A Happy Halloween—and Not-So-Happy Dishwashing—Weekend

We just wrapped up a nice Halloween weekend; it’s always fun to see the grandchildren dressed up in their costumes!

This weekend was a little different than originally planned. Sage had gallbladder surgery on Friday, and then a follow-up procedure on Saturday, so I had Kona and the baby until Saturday afternoon. (Another great opportunity to enjoy my grandchildren—and enjoy the chance to hug them good-bye and send them home, or in this case to their other grandma, about the time I’m remembering how tired you get when you are the mother of young children!)

Later in the evening, the Douglass kids stopped by to show off their costumes. (Most people in Utah went trick-or-treating on Saturday.)

And the Brown kids came trick or treating as well. (It was very cute; they all walked through the house, went out the front door, and then rang the doorbell so they could make it official.)

It was raining cats and dogs outside, which put a little damper on things. We only did a handful of houses before the kids were soaking and cold, so it was a short Halloween night for us. They spent the rest of the evening staring out the window, waiting for neighborhood kids to stop by. We turned on all the lights and made our house as warm and welcoming as possible, but unfortunately, we had very few little visitors.

But that meant we had plenty of leftover candy, which helped the grandchildren feel a little bit better about things. (Of course, like most parents and grandparents, I imagine, we hid much of the Halloween booty away afterwards—way too much sugar!)

As an aside, can I just say how much I MISS MY DISHWASHER! It broke last week and is in the process of getting fixed (waiting for parts), and in the meantime, we are washing dishes by hand. All I can say is that I know we’re spoiled, but I can’t imagine life without a dishwasher! How did—and do! (I realize there are some people who don’t have dishwashers)—people do it!?

Sterling is usually the one who does the dishes, but he went on a ride last week and broke his collarbone—and on the first day too! He was a trooper and stayed for the whole three-day trip, just spent his time at the camp. When he came home on Saturday night, I could tell he was exhausted and in pain, so he’s dodged dishwashing duty for the next little bit.

Of course, I really can’t complain—Shalae’s done them too. And they’re just dishes. But I must admit that I’m secretly glad I’m heading off to the European convention tomorrow. I’m thinking of threatening not to come home until the dishwasher is fixed!

Comments

[Candy Diaz]

Well Sterling, yet another thing we have in common, kidney stone and now a broken collar bone. I fell snowskiing in 1995 and broke my left collar bone in 4 places. The dr. told me it would be fine in 2 weeks, WRONG, I was in a lot of pain for over 8 weeks. At least you don't have long hair to try and wash. I had to go to a beauty salon to get it washed. I still don't ski, lol. But I do ride my horses every now and then. Take care and about the only thing you can do is let it heal. I do know the old figure eights work really well to keep the broken ends from rubbing together. The drs. don't always prescribe them any more but my son and I think they are a big help. Cole has broken his collar bones around 13 times, he used to moto cross race, now he races drag boats, which explains my gray hair. Take Care Gardner Family and safe travels Shelli! See you in Nashville!

[Nancy]

I hear your pain Shelli! Our dishwasher dies in June and is beyond repair. So I have been hand washing dishes since , with 3 little ones including a 7 month old it is alot of dishes /bottles. Hopefully with God's blessing things will pick up and we can buy a new one soon, but in the meantime I feel your pain.

Hoping Sterling is feeling better soon, and have a safe trip. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that its fixed by the time your home.

[Mary Priest]

SO sorry to hear about Sterling's injury! I hope he is more comfortable very soon & heals very quickly!
Sorry to hear about the broken dishwasher.I think ours is on it's way out very soon...so
not looking forward to handwashing until we can
swing replacing the pretty old dishwasher.
Why are there 2 posts here advertising for jerseys?

[Jane Adams]

It's amazing how soon we get used to all the mod-cons. I never wanted a dishwasher, but my husband bought one after our first son was born.......I wouldn't be without it now!!
Wishing Sterling a speedy/painfree recovery.
See you in London.....can't wait, it's my 1st Convention

[Gayle Wheeler]

Aww, poor Sterling! Hope he feels better soon!

The kids are all cute, but Phoebe is too adorable for words!

[Shellie G]

A long, long time ago we had a dishwasher. We've been hand-washing every dish for 5+ years now (can you imagine Thanksgiving?). I really miss having a dishwasher. I totally understand where you are coming from. I hope Sterling has a speedy recovery. Broken collarbones don't feel good.

[debbi taylor]

I have never had a dish washer so cannot really comment, but if you are refusing to go home after Convention I am sure there are a few British Demos that would take you in! See you in a couple of days! Hope Sterling is feeling better too! x

[Jayne]

Our dishwasher died years ago. We didn't have the money at the time to replace it. But, my husband and I enjoy doing the dishes together. It gives us time to catch up with each other and talk about our day! We could probably afford to replace the dishwasher now, but we enjoy that time too much. Hope Sterling feels better soon!

[Patty Bennett]

So sorry to hear about Sterling's accident!!! I will pray for a smooth recovery. Sorry he will not be joining you in Europe. Travel safely and we will look forward to all the fun news when you return!
Patty

[Christina]

I hope Sterling is doing well and that you have a safe trip to Europe. The kids costumes look great and yes- we hid the candy afterwards and they can have a small something after dinner each night.

I know what it is like to not have a dishwasher! Ours broke a while ago but lucky for me, my husband was able to order a part and get it fixed in a few days. I can't imagine not having one- we'd have to use a lot of paper plates, I think. :) But you are right, many people don't have one and manage daily so I know if I HAD to handwash, I could.

[Lynsay Mahon]

Poor Sterling! My prayers go out to him for a speedy recovery!

[Dawn B.]

I have a dishwasher...her name is dawn, and she's cute. LOL my husband helps too, I don't have room for one in my kitchen, so we do it the old fashion way. I want one bad...LOL

[Michelle M.]

I'm sorry to hear about Sterling's injury! I hope he's feeling better soon. I'm glad he's following doctor's orders!

I feel your pain about the dishwasher, and I would support the mutiny plan. I moved home to take care of my parents last year, and their house never had a dishwasher. Even though I grew up that way, I never lived WITHOUT one after I moved out! :) I'm proud to be a whimp, and I dream daily of a new dishwasher! Good luck, and have a safe trip!

[Chris]

Of the four houses we've lived over 23 years of marriage, only one had a dishwasher but we only lived there for 2 years. We raised two babies (now teenagers) without one - sure don't miss hand-washing those bottles! Do I miss having a dishwasher? You bet! So I just try to think of hand-washing as my personal hand hydrotherapy time and slog through it. You do what you have to...! :P

[Tiffany C.]

so sorry to hear about 2 injured family members! I had my appendix out 7 days after my first was born and gall bladder out 4 months after my second. Crazy! Tell her to feel better! And Sterling too! When it rains it pours! Have fun in Europe. Thank you Shelli for being such an amazing example! You are so classy and just radiate with love!

[Susan]

My husband went on a ride 5 weeks ago and crushed his colar bone! He had surgery and is in a sling for a minimum of 10 weeks. He is missing a lot of dishes and many other chores.I will be very thankful to get him back to a two armed husband.

[Rebecca Middleton]

I know this is hind-sight, but this is how you fix all that.
You hire a live-in nanny/housekeeper for 2 weeks.
Maybe someone in your church is in need of some part time cash for Christmas right now. Or knows someone dependable who is.
Show her around- "Here's the cereal; here's the pop tarts...This is where we keep the dish soap...."
It's worth the extra expense, believe me.

[Rachel UK]

We are dishwasher less household as well - it will have to wait till we refurbish the kitchen....maybe that should be my SU Goal for next year :-)

[Chantal Bruneau]

I can do without it! I had a few in the past, but I find for 2 people, it's not necessary. By the time it's full, I have no clean dishes left. Most of the time, I'm alone, so I prefer washing my dishes of the day, after supper. It helps to digest and everything in its place. I rarely have people over and when I do, they either help me with the dishes. Hope your dishwasher is repaired by the time you come back from Europe. Hope you had a great trip!

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