The Great Copper Heist, The Great Ear Infection of 2010 and the return of No Nap McGarr

Wow, is it already 2011! That must have been 2010 flying past me as I drove home today. As you can tell we haven't posted much this fall. Which brings us to the topics of this post... the Great Copper Heist of 2010, the Great Ear Infection of 2010 and the return of No Nap McGarr. All quite notable and intense in our history books, although they didn't make the evening news.

So have you heard in the news lately that thieves are stealing copper from businesses? Seems like a crazy thing to do for a little copper. Seems like it would be a major hassle. Seems like it only happens to other people. Well true on all accounts except for the last part. As a reminder Shay and I became slumlords in May of 2010, purchasing a small office park that has 7 small office houses with about 9 tenants.

Shay and I had planned a little adult getaway to Vegas. Flights, hotel, Garth Brooks, the O show, facials, were all booked and ready to go. All we had to do was drop the kids off.... but then the Text of 2010 came. That would be the text from one of our funnier tenants at Pin Oak Centre that stated 'there is a minor electrical emergency at POC.' Minor? Yeah, ok.

When thieves take copper from businesses they essentially cut the copper wire at the curb where it comes down from the transformer. Then they cut it again near the meter banks. Then they tie it to a car and pull the copper out of the ground. Which is exactly what happened to us... except our neighbors trash (Chick Fil A) gets picked up at 2am and scared these jokers off. So when Shay arrived on the scene at 8isham, the copper was still there but was now laying in the grass rather than underground. Fast forward through constables, overpaid security consultants, electricians, more constables, more electricians, cancelled flights, hotel, show tickets, $$$$$ (thank goodness for insurance!)... and at midnight that night the power was restored to the property. Sigh. We learned a great deal from this. How thieves think, that copper is indeed valuable and that Texas constables are just looking for a reason to shoot.

Then there is the Great Ear Infection. You see Cullen has had pretty much a never ending ear infection since 9 months old, even with tubes. In August 2010, the ear infection came back. Weekly ENT visits, 8 oral antibiotics, 2 ear drop antibiotics, staph, 2 staph fighting oral drugs and new tubes later brought us to October 2010. Then came fungus. Apparently when you have antibiotics in your system for 10 weeks, they no longer work and fungus has an open invite. Good times. So Cullen basically had what looked like a black fuzzy caterpillar growing in his ear. Every week the ENT would pull it out. Charming. Nevertheless our ENT prevailed with a little pixie dust in the ear and Cullen's Thanksgiving present was to no longer have to visit the ENT on Wednesday afternoons.  And through it all, he was his normal, happy-patient-tough-as-nails self. Once again we are truly thankful that he makes it so easy on us.

About 3.5 years ago I met a little boy I called No Nap McGarr. He absolutely refused to nap. At all. Which led to lots of happy afternoons as his lack of sleep presented itself around 5 pm in the form of uncontrollable screaming. Every day. At 5 pm. For months.

Around age 1 this faded away and Brady began taking regular, behavior improving naps. Then Brady turned four. Suffice it to say I have had to 'welcome' the return of No Nap McGarr. Anyone who would like to enjoy it with me can stop by our house around 5:30 pm for some good ol' fashion whining, crying, back talking and defiance. It is truly a pleasure to end each day this way. All are always welcome to come enjoy the show.

~Rebecca