Ugh. We Have a Problem!

My problem comes in the form of menu issues.  It's 5.30pm.  I don't feel like eating meatloaf and I don't feel like making it either.  *deep sigh*  I think this is one of those days when I would happily accept an impromptu invitation to go somewhere else for dinner.

Upon deeper investigation I have discovered some good news and some bad news.  The good news is that I have a half kilo pack of mince in the freezer.  I thought I only had a full kilo ~ too much for a single meal.  The bad news?  No onions or garlic left to be had.  Perhaps rissoles will do.  And vegies.

Even the best planning cannot outwit the 'blah' feeling that comes over a girl some days.

Moan.  Groan.

How Do You Do It?

This evening I was asked by a friend "how do you do it?".  My daughters attend a bible study group once a fortnight, and for the past two months, or so, my staff meetings have clashed.  We'd resorted to meeting at a carpark and swapping children into different cars there.  Tonight I had the freedom of enjoying a cuppa with my friend, where she wondered how on earth I manage to cope with staff meetings that finish late in the day.

I believe you could ask this question of two hundred different working mothers and discover two hundred different answers.  What works for me will be quite different to what works for other women, and their families.  And yet each story is surely of equal value, in that in the sharing of those stories perhaps other women will gain insight, ideas and realise there are all kinds of different ways to tackle this role, should they find themselves in the place of "Working Mother".  May I just start, however, with the comment that I was fully committed to being a SAHM, until my children had all started school, and even a couple of years beyond that.  I, in fact, had no desire to work outside of home for a very long time.  God did a lot of work on me to get me to the point that I would consider working.  So let me share with you what makes it work for me.

1. I work in the same place that my children spend their day.  I am blessed to be in a position where I do not need to split my priorities between my most precious little people and my work.  My children come to school early with me, and leave late with me.  And my fellow colleagues are very accommodating in allowing them some after-school privileges in the library.  So long as that privilege is never abused, they will be able to continue to enjoy the trust they have, thus far, gained.
2. My husband has been very supportive of what I do, as he has been when I have suggested that I would like to study on top of everything else.  He willingly has the children at the office, on occasion, after school and usually a day or so during each term's work break.  His willingness to be flexible has a huge positive impact on my ability to do what I do.  I know sometimes the arrangements that are required can be inconvenient, but he makes it happen anyway.
3. There is much planning that goes into our meals, as regular readers would have seen.  I carefully consider my work schedule and days off as I plan our week's meals.  I plan meals that are quick for our busy days and more time consuming meals for days when I know I'll be home by 4pm and have nowhere to be for the rest of the evening.  Sometimes I mess that up a bit, but the kids are old enough to eat a little late and not be too perturbed or think they've been unreasonably starved.
4. I have learned to say 'no'.  A valuable skill for a busy servant-hearted person!  I hold the opinion that anyone can ask me to do something, but that doesn't obligate me to say yes.  The year Mr Busy was in Preschool taught me that I simply cannot do everything that comes my way, and I began to value a yearly review of what I do.  Learning how to seek God as I make these decisions has been invaluable, and a process I always employ when I consider significant commitments.
5. My standards for housekeeping are perhaps lower and somewhat unacceptable to more diligent homemakers.  I, however, recognise that I simply cannot keep up a really high standard and stay sane.  I sweep the floors when they bug me.  I clean bathrooms when I notice they need it.  The kids help with emptying the dishwasher and doing other dishes....some days the dishes don't get done.  And I'm OK with that.  Clutter bugs me, so things never get completely out of control.  You may find the kitchen benches a little overrun and there may be a pile or two in the lounge room ready to head out to the caravan.  That's as bad as it gets.  I rarely have much input into how the kids keep their rooms beyond a quarterly clean out.  If they can stand their own mess, I can shut their doors.
6. I confess to being a bit Nazi-like when it comes to having the kids clean up behind themselves.  I will call them back and have them finish a task or put something they have used away, rather than doing it myself.  The path of least resistance is not necessarily the best.  I strongly object to being the only one doing all the work when everyone else gets to relax and watch telly!
7. As strange as this may seem, I ensure that I have things built into my days that I know I will enjoy.  While each thing would appear to be something else that must be done, this is not how I view these activities.  Reading a book when I hope into bed.  Stitching evenings once a fortnight.  Book Club once every six weeks and the occasional women's function at church as well as the more unexpected things like a quick cuppa with a friend.  All of these things build an added measure of joy into each week and provide something to look forward to.
8. How I cope with my work week also has a lot to do with how I feel about my workplace and the people I work with.  My workplace is a living, breathing example of a Christian community where we each practise what it is to be committed to the larger body of Christ.  I work with amazing men and women for whom I have deep respect and great affection.  I find myself blessed whenever I am in a position to be a measure of support and encouragement to my colleagues, although receiving anything for myself is rarely my motivation. 

I'm sure there are many more bits and pieces that I have forgotten to mention.  Perhaps a part two will evolve as I think about this in the wee hours of the morning during regular bouts of insomnia.

How do YOU do it and cope with your busy schedule?

Monday's Menu Plan: Week Beginning 8 November

Today has been a perfectly beautiful spring day.  Warmth, sunshine and an unexpected visit with a friend late in the day have been quite a treasure.  I don't really feel like I've 'worked'.  Not when you spend the afternoon languishing in the sunshine on the pretense of supervising children who are fully engaged in their activity!  Having leftover lasagna in the fridge, ready to go for dinner when unexpected things happen, is definitely the best thing ever.  No cooking dinner beyond warming it up.  Can you tell I'm feeling a little smug right now?!  I always do when I manage to organise myself so well.  I wish I managed it more often!

In the meantime, planning the week's meals is as organised as I'm inclined to get, for now.

Monday:  Leftover lasagna
Tuesday: Bacon wrapped chicken, vegies
Wednesday:  Meatloaf, vegies
Thursday:  Ants Climbing Trees
Friday:  African drumsticks, salad (or vegies)
Saturday:  Tacos
Sunday:  Minestrone, homemade dinner rolls

We may end up with guests for lunch on Sunday as well as Friday night dinner.  I think I may need to dig into Nigella Feast for some inspiration.

Speaking of inspiration, I have some for the wheat-free eaters amongst us.  I've re-discovered the humble rice paper sheet recently and have been enjoying them filled with lettuce, carrot, bean shoots, finely sliced chicken (from leftover drumsticks) and hoisin sauce for flavour.  When you have no bread in the house that is suitable, this makes a great alternative for lunch and is really no more difficult than making salad sandwiches, although slightly more time consuming.  I say slightly, only because each rice paper sheet must be soaked in warm water for about 30 seconds.  I've also discovered that Woolworths have corn tortillas (Select brand) that are gluten free.  I've bought some but haven't tried them yet.  They seem far more flexible than the specifically made gluten free alternative.  I reckon I could try Nigella's Quesadillas with a reasonable expectation of success!  In fact, I could even do this at school, on the George Foreman style grill thingy.  Ahh, now there's some inspiration.

Mini Adventures

This arrived on my bench on Thursday afternoon.  I can't tell you how excited I was....am.  Unfortunately for me, it arrived at a time when my brother was visiting and not long enough before I had to pick up my kids.  I would have put it straight into action, but for the time.  Between picking up kids and having two little nieces arrive for a 'sleepover' I made a double batch of chocolate chip bikkies.  Oh wow!!!  That machine didn't even blink at the heavy dough.  It just whirred away doing what it was designed to do, with perfect ease.

Our next adventure:  Shopping with a 5yo and 7yo.  "Can you buy this?" was the cry of the evening.  Even after I pointed out that they would never get to consume whatever they were asking for!  Apparently I am a very funny person.  I didn't know it until Thursday night.  There were a number of giggles and snickers around me as I dealt with two little grocery shop muppet-style monsters (ie, the cute variety).  Strangely, I was completely unphased by their antics.  My own children have been known to drive me mental!  And Mr Busy stepped up into 'responsible older cousin' mode and was a great help with hand-holding while crossing roads and walking through a busy mall.  A pleasure to behold!

Our next adventure will be a trip to the airport this morning to welcome home Dh's brother and his family after seven years of living overseas.  The kids are very excited about having their cousins back and at a closer range for plays and sleepovers.  I'm looking forward to seeing how a short-distance relationship unfolds for them, as these are the cousins they are closest to in age and enjoyment of activities.

Of course, more baking must be on my horizon for today.

Review: 'A Promise of Hope' by Amy Clipson

Rel has posted my review for 'A Promise of Hope' here.  This is book two in the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, so it was lovely to revisit old friends and pick up a different thread of their story.

Of Panzanella

Picture from oswegotea.blogspot.com

A little Nigella wisdom in relation to this Italian bread salad.  The last sentence is true of bread, no matter what use you intend to put it to.

"...and very useful it was too for finding a happy end to the brief life of that strangely unsalted, blink-and-it's-stale bread.  But then, as anyone who has ever made their own bread (even once) knows, the fact that store-bought bread doesn't stale quickly is just plain spooky."

Nigella Lawson:  Nigella Kitchen:  Recipes from the Heart of the Home p148

Monday's Menu Plan: Week Beginning 1 November

My kids are counting down the days until Christmas.  Already. Now that it's the beginning of November I'm almost ready to concede that one must begin to prepare for the festivities. I think I might just wait until the long weekend is over though.  I don't want to spoil four days off, in the middle of a busy term!

The week ahead in my kitchen is looking a little like:

Monday:  Chicken wings and vegies
Tuesday:  Gnocchi with a tomato based sauce
Wednesday:  Singapore Noodles
Thursday:  Slow cooked lamb chops (Nigella Express P117)
Friday:  Ricotta fritters, vegies
Saturday:  Lasagna, salad (make double for the freezer)
Sunday:  Chicken noodle soup

Back to my book...or my stitching, with a little sunshine on my back.