Pressed:

• 4 shirts
• 2 dresses (kid’s)
• 6 place mats

The secret, it turns out, is to stream “This American Life” while I work. And simultaneously drink an insanely strong cup of tea. The latter of which, incidentally, I can keep on its very own “tea table,” next to the ironing board, when I’m not drinking it. (I knew those stools would find a use!)

Thank God (and Ira Glass) that I finally made a dent in that damn pile. I was about to give in and bring the whole lot to a dry cleaner. Talk about dents — that would have put a huge one in our checking account. And a slightly smaller one in my marriage.

Excuse me. I just realized that my daughter is washing her feet with her sippy cup. Gotta go.