1950's woman

The 1950's woman had alot of problems to face and only half the technology to get things done with. However there's a certain something about them that alot of women are trying to bring back.

It's called being "HOUSE PROUD"!

For the last few months I've tried to emulate some of the ideals of the stereotypical 1950's housewife. 

Ideals such as: That a good home is a clean one, a proud husband will try to make you proud also, children love to help you do things and are happier for being involved (even if it takes twice as long) & take time on your appearance - even if its just for around the house!

After reading alot of blogs, articles and excerpts from old books, I determined what I wanted to do - and failed miserably! I have now come to the conclusion that I tried to make too many changes at once. I am now ready to try again with a smaller start. 

My goals are: Don't sit down until you have done the dishes, tidied up, finished a load of washing & spent some time with the children. Do one big job a day. Greet hubby when he comes home from work as if he's been away for a week (big smiles, a hug and a kiss & spend a few minutes asking about his day). Make sure the kids get some "outside time" (something that wears the excess energy down) every day. Each child has a chore they must help you with (even if they have other chores of their own). Spend some time playing a game of their choice.

Dress in something that makes you feel pretty every day. Take the time to tidy yourself up before hubby comes home. Wear makeup (even if its just lippy & mascara) when you leave the house. Spend time reminding yourself of what it is you want to accomplish but don't sweat the small stuff.  Oh - and make time for friends & family (whether you visit them, they visit you or you meet them somewhere)!

I'll let you know how I go. :D

Why is breakfast so horrible???

Today is just like any other day in the never ending cycle of weeks since I've had children. The daily battle of the breakfast begins.

My alarm goes of and I stumble groggily into the shower. I come out desperate for coffee and determined to make myself proud today. I am going to GET THINGS DONE, I am going to keep my temper, I am going to have a good day with good children, I am going to do it all with grace. Well I am going to get there one day.....In the mean time lets just try to do better than yesterday!

I wake the kids gently with a nursery rhyme I once heard had positive effects on waking up positive..."Good morning, good morning, good morning to you". Travis was already awake and playing in his room, but we keep to the routine. He looks up at me and smiles. My heart sings with love and hope for a better day. "Time for breakfast Travis, I'll go wake Emy". I head into Emy's room to wake her. She is asleep in the cot (having decided to take her nappy off and wee in the other beds yesterday - and the mattress' still drying last night from their resulting wash and disinfecting) - with her nappy off. I groan thinking about having to wash another set of sheets instead of getting things on my list done. To my surprise, the bed is dry - she has not wee'd. I am grinning as I sing "Good morning, good morning, good morning to you." Emy flicks her eyes open slowly and upon seeing me she groggily gets to her feet and starts laughing. "Ok Emy, time for breakfast". A quick nappy change and I plop her happily into her high chair at the breakfast bar.

And here is where it turns every morning. Travis is not at his seat. He has to be called 2ce to come to the bench and threatened with a toy removal. He eventually comes and I take a deep calming breathe and paste a smile on my face. "There you are Travis - it's nice to see you". He grunts in reply. Another deep breath "OK time for breakfast". I put the kettle on and get out our bowls, spoons & cups.

Emy happily babbles to Travis until Travis starts swinging on the chair. "Travis, stop that! You'll break the chair and fall over" I throw over my shoulder as I pull the weetbix out of the cupboard. Chaos erupts: "I don't want yucky weetbix" "Emy is hitting me" Emy screams. "Stop hitting Emy" " But you love weetbix""Emy! Stop it!" "Stop swinging on your chair" "Don't spit!".

Some where along there I get breakfast served and the kids start to eat and I make my coffee. Before my first sip tho the chaos stops me and I loose my patience. "Eat your breakfast" "Leave your sister alone" "Emy, cut it out" "Don't throw your food" "Put that in your mouth" "Get back in your seat and finish your breakfast"

Toy removal, being sent to their room, all sorts of different breakfast cereals, time out routines, "nigh nighs", smacks & distraction techniques haven't improved this time of day at all. By the time breakfast has been eaten its an hour later and both the kids are wearing some of their food (sometimes I am too!) - as is the floor and the kitchen bench - I estimate a 70% maybe made it into their tummies.

They get down and head into the playroom laughing. I am stressed and angry and frustrated and barely holding on.

The rest of the day can either go downhill or up from here. Which ever it may be - my coffee is cold and I sigh as I go make another one while chanting "OK that's done. There's still time to make myself proud today. I am still going to GET THINGS DONE, I am going to keep my temper, I can still have a good day with good children and I am going to do it all with grace." *Sigh* "OK. Coffee first, then get them dressed then.... mutter mutter mutter"....

So Grateful

For my gorgeous children who are the light of my life, for good health, for a wonderful fiance, for a sister who forgives, a mother who always manages to rescue me when I don't know what to do, a father to ground me as a country girl, a family that always welcomes me, in laws that I count as friends, a roof over our heads, high speed Internet, the warm heater at my side, a cat that loves to cuddle, an oven that always works & makes me seem a better cook than I actually am, potty training - that's getting better, cuddles on a cold morning, air conditioning on a hot day, being able to go to the Perth royal show, tasty very vanilla coffees, Christmas music, Kindergarten, a few hours off, my awesome family who babysits!, the drive in cinemas, Chocolate, only mild Bipolar swings, friends that care & make me laugh, pantry full of food, a freezer full too & the ability to provide for my family.

I am so grateful. I have alot to be thankful for.

Catchup 2010

OK I'm going to try doing this again :P

I'm 29 now - and cautiously watching my 30th tick closer every day (eeek).

I have 2 kids. My Travis is 5 years old and enjoying Kindy 2 days a week. Emilienne (Emy) is 2 years old and only just starting to show signs of the "terrible twos" - but she still manages to be so adorable you barely notice.

The number of pets in our house has dropped quite a bit. Onyx passed away first, then the fish and then finally Rusty (RIP my darling). Slatez is staying with my Uncle near the beach and apparently loving it. We had a budgie for a few weeks but it too passed away. All in all we've had a pretty heartbreaking run with pets lately but Duckie (so name because he squeaked like a rubber ducky as a kitten) is now 1.5yrs and seemingly content to be cuddled by anyone.

I did a bit of Uni but since I was heavily pregnant when I got in - it was very difficult (not to mention expensive with full time day care) but I got sick too and that was the end of that for a while. I tried online Uni but the course blew my mind and I freaked out and haven't gone back again. Now I'm just waiting for enrollment to begin for a TAFE makeup course which sounds like fun.

Most of my days is spent running after the kids and cleaning the house. It's a very frustrating experience at times and so spiritually fulfilling at others that I feel like a yo-yo. I'm looking forward to taking the next step in our lives - whether that's another child, buying a house, moving house, moving country, getting married, Travis starting full time schooling or my starting part time classes.

I've been experimenting lately with adopting a bit of the 1950's women's lifestyle. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not even gonna try for perfect nor do I believe I'm less anything than a man (OK maybe they're stronger for the most part) but I'm trying to get to a point where I'm "house proud". It's taken me a while to get this far - "not ashamed of the messy house" :P My routines have taken a while to settle into something workable but with my health no longer troubling me I'm getting alot more done and there are days when I'm downright proud of myself.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to catching up a bit more often :)