The Shred - Day 10

I did it! I did it!! I made it through an entire video without stopping!!!

I did, however struggle greatly...turns out those cans of kidney beans weren't as heavy as I thought (duh!). I used the weights mom bought me and was able to get through most of it pretty well (some minor huffing/puffing, but whatever)...but when it came time for anterior raises (lifting your arms straight out infront of you) I nearly died!! But I didn't give up!

It was hard, but I did it.

I'm sweaty and shaky, but I did it.

I won't give up next time either...cause I know I can do it!

Food Challenge Days 4 & 5

So, I'm slacking in the posts -- give me a break here, I've got a lot going on!!

I didn't post yesterday's supper because I was too busy laying on the couch in a completely lethargic state spending time with family after our delicious meal.

I made (don't faint now) homemade mac and cheese with some taco-flavoured beef and some peas for colour. YUM. We were so hungry that I didn't take a picture of it until after we'd eaten! It was so good -- all crusty and yummy on the top and all gooey and delicious on the inside. Fan-fricken-tastic!

I also made a dessert -- apple crisp, using apples that I'd peeled and cut from the trees in my back yard. Yum! You'll also notice that this was so delicious that we ate before taking the picture too.

For today's supper we had a BBQ in the oven chicken, some mashed potatoes that could end wars they were so good and peas. I didn't take a picture of the peas because...well...they were just peas! Chicken was simply stored in a ziplock bag with some BBQ sauce and frozen, so I pulled it out, thawed it, dumped it in the pan and cooked it (convection)...delish!

Then the potatoes...I'm telling you amazing. Normal mashed potatoes, added some green onion, fresh parsley, a couple table spoons of sour cream and 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese...stir it all up, sprinkle some paprika on it and bake it in the oven till it's got a crusty top. These were so good that even Iman ate them (the child who won't touch potatoes with a 10 ft pole!)

We had left-over apple crisp for dessert tonight too.

The Shred - Day 9

Back to it, and that break must have really been what I needed.

#1...I did ALL of the first cardio section --- well...almost all. I stopped to catch my breath and drink some water, and then found out if I had held out for 4 more seconds, I would have done the whole thing. Doh!

#2...I was able to do the static lunges again. Yay!!

#3...I followed 'Natalie' the tough one the whole time!!!

*waits for applause to die down*

Well, that was just what I needed to get re-motivated again! (oh, but I'm still doing wall push-ups)

My exercise in lieu...

Okay - so I decided to give my muscles a break from the torture training of Jillian. Instead, I thought I'd remove the cardio dance video that I got from Avon a while ago. First of all (not to diss all of you Avon reps out there) but that should have been my first warning. It's called Dance for Weight Loss.

Now, I would assume that anyone who's buying a DVD based on weight loss will NOT have a dancer's ability to remember complex choreography nor their natural ability to pull it all together on a quick 1-2-3-4 count.

At first, you do these moves, and they seem really easy...here's a video (it's in Spanish but you get the idea)...this is how they fool you. You do these moves, they're fun, and you think "wow, I can dance." But these moves that they're showing in this video are just the practice ones. You then double time them. Now again, reading this sounds easy...but I dare you -- do that clip! I dare you to pull it off! Then, I want you people to know that you have a choice at the beginning of the video -- either do 30 or 60 minutes. Try that people!

Now -- this is all rather tongue in cheek here. If I were alone, I'd chuck this video, because quite honestly, it's crap. However, Iman and I did this together, and the laughs we shared and the time spent together was totally worth every penny.

Bed time -- Need to prepare for Jillian tomorrow. My mom has been reading my blog and noticed that I've been using cans of kidney beans for weights. Since I apparently motivated her to go and get the video, she has gone out and punished me by buying me a set of proper weights -- I'm sure she'll get a laugh when she gets to work on Monday and reads about my sore, pathetic little arms being sore! Love ya, Mom!!

A break

So - I've decided that I need to take a one day break from The Shred.

This does not mean that I won't be exercising...oh no. I plan on doing a little yoga with the kids today -- and I have a Latin dance/cardio thing that is still in the shrink wrap...I think they'll really enjoy that. Maybe...just maybe, I'll even take some pictures.

Oh...and that stinkin' food challenge...once again was not for me. I forgot that last night was pay-night. I had to run out of my house the moment the last kid left, drive to the other end of the stinkin' city (in rush hour traffic, mind you) get my cheque and drive back. We stopped at Tim's for supper. Tomato soup with whole wheat pasta...yum (my supper), a bagel with cream cheese (Iman's), an Egg salad sandwich (Isaac's)...and Adam ate a doughnut. Yes, that's right, I said that Adam ate a doughnut for supper. Ooooohhh...I'm so horrible.

Use your bain people

This car accident happened just BLOCKS from my home. It is terrifying and sad.

It happened more than 6 months ago, but from the first day I saw it, I knew that the driver had to be either texting or talking on her cell phone. This road, 3 lanes, is clear. That truck surrounded by pylons was about 1/2 km from the lights where this woman came from. tell me HOW you could not have seen that. It's a big white truck, surrounded by bright orange pylons and workers in reflective gear.

The poor kid was (or nearly was) cut into two. He stood no chance. Yet, the woman was (apparently) seen still freaken texting when she got out of the car. She (apparently) didn't even know she had just KILLED someone.

This is pathetic, beyond anything that I can even say. Pathetic.


Oops -- just wanted to add the newest info on this story.

Food Challenge, day 2 = FAIL

Last night's supper was a fail.

A Major Fail.

A Giant Fail.

An Epic Fail.

No -- I did not cook something and it was horrible and disgusting. Instead, I chose to dig out a frozen pizza. Yup...I'm that pathetic classy.
So -- there's a picture of what my supper looked like. A soy peperoni/cheese pizza (this pic is from a google search and NOT my pizza, but you get the point.

And this is why:

The Shred - Day 8

Why?

Why is it that I'm 8 days into this thing and I feel like I'm falling backwards? Why can't I make it through that first cardio spot? Why does that wench woman on the right laugh at my attempts? Why does the devil worshiper trainer on the left mock me? She makes those exercises look easy. She's friggen smiling through them all. WTF?

I hurt today, and I'm more than a little disappointed in myself. I couldn't do all of the static lunges...why?? I've been doing fine until today! Now, suddenly I can't do them? What's with that?? I'm dying here. My new found faith is gone. Zip. Whoosh. It was my cocky post the other day that did it, I'm sure...I'm being cursed for saying that it was easy.

I want to give up, people. I really do. What's stopping me? YOU. Yes, all of you who are reading this. If I give up now, I'm a failure to all of you whom I know, and those I don't. A big, epic failure.

The Shred - Day 7

Well, I am one week into the Jillian Michaels thing. Today I did the exercises once again following the tougher gal on the left. My legs are screaming. I've also noticed that I'm beginning to get a definite cut to my calves - all that darn skipping and stuff.

I took measurements before I started and was a little disappointed that there was no change. Well, my calves went up by 1/2 inch, but, I have these scrawny little chicken legs (like skinny on the bottom, big on the top), so I was kinda happy about that. But I thought for sure my waist would have gone down. Nope...not yet. :(

I've also decided to modify my push-ups even more. I am now doing wall push-ups. These are even easier than the girly ones, but I can at least get through them all. That's not to say it isn't a struggle, because my pathetic little wimpy arms are trembling and shaking by the time I'm done. I'm hoping that this will hopefully build up my strength enough that I could move to doing them the sissy way eventually.

My stamina though, is so much improved, I can't believe it. Looking back on my posts from last week, I could hardly get through anything. Though I still struggle in that last 30 seconds of the first cardio section, I'm able to do everything else. Don't know why that first section is so hard. I will do it...hopefully by next week.

Sorry that it's not funny anymore -- you all will have to wait for more sarcastic, witty posts when I move on to level 2. I'm sure I'll have a whole new take on Jillian by then!

Oh -- and finally, a shout out to Chantilly, my Mom and any other friends of mine that are doing this along with me. YOU CAN DO IT!! Woo hoo!!

Food Challenge, Day 1

So, day one of the food challenge. For supper I made chicken, cous cous, roasted veggies and a salad.Here's the chicken before. Just sprayed them with some olive oil, and sprinkled with a little seasoning salt and some Greek Seasoning (yum) -- The kids had the thighs, but I also cooked 2 breasts for Moe and I.
I also made the roasted veggies (broccoli and carrots) the same way -- here they are after they're done (and by the way -- this makes THE best tasting broccoli, asparagus or brussel sprouts ever!!!)
Cous cous - most people haven't heard of this -- but it's yummy and SO easy to make (think, boil water, add cous cous and seasoning and stir, that's it) Okay, it doesn't look so great in this picture, but trust me, it's good. (and why the picture rotated, I don't know and can't figure out)
Topped everything off with a salad. Here's the salad (basic tossed) and the cooked chicken.
Once again, the pictures are wonky, and I don't know why. Anyhow -- over all the meal was pretty good. I should have par boiled my carrots though, as they were still a little crunchy. The cous cous was scooped up by my kids, and the chicken too (I was hoping to have enough to serve for lunch for daycare today). Anyhow....off to figure out what I'm doing for supper tonight!

Eye twitch! Eye twitch!!!

I'm at T-45 minutes to closing time and it's all out toddler war fare here! Somebody bought my son a stupid Mickey Mouse phone. I thought I threw the thing away, but through some miraculous act, it was found. Day care boy had the audacity to touch it. Adam throws an absolute fit resulting in daycare boy throwing one too.

I take the phone away, thinking it will solve the problem. Silly me, I didn't realize that it would make them gang up on me. Now that they have joined forces, they are both screaming, crying and thrashing about on the floor...in near unison I might add. Who choreographed this routine??

Send help...quick!

A new challenge

My online friend Old Muslim Woman has created a challenge. And, if you know me, then you know that I'm hard pressed to turn down a challenge.

Her's is relatively simple for most. She wants us to cook supper every night for a week and blog about it. Ugh. I hate cooking. Like hate, hate, hate cooking. I do it cause if I don't my family would starve.

So -- I've decided to take up this challenge, with a twist. I will not be making those "easy" suppers. No shake'n bake, no Side Kicks, no frozen dinners. Nope, I will actually MAKE and hopefully take pictures of my meals. Not only will this help me with this challenge, but it will help me with my new healthy lifestyle that I'm attempting.

Wish me luck...and send lots and lots of prayers. I'll need all the help I can get!

The Shred - Day 6

I cannot believe that I'm about to type this. Yesterday's exercise was....gulp...easy.

So, today I decided that rather than following the gal on the right (who does the modified exercises), I'd follow the one on the left who does them full throttle. Once again, I hurt. I feel my stomach muscles when I laugh, I can feel a nice tension in my thighs and arms (oh -- by the way, I"m still a wimp at push-ups and can only get through the first round of push-ups by doing them the "girly" way). Some day, I hope to be able to do 10 or so real push-ups.

Anyhow - I'm not dying. Go figure. I hurt, yes, but don't feel like killing myself to relieve the pain.

Oh -- and get this. Even though I'm exercising more, I am not as hungry. Isn't that weird?? Also -- I'm waking up at 5:15 and going to bed well after 10, sometimes closer to 11 and I'm not tired. Before, I was falling asleep by 930 and hitting snooze until 630. Weird, weird, weird!

This Week's Gratitudes

Once again, another gratitude post...I'm just going to list a whole bunch.

I am grateful for:

• a clean home (looks so nice, but never lasts long!)


• healthy kids


• warmer weather


• my stubbornness that won't allow me to give up, even when I'm in pain from exercising!


• A new, healthy lifestyle


• visits with old daycare families


• cuddles and purrs


• Ligita at Spasation in Londonderry Mall


• finishing a tough assignment


• enough humor to get me through said assignment without killing myself in frustration


• of course - my Sony eReader


• fantastic friends


• fantastic opportunities for said friends


• an upcoming, much deserved Spa Party


• good school and teachers for my kids


• donations to grateful families


• online dictionary/thesaurus


• children that have inherited my same wit/sarcasm


• a wicked vacuum that sucks and didn't cost me $1000 (sorry Carolyn!)


• ambition


• night time snuggles with Adam even if he should be in his own bed


• the smell of fresh brewed coffee

The Shred - Day 5

Hurray for success!

Today, I did the video and I didn't want to kill Jillian! No, I didn't make it through the first set of Cardio (had to take the last bit off to catch my breath). I was able to do the first set of push-ups (but not the second -- though I tried!). I was able to finish the rest of the video without wimping out.

Hurray!

I was also happy to notice that I no longer ache and hurt everywhere. Oh believe me, I still feel it, but it's not painful anymore.

I wrote down my weight/measurements last week, and I'm interested to see if any of this has caused a change in them. I certainly feel better about myself. I get up, I sweat and strain through that 20 minutes, and I feel as though I've accomplished something. I am at once proud, strong, humbled and happy.

That's all for now - it's time to wake up my kids!

The Shred - Day 4 - an Amendment

So, after whining like a pathetic little baby after this morning's workout, I went and had a nice, hot, steamy shower.

Guess what?

• It didn't hurt so much to shampoo.
• When I got out, I was able to walk around my house without limping and moaning in pain.
• I went out to the shopping mall and walked the entire thing WITHOUT PANTING (or hurting!!)

I think....yup...I think that this is starting to work!

The Shred - Day 4

I took a hot bath with some Epsom salts yesterday. I don't think I've ever had a bath in the middle of the day before, but it was either have a bath or have every muscle seize up on me. I chose the bath. Happily, I felt much better after wards.

This morning's shred -- Ouch again.

Today I was able to do more of the push-ups, but not all. Also - since I don't have weights, I've bee using some of my daycare toys. A fisher price truck and a little toy radio were the only things that I could find that were roughly the same weight. Today, I grabbed a brain and used some cans of kidney beans.

I'm just so sore. I'd like to be able to have the stamina to complete a 2 minute cardio circuit. :(

I want there to be a change, and I wish it was as simple as coming on here and announcing that I can suddenly see abs or that my ass no longer resembles a bowl of jello. I know I'll get toned eventually, but for now -- yikes, I'm losing faith. I need a kick in the behind to stay motivated, and right now staying accountable to you, my readers, and to the group of ladies is pretty much the only thing.

I need to shower, before I seize up again.

The Shred - Day 3

Ouch. Owie.

Typing hurts. I told you I'd write about my torture sessions workouts. I'm beginning to hate Jillian Michaels..."TV's toughest trainer"...she happily calls herself.

Yeah? Well, I have some words for you, but they're not very nice.

Psycho Jillian starts you off really easy...windmills and such with your arms. Easy, right?? No, it's NOT! It friggen hurts when you've done more exercise in the last two days than you have in the last two years!

After the windmills and a few other warm ups - we get into about 5000 reps of jumping jacks, skipping, and kicking yourself in the ass. No lies....you literally run in place and kick yourself in the ass.

The great thing to know is that I no longer "leak". I learned that when I get up first thing in the morning and pee, and then try to get every last drop out of my bladder, I can do this without wetting myself. Yay me.

After you've done enough jumping in place to ensure a nice long fully body perma-jiggle, Psycho Jillian makes you get down and do push ups. My terrible wimpy arms aren't really meant for doing much more than lifting a soda can to my lips, not hoisting my body off of the floor for too many times to count. I'm so sore...so sore, I can't even explain it. But, I couldn't do the push ups today. I think I did 3, stopped and cried for a bit and did a few more to no feel so pathetic.

Sit ups, lunges (oh...the horrific pain of those damn lunges) and lateral lifts...that I even know these words hurt. Hubby laughs...but wasn't willing to come and do the workout with me.

Speaking of exercise partners - my kids thought that it would be fun to work out with mom. They've done a few videos with me. I have a yoga one (it's under a fine layer of dust right now) and a pilates one that I never did again after I attempted that bloody "100s" move (if you don't know what I'm talking about, Google "100s pilates" and you'll see why I banished that video). The kids have always enjoyed pretending to work out. I've enjoyed it to, because it's a riot.

This time, however, it was a different story. They started all excited. My little man starts doing jumping jacks at lighting speed. "Save your energy" I tell him. He laughs. "This is easy" daughter says. I laugh.

Keep in mind, this torture workout is only 20 minutes long. Not quite half way through it, my little man says "We've been doing this for hours!!!" Meanwhile, my daughter is busy grunting and doing her best not to look like she's struggling. I, however, am ignoring all this as a tirade of words that should never be spoken in front of children is going through my head. Curses that would make a tucker blush interspersed with "stop!", "please" and, "oh my god, I'm going to die!"

My little man gave up and went to sit with daddy. My daughter, however, held strong and stayed with me to the very end. I shakily make my way upstairs to get a yogurt and some water. I'm sweaty, I'm sticky and all I can think of is "I wish I had a hot tub".

But I don't.

Psycho Trainer Jillian says at some point through her torment session workout, "those of you on days 5-7, are probably seeing a real increase in your stamina" I'm wondering if those people are still alive.

And I'm just on her "level 1"...I'm more than a little terrified to see what levels 2 and 3 are about.

The Shred - Day 2

Today I set my alarm for 5:20...yes that early! Happily, I didn't hit the snooze button, but rolled out of bed and went to exercise.

Popped in the video - and did it. Not all of it. This woman has a serious love of jumping jacks/skipping. It's insane. I had to stop for about 15-20 seconds to catch my breath.

I did all the push-ups this morning. I'm sure that mine weren't in sync with hers, but I did them without giving up.

Her sit ups hurt me, too.

I was happy to have done the entire thing (except for that 20 seconds of "catch my breath or die" thing).

I didn't realize how sore I would be today...it hurts to raise my arms to shampoo. It hurts to walk down (but not up) stairs. It hurts to pick up a child. It hurts to laugh.

But they're all GOOD hurts. I know that I will soon be able to do it without hurting (then it's time to move to level 2! -- Yoiks!!)

Oh -- and I didn't "leak" today. Hurray for small miracles!

The Shred - Day 1

These were my thoughts yesterday:


Okay, I was foolish enough to attempt this while my kids were napping. (you all can stop laughing now) A 4yr old wasn’t sleeping so she “danced” with me.

I can now barely walk.

I also learned that I need to do kegal exercises, as I “leaked” a little during the skip rope stuff (sorry, TMI)…darn pregnancy doing a number on the muscles down there.

Now I’m sweaty as all heck, and still have 3 ½ hours of work left! Yikes!!

Oh – and I couldn’t do all of the push ups. I’ve got a very strong lower body, but am a total wimp at pushups!

A new Journey

Well folks, the sad facts of life have hit me hard in the face. I am getting old. Not terribly old and wrinkled and ready for a retirement home, but old none the less. It started with some crow’s feet, creeping into the corners of my eyes. It progressed to a few gray hairs (which I have decided to “go natural” for now…I may cover my head, friends, but I still care about my hair!). I no longer have the stamina that I used to; I nearly fell over and died of a heart attack about ½ way through dancing to “Material Girl” with the daycare kids. They thought I was playing, sadly, I wasn’t.

All of these things I have accepted as gracefully as possible.In many ways, I was actually happy to see each sign. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’d be sitting with my step son and told “You guys make such a cute couple!”I would take it as a compliment, him, not so much.

Along with this “coming of age”, I have lost my once perfect metabolism.Gone are the days when I could eat cookies for breakfast, ice-cream for lunch, munch on Doritos from dusk till dawn and still not gain a pound.Nope, instead, I’m getting saddle bags, and a tummy pooch.I feel the weight even in my face and I hate it.Most of my friends would look at me and think I’m exaggerating, but the truth is, I can no longer wear many of my pants because…gulp, I can’t fit into them!

So – I decided to be proactive; I went out and bought myself that Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD.I also joined a fabulous group of ladies for support – Hubby is supportive, don’t get me wrong, but he’s also nice and won’t give me heck for “skipping” a workout.These ladies are in it to lose it!They will kick my butt into shape (no pun intended there).

I will proceed to (try) to have daily entries as to where I’m going with this whole thing….try…It is my goal to have a body like hers!

More witty words....

So -- my funny daycare kids have been at it again. This was the lovely host of hilarity that I received this week:

1. Child: "Heather, why don't we ever eat boy sandwiches??"
Me: "what do you mean"
Child: "Well, you only ever make girl cheese sandwiches. When can we eat boy cheese ones??"
(we were eating grilled cheese!!)

2. Child: "When can we eat the Kaiwanese food?"
me: "What?? Do you mean Chinese, I don't have any Chinese food."
Child: "No, I mean Kai-wa-nese." (said really slow so I'll understand)
Me: "Taiwanese?? No honey, I don't have any...."
Child: "No! I mean those things that are all green inside and have lots of seeds...Kaiwanese!!"
Me: "Oh!! You mean kiwis!!"

3. Child: "What's it like to be so old?"

4. Child: "when I grow up, I want to be just like you!"
Me: "Really?? That's so nice of you to say!"
Child: "yeah, except I don't want a squishy tummy like that..." as she prods my flab.

This week's Gratitudes

So - I've decided that I'm going to attempt to do a weekly reflection. I know that many of you will think it's dumb, but I tend to follow "The Secret" and it works for me. In keeping with this, I want to begin to write down what it is that I'm thankful for, and in turn, the "Universe" (ie, God) will give me more of that in return.



I am still unbelievably thankful for the gift of that Sony Reader. It's amazing...to receive such a gift, I can't put my gratitude into words.

I am thankful for my wonderful children, even when they make me angry. The brutal truth is, they could be gone tomorrow.

I am thankful for my job - I get to grow brains, play with lego and roll around on the floor. I couldn't ask for more!

I am thankful for a wonderful husband who has finally accepted my wit and sarcasm (and has started giving it back to me!!)

I am thankful for a wonderful life, surrounded by caring friends and family.

Gratitudes

Okay -- I'm totally stealing from my friend Meaghan - but really, I'd like to start posts like this.

Yesterday was an absolutely unbelievable day. One of my daycare moms did something amazing for me. Though I call her a "daycare mom" she is most certainly someone that I call a friend too (although we never really talk outside of the drop off/pick up times). I am so grateful to have someone so special in my life.

She comes in the morning, bringing me my chosen son for the day. In her hand is a box. We had just finished having a conversation on my dayhome fanpage about Eric Carle books, and I also noted her facebook status regarding shopping at Indigo. So...I assume that it's a little gift of Eric Carle board books. She says to me "Open in, but not until I leave."

I take my chosen son down to my chosen daughters and son and say "O's mom brought us a gift! Let's all open it!" Everyone takes turns ripping off a piece of paper -- what do I find?? Most certainly NOT Eric Carle Board Books --- nope, it's a Sony Reader.

It's not often that someone hears (or reads) something that you say, remembers it and then goes out of their way to get that thing for you. I had mentioned on Facebook sometime last week that I wanted to buy a Kindle (same thing as a sony reader, except it only takes Amazon E-books)...She went and called her husband and the two of them conspired to buy me something amazing.

I am so grateful and am still having a little bit of trouble accepting this. I am not one who regularly shows my emotions. I don't like to cry in front of others, but I cried when I called her to thank her, and I'm beginning to get that lump in my throat again just writing about this.

Thank you again...

Now -- just a list of some of the other things that I'm grateful for:

- 2 assignments handed in to that hard*** teacher...both got an A!

- kind words from good friends

- my thoughtful husband

- my wonderful children

I'm so upset with myself

I'm tired. I'm grumpy. I'm hurt...and most of all, I'm disappointed. Frustrating homework that got nowhere all day long ended up in a grumpy me and angry outbursts for no reason. Boo.

My husband, my hero...

So, if you've read my last few posts, you'll know that I've been having a rough time. Between school and sick kids, life this last few weeks has been rough.

I wasn't expecting much more for today; after all, the baby was up all night with the stuffed nose, sore ears, teething pain. It was pretty much a repeat of yesterday (whining for everything, yet wanting nothing), except that today I was sans husband and had the addition of two daycare kids.

Things were going as well as could be expected, all things considered. We had lunch, put the dishes in the dishwasher and went for naps. All was well with the world. Shortly before nap is done, I go to put the clean dishes away. I opened the door of the dishwasher, and what do I find?? Steamy, dirty dishes. "hmmm," I think to myself, "I'll just run it again." Run it again, and once more, I have hot, steamy, dirty dishes.

*sigh*

You must realize that I am not a woman of "labour". I mean, I'm not one of those women who wears an apron, with perfect hair and makeup who bakes 5 course meals, raises perfect children and has a spectacularly clean house. I'm good at all of these things, but not all at the same time. Lately, I'm concentrating on the kids thing - it is, after all, my job.

So, when faced with the dilemma of having to wash my dishes by hand, I nearly died. You see, I washed dishes by hand for 8 years. Now that I have a dishwasher, my opinion is "if it doesn't go in the dishwasher, it shouldn't come into my house." I am not that kinda lady. These hands were made for diamonds, not dishes. Nope, not me. My husband affirms this; he has told me on numerous occasions that my blood type should be "O-la-la".


I call him in a panic..."Babe, I've been doing dishes for 10 minutes....by hand!!!....Yes, I know I used to do dishes by hand before. But now I have a dishwasher, and it's BROKEN!!!"

He comes home and looks at it and says "hmm. It's not working." (yeah! that's what I said!!)

I go off to do my other duties...I take care of my chosen children, as well as my own. I straighten up the play room and try to conceive how I will now live my life having to do all the dishes by hand. I resign myself to the fact that I will no longer care about the environment, and will just go the disposable way. Plastic forks and spoons, paper plates and cups...Yup..that's how I will function.

Once my chosen children go home to their families, I wander upstairs to find that my husband has completely dismantled the dishwasher. Racks and bits and tubes are all over the kitchen floor. "What are you doing?!?!" I ask, "You're not a licensed technician! We're screwed!!!"

I eat supper, with my stomach doing flops...I imagine family gatherings with a Turkey on a bed of paper plates and a giant black garbage bag in the corner...I start having palpitations.

After supper is done, I begin preparing for the tedious task ahead...not only do I have to do the dishes from supper, but from breakfast and lunch, too. I pout pretend it doesn't bother me. Meanwhile, hubby puts back the pieces and sets it for a "test run".

IT WORKS!!!


Never doubted he could do it for a minute!