Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Lessons of Adulthood



If you've ever read Gretchen Rubin, you are familiar with her Secrets of Adulthood--the seemingly small lessons we learn in the process of becoming an "adult." When I was a kid, or even in college, it seemed like my parents had a manual for dealing with life. In my ripe old age (not really--I'm only 36!), I realized that the manual is self-written. Every day, you learn a new rule when dealt a new challenge.

Here's what I learned yesterday, and don't laugh!

The dishwasher has a filter that can be removed and cleaned. 

Okay, so it's not a major revelation, but in some ways, it's a game-changer. My dishwasher hasn't been behaving efficiently. I thought it was just because it's not really a top-of-the-line dishwasher. But when I noticed some food stuck to the bottom of the dishwasher, I leaned in to remove it and noticed that it was actually stuck to the rim of something that had arrows indicating Open and Close. It was slick with grease, so I grabbed a towel and turned the rim. Out came a filter, the mesh coated with a thin layer of white grease and some soggy greens stuck to the inside. If ever there was a moment when you expect to see a light bulb literally appear over someone's head, this would've been the moment!

I gave it a rinse under the tap, and replaced the filter. I turned the dishwasher on this morning before I left the house, so we'll see if there's anything to be gained from this lesson!

Secret of Adulthood: Most appliances have mechanisms that allow for simple home maintenance to keep them running smoothly.

{Click the orange slice above to read more SOL stories!}


6 comments:

  1. I am laughing (sorry), but I discover things like this all.the.time. I moved to a new home about 3 years ago, & still don't know everything about it. FYI-I'm going right now to see if my dishwasher has a filter! Thanks!

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  2. Omigosh, I want to run out to the kitchen and inspect my dishwasher for a filter. However, I think I'll wait for daylight tomorrow.
    Enjoyed your post.
    I am curious how one gets the title, "Writing Interventionist." Sounds fascinating.

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    Replies
    1. And here I thought I was the only one who didn't know!
      I didn't intend to become a writing interventionist. That is the title used in my district, but technically I am a writing paraprofessional, and this year, I'm a literacy paraprofessional.

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  3. My dishwasher is running at this moment but you have given me something new to explore when I get home from teaching. Can the mesh filter really be removed, I believe you! Thanks for a little secret to adulthood.

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