I've had a toilet jinx this week!

When I flushed the toilet at work, I felt the little chain "give."

It was funny because we already had a broken toilet at home!

Dh noticed that the toilet was leaking (thank goodness!). There was stuff sitting around the toilet and it was hard to notice, otherwise.

As I cleaned it up and looked around, I could see it looked like the wall behind the toilet was stained with water. I realized it leaked when it flushed. I am not engineering-minded AT ALL and so I assumed it was a leak in the water line. After toying with it a bit, and even googling fixes, dh was smart enough to look in the tank. It was actually kind of spouting out of the top (& dripping down). The gasket in the bottom of the tank looked kind of tired. The water line on the other hand, was just fine!

Dh told me he would run to Home Depot and see if he thought he could fix it. Initially, stuff like this has scared him off. But over time, he has realized these kind of things are pretty easy to fix. (As for me - I don't think I could fix these things if I tried. It's just not in my DNA in any way shape or form).

Concerned with potential for water damage, and knowing dh doesn't move very fast with this stuff, I told him it was up to him. If he called a plumber, I wouldn't blame him. We've just been flushing it once a day with a towel to catch the water. (My bladder is very small and I awake often at night - wasn't in the mood to trek down the hall in the middle of the night, which would wake me up).

Well, today is my birthday, and dh decided to fix the toilet. Said it was easy peasy. The cost? $8 for parts.

Can't think of a better present?

I asked dh to consider replacing the parts in the other upstairs toilet. We rarely go in there, and I don't want to find the same water mess in there - if the kids aren't going to notice. The one downstairs, we use enough, so will wait until that one self destructs too.

Lesson learned - don't keep stuff sitting around the toilet!

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Birthday presents?

No cash this year. (Surprised since dh's family tends to be heavy on cash).

2 sweaters that I had picked out (from Grandma)

Entertainment Book - (We don't use nearly enough, but when MIL asked, I decided what the heck. Will get some use).

The kids got me some puzzle books

Dh fixed the toilet

The fam is making me sloppy joes for dinner. But dh had gotten groceries for 3 or 4 of my favorite recipes. I will dine well this week!

Last but not least - Marie Callendar pie - Lemon Cream Cheese

I have tried to instill much better eating habits in my kids (the ones I was raised with would make you cringe), but I think celebrations will always equal food. Maybe that is somewhat universal as dh doesn't seem to protest. He was raised with exceptional eating habits, but pigging out for any celebration is just kind of given.

I treated myself to lunch, and some soda and chocolate, since I couldn't have justified the expense otherwise. Decided it was a small splurge and I was worthy. I have cut my soda consumption lately - lord knows why. Really - no idea why i have had any motivation to. I just no longer keep it in the house (a habit I started since having kids - sleepless nights and caffeine needs, I suppose). I haven't seen anything compelling enough to make me want to quit. But, "quit" is a liberal word - I still drink soda when out, etc. Today I just wanted a big cold soda! I've probably gone back and forth in that it is much cheaper to keep soda at home (buy in bulk), but in the end, I rather just buy it once in a while (even if it costs several times more to drink it less). Maybe subconsciously it has to do with my health issues. I haven't been compelled by any studies, etc., because even when I keep it in the house, I just don't drink that much? But realistically i know less soda is probably better.

My mom told me my present was in the mail. Lord knows - could be anything. I'd guess maybe a check, or else she would just wait until she saw me (wouldn't ship anything probably). But, will see!