It’s been one of those days. I have more things that need my attention than I have time to do them. And, after working the last five days, it felt good to rest. Rest is another thing that is lacking in my life, at times.
My favorite saying is: “if it weren’t for the last minute, I’d never get anything done.” And, if procrastinating is an art, then I am a world-class artist! I don’t know if I am bored with chores after all these years, tired of the responsibility, or just plain lazy.
I haven’t always been lazy, if that is what it is. I managed to get through nursing school with a husband, three small children, and a house to keep. Meals were homemade, laundry was done, cleaning occurred and the kids’ homework got done in the evenings. I went to bed exhausted at night—if at all—but things got done.
A lot of the pressure I felt to be a good wife, mother, housekeeper and cook, was self-induced. I had aspirations to do things differently, and better, than my mother did. Birthday cakes were homemade and decorated lavishly. After all, I did take a cake decorating class. And a “Stretch and Sew” class, so I could make all the kids tee shirts.
Yes, it’s true, I was one of those women who kept an immaculate house, then told guests to “pardon the mess”…so they would look around and notice how nice things looked. I also had fresh cut flowers on the dining table, cookies in the oven, and a pitcher of lemonade at the ready.
I taught Martha Stewart everything she knows!
And then it happened. I became a single woman and lived alone. The kids are grown and gone and don’t need Mom fussing over them constantly. There is no hubby to cook for and clean for and do laundry for. It is just me.
Somewhere, in the tranquility that encompassed me, I learned to let go. I realized that the house doesn’t have to look perfect. I don’t have to make cookies for guests: that’s why there are Oreos in the grocery store. And water is good for you so, if you’re thirsty at my house, the glasses are in the cupboard to the right of the sink. Help yourself!
And so, today. What have I accomplished? Absolutely nothing. I did go shopping. I went to the fabric store with some decorating ideas in mind. Even with as much as 70% off of some items, I still came home empty-handed. Nothing thrilled me. I was hoping to find some wonderful fabric to make a runner for the dining room table. Then maybe I would be inspired to clean it off!
Horizontal surfaces. Why do there have to be so many in my house? They are magnets for all the stuff that I don’t feel like putting away. And it doesn’t matter what color or finish the surfaces are: before long, they are all “dust gray.” Of course, if there’s a phone number or website mentioned on TV, I don’t have to go get paper and a pencil—I can just write it on the coffee table.
Maybe I am just tired from taking care of others all the time. Maybe I used up all my enthusiasm for doing chores when I was a young mommy. Or maybe my house looks just fine and being happy and well-adjusted is more important to me.
In any case, there are still dishes to be done and laundry to be done and bills to be paid and the yard to water and groceries to be bought, brought home, and put away. I need to stop writing about it, stop thinking about it and stop complaining about it and just do it!
And I will……..tomorrow.
My favorite saying is: “if it weren’t for the last minute, I’d never get anything done.” And, if procrastinating is an art, then I am a world-class artist! I don’t know if I am bored with chores after all these years, tired of the responsibility, or just plain lazy.
I haven’t always been lazy, if that is what it is. I managed to get through nursing school with a husband, three small children, and a house to keep. Meals were homemade, laundry was done, cleaning occurred and the kids’ homework got done in the evenings. I went to bed exhausted at night—if at all—but things got done.
A lot of the pressure I felt to be a good wife, mother, housekeeper and cook, was self-induced. I had aspirations to do things differently, and better, than my mother did. Birthday cakes were homemade and decorated lavishly. After all, I did take a cake decorating class. And a “Stretch and Sew” class, so I could make all the kids tee shirts.
Yes, it’s true, I was one of those women who kept an immaculate house, then told guests to “pardon the mess”…so they would look around and notice how nice things looked. I also had fresh cut flowers on the dining table, cookies in the oven, and a pitcher of lemonade at the ready.
I taught Martha Stewart everything she knows!
And then it happened. I became a single woman and lived alone. The kids are grown and gone and don’t need Mom fussing over them constantly. There is no hubby to cook for and clean for and do laundry for. It is just me.
Somewhere, in the tranquility that encompassed me, I learned to let go. I realized that the house doesn’t have to look perfect. I don’t have to make cookies for guests: that’s why there are Oreos in the grocery store. And water is good for you so, if you’re thirsty at my house, the glasses are in the cupboard to the right of the sink. Help yourself!
And so, today. What have I accomplished? Absolutely nothing. I did go shopping. I went to the fabric store with some decorating ideas in mind. Even with as much as 70% off of some items, I still came home empty-handed. Nothing thrilled me. I was hoping to find some wonderful fabric to make a runner for the dining room table. Then maybe I would be inspired to clean it off!
Horizontal surfaces. Why do there have to be so many in my house? They are magnets for all the stuff that I don’t feel like putting away. And it doesn’t matter what color or finish the surfaces are: before long, they are all “dust gray.” Of course, if there’s a phone number or website mentioned on TV, I don’t have to go get paper and a pencil—I can just write it on the coffee table.
Maybe I am just tired from taking care of others all the time. Maybe I used up all my enthusiasm for doing chores when I was a young mommy. Or maybe my house looks just fine and being happy and well-adjusted is more important to me.
In any case, there are still dishes to be done and laundry to be done and bills to be paid and the yard to water and groceries to be bought, brought home, and put away. I need to stop writing about it, stop thinking about it and stop complaining about it and just do it!
And I will……..tomorrow.
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