Postal Service?

Wednesday I went to the post office in an unnamed town - not mine - to pick up my parents' mail. It's being held while they're in FL. I had several packages to mail and also needed stamps.

Did you know that it is postal policy not to accept unsigned credit cards? Yeah, me neither. After waiting in line for ten minutes, I was unable to mail my packages/buy stamps because I never sign my credit cards. I had my driver's license, but the clerk still refused to accept my credit card.

Today I went to the post office where I live, armed with my check book. (No one knows me there, just so you know.) I asked her if she would take my unsigned credit card. "Of course," she said. "I just need to see your driver's license."

I mailed my packages, and I also bought a roll of the "forever" stamps. In case you don't know, the price goes up Sunday.
http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/stamp-prices-increase-weekend-25758/

Do you sign your credit cards?

Dirty Laundry Secret

I promise this will be my last laundry room post.

When I chose my laundry room as my first project for the year, I really wanted to get rid of my stuff vintage goodies. But, if you read yesterday's post, you must have noticed I put it all back on the shelf.

While I was reading blogs instead of starting another do on my to do list, I realized how much I didn't want that stuff in there. I only kept it because of the money spent on that collection. I decided that a new look was worth forgetting that past money.

(Are you holding on to clutter for the same reason?)

I knew all I needed was a box and fortunately, there was one waiting for me in the garage. (I say fortunately because today is garbage day.) Unfortunately, it was filled with those darn peanut things.

I brought it in the house so I could put it in a plastic bag - I might need it again, right? Then I remembered I had seen a zipper bag so back out to the garage I went. But then I remembered that bag would be great to store a bedspread.
I digress.

I found a paper bag and put the peanuts in it. (Twenty-five handsful, if anyone was counting.) And, I decided to donate it to the art department when I visit my former school Friday.

Those things really stick.

Back to the laundry room. I filled up the now empty box, well, it was empty when I started. Now it has all this junk vintage stuff.
 
Here is the clean, uncluttered look I wanted.

Well, it's uncluttered on the days I'm not doing laundry. (How funny that hubby's tshirt matches my new color.)

If you read yesterday's post ~ and I hope you did ~ you must wonder how tshirts made the white hangers. That's because they'll come off the hangers so I can fold them when they're dry.

 

The Merry Maids and other sprinklers went in the box, too.

Doesn't the window sill look so much cleaner now?

PS - If anyone wants some vintage goodies, make me an offer. Seriously not kidding.

Laundry Room Updated

This morning I posted about the plans for my laundry room.
http://grammygoodwill.blogspot.com/2012/01/laundry-list.html

I finished everything I wanted to do, not without some snags and funny, if painful, moments, and I can't wait it share it with you.

Here is the list I made yesterday and put on the door. I did all of them except paint the towel rack.

 This is how the floor looked before I scrubbed it.

Can you see the difference? I am just thrilled with how, well, clean it looks. I waxed it this morning.
Then I ran out to buy paint, a towel, and look at rugs.

I always forget that nothing is open at our mall until 9:30, so I went to KMart. I know some people don't like it, but I can usually find what I need there. This time was no different. I found the spray paint I needed, a plain hand towel, and then I saw them. While I didn't want to spend anything on this redo, I couldn't walk away from these rugs. They were on sale for $11.49, I think.

Then I ran in A.C. Moore (for paint) and Stein Mart. Look what I found there.

You need to know that almost all of my house is decorated in orange and maroon. This rug also had the green I had decided to use for my "pop of color". (Aren't those the most popular words used in blog-land?) It seemed perfect. But I didn't like that it actually said "laundry". I decided to stick with the rugs I'd already bought.

Next I cleaned the window sill and washed the window.

Previously I had a maroon valance here, but I knew I wanted to use my vintage handkerchiefs. I found the clips at Goodwill for 55 cents.  
Should I paint the curtain rod green?

There is so much white in this room, and I don't like these white shelves. But I really need them. To add color, I used this vintage tablecloth.

I can still hang clothes on the exposed edge.

 Here is my collection of vintage laundry products.

Here are some of my washboards and one of my wooden drying racks.This tub was gray with a random black stripe before I used my spray paint. (It was kind of cold outside, but I was determined!)

Here is the Longaberger picnic basket that I stole bought for $2.95 at Goodwill this summer. I filled it with my collection of vintage table cloths.Then I used this green tub to hold our extra hangers. Did you notice the colors?

My clothes ~ orange hangers. 

Hubby's work clothes ~ black hangers.

Hubby's casual clothes ~ maroon hangers.

Hubby's dress clothes ~ white holders.

(Hubby doesn't use this code, but I do.)

I forgot to take a picture of the spoon rack before I painted it. This is probably my favorite thing I did today. I love the color. (The bottom 3 handkerchiefs belonged to my mom.)

When I placed this basket of rags on the shelf, I somehow ran my eye into the corner of it. I saw stars circles. I still keep seeing some spots. Let me tell you it really hurt.

 Can you see the miniature metal washboard?

A good friend gave me a flower arrangement in this. Isn't it the cutest thing and the colors are just what I wanted?
All of these are on the eyepoking out white shelf above the washer.

This is a Goodwill find for $2.95 that fits perfectly between the shelf supports and covers up the hoses. (I see that space, don't worry, but I'll cover it up when I actually hang it. I don't know those people - they came with the frame.) I'm going to fill it with pictures of Cate and her soon to be here baby brother.

Here it is between paint applications. I may need another bottle. 

Since the pictures were lost from yesterday, I thought I would include my sprinkler collection today. The little pin cushion was Mom's.

I found this watering can in the garage and realized it was the perfect color. Plus, I needed something for the end of the shelf. As I stretched to put it up there, water poured out all over me. I should have expected it in a watering can, right?

 

After admiring the room all day, I finally had to do some laundry. These are hubby's work clothes, even though the tshirts are on white hangers. That's because they'll be taken off the hangers and folded when dry.

Do you see this? How can my sparkling clean floor be so dirty? 

Ah ha! I think I've found the culprit. I painted the vent and forgot to put it back in place. 

Maybe I won't mind doing laundry now. hahaha

I'm linking http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com/2012/01/your-cozy-home-party-2.html
Check it out.