I am still not sure if it is a good thing.
Not owning an ironing board, means that you physically can't iron anything, which in turn reduces the amount of housework you have to do. I think my approach to ironing can be likened to Quentin Crisp's philosophy on cleaning; "after the first four years the dirt doesn't get any worse"
Pic.No.1. Me and my new ironing board
Once, when my friend Clare was staying with me, she asked to borrow my ironing board.
"I haven't got one," I replied, only to be met with her aghast expression.
"But what do you do?" she asked disbelievingly.
"I have strategies," I replied, tapping the side of my head knowingly. "Firstly, I only buy clothes that don't look like they need ironing. And secondly, once I have washed my clothes, I hang them up immediately so that the creases fall out. It's cunning, see."
"So you are telling me that the deciding factor in the clothes you buy, is whether they will need ironing or not?" Clare queried, shaking her head.
"Yep, you got it. You'll never see me in cotton," I answered proudly, adding, "and linen is my nemesis."
__________________________________________________
'So,' I hear you cry, 'why have you suddenly decided to go out and buy an ironing board?'
Bloody good question. And the answer is, that it is all Izzy's fault, even though she's only four. Her school insists that the children wear school uniforms, and during the summer, the girls are asked to wear blue and white checked, cotton dresses. COTTON I say! The demon material that contradicts all I hold dear when it comes to the realm of ironing.
I decided to give my new ironing board a go before dismissing it outright, and suffice to say that after four small dresses, I had had enough. Not even the garish, spotty pattern on the ironing board cover could keep me motivated.
'This is not why I was put on this planet,' I thought to myself.
So what's a girl to do? Anyone fancy commiserating with a dinner out at Pizza Express in Oxford?
Pic.No.2. Izzy and me at Pizza Express. She's the one responsible for the ironing board. Don't be fooled by her little innocent face.
So is it me, or is there another way (other than ironing) to get the creases out of those bloomin' school dresses?
Hello Anne,
ReplyDeleteAlas I say I am afraid that cotton and ironing are synonomous, unless you can stem the creases out.
I wound up doing all of the ironing, and I didn't mind. Mariann hated ironing and had a clever trick she knew would make me crazy so that I would take over. She would press her cloths with very short, hard and fast strokes and I used to say thay she didn't iron her cloths...she erased them! Give it a few years (Yuk, I know) and convince Izzy it is a game and see what happens. I know you were "pressed" into a chore you don't want, but it "flat"-out has to get done...in time it will all "smooth" out for you :)
Ron
I used to share a house with a girl who had the same philosophy (and tactics) towards ironing that you have.
ReplyDeleteHowever...
Although you say you have bought an ironing-board, you neglect to tell us whether or not you have an iron...?
God your funny! If it's of any consolation, i dont have an ironing board nor do i own an iron! lols
ReplyDeleteI reckon the ironing board is just a cheap option for a stand to put the lap top on!!!
ReplyDeleteTell her not to move under any circumstances once the dress is on.
ReplyDeleteSo, reading that Anthea Turner book that you got for Christmas, has started to take effect.
ReplyDeleteMaybe give it a good shot with the hairdryer might work (but probably not).
ReplyDeleteI get through my ironing by watching Dallas episodes on dvd. For some reason, it just works for me.
The creases drop out of clothes? Uh uh, when was the last time you saw a pile of creases on the floor underneath hanging clothes, eh?
ReplyDeleteAs ironing was invented by the devil to torment us poor souls, you have my utmost sympathy. These days I get (retired) Hubs to do the ironing cos we don't have much, being old-type folks with no dress sense.
When I was surrounded by small people who insisted I do all their ironing because apparently 'Ironing represents a health and safety hazzard to a two year old' (pff), I waited for the marvellous moment when they dared complain about my ironing skills. At 14/15 years old all three of one's offspring said (not at the same time, obviously), 'You're not ironing that properly' as I laboured over their jeans/t-shirts. Halleluja! 'Fine,' I said, handing them the steaming iron, 'Do it yourself then', and I never touched their clobber again.
So you've only got to wait, oh, 9 or 10 years until you can do the same with Izzy.
Or send the creasy stuff out to be ironed by someone else :-)
That's right, blame the child for all this!!!
ReplyDeleteI too have gone through life without an ironing board, though now that have moved in with the fiance there is one in the hose.
I give it evil looks as I accelerate past it...
Brahm and Victoria - We need to set up a non-ironing splinter group! We could recommend the best synthetic cloths for apparel, and give tips on what you can do with the space freed up by the lack of iron!
ReplyDeleteI used to toss my girls' dresses into the dryer and hang them up immediately. I am reformed and eco friendly now they have grown up.
ReplyDeleteBloody hell I'm sending my ironing over now I know you actually own a board!
ReplyDelete