Sunday, October 29, 2006


BIG FAMILY MYTH 1 AND 2

# 1 - "Your washing machine never stops running." This is not a myth. I used to have a cute, color coded schedule. It worked well when I had 4 children under 8 (the first time). However, as the family grew, and their clothes got bigger (which makes more loads), and Mike entered the military (duty, off duty, and work out clothes every day), and there were more towels (work out towels, bath towels, beach towels) and sheets to wash....it became impossible to do the laundry in one day. I moved to TWO days. That worked for a bit of time. Currently (9 of us at home; baby in cloth nappies) I do 3 - 5 loads of laundry 6 days a week. The laundry load is decreasing (2 girls left home) and is sure to ease up even more as the boys leave home.....I guess the machine does stop running in the hours from say 2 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. ::snort:: I almost bought the fancy new washer/dryer set when we moved here. Sears, however, thwarted my plans. They put their biggest model of "normal machines" on sale...and it was cheaper to buy the set than just the washer of the other set....so I still have the old fashioned top-loading washer; but they work like a dream. {What I need is a new freezer - the $75 one I purchased when we got here is not living up to expecations.}

#2 - "There is always someone who needs a bath." This is also not a myth.

Preparing for a trip years ago I had everyone fed, clothes washed and packed, everyone bathed and I commented, "There, if no one will eat, wear clothes or make a mess for the next 8 hours we can get out of here on schedule". So there you have it - my children will tell you that I sometimes advocate that they be starved and constipated while running around clean and naked.

I need a good picture for this category....Jared is saying "ah, no, no...." The above picture is us over 2 years ago at Hatcher's Pass, AK. I'm using photos Bre had on her computer until I can access my photos on the crashed computer. They're all still there - or so I'm told.

7 comments:

Lisa in Jax said...

LOL I had a feeling those weren't myths. MY washer hasn't quit running all week this week and several of my kids still need a bath. Eric and I were trying to figure out where the next baby will go when ill. Our bed is already full.LOL We've never had 3 kids 4 and under before.

Blessings,

LIsa

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Anonymous said...

Oh, I know you didn't mean that they actually are cleaning but are clean, however, that is the mental picture that came to my mind. lol
H

Debbie said...

I'm finding the bath thing very true. Bessie got a bath every night, Gabe, maybe every other night. Since the new kids have come, we try for at least Saturday night and maybe once during the week if we can manage it! :-p
We do it assembly line style. I bathe them while Bri or Bessie dry and get them dress.
I have been doing at least one load everyday, except Sunday, but many days are 2 or more if we have towels and sheets to do.

Anonymous said...

LOL.....Doug always wants me to dehydrate myself before a trip so that I don't have to make many stops.

I like to clean the house right before we leave. Everybody could be in the van waiting and I'm washing up the dishes lol.

I enjoy reading your big family myths.

~kelly

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

H - great mental image isn't it? LOL My poor babies. ::snort::

Kelly - we do the same thing here. Mike's trucking days come back and he wants to drive, drive, drive....he felt terrible when we stopped in CO on our last trip....his friend was shocked we'd driven from TX with ONE stop - all that way with a van full. LOL He was much more attentive the rest of the trip. At each exit "Do you need to stop?" LOL

Jodi said...

Nice picture even if it is older, I hope you can get your computer sorted soon. We have bath issues here with "only" 4. I sometimes still have Colin and Tristan go together since we have a big tub but I guess they are getting a bit old for that at 7 and 8!

Jodi