I Miss Cleaning

I'm not saying that I'm ungrateful for having a job, even part time, considering how many people are out of work right now, but I already miss cleaning. Like, not the actual act of cleaning my home, but even in just one week of working outside of the home, I just don't want to do anything. I'm tired and I don't want to clean.

I need to clean, I'm going to clean, but I used to actually love doing it. Strange huh? At heart I'll always be a Happy Housewife and nothing else and that's fine with me. This is a season.

I really don't understand women who hate being housewives. Who get bored being housewives. Make a choice to be happy. If you choose to be home, then do your job there. If you choose to work, then do it there. Really tho, I love being a housewife. I love cleaning, I love decorating my home, I love grocery shopping and cooking and waiting for my husband to come home from work so I can dote on him a bunch.

But so far everyday this week he picks me up from work and we both come home and just crash on the couch. The house is a wreck and we haven't had a home cooked meal all week.

I need to figure out how to work outside of the home for a few hours a day and still be a housewife. 3 hours a day does not take away my housewife status. That is my job, but being home is my career, my life.

I need to find that balance and embrace it.

I also need my carpets shampooed still.


Daily Gratitudes:

1. Orange Juice in the early morning.
2. The speakers on my computer stopped making an annoying whirring noise.
3. The dogs are well behaved.
4. My husband got a raise!
   
5. My playlist which I'm hoping will perk me up and give me some darn energy!

Love Booklet:

1. My hard working hubby got a raise this week, just proving what an amazing guy he is! He works so hard at his job to provide for us.
   

Working Outside the Home - Purposes

I know what some of you are thinking.. "How many more times can she remind women not to work outside of the home?" But oddly, that's not what I'm about to talk about. I'm going to talk about times when it's helpful to work outside of the home, and the purpose behind it.

Working During a Financial Crisis - In this economy it is very common for husbands to lose jobs. Things get tight and because we live in a two car / two income world, sometimes it's harder to make things meet. I believe that as long as someone is home to care for children, and the husband is earnestly seeking employment, it is perfectly fine for a wife to work outside of the home. Temporarily.

Working During Financial Debt - It's also harder because we live in a time when the recent generations have been taught the concept of "buy now, pay later," and are now suffering the consequences of their actions. I highly believe that before making the decision to work outside of the home because of debt, you should ask yourself the questions listed in this post, and then decide accordinly.

Working to Build Savings - This is an honorable thought. Take on a job to help secure your familys future. But what happens to your familys present? Is the savings going toward future emergencies, doctors bills, a new home, a future family, or perhaps a vacation, a brand new car, or a bigger and fancier life? Where are your prioritites? Is it at all possible to learn to budget, be frugal and live a simpler life and take the money saved and add to savings instead?

Working for Yourself - You are a career driven person and you don't see a problem with how the daycare is raising your child. Because of long hours at the office you are able to provide adequate take-out for your family nightly, and instead of bonding with your home, you are able to hire a maid. You may miss a dance recital or two, but don't you deserve your fulfillment too?! This is the wrong way of thinking. It is selfish. Family should always come first, especially if you have children.

So in the end it all comes down to this question, "What is best for all concerned?" Not what is best for you, your husband, the economy, the children. What is best for all concerned? If you choose to work outside of the home for any of the above reasons, will anyone suffer for it? Will you spend more money on daycare than you'll make in the long run? Will your children be forced to eat McDonalds nightly because you're too tired to cook? Will your relationship with your husband suffer because you lose that time together?

It is a decision to make together.

So why am I talking so much about this the past few weeks? Because I am officially working outside of the home. My reasons I feel are honorable ones. My husbands paycheck is adequate for our daily needs. However, because of past mistakes, we have incured a bit of debt. I will not be working to pay off the debt so we can go on another cruise (though that would be nice) or so we can buy a brand new car or big house.

My paycheck will be applied to our debt and savings only. We are doing this so that when all is said and done, we are not relying on my paycheck to survive. Once out of debt and with a stable savings balance, we will use this to help start our family. We've known for some time now that fertility treatments or adoption are roads that we are looking toward, and we want to prepare now so we can enjoy later.

Thankfully I searched diligently for a job to meet my requirements. One that would have a flexible schedule, allow me part time should I choose. Something that was nearby so I could walk to work (and get healthy in the process). Something that is low stress and a bright environment. I am grateful to have found something that fits my specifications.

A part of me, the old competitive show off me, believes that I could rise fast in my new company. But the new me, the permanent me, understands and accepts that this is a temporary situation to benefit my eternal family in the long run. It was a decision made by both my husband and I, and I took his counsel very seriously. This is what will work for us, right now.

Daily Gratitudes:

1. A husband who gives me wise counsel and appreciates any effort I do.
2. A new job that offers me a flexible schedule so that I will still be able to care for my home and family.
3. Acupuncture - My back pain is still gone, as is my knee pain and my edema is getting much better!
4. Top Ramen. It's so bad for me, but tastes sooo good.
5. Ice packs that came with my roses the other week. I've been reusing them to help with the swelling in my legs and it's been soo much better!!

Love Booklet:

1. My husband came home the other day with a bouquet of gorgeous flowers. He noticed that my roses were dying, and that I had thrown them out, so he went and bought flowers just because he knows ow I love having fresh and beautiful things in the home.
2. One of my favourite drinks is Mormon Punch (sherbert with sprite), and I finished off my soda the other day but still have like a huge gallon of sherbert, so after I got home last night from orientation at work, my sweet husband pointed out that he bought me a new bottle of sprite.
3. My back was cramping a bit last night so I didn't get to bed til around 2am. Hubby woke up when I came to bed and instead of being angry that I woke him up, he rolled over and rubbed my back until I fell asleep, and then got up two hours later to go to work. What a man!

Featured at: Talk About Tuesday and Gratituesday


Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Everything to Me

I was listening to my iPod and found one of my favourite songs by Brad Paisley. "She's Everything to Me" is one of my all time picks. When my husband first downloaded the whole Brad Paisley discography he insisted that I never play that song, and it's because when he hears it, it's exactly how he feels about me, and he tends to get emotional. It's so sweet. The song really does describe me almost perfectly, so I play it over and over and over for him.

So I thought I'd take the same song and rewrite the lyrics a bit to fit my dear, sweet, amazing, wonderful man!

Here's a video of the lyrics to the original song:

He's a backwards cap on bad hair days
Favorite pair of cargos
He doesn't think that he looks great
Shows just how little he knows
He's a babe go make a sammich
Bring some apple cider
He's a sexy kinda bossy
And one heck of a provider

He's a play with all the children
Wishin' he had his own
He's a call me on his lunch break
Always picks up the phone
He's a listens to my every word
Even when he's tired
He's a kiss around my neck
Always makes me feel desired

And he's everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
I blog about him, I go on and on and on
'Cause he's everything to me

He's a Saturday guys night in
Priestholder on Sunday
He's a pinch my rear in the hall
And a family man come Monday
He's a takes the trash out everyday
Even though he's stressed
He's rubbing on my shoulders
God how much I'm blessed!

He's the best friend that I've ever known
And the man I'm always eyeing
He's the one who sees my bad side
He's the shoulder where I'm crying
The one I pray for most often
Proof there's love in heaven
He's the answer to my prayers
Gives me something to believe in

And he's everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
I blog about him, I go on and on and on
'Cause he's everything to me

He's the other side of the bed
Hazel eyes staring at me
Who could have thought when I was young
That he could marry me
When he says babe I love you
There's a stirring in my heart
I dare a soul
To try to keep us two apart

And he's everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
I blog about him, I go on and on and on
'Cause he's everything to me

And he's everything I ever wanted
And everything I need

Daily Gratitudes:

1. Backwards caps.
2. Apple cider.
3. Big strong shoulders.
4. Hazel eyes.
5. Forever

Featured at: Then Sings My Soul Saturday, I am Blissfully Domestic, and Homemaker Mondays

Ultimately Happy and Fascinating (Study Group)

Originally posted January 2009.

To say that the first year of my marriage was a bit rocky would be the understatement of the century.

Take one hot tempered Irish red head, mix in feministic upbringing, add a dash of divorce rate in the family, beat together two months of hormone overloading birth control pills and ten hour shifts of work . . .  pour over one unsuspecting husband and bake until crazy.

If I didn't have the complete faith I have in our love, I'd be shocked that we survived the first year too! Truth was, though I wanted to be the submissive, sweet, doting housewife, I didn't know how to be . . . and the path that took me to this point was rocky, and hard, and I fought it for quite a bit. It's been a progress.

Advice from other married women, Church leaders, and especially prayer helped quite a bit . . . and then of course there were books.

My addiction to self help books is quite astounding. I can't read fiction at all. I need to constantly improve myself, if not for me than for the benefit of my husband and future children. So I got every book on marriage I could find. Most I turned away. They didn't make sense to me. They were suggesting what I was already doing, and it just wasn't working. Some talked about how being a housewife was something of the past, and that submission to a man turns you into a doormat. Not to mention, not a one of them taught me how to clean worth anything!

A few lessons from one of my aunts, and The Ultimate Career given to me by my mother in law helped when it came down to cleaning, organizing and learning the things that I was never taught as a little girl. The book was helpful, specific, and most importantly, it was written by and for an LDS woman, just like me. This book helped my home.

It would be a few years before I found my next step. Though I could clean, I didn't so much enjoy it. I was constantly hiding away from questions asking me what I did for work. "Oh this and that." I'd say. Or I'd throw in the famous, "I'm a Domestic Executive." Because the word "housewife" seemed shameful. I was making myself and my husband miserable in my denial and confusion when it came to my place in life. That was when I found Happy Housewives.

Saying that this book changed my life would be under appreciating the value it brought into my world. It wasn't only eye opening and helpful, but it was written as though the author was speaking directly to me. I read the book in a total of just a few days, and I was suddenly uplifted in my position as a housewife. The Happy Housewives Club (the books website) opened a new world for me. I found women on the forums just like me (but so different in many ways) many of whom have become my dearest and closest friends for life. Not only did I find there daily support from others who had read the book, but the author, Darla Shine spoke to me persoanlly, and has become a dear friend. This one book changed me forever. This book helped ME, so I could help others.

But there was one thing lacking still. My marriage. Ultimate Career and Happy Housewives improved it so much that it's hard to recall that first year (without crying). It was a good marriage, but I wanted something deeper. Try as I might, I couldn't control everything, nor could I force my husband to be the man I knew he could be. I had gone so many years being one way, that it was obvious where I had gone wrong. I had heard about Fascinating Womanhood, but it wasn't until my friend Liss spoke about it that I went in search of answers. It was everything I wanted. A strong, masculine husband . . . I could be the sweet and feminine housewife. We could be firm in our gender roles assigned by God, and simple steps in this book helped (so quickly) to fix the problems I had once created.

As of right now, I'm still working, but aren't we all? I have become a Happy Housewife, a Fascinating Woman, who has the Ultimate Career!

------

Speaking of still working, for those who are interested, I am currently running a study group for Fascinating Womanhood. To keep the privacy of the members, it is a private blog right now. So if you're interested in joining, send an email over to untypicallyjia@gmail.com to let me know that you're interested.


Daily Gratitudes:

1. The FW Study Group (local girls) will meet here tomorrow! I'm excited! I know the girls showing up are two of my best friends anyways, but a part of me feels like I'm throwing some cute little afternoon tea or something. Maybe I should make cucumber sandwhiches or something LOL!
2. Matt's finally feeling a bit better and has promised to call the doctor Monday if his throat is still sore.
3. After my girls day tomorrow, the boys are having a night of videogames and movies again. I love boys night. It's nice to see that they get a chance to have fun too.
4. I'm grateful for pepsi. Oh pepsi....
5. Matt called the front office to figure out how to work the swamp cooler! (Yep, it's finally decided, we have a swamp cooler) and the house has actually been nice and cool the last few days!

Featured at: Coffee's On and Finer Things Friday

25 Things That Make Me Kinda Awesome

Originally posted January 2009

 

1. I can make homemade bread
2. I am devoted to my faith
3. I have a good memory
4. I love to laugh
5. I can sing
6. I am a creative person
7. I take pride in my home
8. I strive to better myself daily
9. I graduated college
10. I stand up for my beliefs
11. I can wear red lipstick
12. I am the shoulder that others cry on
13. I make the best Thanksgiving turkey ever
14. My husband is envied because of me
15. I help others everyday of my life
16. I teach Sunday School, and I love it
17. I am a writer
18. I have great taste in men
19. I can deal with big stresses so others don't have to
20. I am a caregiver
21. I can touch my tongue to my nose
22. I can blend in with almost any crowd
23. I have desires for the future
24. My eyes change colours
25. I have not lost touch with my culture
    

Daily Gratitudes:

1. My husbands appreciation.
2. Chamomile tea.
3. Chocolate bars with almonds.
4. Sleeping in.
5. Fascinating Womanhood.

Featured at: Things I Love Thursday

Can We Start Today Over?

 

Do you ever just have one of those days that doesn't really start right and so you struggle the rest of the day? That is today for me. I'm having a cause of the Mondays on my Tuesday. 

• It's so hot here right now and the air conditioner ain't cutting it.
• Dogs have been whiny all day long.
• My husband is still sick and he had to go back to work today.
• Internet has been on and off all day long and I can't figure it out.
• Because I was trying to figure out the internet, I forgot to wake the hubby up for work and he was running late. (This is probably another reason why my computer time was cut for me.)

Everything has just been really blah. It's been a "pickles dipped in ranch dressing for lunch" kind of day. And to top it all off, Liss posted this amazing article over at Modern Molly Mormon that just rains on my pity party parade.

So to take Liss' advice and develop some gratitude for my trials, I'm going to try and put a positive spin on today with my daily gratitudes.

Daily Gratitudes:

1. It may be hot here, but it's nothing compared to how I felt in Jamaica, Grand Cayman or heck, even Texas! Dry heat is better than wet heat. And heat at all is better than freezing to death. Maybe I'll sweat off some pounds.
2. The dogs may be whiny, but it's just cause they want attention. And so far during our housebreaking trial, they haven't made a mess yet!
3. My husband may be sick at work today, but because of his amazing dedication and hard work, he's finally been given a day shift at his job. Considering how many jobs and how many graveyard and night shifts we've delt with, we'll finally both be able to wake up and greet the world at 4:30am!
4. The internet comes and goes, but it gives me time to get things done around the house.
5. Learning from my mistake this morning, I can be grateful for a loving and forgiving husband who didn't even seem that upset with me. My own guilt is more brutal than he ever will be.

So I think I'm going to watch some Clean House, drink some ice cold water and take an ice cold shower to reboot my day. (Or just wait until hubby gets home and start again tomorrow, haha.)

How do you get through a "bad day"?


Featured at: Gratituesday and Talk About Tuesday

Tales from the Kitchen

Originally posted July 2008

I spoke with a friend of mine the other day who has been married quite a long time. So long in fact that her husband is now retired. She confessed to me that in that entire time, she has never learned how to make gravy. This shocked me completely. I know how to make gravy! Of course, I purposely learned how because I hate the packet or canned kind of gravy.

This forced me to remember our first year of marriage and my sad attempts at cooking. I know that some of you don’t have to worry about this seeing that you are great cooks, or you’re very lucky and your husband does all the cooking. But I know that there are at least a few of you that have had embarrassing moments in the kitchen.

My friends, you are not alone!

The first year of our marriage I did an attempt to make pork chops. See, back then I hated touching raw meat. Everything about it grossed me out. Especially the fat. So what did I do? I cut the fat off and threw it away. The pork chops came out decent, which was an odd occurrence in itself. But the thing that came later was so worse.

About a week afterward, we began smelling a foul stench. We thought it was the dirty dishes, so we washed them. Then a week later we were sure it was the dishwasher, and then the floors, and the fridge. Over a month passed by and we could not find out where the smell was coming from!

Those of you who know better are probably already laughing. I decided to check the garbage disposal where I had thrown the pork-fat.

Or, okay, I made Matt check the disposal.

DO NOT PUT PORK FAT IN A GARBAGE DISPOSAL!!!

Daily Gratitudes:

1. A husband who is willing to dig into a garbage disposal for me.
2. Ibuprofen during a migraine.
3. Dions Ranch Dressing.
4. Reading scriptures as a family.
5. Sleep!
   

image

Weekly Wrap Up and Accountability

Considering how poorly I think I did on my accountability this week, it felt like a week just jam packed with things that either got done, or just plain happened!

Monday I had my injury. For those who are curious as to how I'm healing, the sucker still hurts but it's not broken. I am however still telling people that it's broken because honestly the word "sprain" doesn't adequately describe how painful it was.

Tuesday one of my best friends brought her family over for a nice meal and game night. There really isn't anything better than Doritos in a taco salad. We played Scene It on Xbox and had an overall great time together.

Friday my computer time was cut down dramatically, helping me prioritize things in my life. So far it's been great! The house has been cleaner, my time spent online has felt more productive and I've spent countless more hours with my amazing husband.

We had a great time Saturday morning. Attending our ward's 4th of July breakfast and met countless people. We're so happy to be in such a nice family ward. Unfortunately the hubs got sick Saturday so instead of stuffing ourselves into a crowded fair ground to watch fireworks, we drove around looking for Chinese food late at night and watched the fireworks all around the neighborhood, which turned out to still be a lot of fun!

Here's my accountability tracking for this week. How did you do?

Mind

• (2/7) Read at least 15 minutes of any book everyday.
• (3607/7000) Write at least 1000 words everyday.
  
• (2/14) Only spend 2 hours on the computer everyday.
  

Body

• (1/7) Wake up by 8 am every single day.
• (1/7) Go to bed by Midnight - if not earlier - every night.
• (5/7) Take vitamins daily.
• (12/14) Take dogs out for a walk at least twice before Matt comes home.
• (20/42) Drink 6 bottles of water daily.
• (3/7) Eat every 2-3 hours.
• (1/7) Eat dinner no later than 7 pm
• (0/2) Go to the gym at least twice a week.
• (1/14) Do stretches twice a day.

Soul

I really slacked in this department this week...

• (0/7) First thing in the morning, say prayers as a couple.
• (0/7) Spend at least 15 minutes of the morning outside reading scriptures.
• (0/7) Read scriptures for at least 15 minutes before bed.
• (0/7) Say prayers as a couple every night.
• (0/1) Have a companionship inventory every Sunday.
• (0/1) Go over the budget the day before pay day.
• (0/1) Go to Church every single Sunday.
• (0/1) Have FHE every single Monday.
• (0/1) Fast at least once a month.
• (-/2) Pay an honest tithing.
• (-/1) Go to the temple at least once a month.
  

Home

• (3/7) Start dishes and laundry before touching the computer.
• (2/7) Have dishes and laundry done before Matt gets home.
• (1/7) Clean out the sink before going to bed.
• (1/7) Focus on daily chores and one additional room to deep clean per week.

Explanation: The numbers might look a little different, this is how they work. For things that I only do once a week or month, it's only put on there once. For things I do every day, it's on there 7 times. For things I do twice a day it's listed for 14, and for other things like water, it's the amount of water I should have consumed in that week.


Daily Gratitudes:

1. Homemade chicken soup.
2. The dogs are being kenneled in order to house break and so far there have been no accidents!
3. Speaking of dogs, Jasper has calmed down significantly and I have great hope that we won't have to find another home for him. It would break my heart to get rid of my baby.
4. I'm excited. I've started a Fascinating Womanhood study group. Email me (untypicallyjia@gmail.com) if you're interested in joining.
5. I think we've figured out how to work the air conditioner/swamp cooler finally.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net


Featured at: Weekly Wrap Up

Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue

When I celebrate the 4th of July, I'll be thinking about the soldiers serving right now, and those that have served to give us all the beautiful rights we have here in this country.

Thank you all.

Sincerely,

A Granddaughter of the Army
A Niece of the Navy
A Daughter-in-Law and Friend of the Air Force

Daily Gratitudes:

1. Founding fathers. 
2. Freedom to worship how I choose.
3. Patriotism.
4. My grandfather, my uncles, my father-in-law and my dear friends who have served, and are currently serving this nation in the armed forces.
5. Toby Keith - cause there's nothing that gets me feeling more patriotic than country music and the American flag!

Featured at: Then Sings My Soul Saturday

The Obedient Wife

One of my favourite things about being married is always having someone to back me up, even when I don't know that I need it. After an emotional day (hormone induced I'm sure) and a bit of an outburst toward my husband on my part, I confessed my drama sorrows to him and begged his help.

"Grow up." He told me.

Excuse me!?

"We're on our own, we need to start acting like it. We're adults now. Let's both start acting like it."

After some explanation, I realised that his reaction was not toward my tears, but toward my complaints. I was feeling a little down in the dumps. Stress over money sometimes overwhelms me, and I feel like I am not contributing enough to the well being of our family. I've previously stated that I'm going to work harder at making certain that I'm working my job as a homemaker as a real job. Going above and beyond the call of duty. 110%! And my husband is there to help me.

"I don't want you online for more than 2 hours every day." He told me.

He knows me.

He knows my weakness. Internet distractions.

I'm determined to be an obedient wife. I know some of you are asking me why. Wondering why on earth I would allow my husband to order me around. Certainly I could take his advice, but to be so submissive and obedient . . . doesn't that make me a doormat? No!

"And thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." - Genesis 3:16

It strengthens my bond with my husband. It deepens my admiration and respect for him. It makes me feel safe and secure knowing that in my times of stress he is willing to take over, because he knows what's best for me. He knows me that well.

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." 1 Corinthians 11:3

Some of you are still screaming "doormat" at me. I can hear it, believe me. Should wives always be obedient? What if the husband is abusive? What if he takes advantage of her willingness to submit? Is he not held accountable? Does God give this power so willingly for man to walk all over woman?

Certainly not. LDS prophet Joseph F. Smith illustrated this point directly.

“If there is any man who ought to merit the curse of Almighty God it is the man who neglects the mother of his child, the wife of his bosom, the one who has made sacrifice of her very life, over and over again for him and his children. That is, of course, assuming that the wife is a pure and faithful mother and wife”

My husband is helping me to become accountable. Of course I'd much rather give up chocolate than cut down my internet time! Haha!

So today I'm working on some things that I've been putting off lately.

1. Watering my tomato plant.
2. Kennel training Jasper.
3. Washing our blankets and sheets and storing them.
4. Cleaning my aprons and hanging them up.
5. Sitting outside on the porch instead of inside on the computer.

Daily Gratitudes:

1. A husband who holds the priesthood...
2. ... and exercises it appropriately.
3. Beautiful sunshine flowing into my living room.
4. The look of a brightly colored, beautiful apron hanging on my bakers rack.
5. A husband who can wake me up from a lazy daze, dry my tears and make all the difference in a bad day versus a really peaceful day.

Featured at: Aloha Friday, Finer Things Friday, and Coffee's On.

Update: I posted the following in the comments, but it was suggested that I post this in the blog post to further explain some details into how my home is set up:

If my husband was coming home from work and playing video games all night long, we might have some serious issues. LOL! But he's really good about helping out. He's the trash man and he also likes to help take the dogs for walks when he gets home.

We're working very hard on having more of a spiritual atmosphere in our home lately.

I'm pretty sure if he does come home and wants to play his games he'll say, "Why don't you go get on your computer?" LOL!

Update #2: Rebecca left me an awesome link in the comments that I wanted to share with everyone!

Featured at: Homemaker Monday, I am Blissfully Domestic and Mondays Muse

Good Old Fashioned Funny

 

Welcome to Good Old Fashioned Funny! Where every Thursday I post something funny on my blog. It will be clean and appropriate for all viewers. If you care to play along, post something on your blog for Good Old Fashioned Funny. It can be a comic strip, a picture, a video clip, or just a funny joke. Then come back here and sign Mr Linky below. You can get a button and read complete instructions here.

One of my favourite things to watch are comedian shows, sketch ones like Carol Burnette. The best ones are when one comedian gets another to break character. I laugh so hard that I cry. This famous one with Tim Conway is hilarious. It's called "The Dentist Sketch".

Daily Gratitudes:

1. Jack in the Box.
2. Good friends who calm me down during a bad day.
3. The ability to help others when I can.
4. A sweet husband, who when he forgets his cell phone, locates another one at work just to call me in the middle of the day to say he loves me.
5. Watermelon - I could totally use some.
   

Why I Hate Working Mothers

That title got your attention didn't it?

I'm kidding of course, I don't hate working mothers. But one might get that impression with how often I talk about homemaking on my blog. I did want to clarify a little bit. I support the choice given to women. Whether that choice is to go to work or stay home, it's yours. I have nothing but respect for women who go out and work to support their families. Heck I was raised by them!

You never know what life will bring you. I was raised by my Grandmother who was eager to stay at home with me. But when she suffered a stroke, her husband left her, able to handle the newly added pressure of a wife who could speak or walk. My aunt Debbie, a single mother, worked two jobs to support not her own daughter but my grandmother and myself. She's a tough as nails, hard working woman.

But here's the catch:

• She still came to all my dance recitals and plays.
• She still came home to cook a wonderfully healthy and delicious meal.
• She still held me when I cried, and disciplined me when I stepped out of line.
• I never saw the inside of a daycare center, because she made arrangements.
• I didn't have the most expensive toys, but I do remember her spending hours in a crane machine to win me a stuffed dog.
• She played video games with me.
• Our home was always clean.
• And she spent a great deal of effort to teach me respect, hard work, and love of home and family.

It's women like her who I respect. Working women.

Now if you're a working woman that shoves her kids into daycare because they are interfereing with your career . . . this is where I have a problem. If you're a working woman who puts down her husband because he makes less money than you . . . this is where I have a problem. If you're a working woman who believes that when women choose to stay home, it means we are less intellegent or worthy than you . . . this is where I have a problem.

So here's to the working women! Who put great effort forth to raise children, so that they have the choice to be homemakers or not.

Daily Gratitudes:

1. Sleeping in.
2. Payday.
3. Working mothers.
4. Stay at home mothers.
5. And everyone else in between.

Featured at: Things I Love Thursday