Doing Laundry

Mummy was working away on the laundry this morning, and as I recently gained some appreciation for the task via the armoire drawer, I thought it might be nice to help her out.
You know, ease the burden and whatnot.
So I observed for a bit, just to get the hang of it (it is never good to just jump into the middle of something without some inkling of what you are doing).

It seemed pretty easy: Mummy gathered a huge pile of Dad’s underwear, socks and other niffy stuff then began the trek from bedroom to laundry room. I walked along to keep her company, occasionally darting in front of her, though I readily discovered that was a dangerous maneuver because she doesn’t look where she is going - she tripped over me I don’t know how many times!  

She then deposited the clothes on the floor in front of the Washing Machine (and a few on top of me, again not looking) and began moving them around in different piles. This looked like fun!
I skipped around with her, dashing first under the clothes as she sorted, then jumping on top of a pile (to help tamp it down, of course – those clothes weren’t going anywhere if I could help it!).

 Next, we moved to the Washing Machine – Mummy pulled on its nose to wake it up, and I jumped on the edge [whoooa, nearly fell in!]. It began spewing water inside - oops, I think Mummy messed it up and now the Washing Machine has a leak!

However, she took her time, pouring in some liquid stuff called Detergent and being very cool about the whole leak thing; she then quickly tossed in the soiled goods and closed the lid. I could hear the water still running but I guess she thought those clothes would hold it off. 

Oh, well – if she isn’t worried that water will flood the house, neither am I. 

Next step – the Dryer!

I leaped from the Washing Machine to the Dryer, landing neatly in the laundry basket piled high with [did I mention very soft?] bath towels, got peremptorily removed from said basket and discourteously placed on the floor. She opened the dryer door and…uh oh, break for the ‘phone……

With Mummy busy talking, I determined not to waste time just sitting around. We must have efficiency, else Dad’s socks will continue to niff! The warm aroma of lavender was gently wafting from the open Dryer, so I knew there must be freshly cleaned linens in there.  Assuming [logically] that Mummy would be occupied for a while, I edged a bit closer to the dryer then stood up and peered into the opening.

Yep – fresh sheets and pillowcases!

This is where I knew I could really help. Naturally assuming the next phase of the Laundering Process, as we professionals call it, was to pull those sheets out, I immediately jumped in, landing softly on the aromatic pile. Turning around in order to see how to go about this business of removing them from their den, I began sinking into the softness, each step drawing me deeper into the folds.  Hmm…very cozy.  Mummy could be a while; perhaps I will just rest here for a bit…..Zzzzzzz….

I am surrounded by clouds of billowy softness,
great folds of sheets and things gathered around me,
lifting me into the soft air,
I am falling deeper into the luxurious...
floor?    

It was awfully cold after being ousted from the delicious warmth of the dryer (very opprobriously, I might add). I explained that it was my strict sense of work ethic that compelled me to help with the sheets while she loitered about with telephone calls but Mummy said I shouldn’t have been in the dryer and that I was a wastrel, just looking for a place to snooze. I was then informed my help was no longer required and unjustifiably tossed out of the laundry area.

Dusting myself off, I walked away in a marked manner, my only consolation knowing that Dad will be none too pleased when he finds out she used his underwear to fix a leak!