Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Chin Kids Miserable



Nothing makes a Chin kid more miserable than helping Mom do any kind of house WORK! Since I am trying to get ready for a yard sale and have health issus that do not permit me to handle the physical labor, they are out of luck!

The idea began as Catie and I were discussing her life's dream to go to Disney World. We set a budget for the trip and began to plan how we could save for it. She asked me if she could have a yard sale and get rid of all her old toys that she has outgrown. I agreed and then began thinking about all the junk we have accumulated over the years. Hmmmm




So I began cleaning house with a mind to remove any items that were no longer used and things I am just plain tired of dusting. THEN I thought of the crawl space....that dreaded place that all Chin Kids hate to go! It began filling in 1995 when we moved here and most of the items put in that day have remained there since. Each kid along the way stashed and stored old items as they moved away. It was the one place they know NEVER changes.

It has now been filled to the point that you cannot get in.

On Sunday afternoon Cat volunteered "Ok, Mom! I feel sorry for you. I am going in the crawl space." She is my hero.

About 2 hours later the family room was filled with JUNK! Joe was sorting through about 1000 VHS tapes (we told him NOBODY wants them!) and deciding which ones to KEEP! She had found what appeared to be some kids' "fort" set up in the back, complete with a cot to sleep on, a wing back chair, blankets and even a couple of FULL bottles of foul smelling liquid. (Don't ask).

Cat goes home daily with a haul. She has found toys for Tate that I saved from the boys, items to scrapbook with, a lamp, in addition to HER box in storage.

2 sewing machines, computer monitors, video games, cassette player, books and magazines galoere, an aquarium set, artificial trees, dolls and toys all came out. I finally parted with a suitcase that was my mother's (early 1900's), boxes of memorabilia were sorted and we even found a $50 Savings Bond from Deb and Jim given to Michael on his baptism day (tucked inside a baby card).

Catie has worked like a dog to help. Mike and Andy are miserable and keep saying "WE don't want to go to Disney World!" I don't care if they sit on Knight Street forever....they ARE going to help. They have broken down boxes (Joe had at least 10 large computer boxes from computers that have long since died). They have hauled more trash than the average trashman this week.

So the back porch is full. Now they have to set up tables and cart it all out. They are NOT happy boys. TOO BAD! HA HA HA!

Sunday, August 12, 2007

CATIE MEETS DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER!




Everyone at the Nuthouse enjoys watching Dog the Bounty Hunter, but Catie absolutely LOVES "The Dog" and his family, Beth, Leeland, Duane Lee and Baby Lisa. Joe, Mike, Andy and Cat were in Ann Arbor yesterday and called to tell us he was signing books. They later reported that the lines were hours long, so although Catie begged, I refused to make the drive.

Catie then got online and found he would be appearing at Borders Books in Taylor, MI on Saturday at noon. Yes, I would take her. She was so excited that could not sleep last night. We got up and headed down (we thought we were early) and found that over 500 people were ahead of us. You had to buy a book, get a ticket and wait for your group to be called just to stand in line some more!

Then Dog and Beth were an hour late! We had a good lunch and waited patiently.

We first caught a glimpse of Beth heading into the crowd after a bathroom break and Catie began to squeal with delight.



As we struggled to survive the crowd for FIVE HOURS, Catie kept trying to SEE Dog or Beth, only to turn around and find Beth scooting behind us trying to get to the ladies room. FINALLY, the moment came and she got the autograph....She says it was DEFINITELY worth it!