There’s a first time for everything.
I had one last week when I purchased my first brand new major household appliance.
I’ve purchased brand new TVs, computers and furniture before, but never an appliance.
When I bought my house eight years ago, the refrigerator, range, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer all came with the house.
I really hesitate to type this, but so far only the washing machine has needed to be replaced.
(Everyone, wherever you are reading this, please stop, find some wood, and knock on it for me now. Thanks.)
The original washing machine died only a couple of years after I inherited it.
At that time, I purchased a used washing machine from a friend for a good price. It served me well for about five years.
Recently it started showing its age and stopped spinning.
A washing machine that doesn’t spin really doesn’t work very well, and repairing an old washing machine isn’t very cost-effective.
So it was time to search for a new appliance.
I’m not someone who spends his weekends roaming through appliance stores checking out new washing machines.
In fact, I’d never actually looked at, priced or compared washing machines in a store or online before.
Honestly, it was kind of fun to learn about all the bells and whistles available on modern machines.
Who knew washing machines could be so fancy?
Maybe most of you did, but I sure didn’t.
You can buy washing machines that will pretty much do everything but load the clothes for you.
I saw machines with computerized displays, preset timers and the ability to set themselves based on how large the load is and how dirty the clothes are.
I’m pretty sure there were washers with 13-inch high- definition TV screens built into them, but I didn’t walk that far into the pricy appliance aisles.
So much variety leads to so many questions.
What size and color? Agitator or no agitator? Front load or top load? See-through top or traditional?
Normally, when I make such big decisions, I keep it simple.
For some reason — I’m guessing it was the unexpectedly good sale price — I got a bit more adventurous this time.
I didn’t buy a washing machine with Wi-Fi or a built-in coffee bar, but for me it’s pretty close.
My modern new washer has no agitator, a clear glass top, a digital display, the ability to select its own setting based on the clothes I put in, and it even plays a little tune when it completes a load.
Pretty fancy for me. And fun.
So fun, in fact, I’ve found myself talking to friends about my new washer and asking others about their machines.
I literally went from never even thinking about washing machines to standing in front of mine watching it wash my clothes.
Don’t worry — I only did that once. Or twice.
They say there’s a first time for everything.
I’m just hoping there won’t be a second major appliance purchase needed any time soon. I don’t need to have that much fun.
Knock on wood.