Washer malfunction

Our washer is on the blitz. It's a Frigidaire Gallery. We bought it in 1998, just after we got married. We have been nursing it along for the last 5 years (only went 5 years without trouble). It is a front-loader. The pump has been replaced twice, two different springs a total of three times, the door hinge once. Well, now it's leaking water underneath, which probably means the pump again, or something to do with the drain (perhaps it's clogged). I have yet to tell the man of the house. I cringe to think of him trying to fix it yet again! I think it's time for a new one. Maybe I should start doing the research. Anyone know the latest and greatest front-loader washer? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Or I can always sign up for Consumer Reports and read their "secret" research studies for members only. And I guess we should probably stay away from Frigidaire considering our past experiences.

We've been going to our swimming lessons all week. N is jumping off the diving board. A is jumping in (and going under). She still has a crush on her teacher. "Maybe my teacher will say my hair looks nice." (He said it once, his mistake). "My teacher throws me way up in the air." This will be his last class. He is going back to NY on Tuesday where he attends college. Tomorrow is their last day of this session. So it will be goodbye time. I'm sure there will be plenty of sad faces.

Yesterday after swimming I decided to swing by the playground for some physical activity (not for me, for the kids). With the weather so hot, and the kids home for the summer and not able to play outside, I noticed they get *super* antsy in the afternoons. So I thought maybe we should go to the playground before it heated up. While there, we just happened to run across the M.A.R.S. (Mobile Activity Recreation Services) van. They asked if I'd ever heard of the program (no) and invited us to participate, so I signed up the older two kids and sat back and let them entertain my kids for me. After we arrived, the other (three) kids there left, so I had three adults entertaining my kids. They did a craft, got a snack, got free PC water bottles and "Mike" from Sherwood, Oregon played soccer with my son for 45 minutes. A got to participate because there were no other kids there. All free and compliments of the county of Riverside. Hmmm... so that's where the tax money is going. I guess we'll try to make

it back next Wednesday. They said I didn't have to stay either! Wow, are we talking free child care? Woo hoo!

For dinner last night I took the "easy" way out and we went to Chick-fil-a. (V was working late and I had evening errands to run). We came at 6:30 and were among a handful of guests and got the royal treatment... practically waited on hand and foot by this agreeable (and probably bored)teenage boy. I love it when we get extra-special treatment! Great place too.