Tuesday, January 10, 2012

When You Can't Do It All

Okay, I tried. Sat there for a couple of hours crocheting my little wash cloth and have decided for now, for this season in my life, I do not have time for crafting. All I kept thinking was I needed to get busy on other things. I didn't seem to be relaxing. Perhaps I am just not a crafter. I don't scrapbook any longer, just make digital books online. I love the thought of it but just am not at a point in my life to take on something else. When I moved toward a more simpler life in the last few years I quit doing anything like that so I could de-clutter and have less pressures on my time. I am re-committed to keeping things more simple around here.
As simple as it can be with four kids, two dogs, two cats and a husband who works long hours often out of town. I love being focused just on keeping things in order and moving smoothly.


It takes time to prepare and shop for meals around here. I am so glad to have a little market where I can buy all above for $22. That included a bag of cashews for cashew chicken on next weeks menu.


Starving when I got home from errands this morning, I made a yummy fried egg sammie. I stayed home yesterday not leaving at all. I am trying to have more no drive days where no gas in my car is used and no money spent. I have had two since Saturday.


For now my creativity will have to be fulfilled with making things nice here in the home, arranging my lovelies, gardening and caring for my family.


Being a full time home manager is what I do. Love it, thankful for it and am always brought much joy in doing my best around here. Spending time making out my weekly menus, shopping for the family and managing what hubby and I call "organized chaos" is where my energy must be at this time in my life. Having a baby in my forties ensures I will be in this stage a bit longer. I don't want to rush life so I am content here. I will have time enough some day to pursue other interests and if I don't then I won't.


For now the crafts are left to the three year old.


29 comments:

  1. My goodness, you already have a full time job! What is that fried egg sammie sandwich? I have never heard of it. Looks good though!
    Brenda

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  2. i love that saying "full time home manager" ... i do believe i will be using that from now on. great title. i do believe it is a big job to buy groceries & take care of a family. no matter how big the family is... it takes work & lots of time. i bet you do a great job. $22. wow, that is amazing. the sandwich looks delicious. (:

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  3. Wow, you do have a lot to keep you busy!! I just have one kiddo at home, plus 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 birds and a husband. Your sandwich looks so good, and I love your little polka dot hen thingie! ~Deanna

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  4. Your right, it just can't all be done sometimes. Do whatcha gotta do. I haven't even been in blogland for almost a week trying to get things done around here. I love being at home and planning out menu's and taking care of my family also. We are blessed to be able to do so. Hope this new year is bring wonderful things to you and your family :)

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  5. I understand totally. The reason I took up knitting and crochet is because of the portability of it. When I began to have my grandson to babysit, I could no longer go sit in my sewing room for hours on end to sew and quilt. So this was something I could do to take with me from room to room and do off and on. You do have your hands full though.

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  6. Elaine
    You definitely have your priorities where they should be.
    Your children will be gone before you know it and then you'll have plenty of time for other pastimes.
    I know, because I raised four children myself!

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  7. You're doing the important things, and you'll never be sorry for making them your prorities. Love the 3 yr old's craft!

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  8. You are the queen of home managment and do a wonderful job!!

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  9. I am in my 40's with an unexpected 4 year old, so I totally understand! I became legal guardian of my 3 yr old nephew last year after having 1 year of empty nesting. My oldest are 20 and 24. It feels like starting over. And I just don't have the time to do 'it all'. I used to scrapbook too! Now I diddle in crafting when I have time and when it's something I really have fun with. Other than that...I just don't. LOL Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Lovely blog.

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  10. Elaine,
    Your busy days will go by fast and when you look back you will wonder where they went. I had my 5th child at age 38. She is almost 17 now. I was able to stay home most of the time. I really miss those days when I was a "real" mom. No longer a wife, I still love to take care of my home and my two youngest girls when I am not at work. I am having fun working at my dream job (librarian) now, but I miss those busy, crazy, some times quiet days.
    I forgot about fried egg sandwiches!
    Clara from Redeemed Junk and Stuff

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  11. My creativity waxes and wanes...I find myself struggling now with creating a balance.
    I tend to want to be creative and have let some of the ordinary things in life go.
    Now, I see they're ordinary for a reason...we all need to keep up with daily tasks or they over take us!

    Finding Balance...that's what I'm trying to do.
    As for the sandwich... Mmmm -- we love a good fried egg on bagel sandwich!

    Pat

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  12. I'm so with you on this. I used to love to craft, but now I'm always thinking about what needs to be done around the house. I guess my craft time is spent visiting blogs :)
    I love being a home manager too.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  13. I don't see how you have the time to do what you do. You are a busy lady. Man, that soup looks good!

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  14. I am struggling right now with healthy menu planning, shopping, and cooking...so much so that I am taking a class in February for it! It is so time consuming to menu plan and shop (and do it economically)....

    You are such a great homemaker/organizer you should write a book, Elaine!

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  15. Oh I so understand. I am retired and empty nester, but I do cook all of our meals and that alone takes tons of planning and shopping. I so agree, you can make really great meals economically, if you plan. Do what you can and ignore the rest. Hugs, Marty

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  16. When I started scrapbooking about 10 years ago, I knew that it was a good thing I hadn't started it earlier. It's too involved to do when you have little ones around. You have to have priorities, right?

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  17. I do not craft either. I used to do embroidery in my twenties and thirties but not now. I have two houses to take care of and a flower garden I love and a small business from my home. I am not driving today as I recently was in four cities in five days and I am so tired. You have plenty to do and homemaking is a fine craft and you do it well and with elegance.

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  18. Hi Elaine,
    Wishing you and yours a very happy and sweet New Year!. We are trying to make things more simple at our house too. We have been cleaning out closets and drawers..the office.. and now the dreaded garage. De- cluttering and make things more simple that is what I'm striving for this year.
    Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

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  19. Perfectly understandable. I remember those days (and nights) of having small children to tend to and all the other things that being a wife and mom involves. It was more than a full-time job when you throw taking care of the home into the mix. I was married 6 years before my first baby was born. All those things I loved to do (crochet, knitting, quilting) they all got packed away because I didn't need the added grief or worry that small children like to get into stuff and my crafty stuff involved scissors and needles. Besides, I loved the time spent with my children and when they got older I taught them some of the "fun" things I use to fill up my days with. While waiting for them at their music classes I sat with my crochet and made a complete blanket. I never wasted time, I would catch up on reading as well. It isn't hard to choose what is more important to you when raising your kids. The children will win hands down every time.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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  20. I don't know how you have time for any extras! How do you have time to blog? Your amazing!

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  21. I say this with love......I would trade places with you anyday! Its hard to work outside the home all day then work inside the home all night. Thats how it is for me most days but we have to make those 2 ends meet ya know.
    I love how you embrace the responsibility of homemaking. My heart is at home all the while my mind must stay focused at work.....just to get up and do it all over again the next day. You are an inspiration Elaine and I love you for it!

    Debbie

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  22. It's so nice to hear that a mom loves being a home manager. And that really is a job all on it's own, I am that now and I love it, too. I couldn't do it when my kids were at home, though, sadly.
    You are a real inspiration to me and to many others, I'm sure.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  23. I struggle to find time to do everything too. You should see our place - it looks like a bomb has gone off - but we are busy creating this week. DD & I are sewing ds is painting. dinning room table is left up as craft centre, kitchen bench to paint at AND we are eating on our laps for breakfast, lunch and tea. BUT it is summer school holidays. Back to norm next week,

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  24. This sounds just like my life...and it is a good life indeed. I rarely use my car, usually it's loading the dogs in the truck and then off for a walk. I love being in the home, always have, that is what brings me the greatest joy! (Your sammi looks yummy!) :D

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  25. Can you say...too many irons in the fire? That's okay. I have those too. :) You have your priorities right and, when the time is right, you'll have time to sit down and do some crafting. And, like you said, if you don't, that's okay, too.

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  26. Oh, I wish I had it in me to create weekly menus. Instead, I stop by the market on my way home from school. Everything looks yummy!

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  27. Great post! I have always said if I can keep myself organized the whole familiy runs smoother! ;0)

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  28. Stopping by, by way of Liz's Time Travel Thursday. Love the red polkadot background. I realized I've been here before when your sidebar scrolled as I read and I saw your kitchen post icon. Love your chickens and bright colors and all. The soup looks good, the things you do are worth it, it's okay to have a "some day" list as long as you have today on target. Being blessed in what you do, blogging about it, seeing your craftiness in your blog and home - blessed me. Thanks, Jenn

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  29. Elaine,
    This is my life too. I make weekly menus and shopping and cooking all of that food takes time. I also had my youngest at 39..almost 40. I am so glad I did! He is great company now that the teens are always out and about! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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