(I wrote this while I wasn’t blogging so it happened about 6 weeks ago.)
Anyone who knows me well, knows I have a thing for cleaning ears. Sadly, several months ago, my ear-cleaning headlamp died a tragic and untimely death. I finally got around to buying a new one yesterday and mass ear-cleaning commenced.
It was obvious that Mr. A had not cleaned his ears in a LONG LONG time. He had sheets of ear wax* nearly obstructing each earhole. My trusty headlamp and I got to work scraping away. I quickly accumulated a pile of ear wax flakes. L has been really helpful lately, so I called her in and said “L, go throw these in the trash.” I put the little pile of wax in her hand and sent her on her way.
About 30 seconds later, L returned. “Um, Mom? Those things you gave me? M ATE them.”
“WHAT?” I said.
“She ATE it.” L repeated.
I called M into the bedroom. “Did you eat that stuff in L’s hand?”
“Yes.” M said. Mr. A and I started to laugh hysterically. Then M started to look worried.
“What was it?” she asked.
Mr. A and I were convulsing on the bed with laughter.
“It was EAR WAX!” L told her.
“Grossss! I thought it was a corn flake!” M said.
“Didn’t it taste funny?” I asked, “You know, like EAR WAX???”
“How would I know what ear wax tastes like? I don’t go around EATING it!” said M, quite indignant.
“Yes you DO!!” said L, which made Mr. A and I laugh even harder.
M does not think eating ear wax is funny at all, in case you were wondering. And
*Mr. A has typical dry, flakey Asian earwax.
BwwwaaaaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!! *deep, gasping breath* BwwwaaaaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!!
omg! Hahaha… This actually made me feel a little ill. I loved ear cleaning time as a child (we’re also Taiwanese). It was pretty much the only time I ever got undivided attention from my mom. But mine wasn’t dry and flakey… it was kinda oily and clumpy. That’s what I was picturing while reading this. Yuck!
OK this is belated, but I just read this: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/29/science/29cnd-ear.html and thought I would share. =)
where do you purchase a ear cleaning headlamp and what do you use to scrape out the ear?
My daughter has horrible stubborn ear wax
It is nothing special. Most recently I picked up a headlamp at target. I think it was in the camping area?
I did not know this about you but I’m the same way! I use a headlamp and thought I was nuts but now that I know there are two of us it doesn’t seem so strange…
What I would really love is an otoscope. I told Mr. A to buy me a used on for xmas, but he was not enthused about a used scope in his ear (or in encouraging my obsession).
I’m still desperatly trying to get one of those sticks you always talk about. Every time I got to Chinatown, i ask them, but they look at me like I’m crazy, like a white woman is not supposed to know about the ear cleaning sticks!
Haha, funny story if your not the one eating it! I have never heard anyone having a thing for ear cleaning, interesting
Hahahahaha I am so happy you wrote that down!
Fixermama – sorry you can’t find the ear cleaning sticks, where I live the Japanese store even sells cute ones with a bunny and frog face on the end! Maybe you can get some online?
Oh I’m laughing and gagging at the same time!!!
ewwwwwwwwwww!!!!!! funny thing is i just got through cleaning out my kids’ ears using my head lamp too! whenever i put it on, captain j asks me if i’m going “mining”. i thought i was a genius when i thought of purchasing one for the exact purpose one day because before that i had a teeny flashlight perched in my mouth. :/
I thought I was the only one obsessed with keeping my family’s ears clean!
Oh Gawd. I am so happy your back. I landed on your blog by accident and low and behold… new posts! And this gem! Thanks the the laugh. Much needed today.