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Musings from the Laundromat: Gerber Daisies & Marijuana Edition
I decided this morning I wanted to surprise my laundry lady with something bright and unexpected. So I stopped off at Safeway before venturing across our little highway to the laundromat.
That building behind the flower is the laundromat area
I continued on and balanced my two baskets, my to-go coffee and the flower.
I approached the counter.
Me: These are for you – thank you for smiling every time I see you.
Her: Oh, thank you! Are you going to need coffee today?
And that was that. And I adore her.
Standing by ‘my’ (preferred) machines was cataract man. “There you are!” he said.
He revealed a secret machine that was closed. “You can use this one!”
The irony in that offer was that for once, all the machines that I covet were available. I politely declined the ‘secret’ machine and stuffed two next to it.
Then cataract man discussed his desire to perhaps ask his doctor for a marijuana prescription, as he still has uncomfortable pressure on his eyes, and in spite of multiple people who have told him to the contrary, he is certain his cataract surgery gave him glaucoma.
Him: I might put it in food
Me: Well, make sure you heat it up – you can’t just sprinkle it on a salad – has to be heated to release the THC
Him: Yeah – I definitely don’t want to smoke it.
Cataract man in action
I claimed a table and opened up my ipad.
In came some more familiar faces.
“There’s band-aid lady!” My little old man had arrived. (For those of you new to the blog, this stems from a day I watched him sitting trying to continually wipe blood from his arm – I went and got him a band-aid.)
“Hi!” I said.
(It dawns on me – for all the names I’ve given people – have I become ‘band-aid lady’??)
Then a rare sighting. Cataract man was having technical difficulties – here is laundry lady with him, helping him out.
And here is the little old man I wanted to put in my pocket. He’s so flipping small and sweet. I still get the Elmer Fudd vibe when I look at him.
This place has become a second home.
A friendly tradition. A little laundry family.
And as I put my clothes in the dryer, of course, a pair of panties fell to the floor. This morning it was the peach colored pair. And no one cared. Because by now, we’ve seen all of one another’s laundry.
Finding a poem – and him loving another
I found a poem today … from my love. To someone else.
And I adored it.
We both have yesterdays.
Those yesterdays make up who we are today.
Those yesterdays made the timing just right for what we have now.
Who would we be if we didn’t experience heartache, longing, change?
Who would we be if we were stagnant? Not growing, not hurting – figuring out what worked in our lives and what didn’t?
I cherish his memories. Because not only did he care for people, but he shared with me that he cared for them. I couldn’t love someone that discounted their past. Who wrote if off like it never happened.
Then it would mean I never happened.
I’m not jealous. I have such confidence in our love it’s bonkers.
I cherish every step he took – every painful step he took and kept walking!!
He has a girl – that he adores. Her name is Amy. And for a while, I had a fleeting problem with him sharing a house with her. Silly. But, you know how I am. Honest. This feeling cropped up knowing he had a past, and hopes, and dreams with her – and I was on the heels of falling in love.
Silly, because, she’s pretty freaking amazing. And she was there for him. When he needed her most.
I adore her too. And she reached out to me the other day – and while we only exchanged two IM’s, the mutual respect was there.
Things happen for a reason.
And I know that amazing woman will always be part of our lives. And she must be. Because she seees in him what I see in him. She loves him.
And he loves her.
And he has never made that a secret. And I love that about my future husband.
He adores who he adores – endlessly.
That makes me feel safe.
The honesty. The dedication. The loyalty.
What he gives to those he loves.
I love.
Musings from the Laundromat: ‘One of Us’ edition
I’ve officially integrated with the herd. I have become an accepted member of the Sunday morning Laundromat gang.
It started out when my face took form of ‘disappointed girl’, upon realizing there were no washers available, in spite of the fact I arrived 10 minutes before the establishment opened.
But there was my glaucoma man. (Who I learned later actually had cataracts.)
I stood chatting with him, asking how his eyes were. He then motioned to the machine he was leaned up against. “This one is empty” Almost a whisper, but he is not capable of ‘whisper’.
I grabbed the machine, then, in the interest of having my laundry finish at the same time, had to use a more expensive ‘triple load’ machine across the aisle from it.
There were two ladies sitting at a table next to it, and another familiar face.
The familiar face was introducing the newbie to the flow of the place.
“Pretty much the same people,” he said, “This lady here, gave me a band-aid one day.”
Band-aid man & Co.
I was the lady.
I don’t know why, but that filled my heart. He remembered.
He went on to explain he takes blood thinners. And as I listened to them chatter, I filled the machine and felt like I belonged.
Here’s cataract man and one of the ladies.
I’ve been coming here for 4 years, it really is quite a victory to be told about secret available machines and to be remembered for a good deed.
My favorite part of this trip though, has to be placing my loves clothes in the washing machine. Knowing he left things behind on purpose.
I’ll be washing for three not long from now. And I couldn’t be happier about that.
My herd has my back, my family is growing – and I’m blessed beyond belief!
Oh, and you’ll be pleased to know, cataract mans eyes are finally feeling a lot better after his surgery. Pretty sure you can see that (no pun intended) from the smile on his face.
Big Announcement: Tony and Pepper
Sorry cats. Apparently I shall not be adopting a dozen of you afterall.
The night of the 17th, I became engaged.
We started out taking photos as this was the last night my love was here.
I get it. I get it now.
Totally.
We fell into a rhythm … we were comfortable, happy, Home.
It took no effort at all.
Which is very odd. And amazing.
Late night, on the 17th – I became engaged.
I told him, “ok, ask me in the morning.”
Giving him an out. Not trusting that my dreams were all coming true.
I awoke to confirmation.
Our time together was amazing.
We crossed most everything off of our wishlist.
And the entire time, I was never more sure or happy.
I knew, from the deepest part of my heart, that this was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Nic said “He fit. He was your puzzle piece.”
Butters would not leave him alone.
All I know is, starting out as friends, then growing up – is a mind blowing, humbling, amazing experience.
Having memories already.
Then respecting the person they grew into.
We’re planning a Halloween wedding. And if I have my way? An Iron Man cake.
So, doesn’t look like I’m going to keel over alone and be eaten by my dog whilst decomposing.
I found the love of my life.
(By the way, he sang this song to me at karaoke – and then, as we sat in the room, while another man sang, he sang ‘Can’t help falling in love’ to me – does it get dreamier than that??)
Musing from the Laundromat: Hunger Games & Empty Coffee Pots edition
This place is getting more and more like the Hunger Games. I went to bed early last night – determined to be here exactly at 8 a.m. To grab my washing machines.
Then did the ‘Are you going to be using this one?’ routine again.
I stuck it out though. A man whose items were almost done told me so, and I stayed close by him. Maybe a little too close. The man was a sturdy Hawaiian and I was on him like a toddler on a leg.
But I got three machines in a row.
Rewind.
Coffee.
I decided I didn’t want to balance two baskets, a purse AND a to-go cup today, besides, there’s coffee here.
First thing I spied with my little eye (other than way too many people already in various stages of laundry considering the place just opened) was the empty coffee pot.
I needn’t have worried.
Me: Good morning!
My laundry lady: Mornin’.
Me: How are you?
My laundry lady: I’m ok. Do you want coffee? I didn’t make any because no one drank any of it yesterday.
Me: Oh yes please! I didn’t bring mine.
She so gets me.
After successfully adopting the Hawaiian mans washing machines, I ventured back to the counter for the freshly made coffee.
Me: How is it that people are almost done with their laundry if you don’t open until 8?
My laundry lady: I get here early, and if they’re my regulars, I let them in. You can come early.
Awww! I’m one of ‘her regulars’. And I have Disney Fast Pass clearance.
We then chatted about how I would feel weird encroaching on her before they were officially open.
I would too. We talked about that. I’m such a rule follower it’s ridiculous.
I don’t speed. I don’t ‘touch’ if it says ‘Do Not Touch’. I’ll wait until the clock strikes the exact opening time of an establishment.
I am though. I’m a square.
There’s this little old man sitting in front of me – reminds me of Elmer Fudd. Not in a rude way. He just does … and he looks so quiet and sweet.
Then he stood up, and the back of his shirt says “Buck Off!” with a picture of an antlered deer.
Well.
Goodness.
The square in me widened her eyes … the other part of me giggled.
I wonder where he got it. Did he spot it at a sporting store and just have to have it? Was it a gift from his wife? A friend? A grandchild?
I’m too curious for my own good. I want to know the story behind everything. Good thing is, I’m not superficially nosey, just genuinely curious.
Or is that just a polite way of saying ‘nosey’?
This morning, Butters was sniffing around Nic’s ‘go bag’ (he came in late from a trip to Phoenix for a Speech & Debate competition.) She’s always sniffing something new. Goes bonkers if a new ‘thing’ enters the house, and only relaxes if I touch it in front of her.
This gets a little awkward if it’s an electrician or handy man – I have to ask them if I can touch their pant leg.
Anyway, this morning she was completely submerged in Nic’s bag and I said “Hey nosey pants!” And then imagined what ‘Nosey Pants’ might look like.
Tangent. Sorry.
But yeah, that’s been my morning so far.
And today is my Mums birthday. Shout out to her. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUMMY! I’ll be crossing the river and encroaching on her after a few chores. With a little gift bag in hand.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Sunday – and NEXT Sunday, I shall not be alone in the laundromat … If I can type and laugh at the same time, I’ll share that with you.
For now …
Debauchery Soup 