The Washing Machine Ate My Sock!

I didn’t intend to use this blog as a fix-it forum, as that’s really not my forte.  However, when something is so all consuming and life altering as a mom of 4 with a broken washing machine – I think it’s worth writing about.  

It all started over a week ago when all of a sudden the washing machine was screaming at me during the end spin cycle.  It is a Whirlpool Duet Sport which we’ve had for 5 ½ years with no problems.  The clothes came out clean and there were no error codes.  So I ran it a few times to see if it continued and then put a “help me!” post on Facebook.  I got some helpful feedback that it might be an  unbalance thing.  We decided to try that first before calling out a repair man who would cost $89.50 just to come out and the first ½ hour!  Since we had a giant hole in the wall behind the washing machine that had been staring at me for half a year, we decided to tackle that first.  Well, when you have a busy husband it takes the better part of a week to get that done.  Finally by Saturday (2 days ago) we had the washing machine back up and leveled.  (In the past week I had done 2 loads at 2 different friend's houses, just to get by, but the laundry is really piled up now).  I did one load and great – it works, money saved, dry wall finally fixed, happy Momma.  Second load – sound again – big sigh…So I abandoned my plans to do laundry all day and left it until this morning when I could call a serviceman at 8 am before they left for their calls.  I told him that the machine was making a loud sound during the drain/spin cycle but was otherwise working fine.  He said it could either be the drain pump, which we could fix ourselves if we wanted, or the bearings, which would be too expensive to replace and may as well buy a new machine.  So after spending some time digging around on the internet about drain pumps and bearings, and coming to the realization that it was likely a bearing thing since the water was still draining, I was getting it in my head that we would be washing machine shopping soon.  But being, judicious and somewhat naggy, I asked my husband to open the front panel to look at the drain pump filter just to see.  If you’re at all interested or have the same problem, watch this video. 

It seemed straightforward and I was curious to see what we would find and even, hopefully, fix the problem.  I expected to find a couple of coins, like in the video – but we were shocked with what we found.  

This is what accumulated in a large family after 5 ½ years.  It was so stinky and gross.  There was $3.55 in change in there, including loonies down to pennies, a bobby pin, an earring and a golf marker.  After cleaning that out we put it back together to run a rinse/spin cycle, feeling fairly confident that the problem would be fixed and quite surprised that any water was getting through there at all in the last while. 

However as soon as the water started, it was leaking out the detergent dispenser.  We were definitely puzzled and couldn’t fathom how cleaning the drain pump filter would effect the water coming in to the tub.  So I once again Googled it.  We figured out how to take the panels off the front of the machine to access the dispenser to tubhose.  

At first it wasn’t very clear that there was anything there, but when my husband pulled the hose off, sure enough we found the culprit.  A completely shredded sock, not a baby sock, but one of his dress socks!  

So now I am writing this with full confidence that our problem is fixed as I listen to it run through the rinse/spin cycle and is whisper quiet.  If it is not fixed I will indeed, eat my sock!

With a barrel and a heap of relief,

Stephanie

P.S.  Here are some other links that I looked in to.  I actually learned a lot about washing machines.

• This one is about accessing the drain pump filter

• This one is about bearings and I found out a lot about corrosion and Ph balance - it's important to use HE detergent and keep the door open to protect your bearings

P.P.S.  I will be much more careful about overloading the machine (I can only imagine that the sock got in the hose if the machine was too full) and checking pockets for stuff.  I think that checking the drain pump filter should be done somewhat regularly as it’s easy to access.

P.P.P.S  I am sooo proud of my husband for tackling this – we saved so much by a little extra investigating and not calling a repair man or buying a new machine. 

Christmas Countdown Candy Calendar

This idea has been a year in the making and I am very excited to be able to reveal it here on my new blog.  Last Halloween I came up with the idea of having the kids pick out 25 pieces of candy from their loot to make an advent calendar.  At that point I didn't know what materials I would use to make said calendar, but I thought it couldn't be that hard.  Little did I know...

The long and short of it is that I couldn't find the right type of box to work with my vision and it ended up being more complicated/work than I had intended.  I thought surely someone has thought of this before and I could go to Michaels and purchase a pre-made box or kit.  After a frustrating search I even pitched my idea to Michaels hoping they would develop it (but it doesn't work that way).  I was so obsessed with this idea last year that I thought I would take it to Dragons Den and it would be a great success.  But my practical husband eventually got me to see that, while a good idea, perhaps not a big money maker.

I eventually used a large egg carton and then covered it with a sheet of cardboard that I painstakingly cut out doors and attempted to hold together with tape, and while it served its purpose,  it was neither sturdy nor long lasting.  

So this year I began thinking again of what I could use and when a trip to Michaels to peruse their bead containers proved futile (they don't have individually opening segments), my Mom suggested a pill container.  (It always helps to talk to your mom - about anything and everything).

Again, I went on a hunt to a number of different pharmacies before locating this,

a 28 sectioned pill container.  While the compartments aren't that big it was the right concept, so I picked one up and had the pharmacist order me 3 more (I have 4 kids - I'm thinking down the road).  When asked if the container was for personal use, I somewhat hesitantly described my idea.  The pharmacist thought it was neat (confirming that it is genius and not silly).  He even suggested another alternative, which I will demonstrate in a few.

So here is what I have fashioned after all this.

Since the compartments didn't hold very large pieces of candy, I had my kids pick out the smallest pieces they could and then opened the bags with small candies and put them directly in the compartment.  This was exciting for them because they got to choose which doors to put the candy in and eat any pieces that didn't fit.  Another thing I should mention should you choose to fashion your own, is that the rows of boxes come out of the frame so I used double sided tape to keep them in.  And fancy it up with some stickers - be as creative as you like.

So here is the alternative the Pharmacist gave me - for about a dollar each they would supply me with blister pack material to make a disposable calendar.  While this is cheaper, the sections are not very big, but I think the fact that the candy can be punched out the back is fun.  I decided to make one up as an example and use it for my younger daughter this year.  I still bought 4 monthly pill packs because I think this is something I will do every year and therefore reuse the containers.

After I searched for the pill boxes at pharmacies I came across this at the dollar store (of course - isn't everything at the Dollar store?)  The compartments are smaller and not colourful but if you wanted a cheaper alternative, there is one.

They also had really large weekly pill boxes at the dollar store and I thought if you somehow combined them in to 4 you could fit a decent sized piece of candy in each one.  But since I have 4 kids I thought a smaller sized container kicking around was more reasonable.

Of course I plan to start letting them count down on December 1 and then there will be 3 bonus days - maybe we'll count down to their Dad's birthday which is on Dec 29.

So, after way too much thought and effort put forth, I am happy with the finished product.  My intention for starting this blog was to share this particular idea and put it on Pineterest.  When I searched advent calendars on Pinterest, I actually saw a few other ideas that are along the same lines and I realize that while my idea is not completely unique, it hasn't been done just like this.  

Here are a couple of links to other ways of making a "reuse halloween candy to make an advent calendar".

use baby food jars

minimalist with little boxes

use tin containers

use paper cups

There are some very cool, unique ideas out there, some very decorative and crafty.  It makes me want to try some more, but I like that my kids are involved in this, it repurposes the Halloween candy and they each have their own to open.

Side note - People who make Easter and Halloween Advent calendars, have great intentions, but should come up with another name as Advent is specifically for the "coming" or waiting for Christmas - just a personal pet peeve - sorry to be critical.

I will end with a quote I found that I think sums up my reason for starting this blog.

"A half-baked idea is okay as long as it's in the oven." ~ Author Unknown

With a Bushel and a Peck of Love ~ Stephanie