Trading places

A lot of my friends talk of giving up jobs and being at home.I believe we all think that sitting at home would mean that we can eat sleep,read our favourite books,spend time with friends and generally do the things that we dont get to do thanks to a full time job.Somewhere in the back of our hearts we also turned up our noses at the housewife as someone who leads a lazy life living off the fat of the land with the husband bringing home the bacon.What really is the truth?
Its been two weeks since I traded in my corporate life to become part of the huge population of homemakers,housewife etc whatever we may choose to call them.In these two weeks,I have not had time to blog(I blogged almost everyday when I was working fulltime),read a book(I read a book every night while holding a full time job)watch a favourite tv programme(what tv?)or catch up with friends.So what keeps me busy you ask.I ask myself the same question and the answer is ....a lot of things.
lets start at the beginning.It starts with the early morning bell,the car wash boy needs cleaning cloth to clean the car,so I scramble out of bed half asleep and hand it over to him,go back to bed to get some shuteye and the bell goes again....cook has arrived,menu to be planned,kitchen stock taking to be done,shopping list for the day to be made.Time for a quick tea(brushing teeth and washing face all done by now)scan the newspaper(by which time cook is grumbling that there is not enough ginger or coconut or whatever else it is that he needs)and get the mothers breakfast organised.8.30 am already and time for insulin injection and breakfast in half hour(deadline very important if you want to avert big crisis).House maid has arrived and all dishes are being washed.Time to run washing machine so pick out clothes of the same colour(husband like father is a stickler for doing things right and going as per instruction book)Staying at home has one big advantage,not too many clothes to wash of the same colour(dress code is always shorts and t shirt in black or white or grey,no stress there).Have breakfast,ensure the mother takes all medication with out a miss(she leaves them on the bed and thinks shes had them,talk of many a slip between the cup and the lip,this is a live demo).10 am by now and everyone has left for the day.Start putting things back in the right place,then the table doesnt look clean enough so start cleaning,oops the plants need watering,run to terrace to water more plants.Huff puff and come back in time for tea.Start the tea,drink and clear up again.Time to check email(ah atlast something from my last birth as corporate person).Read mail,reply,brouse(addicitve,end up checking all kinds of things and forgetting where I started),check bank account(nothing comes in anymore but habits die hard,maybe for my own well being ,the husband should be encouraged to deposite some cash into the account,isnt that how a housewife runs a house...got to get that research done).Close computer and its already 12 oclock.Remember that bills have to be paid,cheques to be deposited,shopping to catch up on and petrol to be filled.By now its time for lunch and mother and daughter have a quick meal,supervise medication agin,clear up again and think that its time for some much needed R and R.Just as my eyes shut in sleep,the bell goes again.Remember the clothese given for ironing,well they are back,so pay for it and go back to get some 40 winks,bell goes again....courier boy with cover for husband...sign for it and he looks suspiciously and asks for my relationship with the person whose name is on the cover....housemaid I say....get dirty looks from boy who thinks I am up to no good but who cares.Oh well its already time for afternoon tea,and I still havent had a bath,the house looks like it could do with a lot more cleaning,the tea cups have to be washed(visitors come when they know you are at home and that means endless cups of tea)and the day is almost done.
When one is full time corporate breadwinner,things are so different....get up at 7.30,have tea,bath,breakfast,pick up car keys and head for work.Curse traffic and stupid men( who overtake because your a woman)arrive at work,check mail,call for meeting,throw weight around,order tea,send out proposal,meet a few people,do business lunch,rush to beauty parlour(need to be presentable....in home situation,no parlour,grey hair,busy eyebrows are all acceptable)yell at a few people,think smart,impress the boss and drive back home,settle with a nice drink,discuss office politics and go to sleep......oh well the debate is endless but one thing is for sure,there is no rest for the wicked,housewife,corporate executive or otherwise