Today Murphy's Law applied. Invite house guests over or plan a vacation or prepare for an upcoming holiday and one major appliance is sure to break down. Usually a major appliance that you use on a daily basis. For us it was the washing machine. Granted, we had our washer/dryer set about 20 years, and moved it to several different states. So it is not surprising that it finally gave up. In which case, I was more than happy to pick out a bigger, newer model. I just didn't put it in my cleaning and grocery shopping schedule.
Tom of course wanted to run out today, pick up a new set, haul the old set down the stairs himself and haul a new set up the stairs himself and of course hook it all up. Our laundry room is on the second floor so it takes a little more work to move anything up and down. At least our stairwell is straight up and down. And naturally we did not see eye to eye on the type of washer we should buy. I recently had some practice with the front loading washers at work as they are replacing all the old models in the residents apts with Bosch front loaders. I was not excited about the water that pools in the rubber seal of the door and molds and smells. Tom was not so sure this would be an issue, but I think he finally could see my point when I pointed it out to him at Sears as we were shopping for a new set this morning. And the salesperson brought it up too. Of course, that doesn't mean you aren't going to get a new, high efficient, low water unit(just in a top loading style). I was surprised to see that the majority of new washers no longer have the big agitator pole down the center. And they all use about 1/3 the amount of water. I am not so sure I like this new concept, but it does not look like I have much choice. I didn't even get a choice in color-they come in white. And I hear all the brands are pretty much made by one manufacturer(probably in China). The LG brand which I really liked in silver and a bit bigger washer did not have a rating yet and comes from Korea and I would have had to wait 40 days to get one through Sears(no way). So tomorrow Tom is staying home to greet the Sears people with my new Maytag washer and dryer. This reminds me of the time I went to get a new film loading camera and discovered that they only made digital. You even need special laundry detergent like the front loading(less water) and there is even a setting to wash the washing machine! (To avoid any possible moldy smells)
So it felt just like spring cleaning today. Needless to say after 14yrs in this house we had accumulated quite a few dust bunnies behind both units. Poor Tom is having a hard time breathing between all the dust and kitty litter he swept up and the dry leaves he mowed yesterday. Oh yes, he also told me we may need to shop for a new lawn mower next spring as our Lawn Boy seems to be dying as well. And of course there is the new flat screen television that Tom wants for the family room, which of course will not fit in our existing wall unit. Hence more furniture and appliance shopping come Black Friday.
Just more fun jobs to add to our "to do list". I also had to take Cookie in to the pet store to get sheared(her fur grows out just like a sheep). She looks about 1/2 her size with her new haircut. She needed a short cut since her fur starts to get so matted when its long-even with lots of brushing(which she hates).
Other exciting additions to our house this week included "my" new leather topped 'coffee table/foot rest' bench that I purchased about two months ago out of a catalog. This one has a hinged lid which is great for hiding all the comforters and remote controls. And it is so nice to have a coffee table again in front of our big couch in the family room. Allison was only one year old when Tom gave away my last coffee table for fear she would hurt herself on the sharp wooden corners.
So why all the cleaning and commotion? We are expecting Tom's brother Mark and wife Linda and our nephew Eric for Thanksgiving. They are driving in from Indy and Mark plans on participating in a 7K run near the harbor on Thanksgiving day. Good thing our neighbors invited us all over for dinner! We will probably still make our own Turkey feast(can't survive the day after without Seitz casserole). And you never can have enough turkey. We are looking forward to a wonderful visit.
I still have to squeeze all my patients in at work in 3 days though. It was a bit of a mess when I got back to work this past week(it always seems no one can ever do as good a job as yourself). But I was grateful for the time off the week before camping with Scott's school at Northbay. I still haven't had time to look over all the photos on line.
Allison and Scott still had plenty of schoolwork. Scott is finishing his semester and Allison is just starting a new one. We managed to get through an extra credit project on bats with Scott and he is busy reading two books for language arts class. Allison's English class has started on the Greek tragedies(always fun). Allison and I did take some time out with another one of my scouts to attend an arts and crafts class at the library. We were trying out bandana bags for next years Mall Sleep In, but I think this project is a bit too overwhelming to run for 1000+ girl scouts. So we will keep looking(but it was a lot of fun). And Allison and I actually made a bag out of two bandanas.
And Scott's cub scout troop had their pack meeting on Friday night. The boys packed 40 care packages for the US Troops for the holidays. I included the 55 boxes of girl scout cookies that were donated during our sale this year. I think Allison single-handedly sold about 47 of those boxes. I am certain the soldiers will enjoy their surprise.
So I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are certainly thankful for celebrating the holiday with part of our family. And I am thankful that I will be able to wash all the sheets and pillowcases in time for their visit(well sort of). Mark, pizza works just fine for all of us on Weds night too! Happy Turkey Day! Kathleen and Family (I also included a shot of Scott in his altar server garb after he just finished his training sessions this fall).