My Week
Wendy
operation on my nose/sinuses. I've been reading a lot, something I don't
seem to have nearly the amount of time I used to have for. I've been
enjoying the discussions about politics and economics on here, so much so
that I've been rethinking what I want to do with my life and toying with
going back to do a part time doctorate in something.
Other things have happened too. My OD has been diagnosed with mild to
moderate dyslexia. My ex and I arranged to have her tested because having
spent time working with her revising and researching for coursework, it
became clear to me that there was a gap between what she could produce if
she talked about issues first with someone and what she produced just
reading things on her own. She's angry though, somehow instead of making
her feel positive about finding study skills and other techniques to help,
she feels differently about herself.
As if that weren't enough, a fortnight ago my YD had some friends to sleep
over - three girls only one of whom I had any previous experience of, but
given that she's trying to make new friends because of the bullying I've
been supportive. The day after the sleepover, my partner noticed his new
fountain pen was missing - we hunted for it, and thought well it will turn
up, though he's upset - it was a present from my OD for Christmas and she'd
bought it with her own money. This week OD went into the bathroom to put on
her rings, which she normally wears constantly but hasn't been wearing due
to some eczema. Two of the rings weren't in the box she'd put them in. I'm
confident that they were there because I saw them there myself when I was
reorganising the cupboard the week before my operation.
One of the rings was an amethyst which I gave her for her 16th, the other an
eternity band which her boyfriend had bought for her on their first
Christmas together, so both had a great deal of sentimental value. The only
other people who have been in our house apart from the girls at the
sleepover have been a couple of very old friends of my OD and our builders,
but the pen was missing before they arrived. I guess we just have to accept
that we'll probably never find these things and replace them, but it feels
so invasive.
Finally, my partner has been quite depressed of late and it seems to stem
from issues related to his sense of impotence about effecting changes of
behaviour with my children, who have been expecting us to do a lot for them,
but really haven't been doing much in return. (We had a family meeting and
are going to draw up a list of chores. The girls have agreed to this on the
understanding that if they do their chores, then we won't nag and be
negative all the time.) No one has said that he couldn't voice his opinions,
but to date he's been reluctant too, or felt that he couldn't.
Wendy
jane
>operation on my nose/sinuses
Eww. Bad.
>I've been rethinking what I want to do with my life and toying with
>going back to do a part time doctorate in something.
>
Yeah. Good.
>She's angry though, somehow instead of making
>her feel positive about finding study skills and other techniques to help,
>she feels differently about herself.
>
Yeah, well, Wendy, that's to be expected. You just cannot realistically expect
her to skip right over the little yellow bus aspect of this. Let her grieve a
little.
>As if that weren't enough, a fortnight ago my YD had some friends to sleep
>over - three girls only one of whom I had any previous experience of,
What people seem to do in this situation is talk to the other girls' parents.
I think it's like head lice. You really, really don't want to make that call
and discuss this with a total stranger, but as a parent you know you would want
them to call you.
>Finally, my partner has been quite depressed of late and it seems to stem
>from issues related to his sense of impotence about effecting changes of
>behaviour with my children
Sorry he's blue. I don't know why he ever thought he could effect changes in
your children's behavior. You guys were together forever, and he's old enough
to know better than to go into a relationship expecting to change the other
person.
>who have been expecting us to do a lot for them,
>but really haven't been doing much in return.
Okay, but I'm surprised that you are expecting them to do things in return for
what you do for them. You do what you do for them because you're their parent
and you love them and it's your job. They do what they do for you because they
want something. j/k But there's no quid pro quo between you. What you do for
them, they do for their kids decades from now.
jane
>Wendy
Deborah M Riel
jane <janel...@aol.com> wrote:
>Yeah, well, Wendy, that's to be expected. You just cannot realistically expect
>her to skip right over the little yellow bus aspect of this. Let her grieve a
>little.
You said this so well. I think if she had been raised knowing she was
dyslexic, it would be something she accepted about herself, like the
color of her eyes or hair. But it's new to her, and feels defective.
>Okay, but I'm surprised that you are expecting them to do things in return for
>what you do for them. You do what you do for them because you're their parent
>and you love them and it's your job. They do what they do for you because they
>want something. j/k But there's no quid pro quo between you. What you do for
>them, they do for their kids decades from now.
>
I agree with this, but I also see what Wendy's saying. Sure it's her
job, but everyone likes to feel cared about enough that someone else
will lend a hand willingly once in a while. I think it takes time to
sink in--maybe more time than they'll be living at home. Just
yesterday, though, my son called me at work and said he was shoveling
the driveway for me before I got home. If you knew my son, you'd know
why I almost dropped to the floor in a faint hearing that. He also
said "thank you" when I took him to dinner. Two little things, but
it's a beginning.
Deb R.
jane
>job, but everyone likes to feel cared about enough that someone else
>will lend a hand willingly once in a while.
Yeah, I had a little knee jerk there. It was the depressed because he can't
change their behavior thing. It's in that not owning your own shit area that
bugs me. If you're depressed get antidepressants or exercise more or do
whatever you have to do for your problem. Don't give me a list of chores.
>Just
>yesterday, though, my son called me at work and said he was shoveling
>the driveway for me before I got home. If you knew my son, you'd know
>why I almost dropped to the floor in a faint hearing that. He also
>said "thank you" when I took him to dinner. Two little things, but
>it's a beginning.
Yeah! Oh, no, though, your baby is all grown up.
jane
>Deb R.
_calinda_
>> who have been expecting us to do a lot for them,
>> but really haven't been doing much in return.
>
> Okay, but I'm surprised that you are expecting them to do things
in
> return for what you do for them. You do what you do for them
because
> you're their parent and you love them and it's your job. They do
> what they do for you because they want something. j/k But
there's
> no quid pro quo between you. What you do for them, they do for
their
> kids decades from now.
>
> jane
OMG, Jane. Freaking light bulb moment!!! Sorry, but this is
something that's been niggling at the back of my brain but never
really expressed it so simply.
This issue has been huge problem with my ex who always wants
something in return. Now, if only there was a way to get my ex to
think about this simple statement. Unfortunately, it's not within
my circle of control.
Cal~
The Watsons
they solidify, i'll post more...:) just didn't want you thinking i didn't
care...:)
Jess
"Wendy" <we...@hundredakerwood.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:bvvvcl$c2v$1...@news7.svr.pol.co.uk...
WhansaMi
I dunno. Are you guys saying kids *shouldn't* be expected to do things for
their parents, or they can't, yet? I guess, in either case, I'd have to
disagree.
A couple of months back, during winter break, I think, I was doing the dishes,
making myself an omelet for breakfast, making the kids pancakes (because that's
what they wanted) and I managed to ruin the omelet and burn the pancake,
because I was rinsing some dishes and couldn't do all three things at once.
And, then I had my own lightbulb moment -- my kids are 13 years old, and they
came into the kitchen, watched me loading the dishwasher, said they'd prefer
pancakes to omelets, and then ***walked back into the living room to watch
television***.
I went out to the living room and turned off the television. "We've got to
talk."
And, we did. We talked about being cognizant of things going on, and offering
to chip in. We talked about just looking around at our home and figuring out,
all by themselves, what needed to be done, and doing it. We talked about doing
nice things for one another, just because.
Now, I'm not saying we still don't have backpacks in the walkway, BUT I will
say that if DD is walking from the living room to the kitchen to put away her
ice cream bowl, she'll take my glass with her to put in the sink. Three days
ago DS pulled the laundry out of the dryer and folded them without being
asked. DS asks if the dishes in the dishwasher are dirty so that he can
unload. DD offered to help us paint the living room last weekend.
When children are very small, they are, indeed, quite egocentric. They should
be. But, as they grow older, IMO, they should become more aware of the people
around them, and their needs. They should become more independent about doing
things to assist in the upkeep of their environment. I'd say that during
adolescence they may not WANT to be doing this, but, again IMO, I think it is a
good lesson for them to push through this egocentricism and look more outward
than having the world totally about them.
Sheila
_calinda_
> I dunno. Are you guys saying kids *shouldn't* be expected to do
> things for their parents, or they can't, yet? I guess, in either
> case, I'd have to disagree.
Okay.. I just wrote this really, really long reply.. decided to snip
it all and yes.. this is the short version, lol
No, I am not saying that exactly.
What I am complaining about is when a parent (read "my ex") expects
that anything and everything they do will be reciprocated, and in
truth I think there times when I should do something simply because
I'm the parent.
My kids have plenty of chores & there is certainly an expectation
that they chip in and take care of things, simply because they are
part of the family & they need to make sure they help to make family
life run smoothly. But I certainly don't expect that everything I
do be reciprocated.
Cal~
Wendy
"jane" <janel...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040207100416...@mb-m19.aol.com...
> Yeah, well, Wendy, that's to be expected. You just cannot realistically
expect
> her to skip right over the little yellow bus aspect of this. Let her
grieve a
> little.
I don't think I understand what the little yellow bus refers to. I can see
that she needs to grieve a little, but I don't want her to be angry with me.
I'm convinced having her tested was the best thing to do, and I'm angry that
the schools didn't pick this up ages ago, especially as I asked more than
once if they thought she might have ADD.
My sister who was a SN Teacher in Canada until recently worked with her a
couple of years ago when she was revising for GCSE exams. She doesn't think
she is dyslexic, so there may be differences in what the term is used to
mean in different countries. She agrees that there is a problem, but isn't
convinced that this is what it is.
> What people seem to do in this situation is talk to the other girls'
parents.
> I think it's like head lice. You really, really don't want to make that
call
> and discuss this with a total stranger, but as a parent you know you would
want
> them to call you.
I just don't know how to phrase the conversation without it sounding like
I'm accusing their children of something. Were it me, if I saw my child
with jewellry that I'd not seen before, I'd be wanting to know where it came
from.
> Sorry he's blue. I don't know why he ever thought he could effect changes
in
> your children's behavior. You guys were together forever, and he's old
enough
> to know better than to go into a relationship expecting to change the
other
> person
>
> >who have been expecting us to do a lot for them,
> >but really haven't been doing much in return.
>
> Okay, but I'm surprised that you are expecting them to do things in return
for
> what you do for them. You do what you do for them because you're their
parent
> and you love them and it's your job. They do what they do for you because
they
> want something. j/k But there's no quid pro quo between you. What you
do for
> them, they do for their kids decades from now.
I understand that, but he feels there is a lack of respect and
consideration. The issue isn't what they do or don't do, the issue is that
he hasn't felt able to express his opinion openly.
Wendy
Wendy
"Deborah M Riel" <dr...@wpi.edu> wrote in message
news:c03259$1rvq$2...@bigboote.WPI.EDU...
> You said this so well. I think if she had been raised knowing she was
> dyslexic, it would be something she accepted about herself, like the
> color of her eyes or hair. But it's new to her, and feels defective.
The thing is this is a girl who was reading at aged 3. That doesn't sound
like the typical pattern of dyslexia. She was really verbal from an early
age, at a year she had something like 20-30 words she could use. She never
slept as a baby either, she was exceptionally alert to what was going on
around her.
> I agree with this, but I also see what Wendy's saying. Sure it's her
> job, but everyone likes to feel cared about enough that someone else
> will lend a hand willingly once in a while. I think it takes time to
> sink in--maybe more time than they'll be living at home. Just
> yesterday, though, my son called me at work and said he was shoveling
> the driveway for me before I got home. If you knew my son, you'd know
> why I almost dropped to the floor in a faint hearing that. He also
> said "thank you" when I took him to dinner. Two little things, but
> it's a beginning.
I guess because I've had two operations in the last six months, and that has
meant some extended periods where he's been picking up the slack for me, he
is now suffering from feeling taken for granted. I feel that way too, but
when I feel that I'd tell them how I'm feeling. For some reason, he's felt
he can't express his views - it's that that makes him feel impotent.
Wendy
Wendy
"WhansaMi" <whan...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040207182323...@mb-m13.aol.com...
> I dunno. Are you guys saying kids *shouldn't* be expected to do things
for
> their parents, or they can't, yet? I guess, in either case, I'd have to
> disagree.
I think Barclay and I both feel that everyone should chip in a bit to help,
especially as we're bending over backwards trying to do things for them.
The truth is they hate the mess and like it when things are nice, but they
haven't yet cottoned on to the fact that they have some control over helping
to keep it that way.
Wendy
Wendy
"_calinda_" <calinda...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c04g82$12acgj$1...@ID-178944.news.uni-berlin.de...
> My kids have plenty of chores & there is certainly an expectation
> that they chip in and take care of things, simply because they are
> part of the family & they need to make sure they help to make family
> life run smoothly. But I certainly don't expect that everything I
> do be reciprocated.
I don't think Barclay expects everything to be reciprocated either. He just
doesn't see why we should be the ones who makes all the effort.
Wendy
Deborah M Riel
Wendy <we...@hundredakerwood.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
>
>"Deborah M Riel" <dr...@wpi.edu> wrote in message
>news:c03259$1rvq$2...@bigboote.WPI.EDU...
>
>> You said this so well. I think if she had been raised knowing she was
>> dyslexic, it would be something she accepted about herself, like the
>> color of her eyes or hair. But it's new to her, and feels defective.
>
>The thing is this is a girl who was reading at aged 3. That doesn't sound
>like the typical pattern of dyslexia. She was really verbal from an early
>age, at a year she had something like 20-30 words she could use. She never
>slept as a baby either, she was exceptionally alert to what was going on
>around her.
How sure are you about the diagnosis? Have you ever checked into
nonverbal learning disorder, for example? People with that often are
good readers, and very verbal with good vocabularies. They respond
well to having things explained to them, and not so well at written
instruction. They can read well, as I said, but often lack in
comprehension. It's a much more tricky diagnosis, and most often
shows up when an IQ test shows a large discrepency between the VIQ and
PIQ. I think a point spread of >11 is usually what triggers
suspicion. It can mimic other disorders, and can coexist with other
disorders as well.
Deb R.
Deborah M Riel
Wendy <we...@hundredakerwood.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
>
>I don't think I understand what the little yellow bus refers to. I can see
>that she needs to grieve a little, but I don't want her to be angry with me.
>I'm convinced having her tested was the best thing to do, and I'm angry that
>the schools didn't pick this up ages ago, especially as I asked more than
>once if they thought she might have ADD.
In the US, the short yellow bus (as opposed to the regular sized
school bus) is what is often used to pick up the kids who are in the
special education programs--the mentally handicapped, the physically
handicapped, the kids who go to the special schools. The ones the
other kids call "speds." When my brother was diagnosed with dyslexia
back in the '70s, as a middle schooler, he had to ride one of those
buses to go to a special reading program at a different school for
awhile. The other kids called him retarded and made fun of him until
my mother decided it was doing him more harm than good to go there and
started doing the extra help sessions at home.
In my other post I mentioned NVLD as a possibility, but ADHD can also
cause some of the problems your daughter exhibits. And, NVLD can
mimic or coexist with ADHD. If you don't think dyslexia fits as a
diagnosis, do your homework on some of the other disorders that can
affect learning. I've heard that in England, doctors are very
reluctant to diagnose ADHD, and NVLD is just starting to be recognized
in the US, so I don't know where it stands in England.
Deb R.
jane
>their parents, or they can't, yet?
No.
jane
Wendy
> How sure are you about the diagnosis? Have you ever checked into
> nonverbal learning disorder, for example? People with that often are
> good readers, and very verbal with good vocabularies. They respond
> well to having things explained to them, and not so well at written
> instruction. They can read well, as I said, but often lack in
> comprehension. It's a much more tricky diagnosis, and most often
> shows up when an IQ test shows a large discrepency between the VIQ and
> PIQ. I think a point spread of >11 is usually what triggers
> suspicion. It can mimic other disorders, and can coexist with other
> disorders as well.
It was done at the Dyslexia Institute by a trained psychologist. I'll have
to wait a fortnight for the written evaluation.
Wendy
Wendy
> In the US, the short yellow bus (as opposed to the regular sized
> school bus) is what is often used to pick up the kids who are in the
> special education programs--the mentally handicapped, the physically
> handicapped, the kids who go to the special schools. The ones the
> other kids call "speds." When my brother was diagnosed with dyslexia
> back in the '70s, as a middle schooler, he had to ride one of those
> buses to go to a special reading program at a different school for
> awhile. The other kids called him retarded and made fun of him until
> my mother decided it was doing him more harm than good to go there and
> started doing the extra help sessions at home.
Okay, I understand the reference now.
> In my other post I mentioned NVLD as a possibility, but ADHD can also
> cause some of the problems your daughter exhibits. And, NVLD can
> mimic or coexist with ADHD. If you don't think dyslexia fits as a
> diagnosis, do your homework on some of the other disorders that can
> affect learning. I've heard that in England, doctors are very
> reluctant to diagnose ADHD, and NVLD is just starting to be recognized
> in the US, so I don't know where it stands in England.
That's definitely true. I've a friend who is ADHD and dyslexic, but has
only just recently got a formal diagnosis and only having really researched
and fought to have her son's ADHD recognised too.
I've never heard of NVLD before, so I'll do some reading on that. It's
possible, that the British lump it in with Dyslexia.
Wendy
>
> Deb R.
WhansaMi
I don't think that is unreasonable at all.
Sheila
WhansaMi
Neither do I, in any relationship. I'm not a tit-for-tat person.
However, I do think there are ways that kids can show their *investment* in the
family, and that's what I want to see (and it sounds like Wendy and Barclay
want to see too). This, of course, has to be done within their means. Neither
of my kids are old enough to drive, so, no, they can't go get the groceries.
But, they can sure offer to let me sit down when I get back and bring them in
from the car.
Another way I notice my kids showing reciprocity is in their willingness to
deprive themselves to help me. We are redecorating the living room. I've been
mooning over a Frank Llyod Wright style lamp -- for $800. Of course, DH and I
talk about it, primarily how it is too expensive for us to buy! DD comes to me
and says I can have the money in her savings to help buy it. Again, she was
willing to lose a couple of hundred to help me get what I want.
I guess what I am saying is, I don't expect all the things I do to be
reciprocated, but I do want enough of them to be to let me know that they are
invested in someone's (in this case, my) happiness, and not only their own.
Sheila
The Watsons
> I've never heard of NVLD before, so I'll do some reading on that. It's
> possible, that the British lump it in with Dyslexia.
like Deb said, it's just starting to be recognized over here....when i was
first starting out (After everyone finally admitted i wasn't just lazy), it
was a "motor planning disorder" that was related to a birth defect....it
wasn't until pretty recently that it was recognized as a specific set of
learning differences....and i am also ADD-just enough to make my dayplanner
a pretty good idea and to make me kinda flaky when i stress out, but it is
there...:)
try this out for size...:)
Jess
The Watsons
(ten points is the diagnosis)
*nods* i read and spoke early, but didn't start walking until i was after
two....that in itself didn't trigger any bells, because i have a bad
hip.....but in school, my math/science grades always fell five or six years
behind my age group, while my reading skills were off the chart...my
handwriting is a joke, and i'm being kind...:) i've a knack for languages
and music, but the more abstract stuff for me took a lot longer than it did
for my peers...don't give me a stack of paperwork and not tell me anything
about it, because it'll get put somewhere and i won't do it....tell me what
you want and what you want me to do...:)
what they look for in the tests is a severe discrepancy in the testing
ranges-if you score consistently high in certain types of subtests, but
pretty low in certain types of others, then that indicates an issue...:) i
can pull my scores out, if you'd like...:)
Jess
Wendy
"The Watsons" <warped...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:bhuVb.10363$IF1.3301@fed1read01...
> like Deb said, it's just starting to be recognized over here....when i was
> first starting out (After everyone finally admitted i wasn't just lazy),
it
> was a "motor planning disorder" that was related to a birth defect....it
> wasn't until pretty recently that it was recognized as a specific set of
> learning differences....and i am also ADD-just enough to make my
dayplanner
> a pretty good idea and to make me kinda flaky when i stress out, but it is
> there...:)
>
> try this out for size...:)
Thanks for that, Jess.
Wendy
The Watsons
> Thanks for that, Jess.
no problem...:)
Jess
Amy Lou
Is it a case of Barclay being upset because the kids don't *offer* to help?
In my experience kids are happy to help if *asked*.
My DH used to get into a mood because my 16y/o "hasn't given back anything
lately". When I say "why don't you ask him to mow the lawn or something?" he
says "that's not the point, I want him to think about all the stuff we do
for him and give something back because he appreciates us not because we ask
him to".
That sort of behaviour is starting to appear thank goodness. :)) Personally
I still think it is easier to just ask.
Amy
Wendy
"Amy Lou" <amyl...@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:E8yVb.48234$Wa.1...@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Is it a case of Barclay being upset because the kids don't *offer* to
help?
> In my experience kids are happy to help if *asked*.
Not even that. He was pleased that a wet towel had been put back on the
towel rail the other day, instead of being left on a bedroom floor.
> My DH used to get into a mood because my 16y/o "hasn't given back anything
> lately". When I say "why don't you ask him to mow the lawn or something?"
he
> says "that's not the point, I want him to think about all the stuff we do
> for him and give something back because he appreciates us not because we
ask
> him to".
> That sort of behaviour is starting to appear thank goodness. :))
Personally
> I still think it is easier to just ask.
But asking sometimes turns into nagging and that can be very wearing.
Wendy
Amy Lou
>
> "Amy Lou" <amyl...@bigpond.com> wrote in message
> news:E8yVb.48234$Wa.1...@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> > Is it a case of Barclay being upset because the kids don't *offer* to
> help?
> > In my experience kids are happy to help if *asked*.
>
> Not even that. He was pleased that a wet towel had been put back on the
> towel rail the other day, instead of being left on a bedroom floor.
Can I ask then who usually puts the towel back on the rail? Is it you or is
it Barclay? I ask because if it is Barclay then I can understand why he
would be annoyed but if it is you then I think there might be more to it.
>
> Personally
> > I still think it is easier to just ask.
>
> But asking sometimes turns into nagging and that can be very wearing.
Well I think that depends on what you say and how you say it. For eg "have
you hung up your towel yet?" does sound like nagging but saying "would you
please give me a hand with the dishes" doesn't. The towel business could be
handled with natural consequences instead of verbal reminders.
Amy
Wendy
> Can I ask then who usually puts the towel back on the rail? Is it you or
is
> it Barclay? I ask because if it is Barclay then I can understand why he
> would be annoyed but if it is you then I think there might be more to it.
Mostly it's me, lately because I've had an operation it's been Barclay. It
annoys me too.
> Well I think that depends on what you say and how you say it. For eg "have
> you hung up your towel yet?" does sound like nagging but saying "would you
> please give me a hand with the dishes" doesn't. The towel business could
be
> handled with natural consequences instead of verbal reminders.
It's a battle no matter how we do it, especially with the younger one.
Wendy
Amy Lou
>
> "Amy Lou" <amyl...@bigpond.com> wrote in message
> news:EEbWb.50978$Wa....@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> > Can I ask then who usually puts the towel back on the rail? Is it you or
> is
> > it Barclay? I ask because if it is Barclay then I can understand why he
> > would be annoyed but if it is you then I think there might be more to
it.
>
> Mostly it's me, lately because I've had an operation it's been Barclay.
It
> annoys me too.
If you want your kid to put her own towel back on the rail then you have to
stop doing it for her. Do you worry that she will have to use a wet towel
the next day? That is one way for her to to learn that it is better to put
it back on the rail. Let her find out what it is like when nobody puts her
towel back on the rail. Do you worry that the wet towel on the floor means
the carpet is getting damaged? Lay down a strip of plastic in her room and
tell her that is the only spot she is allowed to put her down on if she
insists on putting the towel on the floor.
>
> > Well I think that depends on what you say and how you say it. For eg
"have
> > you hung up your towel yet?" does sound like nagging but saying "would
you
> > please give me a hand with the dishes" doesn't. The towel business could
> be
> > handled with natural consequences instead of verbal reminders.
>
> It's a battle no matter how we do it, especially with the younger one.
Battling over things is no way to live for you or for her. There must be a
better way.
Amy
>
> Wendy
>
>
jane
>towel back on the rail.
That would be my house, where fresh towels are used daily and wet ones
accumulate in a heap. Eventually, Lee runs out and washes them.
But she has her own bathroom. I can see it could get dicey if she didn't. I
think I would throw out all the towels and buy everyone one terry robe. In
fact, I am pretty sure that I have done that. Funny how they creep back,
though; Lee must have two weeks worth now.
jane
Amy Lou
Its funny how different families do things. We have no problem with towels
because everyone slips on a robe or something in the bathroom, therefore
having no need to take the towel back to the bedroom.
I have quite thick and luxurious towels because I only wash them once a week
but the first time I stayed over at SD's place I was shocked at the state of
her towels. They were thin, tiny little things, (hand me downs from her
mother no doubt) because SD uses a towel once and then washes it.
Amy
Wendy
I've slowly been putting in hardwood floors through the house, because I
like them better than carpet and because Barclay is asthmatic. I just have
this horror of wet towels on wood.
Also British homes are much smaller than North American ones, probably than
Australian ones for that matter. All the laundry is done in the kitchen.
Things which can't be tumble dried have to dry on clothes racks in the
kitchen. You just have to keep on top of it, otherwise the whole house
feels like a laundry.
Wendy