"Mormal is nothing more than a cycle on a washing machine" -Whoopi Goldberg

15 days ago I started a load of laundry, then went about other normal mommythings; (pulling CandyBar off the piano, changing mine and Texas' clothes from an explosive diaper, pulling CandyBar off the top shelf of the bookshelf,  juggling a baby and lunch) when I smelled smoke.  I started smelling around the house and realized it was coming from the Mud/Laundry room and that the washing machine was spewing smoke out of the lid. I quickly turned it off and pulled the not yet clean clothes out and hung them on the line.  That weekend Rat pulled it all apart and thought it was the motor. So he took that out, cleaned it and put it back together only to realize it was coming from something else. Sadly hes so busy working and studying for his OAT exam during the week he really doesn't have time to work on the washer or house repairs until the weekend. So there sat my washer for another week all pulled apart.  Happily my wonderful Sister in Law was more than happy to let us do loads and loads of laundry at her house during this time, for which we will be ever grateful! Anyone who has had a new baby knows all the extra laundry that involves.

The bear on the left is BearBear. CandyBar and him are inseparable.  He goes everywhere CandyBar goes, especially when its time to sleep. During this time of no washing machine I was changing one of CandyBar's awful nasty diapers when suddenly he smashed BearBear into the mess below. We tried to wash BearBear in the sink but he was still just pretty nasty. Uncle Jim had given Texas a BearBear just like CandyBar's but as you can see from the picture you can easily tell the difference from all the wear and tear. We tried sneeking Texas' BearBear to CandyBar when it was bed time and the lights were already off, but unless he was really tired he could tell the diference.  So thanks Aunt Becca!

Yesterday Rat had some extra time so he pulled the washing machine apart a little bit more and found this

I guess that is what was caught and making the machine smoke.  So after a discussion about checking and me double checking pockets better we now have a working washing machine!!! Hurray!

Rat also put a door on our Mud/Laundry room! So now the mess and stink of a mud room can stay in the mud room! (notice BearBear)