Domestic Goddess

“Meddle not in the affairs of the dragon; for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.”

I started the day saving the castle from the evil dragon... it was close fiery battle but the dragon lost after his wing was chopped off-it is a secret that a dragon can't survive this.

"Now they show you how detergents take out bloodstains, a pretty violent image there. I think if you've got a t-shirt with a bloodstain all over it, maybe laundry isn't your biggest problem. Maybe you should get rid of the body before you do the wash!" Jerry Seinfeld

I spent the rest of the morning staring at (and not working on) piles of clean laundry. Laundry is one of those thorns. It is NEVER done! Seriously unless we all ran around naked for a day there is always something that is going to need to be washed! I usually have around 13 baskets a week to fold. My machine used to run 24/7. But, when I came home from the hospital with wee one #4 in tow my beloved surprised me with one of those HE machine sets that does three loads at a time! I went from washing 21 loads down to about 7 or 8. Now that it is winter and more layers are required the number of loads has increased. So how to make a molehill out of this mountain?

I have tried to look at these domestic duties in an enlightened manner. One book I have from the early 90's (Simple Abundance) states - The time has come for us to look deep within. Reconsider how caring for our homes can be an expression of our authenticity. We may not know how to bleach linen, make cowslip wine, cure ham, or bottle gooseberries. But, it's not too late for us to rediscover the sacred soulcraft of homecaring. Creating a comfortable, beautiful, well-run home can be among our most satisfying accomplishments as well as an illuminating spiritual experience. Like sweat equity, channeling your time and creative energy closer to home will produce a big emotional return for yourself and those you love. (are you done laughing yet?) (Don't get me wrong it is a lovely book and has helped many.... just not me today!)
I want to believe it. I want to sit and fold my mountain of laundry, wander the house searching for missing socks, turning shirts right side in and huffing basket after basket into rooms to then place them in dressers - the whole time thinking how authentic this work is making me. I want to be able to feel the love from my family when they know they have clean, wrinkle free, folded clothes...I do! But, I can't. Maybe I don't want to.

Maybe if I was doing laundry on a wind swept beach wearing a house dress and dancing in the sand.... hmmmm Did women fall for this?

Laundry to me is nothing more then a necessary task. Something I HAVE to do. So, in the spirit of trying to keep my chin up - I will pretend I am a domestic goddess... I will have a sword of domestic power, laundry will fear me! After all I have already slayed a dragon today!