This and That

I started to go through my gear in another effort to lighten up my load. I'm not really finding much to toss that would add any more room. Surprisingly folding my sheets and laundry items actually does create a little more space. I decided until I can actually put the tent up and all my stuff with it, I really can't judge it.

I found quite a bit of sturdy white fabric on a roll at a thrift store. I'm going to try and make some of sort privacy curtains for the inside of the tent. Again something I'll have to do when the weather gets better.

I must dress in the dark and never look in a mirror! My blue dress is dreadfully faded! I don't know why I'm surprised because I'm out in the sun so much but the old thing has been ravaged by the sun! Other than the sun its fine and dandy so I'm going to try to dye it. I really don't have a lot of luck with dyeing stuff. I dyed another dress a year or so ago and the color was great at first but then kind of faded away.

My children got me a chimney iron for Christmas. It looks like this one. I kept telling myself I wasn't going to get another sad iron,

I have 8 1/2 of them already but like the Mrs. Potts style one I bought, its a completely different style and it was a gift from my children so I'm allowing it into the collection as a "must have" as opposed to an over indulgence.

Laundressing at the Library

Awesome! My hometown library has invited me to participate in their Civil War events! I'd talked to someone there a while back when I was doing some research and I got a call back. I'm really excited. I posted my excitement on my facebook page and someone I know who works at another library asked if I was interested in doing the same thing at her library. I was just as happy to say yes to that one too! I've always wanted to do winter presentations in schools and stuff and because of the anniversary I'm able to do it!

Every inch of my van is filled with my gear during reenactment season. So now I have to figure out the best way to do a presentation in an incredibly small area.

Over the few years I've added more and more because people are into it. If there is a question that is always asked, I research and incorporate it into the presentation if I can. That's why its grown so much. (The picture at the top of the blog is my laundress domain) There always ends up being a crowd. Seriously, ask any laundress! Whats funny is that once a few people stop more and more are sure to follow. So when you finish the original presentation, the people who didn't hear the beginning hang around to hear it. Then of course more people come in at different points and if you don't take a break you'll end up talking nonstop!

Its nice though, you know, people appreciating what you do. They are very interested in it because its something they've never been introduced to. Most people don't know about the Company Laundress and they want to know more. They love the gear, especially the little kids. It's very hands on, very entertaining.

Paring it down will be hard because the spectators seem so interested in everything and I can't bring everything with me! I guess I'm going to have to start writing and practicing until I can pare it down but still be engaging. Ugh...I'm going to have to dye my dresses again. They're so darn sun faded its shameful.