Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Kristin Homemaker

School started for everyone yesterday. The whole family got all loaded up on the school bus to begin their new year, A. driving and everyone else slumped in the seats, resigned to their fates. (My children do not like school.)

Except for me. I did not get on the school bus. I will not be getting on the school bus, because I quit my job there. 

Last week I had to fill out some forms that asked for my occupation. I wrote "homemaker."*

Of course, the maker of our home is what I have always been, it's just that I did that in addition to working at the school two days a week as an educational assistant (teacher's aide). 

But now, all I am doing is at home. So what am I doing now? Let me show you what I've done so far this morning!


Still doing tub laundry. Our washing machine is still in for repairs, waiting on a "control board," which sounds intense. Thank goodness it's still under warranty. The repair guy said maybe another week. I'm taking that as another two weeks.


Watering the garden and picking tomatoes, yay!


Softening butter in preparation for making oatmeal cookies for the younger children's snacks.

Later I have to go to the village for a bank visit. Maybe I'll finally get around to vacuuming my filthy floors.

But if I don't get around to it today, I have tomorrow. And the day after. 

I don't anticipate having a problem filling my time, and it's such a relief to have the time. Some might see this as a demotion, but I see it as a great increase in my quality of life, as well as my family's quality of life.

* I prefer this term to housewife. Housewife can just be a wife who sits around the house. Homemaker describes much better what I actually do. I really have made and continue to make our home, which requires skill and a lot of work.


9 comments:

mbmom11 said...

Will you still do the virtual tutoring?
It looks like you know how to use your time well. I hope you have good weather and that your reluctant scholars come to enjoy school- or at least be happy to see their friends.

Kristin @ Going Country said...

Nope, clean break for now. For various reasons, I needed to not be held to an outside schedule on set days of the week. I left open the possibility of doing some things like the library in the future, and maybe the tutoring would be a part of that, but not right now.

Tu mere said...

Beautiful tomatoes. Is the garden still infested? Not sure if the tomatoes were bug food. Yay for enhanced quality of life. You so deserve it! Enjoy your new work title.

Kristin @ Going Country said...

Yes, the grasshoppers are still in residence. They didn't bother at the tomato plants that were already pretty big when the grasshoppers became a problem, although they did eat the small plants. I still have quite a few left, though, thankfully. And oddly, no hornworms or army worms on the tomatoes this year. Either the grasshoppers eat them, or the many predatory insects--tons of spiders, praying mantises, etc. this year--have been taking care of them.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Sounds like a promotion for sure! I returned to working outside the home about 2 years ago. I like working, but the home has definitely suffered. I didn’t understand how much I was doing until I wasn’t home to do it all day.
-Tarynkay

Carla said...

I very much relate to your comment that previously your TA occupation was in addition to homemaker. I always feel like I have 3 jobs: mother, home admin, and my office job. Right now I'm on maternity leave and it is so nice to have one job I don't need to do.

Anonymous said...

I think you will very easily fill your time and wonder how you ever had the time to work outside of your home. I just loved the feeling of being more organised and present in your home and with the children when you have more time. Cherish and enjoy! Kathy

Plaidkaren said...

I have always been amazed at your schedule! Congrats on this new phase of your family life

Anonymous said...

It is very rewarding to be able to say "self employed," no matter how that looks in terms of what work you're doing. — Karen.