Friday, February 03, 2006


Laundry Woes...
I have this recurring nightmare that I can't find any clothes to wear- not that I'm naked, oddly that never seems to faze me in my dreams- I just can't find the right clothes to wear. It's too tight or too lose or too bright or not appropriate for the occasion. Just not what I want to wear. There is usually some pressing emergency that is calling me, but I can't do anything about it because I can't find the right clothes. It is an utterly frustrating nightmare and I wake up feeling more worn out than when I went to bed. I'm sure there's a very simple explanation for this dream, no doubt giving people lots of laughs. (Sarah has one where her teeth are all falling out- I'll take my wardrobe dilemma, any day!) But the fact of the matter is, I am living in another clothing nightmare.

Stretch your imagination, if you will, to consider how much laundry we are talking about when there are 11 people involved... And I am pretty sure that my aversion to doing the laundry isn't based on laziness or that the job is an odious one. What's not to like? You have this pile of smelly clothes, you shove it into the washer machine, add lovely smelling soap, softener, transfer to the dryer... fold clothes and holler for some one else to put it up. Not complicated and there would be a wonderful sense of accomplishment at the end, right? But you know, I'm gritting my teeth just thinking about it. Because the pile I am standing on never goes away- except once a year when my mother visits and she washes 24 hours a day and stays for a week. Who can live like that? TOO MUCH STUFF!! So... I bought these laundry baskets for each of the children and one for me and two for Bill(he has work clothes that need to be segregated). I told the kids that they should, under no circumstances, have more clothes than what would fit into said basket. And when the basket is full, they know where the washer is. No more, "Where's my blue shirt?" It should be in your basket. Kids grow so fast that it is hard to keep their drawers weeded of clothes that are too small or too stained. And then there's summer clothes and winter clothes and play clothes and good clothes... I'm about to take a leaf out of Bonnie's book and start cutting up clothes for a quilt. I know, I know, you are all saying, "Nines, this is how normal people live. Normal people don't have a pile of laundry called "Mt. Neverest."" Who ever said I was normal? Thus far, I have eliminated 4, yes 4, very large black trash bags of clothes. I had to take a break and go have Chinese for lunch- it was the only thing that kept me going all morning. Plus, I needed Biz and bleach- try saying that real fast 5x-just make sure there are no small children around! So, now it's time for round #2. I have not even gone into the laundry room,yet. OHHH the horror...

But, but, but... lest we become mired in the mundane, lookee what I found on a hanger, of all places. This little dress was made in Colombia. I found it for $1 at a second-hand store. Isn't it just the sweetest thing? The applique is amazing and the embroidery is very special. The colors are so bright and cheerful. All the flowers and trees have a very tropical look to them- mostly palms. I was thrilled to see that the artist signed it. Look! The little girl has a pet pig! Both of my girls have worn it, and now I am wanting to do something with it... but what? hmm... If I had a dress like this, maybe I could keep that dumb dream away!




10 comments:

Leah Spencer said...

Aww, you're not alone in your laundry woes. I have my own Mt. Washmore to tackle tonight - I'm an extra week behind and I only have access to a washer and dryer once a week. So I propose a toast (non alcoholic!) to getting our laundry done! :)

Unknown said...

I had to chuckle when I read about your mom catching the laundry up when she visits...my mom does the same thing!! And Sarah's not alone with the teeth falling out dream; fortunately for me I only had that nightmare while I was pregnant with each of my kids!

Holly said...

I read somewhere that dreaming that your teeth are falling out means the person feels they have lost control of a situation - that they are not in control. The dress is darling!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Reading about your mom doing the laundry when visiting made me remember my grandma when she lived with us. She couldn't walk well so she always sat at the kitchen table and folded clothes. When I think of her I always think of her in that spot at the table folding those clothes. She liked it that it was something she could do. Our washing machine goes non-stop with 4 teenagers, but I'm glad to say they each do their own laundry! Wheh!

Tonya Ricucci said...

Laundry for eleven? Aiyeeeee.
Cute dress. Maybe hang it on the wall as art? You could hang an empty frame around it. If it's really worn then you wouldn't need to feel guilty about cutting it up and making small framed pieces or pillows.

Lucy said...

what a cute dress.. and that for 1 dollar :c)

Darcie said...

I like Tonya's idea for wall art. I've also seen where *they* have something like this...and instead of a frame, the area surrounding the art is painted a different color...as to accentuate it as art. I'll look forward to seeing what you do with it, Nines.

You're story is too funny! With only 5 of us, I shall not complain any more. Mt. Neverest...Mt Washmore...you girls are hill-arious!!!

Quiltgranny said...

Well, I think you need to cut up that dress and put those darling appliques into a quilt!

I can't even begin to imagine your washing woes!

Laurie Ann said...

I too have the dream that all my teeth are falling out. Fairly frequently, actually. Hmmm. That and the one where my mouth is full of gum and I can't get it all out. Weird!

Catherine said...

Great find. I love applique on dresses. Too cute!!