Category Archives: New Year

The New Year

Through the many that we’ve known each other, my husband and I have celebrated in myriad ways.
There were the those years, closer to the dark ages, when we attended some sort of fancy dinner and dance and rang in the New Year with a swig of champagne and a smoldering kiss.  Please don’t dwell on the dress. I borrowed it from a friend and, at the time, thought it looked swell.  Not really sure how it stayed up.

Other years, we’ve celebrated with friends.  On this particular occasion, we got together with friends from our church.  You know we were a rockin’ crowd.  I think board games were involved.  (Still friends with all of them.  Must’ve been good board games!)

But the last two years, we’ve celebrated with my mother, father, and still-eligible younger brother.  Because, you know, nothing says New Year’s Eve like hanging out with the family.  And playing homemade Pictionary.

Yep, ladies, he’s still available.  If you are looking for a fine young man who works a lot, golfs a lot, and is willing to play Pictionary with his nephews on NYE, he could be yours!

They got it!! 
Even though it wasn’t a crazy night out on the town, things did get a little crazy on my parents deck.  I think the neighbors especially appreciated the banging of the pan lids.  It’s a lovely family tradition that I’m sure we’ll carry on through the ages.  My grandchildren, no doubt, will think it’s a thing all normal families do on New Year’s Eve.  God bless ’em.
Happy 2009.  Here’s to nights on the town, nights with family and friends, and boys who haven’t yet ditched us for their friends on this night.

Happy New Year to Me OR Teach Your Kids To Do The Laundry

  

Washing Machine

1. Choose load size: small, medium, large or extra large.
2. Turn temperature to warm/cold.
3. Options: off/off
4. Choose agitate/spin Fabric Select:
• For loads with towels or jeans: high/high
• For loads with t-shirts, socks, shirts or boxers: high/low
5. Push round knob in. Turn to Normal (6 for smaller loads, 10 for bigger or dirtier loads). Pull knob out and water will start.
6. Add detergent to water. Low line for small loads, higher line for bigger loads.
7. Add clothes to water.
8. Close lid.

Dryer

1. Choose temperature.
• Loads with t-shirts, shirts, boxers, and socks: Medium
• Loads with towels or jeans: High
2. Wrinkle Shield: Off
3. End of Cycle: On (makes it buzz when it’s done)
4. Turn round knob to:
• Accudry Very Dry for loads with towels and jeans.
• Accudry Energy Preferred: for loads with t-shirts, boxers, regular shirts or socks.
5. Press On button (far right).

Why, oh why, you may wonder, am I typing up something I’ve already known for a bazillion years. And in such simplified terms. With so few options. Why, indeed?!

Because, my friends, it is a new year, and with a new year comes the wind of change. In this year, my 12-year old will make his own lunch, at least a few times a week, finally learn to hang his coat on the hook, and chip in by starting a load of laundry every now and then. With these few helpful hints, neatly  laminated and hanging in the laundry room, he’ll no longer “forget how” to do it. It will be oh so clear.  So very kind of me, don’t you think?

Now that’s what I call a Happy New Year.