Crunchy Tacos, Snickers, Corn on the Cob



The list of things Heathen #1 has not been permitted to eat for 2 years due to his braces.  While there is actually a much larger list, these were the items that he actually missed eating.  For the past two years, when he grumbles about his braces, these are the three items that he claimed he would eat for dinner the day his braces came off.

After two years, that day arrived this past Thursday.  I stopped and bought his two Snickers bars before I even retrieved him from the school.  This is the LAST photo of Heathen #1 with his braces.

The Last "Metallic" Smile

 He still didn't want to smile, but I told him I was holding the Snickers bars as ransom. 

An hour later, he was back in the car, the proud owner of retainers and two Snickers bars. 

Look how STRAIGHT!!!

We drove from the dentist's office straight to Taco Bell, where Heathen #1 happily ate crunchy tacos for lunch.  He wriggled in his seat like a puppy the entire time he ate!

The corn on the cob is in the fridge...

I thought the braces coming off would mean an end to dentist phone calls (knocking a bracket off, etc.)  But I was wrong.  He got the retainers on Thursday.  Saturday afternoon, I was informed that the retainers are too loose and he needs to have them tightened.

So I called the dentist....

A Corpse and a Resurrection

The Zoo only functions when the Zookeeper is running on all pistons.  The fuel for this model happens to be CAFFEINE - to which anyone who lives near me can attest.  See Zookeeper, see coffee cup in hand (usually from the Coffee Gods at Sheetz!).

The filling station at the Zoo has been "wonky" for the past few weeks.  The LED clock on the front would strangely get dim, but then turn bright again.  No trouble - could care less if the clock works.  It is the ON button that concerns me.

Sometimes when pushed, the ON button would stay "on" and make fuel.  Other times, the ON button would click back "off" and nothing would happen.  Which means I would arrive at the station with coffee cup in hand to find NOTHING. 

After two weeks of playing this game, I'd had ENOUGH.  On the station's last morning, I thought I was going to burst into tears.  Even holding the ON button "on," it was clicking right back off.  After watching me fuss for several minutes and whine in the kitchen, Heathen #1 calmly walked over to the refrigerator and wrote on the shopping list "coffee machine."  Then he brought the list over to where I was whining in front of the machine and said, "Look, Mom.  It will be okay."

Sadly enough, all three Heathens eagerly helped me shop for a new coffee maker.  They know what makes the Zoo run!  They spent quite a bit of time reading boxes and arguing cases for different machines while the Asst. Zookeeper watched us as though we were all crazy.  

Corpse (left) and the Resurrection (right)

 To the Corpse: You served me well for many years.  I can't begin to count the number of cups you brewed.  Thank you.

To the Resurrection:  You have a very large spot on the counter to fill.  Be diligent and speedy in your work.  You have assumed a great responsibility.  Best of luck!