“We don’t look to be ruled!”

                                 Barack Obama

Okay.  So, this was our day today.  Following over one month of living without a washer or dryer in “This Old House”, one failed attempt of a very small capacity washer/dryer unit that would barely wash one pair of BG’s jeans, and after weeks of trying desperately to find a stacked or stackable washer/dryer unit that would fit into our only spot in my bathroom with a very limited depth measurement, we really thought we had discovered “the one”, just in time to prevent taking the old washboard down to the red creek to clean clothes. We walked into a local supply store, and a very knowledgeable gentleman announced that he had “the perfect fit” for our problem, and that he could deliver it on Friday!!  BG and I were beyond elated to imagine no more hauling of laundry to relatives or laundromats!

Here it is:  Friday!!!  We were aware that we had only 1/4 inch above the height of the new appliance to fit it perfectly into our “spot”.  Today was the day.  Friday night relaxing would be replaced by Friday night washing:  WRONG!!!  So, here come our heroes with the only washer existing that will fit in our space.  The two fine gentlemen worked a very long time, preparing the large stacked machine to fit into the space.  They spent a great deal of effort and time pushing it back into the space, following all of the preparation.  The result: the dryer sounded great, but the washer made no sound.  One looked at the other; the other looked at the one.  “Did you plug the washer in after I plugged in the dryer?”.  “I forgot”.

So, the guys proceeded to spend a great deal of time and effort pulling the large machine out of our small space once again.  They pushed and pulled, until the large unit was blocking my bathroom door.  The two men were quite pleased when they had it successfully plugged into one plug and positioned back in our small space successfully.  One gentleman pushed the dryer button—hurray; it worked quite nicely.  He pushed the washer button and nothing happened.  “Mrs. Grosvenor, We have very bad news!” ( I wonder why they called for me to tell the bad news to, instead of my husband-hah!”).  “The second plug needed by this washer does not work.”

So, the two men pulled and pulled, until they had the unit blocking the bathroom door again.  BG said, “We will have to contact our electrician.  Why don’t you guys leave it here and maybe you can come back later.  I said, “They can’t go anywhere because one man is stuck in the bathroom behind the unit!!!”  BG responded that he would pass him a hot dog for dinner in a bit.  Well, the men pushed and shoved, until they made enough space for the other man to remove himself very carefully from my bathroom.  They departed, leaving me with a tiny space to squeeze through to get into my bathroom.  No problem, except I was expected to arrive at a function looking somewhat respectable within the hour.  Hah!!!  My choice was to cancel my appearance at the event (which I had really been looking forward to attending), OR, to squeeze my body through a very small space.

Initially, I thought that I could grasp hold of my make-up case, hanging on a hook, with a long tool, of some sort (like a fishing pole).  However, the gentlemen had kindly moved my make-up kit elsewhere.  As the hour of my departure drew nearer, I realized it was squeeze this body through the space at hand, or cancel my attendance.  With my husband at the other end, I squeezed and he pushed until I was through to the other side.  I finished getting ready and then pondered my departure through the very small space once again.  After one attempt at approaching it from one angle failed, BG suggested I turn around and try it the other direction.  With doorknob pressed firmly into my backside, I was able to escape, eventually. At least, looking back upon it, we can laugh about it.  Oh my!!!  I made it just in time to my anticipated event, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing a group of old friends!!!

The new Speed Queen washer/dryer unit has been teasing us all weekend, ready to be pushed back into action on Monday morning, when our heroes return.

My Magnificent Seven:

Mr. Bo Jangles, The General, Suntiki, Sunkissed, Peju, Tudall, Hyacinth & Offspring:

You touched our lives in so many ways ——–MAY YOU ALL REST IN PEACE & continue your swirling, circle parade of beauty every morning in the sunshine.

Thank you