There are some household chores that I really don't mind doing--making the bed, washing and putting away dishes.
There are some chores that I REALLY hate doing--scrubbing toilets and tubs, cleaning trashcans.
THEN there are the chores that I constantly put off doing, but love the feeling of doing them--ironing clothes, dusting, and vacuuming.
Actually with the dusting and vacuuming, I put off doing them because it makes the asthma flare up, BUT if I put it off toooo long, then the accumulated dust does the same thing--Catch 22!!!
But now ironing, is a whole different thing. As a child, my mother would only let me iron the really flat stuff--napkins, pillowcases, etc. My Granny was a whole 'nother story--she ascribed to the theory that children (female version only, please) should learn how to iron everything correctly as early as possible!
I really hated to hear "Theresa, it's your turn to help me with the ironing." That meant that no matter how many of my cousins were around, and no matter how much fun we had dreamed up for the day, I was not going to have any fun at all!
Granny would carry the basket of "ironables" to the back porch, set up the ironing board the way she wanted it, and then start handing me one item at a time. I had to iron that item until it was COMPLETELY wrinkle-free. And you know, even though Granny was getting to be pretty blind, she could see the tiniest wrinkles. Once the item was ironed to her approval, then I had to fold it correctly--if I didn't then it would get wrinkled again, and God-forbid, I'd have to iron it AGAIN! My Granny literally felt that anything cloth should be ironed. I have ironed my grandfather's boxer shorts, his undershirts, Granny's bras, underwear, bath towels, washcloths, not to mention the usual items like shirts, jeans, etc. And during the summer, there were always many of us cousins spending time with Granny, so that meant ironing their clothes, too.
So, now, I ascribe to the theory of "if you want it ironed, do it yourself, but only as you are getting ready to wear it." I love the look and feel of freshly ironed clothing, but I am not doing it ahead of time, and unless my husband is in a real rush, I don't iron for anyone but me.
Anyone else care to share your chore woes???
4 comments:
Oh, how well I remember learning to iron! *smile* Mom started me out ironing the handkerchiefs and bras. Remember when bras were all cotton? Well, I ironed ours..there were 4 females in our household. Oh, and the irons back then were soo heavy, not light like they are now. I'm with you on the ironing now, though, Theresa. I iron it as I need it or not at all. Thank you, Lord, for knits and permanent press! *smile*
my least favorite would be cooking, but you knew that already :) I on the other hand love to iron and vaccuum, and would rather wash dishes than dust any day.
Liz, my child, you are welcome to vacuum anytime your sweet little soles walk into my home!!!
Oh, Jewel, I know EXACTLY what you mean by HEAVY irons!!! I swear Granny's was one of the first electrified ones!!! Weighed about 50 lbs!
people iron bras?!? how does that even work?
I don't iron at all.
I don't dust unless I have to ... and when does anyone actually HAVE to dust? Only when they relocate things like furniture.
Truth be told, I'm not really GOOD at any housework. And I dislike most of it. I'm not sure why. I wish I was more cheerfully homemakery.
Would you post "the Shovel Talk" sometime?
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