As I struggled to get the more stubborn wrinkles out of shirts big and little today, almost burning my face in the process (don't ask), my eye noticed the dent in the plaster from the last time I ironed (again, don't ask)-- clearly, ironing is not my forte. I'm sure I could be good at it if I really tried, but I am obviously lacking passion for it. I have absolutely no desire to excel in the field of ironing.
While ironing, I began to wonder-- who is it that decided that clothes look better pressed? Is it a decision made by some iron inventor who, through some clever advertising at the local mercantile, convinced the world to buy his irons, because clearly being well-pressed was the way to go? Or is it something that we have been born with? An innate desire to be wrinkle free?
It's not that I don't have that desire to be wrinkle free-- I just prefer to be wrinkle free without having to iron! Rophone has, in the past, stopped me on my way out the door, made me strip, and ironed my clothing for me. Rophone has been in charge of doing virtually all of the ironing for 14 years, so I've decided it's time to turn over a new leaf. Time to give Rophone a break and take my turn at the board. It's time for some sacrifice and selfless giving on my part. That's what marriage is all about, right?
And, admittedly, when I think of ironing as something I'm doing for Rophone as a surprise or a special treat ( I mean, who wouldn't rather find ironed shirts in their closet instead of wrinkled ones?), it makes it almost enjoyable! (Okay, so that is stretching the truth a little-- but I don't hate it as much, really!)
9 comments:
That incredible mind of yours could be put to much better use than the contemplation of irons. That said, I don't actually want you to find that "better use", because I thoroughly enjoy your random blogs, and am far too selfish to give them up.
Girl, just face it -- we are the noble generation of non-ironing women! When Ren and I lived with his parents in the first year of our marriage, Joanne was somewhat shocked that not only did I not iron for him, I actually asked him to iron for me! Now, we pretty much embrace our inner okayness with wrinkles (for clothes, but not for faces!) and let the people at church talk about us behind our rumpled backs. You might want to save your house and body from more harm.
I found your extensive cogitation on the subject of irons/ironing to be quite entertaining. I'm with you... I HATE ironing. That is, there is something good on TV I can watch...
Just to clarify-- our version of "ironed" is by no means wrinkle free. The clothing still has plenty of wrinkles that have been pressed more flat than they were originally. I think our main goal is to flatten the crumpled clothing so that it more closely resembles it's intended shape, and to be sure that button plackets meet in the middle, rather than parting like the red sea to reveal what lies beneath.
So, don't worry Jen-- still plenty of wrinkles for people to mock. I don't excel at ironing, remember, so don't be thinking we walk around perfectly pressed!
Lisa Marie-- "incredible mind"?! Wow! Thanks! You are too kind, but I'm glad you enjoy my randomness. ; )
Oh, and Sassy-- glad to entertain! I'm happy you're finding time to read my blog and even comment now and again! Give the 3 squirts a punch on the arm for me (sorry, just channeling my dad on that one). ; )
I hate ironing too! I remember having to iron the pillow cases. You would sprinkle a bit of water on them then press away. I was always so opressed, that I would pretend I was ironing with the heavy cast iron one from Dr. Shivago. That always got the attention and dismissal from my duties. Wrinkles are awesome - clothes, bums, thighs, necks...it's going to happen...just a matter of time.
I am the worst iron-er ever. I basically iron only if I know there is going to be a picture taken.
Wrinkles?? Ironing?? I thought that was what the dryer was for!!! I too hate ironing! My husband does all of his own (like Jen, when we lived with my in-laws my mil was shocked I didn't iron for my husband and she always did it for him).
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I'm raising a whole other generation to be okay with not ironing.
Truly, I don't iron all that often. We just have a few items that even straight out of the dryer look nothing like a garment of clothing. The amount of ironing referred to in this post should last about a month, so no real hardship here.
The real reason I have started ironing is a need to feel productive. Hoping I'll feel better about life in general if I am accomplishing things. You know.
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