quality control

This week, a line from Happy Gilmore has been running through my head: "I didn't *break* it. I was merely testing it's durability." Let's just say the kids have been *testing the durability* of more things around the house than usual lately. Here are the latest results:

Cassette tape: The tape is really easy to break, but that's not fun. The fun part is pulling all the tape out. Then, it is such a tangled mess that it will inevitably break when mom tries to fix it.

VHS tape: The tape in these is harder to get at and harder to snap, but it can be done.

Sterilite clear plastic storage containers: These are the cheapest things on the planet. We never get tired of breaking them. They make pretty good boats, but if you flip them upside down and jump on them, they crack really easily.

Bike horns: These are pretty hard to break while on the bike, but if you abuse them and mom takes them away for a week, and you can convince her not to put them back on the bikes, but let you keep them in your bike basket, then there is no end to the ways you can find to shatter the cheap plastic.

Enameled roasting pan: If you bang it on the floor, it's pretty durable, but if you climb up on the table and throw it on the floor, the pan will dent, achieving the desired effect of chipping the enamel.

Bathroom sink faucet handle: If you slam-slam-slam the water off hard enough, you can shear the bolt that connects the porcelain lever to the handle. Really.

Yes, I am learning detachment. Today, in particular, I was reminded in my morning prayer, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroy, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." Matthew 6:19-21. along with the First Reading and Psalm from Mass today.