Tuesday, September 08, 2015

Split Personality

There are two Marthas, yet they are actually one and the same. ( I actually first wrote that "one in the same," looked at it, and thought, "That ain't right..." although technically I suppose I am inside myself...)

At any rate, the first Martha lives here, takes care of house and home, tends to family matters, and has roughly the same circle of friends as her husband. Roughly. The second Martha was born back in March when she went off to take a class and earn her place in the world as a Certified Nurse Assistant. Not a high place, but a place none the less. This Martha goes off to work and mingles in other residences, assists in taking care of other people's business, and has a circle of friends and acquaintances her own family has probably never met. (It's a little weird for me, but perfectly normal for all of you who have worked outside of your home for years already.)

Martha #1 is a little shaken up in her life schedule, while Martha #2 is oblivious to her "not totally evil" twin. Always stopping to remember "it's not Friday," Martha #1, who was struggling with scheduling to start with, is never quite sure when to clean the house or do the grocery shopping. Martha #2 need only remember to don work clothes on the correct mornings and pack a bagged lunch. She sits in a home she need not dust, visits with absolute strangers, and, so far, has not been asked to do their shopping. (And here in the story I am reminded of the fact that my great grandfather married two Marthas, my own great grandma being referred to by some as "the 2nd Martha. But I digress...)

I do suppose I am learning to master the art of switching from one Martha to the other. (They really aren't totally different, after all.) I enjoy going to work and I love being home with my family. My house might not be spotless, but didn't that passel of children I had running through here teach me that clean houses aren't necessarily high on the list of priorities? And hey, none of us has starved to death yet, even if I've lost track of what is in the refrigerator and kitchen cupboards.

PS. My houseplants are still alive. I must be doing something right.

10 comments:

  1. Hi Martha #1 and Martha #2. I can relate...in my younger working years, I wore many hats. You wear both of yours well. Love and Hugs

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    1. Hi Wanda! I've been missing you.
      You should have seen the guy doing music entertainment today. He had a whole suitcase full of hats. He even had one that looked like a pizza!
      Love you!

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  2. I love the way you wrote this, very interesting, and I can totally relate. :)

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    1. Thank you. I'm glad to know I'm not alone, Rachel. maybe one day I'll get this juggling act figured out, huh? I'm glad I never had to do it with little ones!
      :0)

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  3. If you haven't worked outside of the home for many years I can understand Martha 1 & 2. Since I have mostly worked I never looked t it this way. I guess I m #3, retired. BTW your succulents look great!!!!

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    1. I never really worked outside the home. This is a completely different way of living. I like it and don't all wrapped up together. Yes, being retired might actually bring a 3rd personality into the mix.
      :0)

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  4. I understand completely....
    I was home for 12 years...went back to work p/t when youngest was 7...
    I was chief cook and bottle washer for many years...
    Your story is so well written, perhaps Martha#3 should be an author♥️
    Be happy my friend...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Perhaps she shall be...
      Sometimes I go back through my blog looking for something and laugh at things I once wrote. Yesterday it was this, "There are only a few days until The Grinch swoops down from his mountaintop cave to steal our festivities and leave us singing in the snow,..."
      I'm happy (and a little overwhelmed at the same time).
      :0)

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    2. Good!
      It will take time...
      How is the baby girl?
      My anniversary today....43 years!
      Boyfriend in Montreal ...home this evening...

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    3. I think the work schedule will get easier once things here at home settle down. I looked around the house this morning and said, "Does anyone else really care if it's a disaster? Probably not." ha ha!
      Baby girl is beautiful!
      Her name is Jillian Mariah and her brothers are enthralled.
      Happy Anniversary to you and the Boyfriend! 43 years is a great accomplishment.

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