Buffalo Gal

Now three weeks into the laundromat routine, I have it down cold, but not in the way you might expect.
Since there is much more available storage space in my car than my apartment and I never go to the landromat without my car... it made sense to leave the detergent and fabric softener bottles in the back of the CRV, right?
Saturday morning was bone-chilling, skin-stinging cold. I gathered up everything quickly and darted in to the laundromat. I secured the proper number of washers and already had the change in my pocket. All was fine until I tilted the detergent bottle... and nothing came out. In the bottle I discovered a chemically bonded sludge of ice crystals. Running hot water over the bottle produced a Tide slushie. The fabric softener took an unyielding solid form. It waited in a warm bath for the rinse cycle, when I chipped off chunks and dropped them in the washer.
Try as you might, you can't beat the Lake Effect.
Cold and defeated, I went to the mall to pick up mundane household items for the apartment, but I found myself irresistibly drawn to polar fleece, chunky shoes with tire tread on the bottom, really warm gloves and then... like an oasis on the mallwalk sale horizon... a Land's End, down-filled parka rated to 30 below. At more than 60 percent off.
My heart raced. I was already on a slippery slope, but I tried it on. Bringing the zipper up over my chin, my face virtually obscured in faux fur, ignited the furnace within my soul. There was no saying no. I broke my credit card moratorium and submitted to Sears.
My morning routine is to click over to the Weather Channel before lifting the covers, both to start planning wardrobe and debate whether I actually need to get out of bed.
Today will hover right around 18 degrees with flurries.
I sprung out of bed. I have 50 degrees to spare.

Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2005-01-16 7:36 AM Tide slushies and chunk-o-Downy Now three weeks into the laundromat routine, I have it down cold, but not in the way you might expect. Since there is much more available storage space in my car than my apartment and I never go to the landromat without my car... it made sense to leave the detergent and fabric softener bottles in the back of the CRV, right? Saturday morning was bone-chilling, skin-stinging cold. I gathered up everything quickly and darted in to the laundromat. I secured the proper number of washers and already had the change in my pocket. All was fine until I tilted the detergent bottle... and nothing came out. In the bottle I discovered a chemically bonded sludge of ice crystals. Running hot water over the bottle produced a Tide slushie. The fabric softener took an unyielding solid form. It waited in a warm bath for the rinse cycle, when I chipped off chunks and dropped them in the washer. Try as you might, you can't beat the Lake Effect. Cold and defeated, I went to the mall to pick up mundane household items for the apartment, but I found myself irresistibly drawn to polar fleece, chunky shoes with tire tread on the bottom, really warm gloves and then... like an oasis on the mallwalk sale horizon... a Land's End, down-filled parka rated to 30 below. At more than 60 percent off. My heart raced. I was already on a slippery slope, but I tried it on. Bringing the zipper up over my chin, my face virtually obscured in faux fur, ignited the furnace within my soul. There was no saying no. I broke my credit card moratorium and submitted to Sears. My morning routine is to click over to the Weather Channel before lifting the covers, both to start planning wardrobe and debate whether I actually need to get out of bed. Today will hover right around 18 degrees with flurries. I sprung out of bed. I have 50 degrees to spare. Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top