you spin me right round baby, right round
Ethan and I spent our morning at the laundromat. My girls new comforters were supposed to be washed before used but they need a front loading washer so I hadn't done that yet. Megan had a fever the last three days, so that was "the straw" that sent us there.I loved this picture of Ethan because you can see his reflection. This was he first trip to the laundromat and he was so amazed, and slightly concerned, by the spinning blankets. Then he would get sidetracked by his reflection in the shiny washing machine. Then back to the blankets... it was so fun to watch him!
It's funny. By 2, we had lost count of how many times Kate had been to the laundromat. I didn't have my own washing machine, or even one really close, until I moved into the house I live in now. I had been married 6 years and I had three children under the age of three when I finally had my own washer and dryer!We were lucky to have as many clothes as we did (we just bought more underwear to keep up!) because it was such a chore to go wash clothes. We had to gather it all, load it all in our little cars- around the three car seats, unload it at the laundromat, sort and load it, dry it, fold it back into the baskets, load it back into the car, and unload it again at home to finally be ready to put it away! The whole time hoping we remembered the detergent AND the dryer sheets and that we had saved enough quarters to finish!
By "saving up" I would have about 8 loads to do each visit (not quite two weeks apart). I think our record was after we had had company staying with us, 13 loads: whites, jeans, warm wash colors, 2 loads of cold wash colors, sweats and khakis, 2 loads of towels, 2 loads of sheets, baby blankets, gentles, and our bedspread. It was always an ordeal.
But it helped me to appreciate two things. First, my mother, who went to the laundromat in a small car with 8 kids and all their dirty laundry!! (I vividly remember riding on top of the laundry baskets, laughing with my siblings as we tipped at every turn- good times for us! Not for my mother!) Second, my own washing machine! Here we are, almost 7 years later, and I still think how lucky I am with every load I wash! Sometimes I wish that I could wash all my loads at once and be done, but it doesn't outweigh the benefit of being at home while the wash is running and being able to throw in a load whenever you NEED to! I do still wish I had one of those cool carts on wheels with the hanging rod above... LOVE those!
When was the last time you had to go to the laundromat?
posted by jenn | 1/24/2007
9 Comments:
I had to use a laundromat when we had out longterm stay at the Hampton Inn earlier this year. I only had two loads, but it was such a pain to lug it all over there, haul it inside, sort it, fold it. Well, you know. I'm right there with you, though. I was tempted to think that it would be nice to get all of my laundry done in about two hours, but the benefit of doing that particular chore in the comfort of my own home greatly outweighs that desire. Of course, if you don't have to have your kids with you, you can take a book and read for two whole hours. Now, that's pretty unbeatable.
You are AMAZING!! What a woman to go without for so long! Your record day of washing is crazy! Did you ever complain?
I love the appreciation that you have found, both for your mom and your washer. I'm so glad you have it now, could you imagine having to wash for all 7 of you in a laundromat?
I haven't been to one for quite a while. Probably 2 years. I am never comfortable at them, ours here are scary. Last time I went I thought all my clothes were stolen because I forgot what row of machines I was using! I felt so stupid!
Our tiny lime-green Pinto wagon held lots of laundry, kids and groceries. Some days I thought that, hard as it was, and it was, getting it done all at one time was nice, but I MUCH prefer the slow-poke way of being at home where you can work while the washer works--although I figured out once that I was spending half of my waking hours in a week doing laundry! (I always wanted one of those carts too!)
I haven't needed a laundromat since I moved to Texas, which is good b/c I know only that they're in a scary part of town. I'm very grateful every time I do laundry that I don't have to take it out.
I know EXACTLY what you mean. I still feel grateful every time I do a load of laundry at home too. Randy and I schlepped to the laundromat in Provo for 6 years! It was definitely nice to get all the laundry done at once, but it was still a pain to have to go through that whole production every 7-10 days. I love being able to do laundry at home. It's bliss.
I also feel grateful daily for having a washing machine available to you 24/7. I never know how one does it with a new born or a sick kid. I guess lots of trips to the laundromat. I am amazed you did it with children. You're seriously my hero.
I can't even remember the last time I went to a laundromat. I don't know you did it for so long -- or your mom, for that matter!
Awesome photos, though, so it was worth the trip just for that!
I remember going with my mom when we were little sometimes. The car crammed with kids and clothes. The smells of the laundry mat. I live across the street from one and so I go on occasion to take our larger blankets. I am always grateful I am not there for a large part of my day and that even though I hate laundry that I can do it at my pace. Cute photos.
This reminds me of living in Cambridge while at Harvard. We had a communal washer/dryer for our building but it was in the very old and very dark basement. It was actually better for us to go to the laundromat and do it all at once. The laundromat was a fun place to people watch. Always an interesting person to gawk at -
I was at the laundromat last week, I have done laundry at the mat for the last 10 years, our apt. doesn't have hookups so my W/D sits at a friends house. I do love being able to do 8 loads in 2 1/2 hours, but there's the whole gathering and hauling problem. I love the visual of you sitting on top of laundry in the car and almost toppling over at every turn.
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