Laura's Life

Sunday, January 24, 2016

A JACUZZI!!! (a true story of first-world problems)

In May it will be about three years since we bought our house. While having a Jacuzzi was not on our list of needs or even wants in a house I was a little excited that our new one had one. Really I was just excited because in my previous home the master bath was just a half bath so I had to go to the hall bathroom to shower. This seemed like such a nice change to be able to get ready for the day without even leaving my bedroom. Plus a Jacuzzi! Oh the luxury!

I really didn’t use it very often but when I did I really tried to enjoy it. Well, it didn’t take many uses but it did take a few months to discover there was a problem.

One of the features on the fancy tub was that it had a light that came on in the water. You could set it to a certain color or let it cycle through colors. I played with it a little but really didn’t see the need for the special colored lights. Only problem was one of the few times I played with them I couldn’t get them to turn off. I mean they seemed to go off but then they would randomly come on at odd times. I remember a few times laying in bed and the light show would begin. Maybe exciting for some but bothersome when we were trying to sleep. At first we just closed the bathroom door so we didn’t have to see the colors flashing through the night. But soon I decided they needed to go off.

So, one day when I was showering I pushed the button to turn the lights off, but it didn’t seem to make a difference. Then for whatever reason I turned on the jets. I guess I was just trying to see if anything would happen if you pushed ANY buttons. Now if anybody knows anything about Jacuzzis or jetted tubs, the jets should not come on unless the tub is filled to a certain depth. Well, I did not know this, and I guess the Jacuzzi did not know this either because they came on!

What happens to jets turned on when the water isn’t deep enough you ask? Well, I will tell you…they don’t make bubbles, they spray water…and in this case they sprayed water EVERYWHERE! So now I had flashing lights and spraying water. What a party I tell you!

So if you think not being able to turn of the lights was bothersome imagine my frustration to not being able to turn off water jet sprays either. Of course I was showering when all this happened so wasn’t really in a position to do too much. I think I decided to turn the water on and fill the tub so at least it wouldn’t spray everywhere, but remember a Jacuzzi is large and takes time to fill.

Long story short here, we had to turn off the electricity with the circuit breaker in the basement.

(SIDE STORY) Later we discovered that this also turned off the garage, so whenever we wanted to leave the house we would have to flip the breaker on to open the door and then off again so the tub didn’t run. After all having the jets running with no water was not such a good idea either, can we say burning motor?

In the meantime the jet show caused water to spray all over the bathroom and down into our garage. My husband went down and said water was pouring down on the car. We had a problem!

The whole thing really upset me because at the time we were selling our old house and we were as honest as we could be, loosing money in the matter, and here it seems that there were a few things in which the sellers deceived us. I could go into so many more things here. And looking back on in there were indications the tub had a problem, but we didn’t’ know. (Big sigh)

Now to add to the Jacuzzi story, we also learned that the fancy tub was not installed to code and after ripping open its side we discovered not only was this side not an access panel but that we had to cut a hole in our bedroom wall to find the outlet to unplug the thing. (Not to code, no access, can’t do that). And since I am giving random bits of information, after a few weeks of still using the shower we learned that it still leaked, not so much as when the jets were on, but still leaked. So we also ended up cutting a hole into the wall in our hall to try to discover where the leak actually was.

So why am I writing this big old story that is quite frankly a little boring? Well my sister-in-law happened to call me about the time it happened and she pointed out the humor in it all . I mean random flashing lights and water spraying everywhere? She was kind of right, I knew I would have to laugh at it one day.

Fast forward through two years

-once had home warranty send someone (pretty sure that guy was high) no help L
-lived with holes in walls wondering what would happen if we had babies
-walking down the hall or sometimes stairs everyday to shower
-playing phone tag with someone for 2 months to see if he can do repairs in bathroom
-deciding having house repairs with two new babies is not a good idea
-playing phone tag for 6 more months once we decided we could handle it
-trying to keep babies from ripping at the loose drywall and paint at the holes in the wall
-putting a dresser and a bookcase (yes right in the hall where you walk to get into two rooms) in front of the holes
-deciding to get it done by someone else

So after all that fun, I know just part of being a homeowner and quite frankly part of life, we are having our bathroom repaired!

Ok, I should say there is a little more than some repairs happening here. We are getting rid of the Jacuzzi and any tub for that matter and having one big shower installed. They should be done in one more day!

I am really excited because after 10 years of walking down the hall to shower (well more if you add up all the years of college apartment living, but 10 years of being a homeowner) that I don’t have to walk down the hall to shower. Who needs a Jacuzzi, that is luxury enough for me!

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Lydia and David

I realize that my babies are now 4 and 1/2 months old, but for history sake here is a little about their arrival and maybe first months. (we will see what I can do during nap time)

I had a great pregnancy! I had no morning sickness and aside from discomfort from sitting I was overall fine throughout. My doctors appointments were always great. In fact at one visit my doctor said he needed to quit looking at me as a high risk and multiples pregnancy because I was doing so well. Even at my 39 week appointment things checked out great! The only frustration I had was he would not let me go past 40 weeks and made me schedule an induction. Two days after my 39 week appointment I went to do the non-stress test. This is where they take the heart rates of the babies for 20 minutes and watch for certain patterns of increase and decrease of heart rates. Everything for them checked out perfect every time. Unfortunately for me at this 39 week and 2 days appointment my blood pressure was not so good. I argued that they had taken it wrong, just two days before it was fantastic. After several checks they said I couldn't go home. So we walked over to labor and delivery and checked in. I did not want to be induced!

This isn't the place for details so I will give the short version. They started me on pitocin about 2 in the afternoon on Friday. My body didn't really react. After no food or sleep for 2 and 1/2 days I delivered Sunday night a few minutes after 8:00.

The actual delivery was so quick, I would say within 15 minutes of leaving my room to go to the OR they were both here. Lydia Jane was first weighing 6 lbs 11 oz. David Leslie came 7 minutes later weighing 5 lbs 14 ounces.

Here is our first family photo.

We were in the hospital until Thursday because of my health. I was SOOOOOO glad to finally get out! Here they are dressed and ready to go home.

Updated room wall since they now had names.

Hand prints and footprints.

Cute picture of them in their crib.

An attempt at newborn photos (at one month)

Two months

Three months

we blessed them on May 17th, we were waiting for some of their grandparents to be able to come.

Four months

We are now at 20 weeks old. Time flies and they are growing so fast! Lydia loves to roll over and perch herself up like in the picture. She also sings and tells stories. She gives the best smiles and giggles. Actually they both have the best smiles and giggles. David is particularly good at grabbing for things. He tells the sweetest stories! They are both really good babies and I can hardly believe how blessed we are to have them.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Preparing for Babies

When it comes to preparing for babies there are a lot of things that need to be done. I had a list of the "must get done" and "would really like to get done". I know there are still things on the "would like to get done" list but I am happy the my main ones are finished. In addition to some cleaning and extra freezer meals some things I wanted to do were to finish the baby quilts and also make some wall hangings for the nursery.

Baby quilts: I went with giraffes and hippos for our nursery theme. The hippo one my mother helped me make before she left on her mission, that was before I even knew if I would have any babies. The other I made to match since I need two!

Shelves and gifts: I got some really cute gifts and wanted to get the shelves hung for the bears and shoes. Also LOVE LOVE LOVE my giraffes that a dear friend made for me. She is so talented!

Here are the wall hangings in a row above the cribs with their quilts.

Close ups of the two sides, baby boy top and baby girl bottom. The ones with just the dragon fly and butterfly will contain their initials once we decide what their names will be.

The center one combining the two. :)

Now that I got everything completed and hung we have moved one of the cribs out and into our bedroom where they will be together for a little while. So funny I had to get this done so I could move things around and not use the room right now. OK, not entirely true, the changing table and clothes are still in their room. :)

And for those of you wondering how I look at 36 weeks with two babies in me, here is a random picture of me. I did not really plan to take it so ignore the messy hair and such.

A Christmas Project

I love Christmas! Christmas has now past and we are a few weeks into the new year, but I it was my goal to share some of the reasons why I love Christmas so much. I decided to share some links on my Facebook to videos that referenced Christ and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

I also enjoy the other parts of Christmas, like lights, trees, social gatherings and all the things that go with the spirit of Christmas. Last spring my sister and I started a quilting project. We decided to do Christmas as that is what was on clearance. Although I started it in the spring, as the months passed I realized it was slowly getting finished and I really had to set a firm goal for myself to finish it by Christmas and I did!

Here is the quilt I finished on Christmas Adam (you know the day before Christmas Eve.

The back says Merry Christmas in many different languages. I am really pleased I finished it and how it turned out!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Random

WARNING: This post is does not contain punctuation suited for those who are particular on proper punctuation practice.

Random story...the other day I was out for a walk when a woman, with some kind of realtor sign on the side of her car, stopped and rolled down her window. Of course I expected someone asking for directions or something of the kind, but this is kind of how the conversation went...

lady: it is so crazy, these posters of the lost cat (I had noticed the posted signs but didn't really pay much attention to them) and can you believe it?!, the cat's name is boots. My daughter had a cat that looked just like that, named boots, she lost him several weeks ago. Wouldn't it be amazing if it was the same cat and now they have lost it.

me: hmm

lady: (more rambling about cat and similarities of her daughters missing cat) Or maybe if the cat is returned it will turn out not to be their cat and the vet can track it back to my daughter... they have her number

me: yeah

lady: (more cat talk, followed by): isn't it a beautiful day, you are doing the right thing

She then drove away.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

THE BIG REVEAL

I never thought I would do this. Ever since people started taking advantage of the fact that we could identify the gender of a baby months before birth I have said I wasn’t going to be one of those people.

I don’t care if people do it. I understand the convenience of knowing and preparing ahead of time, I mean who wants to pick room decor or make baby blankets or blessing outfits without knowing if you are preparing for a boy or a girl. I understand some people can bond better when baby has a little more identity, and I get the ease of figuring out a name when you have half as many of the millions of options of names to choose from.

On the other hand I love surprises. I know it is still a surprise even if you find out early, but I know myself and I like the suspense of waiting. I never understood people who shook their Christmas presents to try to figure out what they were before Christmas day. I wanted a total surprise on the day of.

That having been said, sometimes the things we say we will never do are the things we find ourselves doing and I found that despite all my years of saying I wouldn’t, I have done it. So for all of those who are curious what we are having, here goes…

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Some of Our New Neighbors

Marriage has brought many changes including move to a new house. It has been fun to start our life together in our place and whe have had some fun meeting our new neighbors. Here are the pictures of some that I didn’t feel like I had to get permission from to post.

Georgina, we first met her hanging out by our pine tree, she wouldn't leave when hollered at and ran quite slowly and was kind of fat when she finally did move on.

The reason Georgina was so fat, one of her babies, hiding out under our porch when scared by the lawn mower.

Gracie's two babies. Hard to see but they were always in our yard, I don't know how I didn't get better pictures since they were here so much.

Of course Tom the Turkey. He was actually at the local Y where I would go all the time. I don't know why wild turkeys in our neighborhood still amazes me.


Parker the turtle, coming to visit at our back basement door. I thought it was Lucy, until I got close and realized there was no way this could be a Lucy.

Other neighbors not pictured are Edward the Fox, Bartholomew the Squirrel (likes to run on our roof), and Penelope and her baby (I am almost convinced Penelope is one of Gracie's babies from last year). I feel like I am forgetting some but there you are our neighbors right here in the suburbs.