How does she do it?

You know my favorite blogger, right? She's got that tender, loving fabulous food blog that also touches on things family and important. Well, I don't know how she does that, reliably at that. There are things I am reliable at. I reliably get my kids food. I reliably show up for work, except in the case of sick kids or snowstorms shutting down school. I reliably avoid cleaning most things, especially the bathroom, even at the risk of alienating my friends who prefer bathrooms that aren't totally disgusting. And here, the third time in a row, in February, I am now desperate for more room in our house. two years ago, in February, and Two years before that, in february, I called the architect who we want to design our dream raleigh house. And it is taking all of my strength to not call him again, this february until we can actually HIRE him!!! I am dreaming of a sick room. Where I put my family members (who I love very much) but who are sick, and need to be somewhere else but in our one and only room, on our one and only couch....which is also in our kitchen... I am dreaming of a work space for my dh, who was hopping on a conference call sitting on our bed. because there are no surfaces devoid of crap for him to set his laptop on. (and no doors to close to shut out misc. noise.) I am dreaming of a space large enough to lay a yoga mat down, where our arms don't hit furniture in sun salute. I am dreaming of a place to demand my international friends come and stay in... at our house for free! who cares about bedroom space!!! although that's exactly what we're planning. places with doors, and quiet floors, and room for legos and bookshelves. And a place to hang the map of colorado that is bigger than any of our walls. ah, the february rant. the one where its cold, snowy and our house in all its glory is more than halved by the weather. you never hear me talking about space in August. Because we have it! and a kitchen garden! and play room galore! and light til 8 or 9! Here's what I see about small houses. They work perfectly for those who don't have: a social life, extended family they want near them friends who live far away OR they work perfectly for those folks whose close family and friends... HAVE BIG HOUSES! and i am beginning to see that the car issue is quite similar. if you have a big house, you may only use a portion of your house most of the time, but then... when it's needed, it expands to give a quiet place for visiting grandparents... and if you have a big car, when your friend needs you pick up their two kids too, YOU ARE ABLE because there is extra room in your car! There you have it, rant of the day, when I am feeling smothered by sick kids and traveling spouse, and Bingo. and yet another round of head lice warnings from school. And even. in the midst of all this. I realize with great clarity how unbelievably lucky we are. to be safe, warm and provided for. to be loved and to be loving. And how grateful I am for this. which makes me think... we certainly don't need a second floor or more seats in our car! We already have everything we need! and now you see how the go-round goes round.