Tuesday, November 18, 2008

It's Just "Stuff" - Right!?!

It's just "stuff", right!?!...Stuff can be replaced...There's no need to take your son's life over stuff...right!?!  Money is just money...Not a big deal...right!?!
These pictures don't do it justice.  I ruined an entire load of laundry yesterday.  Technically, the black dry erase marker that Austin had in his pocket ruined an entire load of laundry yesterday.  That's right!  I tried everything I could think of to get it out, but it was already set.  After the third run-through, and none of the ink had even faded, I decided it was time to just let it go.  Nothing was spared.  The damage included, but was definitely not limited to: All of Austin's school pants (except the ones he wore that day), every outfit Paige wore the past week (I shed some tears over a cute pink skirt and a soft-pink horse outfit), a shirt and pair of pants that Macy had worn once, a Sunday dress, along with several pair of pajamas & underwear (which we kept because it doesn't matter if you have ink all over you when you are asleep or if you are wearing it under your clothes).

Greg was amazing and reminded me that we can replace everything.  He was good to laugh and not get mad at me (or Austin).  Shockingly, I didn't even yell at Austin.  I just explained that we need to be more careful about checking pockets - both he and I.  Probably the main reason I didn't get angry is because I felt like I should check his pockets when I was putting the load in.  I checked a few, and there was nothing in them, so I got lazy and rushed to just "get it done."  I've been praying that I will be more in tune with the Spirit and recognize the voice of the Holy Ghost.  Well, if I can't even listen when He tells me about laundry, how am I going to listen when someone really needs some help!  Guilt and frustration!  

It was an awfully expensive lesson as I replaced about $150 worth of clothes today (a lot of clothes that they have only been wearing for about a month).  That sounds like I went crazy on the spending, but everything I bought was on sale.  There were several pair of pants in that load (which generally cost more than shirts), and since it was mainly kids clothes (Greg and I both lost only one shirt each), the clothing was smaller and there were a TON of pieces of clothing in that load.  Seriously, it was almost all of the clothes that all three kids wore the entire week.  That is expensive!  Arghhh!

Deep breath...Moving on...

9 comments:

Jen-ben said...

I was wondering if you'd post photos!! Holy crap-ola. You handled the situation so well, way better than I would have!! You're a STAR!

Brian and Kim said...

You are a much better person than I am. Way to stay calm!!

Jackie said...

Wow- I would've freaked out! Did you take a valium that day or something? LOL I would've needed one. I never check pockets when doing laundry. Too much in a hurry. I've washed Nathan's student ID every week I think, lots of money (that I threaten him to keep. I make him tell me how much there is before I give it to him. I tell him it's my tip for doing laundry.) anyway...rocks, paper, etc. After seeing your ruined clothes, maybe I'll take more time to check pockets!

Elizabeth said...

Whoopsie...lol

Allyson said...

Oh Emily!!!! I feel horrible for you! We had gum stuck all over a load of laundry once. They look like all nice clothes! I'm so sorry. Not a fun time of year to have to spend money on replacements either! My heart goes out to you!

Valerie said...

I've had this happen TWICE and the culprit was my honey. . . ruined all of my maternity clothes with only a month and a half remaining. Don't tell -- I just wore them at home! I made Cannon wash out the ink-stained dryer. I should learn my lesson and check pockets.

cami said...

Em-It takes all of the self restraint a mother has when these "disasters" happen. What's even more suckie? When you are a contributing factor. I can not tell you how many disasters many of them costly, costly, we have had at our house. We had so many of them with Ethan. I just got to the point where I was so angry and distrought I either had to take a time out or both of us did before I could confront and problem solve(then consequence). Then, as they continued, I almost became numb. Who needs nice things anyway?? However, many of them, like you, I took pictures of. I kid you not, that we have a DVD full of these pictures of Ethan's disasters. Some of them we can laugh at now, priceless! Let's see, there's the one where he squirted toilet bowl cleaner with clorox, of course,all over the carpet in the living room from the front entry all the way over to the kitchen. My carpet was ruined. Cole had left the cleaner sitting on the counter in the bathroom instead of putting it away. So, what I'm trying to do is validate those feelings you had when you opened up the dryer to a disaster. I know. You are not alone and I hope that brings you some comfort. I'm so sorry:(

Colette said...

Ok so this has happened to me before the only difference is it was my husband who left a pen in his pocket....shouldn't he know better?

Kristy said...

Crap. Did you throw the clothes away already? If you have any favorite pieces of clothing you could try Fels-Naptha soap? I am so sorry.