Where's my magic wand?

I have come to the conclusion that to keep a clean house while working full time and raising a family one must have a magic wand! I don't understand how people, like for instance my mother, can work, clean house, raise a family, and still put dinner on the table! Can anyone say "June Cleaver"? I mean really, come on... There's a delicate balance and I'm still searching for it.

Growing up I took advantage of my mother's ability to be Super Woman and single handedly keep a smooth running house. We'll call her "June" for all intents and purposes. June never ceased in doing it all. I remember the house always being spotless. Dinner always being cooked. Laundry always folded and put away. How did June manage this? Funny thing is, I don't remember her spending her days slaving away either. Its like she had a magic wand that I never knew about. Poof. Chores finished.

I haven't always been the cleanest person. Okay, okay, I'm a slob. But when I moved into my brand new apartment in Port Saint Lucie it was spotless! I worked full time and kept an imaculate house. I even used to mop just about every day. Yet now I can't seem to find the time or energy to do the dinner dishes.

What changed?

Well for one I work daytime hours now. In PSL I bartended so I generally didn't work till 4pm. Now I work full time day hours. Of course thats no excuse though because I have to admit there are days I don't go in till mid-morning. And of course since I work day time hours, I'm home by 6:30pm. Doesn't sound too bad does it? Then why isn't my house clean?

Then there is the husband and child I've added to the mix. And its not that they're dirty or make messes. In fact I'm probably the messiest in the house. I guess I just find it hard to want to get off work and spend my time cleaning instead of spending time with my family.

Maybe thats it. When I lived in PSL maybe I didn't have anything I'd rather do so I just cleaned and now I'd much rather bathe my daughter or cuddle on the couch with my hubby. I guess that is the balance. The dishes will be there tomorrow. The laundry can wait. And really, who mops their floors religiously? My balance is knowing that I'm spending time with my family and enjoying them.

Mama Stone