Why I'm glad I had to plunge the toilet

said no one ever.

Except me.

Which is why it is in my budget to get the Power Max 4 that you can flush 22 golf balls down and it will still have flushing action.

Because who doesn't have 22 golf balls sitting around. That they want in their septic tank? (which for all you city folk, it is a tank for ahem water and whatnot - cuz we live in the sticks and don't have outgoing items.)  

And really, the new toilet is a side story that I'm sure has you sitting on the edge of your seat hoping and praying that we do a YouTube video of removal and install.

Let's just say that what literally pushed me over the edge - to actually beg and plead for a new toilet (by the way, who does that?) was they day that it overflowed. With..um..stuff and it was ALL. OVER. THE. FLOOR.

I know you are wishing I had photos of the clean up, but I'm pretty sure each family member was fearing for their lives and afraid to come near me while I cleaned that up.  I think I may have blocked it all out, due to the traumatic nature of it and all...

Anyway, right after Christmas same said toilet needed to be plunged...cuz a 6 year old used 4 squares of toilet paper.  This toilet and I do NOT see eye to eye on TP usage.  I say 4 squares for a little peep is probably OK..the toilet disagrees.  It gets plugged up if you look at it wrong...pretty sure it has it out for me.

SO, I had to plunge the toilet. Lucky me.

But when I went to get the plunger, I noticed that there was water under the hot water heater in the closet those items are located in.  

The Sherlock Holmes in me deduced that it probably was a bad thing. Google agreed. 

(and for those who know me best, know that if I don't know the answer to a question - which is often - I Google it - the ENTIRE question. Trust me when I say, I'm usually not the first).

So, of course, I touched it - the hot water heater, not the plunger. I was a bit distracted by the water dripping out of the bottom...forming puddles.  Seemed like when I touched it - quite a bit more water started dripping squirting out. So like all good Handy Man types, I touched it again, just to make sure.

Yup.

Still water coming out the bottom.

So, when my sweet husband got home..off to the Big Box we went to get a new hot water heater...and VIOLA! A new one was installed.

Well. Almost.  We spent an hour at the Big Box, called in reinforcements (my parents...one for each of us - my dad to help with the install and my mom to hang with me and tell them they were doing a good job) a few phone calls to some experts and 4 hours later VIOLA!

SO, in the end, it was good that I had to plunge the toilet - which I eventually did - because I did save the family from what could have been days without hot water...

but I still do want the Power Max 4 toilet...sans golf balls.

Top 10 Holiday Celebrations

10.  Halloween - we are starting all the way back here because I am on top of things and never fall behind..ahem..the kids wore costumes from the dress up costumes we have (ones from previous years or given to us).  Monkey doesn't typically like to wear a costume and I have started refusing to buy a special one for him that he won't wear anyway. Hence the t-shirt that says "this t-shirt is my costume".

And Hank. Seriously doesn't understand we are busy...buzz off...he has a rope tugging addiction and thinks everyone who walks out the back door wants to play tug-a-war with him.


9.  A-Dog was inducted into the National Honor Society at school

He works so hard and we are proud of him for taking this step into NHS!


8.  Family Photos. By family I don't mean just our 6. This year we did something totally crazy and off the wall..we did my parents, me and my siblings and all of each of our family...welcome to total chaos.

My parents with kids and spouses..wonder who is watching all the kids....

At one point, during the photo session...there was an eruption of violence..

And then there was a photo bomber...

That little gem on the right is my nephew, cutie pa-tootie, and he was ready for his photo shoot to begin...NOW.:)


7. We hosted our annual family Thanksgiving. There were nearly 50 people - friends and family. Not sure what to do next year? Come here. No one really notices :)  We had Cornhole tournaments and lots of food and drinks...and NO WIND. Not a bad combo!  Plus, it was about 65 degrees or so...

6. We spent the weekend at a local resort for Winter Wonderland!  We did this last year - Winter Wonderland is the same weekend as my sweet husband's Christmas party - and it is at the resort.  We just spend the weekend and the kids LOVE it!  There is sledding, and yes, they have to 'bring in snow'. It was melted in spots by Saturday evening :)

Cookie decorating and eating...

Horse rides (only Mini P did this, as it is her FAVORITE part!)

Plus there was sitting around by the outdoor fire having snacks and drinks and playing with the "fat booth" and "Age booth" apps...and selfies with J and G.  J works with my sweet husband so their family spent the weekend out there as well...Ridiculous FUN!!! :)

PLUS, ya know - a visit by the big guy...

5.  Christmas with the Sibs.  Or, ya know, Christmas with my parents and their kids and their kids..or my parents grandkids.  Let's not complicate it.

4.  Took our annual "stand in front of the Christmas tree" photo and hope everyone looks at the camera at the same time...

"No, Look at ME...EYES OPEN..Ready?"

Really A-Dog? Seriously. He is always the one with his eyes closed in photos.  One more try...

OK that's better.

3.  Dog pile on A-Dog.

Not really a 'celebration', but fun none the less.

2.  Christmas Eve with cousins.

A smaller group this year, but they did not miss out on any fun!  

1.  Christmas Eve church picture.

Because in life, you should always be serious about your picture being taken...

I will leave you with one last picture. I love how our family pic turned out this year...it truly reflects how we feel about raising kids and all the love we have for each other.

Cheers!