Thursday, June 10, 2021

Reducing Loads of Laundry, Mending Soothes

 It just happened that white things of mine needed to be washed about every four days. It occurred to me that increasing items I have could make that a once-a-week chore. By the way, Tommy washed all his clothing in one load every two weeks! So, he does. Since I had trouble with balance for a while, he did mine, too, so I would not fall off the carport side. It is only 18 inches, but that is too far to fall...lol. 

I needed more panties to extend the time between a load of panties and my towels and washcloths. So, I bought two more bags of panties. Yes, I use lots of panties. 

Remember how I bought many dishtowels last fall when I got them for 50 cents and 32 cents? Well, I did. When we were washing dishes by hand, I used lots of towels for drying and one to just lay things on the counter to drain until Tommy could dry them. But, I was using the ones still from 2019 sales. Ten of the new 2020 towels were on a shelf to use in case I needed them. Well, I took those 10 and added to 10 I use all the time. So, with dishcloths, so now Those can stretch to only be washed once a week.

So, somehow, Thursday became a day for washing white load or loads. 

I have two pair of black pants that are so old and holey. But, I wear them. One of the holes is under a blouse and one is on my backside. If I wear black panties, the holes are not so evident...lol. So, last night, as poorly as I felt, I starting mending one of these pair of pants. I discovered other holes have sprung, so I was busy. These pants are 100% cotton, so they will soon disintegrate. 

Sewing and reading are the two passions of mine. Sewing includes machine sewing, mending, and needle arts, especially needlepoint. So, even with mending black after dark and feeling very ill, I somehow felt very peaceful and relaxed after sewing with a needle.  Yes, you heard it right--

Sewing is relaxing! 

I have been sewing since I was four, so this is a passion of over 70 years. I have used a sewing machine to make wearable clothing since I was ten, so 60 years on a sewing machine, starting with a treadle. 

It does seem counterintuitive to buy more to save money, time, and energy, but having enough items to only wash once a week or less works for me, especially since Tommy drives it to the laundry in the carport. 

Does sewing relax you? okay, stop screaming and tell me what "household chore" relaxes you?

Dinner tonight all leftovers--hotdogs, slaw, green beans, maybe chili without beans. I am making a Suddenly Salad just because. Tomorrow, it will have tuna in it for me. Scratch that plan. Try: chopped chicken from freezer and add bbq sauce, salad with dressing, about two Tbsp of slaw, Suddenly Salad with lots of carrots in it.


22 comments:

  1. Sewing makes me say bad words! I prefer to mow or vacuum.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angie,
      I laughed so hard and long. I will sew for you and you can vacuum or mow for me.

      Delete
  2. Sewing and mowing (riding mower of course) is very relaxing. I get a lot of thinking and problem solving done on a riding mower. BUT my most relaxing thing is counting cross stitch. Only problem now is my eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be so I can’t stay at it as long as I used to.
    Early in my married life (going on 54 years) I discovered that if I bought tons and tons of underwear and handkerchiefs for my husband he would never run out of clean ones therefore I would never be caught not having any washed up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jpark22,
      I have had the urge to mow on a riding lawnmower. But, I remember I have allergy and the urge subsides...lol. I was telling Tommy that I have seen a woman with a strong light and a magnifying glass, all on a stand, that she used for close hand stitching. I forgot, maybe cross stitch. I think I need that!

      All three of my children got a dozen pair of underwear when I bought new ones. I was NOT going to be caught short with three children. I think husband (ex now) had lots, too.

      Delete
  3. Ironing soothes me,,,I know, equally crazy ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TO,
      Ironing does not soothe me. But, doing it well is so satisfying. However, I make it a point to wear things that do not need ironing. Thanks.

      Delete
  4. Sewing is an exercise in frustration to me. Cooking relaxes me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anne,
      I love to cook, but sewing is a passion and is relaxing. It is good we all are different.

      Delete
  5. I used to enjoy sewing but the last few years, bending over the machine bothered my back so I don't so it any more- same way with working jigsaw puzzles! I relax by reading- so far this year I've read 62 books. I journal title, author and a couple of sentences about the plot- I average 2 or 3 books a week and always have a hold list at the local library. During Covid closures, I re-read the 20 or so books I have kept in my personal library and what I borrowed from my daughter. Also, reading a few blogs is relaxing to me! I'm not interested in writing my own though. I still cook for myself but I eat leftovers a lot- yesterday I made a small three bean salad and today I'm cooking up a pot of lima beans.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nan,
      I hope never not to sew for any reason, but I am sure it will happen. I must say that is a respectable number of books! Reading relaxes me, too. Your reading plan sounds good to me. My lack of proper lenses kept me from reading more books. I love lima beans, Maybe I will cook some.

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. R,
      I love to cook, but the standing is hard. I could sew for you or teach you to sew.

      Delete
  7. reading... just let me read daily and everything is fine. I read one hour every night in bed. Hubby said he knows when I am not feeling well when I don't read. I like mowing also. Got ripped off as I am changing things around to increase value of home so Hubby got to mow with the new mower :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chef,
      Reading is a special love that makes me whole. Every time I get all excited about getting a riding mower, I have to remember I have severe allergies..lol.

      Delete
  8. sounds very smart to me to increase the clothing so you only have to wash once a week. Hmm...I can't think of any chore that relaxes me...I'm still trying to think....definitely not cooking. If I never had to cook dinner again, I'd be happy, LOL. Ok, watering the flowers outside relaxes me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One,
      Watering flowers sounds a lot nicer than chores in the house. Thanks.

      Delete
  9. Good thinking on the dish towels. I like to have more than enough to tide me over too. It sure simplifies things for you with having to do laundry less often.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms Goose,
      I had them in the house, but I had not gotten them out to use. I figured it was time. Thanks.

      Delete
  10. Yes i like sewing, it makes me feel good to do so.
    As for Tommy - what on earth is he wearing/not wearing he gets by with so infrequent washing I wonder?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Urspo,
      He wears clothes many days, dirty or not. But, he never has more than one load.

      Delete
  11. Sewing grounds me and I lose track of time. I forget my life problems while I sew. Be it machine or by hand I enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa b,
      You described the feeling perfectly. Thanks for that.

      Delete

Halloween Decorations

 Saturday night, we started decorating for Halloween. I found the ghosts to hang from the dogwood tree. They were wadded and wrinkled, so th...