Hot water....a foreign term to me. In fact, I haven't been in hot water for a very long time....until recently. Thanks to CKC Plumbing, I am, at last, in hot water once again.
Flash back to about 2 years ago: It was winter and the hot water did not seem to last as long as it used to. The knob in the shower would get turned all the way to hot almost immediately upon stepping into the shower. We attributed it to the fact that the water heater was now about 12 years old and it was winter. So, when spring came around and the hot water did not return along with the warm air, we called our home warranty company. Well, well, what do you know-- one of the heating elements was shot, so it was replaced. Yay, we will have hot water. But it didn't happen; at least not like I hoped. So again, the conclusion that the water heater is way beyond it's usual life span became a disappointing reality. And so we waited. For what? For the water heater to just plain old quit. But it didn't. The usual timing of showers in between washing clothes and dishes became routine.
Fast forward to about 8 months ago: Another call to the plumber. His conclusion--"you have a house full of girls who use a lot of hot water and wash a lot of clothes and dishes, so of course it won't last long." Uh, excuse me, using a lot of hot water? What hot water? Again, back to the routine of scheduling time in the shower between what is now 5 females in the house.
Back to the present: Gary had heard enough complaining about how we had to rush through the shower without getting out with icicles hanging from our noses. And yet, another call to the home warranty company. This time, they sent the right guy. He discovers that the tube that runs down to the bottom of the water tank (which is very important because is draws the water up to the top and throughout the house--without it, the only water getting pulled into the pipes was the cold stuff sitting near the top) ...is gone. Yes, gone, deteriorated, corroded, no more, not there, kaput.
Another flash back, to about 3 -4 years ago: We started noticing this white, powdery substance combined with small pieces of plastic, coming out of the kitchen faucet. It was horribly annoying as it was clogging the screen of the faucet and had to be cleaned out every few days. At first, we were just annoyed, but then a mild sense of panic set in....wondering what in the world this is and where is it coming from. Then, one day, it dissappeared. So, life goes on. Now we know what it was---the very important tube had been slowly corroding and fizzling away.
Yesterday: I am back in hot water. Really, really, really HOT water. In fact, I don't think I even touched the knob or had to turn it up, up and up until it would not turn anymore. I finished shampooing, etc, without rushing, and then stood there. What do I do now? Hmmmmmm, how about just continue to stand here. So I did. And stood some more, and more and more. It was actually disapponting to finally get out of the shower with hot water still available; I felt like I was cheating myself of something.
So now, as steam pours up from the kitchen sink while washing dishes, one of the kids is in the shower and the washing machine is running-- all at the same time !! -- I think "thank you" to the guy at CKC Plumbing, who finally got us all back in hot water !
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Our Man Chef
For those of you who know us, you know that Gary loves to cook. No, I take that back. He doesn't just love to cook, he lives to cook. He doesn't let a day go by that he isn't creating something special for our family. His laptop is permanetely connected to some food page giving him new ideas, which, of course, he adjusts to his own tastes. I don't think he has ever followed a recipe as written. (which is why he can't stand to bake...it's too precise and doesn't allow for experimentation)
Sometimes, we get wrinkled noses from the kids, with their forks carefully picking out the onions or other strange looking ingredients and setting them aside on the edge of the plate. But mostly we hear oooohs and aaaaahs. Today was an oooooh and aaaaah day. The odor permeating through the house was enough to bring everyone to the kitchen without having to yell "TIME TO EAT !!".
So, are you wondering what we had for dinner tonight...? I bet you are, we all do every day. He happened to catch a video on-line today, which was showing different ways to make stromboli and calzone. So, off to Wegmans for the dough (he didn't make his own today---time restrictions) and other assorted ingredients. There wasn't an unclean plate at the table.....which is always a great measurement for success !
We will definitely be having stromboli again....in fact, probably tomorrow and the next day and the next day.
He made enough to feed a small village! But that is nothing unusual. You see, Gary doesn't know how to cook "small". Everything he does is always of the GRAND type. And when we clean up, are diligently searching for containers to store the leftovers and overflow the shelves in the frige. But that's ok; Jessi has already announced she is going to take some to school for lunch tomorrow and I most likely will be having that as well.
I suggested the next time we have stromboli that everyone can make their own individual one and add whatever they want. We have done that many times with pizza and it always makes for a fun time.
So now as I sit here, my middle feeling like it is about to explode, I reluctantly realize that it's time for clean up. Sigh......the bad part of Gary's meals. He may be our man-chef, but can also be known as The Messy Chef. But I guess the good ones always are.
Sometimes, we get wrinkled noses from the kids, with their forks carefully picking out the onions or other strange looking ingredients and setting them aside on the edge of the plate. But mostly we hear oooohs and aaaaahs. Today was an oooooh and aaaaah day. The odor permeating through the house was enough to bring everyone to the kitchen without having to yell "TIME TO EAT !!".
So, are you wondering what we had for dinner tonight...? I bet you are, we all do every day. He happened to catch a video on-line today, which was showing different ways to make stromboli and calzone. So, off to Wegmans for the dough (he didn't make his own today---time restrictions) and other assorted ingredients. There wasn't an unclean plate at the table.....which is always a great measurement for success !
We will definitely be having stromboli again....in fact, probably tomorrow and the next day and the next day.
He made enough to feed a small village! But that is nothing unusual. You see, Gary doesn't know how to cook "small". Everything he does is always of the GRAND type. And when we clean up, are diligently searching for containers to store the leftovers and overflow the shelves in the frige. But that's ok; Jessi has already announced she is going to take some to school for lunch tomorrow and I most likely will be having that as well.
I suggested the next time we have stromboli that everyone can make their own individual one and add whatever they want. We have done that many times with pizza and it always makes for a fun time.
So now as I sit here, my middle feeling like it is about to explode, I reluctantly realize that it's time for clean up. Sigh......the bad part of Gary's meals. He may be our man-chef, but can also be known as The Messy Chef. But I guess the good ones always are.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Who Farted?
Well, here it is....my first attempt at a blog. I often think of moments I would love to share; the thoughts of exactly what I would say running through my head as I shower, drive the car, walk through the grocery store and on and on. So now, I will begin doing what I have thought of doing for a long time.
And now I will answer the question I am sure you are all wondering----why "Who Farted?". Ha Ha Ha, you apparantly have not spent time in our house, our car or especially at the dinner table. It's a phrase heard on a daily, and sometimes, hourly basis. Need I say more?
The most amazing thing though, is that this question is usually answered by the guilty party without pause. I guess I should feel proud of my honest bunch, but it seems to me they are more proud of what they have done. That's the part I am not so proud of.
We have tried to instill a rule of "not at the dinner table", but to no avail. I will have to talk to Mother Nature about cooperating on that one. But I am thankful for the automatic windows and moon roof in the car which allow for quick ventillation.
Hopefully, our family presents a much prettier picture the next time....considering there are 4 girls between the ages of 12 and 17 in the house. Yes, girls do fart too. And sometimes, better than any boy or man I have known.
And now I will answer the question I am sure you are all wondering----why "Who Farted?". Ha Ha Ha, you apparantly have not spent time in our house, our car or especially at the dinner table. It's a phrase heard on a daily, and sometimes, hourly basis. Need I say more?
The most amazing thing though, is that this question is usually answered by the guilty party without pause. I guess I should feel proud of my honest bunch, but it seems to me they are more proud of what they have done. That's the part I am not so proud of.
We have tried to instill a rule of "not at the dinner table", but to no avail. I will have to talk to Mother Nature about cooperating on that one. But I am thankful for the automatic windows and moon roof in the car which allow for quick ventillation.
Hopefully, our family presents a much prettier picture the next time....considering there are 4 girls between the ages of 12 and 17 in the house. Yes, girls do fart too. And sometimes, better than any boy or man I have known.
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