Laundry Drama

Want to hear a sad story? Get your tissues ready…..

Back in early January (6 1/2 months ago!) our clothes dryer broke. It would turn on and spin, but wouldn’t heat and dry the clothes. Ben was in the thick of his busy season and didn’t have the time to fix it.  I didn’t want to call a repairman because we only paid $200 for it and the repair is often $150+.  Seemed like a waste to put that much into an old, cheap machine.  So I convinced Ben he could fix it. He convinced me that it would have to wait until the end of his busy season.  Deal.

So I waited.

And waited.

I would wash all our clothes in the washing machine, and then lay everything flat to dry all around the house. It was time consuming, and made the house look messy. And our clothes were kindof crunchy and linty instead of soft and normal.

Finally in mid-March Ben found the time to take the machine apart, watch some YouTube videos, and he ordered the needed parts. Once the parts arrived he fixed it wonderfully and it was up and running again. At least it was for about a four loads. Then it broke again. *Cue crying*

The machine was overheating and we thought the problem might be that our vent was blocked or damaged. We had plans to get a new roof so we thought we’d wait until the vent was replaced during the roof replacement, repair the machine again, and hope that solved our problem.

And so I waited. Again.

A few weeks ago we finally had our roof replaced. Fantastic! Finally a working dryer was in my near future.

One weekend Ben repaired it again. I happily started some laundry (a very strange feeling). It went through the wash and I put it in the dryer. I went to pull it out 45 minutes later and it was cold and wet. *Cue more crying!* The fuse had blown AGAIN!

By the point I was DONE! I was more than done – I was mad! No more tears of sadness; now it was anger.  I was angry at myself for not doing something sooner. Upset with Ben for not making me do something sooner. And angry that we’re not filthy rich so that it would be no problem to go to a store and pick out a new washer and dryer for $1800 (is that really sssooooo much to ask?).

I turned to facebook and asked friends about the best place to buy a new washer and/or dryer. I was determined to end my laundry woes that very day!

Well after seeing my post a friend sent a personal message explaining that they would be moving in a month and their new home had a washer/dryer and asked if we’d like their old one when they move.

It was so kind but I just didn’t know if I could make it another month!

Ben and I went out to Best Buy that night to do some research. The cheapest machine they had was a $400 decent machine. Not super special but at least it would actually dry the clothes! I wanted the deluxe fancy washer/dryer combo at $1800. Laundry is hard enough. Why not have machines that clean amazingly well and work reliably?!?!?

Well, I started wandering the store with the kids while Ben talked to the salesman. I happened to spot an beautiful crisp, clear 4K monitor which was $400. “Hmmmm…..” I thought, “Sure would be easy on the eyes to edit pictures on a new 29 inch 4K monitor instead of my old, sad 19 inch one.” Then I looked at the new iMac computers which were $1800. “Hmmmm……” I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a super fast computer instead of my old slow one. That would cut my photo editing time in half, I bet!”

So after considering the places where I could spend my money I opted to wait the month for the friend’s dryer. In my head this sacrifice was somehow attached to the fact that I could buy a new, beautiful monitor which would make all my editing dreams come true.

Alas, after researching online and as I was about to click “Buy” on a new monitor Ben reminded me of all the other things we need to spend money on…..a new shower in the downstairs, bookcases (check – bought that), hardware for the kitchen cabinets, vacation, car loan, kids’ college education/missions, etc.

So here I sit, still waiting for a working dryer and with no new monitor or computer to show for my patience. *Cue tears again!*

I realize this is a petty, 1st World Problem and there are people in this world with real problems – debilitating diseases, hunger, war, depression, poverty, and abuse, just to name a few.  For the last six months I’ve been reminding myself of how small of a problem this is……each day as I’m laying my clothes flat to dry.

And that is my laundry saga.

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Pictures: There was a huge lice outbreak at Jax’s school a month ago.  I overreacted a little by sending Ben to the laundry mat (I had a photoshoot but met him there at the end) with AALLLL our  dirty clothes, pillows, sheets, and quilts.  In the end, after treating the whole family for lice and after hours of cleaning we never found a single bug.  (Which I’m happy about but wish I hadn’t done the 17 hours worth of work!)

Sure was fun to use a dryer again, though.

*Special thanks to my mom! The last two weeks I’ve done all my laundry at her house.