Amy M. Schaefer
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery

From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
Button Text

Relationships With A Side of Bleach

7/6/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
6 July 2015...Clothes that make me happy
I opened the dryer door and pulled out my favorite set of sheets. The sour smell made me crinkle my nose and swear! There's another .75 cents for the damn swear jar! That dry cycle went for two flippin' hours! Laundry is not my favorite domestic goddess chore and having to do the same load twice makes me cranky. I kicked the door closed and cussed some more. We have a mountain full of dirty clothes that were neglected over the holiday weekend by way of more fun pursuits, and the new washer & dryer won't be here until Thursday. I shudder to think of  how much laundry will be creeping out our bedroom door by then. To soothe my mood, I head outside to write, but that sour stench is still stuck in my olfactory system! Ugh!

As I take deep breaths in an attempt to replace the ick smell with rain soaked flowers and grass, it occurs to me that laundry and relationships have a lot in common. Over time our relationships become stained with harsh words, hurt feelings, happy adventures and other experiences. Much like our most comfy clothes, they also get worn with time, in both good ways, and bad. My husband has confessed it makes him happy being my "favorite pair of shoes", because he knows that when I need him most, I'll always reach for him and it will soothe me, make me happy (...he also has a thing for what he calls my "sexy feet", which is not appropriately rated for this particular article). Some of the relationship stains we create come out with bleach, while others seep into the fabric and remain, faint but impossible to ignore. Fabric softener and dryer sheets help assure a fresh scent to clean laundry most of the time, but if left unattended won't cover up sharp, bitter smells that sink in with neglect. We often wear our relationships until they no longer "fit" us and then discard or donate them if they're still in "good condition" (...the image of this makes me giggle, as I imagine standing in a Goodwill holding a random "ex" by a coat hanger and offering him up to some bright-eyed cutie, telling her, "Here ya go. Hope he looks better on you than he did on me!")

After putting a new load in the washer and praying it won't take all day to dry, I slip into one of my favorite pairs of jeans that fit every curve just right. I pull on a soft, bright t-shirt in a happy colour that makes me smile and already feel better. Relationships are like that, too. Some of them hug you in all the right places and make you feel like a million bucks! On an old episode of Oprah about making your life more simple and happy, she advised her viewers to get rid of everything in their wardrobe that wasn't their "favorite thing to wear". We should totally do this with our relationships, as well, because let's face it...bleach can only do so much before it's time to say, "This just isn't going to work in my closet any longer."
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

    Archives

    August 2021
    March 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories
    A View From the Hill: Short Stories by Mattie Hill Shields

    All

    Button Text

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery