Housewife...

I'm not in the habit of using my blog to complain, but this morning I just can't help it! It's only 8.16 am and this is what I have done so far:

1. Got up at 6.00 am despite Charlie waking me about 7 times in the night;
2. Discovered I'd forgotten to make bread last night had to think of something for 5 lunchboxes.Hmmm....Bacon and cheese wholemeal muffins for lunch and chocolate muffins for morning tea.A bit carb heavy, but it'll have to do;
3. Made Charlie's breakfast, which he promptly spread all over the table, highchair and floor;
4. Cleaned up Charlie's breakfast;
5. Argued with the eldest son about his life choices (really too early in the day for that!);
   
6. Packed Callum (18 years old!) lunch;
7. Packed Mike's lunch (49 years old!);
8. Ironed Mike's workshirt;
9. Sent the 4 oldest off with a sigh...Peace at last;
   
10. Dressed a wriggling, squirming 19 month old;
11. Put the nappies in the dryer;
12. Brought the laundry up from the dryer;
13. Drove Freya to the bus stop.
    

I feel like I've done a day's work, but have hardly begun. There's so much laundry banking up, I MUST,MUST,MUST endeavour to fold and put it away.

You know, I mostly love my job.People marvel at the fact that I have five children, but honestly I don't feel it is a big deal, and I truly love it.I feel priveliged and fulfilled being a mum. But the housework...I could give that a big miss!

Any advice on how to lessen the load in terms of housework, I'll take it!

Things One Hopes to Achieve, and things one DOES Achieve!

Every day I start with a list in my head of the things I'd like to achieve during the day. It feels purposeful to have goals. Sometimes I even jot them down.

Today's list was as follows:

• Make zucchini slice
• Make dermatologist appointment
• Take a walk
• Organise E bay items I sold
• Wash and hang up nappies
• Wash breakfast dishes
• Tidy up my bedroom and put away laundry
• Read the Gardening Australia magazine I bought on Monday
• Yoga practice
• Have a shower(!)
• Bottle the baked capsicums I made days ago
• Order seeds from Diggers

This is what I got done:

• Had a lovely walk with Charlie to the post box and along the beach
• Washed and hang out the nappies
• Made the dermatologist appointment
• Got half the breakfast dishes washed
• Drank four cups of tea
• Played with Charlie
• Made compost
• Cuddled Charlie
• Breastfed Charlie
• Changed several nappies
• Looked around at the complete and utter chaos and decided it is too hard to start anything with a 6 month old who will not sleep unless you cuddle him!!

So there you have it. I don't know why I bother with the list, whether written or in my head. I suppose I can at least be pleased that I might have achieved one or two things. Most importantly, Charlie is getting the attention he needs, and that is surely more important than the mess and dishes.

Alas, it just means that when I do eventually getting around to making that zucchini slice for dinner, the kitchen is in such a mess, it takes all the joy out of cooking.

There's a song by Neil Young : A Man Needs A Maid. Well, it isn't just a man who needs a maid, this woman needs one too! How nice would it be to have a home help, so you could just enjoy mothering your baby without all the other "stuff" to distract you...

Despite that sinking feeling when it comes to the state of our living space, it was very lovely to walk in the fresh air with Charlie this morning.It was a warm and sunny day, perfect for strolling. And I looked at him and thought about how much I ached to have him in my life, how lucky I have been to have him here with us,and I know that he is better(much ,much,better!) than a clean house, meals cooked, phone calls made.

Tomorrow is a new day...