Queen of the Castle: Week 1

Colletta is running this 'project' and I sure do mean running, as to me anything to do with housekeeping, homemaking, managing, wifelification, home economist, home engineer, and all that jazz, is more of a marathon than an everyday occurrence.

Colletta has done a lovely introduction to the book, which you can read here, so I shan't repeat it, but just add my thoughts.
The first observation which made an impression on me was the conflict between the worldly view of a homemaker and the Godly woman's view of the same. Its difficult not to succumb to the worldly view often and often, I have found.

How many times has any Mother felt worthless, or useless, or on the wrong path, or just plain inferior, because she chooses to not work outside the home...as if there isn't a million times more work inside the home! How many of us have, or know friends, with small children, invalid family members, elderly parents or in-laws, who help with Sunday Schools and Church activities, Mothers' Union, look after working mothers' children after school or when they are sick, keep open house,and are then regularly envied because we 'do nothing' all day?

I have to laugh, really I do!

The women with the salaries, do they have to patch the bath towels, knit dishcloths from string, cut down clothes for another child to wear, grow their own veg, and scan every article on 'Thrifty Housekeeping' to cross their paths?
Heck! We are the ones who should be writing the Thrifty Housekeeping articles; it may be a 'life choice' for the salary earners, but its a way of life for us homemakers!

The second thing which struck me in the course of reading Chapter One was the realisation that I don't think I have my attitude in balance at all.
If I am a homemaker then what exactly are my priorities, after my God?
Husband.
Children.
Parents, brother and sisters.
And then the wider community; Church members, School staff and children, friends.
And finally, when all else is done, any projects like the Etsy Shop and commissions, and personal projects.

I have let the order become skewed, with School taking precedence over home, and the Shop rising slowly up the list of priorities.
Wrongly so.

So this week my aim is to redress the balance, in my own head as well as in my actions. To look after the family members with my whole heart rather than resent the time they take away from making dolls or playing with fabric.

Small aim, perhaps...but as L.B.W. says in the first Chapter- eternal repercussions!

Waahay! Post!

Look what arrived in the post this morning:-
Colletta emailed me before Christmas to say I had won one of her book giveaways. I was delighted, and then the bad weather arrived which resulted in no post for nearly a fortnight. However this morning there was a clunk on the doormat and THERE it was!

I tell you, I was so pleased that I made myself a big cuppa tea, stretched out on the sofa and began reading! Thank you Colletta, I am so enjoying 'Jingle Bell Babies'!

And a day on the sofa has done me good too as I am still far from well, but with the house full of family have been dashing round like a mad thing keeping up with laundry, meals, cleaning, airing the dogs, mopping up snow puddles, etc etc- just usual mother things. So I guess I'm twice grateful!

My favourite mug with Winnie-the-Pooh came to grief this evening, boo hoo. B was very sorry too as she broke it.

The wind has been howling since yesterday afternoon, now with sleet and snow added. It is wearing listening to it but I'm thankful for a warm, snug house (which hasn't always been the case). Sos and B made supper this evening, when I said salads I meant various dishes, but they misunderstood and put everything together in one big bowl, including all the Christmas leftovers!!!