women on the homestead, and do we dare lay down for a nap!!!!

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Hi all you over worked women, As I was cleaning out the refrigerator, first time I got to it in months, and when there is something green in the back hanging on for dear life, you know its bad. Its early morning, and I got to get out and help Tom pick figs,I got to get a load of Laundry in washer,and sweep this floor, better get something out of the freezer for supper,put the jars in dish washer for cleaning, got to make fig jam also. Tried to take nap yesterday, Tom comes in and says, you sick or something, where is my lunch. and I need your help holding post straight while I put cement around it. I feel like I am going around in circles,Tom says, If you were more organized, and just do one thing at a time, instead of everything at once, you wouldn"t have all these problems, HA what does he know!!!! Well thats my thoughts for today, Love Irene

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), July 18, 2001

Answers

We men are such thoughtful, wonderful, sensitive (and, if I may, humble) creatures, aren't we? Certainly don't blame you women for falling in love with us.

-- paul (wprimeroselane@msn.com), July 18, 2001.

It sure is nice to hear of someone else going in circles. There are some days I feel so behind I don't know where to start. Just remember, it is worth it in the end. I keep thinking that things will settle down and go at an easier pace, but would we know what to do with ourselves, probably only get into trouble. Joanie

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), July 18, 2001.

Men!! Gotta Love 'Em!! Well mine will have a nice surprise when he gets home! A litter of pigs was just born! Only a day after his birthday!! Everyone have a great day out there!!!

-- susie Yeager (susiemby@samlink.com), July 18, 2001.

I really believe a nap is the most SPECIAL treat I do for myself. I try to reserve it for Sunday afternoons but summer is so hectic... I think any day is just great. I usually announce that is my plan and it seems to help!!!!! If I am allowed this luxury once a week, I feel great. DW

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.com), July 18, 2001.

If you feel you need a nap, just do it! I used no not lay down either for the same reason--are you sick or something? Well now I will lay down and when I get back up it is like starting the day all over fresh! Your mind is not so jumbled and you have more energy. It's not like the work won't still be there when you get up--and if it's not-(Husband might do it)--that's even better. We are not Superwoman and should not be expected to do ten dozen things at once-- even though we usually do. A friend gave this to me the last time I complained(Grandma)....it's kind of long....but a good reminder. LORD, THANK YOU! Lord, thank you for this sink full of dirty dishes. We have plenty of food to eat. Thank you for this pile of dirty laundry. We have plenty of nice clothes to wear. And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds. They were so warm and comfortable last night. I know many have no bed. My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory, they are so convinient. Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting badly. It has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals. Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. It has baked so many things over the years. The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing, the lawn that needs raking; we all enjoy the yard. Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door. My kids are healthy and able to run and play. Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

-- (stephanie.wilkerson@experian.com), July 18, 2001.


Congrats on the litter of pigs Susie! And Happy Birthday Jeff!

Irene, "Where is my lunch"? You have got to be kiddin? ;)

I must admit that if I lay down in the middle of the day everyone asks if I am sick. Where if DH (its dear today, he is taking me to the movies tonight, and hauling my winter hay for me this Saturday!!! Yeah!) lays down during the day it is expected! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), July 18, 2001.


Male/Female Differences

WOMEN

~Women have strengths that amaze men. They carry children, they carry hardships, they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love, and joy. ~They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. ~They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. ~Women wait by the phone for a "safe at home call" from a friend after a snowy drive home. ~They are childcare workers, executives, attorneys, stay-at-home moms, biker babes, and your neighbors. ~They wear suits, jeans, and they wear uniforms. ~They fight for what they believe in. They stand up for injustice. ~They walk and talk the extra mile to get their children in the right schools and get their family the right health care. ~They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. ~Women are honest, loyal, and forgiving. ~They are smart, knowing that knowledge is power. But they still know how to use their softer side to make a point. ~Women want to be the best for their family, their friends, and themselves. ~Their hearts break when a friend dies. They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. ~A woman can make a romantic evening unforgettable. ~Women come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes. They live in homes, apartments, and cabins. They drive, fly, walk, run, or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. ~The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin! Women do more than just give birth. They bring joy and hope. They give compassion and ideals. ~They give moral support to their family and friends. And all they want back is a hug, a smile, and for you to do the same to people you come in contact with.

MEN

~Men are good at lifting heavy stuff.

-- TomK (tjk@cac.net), July 18, 2001.


Irene,

I hate to admit it but the "if you were more organized" phrase rings true with me. I work very hard and do not get anywhere because I am constantly "putting out fires". I left the sugar out and the toddler dumps it and makes a bigger mess, etc.

I started (a week ago) a program for us unorganized, creative thinking messies that is really helping me. My house is so much cleaner (and organized), I have more time for my projects, and I am working less hard (just smarter).

It doesn't cost anything.

Look up more info at www.flybaby.net

My sisters (all with small kids) and my mother (taking care of my ailing Grandma) all started on this. I really love it (so does my husband).

It is like fire prevention instead of fire fighting.

Amy

-- Amy Richards (amysgarden2@earthlink.net), July 18, 2001.


I take this situation seriously than most of you do. Irene might be having marital difficulties. No jokes from my keyboard.

-- rICK#7 (Rick7@postmark.net), July 18, 2001.

Naw, Rick, she is just plain tired!

-- Ardie from WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), July 18, 2001.


Tom K, what a NEAT sense of humor you have! Great dissertation on women & men!

-- Bonnie (chilton@stateline-isp.com), July 18, 2001.

I am paraphrasing here, but I read a joke on a Christian forum recently that went something like this:

A husband came home from work and found toys and bicycles strewn in the driveway. The mail was overflowing the mailbox. Concerned, he became even more alarmed when he found the front and back doors standing wide open, the house ransacked with food, clothing, and other objects all over the floors and furniture. The TV and radio were blaring and every light in the house was on. The kitchen was a disaster with cereal and milk on the floor, a bowl of dirt half spilled all over the counter, and God knows what blown up inside the microwave. The children were missing. The phone was ringing off the hook and the answering machine light was flashing like a Christmas tree. Had something awful happened? Was someone terribly sick?

He found his wife upstairs in bed, happily munching on a box of bonbons, an empty Dorito bag at her feet, watching soap operas. "What is going on?", he cried!

"You know all the things I do every day that no one seems to notice or care about, well today I didn't."

-- Lori in SE Ohio (klnprice@yahoo.com), July 18, 2001.


Hi Irene, do all of you remember the song that goes "Lord, it's hard to be humble when I'm perfect in every way --- " Take your nap every day at the same time and they will get used to it, and more importantly, leave you alone. I take 30 most days, minutes, not number of naps! And the most organized people I have ever run into has about 10 Irons in the fire at once, another old ranchers saying meaning productive. Maureen

-- Maureen Stevenson (maureen@mtaonline.net), July 18, 2001.

Thank you for all your great answers. Tom is really a good husband, and hard worker. and very organized and I am not.

I loved pauls answer, sounds like a real sweetheart.stephanie I will put that on the refrigerator, the next time I get crazy, As far as the lunch is concern, tom can"t boil water.and the next time I lay down, I will put a sandwich and something for him in refrigerator. I love the fact that there are others out there like me,Love Irene

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), July 19, 2001.


Amy, I went to www.flybaby.net but it's just someone's baby pictures. I couldn't find any home orgainzation tips. Am I missing something?

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), July 19, 2001.


I think naps are my favorite thing in the world! they can turn a bad day around, refresh, and also just give you a break! My friend has a scheduled naps from 1 pm to 2 or 3 pm every day. She finds she really needs it and we all know about it and don't call if possible. She still makes her hubby lunch too! 12 pm sharp. I too amd totally disorganised and will be looking up that site. Funny you mention the toddler with the sugar bowl. I entered the kitchen last week to find mine eating from ours with a soup spoon! Thanks for letting me know I am not the only tired, over run woman out there.

-- Alison in N.S. (aproteau@istar.ca), July 19, 2001.

Sorry - I posted the wrong web address-

Try www.flylady.net

Amy

-- Amy Richards (amysgarden2@earthlink.net), July 19, 2001.


Most all women are terribly organized even when they appear to be "running in circles!"

How many men (I know there are a few but they certainly aren't a majority!) can juggle caring for a couple of toddlers, answering a constantly ringing phone for a home business, cooking, washing, and doing a hundred things at once.....Men focus on one thing at a time usually...women don't usually have that option!!!!

My kids are grown now but my days are still REALLY FULL!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), July 19, 2001.


Irene, your life sounds very familiar to me! I just got back from a family reunion where I didnt have to cook every single meal, and I was actually able to go fishing! As soon as I got home, the demands slapped me in the face. "I wonder if we could have some fresh corn for supper?" "Sure! That sounds wonderful!" (And guess who never even thought of offering to go pick it for us?) Picker, husker, cleaner and cooker all rolled into one- that's me! Oh well.. I'm getting back into the grove of things.

But one thing is for sure. I am not going to lay down my life for a clean house if I absolutely need a nap. I clean twice as fast when well rested, anyhow.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), July 19, 2001.


I take a nap at least 4-5 days out of the week. I get up around 5 to get out in the garden and work and water before it gets steaming hot around here, get some housework done and by noon I'm tired!!! I lay down anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. It does wonders for me! Then as it cools off here around 7 ish we all go outside and work, pick, water till nearly dark. I stay up till nearly 12 lately with all this summer work going on. It's so hot here in Tex the middle of the day is spent inside. No my house isn't clean all the time, but I'm canning, making salsa, spaghetti sauce, all the usual stuff. The housework will still be there when I wake up and if I don't get to it today, I'll get to it tommorrow, or next week, or next month. Yes, I feel like I'm going around in circles also. Organized NOT!! I learned a long time ago to not sweat the small stuff, do what you HAAAAVE to do today and the rest will wait till morrow. Garden produce doesn't wait so thats what I'm doing mostly these days. just my two cents. Carol

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), July 20, 2001.

I KEEP A FULL JAR AS A REMINDER OF THIS STORY I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY: PHILOSOPHY 101 A philosophy professor stood before his young class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2 inches in diameter. He them asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of coursed, rolled into the open spaces between the rocks. He then asked the students, again, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The students laughed. The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. Now, said the professor, I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things--your health, your family, your partner, your children--things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter--food, shelter... The sand is everything else--the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no foom for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Take time to get a medical checkup. Take your partner out dancing. Play with your children. There will always be time to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

-- Pat (ZUMENDE@aol.com), July 21, 2001.

I remember when my grandparents were up at 5 a.m. everyday (I stayed with them most of the summers until I was 17) and at noon ate lunch and rested from 12:30-1:30 everyday. Noone bothered them during that time. They would get up and immediately get back to their chores. My grandmother in her huge garden and my grandfather was back in the barn or field. I miss those days, but learned to take a daily 30 minute nap myself and found that it truly does make a difference mentally and physically. jenn

-- jenn (normaj3@countrylife.net), July 22, 2001.

is anyone still reading this thread? what's a nap? irene, if i'm not doing 3 things at once, i'm asked to do even more. sometimes i just want to run to the barn and hide-but the kids are too young to leave alone. i swear i wish i had two seperate pairs of arms-life would be easier!!

-- laura (okgoatgal@hotmail.com), April 03, 2002.

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