Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.
I don't think of myself as a high maintenance kinda woman. And in my old age, I'm even less demanding. I have to have an abode that is cool enough in the summer, and warm enough in the winter. I have to have sufficient good food. I can't eat just anything, so I say it has to be good food. Sufficient entertainment. Translation: a television connection that gives me lots of news, and a little stupid stuff for a tired brain. Internet connection. A project or two to keep my hands occupied. That could be arts, crafts, cooking, and I love to paint walls. Each room in this house is slightly smaller than when the house was purchased due to numerous coats of paint. There is just something special about a fresh coat of paint.
Just don't let anything break. A little less than a year ago, I turned on the washing machine. The washer and dryer are in the hallway right outside of my bedroom. I had just gotten comfortable on the bed, picked up my latest project, when I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked in that direction, and noted a bit of a flood. Not a fast-moving gushing flood. Just a bit of water slowly filling up the floor. I turned off the washer, cleaned up the flood, and went to the laundromat to finish that load. The laundromat is not my friend. It brings back memories of a time when it was my only option. And it made me feel horribly deprived. Spoiled brat? I don't think so. I just believe that at my age, life should be easy.
So, I began washing by hand, and drying in the dryer. Not crazy about that routine, but it beat going to the laundromat. The problem is, I can't do linens and towels by hand. That meant that when I ran out of linens and towels, I had to buy a new washer and dryer. It also meant that the short roommates missed a few baths. They think they do well enough. I disagree, but was willing to adapt under the circumstances. And then the dryer refused to dry. Aaaack!!
This was the enemy.
And these are the heroes, here to save the damsel in distress.
Nothing fancy. I just wanted ones similar to what I had. The salesman told me that the new machines won't last more than 10 years, if that. The ones these replaced made it to 20. A low maintenance woman shouldn't have to deal with purchasing appliances that often. What has happened??