A Bad Wrap
Dec 19th 2007
Julia LondonWhen Goddesses Fall To Earth
I have two olders sisters whom I admire very much. They are both accomplished and capable and they have beautiful homes and beautiful Christmas trees, and their presents are beautifully wrapped.
Then there’s me. Try as I may, I cannot wrap gifts worth a damn. I can sort of wrap gifts. If the box is square, I can make the corners neat, but forget it when it comes to bows and ribbons. My only hope is to buy the expensive, pre-tied bows with fruit and nuts sticking out of them. But I am fundamentally cheap, so I may buy one or two of those bows—the rest get curling ribbon. Curling ribbon, I can do.
Tonight, while I was wrapping gifts, I wondered what my inability to wrap well says about me. It took me all of two seconds to figure it out: It says I’m the type that can’t fold a fitted sheet, and ‘it’ is right—I cannot fold a fitted sheet to save my life! My sisters can fold them—you cannot tell their flat sheet from their fitted sheets when they are done. My fitted sheets turn into balls—I get so frustrated, I just roll it up and stuff it in the trunk where I keep linens.
It means I can’t crochet. My sisters can crochet and make wonderful throw rugs. They tried to teach me, just like they tried to teach me to fold a fitted sheet—but everything I tried turned out all wrong. One end would be longer than the other, or the edge would slant off until the piece was a triangle.
I have to face it: I don’t have the craft jean. So in the future, I am going to do what a friend of mine did: She hired a teenager to come over and wrap gifts for 5 bucks an hour. For $15, she had all her presents wrapped with about the same skill level as she possessed, but without all the cussing. Brilliant!
Are you a wrapper? Do your fitted sheets fold into perfect squares? Do you have any throw rugs lurking about with one end a foot or so shorter than the opposing end?
64 Comments »
64 Responses to “A Bad Wrap”
Marie Conley on 20 Dec 2007 at 12:46 am #
I’ve been wrapping presents for my entire family since I was 6. All 40 members.
So yes I’m a good wrapper.
My viewpoint on fitted sheets is if they are clean they are going on the bed so why fold them? Actually that is my viewpoint on all laundry that I do, not that I’m allowed to do much. I throw it in the hamper it came out of, lug it up to my bedroom and dig through until I find that one shirt that of course is not wrinkled by the time I remove it out of the hamper. See why I’m not allowed to do laundry?
When I was away at college I did laundry once. Mom came up on game day and saw my OSU shirt wrinkled so bad you couldn’t distinguish the O from the U. She took all of my dirty laundry home and had it ready for me when I got home the following week.
Someday I’ll stop acting like a frat boy and grow up, but for now I’ll let her care for the laundry and I’ll do the floors. See I’m a good daughter. See.
Kim on 20 Dec 2007 at 12:49 am #
Ohhh, I’m a wrapper! I loves to wrap presents and make them all pretty. Bows, ribbons and tissue paper are my bestest friends. This year I even went with a theme and bought blue and silver foil paper, silver ribbons and bows and blue bells. My packages turned out gorgeous! I’ll tell ya what Julia, next year you get your shopping done early enough and I’ll come down there for a day and wrap everything for you
I’ll even make you some cookies and candy while I’m there. How’s that sound?
Yasmin on 20 Dec 2007 at 12:50 am #
I cant fold a fitted sheet either so I wouldnt worry. The only way I can get them more or less “tamed” is folding them in half. I cheat by folding the gathered edges in. Then I fold in half again and so on until it is small enough to stick in the closet.
evlqn on 20 Dec 2007 at 3:43 am #
I’m a wrapper and I’m really fast too. I can wrap a package in under a minute. Bows I am not so good at, curly ribbon is my answer. Now fitted sheets are really demons waiting to snatch the unwary and drag her down to laundry hell. Yes, I have fitted sheet issues. It wouldn’t be so bad but I too have sister that can make them look like real linens. There should be supprt groups for people with perfect siblings.
Stacy ~ on 20 Dec 2007 at 6:13 am #
Can’t wrap, fold or crochet. Thank God for gift bags is what I say on that topic.
Lisa H on 20 Dec 2007 at 7:33 am #
LOL Julia! My fitted sheets look like balls too! I only have one set of sheets so as soon as they come out of the drier, I put them on the bed and no one is the wiser!
I bet your sisters don’t write scintilating romance…
Dot C on 20 Dec 2007 at 7:33 am #
Borders decided to offer free giftwrapping this year that they so cleverly put signs up for EVERYWHERE. Sigh. We were supposed to secure charitable organizations to come in and wrap every day in Decemeber, but I was not successful. Somehow, the girlscouts couldn’t be enticed to come in Wednesday mornings at 9. So that left the store associates to cover the gap. The guys every so smartly declared themselves “manglers”, and were excused from the duty by the customers themselves. Which left me. My option was to gift wrap, or be a register clerk, as well as a manager. RIGHT!! So wrap it is. I’ve been doing alot of wrapping. As in hundreds of books, cds, dvds, and other strangely shaped items wrapping. It becomes soothing after a time, and I have got it down to a science lately. I decided at the beginning of the project that we wouldn’t be supplying bows, as we have them for sale, so I don’t have to worry about the garnishing part. I can’t crochet either, for the record!
Aemelia on 20 Dec 2007 at 7:34 am #
Oh Julia you are so not alone!!! I’m unable to wrap, fold or crochet either…
cookeemama on 20 Dec 2007 at 7:47 am #
I can’t wrap or fold either. Guilty on crochet, knitting and quilting, however. Those are my stress relievers. Just got back into knitting after a many year hiatus. Quilting had my full attention.
But an on-line friend told me about the helmet liners that are being knitted and sent to our soldiers overseas. I was on it like a fly on honey. I’ve done 2 so far. Cool. I may make one for myself. In something other than olive drab, of course.
My fitted sheets ball up too. And I don’t care. I wash them and put them right back on the bed. I am a bit miffed at you this morning, Julia. You just reminded me at this unearthly hour that I need to do that annoying chore today.
As for you sisters. Can they write the wonderful novels that you do? Nuff said.
Margaret
Santa on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:06 am #
Gift bags, friends. Gift bags. Not only are they darling to look at, they have all that fun confetti and crunched up tissue paper. Just be sure to use the confetti when unwrapping happens at someone else’s house. Oh, and the best part is that you can use it again and again; thereby, making you an environmentally good doobie and economically sound.
That being said, I am an excellent wrapper. Honed through years of wrapping everyone’s gifts growing up, as well as, learning that special skill of wrapping the gift en route to the party. What? I’m always rushing somewhere in a vain effort not to be late! I even have a gift wrapping box with scissors, tape and ribbon for easy travel.
I learned folding sheets at my mother and aunt’s knees They fold sheets so right and tight you could bounce the proverbial quarter off them. I am proud to say I can flawlessly fold queen size flat sheets and, their pesky mates, the fitted sheet all by myself.
FreshEChelle on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:13 am #
Wrapping is the easy part, it’s finding the right smack to go inside that stymies me.
Ellen on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:18 am #
Finally, some living proof that you are not my identical twin separated at birth. For so long I had wondered. We cannot possibly be genetically linked if you can’t fold a simple, fitted sheet.
Might I suggest a beginner fold to start out with? Lay the sheet down on your bed, elastic edge side up. Fold the bottom and top over itself by about 8 inches. (Like you would make a hem) Do the same with the sides. Now you should have a rectangle to work with. Pretend you are in control, and fold the rectangle just the same as a regular sheet.
If that fails, keep only one set of sheets for each bed, and strip, wash, dry and remake bed same day.
If that fails, cut off all physical relations with sweetheart until he buys you a maid for Christmas.
(By the way…I meant strip the bed, Julia!)
Gannon on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:18 am #
Gift bags are the best! They are my gift wrap of choice. I can wrap a present fairly well, but I never do all of the extras like ribbons, etc. My girlfriend’s gifts always look so professional.
And as for fitted sheets…ugh! They suck, and I fold them the best that I can, but I certainly wouldn’t win a prize!
Ellen on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:24 am #
So now my OCD is showing a bit. Here are a few secrets to getting a professional wrap every time.
Buy wired ribbon. All it requires to make it pretty is someone who can tie their own shoes.
Buy two sided tape. It is a great trick to hide tape on outside of gift.
Buy boxes and tissue at the container store or UPS store. No matter what weird shape (this year a guitar!) you are wrapping, there is a box out there that will turn it into an easy job.
Go to the dollar store and buy some of those cheap plastic ornaments that are a bit over the top. On your tree they might be tacky, but they really make a wrapped gift look special.
They question becomes, do you REALLY want to be a good wrapper? LOL
Ellen on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:25 am #
Can I re-enter goddess status if I admit I can’t fold a map to save my life?
PJ on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:31 am #
My SIL manages the dept. at Macy’s that does the giftwrap. Need I say more? Her packages would win awards for beauty and creativity. I do gift bags. I’d be embarrassed to do anything else. LOL!
I’m much more skilled with fitted sheets. I can fold those suckers right and tight. My husband taught me how. He also taught me how to cook, sew and iron. Who knew when I married the 6′2″ Air Force jock I’d be getting all those lovely bonuses? (grin)
Can’t crochet either. My mom was a crochet whiz but never had time to teach me. Guess I’ve never had the inclination to learn on my own either. My skill lies with baking and candy making. That’s my therapy of choice and where my creativity really shines..and I’m okay with that.
Karen Hawkins on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:35 am #
You can FOLD fitted sheets?
FreshEChelle on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:45 am #
Julia, can you photoshop us a picture of Jack London’s head on his borrowed figure skater-costumed-body wrapping holiday presents? You don’t need to tell him I’ve asked for such an emasculating image.
Cookiedough on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:58 am #
I proudly fold my fitted sheets! I cross stitch, paint, and draw.
my best friend calls me Martha Stewart- only without the really anal retentiveness and illegal activites.
I love to wrap as well.. The only problem I have is that my family doesn’t care at all that I’ve put so much work into getting the corners just right and making the bow and handmaking the tags. one year I went to far as to sew some bags and found fabric cording to tie them shut.
My mother used to staple her gift bags together.
The rest of the family follows her tendencies.
They think I’m weird that I like to pipe my meringue using a star tip onto my lemon meringues pies and make my presents look pretty. They’ve always thought I was odd anyway, so it doesn’t faze me.
cookeemama on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:00 am #
Ellen says “Buy wired ribbon. All it requires to make it pretty is someone who can tie their own shoes.”
Well there you go! My sneakers fasten with velcro because I can never get those $%^&*& round laces to stay tied.
I can now gracefully retire from gift wrapping, sheet folding competition. The person who invented gift bags should be granted sainthood.
Margaret
cookeemama on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:03 am #
Wow, Cookiedough. I want to come to your house for Christmas. I gave up cooking when they started putting food in boxes and bags. Cooking for one is a big pain in the backside.
I am impressed with your talents.
Ellen on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:12 am #
LOL…Cookeemama! Don’t get me started on the “Bunny in the hole” shoe tying lesson.
ilovetoread on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:17 am #
Julia, I agree with Lisa H. Your sisters may be able to do those things, but I can just about guarantee you that they probably don’t know where “qwerty” is on the keyboard, much less write a book, even remotely close, as well as you do. Don’t worry about it…hire someone, just one time, to do all your wrapping, decorating, etc. and be stress free from that during the holidays. You may be able to find some “aspiring interior decorators” from a local high school or craft group to accomplish this…it would not only give you less stress, but also give them a chance to earn a little while trying to hone their craft!
SnikWhite on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:18 am #
Ellen - Is that seriously how you fold your fitted sheets?
Maybe that’s why yours probably fit into your closet nicely with the rest of your linens and my fitted sheets are thrown into a ball at the bottom of my closet like the bastard child Bed Bath & Beyond won’t claim. I am not a folder, I cannot crochet…correction, I can accomplish a chain stitch, however, when it comes to taking that corner and going back the other way, I am at a loss, so I can make you a very stylish, very thin scarf if you’re interested…Christmas is just around the corner after all. Similarly, I cannot wrap. My first attempt at wrapping a square box this year resulted in two types of tissue paper that doesn’t match and a bow that didn’t match any of it. The best part? I’m quirky and I’m annoying…but I KNOW it, so it works! I LOVE MY UNCRAFTINESS!!!
ilovetoread on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:19 am #
By the way, my first job was wrapping gifts at a designer clothing store. Doing that gave everyone in family “permission” to “require” my services thereafter. Doing great gifts is not all it’s cracked up to be.
doglady on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:27 am #
Frankly Julia if I had to pick the craft ability I would want you to have it would be the writing craft! A throw can keep me warm when I’m under it. One of your great books can keep me warm just thinking about it. I quilt, cross-stitch, stuff like that, but I CANNOT cook! I can wrap gifts fairly decently and as a result I end up having to wrap all of my Mom’s gifts on Christmas Eve! I think a lot of families have that ‘designated wrapper.’ And anyway, its the thought/gift that counts! Right?
Ellen on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:28 am #
My folding is a problem, Snit. I have to stop myself from tidying up the towel displays at BB&B. I mean, HELLLLOOO? Doesn’t everyone understand that rough edges get folded in and folded edges face out!?!?!
Damn, that pesky twitch is back.
Julia London on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:44 am #
Wooo-hoooo! I am so glad I am not alone! Kim, next year, you are on. And I am going to take ilovetoread’s advice and have you do all the decorating, too. My tree lacks something…style, perhaps? (I bet Claudia has a great tree. I wish we could see her tree).
Ellen, thanks for the lesson on folding the fitted sheet. I have been down that road, and I do great with a mother/sister/sister there to coach me. But when they are gone, I can’t do it. I can’t! However, I DO know the folded edges of a towel face out. DUH. :-).
And all of you who propped me up by saying my sisters can’t write…oh hooooo, you are soooooo right, LOLOLOL!
cail on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:45 am #
want to know how i avoid folding fitted sheets? i send out all my laundry. Ah, the beauty of living in NYC. Its nearly the same price to do it at the laundry mat as to drop it off and pick it up all nice and purdy.
Ellen, thanks for the instructions though, I;ve always wondered what the easiest way was… i usually just grab the corners and fold. Its often a little lopsided.
That being said, I’m impressive at crafts. I’m currently crochetting a blanket.
Meg on 20 Dec 2007 at 9:59 am #
I have to say: I can wrap a present. And I like doing it to. I even offer my time to a few select ones to help them get things done. My fitted sheets, however, are a different story. While they don’t end up as balls, you can still tell the difference between them and the flat sheets. All in all I think I do pretty good. And, not to be tooting my own horn, but I can crochet too. The only thing is that the blanket that I started never got finished. So right now it’s sort of the size of a throw. And I STILL plan on finishing the darn thing. Maybe in the new year. Maybe?
ct009ct on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:02 am #
I also am cursed with the ability to fold a fitted sheet - I use the tuck the four corners into each other method. I have tried to roll them in a ball and shove them in the closet, but I always come back to fold them as I hear them calling me continuously.
I can also wrap a gift pretty nicely - not to good at the bows but I decorate them with ribbons and ornaments, etc. I also like curly ribbon.
As for the knitting, crocheting stuff - hah! After years and years of torturous teachings from my various relatives - I can make a granny square when neccessary. I once attempted a baby blanket, after two weeks I mailed my ten squares and the extra wool to my mom to finish for me.
Please don’t revoke my goddess status!!!
Keri Ford on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:06 am #
I can’t even fold my baby’s fitted crib sheet right. It ends up in a pile in its own shape. Knowing that, I don’t even attempt to try to do the big ones for a big person bed. Add me to the group who strips, washes, and remakes with the same sheets.
I LOVE to chrochet, but unfortuanatly, my wrists don’t care for it too much. After about 15 minutes of that twisting action, my wrists ache to bad and for far longer than a quarter of an hour.
Okay, and I got to ask….why MAKE bows from ribbons when you can buy that package with bows already made and the peel-off off sticker nicely attached? And they come in all those pretty foil colors
Yes, my christmas presents are all done up in a mixture of cartoon snowmen, christmas tree, john deer, and even a scooby doo and santa too.
claudia dain on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:20 am #
Can’t crochet, can’t knit. They make sweaters now, don’t they, sell them in stores? Yeah, thought so.
But I can wrap. I can fold. I might be related to Ellen; it sounds likely. I got a job one Christmas in a department store gift wrapping center. I could wrap pretty well before then, but that was a crash course for a very picky, very cranky crowd. Hey, I needed the money. And I got a store discount. Now? Gift bags. So quick! So easy! My kids hate them, though, because you get to the gift too fast. Kills the anticipation.
Sheets and towels are folded, natch. I fold the sheets so that they unfold just right on the bed, no figuring which is top/bottom/up/down. DH thinks I missed my calling as an engineer. But it’s just laundry. I *do* laundry.
Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:21 am #
Uh, I think you would call me crafty. However, I am also very busy, so I go for the gift bags. Wrapping is too time-consuming. Plus, you can get fabulous gift bags at Target for half price if you go the day after Christmas. I’m just saying. My friends will tell you that I am also … er … frugal. Yeah, that’s it. Not CHEAP, as my brother says. Frugal. Hence the Target gift bags.
As far as genuine crafts go, you probably wouldn’t want to know that I made my own wedding dress and Mardi Gras costumes, that I used to crochet stuffed animals, and that I make jewelry (SIMPLE jewelry, mind you–none of that silversmithing that my girlfriend does). I won’t mention it.
(cont.)
claudia dain on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:21 am #
Thanks for the good thoughts on the tree, Julia. My tree is…fine. Not everything goes up every year. I finally figured out that what goes up must come down. Ugh.
claudia dain on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:23 am #
Sabrina IS frugal (as am I, so it’s clearly a great thing to be) but she gives the best gifts! Know what she got me this year?
An iTunes gift card!!!
Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:24 am #
Oh, and the sheet thing can backfire. I once showed my husband (proudly) that I could fold the fitted sheets so you can’t tell they’re fitted. He saw that as a disadvantage. We don’t always put a second sheet on the bed (we have complicated sheet needs), so he pointed out that folding it thusly just kept him from being able to grab the right sheet quickly (we also have quick sheet needs, apparently). Now HE folds the fitted sheets however he wants.
But before you start wanting to throw things at me, keep in mind that I’m a terrible housekeeper. Wretched. Hate doing it. Tolerate enormous amounts of clutter. Also, I don’t write good books as fast as you, so the flip side of all this crafting stuff is that I don’t produce as much. Sigh.
Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:26 am #
Claudia, I figured that your blog about Itunes was a pretty clear sign, I DO pay attention on the blog. Most of the time, anyway.
I hope you’re knocking your lights out with it! (You should see the adorable cosmetic bags Claudia gave ME).
Julia London on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:27 am #
I’m not fast, Sabrina — I’m just nuts. It takes me several months to do a book, but I do more than one at a time.
I can’t STAND clutter. It clutters my mind. I can’t work in a messy office. in fact, that’s what I am doing tomorrow — cleaning out my office before I start another book.
Cookiedough on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:38 am #
I only use fitted sheets on my bed. I’m a compulsive duvet cover user. I change them like I change my sheets every week, so my bebroom constantly changes decor. I hate top sheets all tucked in! I like my feet out, but my neck covered- too many vampire movies as a kid and it just stuck with me.
I can’t stand clutter in other peoples houses, but can walk by a sheet of paper on my floor for days without putting it away. go figure!
I spent yesterday baking at my friend’s house, and cleaned her kitchen before and after. I used to be their nanny, so it just comes naturally. I also took MANY breaks to play their piano.
I also couldn’t help cleaning up their computor programs. They know I do it and enjoy not having to deal. I also am their teacher in all computor issues!
My name is cookiedough and I’m a meddler! my way seems best. Can you tell I’m a Leo?
lol
Ellen on 20 Dec 2007 at 10:54 am #
Okay my lionhearted friend, Cookiedough Kathy. I need a moment to visualize this. You planned your weekly redecoration while baking cookies, playing a concerto, debugging a computer AND cleaning the freakin’ kitchen?
For Gawd’s sake, you slacker! Stick a feather duster in a strategic place so you can get that done too!
DebMarlowe on 20 Dec 2007 at 11:14 am #
Snort! Ellen, you kill me!
Cookiedough, wanna be my friend? I like meddlers who aren’t my mother.
I like to wrap, until the tenth present or so, and then I’m sick of it and start focusing on all the other stuff I have to do!
zambonigirl on 20 Dec 2007 at 12:08 pm #
i can wrap okay, but i really excel at making bows. i can manipulate the ribbon into going the correct way, and i love using double-sided ribbon that’s different colors on each side. i can’t fold sheets worth a darn.
Karen Rose on 20 Dec 2007 at 1:43 pm #
Okay, I think you wrappers have too much time on your hands.
There. I’ve said it.
Why spend a lot of time wrapping, when the gift’s just going to get unwrapped ANYWAY?
You all make your beds? Fold your sheets? For heaven’s sake WHY? The bed is just going to get messed up again ANYWAY. It’ll get messed up more if you read a goddess romance just before retiring IF you know what I mean.
Oh, and a rolled up sheet will be just fine when it’s unrolled, so you rock, Julia. Wrinkles you say? In the words of Tyra Banks, SO WHAT? (That’s what my 13 year old says to me all the time.) If your sheets have wrinkles, NOBODY WILL SEE THEM, because you put a BLANKET ON TOP.
Problem solved. Now we can all go for ice cream.
I bet you all iron your underwear, too. Geeze. I need a fizzy drink.
Karen Rose on 20 Dec 2007 at 1:45 pm #
Oh, that bed-messing-up-because-of-a-Goddess-romance thing? That assumes your sweet honey has gone to bed with you. Nuff said.
I’m done.
Karen Hawkins on 20 Dec 2007 at 2:16 pm #
Yeah, ok and all of that (though I want cookiedough to come clean my house and debug my computer while making me cookies) but . . . you can FOLD fitted sheets? REALLY? HOW?
Where is Stephen Hawken when I need him?
SuzyQ on 20 Dec 2007 at 2:24 pm #
Oh I love to wrap presents but at Christmas time, they do not get bows. I just don’t have the time to decorate the packages as I have so many presents to begin with. I don’t even use name tags, I just write the person’s name in marker. I used to work at Macy’s and I was always being called to help out in gift wrap.
Ellen, I hear you on the towels. I worked in the domestics department and folded constantly. And yes, I can fold a fitted sheet but I cannot crochet!
Cookiedough on 20 Dec 2007 at 3:15 pm #
I am currently scanning my mom’s hand written cookbook to put together for all the siblings as Christmas gifts.
I’m unemployed, so I have lots of time on my hands.
holy cow!!! no wonder we all loved her strawberry jam- it has four cups of strawberries and SEVEN cups of sugar! lol
Cookiedough on 20 Dec 2007 at 3:17 pm #
I have a problem.. I am aware..that’s the first step to recovery!
Cookiedough on 20 Dec 2007 at 3:18 pm #
and I just baked a cake for my friend’s birthday today.
help me! I go into overdrive this time of year! arghghgh
Mia Rose on 20 Dec 2007 at 3:29 pm #
Karen Rose… you and I (and I’m guessing Karen Hawkins) are in the same boat drinking our fizzy drinks, feet kicked up and relaxing.
I despise wrapping paper and am in love with gift bags and those curly bows that have the sticky backs on them. Simple, but it doesn’t look TOO trashy either.
I refuse to make my bed unless someone who doesn’t know me all that well is coming over and will see it… why take time out of my day when I’m just going to mess it up again later on that night. Honestly now.
And I *still* have nightmares about my mom trying over and over again to teach me how to fold those blasted fitted sheets. Yup, my mom was anal about how sheets and towels and pants got folded and I rebel against it. Passionately.
Kim on 20 Dec 2007 at 3:48 pm #
There’s a reason I’m the only one to do laundry in my house. I’m completely anal about it!
Julia–you’re on!
Ellen–seriously? Is there any other way to tie your shoes?
KarenR–just for that I’m short sheeting your bed at RT!
Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Dec 2007 at 4:09 pm #
“You all make your beds? Fold your sheets? For heaven’s sake WHY?”
Hey, I fold the sheets, but I do not make the bed … unless, like Mia, I think someone’s coming over.
“I can’t stand clutter in other peoples houses, but can walk by a sheet of paper on my floor for days without putting it away. go figure!”
I am like this. It’s a very sad thing. I actually prefer no clutter–I’m just too unmotivated to do something about it!
pri.r. on 20 Dec 2007 at 4:14 pm #
dear god… who knew you were SUPPOSED to fold fitted sheets…i swear the label just says to ‘roll and stuff’.
frankly the idea of folding anything in an attempt to CLEAN..puts my brain into overload and possible risk of explosion. so i think i shall retire from the folding/wrapping circle we all have going here, and just leave it to the experts, if not anal folders/wrappers, like julia’s sisters and Kim etc.
I’d like to give an award to KarenH and Karen R, because i think they join me in the befuddlement of folding or making anything neat. i could live in mess, in fact i am a mess, so it works out just fine.
i think it’s the christmas season that’s putting all you goddesses into overdrive regarding this wrapping business and so i think all us other incompetant folders and wrappers can join me in saying PUT THE DOUBLE SIDED STICKY TAPE DOWN AND STEP AWAY FROM THE WIRED RIBBONS LADIES!
hehe christmas is such a crazy time. i love it
Julia London on 20 Dec 2007 at 4:30 pm #
Cookiedough, you are making me dizzy! I need one of your handy dandy videos to see you in action!
Cookiedough on 20 Dec 2007 at 6:11 pm #
I make myself dizzy sometimes!
caffeine helps this bunny keep going
Ellen on 20 Dec 2007 at 6:34 pm #
Don’t worry my dear friends. I’m sure the raised red welts from my stress hives will go away before Christmas. I am not blaming you for this. Really. I’m not bothered AT ALL that you climb into unmade beds at night and use nothing but gift bags, (which everyone knows cannot be stacked beautifully under the tree!) Why I bet you get to write little adorable messages to each other on the TV Screen.
To each his own, I always say.
BUT when cookiedough and I show up at your door, armed with toilet brushes and wired ribbon, be afraid…Be Very Afraid.
Suzanne Enoch on 20 Dec 2007 at 6:43 pm #
My sisters and I each choose one present to each other and wrap it as crazily as possible. I even went out this year and bought a particularly lovely green fuzzy ribbon for it, and I used 5 different bits of wrapping paper rolls. It’s a thing of…well, not beauty. *g*
Julia London on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:34 pm #
Ellen, I like a made bed and folded linens. You and Cookiedough can show up and I will rejoice! Bring Kim, too.
Suzanne, that’s a great idea! altho I am sure my sisters would have a different idea of what constituted “crazy” than me, hahahaha. Hey, maybe I could pull out the old crochet and use it!
Karen Hawkins on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:38 pm #
Ellen, there’s a show on the BBC America like that. These two prissy women go to people’s houses that are NASTY and, armed with toilet brushes and a militantly cleaner lady attitude, clean the bejeebers out of the place.
I can just see you and cookied doing that with cute little British accents!!!
Suzie, you and your family are so refreshing! Let us know if you win the Ugly Prezzie War this year or not. Sounds like your battle plan is sound and you have the right equipment for victory.
Kathy on 21 Dec 2007 at 8:43 am #
Probably a little late for this thread but….Had to tell you goddesses of a neat trick. Take your folded or balled sheets and pillowcase(’s) and put them all inside of the one matching pillowcase and wah la a bed making package.
Gift Bags, gift bags, gift bags…….
So far this year all I have gotten for Christmas is a virus, so another year of good intentions shot all to hell……gift bags, gift bags, gift biags……
cookeemama on 21 Dec 2007 at 8:49 am #
LOL, Karen. I was just thinking of those 2 Brits. Prissy isn’t the word I had in mind for those BBC women, however. I think Ellen & Cookeedough are much nicer and wouldn’t sneer at our messses. Let alone show it to all the rest of America to sneer at.
ilovetoread on 21 Dec 2007 at 9:29 am #
This is to Karen Hawkins and anyone else who’s reading — I want to claim first dibs on Cookiedough!! If she will just let me do the cooking/baking, she can do WHATEVER else she wants to do in my house. Anything you want Cookie!! (I didn’t actually see KarenH or anyone else use the word dibs.) *grinning ecstatically*
darkshire007 on 22 Dec 2007 at 12:50 pm #
I fold fitted sheets; but I don’t iron all my bed accessories like my Aunt did. I think “gift bag” says it all. The paper just gets torn open anyway so why does it really matter what it looks like?