Plastic-Flavored Waffles

Toaster waffles are yummy. I make them every morning for Lily. I just got the blueberry multigrain variety from Trader Joe's. The toaster is kind of a integral part of my morning ritual. I am just not a mommy who gets up on weekday mornings and flips home made pancakes. If I tried that, in my blind pre-coffee stupor, I'd end up in the burn unit because I'd accidentally set my hands on fire trying to accomplish the task. So, toaster waffles it is.

So the other morning, I pop a waffle into the toaster and go hang in the living room with Lil, clutching my cup of hot caffeinated magic between the knees as I embrace Lily in a couch-cuddle. Ah, calm, quiet morning.

Then there is a smell.

An acrid, chemical, evil smell. Like burning wires. A smell that is just very, very wrong. I run into the kitchen and unplug the toaster. Oh, the horror of what is before me:

Exhibit A: My toaster. Seemingly newish, not broken, not on fire.

Exhibit B: A simple Commerce Bank pen. My house is littered with these, because they are free, and I like free things. So every time I go to the bank, I end up with one.

Exhibit C: Commerce Bank pen in toaster. Still not sure how that happened. But oh, the smell. The awful, awful, smell.


Exhibit D: Offending Commerce Bank Pen after being pried out of toaster with steak knife. (Pen was later put to death in garbage chute...after, of course, enduring lengthy photo session with my new digital camera)

So, the moral of this little tale?
Keep the ceramic pen cup away from the toaster. You never know what might happen.

Trust me on this.