But I think that I spend a lot of time wishing things were different.
Do you do that? It's a habit of mind. We can make ourselves sick over wondering WHAT IF and IF ONLY– what if I had a different husband? If only my children were different! What if I lived somewhere warmer? cooler? in an older house? in a newer house? If only I were thinner! younger! smarter! funnier!
And the conclusion we always reach is that we would be so much happier!
The reason I think this is going to seem dumb to you is the little thing that I noticed after many years of doing my laundry. I've always wanted something like this:
It just seems so very handy, doesn't it? What if I had something like that? How really perfect everything would be!
I do have a nice drying rack that the Chief made me when my old, flimsy one died. I hang it on a sturdy hook next to the washer, just to keep it out of the way when not in use (you know how I like to keep things up on the walls, right?):
I take it down and hang my permanent press things on it. In the winter, I might put it by the fire and dry off people's scarves and other wet, cold items.
Once in a while, if I have only a few little delicates that I don't need the full deploy for, I put them over the rungs as is, while it's on the hook.
You know, still on the wall.
And never ever, until just a few months ago, did I realize, just by accident, that I can pull it out very easily!
Don't laugh at me!
I guess I never tried it!
Just like one of those fancy wall-mounted clothes racks!
It was like that all along!
How funny is that?
My life is perfect now 😉
Want to tell us about something little you figured out (you don't have to be as dumb as me!)?
Is there something simple that makes you feel like “everything's fine!” that you've posted about on your blog? Feel free to link to the post in the comments!
Have you conquered the “if onlys” in some area?
Let us know!
Juliana says
When I saw your first picture, that was exactly what I thought that rack was! I will say I struggle very much with those types of questions. I said to my husband the other day, "If we ever move again, I want a place with a washer and dryer not in the basement" (I should add that we live in a 3 story row home and the basement is this cramped little space with a narrow staircase and low overhang that is hard to navigate with a big bag of laundry, to say nothing of having to haul it up and down three additional flights of stairs every week!) My husband's solution is that he will carry the laundry up and down the stairs (he's done this for some time now), but it doesn't really solve it for me. Oh well.I guess my "dumb" if only moment was wanting those nifty drawer organizers for socks, underwear, shirts, etc. but finding our drawers to be too shallow to accommodate (and also not wanting the expense if they didn't work well). Solution? Cardboard cut down to divider size. Brilliant! I happened upon the idea when I was organizing my ink pads (I am a demonstrator for a rubber stamp company) and trying to figure out how to avoid the expense of an ink caddy that cost $60. I have this series of shelves in my craft closet that is for embellishments and the ink pads fit pretty well on them, but need dividers to keep from sliding into each other. Cardboard worked great there too!
Barb says
I think we get into a rut with our routines and don't take the time to think about whether the routines are still working for us when we're in a new season.I do have a small aha moment to share about my hand towels and kids: <a href="http://mydailyround.blogspot.com/2010/05/works-for-me-wednesday-hand-towels-for.htmlhttp://mydailyround.blogspot.com/2010/05/works-fo… />I love the hand towels because they take up less space in the laundry.
Penny says
That is the most beautiful drying rack I have ever seen – on or off the wall. It's a work of art in either place!
MomCO3 says
Ha! I spend a lot of time wishing I had an outdoors clothesline– a big one– instead of my racks I keep hauling out & in, out & in… How come I spend time wishing I were dumber and had less sense of humor?
Anonymous says
I once spent a lot of time thinking sbout the container I wanted to stand in one corner of my sink, to hold vegetable peelings, apples cores and so on before they get taken to the compost heap. I wanted something durable, not plastic; it needed a hole in the bottom so water could drain away, and could be a little wider at the top than at the bottom… Maybe, I thought, I will ask a friendly potter to make me such a fine thing. Then I realised – what I had just decided I needed was in fact a plant pot – and I already had plenty of those! (And of course my life has been perfect ever since!)Bella
Leila says
Juliana, that's a great fix…Barb, hand towels are so much less of an investment, aren't they? (Except pricewise, they are all out of proportion, but I get mine on clearance at Marshall's.)Penny, you're so sweet! He's gonna love that! ;)MomCO3, I'm on the outdoor line as well…even if it has to go in a swamp, it's going.Bella, I did just exactly the same thing with my sponge holder (you can see it in the post before this one about the radishes). I wanted something with a hole for drainage…something blue and pottery-ish…something shallow…It's really a small planter — it's from the local nursery! I love the color!
JMB says
We recently moved our deep freezer into the garage from the basement. I told my husband that I can't believe we went 10 years with the freezer in the basement. We have a pool and entertain a lot in the summer, so anytime I needed extra bags of ice or ice pops or hotdog/hamburger buns you had to walk into the house, down into the basement and lug the stuff upstairs and outside. Now it's just there! I can't tell you how happy this makes me.I too suffer from "if only itis". It took losing my dad suddenly to snap me out of it, well, most of the time. I do have my moments though, especially when something in my old house blows and it costs an arm & leg to have it fixed.
scmom (Barbara) says
Great idea, even if it did come from an aha! moment. Thanks for sharing. I am always looking for ideas in the laundry room — the dungeon. I have some really great hanging racks — for hanging clothes on a hanger — that my husband originally made for me to use in my annual garage sale. I'll have to see if I can get some pictures so I can share.One of my most recent "everything's fine" moments came within the last six months when I realized that if I kept my sewing machine out — in a corner of the finished part of the basement — I would sew. And I do — all the time now. The kids can bring books downstairs so we can do school if I am working on a project. After 25 years of sewing — do you think it took me long enough? 😉
Margo says
I love your laundry room, from what I can see of it! I'm going to ask my husband to hang my rack on the wall and see if it will do that trick too. So smart.I adore aha! moments in housekeeping (part of the fun of blogging is keeping track of them). A fairly recent one of mine:http://thriftathome.blogspot.com/2010/05/napkin-rings.htmlI do have some photos and ideas for a post about found storage containers – hopefully in the next week or so.
Robin says
My aha moment combines two comments! I used to have these lovely stone blue (light) hand towels. Then I gave birth to a child who thinks washing hands is getting them wet and wiping all of the dirt onto the towel (!). My "aha" moment: I was in the Linens N Things clearance section (I miss that store) and stumbled upon these lovely cranberry (dark) towels. The dirt might be there, but at least I can't see it!
Julia says
Well since you asked, here is a link to my post about my new clotesline, funny how it is also about drying laundry:)http://blessedobscurity.blogspot.com/2010/06/dreams-of-clothesline-realized.html
jill f. says
I can't wash anything by hand unless my hands are covered by rubber gloves. Of course, the right glove always gets cut by a sharp knife or gets a hole in it almost immediately after buying a new pair.I would stick an extra left hand glove on my right hand going the wrong way and awkwardly wash dishes wearing it that way.Imagine my surprise and delight when I went to a friends house and saw her with a left hand glove turned INSIDE OUT so it fit JUST LIKE A RIGHT HAND GLOVE!! Wow! Brain freeze! I am amazed by such ingenuity! And so pleased to wear left hand gloves on my right hand that fit correctly. LIFE IS GOOD!Blessings,Jill F. in the Pacific NW where the sun is smiling down on all the raspberries!
Jessie says
I've got one! I like to ride my bike. Just around town, nothing strenuous. For the longest time, I wanted a fancy bike — pretty, a wire basket, fenders. And I wanted to have skirts that would be good for riding a bike in. And I wanted a nice sun hat. And then I wanted to get a nice bike trailer, so I could cart the baby around with me. Well, as it turns out, over the last 4 years, I've slowly been collecting all those things. (In a thrifty, hey-I-finally-found-a-good-deal kind of a way, of course.)A couple months ago, I was out riding with the baby, and a nice pedestrian man waved and said something like, "Well you've got quite the setup there!" And all of the sudden I realized that I have achieved bicycling perfection! A nice, attractive lady's bike with a basket, fenders, and a panel over the chain. A straw sun hat with a pretty ribbon. Skirts that are just long/short enough and full/straight enough to ride a bike in. And a big, perfect, comfortable bike trailer for the little one. How had I not realized this before?? God had provided and I hadn't even noticed.
Ginny says
Wonderfully funny post! When things are getting a bit rough around here, I get on hands and knees and scrub the grout between my kitchen floor tiles with a toothbrush. When it is really bad I use…bleach. Life is good when the grout is clean.
Betsy says
Hi Leila, In my previous life before kids I worked as a florist or nurseryman (woman) in various fancy flower shops and garden centers, you know the kind that also carry boutique kitchen, garden and household goods and every fancy little chotchkie that you will never actually need in life. Well, my aha moment came after quitting there to stay home. I all of a sudden realized how much happier I was with my life and my home. I was not always looking at the things that I could not afford nor did I need. In those stores everyone around me was so concerned with "stuff" and I found myself sucked into that mindset. I now am surrounded by like minded individuals who share my values in life and oh, life is so much better!Everything is fine now and was all along, I just wasn't smart enough to realize it. 🙂
Dawn says
I have many 'aha' moments myself–can't think of any right now of course but your laundry rack discovery cracked me up and hit close to home at the same time!
messy bessy says
Oh, yes, I do in fact have a recent 'aha' moment. My cupboards are so disorganized, but I have been trying to keep the things I need near where I need to use them. So I have a very narrow (probably 12 inches) bit of counter between the stove and the wall, and on it is the coffee maker paraphernalia and the tea kettle when not in use. Underneath, is a tall skinny cabinet that is just home to all the oddly shaped things I don't know where else to put.For years, I have wanted to find a way to store my packets of tea in this cupboard or on this counter but never could figure out how , thus making it necessary to keep the tea in the bottom of the medicine cabinet, or wedged into the spice cabinet, or on top of the breadbox. Ick!Finally it dawned on me that the cupboard underneath the coffee maker was tall enough, and the things in it short enough, that I could maybe get a shelf, and on the shelf I could have a basket with all my tea packets and boxes in it. So I went to the thrift store and got one of those school locker racks (very skinny,just the right height) and then found the PERFECT rectangular wicker basket that fits right on top. And the popcorn air popper fits under it, the griddle and long serving tray slide in beside it, and when I put the kettle on to boil I don't even have to move my feet to get a tea bag.Huge quality of life improvement. I get a little glow just looking at the basket. This was a couple of months ago, and we've lived here eight years! (Still don't have a drying rack like your awesome specimen, though. Still hanging damp delicates over the shower curtain bar!!!)
G says
Well, it looks like I'm not the only one after all that got a new (outdoor) clothesline. Our 1950 house had one on the side of the house that had been torn down. Last fall, my husband poured the concrete & put up the wood beams to make a new one in the old place. I've used it almost every week since then (we live in the south) & I love it, love it, love it. Saves $$ & makes the clothes smell heavenly.
Jamie says
I'm enjoying reading everyone's comments! That flower pot one really cracked me up though. I like the bike one too. Very cute. My current "if only" is one that I haven't found a solution to yet. I'm very happy with my home, BUT it is a townhome and we have an extremely small yard. Most townhomes have no yard, so I'm glad for the one I have, but it is shaded so I can't grow any vegetables back here. Before living here, we lived in an upstairs apartment. So I've been living with "if only" gardening dreams for a long time. I've tried container gardening but the plants have not thrived. So we'll see what I come up with next!
Leila says
JMB, "point of first use" — the most important principle of motion management, and how often do we overlook it, plodding along or moving something seldom used to access something often used…and what a revelation when we figure things out!Barbara, see sewing room/pantry, below 😉 No kidding, sewing becomes a breeze if you don't have to be clearing a table for it all the time!Margo, I think that napkin rings are essential, and yours are so cute!Robin, I think you are giving me insight into people who by brown towels ~lol~Julia, thanks!Jill, you made me laugh — you are ALMOST as dumb as me ;)Jessie, All I can say is that you need to make sure someone takes your picture. Not only do we want to see your cuteness, but more importantly, your grandchildren will be better people for such a treasure!Ginny, clean grout…yes indeed, those handy toothbrushes. They are so useful!Betsy and Dawn, yes, it's such a blessing to find like-minded people, and that's why I appreciate all these comments so much!Messy Bessy, you are a clever one. G, a clothesline is a wonder of simple living…Jamie, when we lived closer to the city, we had a yard but it was very shady as well. We took advantage of the community garden close by, where not only were there plots, but there was a nice greenhouse with fun retired guys who were happy to hang out there, watering the seeds. Unfortunately, I was too ignorant about gardening to get much out of it, but for those who knew what they were doing, it was great. I wonder if there is something like that near you?
Breanna says
I think my "things are fine" realization came when I realized I was spending a lot of time wishing my kids were different ages. Older and potty trained, say, or younger and not able to roll over/climb the drapes.Then I understood–thinking like that was making me miss it. Their babyhoods. It goes so quickly. My daughter's on the point of being potty trained, and my son is weaning. Soon, never again will he snuggle up to me to nurse, and never again will she sidle up and smile charmingly to say, "Mama, I pooped."(Ok, not the most rosy-tinted statement in the world, but pretty cute sometimes.)So I've tried to break myself of wishing for them to be older. Contentment is a virtue, no matter whether it's with your house or the folks in it…
Kate says
My "aha" moment might seem really, really dumb. It came after many years of marriage, grumbling about the messy house, etc. I finally realized that nobody is responsible for the house but ME. I came from a big family where things just seemed to get done when I wasn't looking. After marriage I was always waiting for someone else to pick up this or that or clean this or that. I was suffering from Not My Job syndrome. Then it dawned on me that it WAS my job! When I see something on the floor and pick it up and put it away right NOW, the house stays cleaner and I'm giving the kids a good example. If the door has fingerprints all over it I don't say anymore, "I've got to get one of the kids to clean that." Instead I grab a wet rag and quickly rub it down. I'm a whole lot more peaceful about housekeeping now.
Mrs. Mobunny says
When we lived in a 17 foot travel trailer, I wanted to live in an apartment. When we lived in an apartment, I wanted to live in a real house. Now that we live in a real house, I wish it were a 1940's Bungalow…..I DO have a clothesline, and drying racks and a new kitchen……but it's always nice to fix something up even better. And silly me, I wish we had a basement….so I could put the washer and dryer down there…..
Carol says
Leila, Great aha moment! So funny!I blogged about a laundry aha a little while ago. In short….I was always weeks behind on laundry and saw no way out, then… <a href="http://.http://ckenhome.blogspot.com/2010/05/laundry-conquered-check.html.http://ckenhome.blogspot.com/2010/05/laundry-conquered-check.html<br />Now I am off to look at other commenters links to their aha moments….maybe I'll get more good ideas.
Anonymous says
My aha came this week: I've been wanting more TIME to spend at our office for bookkeeping tasks while the kids are home from school, without taking away from the much longed-for "kids home for the summer". I was thinking only of 9-5 as where time could be found.I rise early (5a.m.) in the summer because of the sun. and we live close to the office. Don't know why it never dawned on me before, but I went to the office by 7:30 yesterday, was done by 9:00 when the other staff arrives, and home before teens started on chores. It is quiet, no phones, and still had time to read/meditate, drink coffee, putter, plan the day's meals before going!deb
tootsiepop says
Hi Leila, I discovered your blog about a month ago, while searching for household tips. I love it! I am in the process of getting my laundry under control. I loved how you put the shelving paper on top of your dryer. I just finished putting some on mine about 5 minutes ago. Although, it is to HIDE the rust stains! lol. It looks so much better now. Your blog has really made my day, don't stop blogging!Kimberly
helene says
Great. Now I have wall-mounted drying rack envy.