Keep Your Clothes Looking Good

Nasty, isn't it? Almost looks like vomit, or worse. Probably closer to the worse.
However, let me assure you - this is not bodily fluid of any type - human or animal.

It is residue from my washer machine.
Let me rephrase that.
It is from my oops, I forgot to clean the drum, filter, and seal, again, washer machine.

Sadly, this isn't the first time,

and it probably won't be the last.

You see, we use our washing machine (large capacity) on average 14 times each week. Remembering when to clean the filter, drum, and seal is easy. Finding a time when I and the washer machine are free, is next to impossible.

sigh.

Here's the irony in all of this.
I had a post about keeping your clothing looking good sitting in my draft folder. For months. I wrote it after a friend commented on how nice I keep my family's clothing.

Your clothing is always in such good shape. She had said that. Even went on to say how I needed to give her tips about the upkeep of fabrics.

Um, yeah. obviously. I'm that good.

So after one thorough cleaning of the washing machine and three more individual washings of the sheets and accompanying blanket, I felt I could share those tips with you. Since now I'm such an expert and all. Well, I do have crisp, clean sheets now...


12 Tips to Keeping Your Clothes Looking Good

1. Read care instructions and follow them
2. Use mild detergent - no dyes, no perfumes (your skin will thank you)
3. Use less detergent (more is not better)
4. Hand wash delicates
5. Place delicates and clothing made of loose woven material flat to dry, place a towel under it if necessary to collect the drips
6. Hang dry clothing - hang in a shady area or inside to prevent fading (do not pull it tight on line while it is wet - stretches material prematurely)
7. Wash dark clothing inside out (dye will run back onto the good side keeping colors bright for longer)
8. Spot clean if necessary (pretreat all stains as soon as possible)
9. Start with durable clothing - whenever possible purchase or obtain clothing made of good quality materials)
10. Mend and repair when necessary
11. Use the power of the sun to brighten whites (hang a line in a sunny spot over green grass - it will brighten your whites)
12. Above all, wash your washing machine according to the instructions in your owner's manual (I added this tip after the above incident)

~ Dorie

Possibly Inappropriate?

Over three months ago, God answered a two year long prayer request. We'd been praying, praying, and praying some more. Maybe we didn't pray the exact same thing every day for over two years, but the subject was always the same: the Drummer's job. We weren't asking for his dream job.

Though my husband would ultimately love to play drums for a living, the six of us are dependent on his one income. It's kinda hard not to place your personal dreams aside when your wife and children depend on you. He shoulders the responsibilities of having a family graciously.

Initially, we prayed for a new job. His job situation, while meeting our financial needs, was not the best. When no opportunities arose, we started asking for his impact at work to be great. Perhaps the Lord was using him as a witness in the workplace. Certainly, we did not want to tamper with that. We prayed for peace and contentment in the situation. The Lord answered.

All was calm for awhile.

Then, one summer day, out of the blue, a company initiated a potential job offer. We prayed, and the Lord answered.

My husband switched jobs. With this job change came other changes as well. The benefit package is different. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. One of those differences is we no longer have orthodontic coverage with our dental insurance. Though our former dental insurance didn't cover all the orthodontic treatment, it covered some. {And if you are funding your kid's braces, you know any little bit helps.}

One of our daughters is in active treatment, which means we are in an active pay-as-you-go plan. Last month, she had an appointment. When I updated our insurance information the lady behind the desk asked about orthodontic coverage. I answered with a none. She offered consoling words and referred me to the business office personnel.

I waited and wondered how much more the bill would increase.

When my name was called I walked into the office, explained the changes, and sat quietly while she brought up our account.

Slowly, she turned toward me and said, "Well, it looks like we just maxed out the insurance right before your insurance change."

"Really?!" I almost yelled my response.

"Yes," she laughed when she saw my glee.

"Seriously, we used up our allotment?" incredulously, I asked her to verify.

She turned to her computer, double checking the account. "Yes," she smiled.

"Is it wrong that I want to hi-five you?" I blurted out, still amazed.

She laughed, paused, held up her hand, and said, "Why not?"

I gave her that hi-five, thanked her, and left,
~ Dorie

The Spring Rush

The spring rush is on.

Somehow some line from some song plays in my head with "the race is on, pride in the back seat" bouncing in my head. That's not how the song goes. I know, but it seems like my new mantra this spring. {Since somehow my memory has butchered the song, I googled it. To see the correct line go here.}

The race, or maybe game, is on, since spring is in full swing and it has taken more than one hit at me.

It tis the season of soccer, volleyball clinics, final days of co-op and school, standardized tests, AWANA closing program, used book sale, year end meetings, planning for next year meetings, conventions, and more.

Add to all this the normal, everyday chores like meals, cleaning, and such,

and this momma has reached the spring race, or maybe the seemingly never ending game.

Alas, as all things come to an end, so, too, will this busy season of spring once it gives way to lazy days of summer.

Meanwhile, I'm just trying to breathe, take one day event at a time, and remember to fix my hair before venturing out. {Ahem, hence the pride in the backseat line...}
~ Dorie

A Girl Can Hope

18 inches.
It's what I'm hoping will fall
sometime this month.

It hasn't yet.

All winter long,
temperatures dropped,
precipitation falls.
Ice.
Snow.
Freezing rain.

Limited amounts of all.

But I still hope, and even ask for more.

It's selfish.
I know.
Many people would be effected by any amount of snowfall,
and 18 inches pretty much shuts down this part of the eastern corridor.

It would be a snow day.
That's what I want.
A snow day.
With 18 inches of snow.

No, I don't care what the groundhog said.
My calendar still says winter.
Six more weeks of it to be exact.
With 56 more days of possible snow weather,
a girl can still hope.

Or, maybe not.
~ Dorie

13 Things About Me

 

 

It's preposterous, I know. Incredible that I should be talking about myself on my blog. Perhaps even vain? But, here goes anyway...

13 Possibly New-to-You Things About Me in 2013

1. I'm not much of a conversationalist. Oh, I've learned over the years to do better with starting and maintaining conversations, but there is room for improvement.
2. I hardly ever wear make-up. When I do, it is usually just a little face powder.
3. Dogs are better than cats, or so I think. Though I do particularly like a cat which kills mice and presents them to you each morning on the sidewalk for praise.
4. I wanted to be a foreign missionary.
5. During school, I learned to write with both my right and left hands. This was not taught to me. I learned on my own. Obviously, I wasn't too interested in the teacher's lecture, but I still made good use of my time.
6. I burn grilled cheese sandwiches.
7. I already have one of my children's bedrooms scouted out as a future art studio. The lighting is amazing in that room!
8. My husband travels more than I like (or he likes for that matter). Growing up, I always said I would never marry a man who travels for his work. {Never say never, we all know how that goes!}
9. I'm a very private person. Odd, I know, I blog.
10. Though I like homemade goodies, I still use pancake and brownie mixes.
11. I don't take medicine unless I really need it, which means I haven't had an antibiotic in over a dozen years.
12. My husband and I work with the junior high youth group. We love that age group!
13. Peppermint scented candles are my favorite during the winter months. (I have a scent preference for each season.)

Do you have any of these in common?
~ Dorie

It Made Me Smile

There is an old proverb which says,
"You can't empty the ocean with a spoon."

To which, we might add,
"...better grab a bucket!"

 

 

~ Dorie

Laughter from the Pew

When your children sit in the pew with you, there is no telling what will happen.

Below are a few of our family's pewside* moments.

Maybe you have found yourself in one of these situations?

We always try to teach our children to pray along

as the pastor, elder, deacon, or worship leader prays.

We help them fold their hands and bow their heads.

Typically, the individual leading the prayer ends with an 'Amen'

and sometimes, others from the congregation

lift their voices with their own 'Amen.'

However, one of our children chose this time to shout,

"Wahoo!"

When our children are small, they are allowed to stand on the pew

during the times when the congregation is asked to stand.  One time...

A child lifted their arms in praise and

simultaneously slid off the pew and onto the floor.

Aside from helping our children sing and pray, we want to teach them to listen.

As others speak, leading the congregation, we often ask the children to be quiet.

With one child, who was very fond of taking turns, we would say, "It isn't your turn to talk."

This worked smoothly for several weeks,

until one Sunday, when our pastor began his sermon, 

we weren't greeted with silence, but a loud question,

"Is it HIS turn to talk?  I don't think it is."

As the children age, and we teach them how to actively listen beyond quietness,

we ask them to take notes during the sermon.

Each child is provided with a small notebook for this purpose.

They bring their Bibles, this notebook, and a pen or pencil each Sunday.

One Sunday, a child was diligently recording notes for the first part of the sermon,

but partway through stopped. 

The child then began quietly twisting the pencil around fingers.

I let it go as the child was young and still learning how to actively listen.

Besides the notes from the first portion of the sermon were incredible.

Throughout the second part of the sermon,

the pencil wove through fingers smoothly,

until it launched through the air into the pew

and the lap of one of the persons in front of us.

Thankfully, a muffled laughter was heard

and a slight shaking of the shoulders was seen

as this individual realized what had happened. 

Perhaps this was our most stellar pewside moment,

~ Dorie

* I realize pewside is a made up word, but it sure does capture the good nature feel of sitting in the pew on a Sunday morning with children.

Dear Formula Company Marketing Department,

To Whom It May Concern,

Recently, I opened my mailbox to find a large box filled with formula from your company.  I am writing today to tell you why this was a waste of your money and time.  There are ten reasons why I believe you are dwindling your assets by sending me this box.  In reverse order, my reasons follow.

10.  The box was completely covered in your formula's name.  It left no doubt as to its contents.  This left me with a sly glance from my post office mail carrier, a wink, a toothy smile, and an inappropriate glance at my midsection as he pulled around the corner.

9.  The formula within the box was liquid.  It was heavy and awkward to carry.  Even if I rejoiced in receiving free formula, which I don't, I would have disliked this aspect.

8.  The fliers and coupons enclosed within the box were uninformative and skewed toward formula feeding, after, of course, the politically correct nod toward breast feeding.  Not only were the articles skewed, they were skewed toward your formula being the best.  I realize it is a marketing campaign, but let's not try to hide it under the guise of "informative articles to read."

7.  The enclosed coupons were not coupons at all, but coupons disguised as checks.  Is this to prevent transfer?  I could have easily given coupons away to friends who would gladly use them, but these coupons were specific to me.  Since I won't be using them, I recycled them.

6.  The heavy duty box had to be dismantled to be flattened for recycling (a requirement of our recycling company).  This required the use of sharp tools and super human strength.  The "informative articles" and coupons were much easier to recycle.

5.  The formula was hard to get rid of.  I suppose I could have dumped it down a drain, but that seemed wasteful as someone could use it.  Alternatives I considered were using it as a creamer for coffee and making it into homemade paste.  I decided against the creamer as I prefer my coffee black and making paste seemed to be too much work. 

4.  Currently, there are no children in our home drinking formula.

3.  I am NOT PREGNANT! 

2.  The cost of postage just went up, and will probably increase again soon.  Is it really cost effective?  And, if it is, that leads to the question, how much are you overpricing the formula on the shelf to pay for these marketing campaigns?  In the present day economy, when we are all scaling back on extras and spending less, why are you wasting your money sending me formula? 

1.  The whole thing is leaving a foul taste in my mouth, and I didn't even taste the formula!

As you can see, Marketing Executives of Formula Companies, I do not want your formula.  Please STOP sending me 'free' formula.  It is costing me too much!

Sincerely,

Dorie

P.S.  The multiple packets of coupons personalized discounts you later sent were much easier to recycle.  Though the prominent advertisement on the envelope did nothing to disuade my mail carrier's misconception.  Instead, his baby bump watch is still in full effect.

Also, the free advertisement space you received in the writing of this post is complimentary.

Have a nice day! 

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The Fine Print:  It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway.  Obviously, this is not a real letter.  I was just having fun on a Friday.  It is not my intention to hurt anyone's feelings, nor is it my intention to start any infant feeding choice discussion.  If any reader is offended by my sense of humor, or lack of, depending on your point of view, then I apologize.  Have a great weekend!