Moving again…

The newer posts are going to be now over here…

http://blog.jmonsters.net

and the home page here…

http://www.jmonsters.net/

The day the water stopped…

From 2009 Misc

The infamous day the water stopped started like any other Friday morning. The jmonsters were up and at’em at 6:00: 6:20 for the Tallone, he needed a cattle prod to get his lazy bones a moving. Daddy was slipping back into his drill sergeant role barking orders to get things tight and brush teeth, comb hair, and get the back packs in order.

The only exception was the fact the outside temperature was single digits. Eight degrees to be exact and the only hint of trouble was a slow trickle in the kitchen facet. We got the jmonsters on the school bus and went about our morning routine, minus the walk because it was too cold.

Mommy, was quick out of the shower as she ran out of water it was long enough that she was able to rinse off, so no harm no foul. We went through our plan of action of placing the light bulb under the fake rock and waited for the pipe(s) to unfreeze. Mommy headed for work and Daddy to the office to field phone calls and do paper work.

At 3:00 in the afternoon there still wasn’t any water. Daddy had kind of forgotten about it, and Mommy was a little miffed when she got home. We upped the stakes and put a heater as well as the light bulb under the rock, and Mom headed for the store to get a blow torch. Daddy read on the internet that the blow torch thing wasn’t such a good idea, something with steam and exploding pipes, none of which sounded too appealing.

We regrouped at 6:00 and decided it was best to pack it up and head for a hotel, as the dishes were starting to pile, the toilets were getting pretty gross, and Daddy still hadn’t showered that day. So we cashed in a few miles and stayed at the Hilton Garden because it had an indoor pool. We had dinner at the IHOP and headed over to our new digs, where the jmonsters bobbed in the pool and hot tub.

Mommy and Daddy were asleep before the kids, but they were the first ones up. We breakfasted on all you can eat breakfast bar, another jmonster favorite, and by this time Mommy and Daddy were pretty sick of breakfast foods. We headed back for the house, (Smallmonster had a basket ball game which he lost in overtime the Smallone missed the game winner at the end of regulation).

Daddy stayed home to get the plumbers on the phone as there was no relief from the tap. The well driller guys were over in about an hour and after a few moments under the house it was declared that the pump was bad. Daddy remarked nervously that it sounded expensive, which was countered by a grunt and a “Uh-Huh”.

The next thing we knew there was 400’ of pipe snaking up and back through the back yard, and the good ole’ well boys were back in the truck headed for the shop to get a special pump, that they don’t carry on the truck. Daddy again remarked nervously that sounds expensive, followed by more grunting.

They returned and placed the gold plated pump at the end of the pipe and lowered the assembly back down the hole. 400’ feet of pipe go back in a hole a lot quicker than 400’ comes out. In a jiffy they were done, and we were back in business flushing toilets, washing dishes, hands and faces. One asked if the new pump was expensive, Daddy explained that it took the place of any thoughts of a 52” flat screen TV hanging on the wall. Oh well, not much you can do without water and it’s off to Myrtle Beach…

Tallmonster’s Science Project…

From 2009-01-10 Science Project

Tallmonster decided to work with pulleys for his science project. We took a couple of trips to Wal*Mart to get a few clothes line pulleys and some rope. The Tall One did a little bit of research on the internet to learn about the simple machines.

We did some experimenting in the garage with different combination of pulleys and measured the results with a fish scale. Tallmonster put every thing together on his project board and even typed out a presentation, http://docs.google.com/Present?docid=dcwkzzcr_4gsw39rgd. He didn’t win any prizes, but the project was pretty cool.

New Year’s in Biloxi…

From 2008-12-31 New Years in Biloxi

We decided that this year we would do something different for New Year’s besides sitting in bed and watching the ball drop. So we headed to Biloxi, Mississippi to check out the Casino’s and spend a night away from the jmonsters. We recruited Courtney and Andy to come with us since a group is always more fun and we don’t get to see them nearly enough.

After checking in to the Hampton (where else) we freshened up (meaning napped) and headed over to Biloxi to go to dinner. We didn’t really make any plans and ended up at the Hard Rock Cafe Casino. We had burgers and nachos and overpriced drinks and enjoyed looking at all the memorabilia on the walls. After dinner it was on to the Casino. We split up and walked around the Casino to get a feel for the games and decide what we wanted to lose our money on first. We tried a few slots and then found the machines that Mommy likes to play, Poker. After awhile we decided to check out the tables. Mommy has always wanted to try blackjack but we were only able to find $10 tables. So after much hand wringing Mommy got the nerve to sit down and try it. After getting $70 in chips and playing a few hands she soon found out she was in way over her head. It took about 15 minutes to lose all that money but at least was able to get a few free beers in the process. Most expensive beers ever!

Well, it was back to the 25 cent poker machines and Mommy was determined to win back her money. Daddy was content to sit and watch and get free beer whenever the cocktail waitresses walked by. He was most concerned about tip money. After winning a couple of hands we placed a max bet and hit with four of a kind. Woo-Hoo next thing we knew we had $148.50 in quarters. Nowadays you don’t get the satisfaction of filling up your bucket with quarters you hit a button and a slip of paper comes out with what you won, just like an ATM machine. We cashed in and found Courtney and Andy and found out that they had also won something so we decided to get out while we were ahead. We stopped at the ice cream shop on the way out for overpriced ice cream to top off our night in Biloxi. We had a lot of fun and realized when we got back to the hotel it was only 9:30 and what do you know we watched the ball drop in bed and an hour early to boot!! A great way to start 2009…

Christmas In Florida…

A few days after Christmas we made the journey down to Florida. This year we decided to spend New Year’s down there. The jmonsters couldn’t wait to see everyone. They love visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Florida (mommy and daddy do too!) Jessie, Abbey, and LuLu were waiting to greet us at the door. I think they get excited too since Tallmonster and Smallmonster play with them. After a great meal, Courtney and the gang came over and we opened presents and visited the rest of the night. Amazing how grown up the kids are getting! Colby now has his permit and on Tuesday he drove us to the beach. It was a perfect day to go to the beach, and this time we were smart enough to dress the boys in their bathing suits but did forget towels. Sure enough as soon as we got there Tallmonster was playing in the waves. Smallmonster takes a little longer, or he’s more cautious, but was soon wet. They dug holes and watched the surf fill them back in and in no time had sand filled bathing suits. Not having towels was a bit of a pain and the jmonsters did not like the idea of showering without a towel. At least we had thought to bring extra clothes so it was a just a little bit of suffering. It was worth it and someday we vow to rent a place for a few days on the beach…

The South Carolina Butt (Peach)…

From 2008-12-29 Ride to F-L-A

On our way to Florida we always get excited when we pass the big water tower that looks like a giant butt. You would think it would be in Georgia but it is actually in South Carolina. The kids always giggle and Daddy and I always shake our heads at their juvenile humor but wonder what they were thinking when they built it, it does look like a giant peach colored butt! This year we got a picture for proof and decided it must be blogged about. Oh the things long car rides make you do…

Halloween In Colfax

From 2008-10-31 Happy Halloween

After suffering through the school day the jmonsters were beside themselves about Halloween. Not only were they ready to collect all the candy it was on a Friday night to boot.

Smallmonster kept reminding mommy that he was going to stay up until 9:00! Whoo-Hoo! After rooting through the costume tote Smallmonster decided to dress as a mummy in a costume that Tallmonster had worn a few years ago.

Tallmonster wasn’t so easy and after many trips to all the Walmarts, Targets and even a Party City we settled on a scream costume much to Mommy’s dismay. There was no talking him into something original so he joined the thousands of other scream masks on Halloween night.

Daddy stayed home and handed out the candy while mommy (dressed as a cowgirl) went out to trick-or-treat. We met up with some neighborhood friends and walked the hills of our neighborhood. It took over an hour to do the 30 or so houses. We were all pooped by the end and their buckets were overflowing with goodies.

We got back to the house and checked out their loot and smallmonster spent a while sorting all his candy into different piles. After having some treats it was off to the showers and dreaming about next years’ haul…

One Year Ago Today…

Today is Daddy’s Birthday and unfortunately he is traveling and isn’t home so we can celebrate. As Mommy was thinking about it she realized that today we have been in North Carolina for 1 year. WOW, how time flies. We are truly happy to be here and don’t regret making the big move one bit. The jmonsters have adjusted very well and this school year has been great. My how things can change. The leaves are changing and who knows maybe we’ll see some snow this year…just not as much as NY!

Matt’s Surprise 40th Birthday Party…

From 2008-10-18 40th Birthday Party

Well, Mommy did it!! She wanted to surprise Daddy with a 40th Birthday party and has spent weeks planning and scheming and keeping secrets and last night was the big party.  Thanks to Jim, Maureen and the boys for coming up with a reason for Daddy to get out of the house. Jim had a geocache that he wanted to find at Triad Park so Daddy readily agreed to help them out.

Of course this wasn’t the first plan. Tallmonster had his last football game yesterday and was originally scheduled for 2:30 and would have ended right around 5 which is what time the party was scheduled. Well, Mommy found out on Thursday night at practice that the game had been moved to 1 pm. So after a frantic call to Jim (he was going to go to the game and then come over for dinner/party) he came up with the geocache idea. It was perfect! The only bad thing was they left the house at 4 and the party was scheduled for 5. Thanks to the help of Maureen, Tara and Ginnie we decorated the house in record time with streamers (red and blue Giants colors) balloons and signs.

Daddy had no idea the party was going to happen and was surprised when he walked in the door. He was a little miffed that Jim wouldn’t let him get a beer out of the fridge in the garage before he went in the house though! Good thing because he would have noticed that it went from being pretty empty to stocked full of beer! We had 5 couples and kids from the neighborhood and it turned out to be a great night. Mommy is glad its over and even happier that it was a Surprise!!!

Attack Of The Bee’s…

Smallmonster and a couple of friends from the neighborhood learned a hard lesson today. They were over in the neighbor’s yard playing when they found a bee’s nest. Someone thought it would be a good idea to throw rocks at the nest to see what would happen. Well Mommy was in the garage when I saw Smallmonster running as fast as he could screaming about being stung. Mommy tore off his shirt (and in the process got stung) and started counting the bee stings. He had two on each shoulder and after getting him in the house and getting his shorts off out came more bee’s. He was stung at least 8 times and wasn’t a happy camper. Smallmonster vehemently denies throwing any rocks but Mommy told him the bee’s didn’t care who was throwing they just wanted to get even! May this be the only bee incidents for the rest of the year…