life's little stories » whining

10 Reasons For Wichita to Improve Recycling Options (aka My Pantry Smells Better Now)

kim — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:01:00 +0000

(all the other reasons are buried somewhere between the #2 and #5 plastics)

Typed while standing on table…

kim — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 23:22:00 +0000

Tony, the helpful exterminator guy: Ma’am, do spiders bother you much?

Me: weeeelllll….. not really that much. Mostly we called you because our house is covered with webs, and it’s getting a little nasty.

(Tony steps outside for a moment and returns with a dead spider on a piece of cardboard)
Tony: Have you ever seen a black widow?

Me: (ignoring pit forming in stomach) No, I haven’t.

Tony: I found this out by your sand box. See the red hourglass there? (points to clearly defined shape that is not just ‘reddish’, but somebody-painted-this-spider-with-red-nail-polish red)

Me: (pit begins churning) Yep, there it is. That was by our sandbox? (WHERE MY KIDS PLAY ALL THE TIME??!?!?!)

Tony: Yes, ma’am. These are the most venomous spiders we have around here. I’ve been doing this for 8 years, and I’ve only seen 4 of these before. This is the largest one by far.

Me: (ich blech)

Tony: You’ve got quite a lot of live movement around your place. I counted 5 brown recluse spiders moving around in your utility room. (pauses to write on invoice) So you’ll be wanting the monthly service, then?

Me: (gulp) Yes, yes I will.

Nice job, Tony.

Plagues.

kim — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 04:46:00 +0000

Mad props to Busymom for the term “Great Appliance Failure of 2007″. While deep sympathy and utmost respect are in order, as this is the 4th installment of such an event for her, I do believe I have her beat this year in terms of both numbers and density.

The following have occurred in the past 40 days:

Washing Machine–terrible noises followed by prolific leaking; upon examination by qualified technician, deemed reparable for a mere $400.
Dishwasher–terrible noises due to heating element bursting from its moorings; upon examination by qualified technician, deemed unreparable.
Refrigerator in rental property–complete failure; has been replaced.
Hot Water Heater in barn (term ‘barn’ is figurative; has finished kitchen, bathroom, and living quarters)–spontaneous electrical problem trips breaker 4,678 times a day; deemed reparable upon examination by qualified technician, who didn’t ever return after deeming it so.
Refrigerator in barn–failure in ice maker leads to prolific leaking, which has irreparably damaged wood laminate flooring in kitchen.

NOTE: with exception of both refrigerators, all appliances are under 7 years old.

I am not whining. I am not complaining. I am coming to understand that Amana is not a 4-letter word. I am no longer angered by the term ‘qualified technician’. I am learning to be content and thankful in all things. I am gaining character daily, as handwashing dishes is a deeply meaningful and rewarding activity. I am becoming stronger.

I DON’T WANT TO BE ANY STRONGER.
I AM DONE WITH GROWTH.