Tonight's other challenge: laundry

[dagibbs]

Getting the laundry downstairs (that's two flights): backpack, in particular the largish one I use for hauling climbing gear. It fits, reasonably full, one load.

Other challenges:

The basement stairs are steeper and narrower than other stairs. And have no hand rail.

Crutches really don't work well when you can't actually stand up straight and swing on them. My basement ceiling is at about (on me) shoulder level.

In fact, hopping around is really tricky when you are stooped over, too.

But, one load is now in the dryer, and the 2nd load is in the washer, so I'm doing ok.

Comments

the back stairs

[talyen.livejournal.com]

Exactly! So I was not using the crutches to do laundry. I was using the toe-foot method of walking: toe on left foot, whole right foot. Very slow. Throw clothes down stairs. Follow. Harder going back up.

I have also heard of the butt-on-stairs approach, but my landlord (and my housemates) do not keep the stairs clean enough for me to want to attempt this. This method is much better for getting clothes back up, though.

Re: the back stairs

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

My basement stairs are REALLY scary as far as the butt-on-stairs approach. And, in fact, even my main stairs are kind of bad right now -- I've been having some renovation done the last couple of weeks, so there is lots of dust on everything.

I think the "throw downstairs" method might work, though I would want to make sure I was throwing the laundry in something that wouldn't let go.

Toe-foot could work, I've been told I can do up to 50% weight-bearing on my left foot, in the cast, right now.

I did figure you'd understand the problems, though.

[xiphia.livejournal.com]

I know you like being independent, so I'm glad you found a way to make it work, but I really don't want to see you take a fall and reinjure yourself. Next time people are over for gaming, I'm sure someone would be willing to do the load-switching and stair-lugging bits for you. Consider it? ;)

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I'll consider it. But, I still have to finish this set of laundry before I head out before Christmas.

[mellybean71.livejournal.com]

I would totally be buying new clothes or using a coin laundromat-- I'd be too chicken to attempt the stairs. :)

I wish I was in Ottawa, I would totally do your laundry for you.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Laundromat is, in many ways, even worse. I still have to get them up and down one set of stairs, then to/from the laundromat.

[mellybean71.livejournal.com]

If that were the case I would be buying new clothes. Assuming I was even leaving my bed.

But then, I'm a wimp. :)

[elizilla]

There are wash-n-fold services, and in my experience they're pretty reasonably priced. In a denser area like where you live, I bet you can even get pick-up and drop-off service. They're usually attached to coin laundries or dry cleaners. Maybe make some calls and see what you can get done for you?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I hadn't thought of a wash-n-fold service. I've used them occasionally while on the road for work. I dunno if there are any in Ottawa, but as you say, there probably should be.

[elizilla]

I have mainly only used them while traveling for work myself. But last year our clothes dryer was out of commission for a couple weeks (waiting for a part) and I got a bunch of stuff done by a wash-n-fold in my neighborhood, no problem at all, and not very expensive.

Think of it as weighed against the possible cost of re-injuring yourself. You're not in such dire financial straits that it's worth rolling those dice.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Y'know, you can ask people like me to tote stuff like this for you...

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Sure, if you're around. But you weren't around last night when I decided it was time to do laundry. I will probably get you to tote some laundry this evening, though, since you've so nicely volunteered.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'll finally get to see the scary scary basement!