I finished the laundry.
I finally got all caught up. I had been out of commission for the weeks proceeding the labor and ultimate delivery that brought a new bundle of pink into my life, hence the laundry had backed up. And I think you know when I say backed up I don’t mean in the figurative sense. The laundry basket was like a bad septic system in that is spewed it’s contents into areas of the house that should never be covered in fecal matter…or dirty clothes. The piles were everywhere and they were multiplying.
After I had recovered for several days from my horrendous birth experience (ok, it wasn’t horrendous but I like the look of the word. Horrendous. HORRENDOUS!) I tackled those piles like a piranha in a low creek bed who’s found a very unfortunate goat. I set to work and spent the better part of a day starting new loads and sorting, sorting, sorting.
Is there a reason that several of my boys are unable to wrap their brains around “This is the basket for whites. All white clothes go here.” No matter how I phrase it they hear “This is the basket for underwear. All the underwear go here.” Why, why, why?? It is inconsequential that almost all the underwear happens to be white. It just worked out that way, it has nothing to do with the laundry filing system. They can’t separate the two. They’ll make great men.
Because I was so proud of myself I knew I had to document my accomplishment. Here is the basket empty. Ok, it’s mostly empty.
But you know that the baskets are never completely empty. You understand the inner workings of the laundry baskets. I mean unless I can convince someone to take 12 children to another country for two weeks. Then the baskets might find themselves in a state of empty bliss. But that is just my theory, it’s never been proven in my home. I’ve never experienced this first hand and neither do I know anyone else who is familiar with such a euphoric event. I still choose to take this possibility as an option in my life because an existence filled with no likelihood of the laundry ceasing is too scary for me to comprehend. The baskets are empty enough to make me giddy. And you knew that I really meant mostly empty.
I even caught up on all the gentle cycle stuff AND got it all hung. Clean underwear is enough to make me smile. And you knew that as well.
Oh no, what is this? So I guess this basket of clothing never got folded and put away. When I said the laundry was all done I didn’t mean ALL done. But you knew that. And I also never implied ALL put away. But you knew that also. You comprehend the laundry cycle. It’s no mystery to you. It wasn’t something you learned in 7th grade science. It’s something you learned on the job. Just like me. And that’s why we understand each other.
Have you ever thought you were done only to find one more (or five more *cough cough*) baskets to wash? Where were they hiding?
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Laundry all done. What a lucky girl you are. And not even two weeks post baby. Truly amazing. I thought I was going to get caught up yesterday, but I got to add sick laundry to the mix and now the clothes are still behind. Oh well. I can’t really complain when I am only doing laundry for five people. And even then we never have a truly empty basket of laundry. I guess the day I have an empty laundry basket that will mean I have a empty quiet house and I wear those little dresses that button all the way up the front. :) I think I’ll enjoy my laundry while I can.
Oh boy doesn’t that feel good! There is’nt nothing like the feeling of accomplishment. I know, I helped the boys finally finish cleaning that room and closet of their’s. I’m hurting a bit from moving chesterdrawers out of the closet and back into the room but, I’m glad I’m done. Now if I can get those diapers done and wash all the soap out of them. Then I have to takle another room. One down too many to go.
Hey Katie, I only have 3 kids and my laundry baskets are never empty. Just when I think I am caught up, we have a major spill or the 2yo has an accident…I think it’s a universal mom thing, regardless of # of kids. Although I’m sure the more kids you have the more it’s true! :)
we had trouble with colors in the whites too until i went to friend’s house and noticed that she labelled all the baskets with pictures and color coded posters (whites, colors, towels, etc) it has helped alot to do that.
Clothes multiply in the night… I’m convinced of it.
Gone are the days when any of my laundry baskets are empty. Three kids ago…maybe. Anyway, you and I were doing the same thing yesterday and yes, I totally understand you! However, I am not done yet. Back to work.
Blessings,
Diane
I dread the day when the laundry is done and stays done. That means that they are all grown and married…I don’t want that time to come too soon!
I guess that when it does happen, it will only be a matter of time until they are bringing laundry home to do over lunch!
Momma
I too have the issue “whites go here” into the labeled basket that is white. As well as the basket for reds (pinks and purple), towel basket, dark clothes basket. Labels and colored baskets, you would think it would click.
And folding, another joke..one of the kids folded the clothes and stuck them back into the assigned dirty clothes baskets..what was that all about? One of those FASD, I forgot where they went..?
Maybe 1-2 x per month we stay in our PJ’s, just so no more laundry creates the “big bang” and poof 12 more loads appear!
Well glad to hear you up and feeling good. Do not over due it. This is where Jeff rubs your aching feet and you sit for 2 more days and rest.
Blessing to you all, Laura in UT who would love to see the bottom of any of our (dirty clothes) laundry baskets!
I tried with such eagerness, even delight (cause I *knew* how sweet this would be) to have the separate baskets. All baskets were Color-coded & ready. I lined everyone up, explained it so wonderfully, and couldn’t wait to see just how smooth this would be. You know what happened…within hours, I am yelling “Who put the WHITES in the red basket? NOT ME”, of course, is all I heard. That conversation repeated 24x’s a day for 4 days. I said forget it. All in one basket, all in the wash. What happens, happens. (I keep my clothes separate:-)
But I do know that feeling, and hope you enjoy for the next 8 hours :-)
I don’t have any children yet, but I have a husband with the same inability to sort, lol. I do envy your own personal machine though. The 2 block trip to the laundromat has worked its way through numerous laundry transportation devices.
My boys seem to have this issue as well… albeit one is 2 and the other is 5… My girls can have their lazy moments and forget also.
Good for you on the accomplishment, 1 extra found or not, clothes for that many people is a huge deal, much less doing it so soonly after birth! :)
Love,
Chas
Congratulations on Jodi! (and the finished laundry) I haven’t left a comment before, but do check your blog daily. I enjoy reading the “going-ons” of your big, happy family. Your kids always are smiling and your humor is refreshing. On the laundry note-I live in Japan where most people hang dry all of their clothes. They use these nifty hangers with clips on them so hanging the clothes takes up less space. Have you seen them? I couldn’t find them on the internet, except for something one Ebay and Camping World. They are just great and I had to share. Thanks for sharing your lives with us.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=24605&src=SRQB
http://cgi.ebay.com/LAUNDRY-PLASTIC-24-CLIP-HANGER-FOR-SMALLCLOTHES-JAPAN_W0QQitemZ110209407369QQcmdZViewItem
I’m jealous. I have some (I refuse to clarify that word in this sense) laundry that is taunting me. I’m currently ignoring it, but that won’t last long.
I’m also considering having my children run around naked for 2 days so I can one day experience the ‘euphoric’ state of ALL the laundry being done. I just have to ensure no one (especially anyone prone to calling CPS) will stop by those 2 days.
Congrats!
Yeah, don’t mention the fact that we fold and put away the clothes. You are so funny. ;-)
Jenna
I was wondering….if when you get a free second (haha) would you mind e-mailing me at the e-mail I have listed with my name? I tried finding a link to e-mail you, but can’t find one (probably for good reason- as if you don’t have enough to do already :-P )
Ahhh… laundry. The never ending story. ;)
I seldom have the laundry hamper empty and there are only two of us!! I know I have let the laundry go too long when we have a whole load of things that qualify as “reddish” color.
Yes, I think all of us moms get the laundry quandry. It does seem to be a universal truth. Although, somewhere in the deep recesses of my brain, I do seem to recall that I could actually get all of my family’s laundry (including linens and towels) done in one day….ah, no, maybe that was in my other life!
Laundry…pffft…I think it’s time to buy new clothes!
Sigh. You give me no hope. I thought laundry would be done one day. Now I know the truth. Even your victory is *partial*. I need more coffee.