Oct. 7, 2009 - In case someone ever goes potty on your piano and you have to take it apart: a step by step guide
Ok, if you hadn't guessed by the subject heading, this post will include references to "urine". It is innocent urine, little boy pee, but nonetheless, you may choose to a) not read this post b) not read while eating/near eating/if you ever plan to eat again, depending how sensitive you stomach is or c)...uh, I can't think of any more options.
Most moms and dads can probably relate to this situation, even if the selfsame has not happened to you. But, I just couldn't go another day without posting.
Oh, and also there are pictures.
But not of the potty.
Mostly of the piano.
Step 1: Your child pees on the keyboard of your piano.
Step 2: You debate about what to do. You've never taken a piano apart....and wonder, if you did, if you could put it back together.
Step 3: You decide to let it go.....much like your son did, just moments ago.
Step 4: You change your mind when, upon examining the underside of the keyboard, you notice urine dripping -- quite rapidly, in fact -- out of one of the screw holes.
Step 5: You roll up your sleeves, and roll back the first part of the piano. There is absolutely no way you can access anywhere near the keys through this. You examine the piano further.
Step 6: You realize that the music stand, L-shaped wood behind the music stand, is just one piece, and has only 2 screws attaching it to the main body of the piano. So, you take a deep breath and get your screw driver, hoping something strange, random, and dangerous won't happen if you start messing with this instrument.
Step 7: You realize there are two pieces beneath to take off -- the sliding cover over the keyboard, and the wood to which that is attached. You take off the first part, then the wooden support. Nothing snaps or breaks. Whew.
Step 8: Success. Whith everything out of the way, you can now lift up the keys, and clean out the area with small squares of lint-free cotton. (Don't use bathroom cotton swab make-up-remover squares like I did. But, it did work to mop it up. Just kind of linty.)
Step 9: You've never been so thankful for a dust bunny, as it stopped the trickle of pee-pee from going any farther...at least in the direction of the lowest notes. A wooden support stopped it from going past the G below middle C. (Yes, he's got quite a "range". Har har.)
Step 10: Find random objects as you're cleaning, and wonder.
Step 11: Put it all back together. Have a good laugh, and a sip of coffee. Realize how blessed you are, and make it a goal to play piano more often, before something worse happens to this instrument.
Step 12: Put diaper on child.
Comment
Oct. 12, 2009 - piano cleaning
Posted by Suzie
I'm not sure I would've reacted so calm & cool! We have an old upright and I've seen it taken apart twice now, so I'd probably be able to attempt the cleaning. I think it would have smelled a bit if you hadn't been able to clean it...
Oct. 15, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by chris36
I love your writing! I love how you take something that happens to everybody and use humor, love, and creativity to present it. Really lovely!
And thanks for making me smile first thing in the morning before facing my day of unforeseen mishaps!!
Love,
Chris
Oct. 20, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
This just cracks me up! My son peed down the air vent during air conditioning season right before a party at our house in August, but nothing like this! Glad things worked out!
Laura D
