Things Baddaddy does for me.

He is soooo good to me! Girls really are easy to please. It's the little things...
Things that mean I don't have to bend over, get off the couch and still make me feel attractive.

* Does the dishes
* Fills the cat's food
* Fixed my internet
* Rubs my aching hip
* Installed light cover
* Filled my hand soap
* Does all the laundry
* Still finds me attractive
* Gets me all my vitamins
* Massages my jumpy legs
* Changed the paper towels
* Made Broccoli Carrot Soup
* Fixed my broken towel rack
* Fills my humidifier every night
* Puts my socks & shoes on for me
* Plugs in my cell phone every night
* Gets me calcium for my jumpy legs
* Starts calm music for me every night
* Fills my water bottle a 100 times a day
* Finds my lost water bottle 100 times a day
* Thanks me for all am doing to grow our baby
* Tells me that if I need anything to wake him up
* Tells me he thinks this pregnant body is adorable

34 Weeks

Midwife & YW's

Two week appointment. I didn't gain any weight. (Wahoo!) My big belly got even bigger...from 32 to 35. I told Julie about the accident and she said she wishes she could lock all her patients up during this stormy season. We talked about my birth plan and what I can expect at the new hospital.

I have been working on my Young Woman's activity for this evening. We are going to learn about and discuss Patriarchal Blessings. I am trying to help our oldest girl complete her Personal Progress so this is specifically something she can pass off. Afterwards we will be helping the same girl plan New Beginnings. She only has until May to finish and although it is doable, she has her work cut out for her.

This is the handout I will give them. It's really just a lot of information, but they are much more receptive when it looks cute.

Accident

Yesterday did not go as planned. Not that there were any plans. But being in a car accident and spending four hours in the hospital was not one of the things we would have planned had we planned anything. First things first, (Mom) everyone is OK!

We were only going about 5 mph and the car that hit us about 10. Baddaddy was driving and was hit on his side. His airbags deployed which left him with some little cuts on the side of his face. He said it was like someone hitting him in the face. (Better than him hitting anything else.) We both felt fine but because I am big pregnant they recommended we go to the hospital and get checked out. No objections from us...except I did decline to go in the ambulance. There was a gentlemen who came to help...I thought he had been somehow involved, but he just jumped in and offered his assistance. In fact, everyone was really friendly and helpful. The police officer had me sit in the back of his car to keep warm. First time in the backseat of a police car...he joked about how he cleans up after the really dirty rifraf. And then he drove us over to our ride to avoid all the traffic and so I didn't have to walk.

The accident happened about 4:00 in the afternoon and I was amazed at how quickly our entire day disappeared. The car had to be towed (the driver's side door wouldn't open) but it is not too badly damaged. My silly question is...how do they get the airbag stuff back in? Baddaddy's brother picked us up, took us home to our other vehicle and we drove to the hospital. I had asked if we should just go to the women's center to begin with but they told us to go to the ER. So we did. They did very little there except make me get undressed, check my vitals and then have me get dressed again to send us over to the women's center.

At the women's center they hooked me up to monitor our little dude's heartbeat and to make sure that I wasn't having contractions. And there we stayed for two hours. In a few ways it was an exercise in preparing for birth. First, oh my gosh the beds are uncomfortable! And the monitors they strapped to me made it difficult for me to move or change positions. And no going to the bathroom for me. I won't be having an IV or staying hooked up to the monitors while in labor, just so I can move around. The nurse was very nice and very funny. She wanted to know if we were sure we were ready for such an active little boy. Apparently our little guy is a mover!

I felt fine and was sure there wasn't going to be any problems. But we both knew it was best to be sure. I said to Baddaddy that I am sure it will not be the last time we are in the ER with our little boy. And then he told me stories of his ER visits, his stitches, his concussions. Boys will be boys? Maybe if I can just keep ours away from skateboards and dirt bikes...yea right!

We finally got home at about 9:30 and since we hadn't really eaten yet, still needed to have some dinner. And wind down. I picked up the mail while waiting for our dinner and was so excited! Years ago I gave Kells a CD of lullabies; I think when she was having for her first little boy. We talked about it the other day and she mentioned that she and the baby had loved it. It was so long ago that I didn't even remember what it was. And there it was in the mail. Thank you Kells!!! I cried. It was a good way to end the day.

Things to look forward to...

Another night done. Not too bad. A few days ago I was reminded of Sleepytime tea and I have begun to have a cup every night. There is some nostalgia to it as I was first introduced to the tea by Baddaddy several years ago, before we had begun dating.

I have been thinking of the things that will help me pass this next six weeks. Here is my list. I would greatly appreciate anyone who would like to add things to this list with visits or well, anything.

~ January 29th: Midwife Appt
~ February 2nd: Birthday Party
~ February 5th: Glider Rocker arrives
~ February 6th: Chiropractor Appt
~ Feburary 8th: 5 weeks! (Begin 5-W)
~ February 9th: Baby Shower!!!
~ February 12th: Midwife Appt




~ February 12th: Jericho returns
~ February 16/23rd: Girls Movie Night
~ February 26th: Midwife Appt
~ March 4th: Midwife Appt
~ March 11: Stargate SG-1 Movie
~ March 11: Midwife Appt
~ March 14th: Due Date

I have a dry spell for the last month, nothing but appointments with the midwife and and TV shows that won't take up much time. Anyone want to come visit me? Hang out? Call? Email? Blog?

Getting Ready

There hasn't been much going on in my life this week. Chiropractic appointment, dentist appointment (short, painless and done for six more months) work meeting, grocery shopping; just boring life stuff.

The one exciting thing this week has been finally being at the point that I can really start getting ready for this baby. Baddaddy and I talked all about our birth plan and made some decisions about other various baby things. The baby shower invites went out this week. (Thanks Kimber!)

I ordered my Glider Rocker.
Oh, how I wish I had this right now...why did I wait so long?

I ordered my 5-W.
I start taking this 5 weeks before my due date.
That is only 2 weeks away!!

I also ordered the Wombstringe for after the birth.
This helps with the bleeding.

I am thinking more and more about birth. About actually having a baby. About being ready to actually give birth and have a baby. Of course, I am looking forward to actually having the baby here. But how much of actually giving birth is motivated by just being done being pregnant? While discussing with Kimber we determined that a major reason for all the discomfort is so that you are willing to do whatever you have to in order to not be pregnant anymore.

I'm getting there.

Snow Day

I dragged myself out of bed this morning to get ready to go to work. I hadn't looked outside yet or I would have just gone back to bed. As it was, the guys called me and told me not to come in. I don't think even our truck could have gotten out of our driveway. As I was working (OK, scrap booking) I looked outside to see three of the young men shoveling the driveway. What a great act of service that was!!! We are however, still lucky to have the truck as the road has still not been plowed.

So I had a snow day. And I have done lots of scrap booking. I didn't list it as an 8 week resolution because if I lose the motivation to continue I am not going to feel guilty about it. But I would like to get it all caught up. I was working on my bridal shower which tells you that I am a few years behind. I really enjoy Scrapbook Factory because I am able to do everything on the computer and then print it out and be done. It doesn't print the best quality copies but I don't even mind. I find myself enjoying it as I simplify and accomplish much. Because I am enjoying it I keep doing it, even though my hip is hurting. I am making a point to get up and stretch often.

Saturday I received a package from my sister with this cute hand-me-down maternity jacket that I wore to church. I meant to take a picture of my dressed up self when I got home (because it happens so infrequently) but I just couldn't wait to get out of my clothes and get comfy.

Yesterday my sister taught Relief Society in her ward and as we discussed the lesson throughout the week I wished I could be there. As I sat in my own wards' Young Woman's, we were told that one of our girls was in RS being part of an object lesson and that they were going to have have this amazing musical presentation of "Oh My Father." Since we only had one girl in Young Woman's (and 5 leaders) I suggested that go to Relief Society. We go into RS every fourth Sunday but I really wanted to be there for this lesson. Although some of the other leaders wanted to (even the teacher) the YW's President wouldn't go for it. I thought about going anyway but decided that it would be rude to the young teacher who prepared a lesson. It was a good lesson; just geared so differently and I am really craving something more.

We had a singing sacrament meeting. The entire meeting consists of people from the congregation telling about their favorite hymn and then everyone sings the hymn. I always enjoy the musical Sundays. However, even though I was prepared with some snacks, by the time I arrived home I was hungry, cranky and moody.

As I was sitting in Sunday School and feeling my very puffy hands I noticed that my wedding band was starting to hurt my finger. I had to use lots of lotion but finally succeeded in taking it off. Now that it is off I don't think it will be going back on until after the baby is born.

Also in the package from my sister was the book Pregnancy Sucks. I am enjoying the very humorous book about the not so humorous aspects of being pregnant.

8 Week Resolutions

I can't make resolutions for a year. Have a baby...that is my resolution. After that everything changes. So, for now, I will have 8 week resolutions consisting of things to help me prepare, for the birth and a new baby.

1. Take my vitamins daily. (No brainer right and yet...)
2. Listen to my affirmations daily.
3. Do a relaxation session daily.
4. Do my prenatal yoga video daily.
5. Get the rest of the baby essentials...diapers, wipes, etc.
6. Baby shower to help with #5. (Someone else is in charge so...)
7. Take 5 week prep vitamins.
8. Make hospital relaxation playlist.
9. Pack a hospital bag.
10. Give birth.
Bring baby home (hopefully with a name.)

Maybe after I figure out what I am doing I can rethink resolutions. (Maybe start on the anti-aging essentials list.)

Anti-Aging Formula

Every year my sisters and mom and I used to get together for a girl's night out, where we would eat out, watch a movie and make a collage. We haven't kept it up as we all live farther apart, but I find I still love making a yearly collage as a type of journal for the year. While working on it yesterday (thats about all I could muster up the energy to do) I came across these...

Anti-Aging Essentials:
*Prayer
*Exercise
*Sex
*Massage
*Animals
*Afternoon tea with scones
*Utter honesty - especially with self
*Gratitude for simple pleasures
*Goals
*Work
*Affection
*Music
*See things from another person's point of view

*No absolutes

Maybe I will just make this list my resolutions for the year.

Oops!

As we were updating the Kitty Slideshow, Baddaddy and I made a very big mistake. We deleted a web album that we shouldn't have and presto all of the pictures from my blog are gone. 67 pictures, some of which I already deleted entirely from my computer. Baddaddy is feeling really bad, although it wasn't his fault. I think because he is the resident computer geek he feels like he should have known better. So, I will be spending some time putting all the pictures back into the posts. Oh well, I don't have much exciting to post about these days anyway. I work, I eat, I hurt, I complain, and I sleep (or not).

32 Weeks

I am 32 weeks today. 8 weeks to go. 57 days. 1368 hours. Just kidding. I'm not really counting down that much. I went to the midwife yesterday and I gained 4 lbs in 2 weeks. I knew the holiday eating was going to catch up with me. I have gained a total of 24 lbs. I guess it doesn't really matter to me that much...I'm not one to worry enough about it to diet and exercise during the pregnancy to keep the weight down; but I am a girl and a little vain. Baddaddy tells me I look cute. Guess I will have to take his word for it.

If you can't say something nice...

If you can't say something nice, then eat. Preferably cheerios or Oreo Cakesters. There isn't much I want to say at the moment that is positive or nice, so here I am talking about my favorite pregnancy comfort foods. Cheerios have become a staple of my diet since getting pregnant. And the newly discovered Oreo Cakesters, yum! Since I don't have any on hand to eat after this yucky day I am doing the next best thing; blogging about them. (I don't know the rules about using images, but isn't it just free advertising for them?)

I wish I was sitting here eating Oreo's as I type this but instead I am running a hot bath and will try to put down a few thoughts about the day without sounding too witchy.

I constantly have to remind myself that it is only one day a week that I go into the office. But it makes for such a long (not to mention uncomfortable bordering on painful) day. And I sometimes feel that I spend the rest of the week just trying to recuperate. I suggested to my bosses this morning (what I thought was a good and effective idea) that they meet together before I get there. They spend so much of the time on topics relating to the houses that are not relevant to me or my job and I feel that it is a waste of my time. They quickly shot the idea down and became apparent that it is more about their comfort level then anything else. They wouldn't hold the meeting if I wasn't coming. They wouldn't have the agenda (even though I told them I could email it) which prompts so much of the conversation. They get some comfort out of me sitting there staring into space thinking about how badly my hip hurts while they ramble on about whatever. Sigh. Ok, so the truth is that they are great bosses and I didn't mind the meetings until I started to be really uncomfortable and I know I am so blessed to be able to work from home. So, if I need to be there for a few hours to make them feel comfortable I should be able to do that without complaining. But hey, I'm pregnant. It's probably not going to happen.

I know so much of how I am feeling is because of how I am feeling. Tired, moody, and beat black and blue on the inside. The movements that we have so enjoyed for the last few months are not quite so enjoyable anymore. And the lack of sleep and the lack of breathing and the sudden reappearance of the queasiness tend to make me just a tiny bit cranky. So, I will go take a bath. I will make a special trip to the store just for Oreos (which will show when I am weighed at my appointment tomorrow.) And I will rejoice in knowing that I don't have to go into the office for six more days.

Girl's Lunch

I met my sister-in-laws (or is it sisters-in-law) and mother-in-law for lunch at Olive Garden. They have suggested a monthly get-together and I think it is a great idea. Even though Baddaddy is very in touch with his feminine side (don't tell him I said that) it isn't the same as hanging out with actual woman. I had a very enjoyable time...the food was good and the company was good. They came over to my house for just a bit afterwards where we chatted about birth experiences. It was really nice to have a reason to actually get dressed and go somewhere. I am very much a homebody but do enjoy getting out for food and fun, rather than running errands.

Go to...

I hope Magirk doesn't mind but everyone should go to her blog today for her Retro Post. Trust me, it will make your day a little better...

7 Random Things About Me

Magirk tagged me (quite a while ago) for 7 random things about myself and I am just now getting around to it. So, here they are...

1. I have been questioned by the FBI. Through random circumstances I will call "Biggest Loser-Bosses Addition" we find embezzlement, drugs, real estate fraud and tax evasion. Which led to me being questioned by Mulder and Scully. (Unfortunately, he wasn't nearly that good looking. :)

2. When I was little I had a birthmark on my bottom lip. Looking back at pictures I think it was pretty cute. But I know it scared my mom and I endured many years of teasing. It gradually got smaller and finally disappeared. It actually is a good indicator of how I am feeling physically as it gets very white when I am sick.

3. I used to pass out as a child. Something we can joke about now; "where's Mama, Oh, she's passed out in the middle of the road. She will be here in a minute." But something that I know scared my mom to death when it began at 6 weeks old. I'm told I would pass out several times a day; if I laughed or cried to hard, got to hot or hit my head. I of course don't remember any of it...I was passed out in the middle of the road. I think of it now as I am having my own child and wonder if these are things that I could pass on to him.

4. I Love Water!!! Unfortunately, pregnancy has put a damper on my love affair with water. No longer able to drink water as I like, I began the first trimester ritual of sipping water trying to maintain the delicate balance between dehydration, queasiness and full on nausea. One of the things I look forward to after birth is being able to enjoy water again.

5. I enjoy TV. Not flipping through channels but TV series. To date here are some of my favorites: Farscape, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Charmed, Firefly, XFiles, Roswell, BTVS, Supernatural, Jericho, Heroes, Bones, House, CSI, Remington Steele, Pretender, Tru Calling, Jeeves & Wooster, Angel (Season 1 & 2), Alias (Season 1 & 2). These are not in any order other than Farscape is probably my all time favorite followed very closely by Stargate. I do of course watch TV just for the enjoyment, but I also analyze the shows and find profound truths, lessons, parallels, fears, and hopes. Regardless of the genre or the setting, they are after all always about people; their strengths and weaknesses, their relationships, the trouble they get themselves into, their heroic acts, their shame, their beliefs, their secrets, their humor.

6. I Love to organize. I once thought of starting my own business which would basically just consist of me going into people's homes, offices, files, etc, and organizing anything they wanted me to organize. I enjoy the challenge of making order out of a mess.

7. I am a homebody. I would rather be home than just about anywhere. I used to be much more social, but the older I get the more I just want to be at home. I love being able to work from home. And there are days I find I would never leave the house if it weren't for Baddaddy. Yup, he actually is more of a go-kid than me. Who would have thunk it?

Simple Things

*A good night's sleep...YEAY! Isn't it funny that a good night's sleep includes waking up three times during the night. Slept in my bed the whole night, and when I got up, I went right back to sleep.

*I found a scanner today at DI for $5. It is already making my life so much easier. I have a scanner that the boss picked up at DI a few months ago that was missing the power cord. Well, after searching stores, online, even eBay, I have been unable to get a cord. Today I figured I would just go to DI and see if they had a scanner with a matching cord. Didn't find it, but found another scanner, a much better one, which not only had the power cord but the instruction manual with it. Got it home, plugged it all in and it works great! Means no more running to work just to fax some emergency thing for the bosses and no more going to Kinkos, which is close but expensive.

*I didn't really mean to do so much work today. After all, the bosses are golfing. But because of the great night's sleep I had energy and so I tackled the desk and have accomplished so much. So much that I shouldn't have to do anything work related tomorrow.

*For some reason, even though I have been sitting at this desk for most of the day, my hip has just barely begun to bother me. What a blessing!

*Grilled cheese sandwiches. So easy and one of Baddaddy's favorite things to eat. Maybe his all time favorite. I'm off to make some for dinner.

Bosses

So one of my "glad" items was only having to go into the office once a week. Well, that only works if your bosses don't forget to do stuff and so have an "emergency" that they can't possibly deal with because they are in Mesquite golfing. Mama to the rescue. Most annoying is that it isn't actually an emergency at all...it could wait until Monday and should to be in schedule with the other things we are doing. Oh well. I will just have to make a quick trip to the office tomorrow, at my leisure, whenever I feel like it, when I get around to it, if you catch my drift.

Last night was a bit better...I actually slept for a four hour stretch all at once. That was after going back and forth from bed to couch, taking three melatonin (1/2 of one used to knock me out) and throwing a tantrum because I couldn't get comfortable. The best part this morning was not having to go anywhere and being able to take the time to sit in the tub and cry before getting on with the day. At least, I was trying to get on with the day. I did get quite a bit of work done, but over all didn't feel comfortable in my own skin. Luckily my big sister called and after talking with her I feel like I can make it through another day. Another night...well, we will just have to wait and see.

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad

What a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad night I had. My legs were jumping and twitching so bad that I couldn't sleep. I feel like I am copying Kimber's Post but as we are both pregnant I suppose we would have similar experiences at times. I found myself watching XFiles at 12:30 as I stretched, massaged my legs with Burt's Bees Leg & Foot Creme, and tried everything I could think of to relax. How do I know XFiles is on that time of night? Well, back in my pre-pregnancy, pre-marriage days when I was still young and spry I would stay up watching XFiles with my roommate. I needed so much less sleep then.

I finally slept for a few hours only to find myself at 4:30 eating cheerios and watching Angel. How do I know Angel is on that time of the morning? Many mornings of waking up that early and my stomach not allowing me to sleep until I had fed it. Cheerios being my food of choice.

It wouldn't have been so bad except that I had to go into the office today. That means sitting through meetings knowing full well by the time I am done I will ache all over, especially in my hip. Then running errands to pick up checks, deposit checks and because the day was already shot; grocery shopping.

However, after reading Kimber's Post I was so impressed by her good attitude (and a little ashamed of my bad one) I have decided to copy her and find the things I am glad about today.

1. I am glad that out of five days of the week, I only have to go into the office for one of those days. (And for the rest of those I also get to work in jammies and braless.)

2. I am glad to have a sister who not only has lots of experience being pregnant, but is pregnant at the same time as me so I can ask all my possibly dumb silly questions and have my silly emotional moments and she totally gets it. And after talking to her I always feel better. Thanks Sis!

3. I am glad to have all my sisters blogging so that I can feel more connected to them as I read about their daily lives. I miss you all!!!!

4. I am so glad for all the many little things Baddaddy does to make my life easier; filling my water bottle, getting me calcium, filling my humidifier every night, rubbing my feet, back, hip or whichever part is currently aching.

5. I am glad to come home to my very quiet and peaceful home.

6. I am glad to have run across the Burt's Bees Norishing Body Oil while doing the grocery shopping I would rather have not done.

Well, I guess that list will do for the moment because as I sit here my hip is beginning to ache. Oops, was that me whining again? Sorry. No rest for the whiny.

Dinner Flop

Baddaddy and I like to make our own mashed potato bowls (like the ones from KFC.) It's basically potatoes, gravy, cheese, corn (optional) and chicken. How can you go wrong with that. But we got a new kind of popcorn chicken and it was so nasty!!! We shouldn't have eaten any of it, but we both ate just enough to really upset the tummies. I hate it when I spend any time at all in the kitchen and it flops. I am not a great cook to begin with, but it really makes me feel dumb when the simple meals aren't edible. I threw away the rest of the chicken and we ate Eggo waffles for dinner. But hey, they are nutrigrain, low-fat, cinnamon waffles so I am sure they have all kinds of nutritional value.

Work Ethic

I had an epiphany this morning because of a phone call which I have been putting off that came back to bite me. I realized that I have really been letting things slide with work. Largely in part because of the holidays and Baddaddy being home from work for a few weeks and because I am pregnant. But these are excuses. I have to stay on top of things, especially working from home, or my bosses will worry that things are falling apart and it isn't working. It is so easy to put things off when there are other things to do at home. On top of that is the lack of energy I sometimes feel. I was incredibly productive today and worked until 4:00. Stopping just long enough to make food and load the dishwasher. But I got a good night's sleep last night, which doesn't always happen. And by the afternoon I feel worn out and have to really push myself to continue being productive. Part of why I wanted to work from home was so that when I needed to I could rest. The problem is, once I start resting it is really difficult to get back into the work mode. So, not necessarily a resolution, but a determination to stay on top of work.

10 Weeks To Go

Here I am with 10 weeks to go. Several woman at church today mentioned that I seem big to be delivering in March. My midwife did mention I was measuring big but didn't make a big deal out of it. My neighbor even asked if I was having twins.

So what do you think? (Other than white is not my color.) Am I huge??? Maybe that means I will deliver early. Or maybe he takes after his Dad and needs oodles and oodles of space and a humongous bed. :)
Church is getting more and more difficult. I have so much trouble with my hip and sitting in the chairs just kills me! Luckily I can stand in the back through Young Womans. I sat out on the couch in the foyer through Sacrament and that really seemed to help. Of course it gets nosy at times but at least I am not in pain. It snowed so much during church. I remembered that there was no scraper in the car and was not looking forward to going outside. Well, I tromped through all the snow in my little flats (which is all I can wear) and find that mysteriously my car is clean while all the surrounding cars are covered in snow. Sneaky Baddaddy found the scraper and cleaned off my car so I could just get in and drive home. Once again, he is my hero!

I picked up the new Joseph Smith manual and I am excited to study it. I find myself really missing Relief Society and less and less excited about Young Woman's. I have been in YW for 3 years now...camp for three years and Personal Progress Leader for 2 years. In our Leadership meeting today they were teasing me that I got pregnant so I could get out of doing camp another year. I really loved doing camp although it is so much work. But three years was enough...after all, it was supposed to be a one year calling.

I think that I will probably hang in until May. I have one girl who is graduating this year and is working really hard on finishing her personal progress. I will be meeting with her every few weeks and will do activities in January and February to help her pass stuff off. Then I will be taking March and April off and come back in May just long enough to help her finish up and go to the Royal Daughter of God dinner. It should actually be about time for the entire presidency to be released. So, if they haven't released me by then I think I will ask. I was in the primary for a few years before YW's, so it has been several years since I have been able to regularly attend Relief Society.

Wahoo!

Finally. The post I have been praying I could write. The dishwasher is finally in. It is running as I type, it looks great and it is quiet. Baddaddy is my hero!!!

Midwive Appt

Just had my monthly appointment and I only gained two pounds! Which is just weird considering all the sugar I ate over the holidays. I'm pretty sure it will catch up with me over the next few weeks. I feel him move all the time so I know he is really there and he is OK but I love hearing his heartbeat!

The Saga Continues...

I could go on and on about the whys and hows and whats, but lets just say after three trips to Lowe's, one to Home Depot and blood, sweat (Baddaddy's) and tears (mine) we still have no working dishwasher. I really don't like watching him get hurt and blood bothers me anyway, not to mention when it is his. So, we finally quit and cleaned up the kitchen. Funny thing is that doing dishes by hand is very calming to me. So, what do I need the stupid dishwasher for anyway? After we get the water line working we still have to get it to fit which will probably require cracking more tiles. And to tell the truth I am afraid we are going to go through all of this and finally get it in and working and I am going to hate it. That it will be louder than the older one or less efficient than the older or something to that effect.

So, Baddaddy is going to try one more thing today after work and if that doesn't work I will be calling our plumber. Luckily I am in a good line of work to have lots of contacts. Fat Paulie (that really is what everyone calls him) does all the plumbing for the houses we build, and he will probably even come out for free and look at it for me. Hopefully the next post about this subject will be me with a big smile next to my new working dishwasher.

The Saga of the Dishwasher

*Warning* The following is extremely boring and I won't be offended if you don't read any of it.

We have been meaning to pick up a new dishwasher for quite a while but have been avoiding all the holiday shopping. We thought that yesterday would be better but alas. After going in to work for 5 hours (and sitting on the chair that kills my hip) I met Baddaddy at IKEA to finally purchase the dishwasher. At that point I was already tired and sore and the saga had just begun. We knew exactly what we wanted but still had to walk all the way through everything to the kitchen area to have them print out a paper just so we could walk it back to the cashier. For anyone who has been to IKEA you know that there is a lot of walking involved. Then we stood in line, and stood in line some more, and stood in line some more. I can't help but wonder what all these people are buying just after Christmas?! We finally pay and then we take our little receipt to another area and wait some more for them to bring it out. Finally they bring the dishwasher out and we can leave. It took us an hour and that was going in knowing exactly what we wanted.

So, I was relieved, thinking it was over and we could go home and relax. Boy was I mistaken. Baddaddy first had to get the old dishwasher out. Something you should know about my house is that the previous owners did lots of things around the house themselves and they didn't worry too much about it being done right. On the surface things look OK, but you get underneath and you can see how many things they just jerry rigged. So, back to our saga. They put in new tile after putting the dishwasher in and had not left any clearance to get the thing out. After much pulling, pushing, hammering, banging, and yes some swearing he finally got it out. The old dishwasher was going to go to DI but I don't even know if they will take it considering what he had to do to it just to get it out. (Including crack some of the tile. :( And boy was my little guy reacting like crazy to all the noise.

Then to disconnect everything from the old and connect to the new. First, as Baddaddy put it, "we don't want to start this kids life off telling him the story of how his daddy was electrocuted putting in our dishwasher." So, to turn of the power. I am a little embarrassed to say that I didn't know where the fuse box was. Actually I thought I did...there is one right inside the garage...but it didn't turn anything off. So I call my brother-in-law who has done some electrical work on the house and he walks us outside to where the fuse box is. Which required Baddaddy to tromp through snow up to his knees. But he is alive and well.

Finally we get to the water line and discover that there is a piece not included with the dishwasher. Its just a stupid elbow to connect the water. Off to Lowe's we go. After looking ourselves and repeatedly asking for help and waiting 1/2 hour to get anyone to help us, we get this guy who convinces us we need some other connector piece that will be so much better. He insists that it will work because things are only connected certain ways and sizes and bla bla bla. We both kicked ourselves later because we didn't just buy the other piece at the same time. So, we get it home and find that at we suspected it won't work because the water line has not been installed the way he insisted it would be, it was jerry rigged by the previous owners.

So, back to Lowes...except I couldn't do it. At this point I had already been crying for some time. I was just so tired that I was emotional. And after all of the working and walking around and trying to help down on the kitchen floor, everything hurt! My hips, my back, my feet, my butt, my head. Baddaddy tells me to take a bath and he will go get the part. He doesn't come back and doesn't come back and when he finally shows up he is spitting mad. He got back to Lowe's just in time to have them tell him they were closing. He tries Home Depot which is also closed and two Walmarts who have crappy hardware sections. So, we couldn't even finish installing.

He did get the electrical and the drain pipe hooked up so that today it will just take getting the right part for the water. All in all it took 6 hours of our day to NOT get the dishwasher installed. And of course my sink is full of dishes and the kitchen is a huge mess.

And what did we do for New Year's Eve? I was in bed by 10:15. Sad I know, but oh well. I did however wake up at 12:30 to go to the bathroom. Fairly standard these days. And Baddaddy was still up and hungry. So in the middle of the night we watched an episode of the X-Files and ate waffles. What a way to start a New Year.