Thanks for your responses on my last post! I know this format will get tired, but for now it gives us all something new to read and think about.
One comment I need to amend from the last post: I talked with Dan about the whole "fines for missed days" that Gretta described from her school district. He explained that it wasn't that the school NEEDED the money, it was just a deterrent to prevent absenteeism. It DOES make more work for teachers when kids are gone, especially if they miss something significant. I think that if I do take the kids out of school, it will probably be when they're young or they'll just miss an extra day or two surrounding a vacation.
(My mother would say I'm just borrowing trouble. She's right!)
Today's Hot Topic is really a question: Is it acceptable in your neighborhood to hang laundry to dry on a clothesline?
This question might never have occurred to me if it hadn't been for another blog I'd read. Apparently, because of the culture of his neighborhood, it isn't really acceptable to use a clothesline. He's not a wealthy person in a very posh neighborhood or anything, but he feels strongly that it would cause bad feelings if, in an attempt to be more frugal, he hung his laundry out.
Do you do this at home? Do your neighbors? Have you ever felt funny because you did it?
I line-dry our clothing all the time now. Our gas dryer is one of the biggest energy-suckers in our home, so it makes sense to use it less. Plus, I like taking the time to put the laundry out, and Helena helps me, so it's kind of nice that way. We have a privacy fence around that portion of our yard, but other neighbors can see it. However, I don't think they mind. No one's ever said so!
I should say that there are some "unmentionables" that I don't put on the line. You know.
So put in your two cents.
Should I get more crazy with these questions? Politics? Religion? Money? I love suggestions!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Hot Topic: Hang That Laundry!
Posted by Beth Soelberg at 10:39 AM
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7 comments:
Now that I stay at home I think I would like to hang my clothes out on the line. Of course now that I am in KS I have no line to hang them out on. I will miss that about the old house. I would put one up in the backyard. Our yard is fenced and tiny enough I could just run it from one fence post and across the yard to another. I think you should save money where you can. Especially here where air conditioning 24/7 is a must.
Here's my 2 cents on this topic. I say if you want to spend the extra time and save the extra $$ by hangging your clothes out on a clothes line than go for it. I know some subdivisions where we live forbid it (it is against their subdivisions homeowners assosiation). I personally wouldn't do it basically because I have a family of 8 and I hate doing laundry (folding and putting away). I do have the front loader washing machine that uses less water and holds bigger loads and a good energy saver dryer (both musts when you have a large family and are always washing something). I also wouldn't mind if a neighbor hung their clothes out in their backyard fence or no fence. I'm pretty easy going.
We live in a condo where there is no where to hang a line, but growing up we had a line in our yard and I loved hanging up the clothes outside! When we have a yard of our own, I think I'll consider doing it. What an easy way to save money and help the environment. :)
My husband would be mortified if I hung out the laundry. Personally I don't have the time. Plus we get so much wind here, I'd probably be chasing clothes all over the neighborhood. There is an old farm house across the street, and they hang out their laundry. I love it and think it looks charming... appropriate look for a farm I guess.
But you should do it if you are able!
I love the Hot Topics idea! I'm all for religion, money, politics, whatever suits your fancy.
I don't really have an opinion on the vacation one (since we never took vacations with my family and I'm not sure yet with my own kids) or the clothesline (since I've never used one), but I say save money where you can!
I think that hanging your laundry is the most natural thing in the world to do. It is the best way to dry your clothes. They sell the umbrella lines. You can hang your special items on the inside and work your way out. :)
I'm with Gretta on this one. I have a big family and I also have the front loading washing machine and energy saving dryer. I wouldn't get the laundry done in a timely fashion if I used a clothes line and my family would end up naked!
But if someone wants to hang their clothing to dry, I say it's perfectly fine. The Smith family does it (I see it when I pass by) and the poor family had wet clothes last week during the rain. Aww. Guess that would be a downside if someone ran out of time or forgot to get them off the line before rain etc.
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