Laundry

This summer has been a time for home improvements. I cannot believe it, but this is MY laundry room! To me, it looks like one you'd see in a magazine! It is totally different than what we had before. I wish I would have taken "before" and "after" pictures of this room because you'd never believe it! The old room had the washer and dryer turned the other way - in a tight hallway fashion so you'd have to scoot in and get the laundry done. By rerouting the plumbing I can now walk in and "ta-dah" it's all right there. I love the new color and the cabinets instead of the flimsy wire shelf I had for nearly 15 years. Additionally, the front loader style is wonderful! With all of this new storage I have so much room it's astonishing. It's not quite finished, I want a side cabinet or counter or something for the side to cover where the old big sink (I never used) was, but I'm really tickled with it!

The girls' six month baby pictures. I've always treasured these! Although I didn't know it at the time, I think they're perfect for a laundry room. Christi was truly hanging from a clothesline I took to the studio in hers. The mother in me decided that was too dangerous for Shayla so I took a laundry basket and plopped her in there, with her bloomers on her head, for her six month shot. Thank God for these photos!
Well, I wish Christi's "markings" would not have stopped at age 9. This week, I put our height markings (Angela, Christi, Shayla) back on the laundry room wall. The girls always took great delight, after having a birthday or a "half", of standing against the wall while I'd put up their new mark. We'd admire their growth and they'd compare their height to mine and to each other's. It was odd this week to have Shayla get that 9 1/2 marking when her big sister (middle marks) didn't have that one. It will be hard to watch Shayla's marks continue to be placed upon that wall.
Baby Christi in the laundry basket, 1997.

As I reflect upon this entry, I think of two things. 1.) I can't believe even a laundry room makes me think of Christi! 2.) With all of the problems in the world, if I can sit and write about a laundry room, I'm very, very blessed!