We are reentering the modern era in our household. A dishwasher arrives in the morning. Yes folks, we are getting a dishwasher for the first time in almost seven years. My children are in awe of the idea that they will have one of those fascinating machines like grandma and Aunt Amy have, one of those things that cleans the dishes all by itself. They have not yet realized that this fabulous machine means that doing the dishes will no longer be my job. No, I will be the mama who tells them to put their own lunch plates and breakfast glasses into the dishwasher all by themselves. I wonder how long it will take before that goes from excellent fun to an "awww, Mama" chore?

Luis has been wanting a dishwasher forever, but I have resisted. I didn't want to give up the cupboard space, and besides, hand-washing dishes only used about 5-7 gallons of water. Yes, I have measured. Then someone at yaaps informed me that newer dishwashers no longer use the 10+ gallons of the old dishwashers. A little research later and I could no longer claim my handwashing was using less water on a consistent basis. There went half of my argument against getting the machine.

My sister came up with the brilliant idea of where to place the silverware drawer, I found places to stash the appliances that were stored in the cupboard, and I planned a pantry organizer in the kitchen closet to supplement my storage space. I may actually come out of this with more storage space in my kitchen if Luis is ever home long enough to do the closet for me. I keep threatening to order a kit, and then my sister and I will tackle it with a drill driver, level and pitcher of sangria. Oh wait, she can't have the sangria because she is pregnant (somehow I have never blogged about this, shame on me), so I will drink it. Works for me.

I found the best price at the locally owned independent store. They were actually $60 less then the big box city store when I factored in delivery charges. So our shiny new Energy Star dishwasher will arrive in the morning, and I can have a clean conscience knowing I am using less water and supported a local business.

I still draw the line at getting a microwave again though.