Thursday, July 16, 2009

I Need That. No, I Need THAT!

This week's assignment was to determine what appliance in our home I could not live without. Oh, this is an easy one.

Let's run through the contenders, shall we?

Fridge -- hey, I like grocery shopping. If I had to go every day, I'd be totally cool with that. Ditto on the freezer.

Stove -- well, that would be tougher, but so much can be cooked on the grill. I've even baked on the grill. And it's fun! I even grill in the winter.

Dishwasher. Ah! Some tasks in my house are appropriately divvied up. My husband takes out the trash. He mows the lawn (although truth be told, I think I'd actually enjoy that one). He irons the few clothes that need ironing. And he does the dishes.

I detest doing dishes. I can't touch the dishes once they've made it into the sink. The whole concept just grosses me out. If the dishwasher is full, dishes are placed on the counter. The wet icky slimy nastiness that is the sink can go nowhere near my dishes. At least not if I'm going to touch them.

When I looked for my first apartment, finding one with a dishwasher was key. I had a tiny studio, but it had my dishwasher. I have certain dishes that need to be hand washed. They were washed immediately upon use, never touching the sink. And to be honest, most of my boyfriends graciously took on the duty of washing dishes while I cooked.

Then I thought about this a little more. I'm definitely missing a key appliance. My husband could technically do all the dishes for me if needed. But how do you go without a washing machine?

I've heard stories about those old fashioned washing machines. Rocks? I'm not the one who's into them (Karen). While I think those wringer roller things are awfully cool looking, I couldn't imagine having to use that to do an entire load of laundry. And in my house of "I looked at it, therefore it must be dirty" those loads get big. And frequent.

The dryer, I could go without. In fact, I actually generally do go without it. Once upon a time, I even had a post showing how we air dry all our laundry, but it's somehow mysteriously disappeared. But the washer? Oh yeah... can't live without that one. I'm already planning what washer I'll buy when this one someday (hopefully very far away someday) bites the dust.

Just don't tell me that my toilet counts as an appliance. I can't deal with that right now!

14 comments:

Claudya Martinez July 16, 2009 at 10:07 PM  

I lived without a washer and dryer for many years and it sucked. I can't tell you how much easier my life is now that we have both.

The Desperate Cook July 16, 2009 at 10:07 PM  

That would of really been a tough assignment for me, I love all my appliances. Loved reading your reasoning on the dishes, lol, my daughter says the same thing.

Night Owl Mama July 16, 2009 at 10:37 PM  

I too love moving the lawn....oops who said that.

lol on the toilet being an appliance that was a good one.

Pat July 17, 2009 at 9:05 AM  

I don't get it--you're "missing a key appliance," but you have one that still has a lot of life left in it? I know.... you're missing the newest, state-of-the-art side-loading washing machine. It seems to me that they would have a leakage problem when they got older, but what do I know.

Summer July 17, 2009 at 11:56 AM  

My husband hates the dishes the same way you do. I actually hate it to, but one of us has to step up.

I just can't wait till my kids are old enough to make them do the things we hate.

Isn't that we have them anyway?

septembermom July 17, 2009 at 12:16 PM  

I have to put my vote in for the washing machine. What a disaster for me if I didn't have one:) Could you imagine how tribal people wash clothes in a stream with a rock? My family would probably wind up with clothes filled with holes or fig leaves in particular places! Dishwasher is a close second.

Martha July 17, 2009 at 6:35 PM  

I think I could do without the stove the easiest as long as I had my grill and my microwave - don't EVER take my micro away!

Come on by for my Friday night party and the update on Koda's vacation, LOL :-)

scrappysue July 18, 2009 at 7:46 PM  

tough question! would have to be the washing machine i guess, given that there's 6 in our family! here from sits spreading the comment love!

Michelle July 18, 2009 at 8:18 PM  

Unknown Mami - I love the backup ... thanks for agreeing!

The Desperate Cook - It was a tough assignment, let me tell you! But I thank God for my husband daily!

Night Owl Mama - I love being able to see the progress and the rhythm of it. But yeah... I'll let my husband keep that job, I suppose!

Pat - Oh no! I'm not missing a key appliance. This is the question of if I had to give up an appliance which would it be. I love the idea of the steam washers where you can clean without chemicals and detergents. I'm frugal though... until it truly dies, I won't buy a new one!

Summer - That's so generous of you to step up, and YES. I'm already training the wee ones to sort the laundry, fold socks, put dishes in the dishwasher, etc. And they sorta love being a helper. For now.

septembermom - And you have more children than me, too! I'm guessing that some of the older methods ... don't work quite as well as our machines!

Martha - Oh, I could so give up my microwave. I actually rarely use it and umm (shh) bought it only to learn how to make soap. Seriously. I had to go out to buy one when a friend was coming over to teach me.

scrappysue - Isn't it though? A family of six DEFINITELY needs a washer :)

Pat July 19, 2009 at 10:25 AM  

I get it now--"I'm missing a key appliance" is a hypothetical scenario...which one could you do without?! For me it would be my washing machine, also. That would be a huge headache, to say the least! Trudging into the laundromat twice a week with a big bag of dirty laundry would be a real drag.

Mrs4444 July 19, 2009 at 9:52 PM  

We grill year-round, too. I'm with you on the washer, though, because I hate laundromats. On the other hand, if laundromats have Wifi these days, it might be less painful...

Michelle July 19, 2009 at 10:10 PM  

Pat - Yep, totally hypothetical :) I'm so not up for going to the laundromat on a near daily basis!

Mrs4444 - Gotta love that year round grilling! I don't care if there's a wifi or not, the people I've seen at laundromats in my day just skeeve me out :)

MaNiC MoMMy™ July 20, 2009 at 10:58 PM  

Me--microwave -- I do all my best cooking there! Who'm I kidding, I do ALL my cooking there!

Michelle July 21, 2009 at 11:08 PM  

Steph - Oh c'mon, over the washer? Really? There's always takeout!...

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