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| Sunday at my house. |
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| Spring wonderland? |
The real slap in the face was 24 hours earlier, Salt Lake City looked like this:
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| Aidan's soccer game on Saturday. 65 degrees, clear and beautiful. |
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| We were so happy |
Now, I don't mean to sound like a complainer. I actually really do like the snow. In fact, I had a wonderful day on Sunday cleaning my house and cooking, watching the snow fall gently outside my window. It was one of those rare Sundays where Robert had to go into the office, Aidan played at the neighbor's most of the day, and the house was completely quiet but for my Pink Martini Pandora and Stan snoring at my feet.
At the end of the day, I had family over for a home-cooked dinner, made-from-scratch brownies, and a bottle of wine. My house was clean and smelled like fresh-cut flowers. I was refreshed and put-together and did not need an extra five minutes to get ready. I had almost forgotten what that feels like.
At the end of the day, I had family over for a home-cooked dinner, made-from-scratch brownies, and a bottle of wine. My house was clean and smelled like fresh-cut flowers. I was refreshed and put-together and did not need an extra five minutes to get ready. I had almost forgotten what that feels like.
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| My house, on a good day |
One of the trickiest things about being a modern woman is that I love -- I mean really, really love -- home-making, and I have almost no time to do it. I still can't get over the fact that I am a full-blown adult with my own house. I spend hours on houzz.com daydreaming about projects I would love to conquer when I have the time and money.
My future bookshelves
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| My future backyard |
6:45 - 8:30 - Wake up, make coffee, do dishes, make breakfast, shower, get dressed, do makeup, answer email, pack lunches, take Aidan to school.
8:30 - 5:30 - Work
5:30 - 8:30 - Pick up Aidan from school, make dinner, do laundry, pick up house, take Stan for a walk, check Aidan's homework, read Aidan Harry Potter, and say goodnight.
8:30 - 10:30 - Do nothing that requires energy. Snuggle with Robert on the couch, watch House of Cards, create boards on Pinterest and ideabooks in Houzz, and (if I'm lucky) read.
10:30 - 6:45 - Sleep
This is a completely manageable and wonderful life, but I miss the stuff that I imagine stay-at-home moms get to do. Where is the time to create a mason jar chandelier or spend half a day doing Easter crafts with Aidan?
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| Yum |
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| Totally cheesy, but I would love to try it |
I recently read an article in Salon about how the author was addicted to Mormon housewife blogs because their lives seem like an endless parade of crafts and playdates and trips to the zoo/ planetarium/inflatable gym. Their children look like miniature hipsters ready for their next photo shoot and they spend their weekends throwing whimsical dinner parties for their equally beautiful and carefree friends.
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| My mom has time to make me look ironic |
Even as I say these things, I can feel the green-eyed monster rearing its ugly head because I want these things too. As much as I love my job, I wish I had time to exercise, let alone make hand-stamped napkins and homemade quilts. I want to plant jelly beans with Aidan for Easter and watch his eyes pop as they bloom into lollipops the next day.
Which is why days like this last Sunday are amazing, despite the snow. For one day, I cooked the real version of a meal, not the heat-and-serve variety. My house looked the way I want it to look and smelled like homemade brownies and lightly scented candles. I had time to shower and do makeup and be the hostess I like to be.
I am also aware that this is totally a case of the grass being greener on the other side. In truth, if given the choice, I would much rather be a librarian than do crafts and have a perfect home day after day. But every once in a while it's nice to not feel rushed, to do things because they are beautiful and fun and make someone smile.
If a snow day is what it takes to slow life down, what the heck. Bring on the snow.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bunmi-laditan/im-done-making-my-kids-childhood-magical_b_5062838.html
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, this was my favorite line: The magic we speak of and so desperately want our children to taste isn't of our creation, and therefore is not ours to dole out as we please. I agree that my magical moments growing up were not manufactured by my parents or bought in a store. Thanks for the share. I still want to make that Easter Oreo bark though. ;)
DeleteRebekah, loved your jellybean idea. I may just have to try it with Ashar!
ReplyDeleteSo cute, right? Aidan may be a little old for it now. I'll have to try it with child #2, should such a child ever exist.
ReplyDeleteI've read that article and loved it. I think a happy medium is in your future. Working all the time or being a mom all the time both suck you dry. The pressure around here is super high, though, and considerably less high than my previous town. There are shortcuts to looking like you can do all of these things, and for the record? You appear as though you have it all figured out! Xo
ReplyDeleteLenore, I am still trying to figure out how Christine swung the 30 hour work week. That sounds glorious. Thank you for saying I look like I have it figured out. That's half the battle, right?
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