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Home > Laundry -- and Mom is finally married!

Laundry -- and Mom is finally married!

April 12th, 2017 at 02:25 pm

Yesterday would have been a no-spender, but I decided to do a load of laundry. I know it must seem like I do tons of laundry, but the washers I use in the basement are small. Not sure what the capacity is, but when I visit my friends and family, and eye up their washers, they are clearly almost double the size.

I have four skinny hampers that I bought from Wal-Mart years ago. I put my dirty clothes in them -- one for whites & lights, one for darks, one for colors, and one for reds. When one of the hampers gets full, it fits perfectly in the washer. Sometimes it seems like every day one gets full.

Even though it seems like a lot to spend on laundry, it is cheaper than what I used to pay just for water in my former apartment, where I had a washer and dryer in my unit. It generally adds up to under $20 each month.

Yes, I've looked into installing a washer/dryer in my unit. I can't do it without either sacrificing my dishwasher, or making structural changes. (My unit is very small, about 800 square feet.) It is okay to do my laundry in the basement. The biggest problem is navigating the stairs, but since I've been working out, that is easier. It is also easier to get done when I am home all day, and not trying to do it on weekends or weeknights, when everybody else is.

Whenever I get low on quarters, I "buy" a roll or two at the grocery store or the bank. I keep them in a bowl in the kitchen. Every load takes six quarters to wash and dry. I also save quarters in my daily commerce, but since I rarely pay in cash any more, I don't get a lot of quarters. But as long as I stay on top of it, I hardly ever have to scrounge for quarters.

In order to cut down on my loads, I try to wear pants two days in a row (not always possible). Most of my workout wear doubles as pajamas. I hand-wash my bras. Still, always the laundry. My mother used to say I was either the cleanest or the dirtiest person she knew!

Well, I didn't know I was going to expound on laundry today. I guess there is not much else going on!

I did finally get to the point in my mother's diary where she and Dad married. She did not ever say anything about a proposal. She just started talking about buying housewares and furnishings, and looking for apartments. Then there was an "announcement party" and then the marriage. No description of dress, flowers, anything. Not even where the wedding took place. Did my grandfather officiate? Nothing.

But here is something interesting. They honeymooned in Chicago (which I already knew). I always thought they stayed in the Drake Hotel -- someone told me that, not my mother, obviously, because that was wrong. They stayed at a hotel called the Del Prado. Well, I looked it up. I couldn't believe it. It is just a few blocks from the museum, but here is something even funnier. When I stayed with my friend K in Hyde Park a few years ago, we were mesmerized by a vintage building nearby that was decorated with the faces of Indian chiefs. K didn't have any idea what it was, but we were all intrigued. Well, it was the Del Prado! Now an apartment building, but back then, a pretty luxuriant hotel. I can't believe how often I have walked in my mother's footsteps, unaware. It's not like we grew up in the same place!

So, I think my sentimental journey will have to include a tour of the Del Prado -- or at least a peek into the lobby!

5 Responses to “Laundry -- and Mom is finally married!”

  1. rob62521 Says:
    1492024992

    Laundry is a necessary evil. I'd say even if the washers are small, you have a good deal cost wise. We have a washer and dryer at home, but when were on Tybee Island in January, we had to do laundry and at a laundromat. I haven't used one in years. Yikes! Like you I hand wash my bras, but even with three loads, it was almost $20 and I brought a lot of back to the condo damp because I couldn't see paying anymore. Two washers were large, but one was smaller. The larger washer was $7.00 and let's just say I wasn't impressed. Fortunately I had brought my own detergent and softener. The stuff for sale was ridiculous expensive.

    That is so cool about the hotel being near where you work and the fact you have already admired it.

  2. PatientSaver Says:
    1492041417

    So interesting about the hotel. Yes, do stop in and walk some more in mom's footsteps. How poignant.

  3. My English Castle Says:
    1492055507

    I love your mom stories. So sweet.

  4. Dido Says:
    1492177626

    Disappointing that Mom didn't write about the proposal or wedding, and very cool about the hotel!

  5. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1492486281

    Cool about the hotel!

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