Firsts. . .

Finally, for the first time ever I can say I have a college degree.  For that grand accomplishment my husband felt I should pick something big for my graduation present.  I COULD get jewelry, or clothing, or go on a fun trip (which is what I originally wanted, but decided the money could go some many places I could enjoy for years to come). . . but it really came down to two choices:

1.) New patio furniture,

(Restoration Hardware)

2.) Or, remodeling one of our three bathrooms that are in dire need of an update.  Because really, you use those rooms every day.

But then I went out of town for my brother's wedding and while I was gone the washing machine broke. . . kaput.  Rob was stranded with a load of sopping wet, soapy laundry.  And the repair man, while giving me an estimate out of one side of his mouth, was advising me to upgrade and ditch the lemon of a machine out the other side of his mouth.  My words, not his.  So a week of frantic shopping for a new washer ensued.  And I should really purchase a set so as to have a nice matching washer and dryer pair.  And of course, nothing is in stock. One must be ordered in. So come tomorrow night, if  I'm lucky, I MAY get to do laundry.  Did you hear that, GET TO--LUCKY!  I never thought I would look forward to doing laundry!

In the meantime, I got to thinking. . .

The laundry room IS in dire need of an update also.  And since the final signing of the purchase was accompanied by a "Happy Graduation!" from Rob, I figured I better get my money's worth out of this graduation present, by darn.  But it was not on the top of my list, despite the amount of time I spend in that little 8X10 room.  BUT, if the washer and dryer are out of the room anyway, it only makes sense to tear up the linoleum and take out the old cupboards and start from scratch.  After all, it is off the front entry and the door is almost always open.

Plus it would make a nicer place for Chuck to hang out while we are gone from home!

Of course after a week of no washing machine my house was starting to get a little smelly, and my unmentionables were getting a little low, so I got to experience another first. . .

A trip to the laundromat!  But at least I brought along my camera to document the experience and make things a little more interesting.

I find it mildly ironic that my graduation present is essentially a representation of the usefulness of my English Literary degree. . . because really, my new qualifications and new laundry room will ensure that I can do the laundry and housework with much more proficiency and authority!

**When the remodel is complete (hopefully in the next couple days) I will post pictures in the Home and Garden section**