Sticky Fingers times 3

Why is it that no matter how many pens I stock up on I never ever can find one pen when I need it?

The pens are strategically placed way back on the counter close to the phone. Maybe I need to make my kids wash their hands more often because it must be their sticky fingers that is the problem. I've tried to buy special pens for them and my still disappear. I've given them a big bin that holds their pens, markers and crayons, but my pens seem to still be attractive. I know this is a minor issue, but when it happens over and over again, it gets to me.

Man if I am having problems with pens right now, I can't imagine what it is going to be like when they will want to wear my clothes or...my shoes (UGH!, not my shoes).

Uninvited Guests

Working the most menial task of unloading the clothes from the washer to the dryer is like washing your hands after you go to the bathroom (at least for most women, apparently men don’t wash their hands very often).  You’re on autopilot except when a beady little eye is staring back at you and is attached to a light brown furry body that moves, not to mention it is only three feet away from you. Then the drama begins. It could jump at you and mull your face or it could jump from the window sill and into the ceiling grid and nestle itself in the insulation.  Thank God he (or she, I didn’t have time check the undercarriage) chose the latter.    

Your first thought must have been I had a friendly little mouse in my basement, but no. It was a chipmunk. Yes, a chipmunk. 

Now your second thought turns into a question. How does a chipmunk get into the basement?

At the time, I had no clue.  I ran upstairs and waited for the hubby to get home. Chipmunks are rodents. They carry disease and germs. For all I know, it could have rabies. Granted it wasn’t foaming at the mouth and it didn’t attack me, but I wasn’t going to take any chances. I couldn’t even think of all the places it was touching down there.

Instead I went out to buy some rat traps so the hubby could set them up when he got home.

The hubby goes down stairs to assess the situation. A few minutes later, I hear a commotion and he yells up from downstairs to get a bucket.  I get a bucket and run it down only to find him chasing this chipmunk around the basement. Apparently, he’s been there for awhile because he is slowing down (lack of food and water), but still fast enough to evade the hubby. So I come up behind the hubby to hand him the bucket and I slowly back away only to realize I stepped on something. And it wasn’t hard either. It was mushy with fur. I jumped probably 20 feet (okay more like 2 feet and it’s possible a little scream slipped). Thank God, I had shoes on.

Okay so two chipmunks made it into the basement. One was dead and one was on the run. If there was any more, I was going to freak out.  I’m not usually scared of critters outside, but it’s different when they’re in your house.

It turns out only two made it into the basement. The funny thing is you would never guess how they made it in.

The dryer vent. Somehow they thought the hose was some kind of fun slide, but the fun ended when the hose lead into the dryer. Then their survival instinct kicked in and they chewed two different holes through the hose into the basement. The hubby changed the hose to metal and put some kind of screen cover on the vent outside. No more plastic for us and no more chipmunks.  

Three Fish

I love when I'm right. Then again, who doesn't love when they are right.

My children have grown used to doing special things with me and their dad. Unfortunately, they don't always appreciate these things. My hubby and I have resorted to cliches like 'you always want what you can't have' or 'the grass is always greener on the other side' because want more of everything.

So the one thing I absolutely love is swimming and I take the kids to an open swim at our gym on the weekends hoping they will love swimming as much as I do (they are getting there). For the last three weeks, I stopped taking them. I didn't mention it and I never brought it up.

This weekend they begged me to take them so I agreed to. Not once did I hear a complaint from any of them, not even Child #2 (the biggest complainer). They even were able to make at least one lap without my help. It might be only doggy paddling, but I want them to become stronger before I worry about technique. Including the youngest who is only four years old. I am so proud of my little fish.

Stuck like Glue

What do you try to get rid of all the time, but keeps coming back?


No it's not your husband or your kids.


How about another clue...

It clings to everything unless disturbed.

Okay, so you might have guessed its dust. I hate dusting because no matter how hard you try it is impossible to stop all particles from kicking back into the air. Then the process starts all over again. So far my best solution to this problem is to ignore it.

Signs of a Great Vacation

Gained weight:
Gaining 7.5 pounds in seven days that is a pound a day.

Burned:
Apparently, you need to put sunscreen inside your belly button. There is a burned ring around my belly button. It kind of looks like a tattoo.


Consumption:
You can't drink or eat anymore.


Children:
On the last day of the vacation, you realize you miss your children and can't wait to see them again. The airplane can't fly fast enough.