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I've Made Mistakes In Life

...but I don't think I made one today in what I did, and I don't regret it and I'm neither going to own up to it or apologize for it.

I live in the basement of a four-flat (including mine) apartment building. We share the use of the utilities, including a pay-as-you-go washer and dryer. I learned from my mom how to properly load and unload these machines, and I am proud of this homemaking skill. But the ladies on the first and second levels both have TERRIBLE habits when it comes to using them. We have one who literally SHOVES everything into the machine, on TOP of the agitator, instead of a well=balanced load. I swear she is going to break it off one day and we'll be out of luck.

Anyway, today is Saturday. I had to get up early (about 4:00 AM) because my Peapod driver was expected between 6:00 and 8:00, and I wanted to be dressed and ready for him. I decided to get my laundry started while I waited. No one else was up anyway.

I went downstairs - and nearly had an attack. There was the basket belonging to the agitator-abuser, with a full rug in it. But where were her clothes? The machine was open and empty. I checked the dryer - and it was stuffed with damp to wet clothes, top to bottom. That machine needs BREATHING room to dry things! It was obvious she had done it last night and didn't finish it. Not only that, but she didn't clean the filter, either. I sighed, filled up my first of two washloads, took out her wet clothes and put them on top of the dryer. I started my load, went upstairs - and the Peapod driver had arrived. I helped him unload the order, signed, and he left again.

To make a long story short, I finished both grocery unloading and laundry chores - and there still wasn't stirring upstairs. I brought up my last load, leaving her
clothes on the washer, and went upstairs. A half-hour went by, and I was just sitting down to a late breakfast, when I heard, "Who the HELL took my clothes out of the machine?" Her scream came through the floor. Then I heard her banging around angrily.

I'm sorry, my dear, but that's not your private machine. I'm not going to admit to what I did - or apologize for it.

After all, it WAS Saturday morning - and everyone for himself or herself.
SageWanderer · 70-79, M
The few times a year I go to the laundry place to do blankets and things it amazes me that people come in and think I'm using their machines! Don't you dare apologize!
SageWanderer · 70-79, M
@MaryJanine My mom was just before that. I still remember the gasoline motor driven washer on the porch. Once she got the electric one no one was allowed near it, same with the dryer she got later! I think the depression taught them a different set of values that were passed down to us.
MaryJanine · 61-69, F
@SageWanderer That must have been that funny looking machine my grandmother (Dad's mother) had on her back porch. I never saw it run and never knew what it did, but Grandma never threw anything away. I think it got junked when Dad bought the automatic.
SageWanderer · 70-79, M
@MaryJanine I remember the machine and the gas motor running but never paid much attention. And I know all about never throwing stuff away; it might come in handy someday!
Oster1 · M
Good and funny story. I think you did the right thing. You upset her and she is none the wiser. Maybe she will get a clue.....but I doubt it!😁
MaryJanine · 61-69, F
@Oster1 Hmm...I don't know. She's the one who came downstairs (again, a Saturday morning) and scared the hell out of me by saying, "Hello" when I had my back turned. She went straight to the washer, mashed her clothes into it, turned it on, and then said, "Oh..do you need this washer?"

I replied, truthfully, "No - I'm doing my last dryer load" and went back into my apartment.

She's also the one who slops her fabric softener over the surface of the machine (and doesn't wipe it off.)
Quimliqer · 70-79, M
Some think the equipment is theirs alone!’
MaryJanine · 61-69, F
@Quimliqer I think she does. She's the one who doesn't empty pockets and find fingernail files, bobby pins and everything else imagineable in the bottom of the drum. Oh, yeah - screws, too.
Quimliqer · 70-79, M
@MaryJanine She’s the handy person around the apartments?
MaryJanine · 61-69, F
@Quimliqer I think her husband is, but don't get me started on him. He signed his ticket with me when he took a package in for me, signed for it, then called me downstairs and told me to "come up and GET it." I reminded him I use a walker and I can't make twenty steps (up and down) round trip and could he please leave the package by my front door or the back one? He got real snotty and said, "I can't do that." Why the hell not? BTW - I never got the package from him and I am SURE he junked it.
Normally I always suggest to be friendly, because with friendliness you get aheas, but in this case you have done just right. This lady does not seem to be the brightest candle of the cake and very very selfish. And friendliness seems to be with a waste of time with her, so I am proud you stood up for your right and did not let yourself be intimidated. (Y)
MaryJanine · 61-69, F
@RobinPhoenix Danke, kleiner Bruder. Every replyon this post seems to be in approval.

"The brightest candle on the cake" - I never heard that und I love it! May I use it if I have the opportunity to?

 
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