When Margot was like six weeks old, Andy and I sat cocooned together with her on the couch. I asked him what he was excited for and we had a dreamy conversation about our future kid and all the activities we couldn’t wait to enjoy together. And then he said, “I also can’t wait until she can do chores.” We laughed and then he said, “Seriously though, won’t it be nice?”
Currently, Margot’s “chores” mostly involve halfway cleaning up her own messes. But as I look around our home, to-do chores in every corner of every room, I get what Andy was saying. Margot now feeds our cats and dog every morning and night. And, somehow, Andy has managed to make her excited about learning to vacuum.
For whatever reason chore has a negative connotation to me. It sounds like a forced activity. I like to think we, as a family, are participating, collaborating for the greater good of our home. Overly flowery? Perhaps but I have unloaded approximately 789,000 dishwashers in my life so maybe that’s why I don’t like chores. It was my chore and I wore it like an albatross. And since it was also my mom’s chore as a child I GET why she promptly passed the baton. It will indeed be lovely when Margot and Ruby can Participate and Collaborate in the unloading of dishes. I do hope to change it up though. Make it fun! Is it possible?
I tasked Margot with gathering photos for last Wednesday’s nuggets. I just left her camera out and she chose what to capture but there were a few times when I really wanted a photo from her perspective, like Ruby taking her first steps, when Margot firmly told me it was not her vision. Fair enough.
I had the vision and no camera to capture it in the way I imagined. I do think of photographing as a way I contribute to and participate in my family. It’s a chore I love.
So, you know my camera is broken, right? Right. I have been channeling every nerve in my universe, believing some sort of magical camera elf would work this all out for me. Big picture (pun!), I know having a camera is small potatoes but I feel got by you all. Anything seems possible as your amazing emails, that made me buzz with appreciation and a few tears, arrived to my inbox. People offering their cameras, offering to contribute to a purchase, brainstorming sponsorship approaches, well-wishing…amazing, gorgeous people you are. Thank you.
My elf is skipping around my home and his name is Vann’s.
Vann’s is my local appliance and electronics store (with an awesome online store, no sales tax and free shipping on most items). They have a great selection and we’ve purchased many items there, including our range, dishwasher and washing machine. Vann’s generously gave me a camera to use (I pick it up today! yay!) and we are working towards my Dreamboat Camera.
I need your help to get to the Dreamboat.
Pretty please take a sec to answer the poll at the upper right of my blog, answering the question:
What is the number one electronics or appliance item you wish you could get a discount on?
And, please leave a comment answering this question:
If you were offered a discount on that item, would you purchase it?
The poll is open until Tuesday, February 22 and the next day, in nuggets, you will learn what sort of lovely offer Vann’s has composed just for YOU. Thank you in advance for your help.
Maybe a sweet little purchase (made sweeter by a deal) would make your chores easier. What was your childhood chore? Do you hate unloading the dishwasher?
to adoring chores,
dig
