Fridays

I love Fridays.

Now, it's not because the weekend is upon us, because frankly, when you are at home with your kids and not working, every one of the 7 days of the week are the same. But, I still love Fridays. Usually, the girls and I get to spend time with my Mom, but she's having to work lately.

No, the reason I love Fridays is because I wake up to a very clean house. You see, on Thursdays, we have housegroup here. It's a ton of fun, but from 5-7, Jason and I furiously clean up! The kitchen, the toy room, the bathroom, even the girl's rooms. No one even sees the girl's rooms (since it starts at 7:30, and by then they have been alseep for a bit) but it's just a "tidy-time" for us. Floors get washed....the works. Then we relax and have a fun, and worshipful evening with friends.

So my house is very tidy. And I like that. All I need to worry about today is dinner. I think I'll do a "Panic Roast". Do you know what that is? It's awesome and simple! In the morning, you take a Frozen Roast out of your freezer, and put the whole frozen thing in your crockpot. Then you cover it completely with boiling water (make sure it's boiling!) Put the lid on, and set it on low. (for about 8 hours.)

Done.

When it's done, you see a roast floating in a clear meat-broth. Not too pretty, but let me tell you, it's so tender! I use the cheapest cut of meat I can find for this, and it's still tender as anything! And the bonus is that you can use the broth it cooked in to make soup! You don't even need to strain it. Take out the roast, and immediately thow in all kinds of veggies. Onion, salt, potatos, bits of your roast.....and let it continue cooking on High for the evening. Before you go to bed, you'll have tomorrow's supper already done! Put it in the fridge, and you've made two massive meals without ANY work! It's a GOOD THING.

So after telling you a cooking tip (notice it's always a short-cut with me) I have to say that I had a "light-bulb" moment the other day.

Being at home takes administrative skills. To organize breakfast, dressing kids, play time, lunch, school, picking-up, dropping-off, making supper, cleaning, bath times, bedtimes, laundry.....and then putting time into your marriage, church stuff, friendships....

It's multi-tasking like never before. And you wanna know something? THAT'S NOT MY GIFT! I think that's why I find it overwhelming at times. I'm doing a job that I'm not very good at. Don't pity me "ahhhh....poor Yvonne....you are TOO doing a great job!" I think I'm a good parent (when I can keep my frustration from showing) mainly because I'm a social person. Kids are 100% social, and that's right up my ally. However, the organization of running a home....I'm just not very good at that.

Perhaps it's a learned thing. I'm finding meals VERY hard to do. I feel stressed just at the thought! I think it's because for the last 12 years, I've worked during supper. I was teaching from 3:30 - 8. So Jason did the cooking. (He's very organized, and is a pro at multi-tasking and cooking too!) So this is the FIRST year that I've been responsible for meals.

So maybe I'll get used to it...learn the ropes. Yesterday I thought "Wow...I think I'm frustrated because I'm just not very good at this...and I HAVE do it! And WITHOUT a paycheque!"

So the sooner we get rich, the better! haha. Then I'll hire a cook. Just like Oprah.