Monday, August 27, 2007

Home Improvement

Last week was a big week for us. We had our kitchen painted, which was highly exciting! We've actually had the can of paint for months, but didn't want to do it ourselves. So a couple from our church, who have a painting business, did it for us. It's beautiful! It's bright and cheery and makes us feel happy ( it's yellow). Thanks to the Frayne's for their hard work.

Our other big project was the refrigerator. It's had......problems lately. For several months it has been leaking. Big pools of water were forming under the drawers and then leaking out onto the floor. It was very distressing, and we had no idea what to do about it- besides putting towels on the floor everyday to soak up the water. We were convinced that it was not fixable, but then a man from our church told us that it was probably the drain hole in the freezer that was clogged up and causing the problem. So, Karyn decided that we were going to unclog it ourselves. The problem was we didn't know where this drain hole was.

So, we looked up our fridge model online, then proceeded to take ours apart. First we had to find the right tool to use. Not a screwdriver, or pliers, or anything else that we knew the name of. We finally found this thing in the basement that looked like it would work......and it did, but we still don't know what it was. We are, however, extremely thankful that we found it! After taking the panel off of the back and bottom of the freezer, we saw lots and lots of ice. We were taking huge chunks out and throwing them in the sink. We then heated water in the teakettle to pour on the ice that we couldn't get out. Under all the ice, we found the drain hole. We then found an old toothbrush and cleaned for awhile- it was rather disgusting. The hole was definitely clogged and a little moldy. Then we got out a wire coat hanger and dug around some more. Though we were disgusted, we were feeling pretty good about ourselves......until Karyn stuck her finger in the drain hole.
"Oh no, " she said.
And I said, " No way, Karyn."
And she looked at me with a horrified look on her face, as she tried to pull her finger out. "What should I do?" I asked her.
"Pray, " she responded.
She then yanked really hard, and her finger came out with a big cut on it. But at least it was out. All she could think of was some girl at college that had her arm stuck in a pop machine-they had to cut her out of it because of the swelling. So Karyn pulled her finger out before it swelled.
Then we put the freezer back together. And for 4 days, we have had no leaking, no big puddles on the floor, no sopping wet towels to pick up off the floor. Just a slightly hurting finger.....and 2 girls who are very proud of themselves!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007



My Best Friend's Wedding


Well, I'm finally posting about the big event. It's been 3 weeks since I was in Oklahoma going crazy! It was a
busy, busy time, but I'm glad I could be there to help Barb with final details for the wedding. Everything turned out beautiful- so beautiful that I cried and cried. What can I say? At the risk of sounding like a cheesy greeting card- I watched my best friend in the world walk down that aisle and marry the guy in the army uniform, and I was happy and sad at the same time. And after the ceremony was over and I followed the bride and groom out of the sanctuary on the arm of the best man, I cried even harder! I was a serious wreck. I think part of my problem was that I was really tired, but I think I looked rather pathetic! Anyway, despite the fact that I had to come home and recuperate, I had a great time in Oklahoma- it was a very memorable week. And I am truly happy for Barb and Paul.