A Woman's Work

I hate ironing.  I didn't always hate it, in fact, I used to enjoy it.  I spent countless hours in my teenage years ironing mountains of shirts and lab coats for my stepdad.  It was a mindless task that had a beginning and an end, plus I kind of liked the smell of Niagara and Magic Sizing spray starches.  I don't know when I started to despise the task, maybe when it became something that I HAD to do instead of something that I could do if I was bored and wanted to be productive while watching TV.

Henry has asked me multiple times to consider getting his shirts dry cleaned or at least professionally pressed.  Alas, I just cannot bring myself to pay someone to do this daunting task for me.  And it infuriates me that I cannot get the shirts perfectly pressed myself.  Therefore, I am bound and determined to do it myself.  And, until I figure out the right method, Henry will have to wear the semi-wrinkly shirts with the knowledge that I have given it my all.

Maybe shirts aren't made out of the same fabrics as they were in yesteryear.  Maybe my stepdad just wore wrinkly shirts.  I have no other explanation for my inability to get the damn things perfectly smooth.  I actually googled "how to iron shirts".  The method suggested was to douse the shirts with a spray bottle of water and proceed to iron the shirt inside, then outside, and repeat if necessary.  Yes, I do this.  And yes, I feel the sting of defeat as I place the still semi-rumpled garment on the hanger.

Then comes my other complaint with men's clothing.  Who's bright idea is it to use patterns (StRiPeS) that make you feel like you are going to vomit as you are ironing them?  I know I am generally to blame for purchasing them, but you don't realize the mistake until the first time you lay them out on the board.  I just finished ironing and being dizzied by the shirt pictured above.  Then, as I was hanging it up, I notice a stain.  ARGH!  (Yes, I'm a pirate.)  Seriously, I'm thinking of checking the tag for a warning about seizure inducing characteristics.

I promised Henry last night that I would iron the mounting wardrobe that taunts me every time I walk through the laundry room.  And I will.  It is my job.  My challenge.  And my seemingly unbeatable nemesis.  I will use the knowledge that I have gained throughout my years, and in my quest to be a domestic goddess (that was supposed to be funny, seriously), to provide my family with pristine dress wear.  I will not be ashamed when I see crinkles and wrinkles, but feel pride in the fact that I will not give up, and maybe next time, I will do better.

I have always loved to learn and I take comfort in knowing that I can learn valuable lessons that will help me in my pursuit of perfection.  For example, I learned while in Mexico, that ironing clothes while wearing a bikini after drinking numerous margaritas can lead to abdominal burns.  I didn't seem to mind, at the time, perhaps drinking margaritas while doing housework is the solution!

I am now saying to myself, "Self, writing this blog post was an exceptionally fun method of procrastination."  Now back to the ironing...

A woman's work is never done.

Winterful

Just a little recap of the major winter events that I failed to blog about in a timely fashion.

Paige's Birthday
Buckaroo turned 7 this December.  Whoa.  She decided to take her turn at a Chuck E. Cheese's b-day party.  Lucky me got to take Paige and three of her friends to Maple Grove to celebrate.  I had a bit of happiness in my heart knowing that this was my second, and final, birthday excursion to the bizarro world that is Chuck E. Cheese's.  I'm officially done!  The girls had a great time and had their fill of pizza, pop, games, and prizes.

Paige in the Ticket Blaster

Paige also got to choose her birthday meal and cake for our at home celebration.  She wanted crab legs for supper.  Henry and I may have planted that idea in her pretty little head.  She does love crab legs and we only make them once or twice a year, so a birthday seemed like a great excuse to get out the dishes of butter and have us some messy seafood.  Then there was the birthday cake...

Paige's Birthday Pie

Red announced that she wanted pumpkin pie for her birthday cake.  Okay?  I've never made a pumpkin pie before but figured it couldn't be too tough.  I usually try to go all out homemade so I wasn't even sure where to begin.  It ended up being a hectic week so I decided to cheat and bought pumpkin pie filling and a pre-made crust. The day of her birthday meal arrives and I tell her that it is time to make the pie.  She says she is really excited because I make the best pumpkin pie.  Uh Oh...I sense a miscommunication disaster...I've NEVER made a pumpkin pie.  Turns out she wanted apple pie.  Well, I already had the crust and I luckily had some apples in the fridge.  She ended up with a honeycrisp apple pie.  And it was good!

Our Anniversary
 
Henry and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on December 23rd.  I truly love him and our life that we have built together.  Henry has been known to tell me, when he's annoyed with me (I know, hard to believe that I can be irritating in any way, right?), "Remember that I always love you."  Reading between the lines, he is saying that he doesn't necessarily like me at that moment.  I almost always like him too! 

Shortly after our anniversary, one of Henry's co-workers pulled me aside at a business function and said, "That man absolutely adores you."  There aren't words to describe how that made me feel.  Henry has told people that he is married to his best friend.  And to that I say, "Ditto".

Christmas

Paige and her cousin Zach snowmobiling at the cabin.

It was another fantastic Christmas for the Blattner family.  The kids were able to spend massive amounts of time with their cousins.  This is what they were most looking forward to, even more than the gifts!  This year they were very much into giving gifts as well which was heartwarming.  Blake and Paige got books and games and hockey gear.  The family received a telescope from Santa.  Hindsight being 20/20, we learned that telescopes are not a great christmas gift.  The kids were so excited to try it out until we realized that we probably won't be able use it until we take it up to the cabin this summer.  We are all looking forward to stargazing when the clouds dissipate and the weather cooperates.

And just because it seems fitting 

with the Anniversary and Christmas themes

Our First Christmas (ahhh, ha, ha, ha)

Star Light Star Bright

The kids spent almost two full hours playing outside in the snow this afternoon.  Usually they play on the big snow pile in the cul-de-sac.  But today, I told them to stay in the backyard in case the plow came through again.  Blake was less than excited about this idea after seeing the mountain of snow in the front.  However, he couldn't get dressed fast enough when I told him the snow on the rink was up to Paige's waist.  The snow was so light and fluffy, they could almost swim through it!  It was so great  to see them "unplugged" and playing so well together for such a long period of time without getting bored.

It was a fun afternoon for them that ended in my favorite thing...a quotable moment!
We were in the garage getting their soaked gear off and hung up....
Mom - "Did you guys have fun?  You were out there for almost 2 hours!"
Blake - "Yes.  We made snow trails.  It was awesome!"
Paige - "If I see a star tonight, I am going to make a wish that our fort doesn't get wrecked.  Would that be your wish too Blake?"
Blake - "No, I would wish that I could shape shift."