Thank you to abroadincostarica.com for linking to this site.
Here she is again. My favorite "go to person" for advice. The "gingerbread man" question is my favorite.
WH
12.31.2006
12.25.2006
Home For The Holidays
After a whirlwind trip to Amelia Island, FL (we left Friday and returned last night at 10 p.m.), Jen, Jessie, and I, along with our faithful dogs, CInnamon and Lily, are hunkered down for Christmas. This will one of the first years that Jessie has waken up in her home - one of the side effects of divorce. I'm glad for her.
We will drink coffee, make and eat cookies, open presents, watch TV - spend time together. I will post some pictures from Amelia and here this afternoon.
Big surprise. In today's local paper, there was an article about the 2nd LAR in Iraq. This is Jason's battalion. It was about the Marines helping the Iraqi forces put out a fire that had started in the Iraqi mess hall. It was emotional for me just to read about something that he was close to, that I can connect with. Please pray for Jason and the tens of thousands of other men and women serving around the world. It's a lonely place to be - without your family.
"To us a Child is born and a Son is given..."
Merry Christmas.
WH
We will drink coffee, make and eat cookies, open presents, watch TV - spend time together. I will post some pictures from Amelia and here this afternoon.
Big surprise. In today's local paper, there was an article about the 2nd LAR in Iraq. This is Jason's battalion. It was about the Marines helping the Iraqi forces put out a fire that had started in the Iraqi mess hall. It was emotional for me just to read about something that he was close to, that I can connect with. Please pray for Jason and the tens of thousands of other men and women serving around the world. It's a lonely place to be - without your family.
"To us a Child is born and a Son is given..."
Merry Christmas.
WH
12.23.2006
Surviving Another Peak Season
The Christmas Package Rush is over! A big THANK YOU to everyone who ordered gifts online. You helped feed countless temporary workers with UPS - those we call Seasonal Workers. These are the driver helpers, the unloaders, the sorters, etc. who helped move the packages that are now under your tree.
The latest stats are that UPS moved over 100 million packages in the last seven working days before Christmas. The peak day was December 20, when 248 packages per SECOND were moved.
All I can say is that I am glad that it is over. This past Friday was the worst day I have experienced at UPS. Some freaking genius decided that our start time would be 5:30 am since the package volume was projected to be lower by 9 thousand packages from peak day (we started at 3:30 am on peak day). These were the same "bean counters" who stated that our peak would be lower than last year - we were UP from last year, by the way.
Without a bunch of details, we were not down as much as forecasted and we were behind before we started. Add to that we were dealing with pouring rain ALL MORNING LONG.
I am glad that is over. Hopefully, this will be my last peak season. I am working hard at the real estate profession and it looks like it is only a matter of time before I have enough regular income to allow me to quit.
That will be a good day.
I hope that all of you have a great holiday weekend with family and friends. I know that I will.
WH
The latest stats are that UPS moved over 100 million packages in the last seven working days before Christmas. The peak day was December 20, when 248 packages per SECOND were moved.
All I can say is that I am glad that it is over. This past Friday was the worst day I have experienced at UPS. Some freaking genius decided that our start time would be 5:30 am since the package volume was projected to be lower by 9 thousand packages from peak day (we started at 3:30 am on peak day). These were the same "bean counters" who stated that our peak would be lower than last year - we were UP from last year, by the way.
Without a bunch of details, we were not down as much as forecasted and we were behind before we started. Add to that we were dealing with pouring rain ALL MORNING LONG.
I am glad that is over. Hopefully, this will be my last peak season. I am working hard at the real estate profession and it looks like it is only a matter of time before I have enough regular income to allow me to quit.
That will be a good day.
I hope that all of you have a great holiday weekend with family and friends. I know that I will.
WH
12.21.2006
My Demented Dog
Lily is A Spaz
This is a clip of my hound mix. She was adopted and had NO personality. She has come into her own as you can plainly see.
Here she is seen rolling on her back and chewing her "squeaky".
WH
This is a clip of my hound mix. She was adopted and had NO personality. She has come into her own as you can plainly see.
Here she is seen rolling on her back and chewing her "squeaky".
WH
12.16.2006
The Fruitcake Lady
It's the Fruitcake Lady
This lady has passed on but I have to say that she gives advice that many would like to have the balls to give.
WH
This lady has passed on but I have to say that she gives advice that many would like to have the balls to give.
WH
My Daughter, The College Student
My daughter, Jessie, just received her acceptance to The University of Georgia so she will be attending in the Fall.
This was her first and, really, only choice for college so she is very excited that she was accepted and knows what she will be doing in the Fall. She is off for the Christmas break from high school and doesn't have to be back at school until after the new year. She will be relaxing and working at the restaurant as hostess.
We are so proud of her and are looking forward to the next giant step in her life.
WH
This was her first and, really, only choice for college so she is very excited that she was accepted and knows what she will be doing in the Fall. She is off for the Christmas break from high school and doesn't have to be back at school until after the new year. She will be relaxing and working at the restaurant as hostess.
We are so proud of her and are looking forward to the next giant step in her life.
WH
12.12.2006
My Daughter The Artist/Writer
This is a picture (sorry about the flash) of a painting that my daughter has done. More than the artwork is the text itself. She is a really good writer and has a way of expressing her thoughts that is concise and emotive.
Have a look:
"Jessie's Painting"
WH
Have a look:
"Jessie's Painting"
WH
12.09.2006
Brandon Hits It Out of The Park
One of the blogs that I read is Bad Christian. Brandon expresses much of what I feel and think and he can put it into words that I wish I had said. His post today was particularly insightful.
Have a read - What's A Disciple Really
Maybe tomorrow, when those of us who have a church we attend, attend, we should ask these questions and look into this mirror. We may not like what we find.
WH
Have a read - What's A Disciple Really
Maybe tomorrow, when those of us who have a church we attend, attend, we should ask these questions and look into this mirror. We may not like what we find.
WH
12.07.2006
Well There's a F***ing Newsflash
It took James Baker, a few others on the commission, and a rising tide of unhappy people to declare that "we need a new approach". Un-freaking believable!
Bush: "we need a new approach" on Iraq:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Thursday that a new approach was required on Iraq, one day after a scathing report by the Iraq Study Group called for changing U.S. strategy.
Here's a link to Michael Yon's blog and a commentary from Joe Galloway - Duh! He states what is clear and concise. He covers his points quickly and he can, if you take the time to read other items he has written, back up what he says with a tremendous grasp of history, military tactics, and political understanding.
Politically I am a fiscal Republican and a social Democrat BUT the past few years have shown that both parties have strayed from the course that they founded their agendas upon. Somehow, there needs to be a third political party that can actually make a difference and get enough numbers to sway the Congress and Senate to do the job of actually taking care of the country and not covering their own asses.
That being said, my heart goes out to all who have family, or who have lost family, in this seemingly unending fiasco in the Middle East. Every time I hear about a death of a military member I dread the knock at our door and the door of my son's new wife. The fact that the knock hasn't taken place here does not minimize the fact that someone's door is being knocked on by sharply dressed bearers of unimaginable news.
Keep your head down Jason. I love you.
WH
Bush: "we need a new approach" on Iraq:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Thursday that a new approach was required on Iraq, one day after a scathing report by the Iraq Study Group called for changing U.S. strategy.
Here's a link to Michael Yon's blog and a commentary from Joe Galloway - Duh! He states what is clear and concise. He covers his points quickly and he can, if you take the time to read other items he has written, back up what he says with a tremendous grasp of history, military tactics, and political understanding.
Politically I am a fiscal Republican and a social Democrat BUT the past few years have shown that both parties have strayed from the course that they founded their agendas upon. Somehow, there needs to be a third political party that can actually make a difference and get enough numbers to sway the Congress and Senate to do the job of actually taking care of the country and not covering their own asses.
That being said, my heart goes out to all who have family, or who have lost family, in this seemingly unending fiasco in the Middle East. Every time I hear about a death of a military member I dread the knock at our door and the door of my son's new wife. The fact that the knock hasn't taken place here does not minimize the fact that someone's door is being knocked on by sharply dressed bearers of unimaginable news.
Keep your head down Jason. I love you.
WH
12.06.2006
Sad and Tragic end to a Great Man's Life
You can read the story at the link below. James Kim was a devoted and committed father and husband. He left them for one reason only - to find help for his family.
The search for James Kim ends: roundup The body of CNET editor has been found, authorities said Wednesday.
Heartfelt thanks go out toward an entire community of law enforcement, search and rescue, and even a company who rerouted their satellite to scan the terrain that James was lost in.
I am sorry for friends and family and my prayers are certainly with is wife and kids.
WH
The search for James Kim ends: roundup The body of CNET editor has been found, authorities said Wednesday.
Heartfelt thanks go out toward an entire community of law enforcement, search and rescue, and even a company who rerouted their satellite to scan the terrain that James was lost in.
I am sorry for friends and family and my prayers are certainly with is wife and kids.
WH
11.26.2006
Weekend Over
Well, the end of the Thanksgiving Holiday is here and I have finalized preparations for work in the morning - that is 3 a.m. in the morning.
This has been a VERY relaxing weekend - family, fun, food, serving, crosswords, reading, football, etc.
For those of you in the shipping business - hang on to your butts. This season, like the last 5, looks to set all sorts of records for online shopping. That means MORE shipped packages than last year. I'll come up for air the week after Christmas.
WH
This has been a VERY relaxing weekend - family, fun, food, serving, crosswords, reading, football, etc.
For those of you in the shipping business - hang on to your butts. This season, like the last 5, looks to set all sorts of records for online shopping. That means MORE shipped packages than last year. I'll come up for air the week after Christmas.
WH
11.23.2006
It Is About Giving
Jessie, Jen, and I went downtown to One Table - a community-wide Thanksgiving meal that invites anyone and everyone to eat a Thanksgiving meal. Especially important are the people who cannot afford the meal or are unable to prepare the traditional dinner.
The three of us actually delivered meals to 8 people in a nearby city. These folks are shut-ins or just lonely and have no family to eat with. The people we delivered to were very appreciative of the meals.
The first house was an older man who insisted on taking all of the food - a loaf of bread, and two styrofoam meal containers: one with the hot food and the other with cranberry sauce and dessert. We had expected to go in and chat. he would have nothing of that.
The next stop was a small apartment complex. A small elderly woman was sweeping her porch and said as we got out of the car, "I thought that you were going to come yesterday." We brought the food in and she said "thank you and happy thanksgiving." We then went two doors down and dropped off another meal. The man who answered the door was obviously spending the day with the person who we brought the food for - that was a short stop too.
Family filled the next home we arrived at. A happy place with thanksgiving preparations already underway. The woman we went to see was being visited by sisters, brothers, daughters, grands and great grands. They were obviously a close family and actually invited us to stay. Cool. We had other homes to visit and were on our way. I was happy for the elderly woman. Family is what the holidays are about. Being alone would suck.
The stops continued. A middle aged son and daughter, both in motorized wheelchairs, and their mother were in the apartment. A single, thankful elderly lady was at the next house.
Our last visit was the most interesting and saddest. Jen told me the name of the man and it was the same name of a group of grocery stores in the area. Coincidence? We found out that this was, in fact, the same man who owned the stores. That was the interesting part. The sad part was that he told us about his 7 children, 5 sons and 2 daughters, and none of them were there. On the fridge were pictures of grandkids and children but they were absent. In fact he said that his daughter was managing one the the area stores today.
I thought of Harry Chapin's song "Cats in the Cradle" and was thankful for my wife and daughter who were with me in the car. We are family. We were doing something for others. We have memories of this year.
WH
The three of us actually delivered meals to 8 people in a nearby city. These folks are shut-ins or just lonely and have no family to eat with. The people we delivered to were very appreciative of the meals.
The first house was an older man who insisted on taking all of the food - a loaf of bread, and two styrofoam meal containers: one with the hot food and the other with cranberry sauce and dessert. We had expected to go in and chat. he would have nothing of that.
The next stop was a small apartment complex. A small elderly woman was sweeping her porch and said as we got out of the car, "I thought that you were going to come yesterday." We brought the food in and she said "thank you and happy thanksgiving." We then went two doors down and dropped off another meal. The man who answered the door was obviously spending the day with the person who we brought the food for - that was a short stop too.
Family filled the next home we arrived at. A happy place with thanksgiving preparations already underway. The woman we went to see was being visited by sisters, brothers, daughters, grands and great grands. They were obviously a close family and actually invited us to stay. Cool. We had other homes to visit and were on our way. I was happy for the elderly woman. Family is what the holidays are about. Being alone would suck.
The stops continued. A middle aged son and daughter, both in motorized wheelchairs, and their mother were in the apartment. A single, thankful elderly lady was at the next house.
Our last visit was the most interesting and saddest. Jen told me the name of the man and it was the same name of a group of grocery stores in the area. Coincidence? We found out that this was, in fact, the same man who owned the stores. That was the interesting part. The sad part was that he told us about his 7 children, 5 sons and 2 daughters, and none of them were there. On the fridge were pictures of grandkids and children but they were absent. In fact he said that his daughter was managing one the the area stores today.
I thought of Harry Chapin's song "Cats in the Cradle" and was thankful for my wife and daughter who were with me in the car. We are family. We were doing something for others. We have memories of this year.
WH
11.22.2006
Thanksgiving Weekend
This is a LONG sought after break. My work week at UPS usually ends on Friday. I don't get to relax completely since we have group that night at 7 p.m. So...today was the end of my workweek on a Wednesday and I don't have to be ANYWHERE at all tonight.
So I am "cubbied" in the house. In fact I told Jen that the only reason that I was going out of the house today was if the freaking thing caught on fire, and even then...
The whole house is full of great smells: lentil soup, a pot of coffee, a pumpkin candle. The fact that the weather outside is rainy and cold makes it all the more appropriate. It's wonderful to think about relaxing for the next few days: movies, reading, football, family, ritual, a holiday constant.
I know that it has been WEEKS since a post and I apologize. There are a number of boring reasons for this, so I will not go into them. Thanks for your patience.
Oops, I'm off to tend to the soup and start the crossword puzzle from the weekend.
I hope that your holiday weekend (those who are reading this who have one) is enjoyable.
WH
So I am "cubbied" in the house. In fact I told Jen that the only reason that I was going out of the house today was if the freaking thing caught on fire, and even then...
The whole house is full of great smells: lentil soup, a pot of coffee, a pumpkin candle. The fact that the weather outside is rainy and cold makes it all the more appropriate. It's wonderful to think about relaxing for the next few days: movies, reading, football, family, ritual, a holiday constant.
I know that it has been WEEKS since a post and I apologize. There are a number of boring reasons for this, so I will not go into them. Thanks for your patience.
Oops, I'm off to tend to the soup and start the crossword puzzle from the weekend.
I hope that your holiday weekend (those who are reading this who have one) is enjoyable.
WH
10.31.2006
Getting Chunks Checked
One of the things that I am always reluctant to do is go to a specialist doctor. First, getting the appointment is a bit of a pain since I have to go through my PPO, paying that co-pay, and basically saying to him, "I have to go to a specialist, can you get me a referral?" He says, "yes" and then calls and makes the appointment, which is usually 6 months away.
In this case, thankfully, it was only 3 months. I am going to see my dermatologist this afternoon. The last time I went I had three "areas of concern". He took pictures and then we were scheduled to cut those babies out. My previous insurance sucked. It had a ridiculous deductible. When I went back to get the moles removed I asked how much it would cost to get the three done and the doc said "$700.00".
I left with the growths still intact. Then when I went to Charleston to start the doctors office. I had the docs there remove and get pathology on two of three - negative for baddies (cancer and such).
I still have one left that was on the hit list and am in need of a check up. AND I have GREAT insurance and will be glad to get him to cut away. I may even get some microderm abrasion:)
Off I go...
WH
In this case, thankfully, it was only 3 months. I am going to see my dermatologist this afternoon. The last time I went I had three "areas of concern". He took pictures and then we were scheduled to cut those babies out. My previous insurance sucked. It had a ridiculous deductible. When I went back to get the moles removed I asked how much it would cost to get the three done and the doc said "$700.00".
I left with the growths still intact. Then when I went to Charleston to start the doctors office. I had the docs there remove and get pathology on two of three - negative for baddies (cancer and such).
I still have one left that was on the hit list and am in need of a check up. AND I have GREAT insurance and will be glad to get him to cut away. I may even get some microderm abrasion:)
Off I go...
WH
10.29.2006
Proudest Dad Award Goes to ME!
This past Saturday the South Aiken girls cross country team won an unprecedented 6th straight regional championship. The girls showed an amazing amount of heart and courage. This course was a bitch. The first picture is the uphill that they had to climb twice. This was the middle stage of the uphill. It was probably 1/4 mile or longer and went up 1000' feet.
Uphill
Giving Your All
Above are some of the girls after finishing. They were spent. Having pushed through pain and the demons in their heads. Jessie was disheartened since she finished 16th. The top 15 finishers get All-Region, and that was one of her goals this year. Poo.
But as the things in life work out she was the one who actually won the district crown for the team by finishing in that spot. One place less and there would have been a different outcome. So in complete contrast to the entire concept that running distance is all about running for yourself, Jessie's race actually garnered the team trophy. The picture below shows the reward...
Reward
Do your best. The rest will come.
WH
Uphill
Giving Your All
Above are some of the girls after finishing. They were spent. Having pushed through pain and the demons in their heads. Jessie was disheartened since she finished 16th. The top 15 finishers get All-Region, and that was one of her goals this year. Poo.
But as the things in life work out she was the one who actually won the district crown for the team by finishing in that spot. One place less and there would have been a different outcome. So in complete contrast to the entire concept that running distance is all about running for yourself, Jessie's race actually garnered the team trophy. The picture below shows the reward...
Reward
Do your best. The rest will come.
WH
10.12.2006
This Is The Reason I Love My Kids
10.07.2006
Hanging Around The House
Yeah! Incredibly Jen, Jessie, and I all have an easy Saturday today. No big plans that require us to BE anywhere. I cannot remember the last time that this was the case. I think that we are all looking forward to hang out time.
I plan on doing some basic yard work and puttering around the house in the morning and watching some sports in the afternoon. We may go and see a friend play tonight a R. Gabriels in Augusta, GA and have dinner beforehand.
Jen and Jessie are going to D.C. Sunday - Tuesday for The Peace Within Reach lobby for the Invisible Children of Uganda. I will be staying here doing the UPS thing, real estate and taking care of the doggies.
Final note. The display of forgiveness and mercy shown by the Amish community in the past days has been confounding to both the media and those looking on. Yet...it proves the point that the Amish are demonstrating. If you live a life of forgiving and being forgiven you can have peace. This disturbed man killed these girls and himself because he could not forgive himself or receive forgiveness for something that he had done 20 years before. The only way to take the power to destroy out of his actions is to forgive him. The redemptive act of going to his family and forgiving them and letting them know that the Amish families affected by this tragedy hold no grudges is THE MOST powerful thing that can happen and is really the only hope that they have in moving on with their lives.
Stunning. Bewildering. Lifegiving.
WH
I plan on doing some basic yard work and puttering around the house in the morning and watching some sports in the afternoon. We may go and see a friend play tonight a R. Gabriels in Augusta, GA and have dinner beforehand.
Jen and Jessie are going to D.C. Sunday - Tuesday for The Peace Within Reach lobby for the Invisible Children of Uganda. I will be staying here doing the UPS thing, real estate and taking care of the doggies.
Final note. The display of forgiveness and mercy shown by the Amish community in the past days has been confounding to both the media and those looking on. Yet...it proves the point that the Amish are demonstrating. If you live a life of forgiving and being forgiven you can have peace. This disturbed man killed these girls and himself because he could not forgive himself or receive forgiveness for something that he had done 20 years before. The only way to take the power to destroy out of his actions is to forgive him. The redemptive act of going to his family and forgiving them and letting them know that the Amish families affected by this tragedy hold no grudges is THE MOST powerful thing that can happen and is really the only hope that they have in moving on with their lives.
Stunning. Bewildering. Lifegiving.
WH
10.05.2006
Ok Already
It's pretty bad when my sister has to email me and ask why I haven't posted to this blog since September 18th. So, sis, thanks for the prod.
Here goes...
I'm busy as shit. I am still at UPS (working from 4 am - 9:30 am) weekdays. I get home, shower, read the papers and head off to the realty office. I am learning, researching, showing properties, etc. We are pretty busy these days in spite of the "slump" in housing. My client base grows each week and it will be a few more months before I feel comfortable. I start classes on October 14th for more real estate. I am going to get my final sales class so I can get my full license.
Additionally, Jessie is running cross country and we attend her meets - she ran her new personal record yesterday 21:46 for a 5k. She is improving each meet.
The Evening of Miracles Gala is coming up on October 20th so we are ramping up for that. I am chairing the committee and Jen is in charge of the auction items - silent and live auction. We drive to Columbia for each meeting and have two meetings in 3 days next weekend.
Candace, Jason's wife has been with us for a few days as she is on the way to Alabama so she can stay with her family while Jason is in Iraq. It's always great to have her here and we are glad to have her in the family.
Anyway, I will try and post more often. I really have no excuse since I have time for other things.
Peace.
WH
Here goes...
I'm busy as shit. I am still at UPS (working from 4 am - 9:30 am) weekdays. I get home, shower, read the papers and head off to the realty office. I am learning, researching, showing properties, etc. We are pretty busy these days in spite of the "slump" in housing. My client base grows each week and it will be a few more months before I feel comfortable. I start classes on October 14th for more real estate. I am going to get my final sales class so I can get my full license.
Additionally, Jessie is running cross country and we attend her meets - she ran her new personal record yesterday 21:46 for a 5k. She is improving each meet.
The Evening of Miracles Gala is coming up on October 20th so we are ramping up for that. I am chairing the committee and Jen is in charge of the auction items - silent and live auction. We drive to Columbia for each meeting and have two meetings in 3 days next weekend.
Candace, Jason's wife has been with us for a few days as she is on the way to Alabama so she can stay with her family while Jason is in Iraq. It's always great to have her here and we are glad to have her in the family.
Anyway, I will try and post more often. I really have no excuse since I have time for other things.
Peace.
WH
9.18.2006
Getting Involved At The Office
I have finally started "doing the stuff" in the real estate office here is Aiken and I find that I actually like what I am doing...initially. I say that guardedly. It may change over time but there are some obvious benefits that I am already enjoying.
There are other benefits but right now I have to get to my FIRST closing. Later...
WH
- There is an actual FINISH to things. I am a fairly goal driven person. I like seeing things checked off of the To-Do list. Finding sellers and buyers for property and getting to the closing, sealing the deal, and getting compensated for that has finality. You close the folder and move on. Needless to say working at UPS is the exact opposite. You are only as good as that day's numbers. This morning we unloaded 13,000 packages in a little over 3.5 hours. I will find out how we did in the morning. Let's say that we blew off the doors and ran GREAT numbers. It means NOTHING for the next day. It's like chasing the carrot (or your own tail). I like real estate so far since there is a series of finalities.
- Self-discipline - I like being self motivated. I like the idea that I am the one who decides how hard I work and just how successful I can be - depending on how I define success. I haven't needed people to follow me around and check up on me and tell me what and how to do life for some time now. This career seems to fit my personality better than the big corporate mindset.
- Flexibility - While it is true that you have to be ready when your clients are, there is also a benefit in having a partner so that I can do things that I really enjoy - referee or coach soccer, backpack, workout, etc.
There are other benefits but right now I have to get to my FIRST closing. Later...
WH
9.14.2006
The Mongoose In The Drain
I mentioned that I had to clear the bathtub drain last week. Symptom was SLOWWWW draining. I tried some drain cleaner to no avail so the only options were to call a plumber or attack the offending clog solo.
I chose solo as I can always call a plumber:)
Employing my usual handyman technique I "Googled" tub drains and found our style. Taking off the drain I reached down the drain and grabbed some obvious strands of hair which were hooked over the cross support in the drain. As I pulled a WHOLE clump ripped out. It was about 10 inches long and foul smelling.
Notice I said "ripped". That meant that there was more in there. I couldn't get a plier or even a screwdriver down there to hook the offending culprit so I retrieved the small snake from the garage. Proceeding to insert the end in the drain I twisted the snake a few times and started to pull.
I was met with great resistance. I pulled HARDER and made progress inch by inch. As the end of the snake started to come out of the drain I almost threw up. It was a matted mess of hair that was about 1/2 inch thick. I continued to pull and I saw a rubber band in the matted mess. It took some time but eventually the mass was out.
I thought about taking a picture AFTER it was in the trash and just couldn't bring myself to get it back out of the plastic shopping bag I had tied it in.
The whole thing was about 14 inches long, moldy, stinky, and putrid. It looked like a dead mongoose - albeit a small one.
I'm glad that I didn't call a plumber since I am cheap. But I am still fighting the images in my head of the fetid mass.
WH
I chose solo as I can always call a plumber:)
Employing my usual handyman technique I "Googled" tub drains and found our style. Taking off the drain I reached down the drain and grabbed some obvious strands of hair which were hooked over the cross support in the drain. As I pulled a WHOLE clump ripped out. It was about 10 inches long and foul smelling.
Notice I said "ripped". That meant that there was more in there. I couldn't get a plier or even a screwdriver down there to hook the offending culprit so I retrieved the small snake from the garage. Proceeding to insert the end in the drain I twisted the snake a few times and started to pull.
I was met with great resistance. I pulled HARDER and made progress inch by inch. As the end of the snake started to come out of the drain I almost threw up. It was a matted mess of hair that was about 1/2 inch thick. I continued to pull and I saw a rubber band in the matted mess. It took some time but eventually the mass was out.
I thought about taking a picture AFTER it was in the trash and just couldn't bring myself to get it back out of the plastic shopping bag I had tied it in.
The whole thing was about 14 inches long, moldy, stinky, and putrid. It looked like a dead mongoose - albeit a small one.
I'm glad that I didn't call a plumber since I am cheap. But I am still fighting the images in my head of the fetid mass.
WH
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