Jun. 7, 2007
Broken things and memories
This must be the week of broken toys, or the day the maids quit. Tracy has a broken dishwasher. She also has a husband who knows a desperate wife when he sees one. I have a microwave awaiting burial. Anissa ‘s washing machine broke down. She is sending her honey to Lowe’s for a new one. He knows she needs one , so off he is going to rescue her. Her story made me remember this one.
For the first three months we lived in Italy, with Military uniforms, a two year old and a brand new baby in cloth diapers, I had to wash them all in our bathtub. I used the Bathtub because the Italians idea of a laundry mat was running water over built in wash boards in old basement type sinks At least at home the water was warm! I had to use bleach and hot water for diapers and our hot water tank held 15 gallons. I had to wash Mike’s fatigues and hang them on the radiators to dry. And we all know Two-year olds smile a dirt clings to them. Funny I don’t remember washing my clothes. Did I ever get that done/
Well because we had just moved there and moving expenses are overwhelming in the beginning, the washing machine had to wait. It waited until the morning I was washing diapers my hands even in gloves were cracked and bleeding and I was crying. Poor Mike he never saw it coming. (Ok just to be clear this was before I became a Christ, although I probably would have still done it). He had worked a Midnight shift the same shift he was working a couple months earlier and had been shot at by the Red Brigade. He was sleeping, really he never saw it coming. I opened the bedroom door, took off by pink soapy play-tex gloves and throw them in his handsome sleeping face!
I had finally lost it. I must have looked very forlorn, because he didn’t even ask why I threw wet soapy gloves in his face. Instead he got up, got dressed went across the street to Jiacomo’s and in very broken Italian told Jaicomo I need a washing machine NOW! Down town they went and the Little Italian shop owner wouldn’t let Mike give him a dime and told him when he had a little extra money, come make a payment. NO monthly bills no set amounts, pure trust and Mike’s word. Simple times.
Even though it could only wash two uniforms at a time, It could wash two days worth of diapers and my little girl’s frilly dresses too! At that moment I knew what love looked like; a sleepy husband with soap suds in his hair!
I remember writing my mom at this same time. She had had 4 small babies at one time and had to go outside and pump the water to boil not only for our clothes, but for our bathes as well. I praised her up one side and down the other than I asked what she used for her chapped and bleeding hands! Funny until you experience it, you seldom realize what your mom did to bring you up to adulthood.
A few months later, I would meet Jesus. Blessings just keep coming.
Comments
Jun. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharity
What a sweet story! Well, I mean the part about dh knowing exactly what you needed and getting it! The washing laundry in the bathtub with cracked and bleeding hands, not so sweet, but what your husband did for you was sweet! I'm blessed with a good one, too!
Blessings!
Sharity
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Jun. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Canadagirl
God is so Good even before you took Him in your heart forever. He blessed you with a LOVING hubby. I loved this story! I too have look back at when I was a child and now I thank my mom LOTS and call her blessed.
God Bless my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
PS: I put up my Canadian ...American post. You might want to visit the links and have a chuckle. (0;
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Jun. 7, 2007 - P.S
Posted by bubbebobbie
He came home tonight with a new Microwave.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
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Jun. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anissa
What a wonderful story. I can't imagine washing clothes in a bathtub! I am way too spoiled. It was also encouraging to here that you 'lost it' with your husband. Yes, encouraging. I feel like such a horrible person when I lose control. It is nice to know that God forgives and I can grow. God bless.
Anissa
PS the new washer comes today. I'll let everyone know my impressions after I see/use it.
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Jun. 8, 2007 - What stories!
Posted by SuzyScribbles
I hope some day you compile all your blogs into a humorous book about living abroad. Your stories are funny, inspiring, touched with a hint of danger, and thoroughly enjoyable! Keep 'em coming!
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Jun. 8, 2007 - ROTFL.
Posted by MiryClay
I'm sorry to laugh. This story just reminded me of when Ashley was first born. We had her in a basinette in our room. She had woken up in the middle of the night to nurse. Of course daddy didn't hear her. Then James woke up in the room next door screaming. So I have baby Ash latched to my chest and James screaming in the room next door to ours. I threw the door opened to our room so hard that the door knob put a hole in the wall. LOL. Bill flew out of bed and looked at me puzzled. When I told him what was wrong he replied, "All you had to do was ask for help!" Hmmmm, I thought he had ears too! ;o)
Blessings,
Lori
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Jun. 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by AcceptanceWithJoy
I am sorry that I laughed at you. But, I just know this must provide a beautiful memory. And that washing machine that only washed two sets of fatigues? I am sure you thought is was wonderful.
I was out in the field once. The first night we stayed in shacks that had been built during WWII. They were not insulate. The wood that was the "wall" had warped so badly that there were large gaps... large enough for bugs to come in through. The only furniture was cots with canvas so old I was sure it couldn't support my body weight. There was a gas burning heater in the middle of the room that vented through the ceiling. About a mile away there was a common bathroom with a common shower. I whined.
Then for one week we were living in tents. Twice in 7 days they set up a "field shower" and allowed us to bathe. It was still a common room... only it was in a tent. There were wood pallets on the ground. If they had not been there, we would have been standing in mud. The hot water was limited. You had to get in and get wet... stand aside while someone else got wet and you soaped up... then you were given enough time to rinse the soap off.
When they brought us back to those shacks? And the real bathroom with hot water? But the best part... they put us in a big green Army truck and brought us to a place we could wash and dry our clothes. I smelled like a girl! I felt like I was at a fine resort!
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Jun. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Tracy
There is no need to let me know that you are going to link my blog, I think it is fine to just go and do it :) I loved your story.
Tracy
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Jun. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by PumpkinsMomma
Thanks for sharing that story. living in a foreign country has some interesting challenges doesn't it? I'm glad your hubby got you what you needed.
marie
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