Domestic Bliss

Just spend the weekend pottering around in my kitchen, deep cleaning the fridge. I even used a toothbrush to clean all the hard to reach spots. My fridge is a gleaming monument to all my frenzied industry. No strange smells or experiments in the name of science to be found in it's hallowed shelves. All the produce is neatly arranged. I know cause I open the fridge door to admire every 5 minutes!

I spent Saturday morning going to my favourite fruit and veggie shop, and thriftily went about the supermarket, getting the weeks supplies. No extra luxuries found their way into my trolley. I swear the "Chocolate Logs" jumped in when I wasn't looking.

At home,  I repackaged the meat into tiny freezer bags, just enough for each meal. The dog benefited from my sudden domesticated whim as I boiled bones from the butcher on the stove top for her.

Today found me cooking a delectable Sunday dinner and making desserts from scratch all the while scrubbing and organizing my space as I went along. The children lounged about like lizards on a hot rock, every now and then asking when dinner would be ready, ( I was a little concerned, I thought I was raising humans not lizards - note to self must get them to help around a bit more ) Finally, dinner was ready and the moans of pleasure from the table, grandparents included and the second and third helpings and genuine compliments were deeply satisfying in a soul happy kind of way.

 I felt content, the corners of my mouth curling up and my insides purring like a fat tabby. My own belly was a little extended, ok so a lot extended but lets not split hairs. I found to my delight that while quite exhausting all this domestic goddess stuff really is quite enjoyable. I had several fantasies of being a stay at home mom, pottering merrily at home, baking my own bread, knitting socks, fresh flowers in vases, it was all quite heavenly, .like I had slipped into some 70's family show programme on television.

The inspiration for all this, comes out of my having to deal with living on a shoestring. Money is tight, heck everything is tight, especially my clothes! It was getting me down, so I needed to change tack.
Here is a list of 10 things that you don't have to be rich to have....
1) Poor people can be just as skinny as rich folk.... It doesn't cost any more money to eat less. In fact less chocolate may positively effect the health of my bank balance.
2) Poor people can be clean, neat and organized.
3) Poor people can give their kids the love they need, hugs, kisses, I love you's and tuck in's at night.
4) Poor people can have a sense of humour and laugh, cheerfulness is free too!
5) Poor people can live a life of gratitude
6) Poor people can go for walks on the beach at sunset, look at magnificent purple mountains and enjoy the splendour of mother natures magnificence all for free. Rich folk gotta get into planes and see other peoples beautiful backyards, to feel happy!
7) Poor people can embrace their spirit, and feed their soul with prayer and quiet meditation.
8) Poor people can cherish friends
9) Poor people can have hope, a lively imagination and dreams with wings.
10) Poor people can be gracious, respectful and possess impeccable manners

All in all, we poor folk can have as glorious a life as any of those rich folk, and whilst we may have to turn over our pennies several times before buying anything, it would seem that most of the ingredients of a wonderful, satisfying and gloriously happy life are still right at our fingertips and entirely for free. howz about that????