Tag: housework

Categories
Family

Men I See Through Your Strategic Incompetence

Read on for a rant. Yes, I’ve got my cranky pants on and for good reason. I don’t understand why men think that it is okay to put women down, to not value them, to not help out and to believe due to sex it is all the woman’s job to organise the house and more!

A friend of ours popped over and while chatting I was madly folding the laundry in the living room.

I’ve been super busy like most mums and hadn’t folded the laundry, although all clean it was in a pile and some were partially folded.  I thought why not try and get rid of it all and put it away, and at the same time have a chat.

This is not me, and never has been me. Men are still thinking that this is women. Cooking, caring and being a dedicated housewife/housekeeper. It is 2019 not 1950's.
This is not me, and never has been me. Men are still thinking that this is women. Cooking, caring and being a dedicated housewife/housekeeper. It is 2019 not 1950’s.

I joined in the conversation and mentioned to hubby while our mate was over that he packed a pair of the twin’s undies in Alexander’s bag and they would have been too big.  I was saying that he should check the clothes to ensure that our little boy has the right clothes, jumper, adequate numbers of undies, tops and pants.

Our friend then said men cannot do this and therefore women are much better suited to housework and organising all the items for the kids. It was said that men cannot do this type of work.

I’m not sure why this is the case?  Also my first thought was what fucking bullshit!

Are men missing limbs that make it hard for them to pick up items, to help out, to tidy up, help organise items for kids school bags? Or at the very least pack a lunch for a child to go to preschool.

Men are not special beings and therefore should be able to cook, clean, tidy and do everything that comes with living with others in a house.

It’s not terribly difficult work, although boring and not that exciting. However, it needs to be done! And not just by one person!

I asked hubby to pack a lunch for our little boy and he freaked out, and said what do I do? I am not sure why this is an issue to panic about. It’s just a packed lunch. Sort it out. It’s bloody simple actually.

In my opinion, I think acting stupid and lost (otherwise known as Strategic Incompetence) about an easy task means that others will do the work for you and therefore you get out of doing it.  Men do this all the time, does it happen at your place?

Responding to our mutual friend I said I don’t like housework either, and why does having a penis means you are exempt?

Just an excuse to not do things in my book. Hopeless and fucking rude really!

I think we should have a detachable penis to ensure we don’t have to do shit housework all day too. I want to sit and do nothing and have someone look after me too. What about you?

Being female doesn’t mean that I have an instant love for cleaning and tidying. I have never liked it and actually, I’m not the best at this at all. I struggle to do it all and would prefer to be doing anything other than housework.

Maybe I need to adopt the panic that anyone with a penis shows me when I ask them to help or do something.

If I too look so lost, others will do the work and I can sit down and stare for hours at my phone or computer while drinking a beer, claiming that it is important work that I am doing so therefore cannot be interrupted.

Geez, it is 2019 and men are still sexist dickheads believing that women are the housekeeper and slave for everyone. I’ve got 2 degrees, I’m very smart and have other ambitions than to cook, clean and to race around for everyone else.

Do you see how lost people with penises get when asked to do something they don’t want to do? Do they claim they have no idea how to work the dishwasher, washing machine, or make a lunch box for the kids? And many other things.

I know some men are very capable so this is not directed at those that actually help the household to be more harmonious for all that live there. If you live in the house you need to contribute to help it run more smoothly.

 

Let me know what you’ve asked to be done and what inventive answers you have received?

I do believe that we as women need to give this stupid behaviour back to the men that dish it out. See what they say when I cannot help them when we look lost and panicked too about a certain task. Insert evil laugh!

 

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Categories
Family

Be In the Moment

Alexander is now eleven weeks old. Yes soon to be three months old, Oh how that has flown by already.

As anyone with a newborn knows you get up multiple times at night and feed, settle, cuddle, and of course change nappies. I also wash up bottles so that we have more for the next feeds. Lately the baby has taken to waking up at 2.30 or say 2am to want more food. I change his nappy and get him the milk and then feed him. He then falls asleep and then I put him to bed after some lovely morning cuddles.

Having snuggles with my boy.
Having snuggles with my boy.

Alexander then wakes again at 4am. He is screaming the place down so I do all the normal things, change his nappy and get more milk ready for the next feed. However it is this time that he decides that he is not hungry and just wants cuddles with mummy. I was snug and asleep in my bed before he screeched to what I thought was a hungry cry, but turned out that he just wanted cuddles. This is lovely but to wake up to give someone cuddles seems a bit annoying. I love the cuddles but I do LOVE my sleep and to wake up to then have to fall asleep again in the living room is a bit annoying to say the least.

I do try again to feed him but he pushes the bottle away and is content to just be cuddled. I fall asleep on the lounge as well as the baby. Hours pass and I finally wake to realise that I have been sleeping with my neck and body in an odd position. No wonder my body is out of sorts and everything hurts.

I sit in the living room looking around at all the things yet to be done and think about all the other things around the house that have to be done or have not been done or even thought of or even started. Gosh I’m exhausted just thinking about it all!

Why can’t I just sit and cuddle the baby?

Why do I have to get up and get stuff for people?

It is annoying that I have to leave the house but I do.  Dropping kids at school and picking them up and of course all the after school activities that the girls go to. All I wanted to do was to stay in the house with my PJ’s on and just cuddle and be with Alexander.

During these early morning moments I have thought why can’t I be more in the moment? I love the cuddles, giggles and raspberries that Alex is doing but I still find myself drawn to all the other things that need my attention. Maybe this is due to having kids already? When I had the twins I had no pressure to be anywhere, I did not have kids before the twins so I could have the cuddles and just stay at home if I wished to. Now with older children it is hard to impossible to stay at home.

In the early weeks mums at the kids school commented on how it was great that I was getting out and about. It was nice to hear and I of course would have rather have stayed at home, but with kids at school I had to venture out. I suppose it was good that the kids made me go out with the baby but that quiet time just snuggling with your new baby is so nice and a pity that I have to get up to do the more boring things, like cleaning, shopping, clothes washing and more.

Also with older kids the house is much noisier than before. When the twins were babies I tried to have things super quiet when they were sleeping. I would even put notes on the front door in case of deliveries. Yes I was trying to make sure that who ever knocked on the door knew to be quiet or less noisy than they would be normally. I of course have not done the note on the front door this time, not due to not thinking about it but just due to never getting around to do it, and thinking about sleep rather than writing notes.

Did you find that due to other kids and commitments that you are not enjoying the lovely moments of the new baby as much as you would like? Let us know.

I need to just learn to switch off and to let go. I know it is hard but I need to. I think from the state of my house you would think that I have done just that, but I have been trying to tidying and sort things but it is always hard with a new baby. I get some things sorted and then have to leave it to be with the baby, then off course I don’t get back to the pile of clothes to fold and put away. Then I have to pick kids up from school, take them to after school activities and then when home do homework, dinners and more! Yes…. I think that is about it.

Letting go about now sounds good after reading all that I need to do!

Do you have some tips to just try and let go of all the things that need to be done? If you do have some great ways to let go of things that would be great to be shared also.

Categories
Family

My Laundry Hack

Do you do things at different times?

I find that I look around my immediate neighbours and I feel that I am on a different timeline all together. Is it just me that feels like this? Is it a mummy comparison that I will never live up to, or is my way a hack for mummies?

Do you see other people have laundry hung out in the early hours and you have not got to the washing at all? These early birds are wonderful and are super organised. They have the first load of laundry out, and have taken in maybe one or two loads that are dry, folded all laundry and put them away! (I’m lucky to have it all dry and put out when the heat of the day is at its peak!)

Do you despair at the fact that you are on a different path? Sometimes I do, however I have now decided to work with it.

The despair over doing everything at different times than others.
The despair over doing everything at different times than others.

 How do you ask?

With the fact that I miss the magic drying window with the washing, and of course now due to the dryer not working, I have to have things on the line to dry. Being in the Blue Mountains makes things difficult as many days are rainy and now due to autumn and the impending arrival of winter getting clothes dry is going to be increasingly difficult. (We are going to get a replacement dryer but have not done so yet)

Now here is my brilliant wisdom….. if you are not doing this you will be amazed. After you follow this you will be like the early birds with their laundry on the line super early!

My fabulous hack to make things easier for me:

  1. I do as many loads as I can and hang them on the line
  2. I make sure the weather the next day is going to be fine or at least sunny to allow clothes to dry mostly. If they are just a little damp they come in and can finish drying on the clothes horse in the laundry.
  3. I leave the clothes that cannot come in the house on the line overnight and now I am the early bird who has all the laundry on the line and getting dry.
My laundry on the line since last night. Now I'm the early bird today!
My laundry on the line since last night. Now I’m the early bird today!

What things do you do at different times to others? Do you think it works well for you or does it cause issues? Everyone is different and you need to do what works for you. However at times I wish I was a bit different and I could channel a cleaning goddess. I still think hypnosis might be the way to go!

I have on occasion gotten up early to do laundry and housework, but that is never kept up as I do love sleeping in.  Or whatever I can get that is like a sleep in, kids do throw a spanner in the works here!

Let us know what you do to make things a bit easier for you.

 

Categories
5 years and beyond

Big Day of Cleaning!

Today is a big day. Kids are at school then off to after school care. You wonder what I will be doing? I am leading a glamorous life and of course I will be cleaning, scrubbing and doing housework!

The house needs a spruce up before the weekend. The twins have their birthday on Saturday and we might have family and friends drop by. Due to this and of course being flat out have a clean house might be a good idea.

cleaning cleaningmaid

I think after I calm down from the big week I might need to have them in care again so that I can spend my time doing something I like.

A bubble bath? Spending my gift vouchers at the shops? Sleeping? Working on the blog?

A maid would make things easy, but due to no funds to pay a maid I am her currently! Yes not ideal but cheaper.

Wish me well and I hope I get a lot done.

Stay tuned for more about this years birthday party for the girls.

Categories
5 years and beyond

Slow Start Monday

Happy Monday to you all. Yes another week is upon us. I am still fighting a cold and feel very tired. It does not help that it is a perfect day for staying in bed. If I had no kids or no reason to leave the house I might have just stayed in bed and still be there. However I had to get kids off to school, pick up a parcel from the post office and more.

Super tired this Monday. Image found on Pinterest.
Super tired this Monday. Image found on Pinterest.

Due to being under the weather there is a lot of housework to do…now I must go and sort some laundry or people might not be happy as they will not have undies and socks and that will of course not make other family members have a smile or like me much at all.

I have had my coffee late and have caught up on who won the room reveal for the block last night. Now I can look at the news. I hate finding out who won and I have not yet watched the show.

Clothes sorting is about to happen….. what job are you dreading or not wanting to do today?  Are there several. I do have a few but the clothes one is the major one at the moment.

Have a great Monday and hope you get some things done or have a rest if that is what is on the agenda.

Suzanne.

Categories
Wednesday Wisdom

Be Led By Dreams

Do you ever have times where things get on top of you? The housework, kids, life and everything else! Currently I have a lot of things to do and don’t know where to start. I am seeing issues and problems everywhere I look, sit or even lie down there are problems! Due to looking at all the problems it is causing me to get angry and more stressed about the situation. Not good is it? No not at all.

Deep breath! AHHHH focusing on your breathing does help make you feel better. Oh and a camomile tea is needed!

Camomile Tea to make everything all right! Image courtesy of patpitchaya / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Camomile Tea to make everything all right! Image courtesy of patpitchaya / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have so many dreams and things I wish to achieve but feel weighed down in the mundane and don’t get a lot done. Today’s wisdom is to focus on my dreams rather than being fixated on my problems. I will aim to work through one issue at a time and be calmer in the process. Harder said than done but this is my aim.

Be led by your dreams. Yes I need to think more like this! Image from Pinterest.
Be led by your dreams. Yes I need to think more like this! Image from Pinterest.

Do you see things that need doing and feel overwhelmed by it all? I know this happens to me. I will try and do one room at a time, and this in turn will give me more clarity to achieve my dreams.

I hope this has inspired you to follow your dreams and not let your problems overshadow your day and focus. Okay, now off to tidy up so that I can then live my dreams.

Categories
5 years and beyond

In a Funk about Housework!

Laundry done. Now need to put it away. Image courtesy of Keerati / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Laundry done. Now need to put it away. Image courtesy of Keerati / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do you have issues with doing everything with the house? I am in a bit of a funk due to being seen as the person that does all the housework! I hate it, and have never loved housework. What about you? Why is it that suddenly when you are a mum, you stay home to look after the kids and the family, and presto you are suddenly the person who loves housework. Have you noticed that no one else helps and it is just YOU! I have, and it is rather annoying.

Women and mothers do want to do other things other than housework or being a slave to others needs! I know this is a big rave and I have my angry pants on today about it. I am just over being seen as the housekeeper.

How much money have I saved the household? I am sure thousands! I have twins and putting two kids in care would have not been cheap. Getting a job in the city would require hiring a nanny so again another cost.

I’m sure if the roles were reversed, men would not take it and not want to be seen as the housework slave. I know there are some stay at home dads and they do a brilliant job and hope they are not in the same boat about the assumption that they suddenly just love and adore housework.

JUST BECAUSE I AM A MOTHER DOES NOT MEAN THAT I LOVE HOUSEWORK! I have other things that I want to achieve during the day and housework is important and needs to get done but it is not what I live to do!

Does your partner help with the housework? Is it just up to you? Have you got a schedule to get it all done? Do you find that now that you are mummy/mommy that you are seen as someone that is supposed to love and like housework?

I need to earn more money so that I can hire a housekeeper. If I did have a housekeeper this would make everyone happy. I would have more time, the family would have things neat and tidy and I would not be racing around doing housework. Pity there is no housework fairy.

Categories
4 years and beyond

Mess be Gone!

Have you been faced with a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in. Well that is my day today. My main aim to is to sort the clothes and put it all away. Make some space in the spare room and put new sheets on the beds. Other things, tidy living room and kitchen up a bit. Other places might have to wait.

Clothes to be sorted and put away
Clothes to be sorted and put away

Hard when you are not feeling 100% to get energized to clean and tidy. However I have two kids at school and I want to get it done. So the messy picture soon will be a nice clean room!

So a short post today as I have millions of things to be doing… I know exaggeration but I am sure there a lots.

Categories
4 years and beyond

Tired

Hi all, I have been cleaning and sorting like a mad woman or someone possessed. Still more to do but as the title suggests I am tired and so exhausted. Not only have I been cleaning and sorting, I raced off to get public transport to pick kids up from school, to then find out my mode of transport was not going to happen and had to take a bus instead of a train. I was annoyed and frustrated to say the least.

Hubby was using my car so thought the train would be a great thing for the kids to come home on after pre-school but it was not to be, track work forced me to take a bus and to try and squeeze me and the pram for the twins onto it. Not the best idea really. I was not going to take the pram, but thought the girls would be whinging if they had to walk too far. I had to walk to the school from the station, we would have to walk back and then catch train to home suburb, then walk home. This I thought best with the pram due to kids bags, tired kids and a mummy who could not and will not be able to carry and do it all. So the pram I thought was a good idea, until the buses came into the equation.

Finally got off the bus at the right stop, then walked to the school and collected the twins, then off to station to get return train home to then find out that the train that I wanted and was advertised will not come. The train will be over an hour late. What do you do with 2 kids for over an hour at a station. Gosh! Not ideal. The man at the station told me that the bus would be taking us back like I got there. I thought great, we will do that. I tried to follow the instructions on where the bus was to leave from but realised soon that I had no idea.

In the end I decided to get a taxi and this allowed us to get home without whacking people with my pram or being squished or pushed. The girls were frustrated and annoyed that we did not take the train and then the bus, but I was just glad to be home and not mucked about by connections to get to the house.

Before I left to pick the kids up I manged to tidy the bathroom, kitchen, kids room, laundry, and I mopped the laundry/dining room, kitchen and hallway floors. All rather good if you ask me. I am just annoyed that I have not been able to fold and put away my clean washing. I have a pile that really needs sorting. I know I did heaps, but it is a pity that the sorting of the laundry did not get done. I suppose this will be tomorrow nights job.

As you have probably guessed I am having guests over tomorrow and this is one of the reasons I am madly cleaning. Although it is always a rush and a panic I do like the result of a clean and tidy house. Maybe more people need to come and visit. So wish me luck on my day tomorrow and I hope that the final sorting works out. I hope that my guests are not too picky as I am not a neat freak but do like things clean and tidy so it is not too bad.

Do you clean like a mad person before you have company? Is it just me? I do this when my mum is coming over also, “Mum is coming! Clean the house!” Do you do that as well or is it not an issue?

Send in your comments and why not continue the discussion on our Twitter or Facebook pages.

Categories
4 years and beyond

Cleaning and Stuff

The house is a mess due to it being too hot to do much and also kids wanting to play with everything. My aim is to tidy as much as I can over the weekend as the kids are in pre-school 3 days next week. I would like to make use of my time next week in a better way and also need to focus on what to pack for summer school and staying at the relatives place. After I have things better sorted will create a list of what I need to make sure not to forget anything.

It will be another hot and steamy day today and hoping that the cool change will make night time better for the kids, last night it was very warm for them. According to the temperature egg in their room it was about 30 degrees even when I had the fan and all doors and windows open.  Today is the first day of summer so I suppose it is meant to be hot, I do like hot weather, however it would be nice to be a pool or have a drink in hand under a tree relaxing. What about you?

Laundry, folding and sorting then putting away, and of course picking up and putting away awaits me. Hubby had a good night last night with work and stayed in town in an air conditioned hotel, so last night was rather jealous that we were not there with him. As I type he is on his way home and then will experience the heat that we have been facing. He does not deal or cope well with the heat. Maybe he is lucky it will be cooler tomorrow, lets hope that the weather people are right about this report.

I still think a cleaning fairy would be ideal or at the very least a clone of myself to do the jobs I just really don’t want to do. Do you have these fantasies or is it just me? Maybe it is? Since there are no magical helpers I am off to get into the housework. Although my little helpers helped mummy clean the outside of the car yesterday, both girls were very good and did such a great job – just needed a change of clothes for all of us afterwards.

Do you try and get your jobs or chores done so that you can maximise your time off? I do try to, however there are some things that cannot be done when kids are around. Why not continue the discussion on our twitter or facebook pages.

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School

My free time = 5 hours x 3

Do you ever have visions of getting everything on your to do list done? Well I do, however not all does get done. It is a frustrating situation but I suppose with kids and other things going it is understandable that this never occurs.  However it does get frustrating that some things still are a work in progress and are not finished.

It might be just me but once kids go to pre-school, I have it in my head that I have the day. No I don’t, I just have the magic hours between 9.15am and 2.45pm so I need to get whatever I need to do done in that window.

Lately I have found that the more I have to do, not much gets done. I end up doing bits and pieces of something and then never getting through a task completely. I am using my Swiss cheese approach, just doing each problem bit by bit, a hole at a time. Maybe this is the answer and I should just be content with this. I have been doing what I can do in the time available however with a brain that is overloaded on tasks, I find it hard to concentrate on just one thing lately. Have you had this issue? Or is it just me.

I do have some time 5 hours 3 days a week, those are the days that the girls are at pre-school. Currently they and I have a cough given to us by daddy, who got it from a workmate. Not something bad, but just a little tickle. The girls seem oaky so sent them off to school, but in the back of my mind, I am waiting for the phone call to come get them. Let’s just hope that this does not happen. (I sent them due to the fact that they are playing and are happy at home; don’t seem really ill, if they were they would be home)

I have a messy house still but need to prioritise, the university group assignment is due next Monday so need to put my head down and bum up and get it done. No television just working on assignment this week. So cleaning will have to wait until assignment is done, or just a bit of tidying tonight.

Off to get my cuppa tea and start work on my assignment again. Send in your comments on how you structure your time off when kids are at school? What can you get done in the time allowed? Are you now a speed worker due to the small free time window? I wish I was.

Categories
3 years and beyond

Hate housework? Hypnosis might help

I read today about a woman who loves cleaning. I wish I was one; I cannot stand housework, cleaning or organising the house. For me is very much a chore.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a tidy and organised house.

However, the time, work and trouble that it takes, is never maintained in this household. We, the husband and I, seem to clean in spurts especially if we are having guests.

Housework is a necessity and I do agree that regardless of enjoying it or hating it, it is a task that needs to happen. With that philosophy, it is hard to be overjoyed at the prospect of cleaning the house, especially on your own with kids in toe as well.

I always have other things that I want to do or need doing and then the housework seems to come last. Cleaning does not hold the interest than say, watching a show, going out, or even doing my university work done.

Hypnosis for housework
Hypnosis for housework

Today my goal is to tidy the main areas, living room, dining room, hallway, kids room, our bedroom, and bathroom/toilets. If I don’t get it done today or tonight will do the rest tomorrow morning, it all needs to be tidy as we are having guests. These guests are good friends who are minding the girls for the day and part of the evening. Mummy and daddy are off to a good friend’s birthday and both of us are looking forward to the time alone with friends, and especially without kids. Oh, the simple joys of going out to catch up with friends. I cannot wait.

The girls have had something to eat, and I have just put them to down for their compulsory rest time. Yes, I have now learnt not to call it sleep time. If I call it sleep time I get this yelled at me, “Mummy we are not tired!” or “I AM NOT TIRED!!!!” so now it is rest time.

Why could I have got the gene that makes me want to clean? Is it how your mother dealt with housework and this has rubbed off on you? Or is it just the fact that it is an obsessive issue with being clean and tidy. I have even thought that being put under hypnosis to plant the seed to make me want to clean. This thought of hypnosis was only a silly thought after seeing a sign, however today I thought why not see if this has already happened (damn that idea is taken).  Yes others have thought of it already; see below for links hypnosis for housework:

If you hate housework and have the money, then hiring a housekeeper/cleaner might be the answer. Why argue over the housework if you can have it outsourced.

Having the task done by someone else is a good idea, as many couples don’t have a lot of downtime.

If you had a choice would you rather use your spare time for chores, or some fun and relaxation? I know this is not for all, but if you can afford it, why not?

Now off to make a cuppa tea, and get started on the tidying – I don’t have a cleaner or have had any hypnosis, I am doing it the old fashioned way.

Do you enjoy housework? If you do enjoy cleaning, what is the fun part for you?

Send in your comments on how you make cleaning fun.

 

 

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Categories
3 years and beyond Katoomba and Weather

Appliances fail and horse races

Today was freezing as was last night. It is only April and we are so cold I think this winter this year will be a very cold one. If winter is a terrible one, does that mean that we might finally get a summer that is warm?  You never know, so I am putting my order in now for a decent summer, if I have to live through a terrible winter, I am owed a summer, this summer must also not be one that has non-stop rain.

Before we ventured out of the house, we have now realised that 2 pieces of technology have failed us, and we are not happy at all. We now have a toaster that only toasts 2 pieces of bread, it is a 4 bread toaster, and one side is now not working. The second piece of technology that has failed is the biggest problem, the washing machine. I had only put the girl’s big blankets in to wash when I smelt an electrical burning smell. Not good, alerted James and we have now realised that the washing machine has died. This information is not good and as we are strapped for cash, could not have happened at a worse time. With this annoying and frustrating news, we decided we should go somewhere and exhaust kids and spend a day out as a family.

So off to the Bathurst races we went.  I was not keen on the idea as it is freezing, I had a terrible headache and it is a little better but still not 100%, what I wanted to do was go back to bed. Alas that is not what happened.

So after arriving at the races, I looked around and realised nearly everyone was very dressed up. All of us were in many layers just trying to keep warm, and these layers consisted of jeans, t-shirts, jumpers, jackets and the like. Nothing fancy, like a suit, tie, jacket, dresses or high heels.  The girls were barley dressed in anything and if they were wearing something it was a dress that just grazed their bum, no stockings, no jacket to keep warm and high heels that did not match the dress and were too high for most of these girls to walk in. Many of the girls had taken off their shoes and were bare foot, not something I would encourage on a chilly, windy day like today.  Not sure if I am being a fuddy duddy, but I think there is a way to look sexy, stylish and dress warmly. Maybe I am just getting old.

Since we were dealing with kids, anytime a new race was on we never got the chance to place a bet, It was the only time I have been to the races and never put a bet on a horse. Pity it was not the cheapest, today was still expensive.  Although, I did find $10, thank god for the windy day.

Just to give you an idea of the current temperature in Katoomba, see below. Sourced from Sydney Morning Herald’s Weather page.

  • Current temp: 6.3°C
  • Recorded min: 2°C
  • Recorded max: 9°C
  • Feels like: 1.3°C
  • Humidity: 81%
  • Wind: WSW 35km/h
  • Wind gusts: 61km/h

Now we are home, kids are fed (both ate very little of their food), kids are now in bed, and I am about to start working away on the group university assignment. Tomorrow I need to address the issue of washing the clothes and will be off to the Laundromat. I am hoping to get them washed so I can then hang them on the line at home.

Hopefully after the issue of the clothes is dealt with, I am off to see my nana and my mother for the day. Not looking forward to braving the laundromat with kids, but it needs to be done. What appliances have failed at your place? How did you cope? Send in your comments. Remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog.

 

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School

Take 2

Lunches are packed, clothes are in school bags for emergencies, and we are good to go. Today did not turn out like I had envisioned: organising and sorting things around the house. In reality I was answering a child every 5 seconds and cleaning up messes, cuddling injured kids after they fell and hurt themselves.  So today was rather chaotic and annoying, although there were moments of lovely cuddles and kisses.

The plan for tomorrow is to get up early and do some cleaning, I need to make the most of my day without kids. It will be a very long, tiring day, but looking forward to the end result, a tidier place to be. Just worried that it will not be tidy for long, there lies the challenge – keeping it clean. How long does your clean house stay clean?

I have also lucked out on the online tutorial for university, all audio was muffled and no idea why it is so. The readings will tell me what I need to know, so will read the lecture notes and answer the tutorial questions. I am a bit behind on the tutorial questions, so need to work on those, and then focus on the group assignment.

As a new parent to the school system, it is rather annoying to be told that term starts today, to then find out it is the next day, and then have a public holiday on the same week. I am now over my rant on the subject and am finally doing my happy jig again, as finally kids will be in school tomorrow. Yippee, I know it is just for one day this week, but one needed, much deserved day.

How have you faired today? Did you child/children go to care or school? If they did not did you get things done? Send in your thoughts and comments. Remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog.

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3 years and beyond

Sun = Laundry and Playtime

A sunny day with no clouds in the sky, just brilliant! What a great thing to wake up to. If I was not a mother and had a tidy organised house, then it would be off to go walking by myself, oh the joys. Although I can still go out walking which I think I will do, although it will be with kids in the pram. The girls are bigger and probably don’t need to be in the pram, however over a long distance they would get tired. I am not a pack horse and cannot carry bags, shopping, and then two kids to boot. So the pram is the best alternative for walking with kids.

While my focus has been on the nice day, my other focus is getting my washing done. I see sun and say, “I must do some washing”, I have done 3 loads already, the first 2 are on the line and other is still in the machine. The weather report shows that today and tomorrow will be sunny, so I have a good chance to finish the washing. Then sorting and putting it away is the other big job.

You might say, that is the last thing you would do on a nice day, what a waste, WASHING. Well as a mother and one that lives in an area that has had rain nonstop rain, sunny days are rare, and you need to pounce on these to get it all done. I know it is boring, and mundane, however I don’t have a housework fairy to help me.

Wouldn’t that be nice, a housework fairy. You could tell the fairy what you need done, No the fairy would just know, housework fairies just understand your needs (they are good like that). You could then go out and enjoy the sun filled day and relax. If only this was possible. Maybe in the future we will have housework robots that you could programme; you would come home to a nice clean, organised house. I can only dream.

It is not just me that is excited to get their laundry done on a fine day like today, I have spoken to at least four people and they have all rushed off to get it all done. It must be the change in me since having children that fine days are not only play days, they are laundry days as well. What do you do on a sunny day? Do you race off to do your laundry if it has piled up? Or do you forget about it and enjoy the day? Send in your comments.

Remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog.

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3 years and beyond

My helpful girl

Julia again helped me with the housework. She was busy vacuuming, and this time I took pictures. Lillian was a bit scared and maybe next time she will give it a try.

Just had to share. What has your little person helped you with today? Remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog

 

Julia Helping
Julia Helping
Categories
3 years and beyond

Housework and an outing

Before we went out I asked the girls to clean the living room up. This did not happen until Daddy supervised, although this quick job took nearly an hour to do. Why is it that asking kids to do tasks is so difficult? We got staring, crying, and just ignoring the situation to saying that it was all complete, when it was still a big mess.

We ended up getting the living room organised and eventually everyone was showered dressed and ready to get out of the house. All of us finally arrived at the Blackheath Wine Fair; the food looked interesting, seems like we missed the entertainment for the kids, and was looking forward to looking at local producers of wines and tasting some as well.

After we had lunch, well mummy and daddy did and the girls did not eat what I purchased for them, we made our way to the wine part of the fair. They had a $10/person entrance, this covered, a glass for tastings, the fee covered 2 tastings and you also got a bottle of water. It was then revealed to us that for every other tasting after the initial 2, you had to pay $1 each for the privilege.

I do understand that these people are in business, but to showcase your products at a fair by squeezing more money out of you is just annoying and expensive. I think that maybe having a flat fee for entry and allow people to test wines that they are interested in is the way to go. I personally think that if we liked a particular wine and it was not too expensive we probably would have bought it. To slug you with an extra cost to try the products is just rude in my opinion. I know that some people might abuse the fact that you can taste the wine at each stall, however isn’t that the business of selling wine? You have to showcase your product if you want people to buy, and this is a cost of the business that should be factored in to their marketing. So we decided it would be too expensive and a bottle of wine would probably be cheaper, so we left the wine fair.

I think we might have high expectations for events, as one that we went to for Easter Sunday with the girls was not what we expected. On Easter Sunday we went to the Everglades at Leura. It is a lovely garden and is just looking so pretty with the leaves changing colour. It was advertised that there would be an egg hunt for the kids and some other activities. When we got there the egg hunt was already under way. We were only about 10mins late and I thought that we would see it still happening; I assumed that there would be signs and people to ask. I was wrong. Could not find where we were supposed to be. So we missed it. We thought we would have lunch but there seemed to be nothing for kids to eat, not a cheese sandwich/vegemite or even a honey one at the place. So they ate a cupcake and we had to do the same thing as today, give them lunch when we got home. I was very disappointed as we paid $25 to get in and there was not much to do at all. We all had a great walk around the garden and the girls bumped into a friend from pre-school so that was nice.

Since we were in Blackheath we decided to take the kids to the park, both the girls ran around and had a great time. Lillian was pretending to put clothes on the line, and falling over all with a smile on her face. Julia was a bit out of sorts when her balloon burst in the car. It did not help when Lillian said she still had hers. Julia cheered up and not too soon after arriving she was having a ball as well.

We left the park and headed home, the girls finished a sandwich each, which was good since they had no lunch out. Then they were off for some quiet time. I was so exhausted that I had to have a lie down, then after waking I realised that I did not do something.

I had missed going to a party that I said that I would attend. I must have had a brain fail or something, as I knew about it the day or so before and today I totally forgot. I send a big sorry my friend so I hope she forgives me, and I will definitely be there for the next one.

As you can see we have had no luck with local events, and I have missed a party due to forgetfulness, how has your day/weekend been so far? Do you go to events and feel that they should have been better organised? Why is it that kid’s events don’t have proper food for kids? Send in your comments. Remember to vote for us for Best Australian Blog

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3 years and beyond

Helpful Bunny

Daddy and Lillian went to the shops, while Julia stayed with me. Some of this time with Julia was cuddling her as she was upset. Once she was happier, I was finally able to take out the vacuum cleaner out.

I wanted to get the rug clean in the living room and the entire floor. This did not happen as I had planned, as Julia decided she wanted to vacuum. She wanted to do it all by herself. So the rug was done by Julia, she also helped me wipe down the coffee tables and tidy up before her great aunt and girlfriend came for lunch.

I was very impressed that she was helping, and when Daddy and Lillian got home he saw Julia vacuuming in the living room. She was so proud of herself for helping and doing it all on her own. Now I just wish more of the floor got done, so it really needs to get done again by mummy/daddy, but more likely mummy.

Today I was very pleased that we got some one on one time with the girls. It is hard to separate them and it was good to see that they both wanted to do different things, and they were not upset with not being together. Need to work to do more of this.

Julia seems to be taking more of an active role in helping and doing things around the house. Lillian is as well, but not as much as Julia currently. I am sure it will happen with time.  Do your kids help you around the house? Is it helpful? How do you work with kids and do housework? What are your tips and tricks?