First of all, happy first day of Autumn to all! In our home, this day is traditionally dedicated to the apple; we eat apples for almost every meal (not exclusively), and we watch the adorable Disney rendition of "Johnny Appleseed." Big Guy noticed this year (as he's five) that this "is a sad movie, mommy!", and where last year he wanted to watch it, "again", this year it was "no thank you, mommy" after I asked him. We talked about it, and I explained the positive message of the movie, but the topic kept him a bit busy for the rest of the evening, I think ("Mommy, did the ANGEL know that Johnny was dead?"). Yet I digress...
Today I didn't get a whole lot done; the internet can be your friend, or it can be your foe. I think I spent too much time tinkering with websites (you know, for ideas, or, as I could call it, "research"), when I should have been cooking. Of course, I was exhausted, so it's to be expected that I didn't do too much on my cooking day. I can always try to catch up on housework tomorrow. You see, I have a strange little system of housekeeping that I affectionately call "Schizophrenic Housekeeping" (which, I realize, is technically the wrong title, as you'll see, but it sounds cool). Every day of the week (except Sunday; this is my day of rest) I am a different "main character" of a grand household staff. I even have a motto for every day. I know, I'm crazy, but it helps me. For example, Mondays are my "Butler Day", where I organize linen closets, clean and repair serving pieces, check our stock on drinks (butlers were traditionally in charge of the wine cellar; they bought, stored, and kept account of all the wine for the household). I also throw a glance over the cellar and see what needs to be done (in my case, this is a lot; you may recall that I call my cellar "the dungeon" at the moment; it is totally appropriate). My Monday Motto? "Style and Order." Tuesdays are my "Chef" days, where I go shopping, take on one cooking project (like baking pumpkin to freeze, or baking bread, or making cakes to freeze for guests, etc), and plan the meals for the following week, along with shopping list. Wednesday is my Groundskeeper / Handyman day, but when I have nothing to repair or "groundskeep", (which I don't at the moment, as I cleaned the balcony last week, and we're in an apartment, so no lawn to mow), then I can catch up on stuff.
Thursdays are my "Housekeeper" days, when I clean the house, and Fridays are my "Laundrymaid" days, as my designated wash day is Friday (the building shares the washer and dryer). Saturdays are left to the "Estate Manager", who balances the books and plans out jobs for the upcoming week. I also take on another role, which is the "Lady of the House" (these are double-schizophrenic days); time for correspondence, planning parties (not the details, just the ideas, guest list and framework), etc.
It may seem like too much work or effort, or just plain nuts, but I find that it gives me the opportunity to continue being a little creative while getting my work done, and it really does allow me to focus on certain tasks. I have an appropriate outfit for each day (no, I do NOT wear a french maid's costume on Thursday), and I know what I'm doing at the beginning of each day (or, approximately where I should be looking for what I'm doing).
May sound nuts, but it's working for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment