“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” -William Morris
I made a HUGE boo-boo back in January, and I didn’t catch it until last week. Unfortunately, it ended up messing up some of Ken’s business stuff, and I feel horrible about it. It really was an honest mistake, but it’s something that could have been prevented with more … you got it, organization.
I was listening to Wife Swap on tv yesterday while cleaning up the bar/breakfast nook area, and this one woman said that she was the home manager, so everything that went on in the home was ultimately her responsibility. Granted, they were using her as one extreme while the other extreme was a wife/mother who did nothing, but her comment really struck a chord with me. When I left my full-time job to stay at home with Emma, my job became House Manager. Ken’s responsibility is to work and make money for our household, while my main responsibility is taking care of Emma while also managing this house.
I’ll never be a fifties housewife, and I’ll never have a spotless house, but it’s time to stop reading about it and do something. So for the next couple of weeks, you’ll see some big changes in our house. Well, you may not SEE them, but you’ll hear about them. And maybe I’ll take pictures, too … just for kicks.
On that note, here’s my weekly menu …
monday: spaghetti
tuesday: chicken soft tacos
wednesday: crockpot chili
thursday: chicken spaghetti casserole
friday: oyster stew w/ crackers & cranberry sauce
saturday: spicy shredded pork sandwiches
sunday: crock pot salisbury steak w/ mashed potatoes
I started using Google Calendar to do my menus, and I repeat each recipe every 3 weeks. That way, if I get behind, I’ll always have a menu to fall back on. But if I want to substitute something else, I can do that, too.
I already have a huge pork shoulder from a sale a couple of weeks ago (see how that stockpiling comes in handy?) so I added a shredded pork recipe to this week’s menu, and I know I’ll have TONS left over, so we can do sandwiches for lunch and then quesadillas for supper on Monday. Maybe even a quick pork chili on Wednesday. Why does stuff like that excite me??
Lastly, Ken is moving my blog over to a different server tonight, so if the blog disappears or acts funky for a while, that’s why.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve made mistakes like that, too, with the same sort of long-reaching effect, so I know how that feels. And I am maybe the least organized person in the word, especially with paperwork. What you said about being the house manager is true, even if I don’t embrace it always. Wish you the best with the changes you’re making. I know how hard it can be, but also know that small things can make a big difference in how I feel.
Right there with you!
What a great idea to use google calendar to list your menus and I agree, repeating is the way to go. In my house we have several must recipes that everyone loves and if I have one to try, just throw it into the rotation. Love this.
Can’t wait to see your changes…maybe it’ll inspire me too.
Oh noooooo! Sorry to hear about the accident. I hope it wasn’t anything that can’t be solved in a day or two… *wince* Nobody’s perfect.
And I agree, while I’ll never be the 50′s Housewife, I think that a good part of the home stuff is my area. HOWEVER, I can’t do everything by myself anymore – I’m starting to feel really overwhelmed. Just ’cause my husband works outside of the home, doesn’t mean all work is done at 7pm and he shouldn’t have to do anything around here, KWIM?
YES, please post what changes you decide to make around your home. I’m interested in finding out what ends up working for you w/ an almost 2yo at home. ;)
Today, I did get a lot done. And then…nap time ended. Now it looks as though I ate BonBons all day and didn’t do a thing. Why do I feel like I never get anywhere?!