for sale: one dishwasher.
October 6, 2008
"dishwasher", by Natalie Dee
One night several weeks ago, a family sat down to dinner. It was fairly straightforward fare, steaks grilled over charcoal, mashed potatoes, carrots, and a chop salad consisting of cucumbers and tomatoes, with a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing. There was even some nice red wine to accompany the meal.
All present were very hungry, especially the children, for the family had spent most of the day on the water. They had hired a pontoon boat and ventured several miles along the waterway, landing at a secluded beach and spending the afternoon basking in the sun’s rays.
The dinnertime conversation was lively as usual – and “usual” is pretty lively, seeing as the family consists of Mom, Dad, a girl, and three boys.
There was also pie and ice cream for dessert – very nice!
Once all were finished eating (and pretty much could not move), it was time to clean up the dishes and pots.
But unlike a normal evening, something really out of the ordinary happened.
The conversation continued beyond the end of dinner, and it went on for almost an hour. It really was something to see, like something from yesteryear, a glimpse into the 1950’s, or something like that.
Dad thought about this for many days after the family returned from their weekend adventure. He noticed that this unusual and very welcome conversation was not replicated at home – until one fateful evening, when he had forgotten to buy dish-washing powder for the dishwasher.
Silly Dad!
Mom even scolded him a bit because the dishes would be piled up in the sink for another day.
Dad, however, was determined to clean up the kitchen, and he filled one sink with hot soapy water, and the other with hot clean water. He spread several tea towels out on the counter beside the sink, and proceeded to wash and dry the dishes.
Eureka!
The family gathered in the kitchen and talked, and talked, and talked. The televisions and computers and video games remained silent that evening. It is quite likely that the machines would have been drowned out anyway by the sounds of laughter emanating from the kitchen.
Progress, it seems, is overrated.
For Sale: One Dishwasher – $40 or best offer.
–
“Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need.”
-Tyler Durden, Fight Club
I’ve never ever had a dishwasher in any of the houses that I live in… I guess I don’t know what it’s like to miss it!
Scribbles’s last blog post..I’m a bit partial to penguins…
@Scribbles,
Well, let’s see – you have to touch each dish one more time than you do if you just wash them… they are loud (well, ours is as we don’t have a $2000 dishwasher)… sometimes they don’t even clean the dishes, kind of like an automatic carwash vs. hand washing your car.
Plus, they don’t encourage families to chat after dinner.
Dishwashers – not recommended!
(I’m not sure my wife would agree, as she doesn’t like doing the dishes…)
Brett,
This post just described the majority of our week night dinners. We cook together- Me, with the kids helping to set the table and make side dishes and if John is home from work, he will be at the kitchen table helping with whatever homework needs finishing up in between or helping with the food.. Then dinner is in the dining room- with quiet music and candles and we chat and chat about our day. We usually sit at the table for almost an hour and then we crank up the tunes to some hopping good dancing music and we all clean up together. We DO use the dishwasher for some things but while the kids are rinsing and putting the plates and silverware and stuff in the dishwasher, John is putting away left-overs, clearing off the table, washing down counters while I am washing up pots and pans, and things that don’t go in the dishwasher. We are usually all singing to the cranked up tunes and dancing while we work. The whole clean up takes less then 15 minutes and we have time left over to play games or hang out for more chat or fun before bed time. One of our Written down family core values is teamwork and we honor this in the way we handle our dinnertime each night. Also, not having the tv on MAKES a HUGE difference.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..Bouncing Back
Wendi,
It is wonderful, isn’t it… our children are now at the perfect age, too (is there a perfect age for children?) – they help out with everything because to them it is all fun.
We can learn a lot from children…
I won’t be buying a dishwasher…I have one growing up. Another eight years and he’ll be ready to go.
Matthew Dryden’s last blog post..How Can You Read This? (You Don’t Even Exist.)
Matthew,
I hear you… my four are pretty much ready now, I give them tasks and one of them is bound to complete it!
Thanks for stopping in today to say hello.
I am NOT giving up the dishwasher, especially when we are entertaining. However, the Lion and I have settled into a great after supper routine. I wash the dishes (that don’t go in the dishwasher) while he prepares the next day’s lunches. This has multiple benefits a) we get to talk b) the kitchen gets cleaned up which makes us both happy c) the lunches get made so we eat more healthfully. Win-Win-Win!
Urban Panther’s last blog post..Finally, the Panther talks about manjigglies!
Panther,
I knew you’d say that (see, you and Cathryn are very much alike…)
I’ve been doing the same thing lately as the dishwasher won’t hold everything from a big meal (hey, four kids and all that) – time to talk and no half-full sink.
I can’t WAIT until I can have a dishwasher! It feels like I’m spending half my life in the kitchen just washing my dishes. Then again, people tend to congregate in the kitchen when I’m cooking–the fella of the house wants to be first in line for delicious home-cooked treats.
@RL David,
You’ll have to put that fella to work then
use taekwondo as appropriate…
As Matthew says above, it helps if you’ve got some wee ones to do the work, and mine are learning fast.
I’ll take it! I hate hate hate doing dishes. Ick.
Or can I just borrow your little ones?
The dilemma of my life – I love cooking, hate doing dishes. Ah well, such is life.
Allison Day’s last blog post..Waiola Shave Ice – Honolulu, Hawaii
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Allison Day’s last blog post..Waiola Shave Ice – Honolulu, Hawaii
Allison,
It’s yours for $40 (US or Canadian, they’re about the same these days!) – and the dishwasher is cheaper than my kids (unless you get them into show business, in which case they might make some money for you!)
Hey friend,
I’ve never owned a dishwasher. I wouldn’t even know how to use one. I’ve heard rumors that they’re fickle beasts requiring us to line things up just so… maybe these have all been lies…
With all those blondies, I can’t really blame you for using a dishwasher. But I can also see how that time of bonding together would make you want to sell the friggen thing.
Kiss the blondies for me.
Amy Derby’s last blog post..Life gives us what we need when we need it. Receiving what it gives us is a whole other thing.
*sigh* Too bad my little cramped apartment has no room for a dishwasher, or I’d totally buy it from you. Looks like I’ll be washing dishes by hand for at least a few more years…
Of course, I *do* live near Hollywood… I’ll bet they could always use some adorable little blonde ones…
Allison Day’s last blog post..Waiola Shave Ice – Honolulu, Hawaii
Nyargh.
What is this “Dish-Washer” you speak of?
Why do you not just eat with your hands, and if necessary, just wipe your knife on your pant legs?
That’s how we do it in the Vinland.
Olaf: AHAHAHAHAHA!!! (C’mon out, Schmiar, I can see you…)
And here I am all this time lamenting the breakdown of our dishwasher. Sure Colin and I spend time doing them together after dinner, but I also do them after breakfast and lunch and in general, I find it such a colossal waste of time!! I want to be doing something more…well, just something more! If I could, I would outsource almost everything, cleaning, laundry, cooking, washing of dishes, cooking…then I (we) could go off and do stuff we really enjoyed or had to do! I will admit sometimes these chores are therapeutic or even enjoyable when there’s absolutely nothing else to do, but that’s rare.
So, um, sold, to the lady in Belleville!
steph’s last blog post..Push Forward or Move Ahead?
@Amy,
You are correct – they are fickle, in fact, I’m the only one I trust to operate the infernal machine at our house – no one else will clean out the trap in the bottom, and then it stops working… the blondies are getting better at helping, so family dish time would work.
Oh, they are kissed and sleeping soundly now
@Allison,
No matter, you wouldn’t want this one anyway – if it is worth $40 I’d be surprised! Though you could get one of those really small ones. Hmm… I really think we’re missing out here, we should move to Cali and exploit, err, encourage our children to go into showbiz.
@Olaf,
Don’t you mean, “wipe your knife on your enemy’s pant legs?”
@steph,
I hear you… though I tend to let them pile up in the sink anyway after breakfast and then just do them at night with the dinner dishes (whether that be in the dishwasher or otherwise)
Alright then, I’ll call TNT Overland Express tomorrow and it will be on the next truck
Okay…I live alone.
To me, there is no family bonding experience in cleaning up the kitchen.
So washing dishes SUCKS. It’s lonely and boring.
I have a dishwasher, and let me tell you, it’s GREAT! I never wanna go back!
Friar’s last blog post..The Happy-Mealer
Friar,
I suppose that’s a good point – you could always invite Olaf over for a pint or six, I’ll bet he’d help you with the dishes
(that’s why I drink wine while I fold laundry… helps pass the time, you see…)
Oh, Brett.
(Sob).
When I read your post, I reach for the Kleenex.
Because Life is Like a Dishwasher.
Often, you look for the easy solutions and quick fixes. Like washing dishes automatically.
But then you find ou, doing things the old-fashionned way is often better, because you get to maintain that personal touch with your loved ones.
(Excuse me now…I have to go and cry somewhere…)
Heh heh, we can always count on Oprah Mom to put things into perspective.
(I wonder if Oprah Mom likes home-brewed beer? That’s the old fashioned way!)
I don’t enjoy washing dishes but I get the idea about hanging out and chatting away. It’ll be nice to engage my kids more in active discussions.
Evelyn Lim’s last blog post..What Enneagram Profile Type Am I?
Brett,
This was a joyful post to read! Since I don’t cook (waffles are a dinner favorite), when both girls are home, we make it a point to just SIT after dinner (since everybody has usually eaten at a different time!) It’s as if we ALL know – 7pm is “family living room time.” It’s been going on for years, and it still hurts every night at 7 since the big one left for college. My husband and I will be able to sell offf our living room furniture with your dishwasher next year – when the little one goes off to school
Rita
Rita’s last blog post..The Exec Jet Set…
Friar,
How many times a week do people IRL ask you when you’re going to grow up? Ahahaha!
Brett,
Lovely post. What an unexpected way to rediscover your family. I own a dishwasher but never use it, with just the two of us it seems such a waste. Sometimes we have together time then, but I guess at my house dishwashing is a good spacing-out time. I don’t get a lot of downtime at home otherwise—in our little place all times are together times!
Except for right now, which is sleep time. Better go put it to use… *yawn* G’night.
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Liz Strauss Asks for 25 Words About How We’re Connected
Hi Brett – this is a great post. My kids often bolt down dinner to get the dishes in the dishwasher and watch TV or some other electronic babysitter. Doing away with the dishwasher and he tv sounds like a great way to encourage conversation.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..Be A Business Success Story, No Matter What Your Age
@Evelyn,
I know what you mean – it is a chore for sure, though it’s a great way to unplug – and as I sat last night writing, I just had to go over and turn off the dishwasher
noise pollution…
@Rita,
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I love what you do at your house – family living room time seems a good time. We’re actually going to buy some of the old classic games this year (like Trouble and Sorry – either get everyone talking, or fighting!).
I suspect we will have serious empty nest syndrome in about 15 to 20 years…
@Kelly,
Thank you very much, my friend. It is amazing how the little things can make such a huge difference. Call me crazy, but I have a copy of the plans for the house from Little House on the Prairie… I always wanted a simple house like that. Hmm… maybe in New Zealand.
@Cath,
Thank you – we have also taken advantage of the new year at our house with all of the kids off to school finally, and right now the “homework” for the triplets is mostly reading to them. So no TV after dinner is the rule. It seems to be working well, and keeps them calm before bedtime.
Brett, stop showing off. Put your kids in front of the TV like the rest of us. We don’t want your kids to stand out in any way. You know what happens at the factory when someone stands out, they get singled out.
Interpersonal skills are to be learned while using Facebook or MSN, not with actual conversation. That is old school and dangerous. You need more appliances not less. Your dishwasher will punish you if you stop using it.
Now get back in the herd and stop making the rest of us look foolish.
Francis
Francis Kopke’s last blog post..Killers
I’ll have to admit, even though I spend half my life doing dishes, I think I use it as a stress relief. If there weren’t dishes, I’d have no excuse to get up from in front of the computer–I’d be sitting here all day long!
Francis,
Best. Anti-comment. Evar.
BTW, I like your new blog post, very cool (it’s also the name of Iron Maiden’s second album…)
@RL,
Exactly – it’s a timeout with little chance of digital interruption – at least until LG brings out a sink with a built-in computer or something
@Brett
I’d be willing to have a duplicate of the Little House on the Prairie house…provided it had a) Running water b) a shower and c) a flush toilet.
Somehow, I don’t think Ma and Pa Ingalls had too much fun in their little dirt-floor shack shack, when all the kids came down with the stomach flu!
Friar’s last blog post..The Happy-Mealer
Friar,
Tis true – simple doesn’t have to mean “without amenities”, of course. And I recently found a pretty cool and stylish all-in-one bathroom fixture – just tile the entire bathroom, put in a drain for the toilet and a floor drain, and install this:
http://unclutterer.com/2008/10/07/vertabrae-bathroom-system-for-really-small-bathrooms/
Need to clean the bathroom? Just hose it down!
Then again, having had triplets plus one with stomach flu all at the same time – meaning, EIGHT orifices expelling foul stuff – there is absolutely nothing, and I mean nothing, that modern technology can do to help you out… you’re pretty much screwed in that case.
@Brett
Your dishwasher reminds me of Eric Cartman’s Awesome-O Robot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6ZzmgvCwWs
Friar’s last blog post..Assorted Friar-O-Lanterns
That was pretty damned awesome, wasn’t it…
@Brett
Except the parts that were…..LAME!!!!
Friar’s last blog post..Assorted Friar-O-Lanterns
I cracked up laughing at the dishwasher’s thoughts!! Good times… thanks for sharing. And, you’re right! We are all so 2008… the Jetsons rather. My mom comes over and she’s always taking aback as to why we put dirty dishes in this thing day after day rather than washing them and having them quickly ready for usage again. Wisdom, huh?… Okay, I have to go start the dishwasher. LOL!
VeRonda’s last blog post..Dusting Yourself Off…
[...] for sale: one dishwasher at 6 Weeks [...]
@VeRonda,
I’m glad you got a kick out of that – amazing what you can find out on the web, just searching for “dishwasher” pictures – it was perfect! That’s exactly it, so Jetsons…
Brett, the quote at the end totally says it all! I have really got to see Fight Club! You know for years I didn’t have a dishwasher. When I moved to MI a few years ago it was built in and I loved it until I realized it was faster and more environmentally friendly to just wash the stupid dishes by hand. Funny how sometimes our inventions really complicate rather than simplify our lives.
Great post Brett!
Brett,
I was telling a friend about your post the other day…he had a buyer for his house, around 8 years ago, when his job got transferred out-of-country. The night before the inspection, he realized that he wanted to run the dishwasher, but had run out of dishwashing soap. So, he used DISH WASHING (for the sink) soap instead.
DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME, FOLKS! The ensuing mess took-up his hardwood floors in the kitchen, living room and dining room – and then he blew the electricity in his house when he tried to vaccuum up the bubbles! He was up all night, trying to fix things – and making things worse.
It cost him $50,000 off of the sale price (which had been bargained at $250,000). I think a trip to a neighbor to “borrow a cup of dishwasher soap” might have given him an extra $50K in his pocket!
Rita
Rita’s last blog post..The Tale of the Teaching Tongues
@Karen,
I highly recommend Fight Club. Though the language is strong and the imagery a bit rough, that’s sort of the point in many ways, and the messages behind it all are very strong if you listen carefully. Every time I watch it, I come *this close* to just quitting my job and were I not a husband and father I would have bailed out of here a long time ago – is it is, plans are in motion.
And that’s the thing – the dishwasher means you have to touch each dish an extra time. It really is faster to wash by hand.
@Rita,
Oh my – that is just not good! One time I had neither dish powder for the machine nor dish soap for hand washing, and all of the stores were closed in Splat Creek.
I did have a gallon of vinegar, though… it actually worked really well! But the dishes were kind of smelly…
Rita,
My father did that a few weeks ago when we were visiting. (They use liquid dishwasher soap and he mistook the hand-dishwashing soap for it one day.) It looked like that scene from The Brady Bunch when they put too much soap in the laundry. Bubbles EVERYWHERE. I couldn’t believe a little error like that could make such a difference.
Luckily they weren’t trying to sell the place, so we all pitched in to clean up and laughed our butts off while doing it. Much better result than your poor friend!
Until later,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Inspiration Points: Why Having the Coolest Ads is NOT the Way to Go
@Brett
Karen’s so sweet and gentle…..do you think she’s ready for Fight Club?
(It might traumatize her!)
Friar’s last blog post..More Friar-O-Lanterns (*)
@Friar,
Well, she’s survived my zombie posts, so you never know!
Rita’s comment cracked me up! I tried that years ago too.
Now that makes for some “interesting” family dialogue!
Good thing you didn’t turn the dishwasher on…you wouldn’t have heard what the conversation was in the first place.
My kids head straight to the bath after dinner. I swear, they eat like pigs! I wonder if I can put them in the dishwasher, too?
I love my automatic dishwasher, I abhor the television. I turn it off every chance I get. I think it ruins communication and kills brain cells, especially Sponge Bob and WWF wrestling
Jamie Simmerman’s last blog post..Picking the Brain of Naomi Dunford
@Harmony,
These are the stories we can tell our grandchildren… hopefully before they try it!
@Jamie,
You know… you may be on to something there. Automatic kidwasher. Just make sure you put in the right soap!
Every night after dinner, when the kids have gone to bed, I sit in the living room and enjoy the sounds of – nothing. It’s scary, actually…
Brett
Interesting how the TV and Dishwasher are today’s bad-guys. They were seen as the good-guys not long ago. I agree that best to avoid the TV and know that what one wants is your wishes rather than some TV ad company’s. I now believe that anything that helps family and friend communication, is best. So right-on for doing things together such as washing dishes.
Enjoy your time with your little ones now, as all too soon they will be off on their own.
PS
Get rid of the automatic laundry washer and dryer too? No. That would back fire!
I remember hating having to do the dishes after dinner. It was never fun for me because I had to do them all by myself, my sister was too little to help and lucky her never had to do them because by the time she was old enough, we had a dishwasher. Every now and then I like to actually wash the dishes myself but it’s rare! If I had a crew like Wendi, it might be more fun!
Jenny’s last blog post..Moments
@Ed,
I agree – the wonder appliances of yesteryear are not the saviours they were said to be… they are okay in moderation, perhaps.
Automatic washer – probably a bad idea. Dryer? Perhaps, if we didn’t have winter!
@Jenny,
That’s the key for sure – it has to be a joint effort. If everyone else is outside, it isn’t any fun!