him, but he's also able to poke a little fun at them for doing something stupid.
The kids in study have actually not been playing games, but have been working for most of the hour. Even one student who I had in class last year, who never turned in any work for me, has been working most of the hour. The last ten to fifteen minutes they seem to finish everything, which just tells me that we, as teachers, aren't assigning enough homework if they're getting it all done before they even get home! :) Though, I know they say differently.
My smallest class is eight students, which is a lower level class, so it's nice that these students get a little extra help & attention. My largest class is twenty (except for study hall), which is supposedly the kids who are better at math. We're only four days in, so they have a little while yet to prove themselves. Most, I think will be just fine, though I'm worried about a couple.
One of my goals this year is to not lose so many Algebra II/ Trig kids. Generally its seniors, who don't need the math credit, but sometimes it's juniors who want to transfer down to Algebra II. Most of the kids I've already had in Algebra IA two years ago, so they know my teaching style and how I use technology (which is strange to our students, as there are very few of us that have it, much less use it), and don't consider me the new teacher who doesn't know anything.
So far, granted we're only four days in, it's been pretty good. I teach first through fifth hours, which I was worried about not having a break until sixth hour, but it works quite nicely. Then seventh hour I proctor a study hall in my room.
I was worried about study hall being a huge headache, but it really hasn't been as bad as I thought. The only headache I've had, was actually from an administrator, who admitted he had forgotten to include me in the email saying that there were going to be four new girls walking into study yesterday. I sent him an email ranting at him, but he appologized and forwarded me the email that he forgot to include me in on and said that he were me, he would have come down and ripped his skin off, and told me if it ever happened again, to do just that.
The Dean of Students has been stopping in just about everyday to peak in and see that the students are behaiving themselves. Today he caught one of the junior boys making one of the freshman girls switch seats with him. He's a hilarious, but very serious guy when he catchs kids doing stupid little small things like that. The kids know he means business and respect him, but he's also able to poke a little fun at them for doing something stupid.
The kids in study have actually not been playing games, but have been working for most of the hour. Even one student who I had in class last year, who never turned in any work for me, has been working most of the hour. The last ten to fifteen minutes they seem to finish everything, which just tells me that we, as teachers, aren't assigning enough homework if they're getting it all done before they even get home! :) Though, I know they say differently.
My smallest class is eight students, which is a lower level class, so it's nice that these students get a little extra help & attention. My largest class is twenty (except for study hall), which is supposedly the kids who are better at math. We're only four days in, so they have a little while yet to prove themselves. Most, I think will be just fine, though I'm worried about a couple.
One of my goals this year is to not lose so many Algebra II/ Trig kids. Generally its seniors, who don't need the math credit, but sometimes it's juniors who want to transfer down to Algebra II. Most of the kids I've already had in Algebra IA two years ago, so they know my teaching style and how I use technology (which is strange to our students, as there are very few of us that have it, much less use it), and don't consider me the new teacher who doesn't know anything.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The ROAD is actually CLOSED
We live in a town home on a private road, though its not marked or anything. Looking out my basement patio window I see my side yard, the street we live on, another patch of green, and about 20 feet beyond that Concord, or what used to be Concord.
At the beginning of summer (though many Minnesotans don't know what you're talking about when you use that term...), the county started it's road construction season. It started north of us, and has moved it's way down to our end. On your way to Concord from any main or side street you will find many "Road Closed Ahead" signs (some vandalized so the "Closed A" is spray painted out), and detour signs guiding you in the right direction. At this point, there is no asphalt in sight, only holes and piles of dirt, with many concrete pipes (I'm assuming for the sewer) laying around next to large yellow machines.
While I was worried about how loud the construction equipment was going to be, I was quite excited that people doing 50+ mph while revving up their motorcycle engines, or using their J-brakes would disappear for a month or so. The heavy machinery has been a little loud at times (they have a funny way of only being loud when I have a headache). But that has been the least of my worries, or, I guess at times, my amusement.
As soon as they placed the road closed sign right after the turn off for our road, people started turning down our private 15mph road, not following the speed limit sign, thinking that Concord would magically be open just for them. After staring at the Road Closed sign at the end of our road heading out to Concord, debating whether or not their car was up for the challenge of the small dirt pile placed in front of our road, they would hastily make a U-turn and put the pedal to the metal, angry that they lost 1 minute in their attempt to find a short cut. This continued for several days, and I finally realized that I could email the project manager, as they have been sending us updates all summer on this whole project.
The day after I emailed him, the "Road Closed" sign was moved up to the next street (which actually does go through if you know you way through a couple twists and turns). The day after that, they placed "No Outlet- Residents Only" signs in two different places. This has pretty much deterred all of our U-turners.
However, sitting out on our front deck in the evenings after the construction crews have left, we have found much amusement. At first we saw some boys biking through the construction checking everything out. As I don't see anything that is potentially dangerous, I haven't minded seeing them explore. Then after a day or so, we started seeing vehicles driving down the dirt. The road crews holes and dirt piles have moved from day to day as they work their way down the road, but soon these vehicles realize that the road is actually closed for a reason... YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH! Dirt piles and holes make up much of the road, so we see several vehicles driving down the dirt as far as they can, only to realize that the road is actually closed. (Funny, as I type this, an SUV is trying to muscle its way through the dirt, almost got stuck, and just made a U-turn). My husband told me today that he actually saw someone turn onto what used to be Concord, while the construction crew was out working. Crew members started walking towards his car to chase him out and he quickly realized that the Road Closed signs did indeed apply to him too. So he pulled a U-turn and headed on out.
So next time you don't pay attention to some construction signs, just remember that you will probably be the point of amusement for someone who has nothing better to do with their summer (sorry, road construction season) evenings than stare out a window, and call you stupid.
At the beginning of summer (though many Minnesotans don't know what you're talking about when you use that term...), the county started it's road construction season. It started north of us, and has moved it's way down to our end. On your way to Concord from any main or side street you will find many "Road Closed Ahead" signs (some vandalized so the "Closed A" is spray painted out), and detour signs guiding you in the right direction. At this point, there is no asphalt in sight, only holes and piles of dirt, with many concrete pipes (I'm assuming for the sewer) laying around next to large yellow machines.
While I was worried about how loud the construction equipment was going to be, I was quite excited that people doing 50+ mph while revving up their motorcycle engines, or using their J-brakes would disappear for a month or so. The heavy machinery has been a little loud at times (they have a funny way of only being loud when I have a headache). But that has been the least of my worries, or, I guess at times, my amusement.
As soon as they placed the road closed sign right after the turn off for our road, people started turning down our private 15mph road, not following the speed limit sign, thinking that Concord would magically be open just for them. After staring at the Road Closed sign at the end of our road heading out to Concord, debating whether or not their car was up for the challenge of the small dirt pile placed in front of our road, they would hastily make a U-turn and put the pedal to the metal, angry that they lost 1 minute in their attempt to find a short cut. This continued for several days, and I finally realized that I could email the project manager, as they have been sending us updates all summer on this whole project.
The day after I emailed him, the "Road Closed" sign was moved up to the next street (which actually does go through if you know you way through a couple twists and turns). The day after that, they placed "No Outlet- Residents Only" signs in two different places. This has pretty much deterred all of our U-turners.
However, sitting out on our front deck in the evenings after the construction crews have left, we have found much amusement. At first we saw some boys biking through the construction checking everything out. As I don't see anything that is potentially dangerous, I haven't minded seeing them explore. Then after a day or so, we started seeing vehicles driving down the dirt. The road crews holes and dirt piles have moved from day to day as they work their way down the road, but soon these vehicles realize that the road is actually closed for a reason... YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH! Dirt piles and holes make up much of the road, so we see several vehicles driving down the dirt as far as they can, only to realize that the road is actually closed. (Funny, as I type this, an SUV is trying to muscle its way through the dirt, almost got stuck, and just made a U-turn). My husband told me today that he actually saw someone turn onto what used to be Concord, while the construction crew was out working. Crew members started walking towards his car to chase him out and he quickly realized that the Road Closed signs did indeed apply to him too. So he pulled a U-turn and headed on out.
So next time you don't pay attention to some construction signs, just remember that you will probably be the point of amusement for someone who has nothing better to do with their summer (sorry, road construction season) evenings than stare out a window, and call you stupid.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
When it rains, it pours...
After our trip to Oregon, Adam and I were both very excited to take showers at home, where the water is grit-free, and soft (which means the soap lathers up ever-so nicely!). Adam woke up first in the morning (as usual... I hate waking up), so he took a shower first.
I eventually got up while he was in the shower, and started to unpack and put things away. I started bringing some stuff from the second floor, where our bedroom is, down to the kitchen on the main floor. At the bottom of the stairs, I turned the corner and stepped in soppy-wet carpet. I squinted up at the ceiling (no contacts = no vision) and could somewhat see a funny spot on the pristine white ceiling. Realizing what it was, I ran up stairs yelling, "ADAM, SHUT OFF THE SHOWER." Amazingly enough he heard me the at the first shout. I ran back downstairs and found a kettle to put under the dripping ceiling, then called daddy (who luckily enough is a plumbing salesman).
Dad was changing the oil in the Honda, but said he would be over as soon as he finished. When he finally got there, he and Adam pulled off the access panel on the soaking tub, but found that they couldn't see much of anything. Dad called one of his plumber buddies, explained what was going on, and asked his opinion. Wayne, his buddy, said that whoever installed the shower probably used plumber's putty around the floor drain. When the shower isn't used for a while (say about 2 weeks, when you're on vacation), it dries up and cracks. So he told dad what he would need to do.
Step one, dad runs home to get his tools and a ladder. Step two, run the hardware store, and buy a vent (instead of an access panel, cause then it doesn't look like you had a problem) and silicone (to seal the drain). Step three, cut a hole in the ceiling just smaller than the vent size (yeah, I wasn't so happy about that) so that you can access the screws that are holding the drain down, and pop it up into the shower. Step four, use the silicone to seal the drain, push it back down and screw it back in. Step five, wait 24 hours to shower (good thing we have a soaking tub that doesn't leak). Step six, put kettle back under hole in ceiling, have husband take a shower, and watch the hole (if it leaks, call daddy again). Step seven, if it doesn't leak, take a shower yourself. Step eight, ask mom to help fix the ceiling. Step nine, put access panel back in tub. Step ten, access panel fell out, use ALOT more silicone and shims to wedge it in there nice and good. Step eleven, ask husband to clean the bathroom (note: start this task at about step five to ensure that it gets done by step eleven). Step tweleve, find white ceiling paint and paint the ceiling where the water spots show. And finally step thirteen, reinstall smoke dector, where most of the water leaked through. (NOTE: do not use these as actual directions! Remember before step one to call dad! He'll take care of most of it...)
Just over a week later, it was time to run the dishwasher (yeah, I bet you know where this is going already). Adam went to bed, I started the dishwasher, and went downstairs to write my lessons. I could hear the dishwasher running, as it is above my head when I am sitting at my desk. Soon I began to hear a "drip........ drip.... drip, drip, drip, drip" right behind me on the chair mat. So I began the process of running upstairs to shut off the source of the problem, and call dad. This time he actually referred me to mom (I guess she has more experience in the kitchen plumbing department). Mom said hers has leaked before, and its usually the seal on the door. I pulled off the bottom panel on the dishwasher and sure enough, no water under the dishwasher, just right infront under the door. I dried up what I could on the wood floors in the kitchen, and put a fan blowing on the area in hopes that I won't have to replace the boards from the kitchen floor. Now it was getting late, and there wasn't much else I could do, so I went to bed.
This morning I woke up to thunderstroms. Did I mention Adam likes to sleep with the windows open? I had closed our bedroom window luckily enough, because we actually smelt skunk, but left the guest bedroom window open to help keep Adam happy, and since I still had clothes air-drying in there. For the third (and final) time, I cleaned up the water on the carpet, on the window ledge, and on every slat of the window blind. When Adam got home from work in the morning, I told him of our new house rule "windows close at night!"
Now, back to the dishwasher. Mom came over and looked at it, and said to take out the seal and let it soak in soapy water overnight. So I did, and the next morning I scrubbed it a little to get the last of the crud off, and stuck it back in. I grabbed a towel and put it on the floor underneath, then grabbed a chair and put it in front of the dishwasher, and pushed start. I starred at it for about 15 minutes to make sure it wasn't going to start leaking all over my floor again (and into the basement). Fortunatly it was uneventful, and the dishwasher works well again!
Now the whole house is clean, except for the three rooms that have been giving me problems... I guess that will be tomorrow's task!
I eventually got up while he was in the shower, and started to unpack and put things away. I started bringing some stuff from the second floor, where our bedroom is, down to the kitchen on the main floor. At the bottom of the stairs, I turned the corner and stepped in soppy-wet carpet. I squinted up at the ceiling (no contacts = no vision) and could somewhat see a funny spot on the pristine white ceiling. Realizing what it was, I ran up stairs yelling, "ADAM, SHUT OFF THE SHOWER." Amazingly enough he heard me the at the first shout. I ran back downstairs and found a kettle to put under the dripping ceiling, then called daddy (who luckily enough is a plumbing salesman).
Dad was changing the oil in the Honda, but said he would be over as soon as he finished. When he finally got there, he and Adam pulled off the access panel on the soaking tub, but found that they couldn't see much of anything. Dad called one of his plumber buddies, explained what was going on, and asked his opinion. Wayne, his buddy, said that whoever installed the shower probably used plumber's putty around the floor drain. When the shower isn't used for a while (say about 2 weeks, when you're on vacation), it dries up and cracks. So he told dad what he would need to do.
Step one, dad runs home to get his tools and a ladder. Step two, run the hardware store, and buy a vent (instead of an access panel, cause then it doesn't look like you had a problem) and silicone (to seal the drain). Step three, cut a hole in the ceiling just smaller than the vent size (yeah, I wasn't so happy about that) so that you can access the screws that are holding the drain down, and pop it up into the shower. Step four, use the silicone to seal the drain, push it back down and screw it back in. Step five, wait 24 hours to shower (good thing we have a soaking tub that doesn't leak). Step six, put kettle back under hole in ceiling, have husband take a shower, and watch the hole (if it leaks, call daddy again). Step seven, if it doesn't leak, take a shower yourself. Step eight, ask mom to help fix the ceiling. Step nine, put access panel back in tub. Step ten, access panel fell out, use ALOT more silicone and shims to wedge it in there nice and good. Step eleven, ask husband to clean the bathroom (note: start this task at about step five to ensure that it gets done by step eleven). Step tweleve, find white ceiling paint and paint the ceiling where the water spots show. And finally step thirteen, reinstall smoke dector, where most of the water leaked through. (NOTE: do not use these as actual directions! Remember before step one to call dad! He'll take care of most of it...)
Just over a week later, it was time to run the dishwasher (yeah, I bet you know where this is going already). Adam went to bed, I started the dishwasher, and went downstairs to write my lessons. I could hear the dishwasher running, as it is above my head when I am sitting at my desk. Soon I began to hear a "drip........ drip.... drip, drip, drip, drip" right behind me on the chair mat. So I began the process of running upstairs to shut off the source of the problem, and call dad. This time he actually referred me to mom (I guess she has more experience in the kitchen plumbing department). Mom said hers has leaked before, and its usually the seal on the door. I pulled off the bottom panel on the dishwasher and sure enough, no water under the dishwasher, just right infront under the door. I dried up what I could on the wood floors in the kitchen, and put a fan blowing on the area in hopes that I won't have to replace the boards from the kitchen floor. Now it was getting late, and there wasn't much else I could do, so I went to bed.
This morning I woke up to thunderstroms. Did I mention Adam likes to sleep with the windows open? I had closed our bedroom window luckily enough, because we actually smelt skunk, but left the guest bedroom window open to help keep Adam happy, and since I still had clothes air-drying in there. For the third (and final) time, I cleaned up the water on the carpet, on the window ledge, and on every slat of the window blind. When Adam got home from work in the morning, I told him of our new house rule "windows close at night!"
Now, back to the dishwasher. Mom came over and looked at it, and said to take out the seal and let it soak in soapy water overnight. So I did, and the next morning I scrubbed it a little to get the last of the crud off, and stuck it back in. I grabbed a towel and put it on the floor underneath, then grabbed a chair and put it in front of the dishwasher, and pushed start. I starred at it for about 15 minutes to make sure it wasn't going to start leaking all over my floor again (and into the basement). Fortunatly it was uneventful, and the dishwasher works well again!
Now the whole house is clean, except for the three rooms that have been giving me problems... I guess that will be tomorrow's task!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
New @ Blogging
As a child I got a diary as a fundraiser incentive in, I believe, third grade. I was really good at writing in it everyday about how I got in a fight with my brother, or how my parents were mean. But that only lasted about a month, then it was pretty spaced out between my writings. And once I was into middle school and high school, my writings pretty much only came when I first started to like a boy, then when a relationship ended. Though apparently when I "re-met" my husband, I didn't think it was diary-worthy material. (Or maybe my diary-writing days were well over.)
I'm pretty new to blogging. Well, I should say, I used them about three years ago. But, I only did two posts, and it was for a class I was taking in graduate school. (In fact, this is the same account I made three years ago for class... I actually remembered the user name and password!)
Well, we shall see how I do on this new endeavor, this new public diary!
I'm pretty new to blogging. Well, I should say, I used them about three years ago. But, I only did two posts, and it was for a class I was taking in graduate school. (In fact, this is the same account I made three years ago for class... I actually remembered the user name and password!)
Well, we shall see how I do on this new endeavor, this new public diary!
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