Archive for June, 2009
Aprons
A few weeks ago I posted a link from The Hillbilly Housewife about aprons. In total fairness, I thought it was a fun story, but I didn’t much see myself actually wearing an apron around my house. I mean, let’s get real here. I’m a modern mom with a blog and I love to stay behind my computer, not an oven or washing machine. But somewhere along the line, that post just grabbed me.
Each day that I would walk into my pantry and see my apron hanging there, it would taunt me. The dark black with pretty green writing. It’s even a fun, whimsical apron from my 36th birthday cooking party (did I really just put it out there for the world to see that I’m really ever so much older than 30?) from my dear friend Whitney when she was running “Cooking in Heels” long before her precious little ones came along. No, it looks nothing like the one that I found on the right, but they are much more along the lines of what I imagine a housewife would wear.
Finally, I gave in to the pressure and put it on, just for a trial run. Maybe at least I could save one shirt from the laundry. As soon as I put it on, Monkey was in my face telling me how beautiful I looked. Now, where did he get the idea that a woman in an apron was beautiful? Perhaps from the same place that when he saw my wedding dress he proudly proclaimed that he had found this great cow costume! Anyway, I digress.
On that first day, I accomplished more than I had in a while. Certainly, it wasn’t the apron. But, perhaps…. Just to be certain, I put it on again today. Sure enough, I believe there is some kind of magic fairy dust in aprons. As soon as I put it on, I become more domestic. Now, don’t think that I’m telling every woman out there who isn’t domestic that an apron will magically solve the problem, but you might give it a try. Here’s how it worked for me.
Typical day without an apron: get ready, eat microwave breakfast, pick up a couple of toys, check e-mail, get distracted, play on Facebook, remember that I was supposed to do laundry, head upstairs to start the laundry and get distracted by a toy on the floor that needs to be put away, go to put it away, see that the kids have been snacking, start to clean up the mess, remember that I need to check something on my calendar, go downstairs to check e-mail, repeat cycle throughout the day.
Today: get ready, make bed, start to make breakfast and decide to put apron on first. Decide that while I have apron on, I could make a better breakfast. Preheat oven and make French toast. While the oven is heating, clean up the rest of dishes that magically appeared since dinner cleanup last night along with all dishes from making breakfast. Think that some homemade bread sounds nice. Pull out ingredients for bread while toast is baking. Start prepping bread. Sit down for a hot breakfast with the boys. Clean up dishes together, then send them to clean up their playroom. Start a load of laundry. Return to breadmaking. Whip out the first loaf and set it up to proof while I make the second loaf. Clean up all the mess from both loaves while bread is proofing. Put bread in oven. Make lunch. Put baby down for nap. Cool bread and make a snack for older boys. Clean up kitchen. Take off apron. Sit down in front of computer, forget to do anything else for the rest of the afternoon.
So, is it the apron or the mind? I’m not convinced, but I’m thinking I might have to whip up one more apron just to be sure. Perhaps if I could just get one like this that I found on Flickr.
Homeschool Blog: Daily Focus – The Homeschooler’s 23rd Psalm – Alpha Omega Publications
I got this psalm this weekend and thought you would enjoy it.
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He maketh me to live on less sleep:
He leadeth me through the noise of many voices.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me to teach
The right lessons each day, for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of undone
Laundry and kitchen messes, I will fear no evil:
For thou art with me, my teacher’s guides and
Answer keys, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
Of threatening school officials and critical family members:
Thou anointest my head with heavenly wisdom, my cup runneth over.
Surely educated and godly children shall follow after me
All the days of my life: and I will dwell again one day
In a clean house with the Lord forevermore.
Homeschool Blog: Daily Focus – The Homeschooler’s 23rd Psalm – Alpha Omega Publications.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )A Little Humor
Today has been a crazy, pull-your-hair-out kind of day, so I thought I would post a little humor for myself and all of you. Hope you enjoy it. I got it from my girlfriend Jackie, but I think it originated somewhere earlier.
25 Things Mother TAUGHT me…
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
‘If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.’
2. My mother taught me RELIGION .
‘You better pray that this will come out of the carpet.’
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
‘If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!’
4. My mother taught me LOGIC .
‘ Because I said so, that’s why.’
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
‘If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.’
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT .
‘Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.’
7. My mother taught me IRONY
‘Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about.’
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
‘Shut your mouth and eat your supper.’
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .
‘Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!’
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA .
‘You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.’
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
‘This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.’
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY .
‘If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!’
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .
‘I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.’
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
‘Stop acting like your father!’
15. My mother taught me about ENVY .
‘There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.’
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION .
‘Just wait until we get home.’
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
‘You are going to get it when you get home!’
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE .
‘If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.’
19. My mother taught me ESP .
‘Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?’
20. My mother taught me HUMOR .
‘When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.’
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
‘If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up…’
22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
‘You’re just like your father.’
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS .
‘Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?’
24. My mother taught me WISDOM .
‘When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.’
25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE
‘One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.
My Grown Up Christmas Wish
Yes, I’ve been spending most of my bloggy time at my other place. Stop in today to see what I’m writing.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Simply Being Mommy
Summer is officially here in our house. Which means…. mommy gets to sleep in and surf the internet! Of course, there will be a lot of other fun things going on too, like the trip to the animal farm yesterday where mommy managed not to bring her camera yet again. Perhaps one of these days I will remember to bring it so that I can share these experiences with you as well, but in the meantime, enjoy this giveaway site.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Odyssey of a Lifetime 