The start button on my dishwasher broke. Yes, it did. “When did I buy it?” you ask.
You are so kind to ask. It was purchased on January 27th, 2014. Yes, you are right. I am very lucky it broke within the one year warranty.
The full load of dirty dishes has been emptied and all of my dirty dishes are in the sink and on the counter. My family and I keep taking clean plates and cups our of the cupboard to use. And, every single plate, glass,bowl, cup, spoon, fork, knife, pot, mixing bowl, and frying pan is dirty.
I had resigned myself to spending the next thirty-six hours standing at the sink hand-washing every single dish and utensil. My kitchen must be completely clean and every dish needs to be put away for me to have a good nights sleep.
“No, don’t do it! Do not hand-wash all your dirty dishes when the dishwasher breaks!
But, I have to hand-wash my dishes. I must have everything clean and put away. What if someone comes to visit and they see dirty dishes in my sink and on my counter. They may think I am a bad housekeeper. They may think I am a bad person.
No, you are not a bad person. Your start button on your dishwasher was bad, not you.
Last night I tried it. I didn’t wash any dishes and I still had a good night sleep.
The dishwasher will be repaired in three days. Until then I will wash a plate when I need one. And the rest can wait until the dishwasher is repaired.
I have stories to write and paintings to paint. My kitchen doesn’t have to be perfect. Time is precious. Dirty dishes can wait. But my writing and my painting can not.
A clean house is a sign of a wasted life.
And if you come to visit today, tomorrow, or the day after, I promise I will hand-wash a coffee mug for you.
p.s. I couldn’t find out who first said, “A clean house is a sign of a wasted life.” But, I like them. I wonder if they also said, “A home with dog hair everywhere is a home with love.”
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All my best,
Pamela
