Reluctant Housewifery

I've stated before how much I dislike the housewife role that I have been forced into by the (no) job market. I'm used to paying my own way with perhaps a bit of help, and the amount I get weekly from the lovely unemployment people doesn't cover my expenses. I have the utmost respect for the (willing) housewife and stay-at-home parent.

And when my beloved spouse gets home from work every day, it looks like I've done absolutely nothing. Some days this is true; I've done very little. Most of it is due to a) the kids and b) the fact that most of the stuff I do is intangible or at least invisible without looking carefully. As an example, today in the past five hours, I have done the following:

• Made breakfast and lunch, and planned dinner
• Cut up a gazillion veggies for dipping
• Made chicken stew for a housebound friend
• Done the dishes twice
• Assisted an online friend with vacation research
• Assisted a real-life friend with a game reference
• Done five of the seven slides due in my Behavioral Science class this week
• Done two of the three tutorials due in my Information Services class this week
• Answered daily questions in both classes
• Applied for four jobs online (weekends are slow)
• Written this blog post
• Ordered groceries for tomorrow and planned meals for the week
• Done three loads of laundry (and I ran out of detergent so I added it to the grocery order)
• Read seven books and assisted in construction of several Lego creations with Lizzy

However, because I haven't done the floors nor the kitchen counters yet, the place looks like a wreck.