The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

I know that we cannot remain a "sheltered at home" state forever; so I need to start facing reality. I am not usually a procrastinator, but since sheltering, I have seen a definite change in my behavior. Since I know I will be home all day again tomorrow, what's the rush? The dirty laundry will still be dirty, the dust will only have grown (like my grey hair) and my windows will still be foggy.

Today is Monday, and the start of a new week; thoughts of my mother came flashing into my head. She was famous for regrouping and disciplining us by announcing "there's a new regime now!" She'd declare "do your homework before going out to play, clean your room, and of course, quit picking on your brother!"

I have decided that today starts my new regime, but rather than a bucket list of things I need to get done, it's more like a small pail-with a little hole in it (some stuff will most definitely leak out and not get done).

First and foremost, taxes. As soon as they announced a reprieve on filing taxes, I stuck mine in a drawer. It's more fun buying wine than paying taxes and now I have until July! See, what's the rush?

Laundry is stacking up, but Amazon just delivered three new pairs of pajama pants for Daniel, so now that's not on the urgent list anymore. And, online shopping is much more fun than laundry.

I actually did sweep, Swiffer and wash my floors yesterday, but unfortunately my new vacuum seems to have died a quick death, so my carpets are still in need of help.

Closet cleaning and purging, a must! But, since hanging out at home doesn't require much wardrobe thought, what's the rush?

The refrigerator needs to be cleaned out. I know there is probably food molding and turning green, but what's the rush? It's already moldy, so can it get worse?

I bought some beautiful artwork from local Waitsburg artists last spring, yep, they're still not hung, but why the expediency? I can't have parties, so home decorating is not a major priority.

Dust is piling up on the furniture and windowsills, no problem, I'll just take another Claritin. And, I have plenty of tissues, and if they run out-I am now fully stocked with toilet paper.

I just spoke with the upholsterer, my fabric is being ordered, why clean the couch, it's getting recovered.

Actually, I did feel motivated today to start dusting, but remembered the handyman is coming tomorrow to finish up work on the attic, back door, and other dust creating projects, so that's a futile project.

So much work to do! I recently read an editorial related to Mother's Day, that reminded me that a "stay-at-home mom" carried the connotation that a woman didn't work. When I was young, if asked what my parents did, my response was, "my father is a plumbing contractor, my mother doesn't work." Wow! Was I wrong! I realize just how much we took for granted. Stay-at-home moms do work, AND without pay.

How did she get all the cleaning and dishes done, meal planning, cooking, laundry, and ironing done all while being dragged on field trips, attending PTA meetings, taking care of my grandfather, helping us with homework, leading my sister's and my 4-H club, and issuing not so gentle reminders to practice our musical instruments? All while planning her "new regime?"

I have it easy compared my mother, and that's enough motivation to get me off my chair and into the laundry room. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go, with leaky pail in hand, to start my new regime!