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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.
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.
Musing from the Laundromat: Marveling
Love is in the air.
Not just because it was Valentines Day yesterday …
I’m sat across from the man of my dreams who is currently and aptly, sporting a Superman t-shirt.
He’s already dropped a pair of his underwear on the floor, on purpose – to honor the tradition. You’ve gotta love a man willing to do that.
He’s also currently chatting to one of the laundromat patrons. Talking about Idaho. Just as chatty as I am with strangers. (I will insist he does not accept the man’s candy though.)
I am the luckiest girl in the world.
We’ve spent our time together doing what we both do best. Nerding out. Countless Marvel movies … Walking Dead (that I saved until he arrived.)
Relaxing and catching up.
This is the man I loved 25 years ago – when he was still a young man. And the things we laughed about then, and the rapport we had then, hasn’t changed.
But it has too – in the best of ways. Because we’re ‘grown-ups’ now (I use that term loosely.)
And because the things we’ve experienced and the growth we’ve both gone through, has enabled us to be complete people sharing ourselves with one another.
REWIND.
Picking him up from the airport:
I was exhausted, having stayed up WAY too late, with the crazy idea I would sleep in the next day. I never can sleep in, so why I thought that night/morning was any different is beyond me. But I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve and sleep was the last thing on my mind.
After picking up the rental car, and since I was so tired, actually purchasing the insanely priced insurance – I was on the road. With Nic next to me.
All went well until we reached actual traffic – and to say I had a panic attack would be putting it mildly. I tried to breathe as Nic tried not to tell me how terrified he was to be in the passenger seat at that moment.
(He would tell me later, in no uncertain terms.)
In the terminal – waiting by the passenger pick up area, with coffee in hand, I was beside myself with anticipation.
After Skyping, over 6,000 IM’s … would I still be someone he would want to be with??
The minute I laid eyes on him, I knew for sure he was who I wanted to be with.
It was still my friend. In the flesh.
That first hug … I have no words. And the butterflies gave way to a peaceful, comfortable ‘home’ feeling.
Home is where we headed, Nic insisting he drive the car the rental company forbids anyone but me to drive.
“Mom, I’m better at this kind of traffic!”
I didn’t want us to die, so I caved.
Long story short, we got home safe.
Next, the ‘Butters’ introduction.
Went very well, TOO well, as she hasn’t left his side since he arrived. And everywhere we are, she wants to be.
Yesterday.
He gave me socks. The best kind. Walking Dead knee highs and Iron Man. This man knows what I love. He also gave me a piece of our past – which I will treasure, always.
We went to breakfast and then watched True Romance – ordered pizza for dinner, relaxed until night came and went on the search for stars.
Probably that could have been planned better. We ended up on Route 66, in a patch of dirt staring up at the sky leaning against my car.
Gave up on that when nature called and headed further up until we reached an old mining town full of history and quaintness.
We found a little bar and I sipped a sprite as he enjoyed a beer while Zeppelin and the Doors filled the patio area.
Best Valentines Day ever.
But we know who I am. ‘Anxiety Girl’ has come out … as the days draw nearer to his departure, I’m filled with dread. You see, I didn’t know.
I didn’t know it could BE like this.
And I’m terrified I will have experienced it and it will go away.
And no amount of faith I have in how true and real this love is seems to be able to assuage that feeling in my stomach. That fear.
I’ve never been this scared to lose something so important before. Nothing has mattered this much.
But I need to stay in the moment, enjoy every second. I’m making lifetime memories and want to be certain he has an amazing time.
And tonight, we will be walking along a river, with music in the air and laughing (as always) and I’ll try, try so hard not to think about him going home.
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 …
Little bugs, band-aids and bless you
Discombobulated this morning. I got plenty of sleep, as I knew I wanted to wake early and get ‘my’ washing machines here at the laundromat.
Success!
I was in motion, coffee was brewing then … a strange noise. Butters and I both stilled and cocked our heads wondering what the clatter was outside – grackles on the roof again.
Back in motion.
Decided to do 1/2 my bedding as I wasn’t feeling strong enough to carry two laundry baskets plus a quilt and pillow cases and sheets … I know I’m going to regret that when I get home.
I’ll wish the quilt was done too.
I arrive and my laundry lady starts chatting as I wait for her to give me a laundry card.
She pointed out a man in a hat, describing him as ‘the weird guy in the hat’. I followed her gaze to discover she was talking about my glaucoma guy.
Isn’t that odd.
Our perceptions of people and how they vary depending on our personal interactions with them.
I got an update from him about his eyes … he’s getting tired of the drops he’s putting in every day and wondering about marijuana cookies.
By then, another older gentleman joined the conversation and my glaucoma man turned into cataract man right before my eyes. (no pun intended)
Seems he’s certain the cataract surgery has given him glaucoma. The newest member of the conversation assured him that could not be the case.
All this as I’m typing and posting the guest edition before this post.
Then he left.
I looked up to see new eye-chat man studying something on the floor. It was a little tiny bug.
This really caught his attention – I mean … really. He got up, stood over it – and when his wife returned with her cart, pointed it out to her.
His wife just sneezed and he didn’t say ‘bless you’.
I mumbled it to her from my table.
Have they been together so long they don’t say ‘bless you’ anymore?
I hope I always say ‘bless you’. (I don’t think there’s much fear of that considering I’ll shout it to a perfect stranger from an aisle over when I’m at the grocery store.)
He’s been sitting holding a paper towel over a small cut on his elbow for sometime now …
I went and grabbed a band-aid from my laundry lady for him.
Now he can go back to focusing on any little bugs that might venture across the floor in front of him.
Debauchery Soup 