It's been a while since I've told you a fairy tale. This is a rather scary story and is not for the faint of heart. Let's begin...
Once upon a time, for all good fairy tales begin that way, there lived a couple. This couple loved each other and married. In time, they had a daughter and some family pets. But before the daughter and long before pets, there came a washer and dryer.
This washer and dryer were faithful servants of the couple. They caused little trouble over the years and moved with the royal family whenever a move was made to a new castle. But as in all fairy tales, good times don't last forever. A mean nasty ogre named Olde Age came to wreak havoc on the washer and dryer. Soon the washer was leaving all kinds of rust spots on the royal garments. And the dryer was taking more than two hours to dry a load of royal laundry. Clearly, this Olde Age could not be given his way and be allowed to continue his assault.
Now, it just happened to be the time of the year when appliances were on sale. Rebates were even offered on delivery. The royal couple decided it was time to act! Down to the market place they rode on their trusty steeds and they soon picked out a new washer and dryer. Alas, the dryer could be purchased and delivered, but the washer could not. It was a popular model and unavailable. The couple still bought the dryer and had it delivered a few days later.
The prince was able to be home on that day and the installation went fine. The new dryer did a terrific job and dried clothes in 45 minutes. What an improvement! In fact, Princess Beth told everyone who would listen that she was much happier with her new dryer. She hoped the old dryer was happy in his new retirement villa.
Soon, the appliance merchant called to say that a similar washer model was available. After some royal research, the couple went back to the market place and purchased the washer. But this time, the prince would not be available to be at the castle on the day of delivery. The princess stepped up to the plate, as it were, and said that she could let the delivery people in. This was not her favorite thing to do, but she figured all would go well.
Two days later, three apprentices of the merchant came to deliver and install the washer. All did not go well. Olde Age had also found his way to the hot water valve, causing it to leak profusely. This left a turkey platter sized stain on the first floor hallway ceiling of the castle. (The royal laundry room is on the second floor, you see.) And as the old washer was being pulled out, the overflow drain snapped off in the wall. But the apprentices got everything in place and put the old washer in a carriage to join the dryer in the villa.
But this left Princess Beth in a quandary. She had piles of dirty wet towels from the leak. She had loads of royal laundry that needed done. And she had a prince with a busy schedule who could not replace the valve right away. To make matters worse, the merchant called to check on the delivery and told her that she should indeed flush the water lines before running the new washer.
So Princess Beth, who has a problem with procrastination as you may remember, pondered her situation for a few days. She was finally tired of the mountains of laundry. She could fix this! So the brave princess rolled up her royal sleeves, enlisted her daughter's help, managed to move the dryer and washer, flushed the water lines, and put everything back together.
And here we are...the washer is flushed and level. The ogre is hopefully gone. And it's time to wash a load of laundry. Please wish the princess luck!
