I really like being a homemaker

Same story here (well, a little different).

A couple of years ago, I went back to school full time. Before the semester was over, I realized how good I have it at home. After one semester back, I decided to stay home and have another baby (my fourth, who is now 2 months old).

I'm still going to go back and finish getting my degree, but not til all the kids are in school. I don't plan on using the degree unless I have to (like, if I become a single parent all of the sudden). For now, there is PLENTY of work at home to keep me busy. I don't know how I could ever swing having a job and doing all that too! Being my husbands "hired hand" on our farm and ranch is a job in itself!

Very clever.

OK, I don't get it.

Welcome Sue!
Andrea

On that show, there was a character named Sue Ann Nivens (played by Betty White) who hosted a cooking show called The Happy Homemaker. She had a, um, unique personality and you wouldn't want to meet her in real life, but she was a great TV character.

She was a scream. Love Betty White.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

Can I start referring to you as Encyclopedia Beckster!

I don't want to meet you in Trivial Pursuit!

And I loved Sue Ann too! She was a hoot!

Jana

I too have to say that I love the screen name. Made me laugh!

Welcome, Sue!

I haven't really worked outside the home in about 2-3 years (one of the benefits of freelancing), but I also hadn't done all that much IN the home until quite recently. I just couldn't be bothered unless I literally had no more clean dishes to eat off of, or some similar situation arose.

About two months ago (I have trouble believing I've kept it going that long) I finally started actively tending to my home on a regular basis. It's funny how the stuff one can't be bothered to do can turn out to be rather enjoyable. Of course, there are exceptions - I would gladly outsource the cleaning of my bathroom - but most of the work passes by so quickly and pleasantly that it's actually kind of soothing.

I've been quick in finding out my favourites. Cooking, of course, is in a category of its own. I can go all day on nothing but coffee and nicotine, spend an hour and a half walking home from the supermarket with groceries, and still have no trouble spending another two hours on my feet chopping, stirring and sauteeing because it's just this Zen thing. Ironing would probably be a close second. There's just something about the steamed scent of fresh laundry that's relaxing despite the heat and time involved. Plus, it turns out that freshly ironed bedsheets (especially of the high-thread-count variety) feel rather incredible; I hadn't actually experienced ironed sheets before in my life until I ran across the section in Cheryl Mendelson's Home Comforts showing how to do it.

Part of the enjoyment probably comes from actually becoming acquainted with the results of consistently taking care of one's home: not being embarrassed to have guests over (my younger sister once burst into tears over the condition of my apartment), not dealing with the depression and overwhelm of living in a place where so much isn't done that you don't even know where to start, and the coziness and comfort that comes from being in a place where you know where everything is located, where you don't have to dust off your feet if you walk barefoot...What's really funny is that I don't even know where all the crap that would otherwise be covering my bedroom floor and dining room table even went.

I think Cheryl Mendelson's right about another thing, too. In her introduction, she describes homemaking as one of the least alienated (in the Marxian sense) forms of work currently existing. That, I daresay, is spot on. When I translate or edit, I enjoy the fee check that comes in (immensely, I might add), but the finished product I produce is not something that I derive any use or enjoyment out of. When I spend time cooking or taking care of my home, I actually get to enjoy the result directly. There's a lot to be said for that.

After I was let go from my job, I thought that I'd get back on my feet and get back out there, but since I haven't found one yet, I've been focusing on th homefront.
Wow. Where did this woman come from?
I'm cooking, cleaning, getting more social (where as before I was too tired) and (gasp!) wearing more skirts!
I recently got a '66 Singer Featherweight at a STEAL ($40 for a perfect, like-new machine!) and found out that I enjoy sewing. Yesterday, I made an apron (the pre-printed fabric was cheap. $.85/yd.). I knew of a guy who fixed and cleaned sewing machines and when I had him look at it, his wife invited me to her weekly quilting group (actually, they do anything they like. It's an excuse to get together.LOL).
I've also started up a group to learn "Really Old Skool Skilz" as I call it. We're going to learn stuff like canning, knitting, etc.

I don't want to go back to the "workforce"!!!!!

BTW: Although I've never seen the MTM show, I loved Betty White in "Golden Girls".

Ohhhhh man! you should see the cutie I received as a Christmas gift this year...it's brushed twill (feels like flannel) with velvet ribbons sewn on the front and faux fur trim at the top and bottom. Swwwwwweeeet! DH is still waiting for me to wear that one for him (sans anything else )

My other favorite is a royal blue-and-white gingham that has a cross stitch design along the hem. That one was in my DGranny's things and was certainly sewn prior to the mid-seventies when she moved in with us...I treasure it!

Blessings,
Lenora
"...if woman's work is never done, why bother about how much of it [isn't] getting done at any given moment?"
~ Claire Fraser in The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon