Wednesday 25 June 2008

Struggling with Juggling!


I aspire to be an 'on to it' domestic goddess/business woman, to have an immaculately clean and spotless home, provide tasty, imaginative and nutritious meals for my family while looking glamorous at all times as I whip out the door to volunteer at The Princess's school, help in the warehouse at Babes work, wrap and post Internet shop sales, craft, complete swaps, blog, maintain family and friend relationships and so on and on and on.

The reality is that if I can keep my bathrooms and floors clean, keep up with the washing and provide my family with endless, boring but nutritious casseroles cooked all day in the slow cooker as I dash out the door to do all the above mentioned in my faithful blue jeans and a dash of lipstick on a good day, then I am doing ok.
Why is it that this year I am really struggling with juggling the demands of everyday life? Why can't I be the successful 'on to it' domestic goddess/business woman I want to be?

Well as my best friend Mary Thistle said while she was visiting this weekend gone, its because people like her and I and many, many, many others, are perfectionists and control freaks! How true!!!

This control freak is feeling ever so slightly out of control, a lot like the queen in the picture below, except I am crownless and wearing blue jeans!


The sickness in our home continues, Babes has had a head cold/chest infection for 8 days, Tom our Korean son has had it for 6 days, The Princess now has a sinus infection and me, well just the usual ongoing sinus and chest infections. I truly do feed us well but with two kids at school mingling with other germy kids and a change in temperature, now very cold and wet in Auckland it is all to be expected. Neurofen and Antibiotics are now a regular addition to our diet!

But among all this sickness we are doing things!!! The Princess had her first school disco on Friday night, what a crack up. Babes and I both went, too cute watching the junior school boogying away with their glow sticks!!!


She also has her first school trip. I was a Mummy helper, it was mammoth. 90 five and six year olds who travelled on a bus, a ferry, lots of walking in downtown Auckland City, a train and another bus all within 4 1/2 hours. We managed without loosing anyone!! The Princess is sitting here on the school steps with her friend Amy waiting for the first bus.


I have been doing lots of work at Babes work, quite a bit of volunteering at The Princess's school and a lot of Internet selling so I haven't had much time for treasure hunting. This urn is the only thing I have managed to 'acquire' recently. My Mum thinks its hideous, I love it!!!


I would have loved to have joined all the different parties that have been going on in blog world recently but just too busy. Anyway I have come up with some 'Blue' for Sara at Sadie Olive's , Shades of Inspiration, 'Blue' week. Its funny because I didn't think I did much blue anymore until I bought Victoria mag and remembered I have a whole collection of blue china . . .


in my living room cabinet . . .


which shows how often I dust these days if I am forgetting what is before my very eyes!!!


I am going to try to be a better blogger and post and comment more often than I have in the past few months. I do visit you all but haven't been commenting due to time constraints. However, I have dusted off (see I do dust occasionally!) my red diary to become a step closer to that more organised, highly in control person I am looking for!!!

Rachaelxo

17 comments:

Katrina said...

Hi! I am hearing you about being all things for all people. I am definitely one of those control freaks. I like to do everything myself, but recently I realised that I was going to go back to work, I have to let others help. You have good days and bad days don't you?

Alison Gibbs said...

Hi Rachael, it is way too hard to be involved in so many things and then maintain your sanity. Sometimes we have to step back and let others do some of the things we are do.
Take care
Alison

Anonymous said...

Life is complicated you must chose what makes you happiest!
Take care,
Diane

Anonymous said...

I needed to hear that comment... thank you. Susie H

Our Home Schooler and Jen said...

praying you all feel better real soon

LOVE Princess disco look

HUGS
Jen

Connie said...

Rachael, I consider myself a slacker, my little dove! I can't get all done that I want to in one day!!!

As for what you do, sweetpea, the single most important thing is being Mummy! Don't doubt me on this one cuz I'll win!! She is a doll......
Smoochies and stop being so hard on yourself. Sometimes here it's "quick, think of what we can eat for dinner"!!
Connie

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

don't forget that us creative types often have better things to do than keep house too!

Lori said...

i am having lots of trouble with the juggling thing too lately...there is just not enough time in the day, that is the problem...we need longer days...your daughter looks so cute at her disco!!! hope you all are feeling better soon:)

Muriel said...

Hi Rachael. This time of the year is hectic. We are "people pleasers" too much to do, so little time.
I send you another e mail :) Hope you all feel better real soon !!! BTW The princess looks too cute at the disco :) Take care
Hugs Muriel

ShabbyInTheCity said...

I know what you need!!! Martha Stewart has it and it enables her to be the person you want to be...a staff ;)

CIELO said...

cute kids.... and pretty blue/white dishes!

Have a great day Rachael!

cielo

Sugar Bear said...

I don't think there are many true domestic goddesses out there. Even those you see on tv probably don't have it as together as they would like us to think! I hope you are all feeling better soon - how icky to all be sick!
Karla

Unknown said...

Hi Dear Rachael! I know just how you feel as I am the very same way. But you sound like you are getting so much done to me! And with a sick family at that! I am so sorry you have all been ill and hope things get better soon! I have missed you!

Love you lots!
Amy

Anonymous said...

Definitely your most important job right now is being a mum to your precious ones, everything else will have to fall behind that. It looks like they are very blessed to have a mum like you.

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Rachel, Was delighted to have you at theVintageNest. Sometimes we just have to shut the door to those rooms we can't keep clean. :) Love your cherub urn and your blue things. ~ Have a super great day. ~ Lynn

Amy said...

*sigh* I think blogger was having issues yesterday as it wouldnt let me comment so I'll try again. I think sometimes we have a false image of how we'd like ourselves and our households to be. You and me live in the real world and it's sometimes not that way in reality. All we can do is our best. My house is clean and tidy but I don't do spotless with 3 children and a husband - it's too stressful. Don't beat yourself up about it - just do what you can.

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Let me just say that you are not alone, no one is perfect, and you might as well just give up the quest to get it together! We can't get it all together unless we have a Martha-sized staff. I used to try to be amazing and I have finally given up. It was impossible, even with a pretty red notebook!!! :-)

Now I settle for slightly disheveled, slightly put together (sometimes my hair is good, sometimes my nails, sometimes my clothes, but rarely all three on the same day!). And my house is always just so so now. Kids are the priority and busyness usually takes over the rest...I have to just let go of expectations. That has been hard but good for me.

Take care and don't be too hard on yourself!

xoxoxo

xoxo