Successful Washing Machine "surgery"

Our washing machine has been acting really weird and hums really loudly and then doesn't do the final spin of the clothes about 1/2 time. Sweet. This thing is not even 3 years old.

Brian did a little research and said he thought it might be that the drain is clogged. Great, so how do we unclog it?

With some help from the internet, we tipped back the front loading washing machine (full of soaking wet clothes), took off the front panel to access the space under the "drum", then proceeded to take off clamps and hoses to the drain. This was a little scary for us because this is uncharted territory for us and the last thing we wanted is to have to call someone to put our washing machine back together!!

folded up laundry sheet

Well, we found the culprit. Wadded up inside was an (approximately) 6x9x.25" detergent/fabric softener sheet. that was absolutely caked with gunk, grit, lint, etc and STUNK! I previously loved using these because I am sure that I use more detergent than is needed in the HE machine and these took the guesswork out.

Not worth it if they get sucked into the drain. Seriously....huge. Connors socks are way smaller so I'm sure they probably could have

unfolded grossness

gotten sucked all the way through.

I am now confident that the washing machine was actually "eaten" things before.

the drain

Anyway, we got it. The problem was putting back one of the tubing "neck" clamps back over the hose. I tried for about 30 minutes and Brian tried for just as long. It is now being tightly held on by a zip tie instead. It still works great and we have tested it with 2 loads and have no water on the floor. :) I never thought a high spin cycle could be such a beautiful thing.

difficult to tell, but this is a successful spin cycle!

Polar Express

This is just a small tease, but we had such a wonderful time on the Polar Express last night. I took over 300 pictures and would like to edit some before I post. However, this one is now "processed" (raw on Facebook) and it is my favorite of the trip.

mixed up sentences

"I will see this at the movie feeter, I want."

He just said this 5 seconds ago and since I have my computer in my lap, I thought I'd document. He is referencing the new "Al Chipmunks" movie (Alvin and the Chipmunks) that is coming out on Friday. He was previously uninterested in these chipmunks (liked Chip & Dale) until Brian recorded the movie the other day on our DVR. Now he thinks it is absolutely hysterical and laughs out loud at the tv. :)

And TODAY is the day for the Polar Express. We plan to leave around 10:00 this morning to head to Ohio!

Connor's Christmas Gala

I have lots of pictures too....need to get them off the camera.

Looks like Christmas around here...

Now we just need a little snow. :)

 And I just took some better tree pictures....with close-ups or ornaments.... to come.

basement update.

Successful party here on Saturday night with Brian's coworkers. About 12 adults.

In honor of that event and the fact that we are hosting all of the Nealons here at Christmas, I've been "stimulating the economy"....a saying I hear from my dad frequently. :)

AND the framers are here framing the last unfinished room in the basement: Connor's new official playroom! This also means that we will put our elevated air mattress in there this Christmas when all the Nealons are here and whoever sleeps in there will have walls, a ceiling and carpet!

I took a few semi-"before" pictures shortly after the framers got started. I'm sure I can find some of the room as it was used (or NOT used) with Connor's letter mats and miscellaneous toys. The cats definitely spent the most time in there. They'll likely be in shock, but I did keep one section of Brian's bachelor couch because it is there favorite. The blue grover chair will also find a new home in this room when it is completed.

Anyway, operation basement makeover is in full swing!

A big advantage to getting lots of new, big furniture is big boxes to play in!

Whew.

Operation basement spruce-up is in full effect. I'm worn out, but it is looking good.

I know that is a big tease, but I am too tired to write/post/do anything else.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Thanksgiving post is a bit late....I made our little meal for 3 on Thursday morning, but after about 4 bites, that was it for me. Connor so generously shared an awesome little virus with me that suppressed my appetite and kept me running to the bathroom. I missed Black Friday entirely as I was on the couch or in my bed all day.

I am thankful for SO MUCH this Thanksgiving, including feeling better on Saturday!

Although our Thanksgiving was different since we spent it with just our little family of 3, it was nice to be together....even if I was sick. Of course we are so thankful for our families all over this great country and we look forward to being together soon.

Thank you for our health, happiness, wonderful family and friends. We are so blessed....especially with this little native American boy. (at his first school Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday...he still had the "bug" at this point and only ate a few bits of his roll...and still a bit lethargic, too)