I.hate.laundry

Hate is such a strong word.  I really try not to use it, but when I think about laundry it's just the only word I can use to describe it.  Don't get me wrong, I love having the laundry done - clean clothes neatly folded and tucked into the drawers, knowing that in the morning when it's time to get dressed everyone can choose what to wear calmly, no one will yell "but where's my PINK shirt with the PINK flowers" or "NO, I want Lightening DaQueen shirt" or "is there any clean underwear somewhere?".  But getting to that point is just something I have trouble doing. Even now, as I type, I really should be putting clothes in the washer, and putting others in the dryer, and folding the dry stuff, and putting away the stuff that's folded - it just seems like such an ordeal!

I don't know where this hatred comes from.  My mom LOVES laundry, is excited to do it, sets the timer so she knows it's time to switch loads, and folds everything with care and precision. Clearly, this love of laundry did not pass to me through DNA - nature and nurture both let me down on this one.  I look forward to when she comes to visit - Guess what Mom, I SAVED a few loads of laundry for you!  (Always the thoughtful, caring and generous daughter...)

The worst is when I forget that there's something in the wash.  Do you ever walk past the laundry room and go "Oh ya, laundry, I wonder how long that load's been in there".   Trust me, you do not want to put the clothes in the dryer - they definitely need to be rewashed first with hot water and extra detergent.  It really doesn't take long before that musty smell takes hold. (Do NOT tell my mother this happens, she may faint from the horror at the mere thought of it!)

And the folding - why is folding so difficult?  My husband tries, and he means well, but he might as well just crumple each piece into a ball for all the good his folding does.  You have to straighten it out, smooth out the wrinkles - I am convinced he is 'faking' his complete lack of ability to fold clothes, so he doesn't have to. Leave the shirts and pants to me, but hey - go crazy on the towels and socks!

I know the trick is to "Do a load everyday" and I have tried.  Put a load in the wash before leaving for work, put it in the dryer when you get home, fold it after supper, put it away at bedtime.  Doesn't seem so bad, just a few minutes 4 times throughout the day.... ya, that should be doable.  And I don't sort colors, and socks and underwear can go in the drawer without folding.  Sounds manageable. 

The teenagers now do their own laundry, another 6 years and daughter #3 can take over hers, about 9 years for the boy.  I may be in a straight jacket by then - oh no, wait, they are white and require laundering, so I do not want one in the house.

Family game night!

Wednesday Carly came home from school very excited - tomorrow was Family Literacy Day, and we 'had' to play a game and we couldn't play 'electronic games'.  I wasn't personally concerned about being in trouble with her Grade 1 teacher if we disobeyed, but she was quite adamant that this was important.

The next day she hadn't forgotten, and insisted we play a game that night.  So we had a quick supper, and managed to get everyone sitting around the table (teenage sisters included!).  We pulled out a few board games and she chose Monopoly.

About 30 seconds in, 3yr old Jack declared "this is aboring", but he hung in there and was happy for quite a while as long as he got to shake the dice every once in awhile.  Carly actually did really well, and kept landing on properties to buy.  In the end, Daddy won but we all had fun.

Last night, they had fun playing 'Operation' and putting the little people in the little cars from the "Game of Life".  I guess we should try doing this more often.  Computer games, online games, Wii and DS really aren't the same.