Pre-Christmas Cheer (in song)

God bless me, whiny children
Cause nothing but dismay
Remember, soon it's bedtime
And then will end this day
To save me from these crying kids
Before I go insane
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The Vacuum Saga Continues

I know I seem a little obsessed with my Electrolux (or specifically its filter), but really, this piece of equipment plays a major role in my everyday life. When we "lost" the main filter (meaning, somebody threw it out), I nearly lost my mind trying to get a new one. See earlier post(s) on this subject. Somewhat stupidly, at least in hindsight, I kept using the vacuum with just the fine filter. Eventually it stopped working properly. The motor struggled. I had pretty much ruined it. And while I loathe to cast blame when my own actions are clearly at fault, I feel quite strongly that the store that tried for 6 months to order me the correct part before finally going out of business is also partially to blame. Really, they just suck. Which is probably why they went out of business. But I've already blogged about that. This post is the continuation.

After accepting the sad fact that my Electrolux was rendered useless by my inability to replace a $2.99 filter, I finally made the difficult decision to buy a new one for approximately $100. So I stopped at Canadian Tire, a little bit excited by the prospect of ending my days with a dust pan and broom, only to discover that they only carry a bright orange model. A slight setback, but I remained undeterred. I bought my original black model at Costco, and even though I didn't see any the last time I was there, I was confident they still had some hidden away somewhere in their giant warehouse. No. I was wrong. Okay... so this wasn't looking so good. Suddenly my beautiful and rare charcoal coloured Electrolux that was sitting with the garbage in the garage was acquiring new value.

In a fit of desperation I decided to call Customer Service a second time. The first time they had directed me to the now-defunct retailer to replace my filter. I looked up the number. It was toll-free, but apparently Customer Service was only available Monday - Thursday, and then Saturday and Sunday. It was, of course, Friday. I called anyway. (As I said, I was desperate.) To my shock and delight, someone answered. And after hearing my woeful tale, he offered to send me a free filter. Where was he 6 months ago? I realize a free filter is most likely too little, too late; but still. There's a slight chance it might work. There's a slight chance I can revive the Electrolux. After all, no one was supposed to answer the phone on a Thursday. And when I tried to turn the Electrolux on, it didn't make the same terrible whining noise it made the last time. Maybe, just maybe, the motor isn't ruined.

But I won't try using it until I have that new filter. And I won't get excited about the filter until I have it in my hands and know that it actually fits into my obviously unique model. And even then, I won't get excited until I successfully suck up a pile of spilled Cheerios...

I Think the Pen Did It

Today, Hannah was drawing on a piece of paper on the coffee table with a pen. I asked her to put the pad of paper under her piece so she wouldn't draw on the table. She then proceeded to point out some mysterious marks on the table saying, "Like this? Look what happened here."

"Did you do that?" Scott asked.

"I think the pen did it," Hannah replied. She then looked at the pen, as if to check its culpability.

"Were you holding it?" Scott prompted.

"Yes," Hannah admitted (with a trace of something resembling guilt). "But I think it was the pen."

Ah yes, the pen. With a will of its own. Hannah was holding it; but in the end, it was still the pen that did it.

Cereal Brawl

This morning there was a cereal brawl in the corner of the kitchen. Hannah opened the cupboard to get her cereal, and then Jacob, who has a small cereal infatuation, muscled his way in front of her. Despite the fact that she'd only woken up moments before, Hannah instantly moved into high-drama mode. "Help! Jacob's pushing me! He won't get out of my way. Help!"

Jacob, picking up on her hysteria, began to move into his own meltdown crisis. Hannah had her box of cereal, Jacob had his. Yet the tears were only beginning. Apparently Jacob scratched Hannah's hand during the altercation at the cupboard, and Hannah wanted a red flag on the play. Meanwhile, Jacob couldn't understand why his cereal wasn't already in a bowl ready for him to eat. He upped the volume hoping that would help.

Two kids sobbing, clutching their boxes of cereal to their chests in wounded misery. Who knew cereal was such a contentious food source?

Turtleneck Twin

People who know me are aware that I happen to wear a lot of turtlenecks; however, I think I've made some progress in this area, as I try not to wear them all the time now. My first indication that I might be overdoing it occurred a few years ago when a student in my class asked me why I wore them so much. I said I liked them and silently vowed to introduce some new tops into my wardrobe. And I thought I had really done a nice job of holding onto a few stylish turtlenecks, while ensuring that I regularly rotated other (less cozy) tops into the mix.

Yet... just the other day, while we were in line for the drive-thru at Tim Horton's, Hannah pointed out excitedly that there was a woman in the parking lot who looked "just like you, Mommy!" I glanced over, but the mystery woman was already hidden in her car. I imagined she had blonde hair or something to that effect. Then Hannah continued, "Yeah, she looked like you. Wearing a turtleneck."

For all I know, this woman had dark, long hair and was 7 ft. tall. But because she was wearing a turtleneck, she apparently looked just like me. Oh well, there are worse things in life to be associated with than an article of clothing (and a reliably cozy one, at that).