Us moms wear many 'hats' in the course of life: from nurterer/caregiver, to a tutor, taxi-driver, cheerleader, even a peacemaker, electrician, or perhaps a plumber. When I am able to do something myself and learn a new 'skill' I will at least try before calling a professional for help (I did call my mom--she wears the plumber hat too. Maybe this means it runs in the family because we're cheapskates when it comes to that kind of thing?) Curt loves it. He doesn't wear that do-it-yourself hat, but sees clearly how changing brakes, tires, painting 20ft. high walls & ceilings, electrical work, furniture refinishing, etc. pays off in the end. It may take me a couple of weeks or even a month to urge myself to try, and as in the case of the clogged downstairs toilet. Clogged toilet? No biggie. Think again.
A forceful plunge wouldn't budge it; the heaviest industrial chemicals wouldn't break it apart. And to make matters worse some unnamed kids ''forgot'' that bathroom was out of service and continued to use it...#1 only, thankfully. I used a few latex gloves and disposable bowls to empty disgusting leftovers over the course of that month. Some of the offenders even got to join in the fun. I was just certain it was a sponge that was flushed by my soon-to-be-fired (cause they were lying about it..I just knew!) house help. shame on me.
I had the pleasure of lifting the toilet from its seal and trying to see if anything was in view from the bottom (I know you want the play-by-play). Frustrating. Couldn't see anything---and I really didn't want to pay a couple hundred for a new toilet. I tried a wire hanger and just left marks in the bowl. So back to HD, one of my favorite stores. A 'snake' auger would most certainly do the trick! It took an hour or so and lots of force to finally see the offending problem.
HURRICANE NODDY (aka Viviana). She loves toilets---I've written about her obsession before. We should have figured. A stinkin' (literally) cell phone. No joke. Okay, the play kind.
But the size & shape is not meant to go through such holes. I took a hammer & chisel to it as much as I could to try and pry it. No luck. The kids thought it was hilarious--just the sight of a toilet on it's side. A few of them even wanted to put a glove on and try to grab it. Still nothing. So I shoved the auger down one more time and it twisted itself out of place enough for me to grab the sucker. Seriously...cell phone.
We're back in service again and I'm feeling pretty resourceful. In the end I may have saved only a
few bucks, but I learned the skill of toilet fishing...for toys. And hey, at least Monson enjoyed the thrill. Plus what can replace the personal satisfaction of fixing my own toilet? Yes, I'm a little crazy. Don't be calling me over to your homes though to fish toys and other objects from your toilets--this is not an act of service I would like to perform for others. I swear she knows exactly what she's up to....that hurricane noddy. Love her to pieces anyway.
9 comments:
OOOOOHH! Little stinker! great job though Mom! You're a woman who wears MANY hats! Love to hear your adventures!
Oh, I am totally with you on this one. Electrical is about the only thing I will not attempt. Or jobs that would put me on the roof. But just about anything else I'm game to try. Congratulations on that Dora phone. It is a Dora phone, isn't it? Looks familiar.
wooooo! what a woman! I can't tell you how many times I've 'saved' things like that from going down. I was so fed up I finally got a heavy duty toilet lock! It works for us cuz there's only two hurricaines, and two adults (no need to keep the toilet lid ajar for potty trianed kiddos). Hopefully you won't have to go fising anytime soon!
I think it runs in your extended family as well. Jonas and Makai flushed the toilet paper holder rod down the toilet when Brett was recovering from his kidney surgery. So I went and did the same thing. The only thing missing was a little kid with arms and hands small enough to fish it out.
I always know I'm in for a good read on your blog. You didn't disappoint me. btw, Love the old pics going around on facebook. We look the same, right? ;)
We've owned a toilet snake for years, thanks to a few kiddos who've made that a necessity. That said, this is one job I gladly defer to Wayne, and he puts on the Plumber hat when needed....thank heavens! Maybe it IS in your genes;) Good for you for taking this yucky job on.
My oh my you sure do have crazy crazy stories LADY! Do you remember when we DID call the plumber for our 1/2 bath and he pulled out a shoe? Ha! I'm chuckling thinking about it!
I use to have to lift the toilet in the kids bathroom a couple of times a year - however, it was usually a cloth diaper that got flushed down the toilet - you Moms now days have it so easy not having to have your hands in the toilet several times EVERYDAY washing out dirty diapers! I had mine in the toilet for 12 years, but you did potty train earlier than kids do now, you didn't like the feeling of wet diapers on your tushies. (Thank you Shayla for being potty trained at 18 months!!!!!)
I hear ya, last year mine flushed the toilet paper holder down the toilet.
I love all your Christmas pictures and traditions!
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