Martha! Martha!

It's hot as hell out today. There isn't a snowball's chance in hell we are stepping outside. I am in the childcare business and not the lobster business. Besides, who wants to get everyone ready, slather on the sunscreen, find the sun hats, buckle up the sandals, and help everyone down the back stairs to be outside five minutes before they are all complaining that it's too damn hot? Nope, not me. So, on days like this I invite my friend Martha over for the day. Hell, if you're going to be stuck inside you might as well invite over a friend, put her to work and throw on an extra pot of coffee. Besides, my friend Martha knows all too well what it's like to be stuck inside all day.



We all know there are few perks in this job. And me, being an opportunist, takes advantage of every avenue I can to make life easier and thus, more enjoyable. So, I decided today I would close my eyes and summon Martha (as in Stewart) up in my mind's eye and invite her for the day.



Using my excitable voice to convince the kids that a normal Play-doh activity would be sooooo much more fun upstairs at the kitchen table rather than the cartoon, alphabet clad walls of the playroom from which emanates the classic Burl Ives tunes, I started my plan in action. Five minutes later all the kids were happily making worms and inedible gum as I was thawing meat. Yep, you read it correctly - thawing meat. You see, whenever Martha pays me a visit things get done at mach speed and in great quantities. It is as if Martha has the power to possess oneself. I only wish Martha's cooking possession was as successful at craft time. Perhaps Martha needs to work on her medium a bit harder. Stop sniffing the icing sugar Martha and get back in the game!



Just as I was finishing meatloaf for both today's lunch and tonight's dinner the kids announced they were "done". Oh crap. I still had plans to spend a little more quality time with Martha in the kitchen. No problem. Pull out the Tinkerbell printable and we are back in business.



A few hours later I had quite the list checked off.

Kids fed morning snack - check
Lunch made - check
Lunch fed - check
Kids in bed - check
Homemade muffins made for afternoon snack - check
Dinner made - check


So, here I sit at 1 o'clock, my chores all finished for the day, the kids asleep on their mats, the laundry folded, the meals made and the house clean. It makes me wonder if I really am that good at that fake smile of defeat and half cocked head I seem to manage when parents say, "I don't know how you manage all these kids every day". Well, Martha's secret is safe with me.



I can hardly wait until 4:30pm today. Normally when the end of the day comes it just means that I get to start working all over again. Only then instead of for pay I do it for free. The only similarity is the lack of recognition. But today, I can pour myself a cup of coffee and cozy up with my other good friend - Oprah.



For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca