Mar. 17, 2006 - More on the Laundry Monster
Okay, so I can't get the laundry monster off my mind. The children always tell me I overkill everything, but the truth of the matter is, I have so very little brain, and if something is consuming it, I must free it up for more important things, you know, like how to use knives, how to do drive a car, etc.
Now, that we have determined we do not want to tame the ugly beast I wanted to talk about key points on how to get the dragon to leave your home.
Step One--Know your enemy. This beast after all is really just Satan trying to take away our joy and thanksgiving. Instead of being thankful for the eight little bodies , one medium body, and slightly large body(this is not me, give me a few months before you refer to me as large), that are healthy enough to dirty all these clothes, we find ourselves complaining for the extra work and mess. This is not from God, of course, as He tells us to give thanks for everything. I am not certain, but I believe that includes laundry. (Although probably not ironing!)
Step Two--Organization. An organized and functional laundry room will frustrate the little demon and he won't want to stay as,with all beasts, he thrives in messes and chaos. My laundry room is located in the back corner of the basement. Above my washer and dryer hangs a rod with coathangers to hang things as soon as they come out of the dryer. This isn't actually a rod, but a sapling cut from the back yard. I like to keep things rustic you know. Next to the washer and dryer is an ironing board with iron. This is not merely for putting things on but for ironing. I also have six white kitchen garbage cans that are labeled: Work, darks, brights, whites, lights, and towels. If you live in a town with a little more to choose from you could actually get a differant color for each load, our Wal-mart carried white. Even the younger children can sort the laundry. If you put pictures on each basket, they like to make it a game. In the corner stands a stack of large stacking drawers labeled with each child's name. These are their laundry baskets. Last, is a little dish of small colored elastics that I use to match socks. (These are in every room of the house and my apron pocket, all socks are washed,dryed and sorted this way.) If you don't have a laundry room, I am afraid there is no hope for you and I can't help. Check another site for wisdom.
Step Three--Be diligent. In the morning, I start a load and then set the timer,(which I carry in my apron pocket as well because I cannot hear the buzzer upstairs.) When the load is done, I move to the dryer, without the timer, I get sidetracked and it's afternoon before I get back to it. My particular dryer has a wrinkle gaurd, (Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!!!), just in case I happen to be busy and can't get to it. When a load is done drying I turn on the iron as I open the door. I shake out and neatly fold or hang up everything as it comes out of the dryer. If something needs to be ironed or rubbed off, I do it then or the children will outgrow it before I ever get back to it. Now, before you get the idea that I don't like ironing let me clarify. Ironing is actually my second favorite job. My first being, banging my head against the wall until I pass out. (HaHa, I read this a couple of years ago and I still laugh hysterically everytime I hear it.) At the end of each laundry cycle, individual piles are placed in the appropriate baskets. The children empty their baskets and hanging items in the afternoon as part of their work schedules. (I keep the five youngest's ironing on a seperate rod in the laundry room. On Thursday we prepare their clothes for church and hang them upstairs).
Now tell me, what monster would want to live with such inane organization. Even my children don't want to live around it.
I cannot neglect to say as well, that a lot of people use this time to pray for their family. I find that God meets me more in the laundry room than anywhere else in the house. Maybe it's because this is the one room that the children will not come looking for you. They could have a limb hanging from a piece of skin and they will go three miles to the nearest neighbor before they will step foot in this room. You don't suppose they are afraid they will be asked to help??? Have a great day and enjoy your laundry.
( I just finished reading this and had to edit. Before you get the idea that I am always this organized and on top of things, let me tell you, I am not!! Some days I can get very lazy and nothing gets done, the beast moves back in. I confess my sin, shoot the animal and get back up off my butt and go to work. (however, now I can call my laziness pregnancy:). Aren't you thankful for new days?)
Comments
Mar. 17, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by daybydaygrace
Oh, I've got to get that organized. You're right, the washroom is a very peaceful place to pray. Even when I'm not folding my clothes, I build my altar there most of the time. No interruptions.
Mar. 18, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Lizz
Ya I realy Try to stay away from that monster:-)
Lizz
Mar. 21, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ronandjess
My wash/dryer is in the kitchen so laundry can be the 4 headed moster. Washing I can do but the folding is not nearly as well. I get the pile on the couch and 7 loads later have to sit down for 45 minutes to get it folded. I think if I folded as it gets done I could avoid that, thanks for the tip. I also dispise matching socks, do you wash and dry them with the elastic? Is the elastic just a rubberband? I would love to know more.
Jess
Mar. 21, 2006 - elastics
Posted by 8isnotenough
I buy the elastics in the hair section at wal-mart. They are just little multi-colored rubber bands. About 99 cents a bag of a million:). The older children put elastics on their own and I do the younger ones. If I don't have any handy, I just fold them together until I get to the laundry room. They go from washer, dryer, to drawers this way and there is no more matching. It really saves a lot of time. Thanks for responding.
