Episode 51 - Know Sweats

We have been blessed this Fall with unseasonably warm weather.  Grandma has enjoyed the warm autumn days and the opportunity to sweep leaves off the porch and deck.  We don't encourage this activity, but she does it when we aren't around... then reports it to us, proudly. 

Me:  Mom, you really don't need to sweep the leaves

DH:  We just wait until the trees are bare and get them all at once.

G:  I think it looks better.

Me:  Yeah, it looks very nice - and we appreciate your efforts, but it's not worth the pain you end up with afterwards.

G:  My arm does hurt... so does my hip.

DH:  Exactly.  The sweeping just aggravates it. Our lawn mower mulches the leaves up.  You don't need to sweep.

G:  No one else seems to be doing it.

As the weather turned colder a couple weeks ago, I noticed Grandma had been wearing a favorite green and white plaid top with her slacks.  It's long sleeved and though some type of polyester, a fairly heavy knit.  This shirt has been a mainstay in Grandma's winter wardrobe for the past twenty years.  It had belonged to her best friend who died in 1989.  She's been wearing it ever since.... a lot.  Grandma is very content to wear the same shirt and slacks all week and I'm content to let her.  As long as I see several pairs of her underwear go through the laundry... I'm good.  I've had a little trouble getting the green and white shirt off her back and into the wash though. 

Me:  I think it's time to wash your top Mom.

G:  Did I spill something on it?

Me:  No, but I'm doing a load of knits.  I want to throw it in.

G:  (Reluctantly) .... OK.

I used to have a couple pairs of sweat pants.  I seldom wore them to 'sweat' (work out) but they were nice for lounging around.  Whatever sweats I did have in my wardrobe have been quietly absorbed into CeCe's drawers (who DOES work out).  This is after she cuts slits in the pant 'cuffs' which renders them useless in my opinion.  A few weeks ago, I treated myself to a brand new pair of black sweat pants, a $6 purchase at Walmart.  When we finally broke down and turned on the furnace (we'd had Grandma's space heaters on previously) I found myself sweating in this heavy duty fleece, just sitting in the living room.  It then occurred to me that the sweat pants might be a good addition to Grandma's winter wardrobe.  One Sunday afternoon, as I was folding laundry and came to the black sweats, I commented to Grandma.

Me:  I'm going to leave these sweat pants out for you to try on.

G:  Why?

Me:  Well, they're mine, but they are really warm and I'm thinking of picking a pair up for you.  If you try them on, you can let me know how they fit.

G:  Do I have to do it now?

Me:  No ... just whenever.

DH and I had to take CeCe to Youth Group later that afternoon, and when we returned - there was Grandma, happy as a clam... a clam in black sweat pants.... (and her green and white top).

G:  Look!  They fit... and are they ever warm!

Me:  That's good to know.

G:  And they have pockets.

Me:  I know - handy, huh?

G:  They're a little long... I have to roll the bottoms.

Me:  No you don't.  There's elastic in the hem.  They're supposed to be long... you don't need to roll them, cuz they aren't going anywhere.

Let me rephrase the "they aren't going anywhere" part.  That was the last I saw of my twice worn, once washed sweat pants.  I really didn't have the need or opportunity to wear them for a week or more, so I didn't notice their absence from my closet. 

On our next trip to Walmart, DH and I picked up three more pair of sweat pants for Grandma.  We even bought some matching long sleeved t-shirts and zippered hoodies to create ensembles.  The next morning, she was delighted with her new clothes.

Me:  You'd better try the shirts and hoodies on, to be sure they are the right size.

G:  Do you think these colors match?

Me:  They're both brown... they match.

G:  Well, the shirt looks a little different shade.

Me:  They are both Fruit of the Loom.  They match.

G:  I think the pants are a tad darker...

Me:  They are different fabrics, but the same color.

G:  I guess it'll be alright. 

Me: *sigh*

G:  You said you have an iron, didn't you?

Me:  ....yes .... why?

G:  I think they need a crease ironed into them.  They have a nice one on the sides

Me:  We don't iron sweatpants.... like we don't iron underwear.

G:  What about the crease?

Me:  What about it?  After we wash them, the creases will all be gone.

G:  I used to have an iron.  I don't know where it is.

Throughout the weekend, Grandma admires the black, brown and navy blue fleece, which she has now placed on hangers. 

G:  Now, I could wear the black shirt with the brown pants... don't you think?

Me:  You can wear whatever you want Mom.

G:  I think I'll wear the black ones to church tomorrow.

Me:  No... you aren't wearing sweatpants to church tomorrow.

G:  I won't roll the pants.

Me: No... you aren't wearing sweatpants to church.... ever.  That's what your nice slacks are for.

G:  Can I at least wear the black slacks?

Me:  You betcha.

I eventually found my black sweatpants.... on a hanger in Grandma's room.  I left them there and took the new ones (tags attached and crease in place) up to my room.  One less argument to be had regarding the iron.

I haven't seen her wearing "Old (Green and White) Faithful" since she got her new clothes.  I'm sure she'll bring it out to wear for the Holidays, or to church with black slacks.  The whole thing has caused me to ponder the durability of this magical fabric that won't deteriorate.  I'll bet it's made out of the same stuff that makes diapers fail to decompose in the landfill.

So go ahead Mother Nature.... let the snow fly.  I'm sure it will soon enough - but Grandma, DH, CeCe and I will be toasty and warm in fortified, fashionable fleece!

So ends Episode 51