our washer broke on monday (again).
so after four days…and the weekend before of being behind on laundry….
we decided to go to the laundromat.
it's been YEARS.
like….lauren was a baby the last time i was in a laundromat.
i remember having the debate about leaving her in the carseat in the car while i took in the laundry
or taking her carseat in and leaving her alone while i got the laundry.
and all that waiting….
pre cell phones, iPods, laptops…nothing but sit and wait.
the little girls thought it was very neat.
they had no idea what a laundromat was or how it worked.
i have never had so much help.
it was really nice.
laundry has gotten so expensive since the olden days.
after the clothes were all in the washer craig came by and picked up the girls.
then the other man who was washing his clothes left also.
so it was me and tom petty washing and drying together….all alone.
i edited photos while they dried.
i sang.
because….you can……when you are alone in a laundromat.
i channeled my inner jerry maguire and sang "free fallin" quite loudly.
and i took pictures of myself.
because….i am majorly dorky.
four big baskets of laundry…washed, dried and folded in 2 hours.
nice.
i betcha i have to go back before my washer is fixed.
i hope i get to be alone again.
****GREAT ideas on the no tv post.
i knew you would be able to help me!
they were so much better today already….day 4 and it is working.
i suggested at 10:00 "how about you go play office or hotel or hospital or school"
i literally didn't see the younger three for 3 HOURS!!
thanks for the encouragement and 100+ ideas to throw at them.
they didn't even think about asking for tv today. yay!!!
megduerksen.typepad.com - That was fun.. Nifty 🙂
Tara Schaubert - glad you have clean clothes…or had.
you’re most likely needing to go again by now!
one time, i was on a mission trip in england and our team went to the “laun-dri”.
i was embarrassed to wash my underwear in front of the boys.
(we mixed loads, but girls with girls and vice versa.)
also, it took FOREVER to dry our clothes, so we left for lunch (with a few wet loads) and then a few of us went back to finish.
we were waiting and waiting for someone to come get their jeans out of one of the dryers so that we could use ALL of them. then, i noticed that a pair or two looked familiar…
WE LEFT THE ENTIRE LOAD OF JEANS THERE THE WHOLE DAY!
i’m so glad we went back to the same place.
we were only allowed to bring one pair each, so that would have been pretty bad.
that’s the end of my favourite laundromat story. =]
Melanie - Sorry about having to go to the laundry mat. I haven’t been in over 23 years. At least you got some work done.
Sugar Mama - I always get a kick out of my kids thinking something as mundane as going to a laundromat is fun. But, it’s really about doing things that are different.
Looks like you had all kinds of fun! And at least the pics you take of yourself aren’t just you smiling at the camera, you put a creative spin on it! ;o)
kristine - OH and i love the self-portraits! you look adorable and they’re really great pics!!
kristine - at least you make the best of it! what a great experience for the girls to see that AND get a pinch of help. AND THEN get some alone time!! today i laid out on our rooftop (not the roof! ha ha!) and my friend texted me saying, “how are you out there? it’s SOOOO HOT!” and i was like, “i will do anything for a little peace and quiet.” i couldn’t even read my book b/c i couldn’t keep my eyes open. i napped and it was lovely. and fortunately i’m not FRIED! ha ha AND when i came back downstairs, sweet natalie had fallen asleep. so hubby is watching tv and i get to check email/blogs! WOO HOO!!!
Dana D@BoysMyJoys - I hit the laundromat at the campgrounds at the beach where we were vacationing- here: http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-199.html
and here: http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-201-day-in-life-beach-edition.html
People looked at me like I was crazy for snapping pictures while I was doing laundry, but it seemed normal to the blogger in me. 🙂
Besides, when we came home, the only dirty clothes I had were the ones on our bodies! Loved that!!!
Rach - Some of my best afternoons or dateless Friday nights were spent in Laundromats. Happily we have a washer and dryer in the house now, but I still remember those days back when it was just me and my bag of clothes and a good book. Sometimes it’s nice to revisit the old days. 🙂
j - I had to go to the laundromat after our last hurricane. I couldn’t believe how expensive it was. The good thing about going is you can have a bunch of machines going at once and get out of there quicker.
Kim - this post is so great. i remember a friend laughing about that exact same dilemna – at the laundromat years ago – whether to leave the baby alone in the car or alone inside. it actually sounds pretty nice to have 4 loads completely done in 2 hours, whilest editing photos and singing at the top of your lungs (what mom gets to do that anymore!? and it’s soooo fun!) maybe this broken washer thing is a blessing in disguise. 😉
Amy - Love it! I’m majorly dorky too and would take pics all day at the laundromat too. 🙂 Thanks for making me smile today!
Laurie, from Maryland - Your entry today reminded me of this quote from St. Elmo’s Fire: “Fluff and fold, buddy. Soon as I make it really big, I’m going fluff and fold.” It’s funny the things that pop into my head sometimes. But there are so many good quotes from that movie. Enjoyed the pics!
Liz - Add this to the next time you answer questions:
What do you feed everybody, and how do you figure out how to do that? I feel as though once that 5 year old check up is done, no one is giving moms any nutrition advice. I have a 2 HS aged boys who are both athletes, a young women who lives with us….and a 9 month old.
After a crazy summer of ball games, work schedules, college visits, etc I want to bring back dinner time….but I can never decide what to fix. How do you do it with 5 kids??
H E L P.
Amanda Fuentes - Only you could make the laundromat CUTE! lol We always went w/ my mom as kids and I remember it always being fun. I went a few times when my husband and I were first married and it was sweet to go together, now I think I’d just buy a new washer or dryer before attempting to take my kids!
bobbie - our dryer started fritzing out yesterday. Is that a word? fritzing? But it took four cycles to get one load dry. I might be visiting a laundromat this weekend, or just let the dogs wear our clothes around the yard since we don’t have a clothesline. I hope laundromats still smell the same
tara pollard pakosta - LOVE that you took pix of this!
love that they helped!!!
love that you are enforcing no t.v.!!!
YAY for yoU! and please share pix of all they are doing!
it will inspire!
thank YOU for your blog! highlight of my day!
for REAL>!
tara
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - That is great news, Meg!
Please keep us in prayer as we start our no tv journey on Monday!
Ryanne - Same thing has happened to me this summer. Three times the washer leaked out onto the floor, before we said enough. Bought a used one on craigslist that I love even more than my original washer. Plus my trips to the laundromat with the 4 and 2 year old were not quite as fun, but we did go to the DQ for ice cream and play hide and seek in the laundromat. Good luck with your washer repairs and/or new washer hunt.
www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - so happy about the list!!!
i’ve never been the laundry mat either, Lee Ann.
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com
Lee Ann - At least it’s done! I’ve never done the laundry mat thing……yet. 🙂 As for no t.v. I find music is good when they’re bored. Turn it up and dance, or if they are palying I’ll put on some softer Hymns. Just seems to make things more peaceful.
Beth - somebody most likely said this already, but it does get easier for them to find things to do the more used to no-TV they get. It’s like a drug, the more they watch, the more they want it, and it takes some “rehab” time to get the last of it through their veins so they don’t crave it anymore.
Charity - We spent 3 weeks camping in July, and on my birthday, my big treat was to take the laundry to the laundromat and have a whole hour or so of peace, all to myself. :o) Sounds silly, but it was lovely!
Lorilee - I have never been to a laundromat in my life! I have had my washer break, overflow etc! Oh, washer just sang its END song. Time to head out to the clothesline!
Blessings,
Lorilee
Krista - Love the pics of the girls helping load the machines! Does this mean you’ll be getting a fancy new washer? UGH, can’t imagine how much laundry you had to bring with you, but at least you had some peace and quiet to dry & fold with Tom!
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I’m dorky like that too. Almost every post I do has a picture of me in it;) I like going to blogs where I see who is writing to me. Makes it more real…so snap away:)
I had to go to the laundry mat not that long ago and it was interesting. I took a friend to help me and it was a good thing. We ended picking off lint from all my rugs. I thought it would be a great idea to wash them all together. Now I know why I never wash my rugs!
So glad the kids have some new ideas and are giving you a break.
Juli - With all of the quarters you used on washing 7 peoples worth of clothing, couldn’t you just buy a new washing machine?! Haha, just kiddin’!
jenni@talkinghairdryer - I get jealous of those families on Extreme Home Makeover that get 2 sets of washers and driers in their laundry room.
Beth - This post humors me because I had to use a laundromat last years to wash our (apparently ginormous – because it wouldn’t fit in any washing machine) bedspread. I didn’t really like it and the clientel waiting around was questionable. It made me really appreciate my washer and dryer being at home!
Staci - You make even going to a laundromat fun 🙂 Especially the last pictures, when you are alll alone 🙂 I reeeeally need some time alone if I am jealous of you getting to go to the laundromat 🙂 heeeeheeee!!!! Glad your kiddoes didn’t miss the tv!!! You are way more courageous than I !!!!! Today, we are off to White Water Bay…..uggggh 🙁 Nothin like a big hole of chlorine pee for the kids to swim in 🙂 Can you tell how much I love it?!!! BUT, I do love my kids, so therefore, I will go 🙂 So that’s at least today they won’t be on the Wii 🙂
Karen Lehmann - this winter, while our new tile was being installed in our kitchen and laundry room, I too, found myself without a washer and dryer. for 2 weeks! ack… we trekked to our local laundromat as well and my kids loved it too.
i totally gotcha with the what do i take in and what do i do with the little ones scenario – although my kids arent tiny babies anymore it was hard to get them all inside or out to the car again in the snow with all of the laundry (we had alot) it was a ton o fun though…
Debra - Mama Sue~I am from TX as well & grew up doing our laundry at the washateria. Now we live in Japan & it is called a laundry mat on base.
Debra - Even though we have a washer & dryer that are free, I much prefer doing laundry at the laundry mat. I actually just got home from doing 12 loads. But all of our laundry for the week is done in 2 hours & I am free for a bit. I love that!
Now my husband, he hates me spending the $20 (or less) when again, we have ones at home that are free to use.
Deputy's Wife - Somedays I wish I could walk into my basement and see a bank of washer and dryers. Yes, I do think of that. How wonderful it would be to have all the laundry done in two hours, right in your own home!
Mama Sue - I have a king sized PB quilt on our bed that I wash at the laundromat…in TX they are often called washateria…really! The one nearest my home is gross so I don’t like to take my daughter. It sure is nice to get it done quickly though. I remember going with my mom when I was a kid sometimes if it was too cold or wet to hang our clothes outside!
Kimberlee J. - You and Mr. Hodge could do a wonderful duet. I’ve seen him break out a Free Fallin like no other. Ask him!
AshleyAnn - I have never been to a laundromat, but your pictures make it look nice…not nicest enough to try out, but maybe nice enough for me not have a breakdown at the thought if my washer breaks.
Kylah Marro - I have a confession to make! I LOVE the laundromat…EVEN BETTER when I am there alone! I have a washer and dryer at my house but like you when my dryer broke in the middle of the winter I would go there to dry. I would go alone and have my BF stay with the boyZ..AHHH PEACE just me and the fresh smelling laundry….all laundry done in a matter of hours felt so rewarding!!! I would usually go on a Sunday night at 8pm…..WONDERFUL! I know I am weird! FUN POST!
Rachel - This is great. I had to go to the laudramat the other day too…in Paris. Check out my post on the Laverie Libre Service :).
http://plainjane21.blogspot.com/2010/08/jour-de-la-lessive.html
Jessica - I secretly fantasize about going to the laundromat…the thought of getting all my laundry done in just a couple hours is almost unbearable 😉
Tara - we use to go to the laundromat when I was little..not all the time, but occasionally, for some reason.
glad the “no tv” is working out better…
Micah - I’ve never had to go to a laundromat, but I’ve always imagined it would take half or less the time that it takes at home! Huge washers and dryers that fit like 2 loads worth, plus you can do as many loads as you need to at once! Not to mention folding in an uninterrupted envioronment ;).
Holly - we had to go to the laundromat about a year ago when our washing machine was broken. Brian really liked getting the laundry done in 2 hours, but we had to get up early on saturday morning to do it. I didn’t like that part so much!
Gemma - You know when you love someones blog when you WANT to carry on reading about them doing laundry lol!
Great post as per usual Meg!!
Happy Friday : )
Gemma x
Lisa - How is it that you make laundry look like fun? Some great pics taken too. Glad to hear the children are getting used to the no computer/tv thing. Just last week i did a 7 day challenge to be tech free. i thought i would die, but infact it was really good. I felt significantly less wound up. Hope you kids do too.
mkpoggie - I remember going to the laundry mat as a kid and thinking it was the coolest!! They had a bubble gum machine and a pool table and cartoons on the wall mounted TV.
It must have been some kind of super amazing mat…
…Because, when I was in college and HAD to go to one, I remember thinking, “Well this is significantly less exciting.” I didn’t have a laptop. Or Tom Petty.
Glad you found some laundry zen time!!