the toilet disaster

It all started with a running toilet. Fearful that this would jack my water bill up, I compared the "running" toilet with the toilet in the back bedroom. I could spot the problem, easily (i'm smart like that).

Not one to be daunted by household problems, I decided I would go to Home Depot and fix it myself. I can read, I can screw, I can assemble.

So, I decided to buy the ENTIRE inside toilet repair kit - I was feeling bold and adventurous - plus, at $20, I was feeling a little reckless.

I put on my latex gloves (no sense in getting icky water all over myself) and opened up the box. I turned off the water (step 1), and tried to figure out what the HECK the difference was between the shank washer and the cup washer (this stuff sound kinda nasty... course, it is generally a man's world, speak in their language, right?)

Step Four - take the toilet tank off. Unscrew the bolts. One on the right - easy as pie. One on the left...rusted on. Now after 45 minutes of using four different pairs of pliers and literally LAYING down under my toilet (squeezed in like no big man could possibly get) I realized that every time the nut moved, so did the screw. I collapsed in tears, frustrated and angry at the world and the fact that there is no ONE I could call to help me. PLUS - all I needed was ONE extra set of hands... not a brain. Definitely a job for a man.

So, I moved on to the pantry door that had fallen off it's slider. The slider has disappeared. And then I saw that the pantry door was actually cracked, which is why the slider thing had fallen out. Again, I can do this. I got my electric drill and started screwing a screw in. Which caused the door to come off the bottom hinge and fall on top of me...

sorry, no photos, broken camera.

First in War, first in Peace

George Washington... he's my FAVORITE! What a fella. I will try not to wax too eloquent (as in length, not eloquence - that is simply unstoppable)

His father died when he was thirteen. He knew there was not enough money for him to travel abroad and finish his education, so he dreamt of the Navy. That dream came crashing down at the age of 17 when his mama (a none-too-kind lady) told him to forget it, it was out of the question, and never mention it again.

He obeyed. A neighbor, Mr. Fairfax approached Mrs. Washington some time later, and asked her if George may accompany his son out into the back country to learn the skill of surveying. To this she agreed, and Geroge learned how to be a surveyor.

Thank GOD (literally) as when he was called upon to be an aide to General Braddock in the French and Indian War (we fought the Fench and the Indians, we were on the side of the British). Geroge KNEW the territory. Not only did he know the territory, he knew how the Indians fought, how they lived and how they thought. When General Braddock was killed in his bright Red COAT a top his horse, George literally saved the day and the battle. Because he was obedient to his mother, even though she was grouchy, and did what was set before him. This also came in very handy when he was asked to pick the actual location for the Federal City (D.C.) He chose where the Potomac and Anacostia rivers coincided, because they flowed into the Chesapeake which flowed into the Atlantic. Good for trade. (and it's ok to start a sentence with "because" ocassionally - look it up)

There's more, but this is where I will stop.

Except for one more thing: it was because of the HUGE expense of the French and Indian War that the British started taxing us so heavily. They had to re-fill the coffers - hence the outrageous taxes which led to the petitions, remonstrances and finally, the "rebellion" - the tea, the "massacre" and the shots at Lexington and Concord. Did you know the Declaration came 15 months after the first shots were fired?

ok - we will talk about the whole "slave deal" later - so don't get all uptight - there were many and varied and good thoughts going on, but as a nation we were too fragile to handle the issue - it was important that we actually make it as a tiny fledgling nation...

ALSO - have you ever heard of the bullet-proof George? it happened in the battle where General Braddock died and I'll tell you later.

(these are the stories I tell to my school children on tour)

Eight things

Karen tagged me to write eight things that are random or that others probably don't know about me. I have never been tagged before (I'm just not that popular in the blogging world, although as a child I was always tagged because I wasn't all that fast... does that count as a fact?)

The rules are the same basic ones. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

So, here we go.

1) When I was in the eighth grade I did a backbend on top of the upright piano in my Choir class. The teacher was there. He is the one who reminded me of this fact many years later. I wonder what the classroom management was in that room? As usual, I was accompanying the Choir (life story)

2) I was the accompanist for our Elementary School choir when I was nine. Considering I have only let five students EVER play the piano for any of my choirs, I guess I was pretty good.

3) I have been to 37 foreign countries. Favorite places: Calcutta, India; New Zealand, MOROCCO!!!!!, Israel, Turkey, Spain, Prague! Bolivia

4) I am REALLY bad at recognizing any kind of "pop" music - from the 70s, 80s, 90s or now. I never know "who sang that", and don't really care.

5) I consider myself an introvert although I love people deeply and love hearing their stories. I am GREAT at putting myself out there for others, therefore people think I am an extrovert, but I HATE the thought of going to a party with lots of people.

6) I HATE it when people say, "Can I just call you Sue?"

7) Carrying heavy luggage is one of the top three things I hate to do most in life (along with making my bed and folding clothes)

8) I didn't always hate football. Teaching Choir in Oklahoma and dealing with the "good Ole Boys Club" did that to me (Where football is God). I grew up avidly watching football and remember many a Sunday afternoon napping in front of the game, and impressing many fellows with my knowledge of the game and stats.

And now I get to tag people (can't remember who Karen tagged, sorry if I choose you again)... Corinne, Gayla, Renee, Ginger, Aisha, Beth