Back during freshman year at Brigham Young University, I had a roommate who, when she showered, would put any hair that fell out on the shower wall. At first, I thought that was pretty disgusting (No offense! You know I love you!) but after a while, I realized that the idea had merit. She was doing her part, as one of six girls, not to clog the shower drain. I'm sure the drain still got clogged multiple times due to the rest of us, but we could never point fingers at her!

Later on, I recall having a discussion about people putting hair on the walls in the shower. I think the other people I talked to about it also found it gross. But by that time, I was hooked. I just put my hair on the side of the shower wall while I'm showering and then afterwards throw it away. I'm telling you - it's great! You definitely have fewer problems with drainage... or so I thought.

So Dan and I have been living in the same apartment in on-campus family housing for the past two years. During that time, we have never clogged the shower drain. NEVER. I would like to think that it's all thanks to a handy tip I learned from my roommate back in the day. But just this past week or two, our tub has been getting clogged. Slowly, but surely, clogged. It would always eventually drain, but it took forever. This Sunday is was so bad that we decided something must be done, but we weren't about to do it ourselves, so we reported the problem to maintenance first thing on Monday (one of very few perks associated w/ renting). Apparently they came yesterday. Dan came home from school and called me at work "Uh, Kristen... maintenance came and unplugged our drain. They left the remains in the toilet. Do you want me to save it for you to see?" My response, "Heck, yes!" I couldn't wait to see. At 5 o'clock, I flew out of work and ran to the bathroom of our apartment to see this:

****[PICTURE REMOVED DUE TO EMBARASSMENT FROM THE AUTHORS. Just picture a toilet with a huge HUGE nasty hairball that is disgusting. If you would like to see the actual image, please email one of the authors. We will send it to you upon request.]***

So much for doing my part to keep our drain from clogging! This thing was massively disgusting! I couldn't believe that maintenance decided to put it in our toilet, no less! But there it was in all of its glory. We were afraid to flush the toilet for fear that it would clog that, too, but it went down pretty smoothly. (Dan's note: Since this is family housing, and we already have no lack of our predecessors' hairs clear-coated to our floor, I wouldn't be surprised if some of this hairball was made before we moved in.)

Just wanted to share. And here are a few pictures of our pumpkins.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We've got a gross post coming, so be on the lookout.

Yesterday was the ward Trunk or Treat. Earlier this week, Dan gave me a $20 spending limit for costumes and told me that he would wear whatever I brought home. SWEET! Here's what I picked out:

Angels. This was probably the only time I'll ever get Dan to wear furry, glittery wings and a headband. But the bonus was it only cost $12! And I'm sure our future children will get some good use out of them. But unlike daddy, only the girls. There were some other really great costumes and the chili and cornbread were fabulous. I made my mom's Agoura First Ward Chili Cook-off winning recipe, but it brought me no such luck.

After the dinner, the kids had a trunk or treat in the parking lot. Dan and I created a cardbaord wall to cover the trunk once it was open so that Dan could lay inside our car and hand out candy from holes cut in the cardboard.

Most of the kids liked it. We only made one child cry. (This picture doesn't do it justice. I used the flash.) So kids walked up to the holes and said, "Trick or treat" and this bloody hand would reach out with a piece of candy. Many kids were too afraid to take it. We made the older kids stick their hands in there and once they did, Dan would grab it and growl. Good times. Dan even scared the bishop's wife pretty bad... We're saving the cardboard for next year. The people of Houston don't know what's comin'.

And an aside - I just finished reading Ender's Game. Aside from the fact that it's science fiction and for children ages 10 and up, I REALLY liked it. Ender is now in contention with Bear for future boy's names.

This week has been pretty fabulous - aside from work and school. So pretty much just Friday through Sunday have been fabulous, but that's good, too! Friday Dan and I headed out to the Virginia State Fair in Richmond.
Much to our excitement, there was a demolition derby that night! I had my eye on the Master of Disaster. In his heat, he came out victorious. Dan picked the car that ended up flipping over. What can I say, I've got an eye for winners (hence marrying Dan, right?). I guess that means that Dan doesn't... but only when it comes to demo. cars.

So we watched the demo derby for a while and then went to a lot of animal tents. I felt bad for the pigs (read the sign above them)

and was astonished to see a chicken with hairy feet. Who knew? This chicken is more like that huge one from Seinfeld that fights Little Jerry.

At the end of the night, I wanted to try either some fried oreos or a fried candy bar but the oreos were too expensive and the candy bars were sold out. Has anyone every tried them before? How are they? I think I'm going to have to look up a recipe online and give it a try. Most definitely. Let me know if you want an in on that.

Saturday, my dad and I took pictures of my sister and her fiance, Craig, for their announcements. Some of them turned out pretty cute. I love to take pictures and was excited to be able to help. In exchange, they brought me a huge tub of my favorite thing in the world (aside from Dan and Moosetracks ice cream) - Cox's creamed honey from Shelly, Idaho. It is amazing. I'd consider that a fair trade.

And lastly, I've loved spending time with Dan and watching General Conference. I do admit that I fell asleep briefly a few times, but I really loved the talks that were given and love the push that they give me to try and be a better person. Such a wonderful time every 6 months!