Thursday 5 July 2012

Summer "Fun"...Taking out the Garbage




Monday was July 2nd so that meant the start of “Summer Fun” for Riley. First up on the agenda…taking out the garbage and as you can imagine R was most excited…NOT!

<--- Just so ya know our garbage does not resemble this at all!  




The entire time R muttered “I will be grumpy”. This is not to be confused with “I will be cranky”. Although similar and at times interchangeable there is a subtle difference in that grumpy means he is “miserable or not happy” and cranky means he is “irritable or annoyed”.  


I watched as G handed R the bag of garbage and they headed outside. I looked out the window and could see R muttering away. Thankfully I could not hear him. I could see him looking to see if I was watching so I gave him an animated, double thumbs up!!!  He looked quite pleased with himself, had a slight smile on his face and gave me a quick thumbs up back.   




Living on the coast and by the mountains, we are no strangers to raccoons and bears. In order to deter said wildlife we store our cans in this very secure plastic storage bin




Raccoons can be very resourceful.  So for this reason we use a carabiner clip to secure the plastic storage bin. We discovered this only infuriated the bears when we found the storage bin torn apart and garbage scattered all over the driveway. FYI...these particular clips are also not Riley-friendly.


Next you have to contend with the lid and its scientifically-designed hinge system. Unfortunately there is a slight flaw in the design as it will easily lock into place in the open position however closing takes the patience of Job and the touch of a safe-cracker. G wisely chose to demonstrate as opposed to hands-on training for the first go around. 






Upon gaining access to the inner sanctum, R now must deal with the possibility of sensory overload
Note to self: show R how to breathe through his mouth.






Bag 1...complete!  Mission accomplished without meltdown.  First attempt considered a success!  Woooo-hooo!!!

10 comments:

  1. Ha! Good luck, Riley! And you too, Mom! Hope we don't spend all summer being grumpy about this chore. :)

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    1. Oh we have LOTS on the summer schedule for Riley to be "grumpy" or "cranky" about. HA! Think I'm gonna need lots of luck AND lots of wine. =D

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  2. Yeay Riley!! I am fine with all chores but taking the bins to the curb bugs me to no end. ANd that is without locks and racoons...

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    1. I try not to be sexist but garbage is definitely a male chore. ;P

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  3. Woo hoo, way to go Riley! I guess G better not start the "Green Can" collection yet, that would only make double the work and confusion and that would make R grumpy AND cranky.

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    1. OMG...the idea of the "Green Can" makes ME grumpy and cranky!!! Haaahaa.

      Cut us some slack there Auntie Sharon!!! :D

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  4. Definitely a chore I gleefully pass on to the male members of this here tribe. But that is some garbage system you got there. I wonder if it would work on the annoying seagulls that just jump up and down on our tin lids until they fall off, or the can tips over??

    Also, there will be something for you on my blog :)

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    1. Ahhhhh seagulls...they're pretty smart little buggers too. Something that might do the trick before going to our "elaborate garbage system"...bungy cords. They just might do the trick. You're welcome. :)

      Hmmmmm...you piqued my interest. Can't wait to find out Rory! =D

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  5. Yeah working around that crankiness is fun lol Tomorrow we are doing a "science experiment". He loves cleaning products and as seen on tv products. We're going to see which works better. Kaboom, or Magic Eraser.. to get the soap scum off of my shower doors lol

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    1. UGH...soap scum IS.THE.WORST! We have used the Magic eraser but I don't know of Kaboom so instead we go with the noxious Tilex fumes. Yikes. Please let me know your findings. Go Tommy! :)

      D

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