Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Holy Crappy Day, Batman

You know the days when it all hits the fan? Or the MONTH it all hits the fan. It seems like nothing is going smoothly these days. First-- a house project cost more than we thought. Hey, we build a little extra into the budget for months like this. Then the cars. I was unaware Justin was driving on completely faulty brakes. I thought we were just going in for an oil change. Yeah, $850 later... But we build a little extra into the budget for...whatever. Goodbye Christmas.

Then we had to have a plumber come unhook the sink--long story. $150 for a 20 minute job. Really? No parts, just labor. 5 days later, after we get back from Thanksgiving, our downstair's neighbor's son comes knockin' on the door. 'Dottie's kitchen ceiling is leaking.' Crap. Our water is supposed to be OFF! Well it wasn't. It was slowly dripping its way into her ceiling. And since both of us were out of town, we didn't notice until it was too late. We didn't plan THIS much into the budget. The plumber and the company are giving us the run around, which is to be expected. But in the meantime, Justin hasn't wanted to hook the water back up before they come assess the damage. But that leaves me with no dishwasher and no kitchen sink and an ever increasing pile of dishes on my table. I've admitted to not being the best housekeeper, but for anyone's standards, that is disgusting.

I'd had it last night. And I couldn't fix anything for dinner, every pot and dish was dirty. Then the silver lining. I see my blender and remember Erin's wheat waffles. I grab the recipe and have everything I need, including the one appliance left clean in my kitchen. It made me so happy, I have to post the recipe. Hope you don't mind, Erin.

Whole Wheat Blender Waffles
1 c whole-wheat berries
1 1/2 c milk
2 eggs
2 tsp sugar
1 T. baking powder
1/3 c oil
3/4 tsp salt

Put wheat berries and 1 cup milk into blender. Blend on high for 3 minutes. Add 1/2 c milk and blend additional 2 min. Add remaining ingredients and cook on hot waffle iron.

I was a little nervous about putting wheat berries into my blender but by this point, who cares. They're great. And there's something fulfilling about making whole wheat waffles from scratch.

Justin got home from a 15 hour day at the hospital. He was stressed and extremely tired, but saw the tears in my eyes every time I walked in the kitchen. Part of the tears was feeling overwhelmed, but I think a bigger part was just the smell :) So he quietly grabbed the tools, figured out the pipes, hooked it back up, and helped me load the dishwasher. We've never been so in love.

So today my kitchen is clean and smellin' fine. You can stop being grossed out now. The plumber asked if he could put me on 'hold' this morning. And by hold, I mean he hung up on me then wouldn't pick up the phone when I called back. This may be a problem...

21 comments:

Melissa Rozeski said...

Oh my word Ashley! When we first moved into this house we couldn't believe how often it seemed that everything broke at the same time! Are you guys going home for Christmas? I hope you still get a nice break, it sounds like you need a little time away!

jayne said...

Oh, Ash. I wish I could ease your burden. Welcome to home ownership. Isn't it lovely? Justin is a smart man. I hope the plumber calls back and everything is easy breezy from here. There's nowhere to go but up, right?

Jill said...

Oh now I am sorry!!! That was sweet of Justin to fix the dishwasher for you, that would drive me nuts, and I am far from a clean freak. Poor Ash, hang in there!!!

Jill said...

Oh and I meant to say wow I am sorry, not now I am sorry. Now I am sorry, well you could read into that a gallion different ways. Simply wow ;)

Erin said...

Yikes! That sounds awful - and I totally feel for you when you say you had no kitchen water and dirty dishes everywhere. I think I would go insane. Justin is a very good husband to come home and fix it. Thank goodness for a clean blender and whole wheat waffles. :) I'm glad you tried them out! So good.

Melissa said...

Hmmm... I would look for a cheaper plumber! I hope this is pretty much all of your unexpected expenses for a few years. Sorry for your bad month.

val said...

Real life sucks sometimes. Hope things start to look up soon! What a pain!

Allison and Noah Riley said...

On a separate note... wheat berries? Am I the only domestic retard who doesn't have a clue what that is?

Ashley said...

Domestic retard? Is that an official PR term? :) I didn't know either, in fact when I first read it I thought it said wheat and berries. You know, stick in blueberries or something. But you put it all in a blender, so I'm glad I was wrong. And glad I noticed before it was too late. It's just the raw wheat, like what you would put in a wheat grinder.

Chantel said...

Your title made me laugh so hard!! I am sorry that things are not going so hot for you. I also saw your expecting! Congratulations, I hope you feel better soon :)

Tristie hearts Dax said...

Way to blog the crap hitting the fan! It feels better, yes? I am so sorry. Take a step back and breathe, then know that I love you to pieces and so does everyone who knows you. That is all too frustrating!

Aubrey said...

Wow, and I thought outrageous cell phone bills were the worst of worries. I am sorry and wish I could help! Money!?! Credit card number!?! My husbands Mazda that I think is the same year as your husbands!?! (We should get his brakes checked.) Thanks for talking me out of buying for a while! No, I really hope everything ends up well and no more problems for five more years!!!

Barb said...

wow. I cant lie, that week sounds horrible. I can somewhat on a small scale relate. Our prizm died three days ago, and our other car window is permently rolled down and wont roll up. This makes for a crappy drive in 30 degree weather with the chill whisping right in your face.

Emily S. said...

hey, want Joe to come join a Thug Squad with your hubby and some home teachers and go teach this plumber guy a lesson???

That's unacceptable!!!!!

allegra said...

i'm SOOO sorry Ash! things will get better. chin up, little lamb:)

Tara said...

Gosh when it rains it pours, eh? Well, waita' make lemonade out of lemons!

Melody said...

So this is what it is like to own a house? Hmm....
Sorry for all the trouble. that blows. I'm sending you something special for Christmas. I hope a cheap little handmade gift will help you overcome an $850 brake job. Ha ha ha ha ha :) sorry....
Wish we were both rich already. :)

hayley said...

I hope you are up and running:) It helps you remember the good things about renting for 5 years, and still some to go!

allegra said...

MAYNARD,

k i bet you're over your crappy day, or...week by now, but i found a little something to chuckle about that i'm sure will lift your spirits.

remember when we would see each other across campus and you would start doing the "maynard dance" towards me? or just recall your maynardness in general?

k, w/ that in mind you have to check out this dance on my friend's blog. go to my blog and click on "diana and mike" on the side. this kid has YOUR maynard moves! or, he may have you beat:)

you're welcome.. he he enjoy

Allison and Noah Riley said...

Also of interest - there is a girl in my office whose LAST NAME IS MAYNARD. I did not realize this until this week. HOw?

Tobey said...

Ashley, this post made me cry...in a good way! No I am not completely insensitive to your suffering, on the contrary. I was thinking, "Wow that totally sucks!" Then I read the part about Justin fixing the dishwasher for you and the, "We've never been so in love" part. Okay so maybe it is hormones, but I think that is BEAUTIFUL! When they write your biography, make sure they include that part!