How NOT to install a dishwasher

We FINALLY replaced our 13-year-old, leaky, rusty-rack, yucky dishwasher yesterday with a sleek, black one that won't flood our kitchen floor every time we run it (at least that is what the salesman told us, still waiting to try it out).  This was a huge day for us as I've waited patiently to get one for almost 2 years!   Well, I think Nick was a little too excited to kick the old one to the curb because the installation process quickly became a series of unfortunate events.  Thus, I created a list of tips that will make things run a little smoother should any of you ever install a dishwasher. 

Tip 1 - Don't start making an involved dinner before installation. Beef stroganoff was on the menu and I was under the impression Nick would have the dishwasher installed within 30 minutes.  The cooked meat ended up sitting on the stove for almost 2 hours.

Tip 2 - Don't forget to shut off the water before disconnecting old dishwasher. 

Tip 3 - Don't forget to wash every towel in the home before dishwasher installation.  You will need all of them to soak up water in the event you didn't shut off the water before you disconnected the dishwasher.

Tip 4 - Don't install dishwasher right before you go to work because you might feel rushed and drill into your fingernail leaving you with: half a fingernail.

Tip 5 - Don't let your 4-year-old play with the hose in the backyard on day of installation.  You might put your dog outside while installing dishwasher and get a fun, muddy mess to clean up.

Tip 6 - Don't forget to read the instruction manual or you might just have to reinstall your dishwasher the next day...or day after that.

Tip 7 - In the event you didn't read the instruction manual and have to reinstall your dishwasher, please read Tip 6 before installation process. :)

Later Nick called and apologized for the crazy evening.  I just laughed. It makes a good story for the blog, right?  And now all of you have been prepped and forewarned if/when you install a dishwasher. It's a win-win really.

Left: Old D Right: New D

However, I would like to try out the new dishwasher someday soon...isn't it pretty?

Little Debbie

This little gem of a journal came in the mail a few days ago.  My mom likes to send me random pictures and journals from when I was little. I love it.  This might be totally boring to you, but I got a good chuckle reading about my 11-year-old self. I discovered I am pretty much the same person in many ways (sadly, even my handwriting has not changed much).

   

 

My mom slipped this dog drawing in there. When I see pictures like this I feel so guilty about not keeping up with my artistic skills. Story behind it: One of my dad's coworkers saw a picture of a black lab I drew and wanted me to draw his german shepherd.

 So the only thing from this ^ that is different from 30-year-old Debbie is I that I'm not really a lover of science anymore.  I think the only reason I put that as my favorite subject was because at the time I was fascinated with the planets and learning about animals.  And yes, I really had cheetah shirts.  Not spotted, girlie shirts but over-sized t-shirts with cheetahs on them that I wore with black leggings. Awesome huh?  OK, and I'm not a huge fan of Robin Williams anymore either.  I think in those days he was big in animated movies like Aladdin and FernGully.

I still love watching reruns of said favorite TV shows though. :)

 My taste in music has changed a bit, but I am not ashamed to admit that when I feel nostalgic I turn up the radio whenever I hear Amy Grant's "Baby, baby." :) Still love Roald Dahl, Mexican food, Christmas, and writing in my journal. And don't you just love my specificity on my favorite time of day? I am not sure what I was doing at 2:00 pm that was so great, but lunchtime - or any time that involves food - is still a "favorite time of the day" for me.

 Two things that made me smile: Tim "never gets emotional." What?! That is pretty much the opposite of Brother Tim. And I love how I describe 5-year-old Vanessa as a "caring young girl."  I sound so wise and grown up, don't I? :)

And here is a great picture of the fam taped below their descriptions.  Not sure where Jake is. And I think my mom must be in her first trimester with Nessa.

 

  So there you have it.  All you ever wanted to know (or maybe didn't want to know) about Little Debbie. :)