2009 Resolution

You're wondering why I'm showing you my iron, aren't you? Admit it.

She's going to talk about her iron, you say?

Why yes, I am.

My New Year's Resolution: less ironing.

Let me take you back almost 8 years. (stay with me)

While I was on bed rest, pregnant with our daughter, my Mom came to help out with our then 6 year old. She had organized and cleaned every inch of our home and decided that our clothing now needed her undivided attention. She set out washing all of the baby clothes. Then, she fired up the iron and creased and pressed the pink wardrobe. Next up, the 6 year old's clothes, then my husband's and mine. Every piece of clothing in our closets was now standing at attention.

Now, let me tell you that she is not content sitting idle. She washes my tile floor on hands and knees and rounds up dust bunnies like nobody's business. A spry one. This and more at the age of 86. This work, she says is the secret to her longevity. She must remain active. Who am I to get in the way of her mission?

I let her break often, and sometimes, depending how strenuous the work, I reward her with a taco from Taco Bell, just to say, thanks. Yes, one taco down and she says she is stuffed. "Filled to the gills."

So after she ironed and ate her taco, some 8 years ago, she bluntly said to me, "now, you will iron every piece of clothing that goes back in those closets, lady."

Guess what? To this day I have ironed every article of clothing that goes back in everyone's closet. Fear maybe? Routine? I am not sure what has kept me "one with my iron."

That is ending in 2009. I think. I am trying, I've only ironed once, for an hour. Really. I'm thinking about going to an Ironer's Anonymous in my community. I must take the 12 step challenge.

I took an unscientific poll among friends and the results? Nobody irons anymore. Do you?

I know there will be certain articles that will need ironing, but I ask myself, does a 5 year old boy really need an ironed tee shirt?

I know, this is a life changing moment. I do have plans for my surplus time.

There is a book that has been sitting on my nightstand for 2 months. "Become a Better You," by Joel Osteen. I'm starting with that. I'm sure that ironing has become the road block for me becoming a better me.

So, no ironing.

As for my Mom?

Bea, hard at work.

She's here for a month. Plenty of time for me to work on my resolution. Which, by the way, she doesn't know about. Shhhh!