Yesterday was glorious in one sense, because I was all alone with no one to bother me. Since the boys have both been back home, that is a rarity. But The Boyfriend was working and the boys were off either at their own jobs or hanging out with friends.

I went grocery shopping and spent close to $150, but I think we’re covered on meals for the next two weeks. I also half cleaned out the refrigerator upstairs and reorganized the pantry (which is basically just a cabinet with two slide-out shelves) to see what we had on hand. I told The Boyfriend, “Do NOT buy any more cans of green beans until we get through the dozen that we already have!”

Turns out I also have a ton of tomato sauce. And kidney beans. Apparently, I think about making chili a lot, but never actually get around to it.

I came home and did some laundry. I had to wash my down comforter because the Mad Yakker cat threw up on it the other day. Yes, theoretically you’re not supposed to wash a down comforter, but guess what? I do. I throw it in the dryer with three tennis balls and dry it on low heat. When it’s all done, I have a very fresh-smelling unlumpy down comforter. So, there’s a household tip for ya.

As I was puttering around the house, picking up things here and there, I started really getting irritated with the boys. JM was told when he moved upstairs that he wasn’t allowed to take food up there because dishes have a tendency to disappear into his room and never resurface. For a while, he seemed to be listening to me. Then I realized he was just picking up frequently because his girlfriend would be stopping over. So, I really didn’t say anything, because at least the stuff was coming back downstairs. Well, he and his girlfriend have split and now I only have two plates.

I refuse to go upstairs to get the stuff.

When I went downstairs to do laundry, I started really getting annoyed because the floor is covered with laundry and it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares. My basement is not a nice place. It’s damp and occasionally leaks when we have lots of rain. And quite frankly, I’m sick of stepping over stuff to get to the washer and dryer. Occasionally, I will wash everything downstairs and fold it, and I’ll even bring it upstairs to have the boys either put it away or determine if it needs to go to Goodwill. Within a few weeks, however, I will find those same items, probably never worn, but in a pile (sometimes still partially folded!) on the floor, getting filthy again from being there. And then, I’m pissed because I’ve wasted my time and money on something that obviously isn’t that important to the boys.

But I think I’ve come up with a solution. Earlier, when I threw my last load into the dryer, I started another load and randomly started picking up laundry off the floor and tossing it in. When it’s done, I will dry it and fold it… as I have so many times before… but this time I’m putting all of it into a large plastic bin that I will keep in my room for now. And we’ll see how long it takes for the boys to start wondering where a particular article of clothing is. Anything that isn’t claimed in a few months is going to Goodwill, sight unseen by them. My laundry room will be cleaner, I won’t be wasting my time washing things that aren’t being worn and the boys will get to live a little longer. I like.

Share This