How Do You Do It All?

Yes, I know this is a food blog.  Why am I writing on time management?

Keeping real food in the fridge and on the table takes T-I-M-E.

A few weeks ago, someone asked me, "How do you do it all?"  I think that friend was referencing the fact that I'd written something on my personal blog, on a homeschool blog, as well as posted something on this one.

I didn't really know how to respond.

My bumbling response was something along the lines that my mom is a busy body, a true work horse, so I learned it from her.  The truth is that I have to work to relax.  When I sit down, I am thinking of what I should be doing.

Later in the day I thought more about my friend's question.  Because the truth is: I don't do it all.  There are many things that I don't do.

I don't
- work outside the home
- Facebook or Twitter
- own a TV
- exercise
- have an immaculate house
- like to talk on the phone
- operate a taxi service for my children -yet
- do many evening activities

Here are a few things that I do:

1. Making real food is my hobby.  There is an element of creativity to it (hardly do I make the same recipe the same way twice.)  Knowing that I am providing healthy fuel for my family and friends encourages me to stand long hours in the kitchen.  I love it when my BFF and I cook together.

2. Blogging for me is energizing.  It is an overflow of my love of teaching people.

3. Make a weekly meal plan.  Someone once told me, "Fail to plan (then) plan to fail."  Without a meal plan is is virtually impossible to keep real food in the kitchen.  I've posted some meal plans on my personal blog.

4. I'm OK with an imperfect house.  If you come to my house between the hours of 8am and 6pm there is a very good chance that it is a wreck.  There will be dishes all over the counter. My husband gets home around 6 and he is very willing to help me straighten up.  He is amazing at washing dishes and loading the dishwasher.  Almost anytime that you come over you will probably be able to write your name in the dust.  I'm OK with that.  My bathrooms are not sparkling and it doesn't bother me.  

5. My family is my priority and my life revolves around their needs.  I don't always get this right but it is my desire to put them first.  Having real food available to them is one way I express love to them.

Let me be the first to say I don't do it all.  I don't want to give the impression that I could do it all.  No one can.  For me it is a matter of prioritizing then working like crazy while I'm awake with hopes that the baby sleeps all night so I can, too!

-Julie