Motivational Monday...The T-Towel

By
Home Stager

Motivational Monday...The T-Towel

 

How many times has a friend asked you to go to lunch and you said “I’ll pass, I have too much work at home to do.”  Or a spur-of-the-moment suggestion from your significant other to go out of town or dinner and you beg off because you have too many chores to do at home. 

 

 

A few weeks ago I read a short tale of the T-Towel. 

 

A woman shared that just before she married, her grandmother took her over to her sink, grabbed a T-Towel, and covered the dirty dishes in her sink with it. 

 

She told her granddaughter “Never say no to a chance to go out with your husband or friends just because you have housework to do. Just cover your dishes with a towel. They’ll be waiting for you when you return.”

 

Her point to her granddaughter and the rest of us was not to miss out on what is really important in life to do the things that don’t matter in the big scheme of things. 

 

Obviously, there are deadlines to be met, and appointments that must be kept…you get my drift.  But life is short.

That lunch you put off with a friend…the walk with your loved one…the book you want to read to your child…they aren’t promised to us. 

 

Priorities do matter as do obligations. But I know that if Larry asks if I want to go for a drive…I grab my purse and I’m ready to go!

 



At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal.
You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.
Barbara Bush

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments (25)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Kathy - I can't say you (or anyone else) wouldn't find anything in my sink upon a "surprise inspection".  I do "know" that it isn't a holding space in the cycle of life. 

As for the "T towel" - it is one more reference I don't recall from my childhood but became acquainted over time.   

Jan 30, 2023 05:05 AM
Kathy Streib

Michael Jacobs I think I remember them being called dish towels when I was growing up. 

Jan 30, 2023 03:49 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Sweet story Kathy and right to the point...Don't waste precious time or creating  precious moments! BTW,  would never need that t-towel as the dirty dishes go immediately into the dishwasher. ~

Jan 30, 2023 05:15 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 I'm much the same way. I don't like leaving things out but if there are times when I have to leave, I go. 

Jan 30, 2023 03:54 PM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Great information.  Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week! 

Jan 30, 2023 05:51 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Bill Salvatore - East Valley and thank you. 

Jan 30, 2023 03:54 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good advice to share. 

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Jan 30, 2023 05:53 AM
Kathy Streib

Hi Roy Kelley hope that you and Chef Dolores are doing well. 

Jan 30, 2023 03:55 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Kathy,

Love the T-Towel story! I never have dishes in the sink now since its just me (they go straight in the dishwasher) but the message is loud and clear. I love the quote by Barbara Bush and follow her advice!

Jan 30, 2023 05:55 AM
Kathy Streib

Dorie Dillard Austin TX the older I get, that quote means even more to me. 

Jan 30, 2023 03:56 PM
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

It’s so easy to get caught in your Daily List of to Do’s that you miss a chance to help a struggling friend  

Jan 30, 2023 06:54 AM
Kathy Streib

Totally agree Michael J. Perry We become so focused on our tasks and our schedule that we forget that others may need us as well. 

Jan 30, 2023 03:57 PM
Scott Schulte
Scott Schulte LLC - Phoenix, AZ

Oh yes!  Please give me a reason to get away from my desk.  Lunch, Breakfast, I'm in! 

Jan 30, 2023 07:12 AM
Kathy Streib

I hear ya Scott Schulte   

Jan 30, 2023 04:58 PM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Top of the morning Kathy.  Not so much when younger was I cognizant of this fact.  With age I am thankful for the times I made a point to visit with someone rather than not.  Mark

Jan 30, 2023 07:26 AM
Kathy Streib

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho You and I are on the same page. The older I get, the more I remind myself not to put off precious moments I can have with friends or loved ones. 

Jan 30, 2023 05:06 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kathy, having the opportunity to go out with a friend for lunch or dinner is priceless, and YES, household chores can wait.

Jan 30, 2023 07:59 AM
Kathy Streib

Joan Cox you are absolutely right!    Those things can wait.                            

Jan 30, 2023 05:13 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kathy, I have a hard time putting a t-towel over the sink but I guess but I rinse off dishes and put them in the dishwasher fast.

 

Jan 30, 2023 08:50 AM
Kathy Streib

Will Hamm Larry jokes that if he puts a glass down, I'll come along and put it in the dishwasher!!! 

Jan 30, 2023 05:16 PM
Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

What a great story Kathy!  I can hear my Grandma saying something like that too. And it's so true.....be sure to make quality time for relationships!  Gotta go.....see ya later! Coffee awaits with a friend!

Jan 30, 2023 09:31 AM
Kathy Streib

Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker Life is too short to worry about the dishes in the sink.  That cup of coffee with a friend is priceless. 

Jan 30, 2023 05:18 PM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

I may error on the side of covering the dishes with a towel too often these days, but I will get them done...eventually!

Jan 30, 2023 09:55 AM
Kathy Streib

Ray Henson and that's ok, if you're ok with it. Those dishes aren't going to care!!!

Jan 30, 2023 05:21 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Property Manager

Hi Kathy,
We never know when our next opportunity will be, if ever so, it's best to take out the T-towel and go.

Jan 30, 2023 12:45 PM
Kathy Streib

Carol Williams most of us here wouldn't leave dirty dishes in the sink but if we did, grab the towel. 

Jan 30, 2023 05:22 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I love the idea of a "T Towel," Kathy.  I need to get one of those!😊

Jan 30, 2023 04:56 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Kathy, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Jan 30, 2023 05:03 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy each moment and opportunity we pass up is one we will never be able to experience again.  Life has many regrets we have no control over to add regrets to them that we do have control over.

Jan 30, 2023 06:57 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Your blog post compliments my post today perfectly but goes far beyond my simple thought Kathy Streib 

Jan 30, 2023 09:20 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Good advice.

Although I was obsessive about keeping my home clean when my children were young, it was never at the expense of missing time with them. Some things can wait and realizing that removes so much pressure for parents.

Jan 31, 2023 07:32 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

A great post to read and remember. I will have to remember the The T-Towel Thanks for sharing.

Jan 31, 2023 09:36 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I love the Barbara Bush quote - it's a great reminder to prioritize time with loved ones without feeling guilty as that is ultimately what matters most and is most fulfilling! 

Feb 02, 2023 08:25 AM