In the Dog House

Tess is in the dog house.

On Wednesday I was sitting on the couch down in the basement, looking at something on my laptop.  I've done this a million times before, with no problems whatsoever.  Everything was fine until

*WHACK*

Tess hit the screen with one of her beaded necklaces.  The monitor suddenly had a rather large white strip running vertically through it.  I hoped and prayed that the age old cure of rebooting the computer would help, but I was pretty sure it wouldn't.  I was right.  It was broken.

Although the laptop was only a few weeks old, the warranty surprisingly did not cover toddler accessory sneak attacks.  So yesterday I paid $46 to have it shipped back to the manufacturer for repairs.  The repairs will probably cost around $200.  Acer graciously pays for the return shipping.  And all of this will take around 3-4 weeks, due to the holidays and such.

While I know this isn't the end of the world, and I feel incredibly lucky to still have a laptop that mostly works, I'm still pretty ticked.  This is why I am making Tess get a job so she can pay me back.  You might think that 19 month olds can't do much, but Tess has a pretty impressive skill set.

For example, just today she has started eating at the table with us.  (No more high chair taking up half the kitchen.  Hooray!)  She's wicked fast when it comes to clearing the table by removing table cloths, with or without food and plates on the table.

She has the uncanny ability to wake up and cry like the devil whenever you have a few minutes to lay down and take a rest, which would really only lead you down the road to laziness.

Tess can find the grossest piece of old food/lint/mystery dirt on the floor and immediately clean it up - with her mouth.

She's also pretty great at finding any sort of liquid on your kitchen floor - no matter where it is or how small - and informing you of it by slipping.

Tess is also a recent champ at blowing her nose - without a tissue.  Why waste a tissue when you have a perfectly good sleeve?

This girl is also an awesome hugger and kisser.  Granted, the hugging usually comes with a bonked head, and the kisses generally involve a tongue on your cheek.  Still, she's the best at it.

So anyway, if you're in need of any of these services, let me know.  She'll get the job done (eventually) and she'll work for cheap!