The third stormy day in a row here! We had everything from high wind and heavy rain, to sunshine and a rainbow (again!), to mist, to hail. At one point around lunchtime it actually was hailing in the front yard but not in the backyard! While we are spending so much time inside, we are doing extra schoolwork, working on puzzles of Europe (in Gaelic) and the Counties of Ireland, and watching National Geographic videos from the library. And hoping the sun comes out soon 🙂
Today’s installment of Ireland vs USA is about my personal nemesis, the laundry! When we first arrived, I wondered what all these racks were hanging over the radiators for…well, now I know…because we need as much warm space as possible to dry the laundry! The dial on the radiator controls the heat for that radiator. We keep them all on 1 or 2. They go up to 4, but that is very hot.
The washer and dryer are very small, as you can see. They each fit inside a standard kitchen cabinet. The washer can fit about 5 bath towels, but the dryer can only fit 4. To dry those 4 towels takes over an hour on the hottest setting. So, to conserve time and energy, we have been hanging everything to dry and then just throwing the towels in to fluff them a little before folding.
Since the tiny racks on the radiators were not enough space, I got this drying rack at the hardware store. It can fit 2 loads of clothes. Behind it is a radiator, so it dries a little faster in this spot. The rack is also big enough for a set of sheets. I tried putting these outside on the deck one morning to dry. Just before lunch I checked on them and they were almost done, but guess what? It rained while we were eating lunch! Oh well, the dryer dried them much faster than it dries the towels!So we are getting used to the new way of doing laundry. Now, if only the kids would carry their clean laundry upstairs and put it away! That seems to be the same no matter where we are living!
We're a homeschooling family of eight - five girls and three boys. Our children are ages 20, 19, 17, 15, 12, 10, 7, and 5. We will be living in Ireland for the next six months, and then going to Tennessee! This blog is a documentation of our travels. Enjoy!! :)
View all posts by broganfamily8069
Published
7 thoughts on “Ireland vs USA-Part 2”
Interesting predicament from one country to another. And as always our beloved mother of 8 is quite resourceful and ingenious!!!
I’m glad you all are enjoying the posts! When we decided to take this adventure, I knew there would be differences, but laundry was not one I anticipated. I thought I had covered all my bases when I only booked homes that said, “Washer/Dryer, and Dishwasher.”
Oh my! Well as much as I am envying your adventure, I am definitely not envying your laundry situation!! lol.. Hope the sun shines more and some warmer temperatures come your way so that you can maybe hang more laundry outside 😉
Blessings,
Lisa
Not sure how long the rainy season lasts, but we did wake up to sun this morning! And last night, after the storm was over, the night sky was amazing. We are pretty rural and there are NO LIGHTS, so we can see so many stars!
I’m staring at the two unfolded piles on my couch thinking our family wouldn’t survive with that laundry situation. I might have to do 4 loads a day! Keep up the good work!
The first week was rough, but I’ve got the hang of it now. Plus, we are down 3 people, and Thomas does his own, so I’m only washing clothes for 6. I put a load in at night after they all get ready for bed, then hang it before I go to bed. It’s usually dry by mid-morning and then I fold it while the kids are doing school. I make everyone use their towels several days and then I wash them twice a week. I do love that it is right next to the kitchen and I don’t have to go up and down stairs like I did at home.
Brogans Across the Pond 
Interesting predicament from one country to another. And as always our beloved mother of 8 is quite resourceful and ingenious!!!
LikeLike
This post gave me a chuckle! My family loves when I read your posts out loud. That rainbow picture is truly amazing.
LikeLike
I’m glad you all are enjoying the posts! When we decided to take this adventure, I knew there would be differences, but laundry was not one I anticipated. I thought I had covered all my bases when I only booked homes that said, “Washer/Dryer, and Dishwasher.”
LikeLike
Oh my! Well as much as I am envying your adventure, I am definitely not envying your laundry situation!! lol.. Hope the sun shines more and some warmer temperatures come your way so that you can maybe hang more laundry outside 😉
Blessings,
Lisa
LikeLike
Not sure how long the rainy season lasts, but we did wake up to sun this morning! And last night, after the storm was over, the night sky was amazing. We are pretty rural and there are NO LIGHTS, so we can see so many stars!
LikeLike
I’m staring at the two unfolded piles on my couch thinking our family wouldn’t survive with that laundry situation. I might have to do 4 loads a day! Keep up the good work!
LikeLike
The first week was rough, but I’ve got the hang of it now. Plus, we are down 3 people, and Thomas does his own, so I’m only washing clothes for 6. I put a load in at night after they all get ready for bed, then hang it before I go to bed. It’s usually dry by mid-morning and then I fold it while the kids are doing school. I make everyone use their towels several days and then I wash them twice a week. I do love that it is right next to the kitchen and I don’t have to go up and down stairs like I did at home.
LikeLike