Dust in the Wind

Yesterday, we were on our way back home from a day at my husband's parents' house. We were doing our typical debrief session (do you do that on your way home, too?) and I told my hubby that I observed how his mom is always looking for something to do in order to maintain their home. She rarely sits down to watch television or surf the net. Here what our debrief looked sounded like:

A: Your mom mentioned that she vacuumed and dusted before she came to our house on Tuesday, just because she had a few extra minutes. I wish we were more like that.

B: Yeah, me too.

A: She's so lucky she didn't grow up in the internet generation. She doesn't know all the things she's missing online.

B: That's true [laughter]. I wish we did more of that kind of cleaning on a regular basis, too. We never dust and we rarely vacuum. I've never dusted since moving in to our house.

A: I dust all the time.

B: Oh, you do?

A: Yes.

B: I was wondering why it wasn't more dusty. Thanks for doing that!

We both laughed. At least he's grateful, right?

More About Me

My friend, Laura Beth, pointed me to this article. I'll never look like June Cleaver, but I definitely do many of the traditionally feminine chores in my house. Like this author, I actually don't mind doing most of the laundry, cooking, and cleaning. I also do watering and some weeding, though my hubby does things like edging (well, he's done this once. Yesterday, in fact) and mowing (I'm allergic to grass!). I'll willingly admit that sometimes I actually enjoy gender roles, like when it's snowed 20 inches and it's -20 below here in Minnesota. Then I really love gender roles. And yes, I do feel guilty about liking it sometimes.



So, I'm actually okay with the chores I do (for the most part). My husband shares them with me as equally as possible for someone in residency.



It's the kin work that puts me over the edge! Which makes sense, I suppose, because it's women's third shift.

Motherhood

I was reading my friend, Emily's, blog and was so relieved. Emily and I both have sons who are only nine days apart in age, so I can relate to her wholeheartedly on many levels. We're living parallel lives from different parts of the country!

Check out Emily's blog:
http://bonafidebites.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/235/

In the linked post, Emily describes how the transition to full-time, at home motherhood was challenging. I can definitely relate. Being an almost-stay-at-home mom (I teach part-time), at first, everything seemed so much harder. Everything. From showering to brushing my teeth to eating to cleaning to everything under the sun. And it's true, all of these things are harder having a little one around. Things have gotten much easier. Partially because of his age, I think. But I have started seeing this difficulty more as an honor. I'm fortunate to be a mother, I love being a mother, and I love, love, love my son. Yes, he makes things harder. But he also makes many things more fun and more fulfilling. Take the good with the hard, right?

What does this all mean for kin work and the third shift? To be determined.

P.S. Emily, how are you getting all your chores done in 15 minutes? Can you teach me?