Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.
I found an old iron made by General Electric. It is the same iron that Kevin had when we met that I am sure was a hand me down. It was my favorite iron. Great steam, great heat, and a good heavy weight. When it died, we found a remake of this iron by Black and Decker which they called a classic. We went through 2 of them. We eventually bought a great iron by Sears and still have it but it is showing signs of age. I paid $2.50 for this iron. It looks brand new. It has no rust or water residue. The cord is clean. I can tell it had been used but not much. I envision a 1960's wife getting this appliance for a wedding gift but she used it sparingly since she had a fancy, smancy dryer for her clothes and didn't iron much.
Kevin was so excited to see the iron. It made him laugh. Kevin is faithful to iron his dress shirts for work. I have had to do his slacks because I keep the crease straight as opposed to what I call railroad tracks. This morning Kevin and I were reminiscing about how I used to iron the boys clothes before they went to school. I did this from kindergarten until Cory went into the 9th grade which is when he told me, "Mom, it isn't cool to have ironed t-shirts." Well, of course, Tim didn't want his ironed either. Kevin and I also got tickled when we remembered when my mom was visiting and decided she was going to iron all Kevin's dress shirts at once for him. Kevin was working at a drug store corporate headquarters and had to wear suits to work. He wore a dress shirt every day. My mom created a starch solution and soaked his shirts in them then she ironed them. She hung them up and they were ready to go...however you could stand them up without a hanger! It was so funny. Kevin would have his arms out like a scarecrow until he bent his arms several times at the elbow. Lol! My mom had ironed a minimum of 15 shirts this way, probably more like 20. Kevin actually looked very sharp for the next month.
"The only time I ever enjoyed ironing was the day I accidentally
got gin in the steam iron."
- Phyllis Diller
I love to iron....really! I haven't done it in a long time. When I found this iron, the urge came back. I want to iron tablecloths and vintage linens. They are packed right now but I am so going to iron more and enjoy my "new friend". There is nothing like a tee shirt ironed with warm steam. It looks so fresh and clean when ironed (no starch). I like the smoothness of an ironed placemat or tablecloth. Even if the tablecloth isn't used daily, it looks so good hanging on a hanger all pressed and ready to go. I bought some Batinburg lace cotton pillowcases for my all white bed (again stored for the move). I look forward to seeing it going from a crumpled mess to a smooth, pressed and pretty pillow cover.
I have been sharing about being a better witness for Christ which has me thinking to myself "What do I like about a smooth, pressed ironed item? I like the impression of the item looking "put - together" "prepared" or "fresh and inviting". I want to represent Christ this way. I may not have ironed clothes, but I want to look like a Christian that has it together....not flip flopping around emotionally...angry, bitter or pitiful and "woe is me". It is not that I won't have sadness or stress but that I will represent Christ with an inner peace and joy.
Friends, we need to represent Christ like He lived - serving, loving, forgiving, and as a Son of God. We are heirs. We can have it "together". We have the Holy Spirit...a resource of comfort. We have our Holy Bible that shows us how Christ lived. I have no excuse but laziness, rebellion or busyness which I am sure is reflected at times. However, I am going to daily get up and dust off my knees and keep trying and when I am weak He is strong...and He provides some really good girlfriends to pray and encourage me.
One of the saddest quotes I encountered recently is going to be shared below as my closing to this post. Unfortunately, many people quote this man and label his teaching as wisdom. For many he makes sense and he is not one of those "dreaded" born again Christians. Friends, consider your reflection to others. Iron out those little physical and verbal behaviors that others may deem unlike Christ. You are loved, acf| “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” - Mahatma Ghandi | |
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