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| Another of my calendar pages....2012 is going to be colourful! |
Maggie asked only this week, how I do it. Keep up with the blog, internet browsing, the bl***y sewing and all the normal stuff of life. Well, the answer is truly - I don't. My home is by no means a stinking steaming pit of unwashed and neglected anything, but since the internet arrived Chez Dunnit, it's fair to say that my housework is superficial and the deep cleaning like windows and the back of cupboards....well, happens a lot less than it ever did when I did normal work in a real office and didn't blog!
Most of you do more than me. And those of you that work as well as do all this - you definitely do more than me! I'm definitely a one-job-at-a-time-gal in terms of coping and also in terms of satisfaction on the finished job. If I have sewing or a book to read - I tend to do that. To the exception of doing anything else. Certainly this means that I don't read a lot until we're on holiday, and I tend to not so any sewing unless it's costumes these days - because not being a natural multi tasker is frustrating! I still cook and hoover and shop and blah, but those are a given aren't they. So much so that despite doing these things, we don't 'count' them towards our daily achievements. I'm a fan of routine - it helps me to achieve more than the daily chores...for example, I chore and do Pennant Joinery work every day, and I would like to spend a couple of hours crafting in one way or another every day. Luxury. Doesn't work like that but it sounds a good routine to be in. It doesn't work like that because we're all struck by moods. And usually, the mood to do something is compelling. I mean, here I am this morning because I'm just not in the mood for my normal Saturday chores. (Ironing and baking, if you want to know, I like to be Suzie Homemaker at the weekends.) I'm no celebrity crafter - I don't have house or child help (I'm the first to say have help if you can and want it) and I don't have deadlines that involve publishing or pay days, so my motivation is different. My motivation for housework begins and ends with guilt. Poor Mr Dunnit slaves away and the least I can do is have a decent home and meal at the ready to encourage him back after a day at the grindstone. My motivation for crafting - pleasure. Of course. And it would seem that my motivation for blogging is to mislead people about my apparently busy life!
Beautiful colours you have chosen for the calendar page. I know what you mean about superficial cleaning. I cannot remember when I last cleaned inside a cupboard. Far too many wonderful things to do in my craft room. Who is going to remember we had clean rooms but I am sure they will remember the lovely card/lo or blog.
ReplyDeleteMine is more to do with making every day count. I'm up at 7 and I do my best to fill my days. I have jobs I HAVE to do and the rest of my days are filled with jobs I choose to do and fun fun fun...of course there is as much of the fun fun fun as I can fit in :-)
ReplyDeleteI do have days when my arthritis gets in the way but I refuse to let it win :-)
Biggest hugs,
A x
I work part time and have 2 smallish children. OH works fulltime, and so time is always an issue. I can live with a certain level of untidyness, but then it gets to me and I have to sort it all out. As Sandra said, no one will remember there was dust on the skirting board, but remember the fabulous art you made and hopefully still keep some of it!
ReplyDeleteI do it by insisting on me time to craft. That sounds as if the rest of the family need convincing- they don't! I have to convince myself that I deserve it, that I'm not letting anyone down by playing instead of working. Constant struggle with guilt! Happily, most of the time I win :D
I agree with Annie, in that I like to feel the day hasn't been wasted and when I get into bed at night,at least something (however small) has been achieved.
ReplyDeleteWhen my children were small I did the absolute bare minimum of HW and it's the same at the weekends and in the school holidays now. When they are older, they won't remember whether I washed the skirting boards or ironed their PJs, but hopefully they will remember how much fun we had together.
Nearly fogot to say how much I love the jewel tones of that calendar page and the little birds are awesome :o)
Love the calendar page and love that you shared how YOU do it. Must say I do struggle to fit in everything I would like to do as well. Full-time job where I am on-call every other week. Usually don't craft on week-nights - just squeeze it in on the weekends. As for the housework - after spending 3 weeks with my Mom (whose house is impeccable despite the fact she is undergoing cancer treatment) I was inspired (read: guilted into) trying to be a better housekeeper. Thus was born my "Project 15" - setting my portable cooking timer for 15 minutes a day and tackling those household chores for which I never seem to make time. Wow - in less than two weeks what a difference. And it actually has become a little competition - just how much CAN I get done in just 15 minutes. Surprisingly satisfying!
ReplyDeleteI still think you do extremely well to fit in as much as you do, Julia. But they always say that if you want a job doing properly, give it to someone who is always busy. I so agree with Annie that each day must be made to count. Get the jobs done that have to be done and then fill your time with all the things you enjoy doing - that does mean you can allow yourself to settle down with a good book, if that is what you choose to enjoy. A bit of dust behind the sofa will not be the thing folks remember about you. It will be the fact that you took the time to create a card or something else just for them to make them feel special.
ReplyDeletestunning page julia...and yes bah humbug to housework...the minute you dust the blinking stuff just comes back again....hugs kath xxx
ReplyDeleteI love this post :D Yep I feel exactly the same way. MY OH is still usually working right up till bed time so the least I can do is flick the duster round and make a proper dinner, never was a naturally good housekeeper though. My Mum used to try and shame me by writing messages in my dust. I would just write a message back for her to find! LOL!
ReplyDeleteLove that you are a proper person and not one of these domestic goddesses that seem to have triple the hours in the day than the rest of us.
The calendar page is gorgeous!
I seem to rocket from flat out busy to flat out busy!(like today up at 7 with T, made victoria sponge and halloween pies - breakfast for all 3 of us (of yes and I had to the leg it to the shop and buy more milk then remake DH cup of coffee) now tutoring for 3 hours then shopping and back home to entertain T while DH cooks then we are off to a Halloween / fireworks party (which was to be at my house but thankfully got moved....... Tomorrow I will get up tidy up some, maybe craft, watch the grand prix. At some point I will stop and do very little (probably next Wednesday while I surf the WOYWW blogs). But then a minimal day involves catering for T and at least one load of washing plus 3 meals! looking forward to the NEC next Thursday :) At some point my body will tell me I have to take a break and I will have no choice but to do so. Blimey at the moment my housework is very minimal at other times it is much better. I guess as long as we are ok and satisfied at the end of the day it is more important.
ReplyDeleteThis is vevry honest, and I agree with all the comments. Who will remember the clean house? (other than my mother, amd I refuse to let her rule my adult life)I manage by prioritising, and some things just never make it to the toip of the list - like gardening. But work-guilt, mummy-guilt, housewife - guilt is all too exhausting. I love Katanewrfs 15 mins idea.
ReplyDeleteWhen I type that crafting and blogging has taken over my life it seems so absurd to read back...but I cannot lie because it has. But because it has brought me such immense joy, new passion for life and creativity it's a deal I'm okay with. Yes I'm obsessive and perfectionistic and driven, but oh so happy. I struggle with the house-wife bit because that is really important to me, I'll make all the mess I like in my crafty den but I like a clean ship. I seem to be pushed by either own guilt or a visit! And at 2 minutes to midnight I get it done - and feel good. At least I still see the dirt and care...I have way less commitments than others here but one will always fill their day. I just can't create in the mornings, seem to constantly faff until the creative juices kick in and that's my downfall and agenda killer, but it will have to change. But also learning that my so-so clean is more than fine with others, so enjoying a little slacking and just accepting that 40 years of an all or nothing personality in much of my life is just who I am.
ReplyDeleteSince becoming a crafter (for crafter read OCD = Obsessive crafter disorder) I have maintained a level of cleanliness in the house (low - LOL), kitchen tops clean, washing done, occasional hoover and sometimes I do get the guilts (Im a catholic after all, so guilt is part of my physche). But I have spent too much of my life being clean and have missed out on some of my childrens best moments because Ive obsessed about the mess. So now I do what I want and so does my OH, sometimes he does more cleaning than me (never as good as I would do it, but learning to accept) and sometimes I do more, but we both work extremely hard under horrible pressure from the bosses and we need time to relax, and newsflash cleaning does not make me relax, and if occasionally I invite his parents over which does encourage him to clean the whole house, there is nothing wrong with that, is there!!!!. Basically do what you can and learn to live and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThis is SO pretty, Julia!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous page, Julia - love the colour. I have too much clutter around to clean... I do hoover from time to time - can't reach shelves to dust them and I swear they are right when they say it doesn't seem to grow after a while... but it DOES need doing... one day! I refuse to feel guilty but sometimes I do (normally when I go to my brother's and his wife complains at what a tip her house is - and it looks immaculate to me.) Still, I work full time and have no children/husband so there is only me to mind...
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty page ... lovely colours for what is usually a lovely month. You are clearly finding time to fit it all in. :)
ReplyDeleteI get asked the same question but I get up at 6 to see to chooks and dog and I fit in some housework before I head off to my day job. I come home and cood a meal and the rest of the day is mine. Things are about to be turned upside down now as Hubby got laid off two weeks ago and managed to get some work helping a friend initially and he learnt yesterday he has a job. This is shift work on the same pattern as when we first got married. It is going to be strange and when he is on nights we will only see each other for an hour in the mornings! Hey Ho!!
ReplyDeleteOops! Forgot to say I love your calender page!!
ReplyDeleteOoo, your calendar is coming along nicely, I love the colour scheme.
ReplyDeleteI too wonder how you fit all you do in because there always seems to be something new going on in your life.
I’m very lucky too because I don’t go out to work and there’s only me & BoJangles to worry about at home. So, no set days for doing things for me, I usually do the housework (not that it gets that messy) when and if I feel like it, although I do put the vacuum over every morning because Bo moults for England. Job like ironing (oh how I hate it) I tend to do of an evening in front of the TV if there’s something of interest on and that’s when I do my cross stitch too as I can’t just sit with idle hands.
The rest of my time is spent crafting, out with friends or in the garden (during the summer) and no deadlines if I can help it except when I’m working on wedding orders which isn’t often.
Early retirement can be recommended as my days are always full………………I wonder how I ever found time to go out to work!
Sue
x
Love the way that the calendar page turned out! I know what you mean about carving out time for the internet and the blogging. Funny thing here, is that if I skip more then a couple days, Fabulous Spouse wonders when I will pst again LOL! He is my biggest fan... and why I get to play along! -Amanda
ReplyDeleteI changed up some things in my browser so am hoping that this comment sticks. This is so lovely. The colors and texture are fab. I am proud to be a mono-tasker and I move at one speed... slowly.
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