Friday, September 16, 2011

Homemaking


I have friends who do not cook and having cleaning ladies, not many mind you, but a few. My sister in law wants to know how you get that gig? I say they can have it. A cleaning lady might me nice but then I would feel like I had to clean before she came so why bother. Today has been a day to stay home and get 'er done. The washing machine has been going since 7:00am and the dishwasher is already running right after lunch. A cake was baked and bathrooms cleaned. I am getting tired but glad for the ability to check things off my list.


A myriad of doctors and dentists appointments and the constant ferrying of kids to and from is really cutting into my homemaking time. I miss summer. Did you hear me say that? Yep, I miss the freedom to get things done. Yesterday, I pulled out of our driveway six times. I know it is crazy. I will be relieved when daughter #2 gets her license. So I will be stuck without a car, that is so not torture for me. A couple of days stuck at home puttering in the yard or keeping house is a blessing to me for I am cranky and out of sorts when the house gets behind. Quinn likes to make sure I have plenty of work most days.



Soon I will have family to stay. That is always a motivator. My brother and his wife will be coming for few days on their way to a wedding. So things need a good and thorough going over. Dust all the nooks and crannies and a washing of my wood floors is on the list for this weekend. After the summer with dogs in and out and barefoot kids tracking who knows what all over, my floors need a good once over.



I must have a good list of projects written down and out of my head. When I don't write things down I tend to get overwhelmed with all that I am trying to remember. Lists and a big calendar function as my second brain. That and the help of hubby and the kids reminding me of where I put things or set things down. I think mothers have to juggle so much that our brains literally get so full they can't hold anymore information. Here's to marking some things off our lists.


29 comments:

  1. You are my twin! I am the same way. I did try out a house cleaning service....3 times. Hated them..well not them personally, but their services! I only did it because I told my daughter that one of the conditions of her moving home to save for a house was to hire a cleaning service and pay for it. Well, they came. They cleaned, and they did a poor job. I was cleaning up before they came, and after they left. PLUS, I am no comfortable with strangers in my home. Just not. I would much rather do it myself. And some might say, these are words of a control freak, so yep, I will own it. I am a control freak! I like things clean. Put away. EVERY day. That's just who I am!!!!
    Hugs,
    Kris
    PS thought of you and your friend all day yesterday!

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  2. I'm with you and Kris. I like to clean my home myself. A few years ago, I was working two jobs and didn't have time to clean, so I hired someone to come in and it was nice but now that I'm home, I love to do it myself. I'm a list maker too!

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  3. Can we be best friends? I swear, I could have written this post. I love to be home, cleaning and baking!

    Thanks for linking up to Home and Family Friday!

    Becca

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  4. Delightful pictures! Wonderful post. I enjoy having things to do around the house, but I also need to have my lists to accomplish everything. Today I am putting up my fall decor with my yummy candles lit. Makes me happy!
    Have a blessed day!

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  5. What beautiful photos! I, too, enjoy having things to do around the home - it keeps me delightfully busy and free. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  6. I love the house cleaned and shinning. Love the pictures.

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  7. You make homemaking sound so special! =) I complain when I have to wash the floors for the tenth time, and pick up after my three little boys, but I had a cleaner in once when we were being visited by a TV crew, and I was terrified that I would 'miss a bit' and have it broadcast to the Country, yet when they were finished i had to go over it myself. The good side was that I realized I wasn't doing such a bad job myself. To top it off, the TV crew filmed us outside in the yard since they wanted the whole Florida/Palm tree look -Typical, lol :) thanks for sharing, Sally xx

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  8. You are wonderful! When I grow up I want to be you! :)

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  9. I could also be your clone-Bestfriend-kindred spirit. Other people wonder what I do all day, but I never have enough time to do all that I want to do at home.

    hope you got lots of things crossed off today.

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  10. I vaguely remember a cleaning lady coming once in a while to our home when I was little (I'm 55 now). Not that we could afford it, but my dad was trying to give my mom (of six kids) a break. She told me years later she'd have to run around picking up things just so the woman could clean, so I'm sure she'd totally 'get' what you said about that!
    Staying home without a car? Gee, shucks, sounds like torture to me. My son is always joking to me, "you're grounded!" I just shoot back: "Oh, really? You mean I don't have to go driving anywhere? My heart is so broken!" Ha, ha, nice to stay home when we can, right? (BTW, I hate snow but LOVE snowstorms--because you simply can't go out and no one can make you!)
    PS--you sure have some cute things around your house!

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  11. LOL! I would be the same way if I had a cleaning lady...clean the house before she comes! :-) I adore being a homemaker and the privilege it is to create a warm and welcoming place for our family and friends. Even with all of the madness I wouldn't trade it! Thanks so much for sharing your home and your heart with us at Inspiration Friday this week!
    Vanessa

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  12. I swear you make me wanna be a better mom and wife! Now I need to get up and clean! Last week I had a hundred things to do and the house stayed pretty spotless. This week I have nothing to do and I'm lazy! I don't get it! Anyway, I'm off to clean the bathroom and load the dishwasher before my fella gets home!

    Have a good weekend!
    Jennifer

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  13. As I was helping my daughter clean her house this morning I thought back to the days when I felt like "laundry was my life". I loved the days of being a stay at home wife and mom to our four kids. I have an afternoon job now (my kids are all grown and out on their own) and today I quietly wished I could just stay home and do laundry all afternoon:0 I must be crazy!!!!

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  14. I cleaned my house to within an inch of its life yesterday. Now I can enjoy the weekend!!! :D I hope you enjoy your visit with your family.

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  15. When I stayed home full time I used to hate running back and forth too. I long for those days again. I love being able to cross off my list too!

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  16. I'm that way. Couldn't care less if I had a car, if I wasn't on my own. It never mattered to me. I can stay at home a week at a time. I love being home, doing home things. Puttering in the garden. It is "the life" to me.
    Brenda

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  17. Well, I am totally exhausted after reading this. Plus I feel totally guilty! But, I do have my lists because I can't remember anything! Take a deep breath, and enjoy your company...

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  18. I'm tired too after reading that. Hope you can have some fun this weekend, Laura Cottage and Broome

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  19. I love to clean my house in the fall and spring. The really deep down cleaning. I'm tired but have a real feeling of accomplishment.

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  20. I agree...I can think of nothing I'd rather do than putter around the house all day!

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  21. Just once in my life, I would love to know what it feels like to have the entire house spotless, dust free, and gleaming from top to bottom, And not have a sore back.

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  22. Love this post ... very real! Love your "home" pics ... it truly is the best place to be, isn't it?

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  23. I think you are super organized! I still miss my housekeeper who moved out of town! Have a wonderful visit with your family.

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  24. There have been so many "real" stories lately! We need a "Real Housewives of Blog Land".

    I am delighted you linked to Potpourrri Friday. I appreciate you and hope you will make this a weekly stop.

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  25. I had always enjoyed school vacations and days off better than school days. It was easier having them home.
    Hugs,
    Ellen

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  26. Your sugar bowl and creamer is too cute !

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  27. The country store candle is mine and my mom's favorite candle.... We just love it!

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  28. I prefer to do my own housecleaning, but not cooking, but regardless of what I do, I try to view it all as a gift from God (He's the One who blessed me with the stuff) and a blessing to my family as I try to make our house a haven for them to come to for cleanliness, calmness, recharging from the world. I think you and I are in the same path on that idea.
    Some folks don't appreciate the difference between housekeeping and homemaking. Thanks for your blog about homemaking.

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  29. Hi Elaine,
    Nice thoughts to ponder. I am more of a short order cook around here than a neat freak. but, it can get tidy on the weekends! LOL
    Thank you for linking up with Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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