Have you ever had something major in your house that needed to be fixed and attempted to fix it yourself? Well today after weeks of a clogged toilet my husband attempted to fix the toilet in the guest bathroom; which is also the bathroom that our kids use. It became clogged when one of our kids (we don't know which one) put something in the toilet and attempted to flush it. Now mind you this isn't the first time it has happened. Previously we have suctioned a plastic fish, a Weeble toy, and other small toys. However this time something got stuck in the toilet and has been there for weeks. When whatever it is first got stuck you could use the toilet a little, but it soon got to where you couldn't flush it and our guest bathroom toilet hasn't been used in quite some time.
When my husband started to take the toilet a part it looked promising. I mean why pay $90 and hour plus materials for a plumber when you could potentially fix it yourself. He unscrewed everything and successfully lifted the toilet from the floor. Once he got the toilet to the point where he could use the snake from underneath I was called in to assist. Again, it was looking promising until the snake was inserted in the toilet from the bottom and he started to maneuver it around and couldn't pull out what was stuck. He went so far as to locate another item in the house that he could use to put inside the toilet from underneath to try and push whatever was stuck out. Well after about 30 minutes or so of trying we had to give up. We came to the conclusion that we will have to purchase a new toilet base because whatever is stuck will not come out. Before he began the repair project my husband priced the items in case we have to replace anything and replacing the toilet base will still be cheaper than calling a plumber, but why can't the kids stop putting things in the toilet. What is their fascination with flushing things?
Now we could be mad at the kids and we could of course punish them, but what good will that do. Kids will be kids. And even after we purchase a new base and secure it over the proper hole/pipe in the floor they will still be intrigued and curious about putting things in the toilet. Especially the youngest who is only 16 months old. Well I know we can't possibly be the only parents in the world who have had to fish things out of a toilet or repair a toilet because of something their kids did. So for all parents and do it yourselfers out there who want to take on the daunting task of fixing a toilet then here are some websites you can go to:
do it yourself
http://www.doityourself.com/scat/repairing
eHow
http://www.ehow.com/how_4811818_doityourself-toilet-repair.html
Fix a Toilet
http://www.fixatoilet.com/
Handy Household Hints
http://www.handyhouseholdhints.com/plumbing/do-it-yourself-toilet-repair/
These are just a few sites. There are many more sites out there that you can turn to for assistance. You can also go to Home Depot or Lowe's and speak with someone at the store and you can even purchase a book there or at any bookstore that sells repair books about fixing a toilet. If you do decide to fix a toilet or any other major appliance or household item you should first make sure you are up to the task. If the answer is yes then do your research. View multiple websites, speak to someone at a home repair store, purchase a book or check one out from your local library about how to fix the problem, and make sure you have all of the proper equipment to complete the task. The bottom line is you most definitely can do it if you have the determination and the drive, and it will save you money, but don't get over your head. If it looks like the task is more than you can handle then it is better to call in the experts. But if you can handle it then I say go for it and you will feel accomplished and you can add something else to the list of things that you can do and have done. That alone makes it all worthwhile.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Change - Part 2
As I continually think about change in my life and things that could be different I have decided that the next thing I want to do to make change in my life is to cut people out of my life that don't want to be a part of it. How many of us have hundreds of friends on Facebook but never even contact or keep up with half of them. And how many of us store someones number in our phone that we haven't seen in ages and never contact them, or have numbers from people that we have not heard from in awhile.
I recently put people on notice that I have phone numbers for that I would be cutting/deleting people out of my phone that don't want to be a part of my life. I haven't contacted everyone yet, but I will be contacting everyone that I haven't heard from in awhile. If they don't respond to my message then they will be cut out of my contact list because I will know they don't want to be in it. I am a grown woman with a husband and 3 kids and I do not have time for foolishness or people that don't want to be a part of my life. After I clear out the contact information in my phone my next step will be to move on to Facebook. People that I haven't heard from or that create any kind of negativity in my life I will "unfriend". There is no need to pretend and keep you in my list, as a friend, or in my life in anyway if you aren't making an effort yourself to be a part of my life.
Does that sound harsh? Am I wrong? Is it cruel to put people on notice and then cut them out when they don't respond? I would say no and when I do cut these people out of my life I will do it without remorse because I will know that the people whose numbers I have decided to keep or the individuals on Facebook I still have as friends will be people that have decided to be part of my life and are making some kind of effort to be part of my life. After thinking about it and beginning this journey of reorganizing and purging my life I strongly believe that everyone should do this at some point and time. It is good for the mind, body, and soul. It allows you to get "back to basics" and make your life what you want it to be and what God intends it to be. So for all of you out there reading I encourage you to take the journey of purging your life with me. If you are worried or afraid of what people might think then that is ok because sometimes I think about that also. But a good friend once told me that people are going to think what they want to think regardless of what you say or do. So you have to do what is right for you and you have to do what is right for your family. That is what it is all about!!
I recently put people on notice that I have phone numbers for that I would be cutting/deleting people out of my phone that don't want to be a part of my life. I haven't contacted everyone yet, but I will be contacting everyone that I haven't heard from in awhile. If they don't respond to my message then they will be cut out of my contact list because I will know they don't want to be in it. I am a grown woman with a husband and 3 kids and I do not have time for foolishness or people that don't want to be a part of my life. After I clear out the contact information in my phone my next step will be to move on to Facebook. People that I haven't heard from or that create any kind of negativity in my life I will "unfriend". There is no need to pretend and keep you in my list, as a friend, or in my life in anyway if you aren't making an effort yourself to be a part of my life.
Does that sound harsh? Am I wrong? Is it cruel to put people on notice and then cut them out when they don't respond? I would say no and when I do cut these people out of my life I will do it without remorse because I will know that the people whose numbers I have decided to keep or the individuals on Facebook I still have as friends will be people that have decided to be part of my life and are making some kind of effort to be part of my life. After thinking about it and beginning this journey of reorganizing and purging my life I strongly believe that everyone should do this at some point and time. It is good for the mind, body, and soul. It allows you to get "back to basics" and make your life what you want it to be and what God intends it to be. So for all of you out there reading I encourage you to take the journey of purging your life with me. If you are worried or afraid of what people might think then that is ok because sometimes I think about that also. But a good friend once told me that people are going to think what they want to think regardless of what you say or do. So you have to do what is right for you and you have to do what is right for your family. That is what it is all about!!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
What Is Worth Fighting Over?
Earlier today my husband and I watched a link to this video he was told about. The video clip shows two girls eating on a bus, even though the rules say you can't, and a woman who decides to tell them about it (http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhfs9x9k3oeb73Cs50). This woman proceeds to tell the young ladies that they can't eat on the bus and they engage in a back and forth conversation where profanities are used and eventually a fight breaks out. The most amazing part of this is that all of this was over food.
Now granted if the rules say that you aren't supposed to eat on the bus then you should not eat on the bus. But was it really so serious that this woman had to engage these two young ladies and tell them they were breaking the rules over food. And was it so serious that these two young ladies had to use profanities and get in this woman's face over food. In my opinion both sides were wrong because eventually both sides pushed back. I understand that rules are in place for a reason, but how many of us have broken a rule or two in their lifetimes. I can own up to the fact that I have broken the speed limit and gotten a ticket and I have even done the same thing these young ladies did and eaten on a bus when I know you aren't suppose to. But let's face it; who hasn't. If you're hungry then you gotta eat, but it's not worth embarrassing yourself over and getting into a fight.
If you are going to get into a fight, which I don't believe anyone should do, do it over something meaningful or for a greater purpose than food. Some examples MIGHT be:
- someone swings and punches you
- someone goes out of their way to try and steal your man (of course if he gives in you should swing on him)
- someone threatens or hurts your children
- someone is caught in the act taking something that is of value that can't be replaced
What is an example of something you might fight about? As I stated these MIGHT be reasons to get into a fight, but I personally prefer a less confrontational approach. Now if you have no choice but to defend yourself that's one thing, but don't fight if you have any other alternatives. Before you get into a fight or confrontation also think about whether it is really worth it. Is it worth it to fight over possessions or something as silly as food? Is it even worth it to fight over a man? In most cases I would say no, but it is all determined on a case by case basis. Ask yourself what is truly important, and if it is something worth dying over then it MIGHT be worth fighting over.
Now granted if the rules say that you aren't supposed to eat on the bus then you should not eat on the bus. But was it really so serious that this woman had to engage these two young ladies and tell them they were breaking the rules over food. And was it so serious that these two young ladies had to use profanities and get in this woman's face over food. In my opinion both sides were wrong because eventually both sides pushed back. I understand that rules are in place for a reason, but how many of us have broken a rule or two in their lifetimes. I can own up to the fact that I have broken the speed limit and gotten a ticket and I have even done the same thing these young ladies did and eaten on a bus when I know you aren't suppose to. But let's face it; who hasn't. If you're hungry then you gotta eat, but it's not worth embarrassing yourself over and getting into a fight.
If you are going to get into a fight, which I don't believe anyone should do, do it over something meaningful or for a greater purpose than food. Some examples MIGHT be:
- someone swings and punches you
- someone goes out of their way to try and steal your man (of course if he gives in you should swing on him)
- someone threatens or hurts your children
- someone is caught in the act taking something that is of value that can't be replaced
What is an example of something you might fight about? As I stated these MIGHT be reasons to get into a fight, but I personally prefer a less confrontational approach. Now if you have no choice but to defend yourself that's one thing, but don't fight if you have any other alternatives. Before you get into a fight or confrontation also think about whether it is really worth it. Is it worth it to fight over possessions or something as silly as food? Is it even worth it to fight over a man? In most cases I would say no, but it is all determined on a case by case basis. Ask yourself what is truly important, and if it is something worth dying over then it MIGHT be worth fighting over.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Change - Part 1
Change is defined in Merriam-Webster's online dictionary as (taken from this website: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/change):
Simply put change is something different. For some reason today I have really been thinking about change. I have been thinking about how different my life has become over the past 6 or more months, but how much I have truly gained because of that change. I can cook breakfast for my kids, I can take walks in the afternoon with my family before 5pm, I can actually have dinner ready by 5 or 6 depending on what day it is.
I am a person who always talks about change and always thinks about things that I could do different whether it be something small like changing my hairstyle or clothing to something big like a complete change in my environment. The bottom line is there are so many things that I have talked about doing and have never done. Why not? In one word the answer is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of what will happen when I make the change. Fear in general for what may or may not become. But when I look back at times change came to my life whether it was by choice or forced upon me I dealt with it successfully and good things actually have come from the change that has happened in my life.
In order to move forward in my life I need to pray about the change that I am thinking about making and let God guide me. Once he guides me in the right path then I need to take that path knowing that his hand has been placed upon me. As stated earlier due to fear that is easier said than done. I do believe and trust in God, but change is still hard. Change is something we all need in life, but it is still hard. The bottom line is I need to continue to have FAITH and WOMAN UP and MAKE the CHANGE that i want to and need to in my life not just to be successful but to continue to live a happy and fruitful life!!
Definition of CHANGE
transitive verb
1
2
a : to replace with another <let's change the subject>b : to make a shift from one to another : switch <alwayschanges sides in an argument>c : to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign currency) <change a 20-dollar bill>d : to undergo a modification of <foliage changing color>e : to put fresh clothes or covering on <change a bed>
intransitive verb
1
: to become different <her mood changes every hour>
2
of the moon : to pass from one phase to another
3
: to shift one's means of conveyance : transfer <on the bus trip he had to change twice>
4
of the voice : to shift to lower register : break
5
: to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution<winter changed to spring>
6
: to put on different clothes <need a few minutes to changefor dinner>
— chang·er noun
— change hands
: to pass from the possession of one owner to that of another <money changes hands many times>
Simply put change is something different. For some reason today I have really been thinking about change. I have been thinking about how different my life has become over the past 6 or more months, but how much I have truly gained because of that change. I can cook breakfast for my kids, I can take walks in the afternoon with my family before 5pm, I can actually have dinner ready by 5 or 6 depending on what day it is.
I am a person who always talks about change and always thinks about things that I could do different whether it be something small like changing my hairstyle or clothing to something big like a complete change in my environment. The bottom line is there are so many things that I have talked about doing and have never done. Why not? In one word the answer is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of what will happen when I make the change. Fear in general for what may or may not become. But when I look back at times change came to my life whether it was by choice or forced upon me I dealt with it successfully and good things actually have come from the change that has happened in my life.
In order to move forward in my life I need to pray about the change that I am thinking about making and let God guide me. Once he guides me in the right path then I need to take that path knowing that his hand has been placed upon me. As stated earlier due to fear that is easier said than done. I do believe and trust in God, but change is still hard. Change is something we all need in life, but it is still hard. The bottom line is I need to continue to have FAITH and WOMAN UP and MAKE the CHANGE that i want to and need to in my life not just to be successful but to continue to live a happy and fruitful life!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Facebook Games
For those of you who are on Facebook you know that they have what seems like hundreds of games that you can play. The first game I ever signed up for on Facebook was Sorority Life. I found it interesting at first and liked the idea of dressing up my "avatar" and earning virtual money. What I didn't like was what I thought was a stereotypical portrayal of sororities and the fights that you had to occasionally take part in. After awhile I stopped playing because it got too time consuming.
The next game I signed up for was Cafe World. I started out playing it for a little bit and then eventually became obsessed. You can decorate your cafe, cook a variety of dishes, and even hire servers for your cafe. The actual number of dishes you can cook depends upon the level you have reached. How you decorate your cafe and what kind of things you can decorate your cafe with depends on how many virtual coins you have earned. What I liked best about Cafe World was the fact that I could leave the game open and not have to look at it 24/7 to be successful. I liked the fact that I could pick a virtual dish to cook that took an hour, or two, or longer so I wasn't staring at my computer screen to play. Even though I didn't have to monitor the game 24/7 to be successful I still became so obsessed with playing that people were making jokes about it and how often I would monitor it (even though I didn't really have to).
Well now I have tamed myself a bit. I don't watch it like I used to. And sometimes when I put on a virtual dish to cook I forget about it and it spoils. My husband makes fun of the fact that my cafe is sometimes still open even though I have spoiled food and no customers. Too that I say, oh well. I like playing the game but I am no longer obsessed about it like I used to be. I play it now because it is an escape and it is still fun for me; which is what it should be about.
Let me be the voice of experience and say don't get too wrapped up in playing virtual Facebook games that you forget about why you should be on Facebook and that is to connect with family & friends near and far. So play your games, but pick and choose which one's you play so that you don't overcrowd your life and your Facebook page.
The next game I signed up for was Cafe World. I started out playing it for a little bit and then eventually became obsessed. You can decorate your cafe, cook a variety of dishes, and even hire servers for your cafe. The actual number of dishes you can cook depends upon the level you have reached. How you decorate your cafe and what kind of things you can decorate your cafe with depends on how many virtual coins you have earned. What I liked best about Cafe World was the fact that I could leave the game open and not have to look at it 24/7 to be successful. I liked the fact that I could pick a virtual dish to cook that took an hour, or two, or longer so I wasn't staring at my computer screen to play. Even though I didn't have to monitor the game 24/7 to be successful I still became so obsessed with playing that people were making jokes about it and how often I would monitor it (even though I didn't really have to).
Well now I have tamed myself a bit. I don't watch it like I used to. And sometimes when I put on a virtual dish to cook I forget about it and it spoils. My husband makes fun of the fact that my cafe is sometimes still open even though I have spoiled food and no customers. Too that I say, oh well. I like playing the game but I am no longer obsessed about it like I used to be. I play it now because it is an escape and it is still fun for me; which is what it should be about.
Let me be the voice of experience and say don't get too wrapped up in playing virtual Facebook games that you forget about why you should be on Facebook and that is to connect with family & friends near and far. So play your games, but pick and choose which one's you play so that you don't overcrowd your life and your Facebook page.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Live Your Dreams & Live Your Life
My cousin Jennifer has a blog at http://halfpinthomesteader.blogspot.com/ and today I looked at it for the first time as part of my blogging research to see what kind of things she was writing about. When I went to her site the first post I saw was one dated Tuesday, March 8, 2011 and it was titled "The Sun Will Rise, and You Will Find Yourself". As I read through this post I realized that in some ways it does relate a lot to me. In her words: "...is for all of you mothers who have ever felt that you have somehow lost yourself along the way. You feel like you are defined by you role, not who you are. You sometimes wonder if you even know who you are anymore.
If you read through her post you may find that it relates to you in many ways or in no way at all. I found that it related to me in a couple of ways. The first way I can relate to Jennifer's post is the way she talks about how her life was/is tied up into her kids. Now before anyone starts ranting there is nothing wrong with being devoted to your kids, but Jen is right when she says that every woman has to maintain her own identity in some way or you will loose yourself.
I can also relate to my cousin's post when she talks about the things she used to do before she had kids. Now again, there is nothing wrong with change. There is nothing wrong with altering your life. But once again Jennifer is correct about not loosing yourself after kids by letting go of all your dreams and everything you used to do or want to do. Hold onto your dreams and continue to dream. If you don't then what will you teach your kids to do. Your dreams might be slightly altered, as most lives are once kids enter the picture, but don't discard them. Incorporate your children in some of your dreams so you can be inclusive, but also have some dreams that are just for you in order to maintain your identity.
In my first post I talked about starting this blog and how it was a goal of mine. This blog is now a way that I can escape everyday life and start to regain some of my individual identity as a person and as a woman. Not that I don't have some identity as a person, because I do, but now I can open myself up to others out there who may spark an interest in me with their blog posts or comments on my posts.
I want to thank Jennifer for what she wrote in her post because it says a lot and it provokes a lot of thought for me. It has me thinking about the kind of things that I want to write about in my blog. It has me thinking about dreams I may have had that I gave up on. It has me thinking about things I want to do in life and has provided me with a little inspiration to find a way to start doing those things. Live your dreams and live your life!!
If you read through her post you may find that it relates to you in many ways or in no way at all. I found that it related to me in a couple of ways. The first way I can relate to Jennifer's post is the way she talks about how her life was/is tied up into her kids. Now before anyone starts ranting there is nothing wrong with being devoted to your kids, but Jen is right when she says that every woman has to maintain her own identity in some way or you will loose yourself.
I can also relate to my cousin's post when she talks about the things she used to do before she had kids. Now again, there is nothing wrong with change. There is nothing wrong with altering your life. But once again Jennifer is correct about not loosing yourself after kids by letting go of all your dreams and everything you used to do or want to do. Hold onto your dreams and continue to dream. If you don't then what will you teach your kids to do. Your dreams might be slightly altered, as most lives are once kids enter the picture, but don't discard them. Incorporate your children in some of your dreams so you can be inclusive, but also have some dreams that are just for you in order to maintain your identity.
In my first post I talked about starting this blog and how it was a goal of mine. This blog is now a way that I can escape everyday life and start to regain some of my individual identity as a person and as a woman. Not that I don't have some identity as a person, because I do, but now I can open myself up to others out there who may spark an interest in me with their blog posts or comments on my posts.
I want to thank Jennifer for what she wrote in her post because it says a lot and it provokes a lot of thought for me. It has me thinking about the kind of things that I want to write about in my blog. It has me thinking about dreams I may have had that I gave up on. It has me thinking about things I want to do in life and has provided me with a little inspiration to find a way to start doing those things. Live your dreams and live your life!!
Blogging Adventure
Months ago I made a list of goals and things that I wanted to do. One of the things on that list was to start a blog. For months I put it off and let some discourage me, and now here I am after much prayer and thought starting my first blog. This is a new venture for me and one that I hope will get me to open up more and engage others in a fun, honest, and interesting manner.
I am by nature a private person; which I realize contradicts with the purpose of what blogs are about. However, it is my intention to keep some sort of privacy in my life even after I start blogging, but I will not hold back if I feel it will benefit my readers/followers in some way.
I titled my blog spot "An Eclectic Life" because there are many things that I want to write about and intend on writing about and so rather than pick just one topic and have to struggle to write about it each week I will write on various topics of interest not just in my life, but life in general; hence the title "An Eclectic Life".
It is my hope that this blog will at times engage dialogue, at times be entertaining, at times provoke thought, and be useful & unique in some way each day. As I embark upon this journey of blogging I will turn to my readers/followers at time for inspiration and suggested topics. That doesn't mean I won't have anything to write about, but just that I care about what you think and want to write about what will spark your interests as well as mine. I want to say thank you to everyone who encouraged me to strive to live my dreams and pursue my goals. And I want to say thank you in advance to all who will support me as I begin my adventure in blogging.
I am by nature a private person; which I realize contradicts with the purpose of what blogs are about. However, it is my intention to keep some sort of privacy in my life even after I start blogging, but I will not hold back if I feel it will benefit my readers/followers in some way.
I titled my blog spot "An Eclectic Life" because there are many things that I want to write about and intend on writing about and so rather than pick just one topic and have to struggle to write about it each week I will write on various topics of interest not just in my life, but life in general; hence the title "An Eclectic Life".
It is my hope that this blog will at times engage dialogue, at times be entertaining, at times provoke thought, and be useful & unique in some way each day. As I embark upon this journey of blogging I will turn to my readers/followers at time for inspiration and suggested topics. That doesn't mean I won't have anything to write about, but just that I care about what you think and want to write about what will spark your interests as well as mine. I want to say thank you to everyone who encouraged me to strive to live my dreams and pursue my goals. And I want to say thank you in advance to all who will support me as I begin my adventure in blogging.
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