List Entry #1

Last night I made the decision to start a list.  And maybe it will turn into lots of pages.  Or maybe eventually a book, who knows.  The list will basically be for Kenzie.  It will chronicle things I've learned that make life easier or things that I wish I had known earlier in life.  It's purpose will be to save her from many headaches.

Like clothes that have a "dry clean only" tag.

I've figured out that just because some items have that tag, doesn't really mean it HAS to be dry cleaned.  Lots of times, that tag should really say, "you can machine-wash in cold water, then let this air dry, definitely don't put in the dryer or you'll be sorry".  And I've really only ruined a sweater or two this way.  Considering how much laundry I do and how many clothes items I have, I consider this is a really good track record.

If you're like me, you have a bag sitting around somewhere with the stuff that needs to be taken to the cleaners.  And how long does it sit there before it actually makes that trip?  And how long did you forget about the clothes AT the cleaners before you went to go pick them up?  Unless it's leather, silk, or a coat, it's just a hassle and usually not worth the trouble for me.

Well, I really wish someone would have told me about lined dress pants.  Especially cuffed ones.

They washed beautifully.  They just looked very wrinkled and although tempted, I was not about to put them in the dryer.  I've been wanting to wear them for the past couple days, but I didn't want to take the 5 minutes to drag out the ironing board and iron them.

Wait, did I say 5 minutes?  Because I should have said THIRTY minutes.

I didn't realize that washing the pants had seriously jacked up the cuffs at the bottom.  Because dress pants aren't really rolled and cuffed.  They are just sewn to look that way.  And that little 1/4 inch lip at the top of the cuff is extraordinarily difficult to put back.  Especially when you have to make the other leg match.  And getting the lining smooth inside the legs to iron accurately and thoroughly?  Forget about it.

I am wearing the pants today.  And they look fabulous.  But I will absolutely not be spending 30 minutes ironing them again.  Ever.  This is one of those times that the tag should say, "Dry clean only.  No, seriously.  Not worth the time to iron."

So we have our first item on the list:

1. Do not ever think you are saving time or money by washing lined dress pants (with or without cuffs) rather than dry cleaning like the label says.  Unless you like feeling angry and frustrated while ironing.  

Oh, and the picture is from Kenzie's recital last month.  There were 5 pictures taken of the 3 of us.  The only one that had all 3 of us smiling with our eyes open also had someone walking in front of the camera.  Of course it did.  But I still like it so I used it anyway.