Here's a "shocker" for most of you: I'm not always good at handling change. To give me credit, I fuss and whine a lot, then generally just jump in with a half-way decent attitude. For obvious reasons, this whole cancer gig was a different story, but I've made an effort to have a normalish life and not be melodramatic. (my kids better not be rolling their eyes!) Sometimes it's the silly stuff that does me in though...
I wasn't nostalgic or weepy about getting rid of the old(grungy, leaky) dishwasher, but I blanched at the bill for this shiny new thing. Then when they called me at 7 a.m. this morning (first stop!), I grumbled a bit although I was still excited to have my new "toy." Except that I have no idea how to run it. I didn't know where to put the soap. I'm not sure how the utensil trays work. Even after reading the instruction manual in both French and English, I'm not sure that it turns off by itself or if I have to press the off button. For the price, it should do EVERYTHING, including load itself! Note to self: I need some pretty new towels to hang over the handle.
One of my many idiosycrasies is that I collect tee-shirts and that every one of them has a history. SO, you can imagine that getting rid of them is wrenching. When this tee had one hole under the armpit, I convinced myself that it was still fine for running or lawn mowing. But now it has three, thus adieu. This shirt's story: I bought it when we were in California at a gymnastics meet. We had enjoyed the day at Disneyland, then had dinner at this restaurant with some close friends. Every time I wore this shirt, I thought of those great times with Grace Gymnastics Center and the group of wonderful people we met there. *sniff* Don't worry though--I'm not as despondent today as in my last post. Lunches and coffees out, therapeutic shopping and a stern talking to from myself have all helped. Next on my list: Figuring out new counters and flooring for the kitchen AND putting gentle pressure on Mr. Stargazer to replace those upstairs sinks. I'm feeling summer slip away...
Where is the control panel on the dishwasher? Or does it have a remote? A remote would be neat.
Posted by: Mike | July 26, 2011 at 04:00 PM
Can't you use that t-shirt as a rag or somethin'? Seems a shame to throw it away when it has such good memories!
Posted by: Kathy | July 26, 2011 at 04:01 PM
About the dishwasher-- just hit a few buttons and see what it does. I've moved enough times to know that reading the instruction manual is worthless. Just do something and watch what happens! Eventually it'll all make sense to you.
Posted by: Ally Bean | July 26, 2011 at 04:36 PM
Another idea for the t-shirt is to repurpose it as a grocery/tote bag. You sew the bottom closed. Cut the sleeves out (and a bit more) and neck to make handles. If you want to be fancy you can square the bottom.
Posted by: Jan | July 26, 2011 at 10:25 PM
Great ideas there for your t-shirt. I'm sure the dishwasher goes off by itself. We need to do coffee sometime soon. :)
Posted by: Marie K | July 26, 2011 at 11:43 PM
Another way to save that t-shirt: cut off the front -- the part with the words and pictures. Do that with every t-shirt you are done with or don't want to keep. Sew them all together into a quilt. Slap on a bed sheet (for the backing), tie the two layers together, and viola! you have a coverlet covered with memories.
Posted by: Pam J. | July 27, 2011 at 08:01 AM
Hmm. Repurpose the t-shirt into a kitchen towel to hang over the dishwasher handle? ;-)
Posted by: Michelle | July 27, 2011 at 09:07 AM
You can always patch the holes or hand-sew them shut if they're just small ones. Maybe you are a hater of sewing? Or I have just made you a hater of advice! GAH! Probably that one. :p I think instruction manuals are written by people who do not actually speak any language and just mash words together.
Or men.
Posted by: Adrasteia | July 27, 2011 at 01:15 PM
Oh, you are as bad as Don when it comes to parting with t-shirts. He's got a gazillion of them and I'm always trying to get him to throw some out, especially the ratty ones. Only difference here, is that you actually have a story for your t-shirts. He just hoards them.
When I was shopping for hardwood floors I eyed some countertops that made me want to fork out some money. Our counters are a very lovely (not) green formica. ugh. One day though...
And summer really is flying! Augie goes back to school on August 10th. sigh.
Posted by: Arlene | July 29, 2011 at 07:31 PM
You are handling everything with grace, Margaret. And you're entitled to handle things ungracefully one of these days if you feel like it.
Posted by: Liora | August 22, 2011 at 08:57 PM