It's all part of the uniform

Kate,

Yes, I wear khakis. No, my mother does not still dress me. They sit low on my hips, are boot cut, and look great paired with a navy blue polka dot halter top or a crisp white oxford blouse and pearls.

Every WASP has atleast one pair of go-to khakis. Just look at Martha Stewart. Its practically her wardrobe and it serves her beautifully. Nothing says "I come from privilege" like a uniform pair of khakis. Even better if you have a pair of penny loafers to go with them.

Do you know who wears rompers? Babies. Babies wear one piece rompers. Every time you put one of those on, you are basically putting on a very large onesy.

And what's the point of doing a cartwheel if you don't flash people your unmentionables in the process?

-Molly

HITLER WORE KHAKIS

Dear Molly:

You wear khakis? Does your mom still dress you?? Do they have pleats and come up to your belly button and have tapered legs, too?

You know who wore khakis? Hitler wore khakis.

Get with the program. Buy a romper. They're the best things ever. It's like a dress that you can run around and do cart wheels in without flashing everyone. And like I've said, it cuts the dressing time in half.

Go ahead, I implore you to answer the above questions. Smart-mouthed little know-it-all.

Best,

Kate

On the fine art of Laundry

Dear Kate

The only question I came across in your last correspondence was regarding sand and clothing, so I can only assume that you need a lesson in laundry.


I'll let you in on my own methods, since my way is always the right way.


The first step in any project, big or small, is organization. Sort your laundry into wash loads. Seperate the dark from the lights, and then the pull out the heavy items. My piles usually look something like this: Sheets, delicates, and unmentionables; tee shirts, oxford blouses, and kakies; darker slacks, leggings, and sweaters; and demin and workout clothes. If you're counting, which I'm sure you are, that's four piles. This step really shouldn't take you longer than 10 minutes. At most. Maybe when you first start out doing laundry you'll take you time sorting, but soon it will become second nature to you. Oh yes, and I'm sure even you have heard this before, but be careful not to put anything red in with your light load or you'll end up with everything pink.

This is where things get a whole lot easier. Distribute one load of laundry into your washer evenly and be sure not to overload it. Pour a capful of liquid soap into the washer, cap and all (this prevents gunk from building up on the cap, but remember to pull it out at the end of the wash or it makes an annoying clunking sound in your dryer and you're at a loss for the next load), adjust the settings, push start, and walk away. Your first load of wash is underway and you can relax. Now, if you need clarification on adjusting your settings, don't hesitate to ask.

When you wash is done (don't worry, your machine will buzz, you don't have to time it), transfer your wet clothes into your dryer, adjust the settings, and push start. Or, if you are so lucky to have one, hang the clothes outside on the line to dry. Repeat the process with your next load and you've mastered the fine art of doing laundry.

So, I would say, depending on whether or not you use a clothes line to dry your clothes, it takes about an hour and a half to get sand out of your clothes.

Good luck in your search for domestic bliss,
Molly

LOOK WHO THE CAT DRAGGED IN

Dear Molly:

Thanks for finally getting back to me. Unfortunately, you left me hanging just a little too long there, and consequently, I ended up digging a hole and burying myself in it. You know about my penchant for digging holes and burying myself in them out of sheer indecisiveness, so quite frankly, I feel you behaved a bit irresponsibly. No, not a bit; a whole heck of a lot.

Do you have any idea how long it takes to get sand out of your clothes? Next time, be a little more thoughtful, would you? And don't take your role as my advisor so lightly.

Thanks,

Kate

I spent a summer wasting

Dear Kate,

First off, I'm sorry about the lengthy lapse in time between when you wrote me and my response. Summer days get away from me, despite how long they are.

Second, I'm with Katherine. Get it all done now. Why not? You mentioned your sanity, but you've forgotten to consider the fact that you went off your rocker a long time ago. You can't lose something you don't have to begin with.

As much as you like school and want to stay a student forever, I think this option of finishing early and jumping right into a career as the slightly insane English teacher who reads Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat" to 2nd graders and finds it amusing when the leave the class n near tears.

Molly

Re: Grad School

Dear Molly,

I have the opportunity to finish grad school by next May. The catch is that I'd have to take five classes this fall and three classes in the spring along with student teaching. Then I'd get to have an actual graduation ceremony (which I missed out on when I got my B.A.), and I'd have my Master's next spring and be certified to teach for the following fall.

What do you think? Should I cram it all in in one year and possibly sacrifice my sanity for the sake of getting it over with? Or should I just do it over the normal two year period most graduate students do? It all costs the same, by the way. And I could still get a job teaching without my certification.

Thanks,

Kate

Breaks Are Good

Dear Molly,

I haven't been here in three weeks. So, for the sake of continuity, here is my explanation for the break in Dear Molly (and All the Way Over Here).

You already know I've been sick. I'm not sick anymore, but I still don't feel much like writing. I also haven't talked much to you in general, but that has more to do with not really wanting to talk than it does not wanting to talk to you. Don't take it personally. (You probably don't anyway.)

Also... grad school is getting kind of crazy with midterms and papers and professors who annoy the hell out of me. It's been keeping me kind of busy. Oh, and I got this new part-time job as a research assistant/project coordinator at a radio show on NPR. It's turning into more work than I thought it would be, but I suppose it's good because A) it keeps me busy so I don't go nuts out of boredom in my downtime from school, and B) I can stop living off of student loans. (Woo-hoo.)

Maybe a couple more weeks?

Best,

Kate