So I have to tell you all about my wonderful weekend. Went to the gym and ran 21 minutes at a faster pace than I normally do, then did a run/walk thing and "completed" my own personal treadmill 5K in 38 minutes. I'm working up to completing a real 5K sometime this summer. So I was happy about that.

We then went to the vitamin store and to the rental place to pick up a wheelchair so we could take my Dad out and about. I wanted to go to the Farmer's Market, then to a dog agility trial, then out for lunch. After running the errands, we got home to change clothes, and discovered that the dishwasher, which we'd started before we left for the gym, had overflowed, and water was still pouring out of it. My DH tried to find the shut off, but couldn't so we got some plastic tubing to plug up the hole and drain the still flowing water into a bucket. I got out towels and cleaned up the water that had spilled out of the kitchen into the dining room, which has hardwood flooring. The water also got into the family room, which is carpeted. DH finally got the water shut off to the dishwasher so we could start the cleanup.

Never did get my poor Dad, who lives for these outings, but spent all afternoon cleaning up water, which was also pouring out from under the siding outside. What a mess! Luckily, my DH has a wet/dry vac that he bought last summer. After mopping up and setting up fans to dry the carpet, we went and bought a new dishwasher. Sunday we bought a new refrigerator and range because all the appliances are the same age and it seems that if one breaks, they're all going to break and always at inopportune times. My hardwood floors in the dining room, which we had refinished when we moved in a year ago, are ruined, and not just the area that had water sitting on it. The wood seems to be sucking up the water all the way down the boards so the whole floor is buckling. Moral of this story is never to start an appliance before you leave--learned that the hard way, didn't I?

That was my weekend. At least it was sunny and warm outside!

Sheila, I am so sorry to hear about that. I remember when I moved into my place 6 years ago, I was negotiating with the previous owners to leave all their appliances behind. The owners fought me on it, but in the end gave in. Unfortunately, I had to replace 1 fridge, the washer and dryer in a span of the two months after I moved in. Moral of the story, unless you have bought new, NEVER buy the house with the appliances.

I also remember a time when we loaded the dishwasher as kids and we put in LIQUID dishwasher detergent. It certainly was an interesting sight to see with the soap suds all other the kitchen and starting to creep into the living room. It was the attack of the blob. My mom was less than impressed.

Not too much this weekend, too short as always. I did however buy myself a new tent. I am geeking over it at the moment, because it is a nice little two man tent with all the bells and whistles. I can not wait to get out this summer and try it out. I am pretty much a fair weather camper. I like it as long as I am not cold or wet, or a combination of both. Last year, the tent I borrowed flooded with 2 inches of water after a rain storm and my sleeping bag acted as a wick. Not fun. It should be much better this year.

Sheila - what a bummer. My washer seems to leak from time to time, but not all the time wierd. I loved the appliance at our old house, but the ones left in the current house matched so we sold ours to the new owners. Still miss that fridge!!!

We went out and bought a new mattress over the weekend (boy those puppies are expensive!!!) and this week we are getting estimates on a new air conditioner and furnace. The current ones are 34 years old and less than efficient!!!!

ChocLabLover - I really hate camping. We really should take Jacob this year. I know he'd love it. Any advice for a camping hater??

I don't own a dishwasher, and I've never camped!!! Actually I do own a dishwasher, its less than reliable, a bit temparemental and 54 years old

I've had a good weekend, it's a long weekend for the Queen's Birthday. On Saturday I went to yoga and then swum, and then shopping! I got a back pack suitable for running, and a new warm fleece. It's a size 16 (12 in your language) until last week I was wearing my size 26 fleece, until the trainer at the gym yelled at me He said I was tiny underneath it and not to dress like a fat person So I was very obedient and got a new one, do you think I should send him the bill????

Sunday I swum 1/2 mile and then went for a 6 mile walk with the dishwasher, we were intending to walk home, but it poured. I came home and went to sleep!

Today dw (dishwasher) went to work, and I cleaned the kitchen, painted our stairwell, and went to the gym! I'm ready for work tomorrow for a rest!

Sandi-I would recommend starting out on just an overnight trip to your local campground. I would recommend a campground which has all the mod cons (bathroom, showers, etc.,). Walmart or KMart (it is still in the States, right?) would probably have reasonably price tents for families. I am big lover of comfort, especially for car camping, so air mattresses are a must, plus pillows and sleeping bags. All you need for food is a propane stove or a small Bar B Q, plus of course cooler with food etc. Never leave food out unattended (including garbage), always place everything in your car for the night, otherwise you may get visitors of the furry quality. I could on for hours about this. I honestly used to hate camping as well, but it has really grown on me. Probably because of the dog, and once you have made the investment into the equipment (good equipment), as long as you take care of it, it can last your for years and it can be a pretty cheap vacation.

Oh, I haven't been camping since I was a kid. I liked it at the time, but I'm awfully spoiled these days! Hubby and I used to talk about getting camping gear for going stargazing, though - of course, we haven't pulled out the telescope in at least three years, either... But I'll be taking Astronomy next spring at UCF, so I guess we'll have to!

-Lala

Hi Everyone,

Sheila-I so feel you pain. I had that happen with a dishwasher, washer and a refrigarator. What a mess. Glad you were able to get everything cleaned up. Congrats on your gym visit. Good Job.

Carol-I'm with you on the camping. I love to camp but I do require many of the modern conviences. Air mattress, pillows, showers near by etc.

Sandi-Like Carol said there are so many campgrounds around that offer all of the ammendites of home. Try it for a night or two and then work yourself up.
Or you could be like my SIL and get a camper. To me that's not camping. Her's has almost as much square footage as her house. It is really nice though.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week so far.

Leec

heh, this talk of camping reminds me of when I was 15-17 we used to camp for swim meets. We'd bring air matresses, pillows, everything, there were washrooms, showers... etc because we camped in the park with the pool. We'd also eat all of our meals at restaurants, we'd go to movies, go shopping, heh. Thats my kind of "camping"!

-Aimee