Washing Machines and Washington

[FCTP]

Four years ago during a trip to Lowe’s, I once again found myself in the Land of New Appliances.  As I rounded the corner, a thrill went up my leg.  “Yes!” I said to myself in a loud voice in my head.  My two girls had finally gone on sale and I HAD to have them!  The Bosch washing machine and dryer stood tall and beautiful and they appeared to be smiling right at me.  As Randy walked towards me from his Land of New Tools, he immediately knew we were going to have a “conversation.”  He saw the dazzle in my eyes and the way I was lovingly touching the front loading doors.  In his common sense and so rude voice, he said “Our machine is fine.” 

 

I was not worried.  I had my arsenal of reasons for needing this new purchase.  I immediately went into the planned “sermon” that included talking points such as:

• Ours is 20 years old
• These are top loaders and YOUR MOTHER- who lives with us - will not have to work so hard to do the laundry
• Our old one will probably stop working soon, it’s on its last leg
• This is a big sale and we can’t pass it up

 

He still stood firm and thought it silly to spend so much for something we didn’t need.   I was prepared for his common sense approach and …

 

…immediately pulled the card I knew would secure the pair for a place in our home.  I reminded him…

 

“Remember the truck you HAD to have 15 years ago and I didn’t think we could afford it but I kept my mouth shut.  Remember that?”   

 

He looked at me and knew CHECKMATE had occurred and there was nothing for him to do. He said, “Whatever.  Do what you want.”  He lost and I won!  I patted the pair and said  “Yes, I can take you home with me beautiful ladies!”

 

I got my way and ended up with the coolest pair on the floor and they looked like something from the Jetson’s.  I must admit I felt bad about giving up a perfectly good machine.  But alas, no worries.  I made myself feel better by giving them away to someone who needed them and was thrilled to get my 20 year old worn out machines.  “One person’s junk is another person’s treasure”, I thought.  With my guilt now put aside, I tidied up the area for the new royal pair’s delivery. 

 

They were beautiful.  My girlfriends were jealous and I was gleeful of this huge new purchase.  They cost more than my first car – which doesn’t mean much.  My first car was a Vega and the guy we purchased it from almost paid Randy to take it off his hands! 

 

The Bosch girls did a great job and I could not wait to wash clothes and listen to the quietness that came from them.  I would keep checking to make sure they worked because they were so quiet.  I was in heaven.

 

Then one day a few months later, I found mildew in the seals of the washing machine.  How had that happened?  I scrubbed and tried to clean her up but the stain was difficult and wouldn’t budge.  I went to the internet to see if there was a remedy and there it was – the truth!  I was devastated. 

 

Posting after posting of comments about the Bosch girls and how you needed to “feed” them to keep them from growing mildew.  Feed them?  You had to buy a product – which wasn’t cheap – and feed it through the washing machine at least once a month.  It would keep the clothes smelling fresh and the mildew down.

 

I began to wonder why I had made this expensive change but I would never let Randy know I had my doubts.  Women just don’t admit we are wrong in times such as these.

In fact, it is not often we admit we are wrong, period.

 

I tried the product and it worked for a few days and then the mildew was back and it became an ongoing saga to fight the mildew in my beautiful BOSCH girl’s seals.  Ugh.  Yuck.  Disgusting. 

 

I eventually went back to the internet to see if someone had discovered the perfect remedy for this gross stuff.  Yes, there it was.  All you had to do was “leave the door open after washing.”  What????  Leave the door open?  My beautiful BOSCH girl would have to sit with her mouth open so the mildew would not grow inside her.  The picture of those beautiful BOSCH girls sitting side by side glistening for all to see was blown.  One with her mouth open and the other with it closed was not a pretty sight.  I kept the doors to our laundry room closed so no one would see our "problems."  

   

So for the last four years the Bosch girls and I have fought the mildew and paid a good $60 a year in product to keep it smelling nice.  I have grown weary of them and many times wished I had my old pair back (which are still running and doing great in their adoptive home).

 

Two weeks ago, the unthinkable happened.  I filled the machine with towels and turned her on.  I left the laundry area and an hour later came back to find she had not moved.  The towels were wet but nothing turned and the door would not open.  My towels were held hostage!

 

Long story short – After replacing the electronics, the pump and the big motor, one of the Bosch girls has died.  It was not a pretty death and I was not a happy owner.  She only gave me four years and I had done all I could to keep her looking pretty and smelling nice.  I had never worked so hard for a washing machine before and only 4 years of work out of her was not enough! 

 

I was fortunate because we purchased an extended warranty.  We will be receiving a new machine BUT they do not have my color and the beautiful pair will now look like a rag tag mixture of machines and my dream of a beautiful change in my laundry room are ruined.  (I do believe Randy has a smug look on his face but I’m ignoring him – which we women are good at doing.)

 

As I Googled “Washing Machines” tonight to see what I might get this time around (Bosch is not on the list), the links that scrolled upwards included washing machine AND Washington.   I laughed at the irony.

 

Four years ago I thought I needed a change and the new great looking machines would save me time and my life would be better.  I also wouldn’t listen to the one who was trying to keep me from an “emotional buy.” 

 

Four years ago America thought we needed a change and the new great looking orator would save us from an economic crisis and make our lives better.  We would not listen to wise patriots who warned that the looks and words could be deceptive.   His words were hollow but so many did not care.  He was great looking and that is all that mattered!

 

Four years ago we all got duped.  The looks are gone and the new guy in Washington just couldn’t keep things going.  He passed legislation that would feed his ego just like I had to feed a washing machine to keep it from smelling. 

 

He wanted America to change and now we understand that the old ways still work – just like my old washing machine.  Our traditions might be old-fashioned and all those new ideas have kept our country stagnant.

 

I’ll be getting a new machine and this time I will do my homework.  I will not be emotional.  I will be a grown-up because reality is…this is just a stupid washing machine and it needs to perform!  Forget about looks, baby!

 

I’ll be getting a new President too and this time I hope Americans will do their homework.  I hope emotions will not play a part in their vote.  I hope they will be grown-ups because reality is…this is one of the most important decisions you may make in your lifetime.  Our next President needs to perform and get our country back to work.   My washing machine is dead and will be hauled out of here in a few days.  My country is still very much alive and waiting for the next leader to show up and take good care of her.

 

Take your vacation, Mr. Obama and the rest of the Washington gang.  When you get back to DC, you have some work to do…cause the economy stinks, much like my now dead washing machine does.

 

Enjoy the two videos and may you find peace in the Land of New Appliances and New Tools should you find yourself at Lowe’s this weekend. 

 

Washing Machine on Holiday 

 Obama on Vacation  

 

 

 

 

[Gail Louise Yost]

@David thank you so much for serving our country so willingly it is men and women like you and my sons who truly make this country the land of the free and the home of the brave......

[David Martin Hagwood]

Exactly!  I agree with you, Larry.

[Larry Landin]

Ron Paul does have some novel ideas and we could certainly use some. However, he lost me on three issues: 1. legalization of hard drugs, 2. his "quick" solutions for Afghanistan and Iraq, and 3. his stance on nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran's "IMANUTJOB." This final one convinced me that he really has no clue about terrorists and their willingness to inflict the utmost pain on us and Israel. Sorry to anyone who disagrees, just stating my case.

[David Martin Hagwood]

I don't think age is a factor for a president.  I do have an issue with how Ron Paul wants to handle Afghanistan.  He's talking about just snatching them out of there which is a very bad move.  I understand we have a money issue but at least let them finish this mission.  I'm not about giving a bunch of monetary support to foreign countries; but if they're close to helping Afghanis keep the bad guys at bay, I say finish the mission.  A slow, better controlled, and ultimately successful withdrawal is what they need to do.  He also doesn't need to talk about bringing people back where we have territories in non-conflict areas.  For instance, I'm in Japan and we're actually in a critical strategic location.  He mentioned Japan in his speech at the Iowa Fair.  I just don't get the feeling that he quite understands defense strategy as well as he thinks he does and that is really the biggest role of the US Government, not all this other big government regulating mess that we have now.  Obama doesn't have a clue and I'm afraid Ron Paul doesn't have a clue either.  For his supporters, please don't take offense; but as you may be able to tell, I'm in the military and I know I have been serving longer than he did.  Everyone in every service learns to understand military strategy.  The Constitution we hold so dearly depends on it because we live in a world where there's some nasty people out there who hate us and we have to stay on our toes and be ready if we're needed.

[amanda choate]

Isirio, Reagan faced the age question also. As far as voting for someone to anyhting but represent your ideas seems likea bad bet to me. To Tamara, I would say vote your conscience and pray your guy doesn't win so you won't have to defend the decisions they have to make. Although I am pretty sure that Ron Paul would always continue to act the same. Good or bad.

I also have a Bosch machine for 7 years now. I love it but the suds do get held up in the seal. I just wipe mine out with an old towel that I keep next to my machine. It has worked so far and I refuse to pay for that other anti mildew stuff after one time. I figured dry was also an anti mildew agent.

[Isirio Abelon]

Tamara. "So who to choose"?. Seems like you are leaning toward  Ron Paul. I heard a lot of comments in 2008 election about McCain, he was 72.  Most comments I heard was,  "McCain is too old".  Does age is a factor especially for President?. Ron Paul is 75 now, 76 in 2012. I hope we choose our candidate wisely at this time who can beat Obama in 2012. Thanks.

[sally higgins]

Stick with Maytag.

[tamara stephenson]

So, who to choose? I am completely unimpressed with all who are running, except Ron Paul. He doesn't have a chance, so who is left? I feel like the candidates are merely pandering, and none really believe what they are saying.

[Larry Landin]

Billie, what a great analogy. Here's to real change this time.

[David Martin Hagwood]

Well, as an update, the radiation has gotten under control.  They're now focused on cleaning up the radioactive water.  They collected all of our Iodide pills because the risk has been eliminated.  I feel bad for the families here who had lost so much.  The Japanese are good and very strong people.