Disgusting. (warning: this post not for weak stomachs)

Okay, what is the nastiest thing you can think of that a mom... or any person... would have to do. Without leaving the confines of her own home. Maybe has something to do with bathrooms? And toilets? I'll bet you have a picture in your mind of what I got to do. And it probably doesn't even come close...

The boys plugged up their toilet again. They do this about once every months or so. And usually a quick plunge will fix the problem. Occasionally however, more drastic methods are required. Mark will plunge as much water down as possible, then he disconnects the toilet and turns it upside down. The snake is then able to pop the object (usually a ball or a mega block turned funny) out through the mouth of the toilet. But that isn't quite as nasty as what I got to do this evening.

For starters, the water wouldn't plunge down. So I had to get a pitcher that I use for pouring water over the boys' heads in the tub, and scoop as much water out as possible. That only got me so far. I donned my trusty nitrile gloves ( I use for all sorts of nasty little jobs, their great!) and grabbed a small cup. That got rid of some more of the water. (And yes, I have thrown both the pitcher and the cup away.) Okay, most of the water is gone at this point, so I brace myself... and reach in. (EW, GROSS) Aha! It feels like a ball. Full of air and floating on top of the water at a pipe bend just at the reach of my fingertips. But because it is full of air, I cannot drag it down into the water to pull it through the pipes! It is acting as a float and pops out of my fingers when I try to grab it. I have to take more water out.

Off comes the glove. At this point I am seriously mad at this stupid little ball. This is disgusting, one of the low points in my job as mother, and I am determined to win this war. Using the glove, I fill and empty it several times into the pitcher to lower the water level. Back on with the glove, try to grab ball. Off with the glove, siphon out water... Repeat several times. Finally I can see the darn ball, but still cannot convince it to come out. Almost all the water is gone, but I resort to scooping most of the remaining water by hand and flinging it into the waiting pitcher. I am finally able to grab enough of the ball and work my fingers around to the back, and pop it out! Yes!

It is at this point that I come back to my senses and realize that I have toilet water from my fingertips to my elbows and almost to my shirtsleeve. ACK! Flinging the ball into the trash, I ran to my bathroom and scrubbed my arms most thoroughly, and then took a really scrubby shower. The door has been shut and the bathroom will be sterilised at the first possible oppertunity!

But hey, at least I got the darn thing unplugged...