A New Washer and an Updated Laundry Closet

I shared earlier in this post that I was participating in the Simple Organizing challenge held by Melissa Michaels for the release of her new book. I really had no idea that I would get to update things when I wrote that post.

Well, one week to the date of that post, my washer burned out. I had one of those fancy front loaders that I will admit was one of my worst purchases ever. It lasted 10 years and has been worked on multiple times. I have complained about it for a decade in which Hubby said it cost too much to get rid of it, so I dealt with it. Other than having to spend money on a new one I was ecstatic that it died. A common problem is the fast spinning wears them out. It had smoking bellowing from it a week ago.

My new Maytag top loader!!!

With the old one out and three days before I would get the new one, I had time to paint the closet which honestly was what it needed more than anything! I painted it the color of the hallway and got a new shelf. It made all the difference. I also added a couple of cross stitch pieces. I moved the things that were sitting on the dryer right outside the door to the shelf on the garage. That was mostly my dog towels (they stay wet from the bayou) and old sheets that I use in the truck for them when we go places. Those were easily moved to the shelf right outside the door.

New shelf. I kept the white baskets. Easy to wash out when they get dusty.

I have no plans to put the curtains back up. The rod is there if I ever need it. The closet doors will remain off. This should all motivate me to keep it tidy. I honestly think I will. It is just so nice to have it clean. I didn't start out with a clean closet, so that made it hard to get it clean.

Much better. Feels a bit more open without the curtain.

Oh, and I got a new light too. The ceilings are really high and the fluorescent light's ballast was out so I haven't had a light in their for years. We just replaced it with a new light, not fluorescent so it will be easier to change the bulb.

I walk by this area hundreds of times a day so I moved my rules here. I plan to take note of them more!

I stitched this back in the 90's and it was in my sewing room where you really couldn't even see it. I love that I will get to enjoy it daily too.

I mean win win y'all!

I will be back next week with some more of the challenges. Catching my breath from the last couple of weeks. Whew.

I did link up with Imparting Grace's linky party this week. http://www.impartinggrace.com/2018/03/grace-at-home-no-292.html

Have a wonderful Easter weekend. I am looking forward to Easter Sunday with church and my family.

He is Risen and I Stand Amazed in His Presence,
Sandy

Sharing My Laundry Room

I am going to be brave and share my laundry room or lack of one today. I have shared many things in my home, but never this. 

There is a reason. It is not so great.

I decided one day last week that when I actually had time to sit down, I would share how I survive the ugliness of it all.

Here goes....

You see I don't have a laundry room. I have a closet right by the back door that every single person comes through.
The only time the front door is opened is for the UPS guy, or maybe on Saturday morning when I failed to look out the window before hand and the Jehovah Witnesses are knocking.

Yep, you guessed it, the dryer door has to be closed to get the outside door open.

I desperately wish someone would come to my front door and not through a messy garage and then by my washer and dryer, but no ---- we live by the mantra....
"Back door friends are best!"

When we first moved it, there were nice louver doors to cover up the washer and dryer. Those louver doors matched the others in the hallway going from the garage to the kitchen.

Now, if you are asking, why don't you just keep the garage door closed. I do TRY! During the day, it actually happens, but I have a husband that just doesn't like that door down, so ---well, Hubby gets his way too much.

Now, those louver doors looked a lot nicer than what you see now. BUT, we have dogs. Dogs who are insane. Springer spaniels bounce and hop all over the place, and Golden Retrievers have tails that are very strong and wag like crazy.

Those doors took a beating and I finally just removed them.

Opposite the washer and dryer is a cubby that was custom designed to hold a chest freezer. We have an extra fridge and coat rack.

I couldn't stand the look of the open closet, so I made a curtain to cover hang down to the tops of the machines. I am just not strong enough or motivated enough on my own to move the machines.

I would love to also paint said closet, but Hubby thinks that is a total waste of time, so I just have to live with it.

It doesn't look to terrible in this picture, but up close, not so pretty.

For all those out there with no laundry room, just letting you know you are not by yourself.

Fortunately, to the left of the washer is my sewing room that I can throw the laundry baskets in there if I see the company coming first:)

I have done my best to make the hallway a little prettier.

I love my little mirror. It is used daily.

I don't think one of those fabulous laundry rooms I see out there on Pinterest are in my future, but looking at all that got me in trouble when I got suckered into the washing machine I now loathe.

Hubby ain't going for bringing back the old style either. He said we paid too much for this one so we have to live with it. Ugh!

Now, that I have complained, I will remind myself of how blessed I am. I remember going to the garage to wash clothes in my younger years. 

Sandy