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Reading List for 2017

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Brian and I had a date night the other night. In between an amazing dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant and seeing LA LA Land (which is amazing by the way and a must see), we had some time to kill and ran into Barnes & Noble to look around at books. 

My taste in books is not nearly as eclectic as my taste in food and music. I typically stick with funny books, however in keeping with my word of the year, I thought it might be time to switch things up a bit. Needless to say I wanted to read ALL THE THINGS! So I took lots of photos of what I think I would like to read in 2017 and created my own #2017readingchallenge

When I’m in a bookstore or the library, I just take photos of the books I want to read and then I keep them on my phone so when I am in the reading mood or am looking for something I want to read I have book selections right at my finger tips. 

Here is my reading list for 2017 (thus far).

Books I should have Read Already

 

Books I thought I would like because of Gilmore Girls.

 

 

Books because I like funny books

 

 

 

 

 

Books because I read The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and liked it.

A book because sometimes learning is necessary.

 

Self help. Kidding… another funny book.

Finally, a book I need to read because I love all things Harry Potter and cannot believe I haven’t read this one yet either!

I purchased Ireland by Frank Delaney and am starting with that because I do have a love of books relating to Ireland and this is not a funny book either. 

Time to snuggle up and start reading!

What will you be reading in 2017?

Nine Times A Day: A Priorities Story

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About 4 years ago, Brian came home a little later than to be expected from work. The kids who hadn’t seen their Dad all day were thrilled as he walked in the door. They ran to him in their footie jammies with their damp hair from being just newly bathed and hugged and kissed him.

Meanwhile, I was cleaning the kitchen after having made the fifth meal of the day, a supper of chicken, rice, and a vegetable. I had a warm plate in the oven for my dear husband. Brian watched me sweeping rice up from the floor. For any of you who have had little kids and had to sweep up rice from the floor, it is the worst. THE WORST.

My husband said to my oldest who was just 4 at the time, “Is Mama ok?”

He asked because as I was sweeping that sticky uncooperative rice from my kitchen floor, I was tearing up. Of course, he was the only one who noticed my silent welling of tears, because when you have three kids who are 4, 3, and 2, they don’t notice such things when Dad walks in the door. He sent the kids upstairs and told them to read books until we came up, and sort of tip toed toward me and said, “Sooooo, how was your day?”

I replied curtly, “Well, this is the 9th time today I’ve swept the floor.”

He responded still unsure of my current mood, “Ummm, and this is bad right?”

“YES! This is bad! I cannot keep up with anything!”

He said, “Keep up with what’s important, Erin. How about, tomorrow, just sweep once at the end of the day. Or how about not at all. It really doesn’t matter, just feed the kids from the floor. That is where it all ends up.”

His comments at the time made me laugh, and made me feel a lot better. Thank goodness for Brian making me laugh. When he said, “Keep up with what’s important.” I didn’t really know what that meant at the time.

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I was very much caught up with life with three kids so close together, who were all home with me. Let me tell you, it was utter chaos for so long.

Every day for many years was like sweeping the floor Nine Times times a day.

Sweep up a mess. Someone drops cheerios. Sweep up that mess. Someone drops blueberries. Sweep up that mess. Someone drops noodles.

You get the picture.

It was hard to keep up with these babies and toddlers.

As soon as I would think I was done with a stage, or with a pile of laundry, or cooking a homemade pureed baby food meal (how stupid I was), or a size of clothes from Rubbermaid tub, or bottles, I would be delivering another baby, or potty training someone else, or pulling another tub of hand me downs out from the basement, doing laundry or cooking or cleaning or SWEEPING THE FLOOR FOR THE 9th TIME THAT DAY!

At the time, I thought I was keeping up with what was important.

Last week it happened. My youngest started full day Kindergarten.

I’m home alone, you guys.

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And I’ve kind of noticed a trend. I have a bit more time in the day to myself, but…

Today as I write this, I look around and I have a To Do List a mile long. There are dishes on my counter. I have laundry piled up (clean to be folded and unclean to be washed). I have soccer uniforms that need ordering. A doctor’s appointment to make. Not to mention, now the kids get older there is a whole host of issues and homework and stages and fun(?) that I need to keep up with. Also, we’ve added my full time career to the mix. Not to mention, I probably still should sweep the floor, but I haven’t touched it yet today.

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There were days when I had three little ones crawling/scooting/toddling around and I would be sweeping that floor for the 9th Time That Day and I dreamed of the light at the end of the tunnel. The day all three of my kids were in school all day and I would have all this time to get things done and focus on our home. I would say things like, “I cannot wait until the kids are in school all day and I can clean all day and make our home lovely for them.” or “I cannot wait until the kids go to school so I can focus on making the perfect snacks and when they get home we can blissfully play board games and read stories around the fire place like a magazine.” or “I will never have to sweep the floor 9 Times A Day again.”

I’ve learned a little bit over these last few years. The dishes and the laundry and the Legos and sweeping the floor 9 times a day really doesn’t matter. I have the rest of my life to clean. I wish I could go back and say to myself 4 years ago crying silently as I swept that sticky rice from the floor, “Erin, put down the broom and smell your kids baby shampoo scented heads and snuggle their footie jammied pudgey bodies.”

I’ve lived a little and learned a lot.

This is what I know now:

The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t that the mess is gone. The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t a pretty house. The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t a perfectly laid out snack after school. The light at the end of the tunnel is being ok with the messy kitchen floor. It is not caring about the trivial. Brian was right those years ago, I needed to keep up with what’s important. (That’s right, Brian, you were right.)

I literally have seen the light. I know what’s important. Sweeping the floor 9 Times A Day is not Important.

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So, tonight when the kids get home (from soccer and various other things) we will gather around the dining room table (after moving aside my laptop and take home folders) I will put together a dinner (from the slow cooker) and we will eat and talk and clean up together and maybe play a game of cards. Brian and I will do some laundry after the kids go to bed (the bare necessities), then we will quickly order soccer uniforms (before heading to bed ourselves) and perhaps I can sweep the floor one time (tomorrow)… if there’s time after I snuggle my kids.

Just Keep Going

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. You must be 21+ years old to try Poise Impressa Bladder Supports. #MySizePoise #CollectiveBias

Many of my readers know that I gave birth to my three kids in a span of 33 months. When I look back to when my kids were babies, that time was a blur of nursing, changing diapers, laundry, and mom and tot classes.

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I did have one solace after each my children was born, however, and that was exercise. Whether it be walking, running, or even doing a quick YouTube workout in the living room before everyone woke up; it really seemed to help with those baby blues and keep me motivated.

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Among the plethora of other changes my body had gone through, I did notice after the birth of my second child, and a particularly long walk where I ended up ruining a favorite pair of yoga pants, that it was time to shorten my workouts. I couldn’t help having to hit a locker room or bathroom to change my yoga pants during my exercise routines. I guess when you have three kids that close together, you just keep going. In more ways than one.

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Now, that the kids are older and have headed off to school, the actual time I have to workout is increasing, but out of fear, I had found places where I could exercise that have bathrooms nearby for when I felt I might leak. I would workout on the treadmill closest to the locker rooms at the gym, or I  would walk on a loop close to home.

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Then, I heard of Poise Impressa. On my weekly trip to Target I decided to check it out, and found it in the feminine hygiene aisle. Poise Impressa is not meant to absorb leaks, but meant to prevent them all together.

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I started out by using the sizing kit, and learned which is the right size for me. I found out the size is not about how much you leak or how much you weigh. It’s about the best internal fit for you. Poise Impressa is inserted like a tampon.  A woman can start with Size 1, and if she still leaks, move to size 2, then size 3 if necessary. Poise Impressa Bladder Supports are right for you if you leak urine when you laugh, cough, dance, sneeze, or if you are like me, when you exercise. If you leak urine when you have a sudden need or rush to urinate, Poise Impressa Bladder Supports are NOT for you. Try Poise liners and pads for Urge Urinary Incontinence. If you have SUI like me, however, you might want to try Poise Impressa.

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Finally, I don’t have worry about changing my pants midway through workouts or shortening my time on the trail . My leaks have been prevented, and me and my yoga pants couldn’t be happier.

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Now, I can just keep going. This time it’s not to the ladies room or locker room to change.

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If you have shortened your workouts, or if reading about me ruining my yoga pants made you laugh so hard you ruined yours, check out the Poise Impressa sizing kit at Target and see what is the right size for you. When you find the size that is right for you, join the Poise Impressa Reward program for a $25 Promo Code for a Cloud9Living.com experience by submitting a testimonial of your experience with Poise Impressa.

Then, you will be able to keep going too.

 

 

Being Prepared: I Wish I Would Have Known About UnderJams Sooner

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I have been compensated for this post, however the thoughts and opinions are completely my own.


I guess you could say I like to be prepared. I like to have things on hand for those “just in case” situations. I have always felt that even being spontaneous takes a little bit of planning so I always have some snacks in my purse, some hand wipes with me, some sunscreen in the car because you just never know when you might want to take a little day trip.

This is why I was so glad when the kids were potty trained. There was less I needed to keep on hand, and less I needed to lug around. No diapers, no diaper cream, no extra clothes. It was amazing. When my kids were all potty trained, I loved the freedom of just being able to use a bathroom when we were out.

I was still prepared, I mean everywhere you go there’s a bathroom right?

Then, a few months ago, I had a moment when I wish I was a little more prepared, and had a flashback of when I had three little ones in diapers at the same time.

I had to make a quick run to our local Big Box to pick up a few things. I had all three kids with me, and my middle son asked to sit in the cart. This never happens, but because I wanted to get in and out of there in a hurry, I was grateful to have one less dawdler. My other two chimed in, “can we ride, too?”

I furrowed my brow wondering why these kids wouldn’t want to walk around and touch everything in sight, but I didn’t question it. Oh well, I thought to myself, and quickly found a cart big enough to hold my three growing kids.

As I made my way through the store, I zigged and zagged the cart through each aisle trying to get my mopey kids to laugh, but also trying to get through the store as quickly as possible (which upon further reflection was not a good idea). This is when my middle guy spoke up again: “Mommy, my tummy hurts.”

As I was asking my sweet little angel if he needed to use the bathroom, he yelled, “Mommy, you better hurry!”

I sprinted the cart toward a family bathroom just in time for him to spew his breakfast.

We made it just in time, but that was much too close for my liking.

As I was helping him get cleaned up, my other two children clutching their stomachs said, “Mommy, we are not feeling well either.”

OH NO! I thought, I am going to be trapped in this bathroom with three kids who are ill. One more child threw up, and all of them had diarrhea.

That is when one of my sweet sick darlings with tears said to me, “Mommy, I went in my pants.”

I told my little one not to be embarrassed, and Mommy would fix it right away.

I looked in my purse out of habit and luckily found some wipes. I used an extra grocery bag with the help of a clerk to store the soiled clothes, and bought some underwear and a pair of pants to get my little one home.

When we got home, I got everyone showered up, put on a movie, and called our pediatrician. She said that a bad stomach flu was going around, and to do my best to keep them hydrated.

In the time that the kids were sick, we only had one more accident. However, I felt terrible.

When Acorn Influence and Pampers UnderJams asked me to participate in this campaign, I was eager to share this story because NOW when my kids are sick, there won’t be any more embarrassment over an accident. I have already bought a pack of Pampers UnderJams at WalMart and are keeping them on hand just in case the need arises again because honestly you never know when they will come in handy and save a little kid from an embarrassing situation.

 

Pampers UnderJams are discreet due to the ComfortWear quiet material that is like cloth, are super absorbent due to the NightLock core which is perfect if you are trying to #ConquerBedwetting, and they even have a lower waistband so no one has to know your child is wearing them except your child. I also liked that they come in a good range of sizes.

I have added Pampers UnderJams to my being prepared kit.

For more information about staying prepared when it comes to enuresis (bedwetting) check out the information below.

What do you do to stay prepared with your littles ones?

If you like this post and would like to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Spring Cleaning: What a Sham (WOW)

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We are a few days into Spring, and I have not Spring cleaned a thing yet. (gasp!)

I take that back, I scrubbed the kitchen floor the other day. It was gloriously clean for an entire day for a hot minute. Then it snowed. Not just a little flurry, but a ridiculous 4 inches of heavy wet SPRING insanity, and it didn’t matter that people took off their shoes. I still had to bring the groceries in the house the day of the SPRING blizzard of 2015 and that made for a messy floor.

So here I am, a queen of domesticity about to tell you 7 Reasons Why Spring Cleaning is a Sham (WOW).

1.) Unpredictable weather: Let’s just call Spring in the Midwest what it is, shall we? Toddler of weather. I want to build a snowman, no wait, I want to pick flowers, no wait, I want to splash in puddles, no wait, I want to fly a kite. I WANT TO RUN IN SPRINKLERSSS!!! GET OUT THE SIDEWALK CHALK! WHERE’S MY SNOW BOOTS! Get in the basement there’s a tornado warning! This is currently the state of my front hall because every day there is a new kind of clothing to be worn, and I refuse to put any of it away until this kid known as weather makes up his damn mind!

 

2.) School is still in session: When school is going on there is homework, and papers, and activities, and so many more things to keep track of that it just doesn’t seem to be a good time to add in a huge reorganization and cleaning of the entire house. And the papers! The school papers are everywhere. You know that old saying about when you pluck a gray hair and 6 more grow in its place? I’m pretty sure that for every school paper I throw away, a million more multiply.

 

3.) Spring is busy: My family and I have a lot going on in the Spring and mostly we are just trying to keep afloat. Soccer, ice skating, ballet recital rehearsals, local elections, Listen to Your Mother practices, TAXES, extra writing submissions, CCD, Brian out of town, me out of town, dinners out, and that is in addition to everything else. I refuse to Spring clean. So, I do the only logical thing. I straighten up and hide things in the closet when people are coming over.

4.) When the weather actually is nice: Those first few gorgeous days when the sun is out, and you don’t have to wear a jacket and it is still light out past 4:00 p.m., I really don’t want to spend that time cleaning. I would so much rather take the kids outside (because it might be snowing tomorrow, again). See ya!

 

5.) Did I mention the papers? I don’t think you guys realize the papers. So, I’ll show you again.

 

6.) Project time: Since my house looks like a bomb of papers and weather appropriate clothing went off anyway, this is the time of year I usually do some household projects. Then, when I am ready to do a big clean and organizing project, I just clean everything up at one time. This is called not re-inventing the wheel, or something like that.

 

7.) Spring Break: There are very few people who have the opportunity to spend a week all together as a family. Because my husband is in education, he has an entire week to spend with us and the kids who are also off school the at the same time. We usually spend that week taking day trips to places around town and spending time together. There is no way I am trading scrubbing baseboard and organizing toys for that!

I saving the Spring Cleaning for Summer!

If you like this post and would like to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

 

St. Patrick’s Day Spirit

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Over the years, three things keep happening to me. I get
older. I get wiser. I have become worse with my time management skills.
I have found it increasingly difficult to manage my time and
the time of my family. It seems like rather than crossing things off my To Do
list I just keep adding. I have just come the realization that there will
always be something to do, and I will somehow get it done. I pay for it, and I
go through spurts of very busy and chaotic times. However, it is worth it.
In fact, I really wouldn’t have it any other way.
I know there are times I should be going through the papers
on my desk or putting laundry away, or planning for something.
However, there are days when I know there are just much more
important things to do. Like chatting and eating lunch with my girl after
pre-school. Stopping by my Mom’s for a cup of tea and a visit. Baking something
with real butter. Being on a funny group text with my siblings. Playing hockey
in the driveway with my boys. Drinking the nice wine and telling stories with
my friends.
I was thinking about St. Patrick’s Day, and how I love going
to my Mom’s with my family to eat and just be. There is no exchanging of
presents, or dressing up, or fanciness. There is family, laughing, some
stories, maybe some music (if we remember to turn it on), butter on Irish Soda
Bread, and a beer or two.
That’s it. While it doesn’t seem like much, it is everything
in this life.
Which is why I love this day so much, and why as I get older
I’m trying to live it out a little bit every day. The older I get the wiser I
am and the more I appreciate these small moments.
So, however you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, remember to
include your family, have a few laughs, tell some stories, maybe a little music
(if you remember to turn it on), don’t for get the butter, and maybe have a
beer or two if that’s your thing.
Try to do a bit of that every day.
Because in this life, it is everything!

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Readers!If you like this post and would like to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

How I Write: Also Known Organized Chaos… Ok Just Chaos

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Today, I am participating in a blog tour. This sounds so fancy. It is when bloggers write on the same topic over a period of time and share their posts. Kari Hoban of A Grace Full Life  asked me to be a part of this tour with her about writing. We had been admirers of each other for awhile.

The blogosphere is a weird place in that you can kind of become friends and learn a little about a person through her writing and becoming friends through different social media channels and blogging circles (you know, stalking). Kari and I kept finding ourselves in many of the same circles whether it be Chicago Parent or Listen to Your Mother. Finally, we met in person at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop in Dayton, and it was like we were writing sisters. So then we made THIS VIDEO and the rest is history.

How I Write.

1. What am I working on?
The short answer: my sanity. Currently, I write for Home Everyday, ChicagoNow, ChicagoParent, I am in the final stages of the writing program at Second City Training Center in Chicago which means I am writing (re-writing) sketches for a four week review to premier in June/July, and just like the mind of any writer my mind is always swirling and capturing and doing side projects.

 

I write in coffee shops, my dining room table, my couch.

Right now, I am on the edge. Not the edge you’re thinking… I am trying to find my medium. I know I love writing, but what does this mean? Do I want to continue blogging, if so, what kind? Do I want to continue writing sketch comedy? How? Should I keep my book ideas swirling around? Should I keep story telling like LTYM? Should I really try that open mic at The UP. How should I keep making anything and everything I write accessible? Can I do it all?

Then, the questions get too hard and I ask if the kids want to go to the park, because I know for sure right now that is something I want to do right now. They are only going to want to go to the park with me for a little while anyway.  I know eventually I will find my groove, and will have the time to do it. Slow and steady wins the race.

2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?
There is something to be said for creating your own genre. I started out trying to be the “next big DIY blogger.” Then I wanted to be the “next big comedy blogger.” After blogging for almost two years, I am really starting to find my voice (what can I say, I’m a slow learner), and I have realized that I really want to bring some life lessons and humor to home improvement. This is where I am hoping to come into my own, and create a place that is true to what we are living, but also that is relatable to my readers (and hopefully to the masses.) C’mon next hit comedy series (Idea: SAHM Like it Hot)!

 

First day of class last March!

3. Why do I write what I do?
I made a diagram for you because this is how my brain works, but basically there are a few things in this life that really bring me true and real joy. Home and Laughter. The End. Sure all the other things in life are nice too, but I don’t get the same thrill or pitter pat in my heart that some people do from seeing the world. When I say home I don’t mean the physical structure, while I enjoy that too, I mean more the HOME that is the all encompassing breaking bread with family and friends. The feeling. My husband, kids and I sharing this space at this time in our lives. Home. When I say laughter, I mean when you say something really funny to someone who really needs it and he or she really laughs. This is why I write about all things domestic, and this is why I (attempt to) write funny. However, it is just starting to dawn on me how I should combine the two.

 

4. How does my writing process work?
NOTE: Priorities – these are on a ranked based on deadlines, who is depending on me, what is paid, and do I have Second City homework. I prioritize based on who needs what first and then fill in projects or writing where I want on my blogs. As a writer, I find that I must write every day or else my brain is mush.

 

Writing after a kitchen injury.

NOTE: Eclectic Styles – (once I sort out my priorities) because I write in a couple different kinds of mediums, the process for each of those mediums varies a bit, but the basics are the same: Capture, organizing my thoughts, write, edit, actually publish, look it over once more.

1. CAPTURE:
DIY Project Writing – When I am thinking of inspiration I hit thrift stores, JoAnn Fabrics, Home Depot, or the SuperMarket for inspiration. I snap photos on my phone and capture the idea for a rainy day.
ESSAYS, BLOG POSTS – I often text myself, makes notes on scrap paper or journals, keep notes in my phone, or write things on word documents on my laptop as they pop into my head (usually while I am writing. Writing begets writing for me.) I have even written things in the fog on the mirror in the bathroom when I hop out of the shower. I don’t ever want an idea to float away from me. Then about once a month, I take all my texts to myself, notes, scraps of paper, and put them in my “MASTER DOCUMENT” this is in EVERNOTE. I sort them into where I think they belong. This is a good topic for DIY, this is a good topic for ChicagoNow, this would be a good chapter in a book, this is a good sketch idea. I keep these for a rainy day. Sometimes, I sit and sift through and weed out the garbage (Sitcom Idea: Phoenix Heat, Segway Cops) and keep the good stuff (Recipe Idea: Lemon Blueberry Bread).
SKETCHES – writing exercises like lists of ten, free writing, or mapping that I learned via Second City help capture ideas.

2. ORGANIZING THOUGHTS:
DIY Project Writing – I take pictures of the process and jot notes and I do the project to be written in the post later.
ESSAYS, BLOG POSTS – I try to sort everything I want or all the thoughts I can about the topic. Sometimes, this also may require a bit of research or asking questions or testing out some funny sentences on people to see if they laugh. This step I sometimes write out, sometimes I do in my head while I’m driving, lying in bed, or in the shower. This is trying to figure out everything I want to say regarding the idea I captured.
SKETCHES – this is the initial pitching stage of a sketch. The whole who, what, where, why, what’s funny of the idea I have rolling around in my head.

3. WRITING: I write everything I can or remember about something. Sometimes I set a timer, sometimes I don’t. It depends on how important the piece is, or how much detail I want to be added. If I do set a timer though, I usually don’t allow myself more than about a half hour.

4. EDITING: This is more than just typos, this is cutting the unessential or punching up.

5. ACTUALLY PUBLISHING: I am trigger shy and still very insecure about my writing. If a piece doesn’t have a deadline sometimes I will wait to publish when I am feeling more confident. However, most days I just bite the bullet.

6. LOOK IT OVER ONE MORE TIME: Sometimes I read through my finished piece one more time. I like taking advantage of that moment to be proud of myself, oh and check to see if I missed anything.

There we have it my organized chaos.
If you like this post and would like to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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Friday Fails: A Job a Anyone Can Do

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Since I have
started Home Everyday, I have had my share of fails. Let’s face it, failing is
not exclusive to DIY or blogging. Since I love a good theme, everyone loves a
funny story, and we can all learn from failing, I thought I would start another
series here at Home Everyday called Friday Fails.
Like Thirsty
Thursday, this was an idea of my sister, Beth. Like the good older sister she
is, Beth has been threatening to start her own blog telling “the rest of the story”
explaining all of my fails to everyone. She does have a point though. As a
student of comedy, and one who loves a good lesson I thought I would beat her
to the punch and just bust myself.  After
all, Tragedy + Time = Comedy, and now that I have had a bit of time to process
these things, I am able to laugh about them, and now share them with you.
So welcome
to the first of what I am sure are many many Friday Fails.

 

For those
that don’t have the pleasure of living in the Midwest, you had to hear about
the horrendous winter we had second hand. As sorry as I am for the people who
had to live through the winter, I also feel sorry for the people who lived
somewhere much more mild but had to hear our constant whining about how cold it was here. It is
like when someone orders a spciey tuna roll at a sushi restaurant knowing it is going to be spicy and then all you hear for the rest
of the meal is how hot it is. We get it, its spicy, you knew it was going to be.
In our
defense, though, I am 33 years old, I have lived in the Midwest my entire life, and I
have never experienced anything like the winter we just had. Also, considering
we are just coming off the first nice week we have had since September 2013, I
think we have some room to complain. 

Finally the trees are blooming in my yard!

 

When there
is a winter like the one we had complete with tons of ice, snow, and bitter
cold, it has potential to do some structural damage. Our house experienced what is known as an
ice dam. This is when ice actually gets so heavy and thick and gets trapped
UNDERNEATH the shingles on a roof. When the ice melts, the water has only one
place to go and that is into your house. So the ice was melting underneath the
shingles, through the plywood, into the attic and into our our kitchen ceiling. There was water coming in through where our light fixture attaches to the ceiling. Fun, right? 

 

It was only
a small section, and compared to most people, we considered ourselves pretty
lucky. We had the roof repaired, our gutter rerouted so water will no longer
collect on the roof, and the ceiling damage is scheduled to be repaired soon. Everything is fine. Almost.
We
noticed that the light fixture in our kitchen didn’t seem to be working correctly. When the light was on for even a few
minutes it would begin to flicker. This made Brian and I nervous. We thought
that perhaps there could be water in the light fixture some how.
Brian and I
like to consider ourselves pretty handy people. Whenever we are questioning our
“handiness” or DIY capabilities we say, “But we built our dining room table for
pete’s sake. We can figure it out.” However, when it comes to electrical and
plumbing. We don’t’ like to mess around. Sure we can put in a light fixture,
fix a clogged toilet, but we are not equipped to handle a water damaged
electrical line.
So, we called
our electrician.
When our
electrician arrived, this is the conversation that transpired.
Me: Hi,
Carol. Thanks for coming!
Carol: No
problem. What’s going on?
Me: Well,
Brian said he told you about our ice dam and our leak. The water was
coming right from where that light fixture is, and now the light flickers, and
we are just worried there could be some kind of water damage and we don’t want
to mess with that.
Carol: Ok,
well let me just turn the light on. Oh, so I see you use compact flourescents.
Me: Yep.
Carol: Well,
have you thought about changing the light bulb in this light fixture.
Me: (Blank
stare.)
Carol: I
mean you have changed it since the water?
Me: Well,
no. We didn’t want to use this light because there’s water damage.
Carol: Let
me just take a look at the light bulb here. (takes glass off light fixture,  unscrews light bulb) Yep, look at that. This
is a bad light bulb. Sometimes they flicker right before they are about to go
out.
Me: (fumbling like an idiot) The
light bulb?
Carol: Sure,
just go get me a new one, and I’ll switch it out for you and we can keep and
eye on it for a minute, just to make sure there’s no more flickering.
Me: (heat
rising in my cheeks) Ummm, ok.
Carol: Is
that all you had for me today?
Me: Well,
Brian will be home any minute, let me grab that lightbulb and he can tell you
when he gets here.
Carol: Sure,
no problem. That’ll be $150.
Me: (shocked
face)
Carol: Just
kidding!
I was
mortified.
But this
story only gets better (or worse depending on who you are). You see, not only did Brian and I call an electrician
out to change a light bulb, but we had just done some rearranging in the
basement and I couldn’t find a damn light bulb!
I was
frantically searching/stalling in the basement, knowing Brian would be home any
minute to rescue me. Fortunately he did and found a lightbulb for Carol.
Thankfully, he also had another teensy question for Carol to help me save (my very red) face.
In the end,
Carol didn’t charge us (she’s an awesome electrician). Also, she probably figured she has an excellent story to tell at
parties for the rest of her life.
You may want Brian and I to relinquish our DIY cards right here right now. I don’t blame
you. I mean we called a liscensed professional electrician to change a
lightbulb. This is clearly a job a monkey could do. Well, maybe not a wild
money, but maybe a trained one.
Regardless, we
did learn that it IS to be better to be safe than sorry. Oh and change the
light bulb and give it a go before you call an electrician. 

 

 

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I Bet You Thought I was Finished Talking about Listen To Your Mother

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Since my performance at the Listen to Your Mother Chicago Show, I have been busy and in definite summer mode. I was getting a lot of questions about LTYM day and how things went, but I was waiting until a.) I could put exactly into words how the experience went and b.) I wanted to be able to show you something awesome.

Well, to put Listen to Your Mother into words took a little time but,  in a nutshell the day was absolutely wonderful. I have never felt that kind of excitement before, and it was perfect. Also, it was a dream come true for me. I had always wanted to do something like that, and now I can say that I was a part of something so amazing and I made a bunch of new gals pals to boot! I can cross performing something I wrote off my bucket list, and really to be honest, I think I found something that I really like to do, and I might try for something like this again.

As for showing you, well thanks to all of the following wonderful organizations like our National Media Sponsors BlogHer and One 2 One Network, and National Video Sponsor The Partnership at Drugfree.org, specifically their The Medicine Abuse Project microsite, and our local Megaphone sponsor, Dom Itp. I am able to share this video with you!

To see the rest of the Listen to Your Mother Chicago cast perform CLICK HERE and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Just make sure to be prepared with some tissue, oh and you might have to pause and run to the bathroom from laughing to hard too. If this show was a movie, these women would all earn Oscars.

If you would like to read more about my awesome adventures, Gardening, DIY, Cooking, Baking and all other things domestic you can check me out on Facebook or become a follower of Home Everyday here. 

 

So excited: Listen To Your Mother

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Typically, I drink tea, but today I had coffee. Plus with the nerves of what is to come I’m a little jittery.

SUNDAY is the big day! I will be performing in Chicago’s 2nd Annual Listen To Your Mother show.

For those that cannot make it, I will be sure to post lots of pictures and details regarding the event next week. Also, later on I will be able to share a video.

If you are coming, I couldn’t be more thrilled, and I am so excited to see you all.

If you are thinking about coming, CLICK HERE for more information.

I just want to take a minute to thank Brian and the kids for all the support in this process.  Brian was wonderful and the kids, while they cannot attend, have been so excited that “Mommy is in a SHOW!” Also, thank you to my wonderful family and amazing friends who didn’t think twice about buying tickets to the show, and have moved plans, cleared their schedules, and flown in to see me. Knowing you are all going to be in the audience really is going to make all the difference.

To my fellow cast members, LET’S DO THIS THING! (Honorable mention to Samantha Schultz for driving me everywhere because I don’t like to).

PS If you’d like to see yet another post I’ve writing about Listen To Your Mother, CLICK HERE!