The ideal homemaker...

Love these pictures. I think I'll start dressing like this to do my housework.

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Those who read my homemaking 101 post know that I am working toward becoming a master homemaker (it's going to be quite a process). Daryl V. Hoole, the author of The Art of Homemaking, suggests that, like a beautiful diamond, there are many facets to the ideal homemaker. She mentions 20 facets and I am going to make working on one or more of them my goal for each week. I'm going to work on the first 3 facets this week because I have already been working on facet #1 and #2 and 3 go hand in hand so I can work on those together. Besides #4 is all about order and I think I'll have to devote next week to that one alone so I can get all of my closets cleaned out-- yikes. These facets might seem a bit much, but I think there is wisdom to be found in them. I've been working on facet #1 since October, trying to make sure that I look "lovely" every day and it has definitely made a difference in my attitude. When you look better you feel better. And this morning after reading over facet #2 I had the word "ambitious" on my mind and it really helped me jump start my day. Being an ambitious, lovely, professional homemaker is quite a different feeling than that of a tired, overworked housewife.

Facet #1

An ideal homemaker is lovely to look at and lovely to be around--she has a wholesome attitude and a pleasing appearance. She has the courage to be happy and strives to live above the grievous faults of moodiness, sulkiness, and complaining. She is gracious and thoughtful and consequently adored by her family and admired by all who know her. This facet means true beauty in her diamond.

Facet #2

An ideal homemaker is ambitious and enthusiastic through application of the law that how one feels emotionally greatly determines how she feels physically. She finds that a creative approach to homemaking gives her the "pep pill" she needs and causes her to be an especially sparkling diamond.

Facet #3

An ideal homemaker is devoted to the great career in which she is engaged. She is a professional in her field by being a homemaker every day and letting her devotion and sense of duty, rather than her moods, dominate her. This makes her truly genuine as a diamond.

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I'm excited about this challenge to become the ideal homemaker. I know that the happiest times of my life are when I am anxiously engaged in a great work, that of taking care of my home and family. I absolutely agree with Ms. Hoole when she says, "Running a home challenges any other role in requiring intelligence, ingenuity, and abilities unnumbered. It can offer the most noble accomplishment and can bring the greatest joy and satisfaction of any type of work.

The lovelier you are, the more educated you are--either formally or otherwise, the more talented and capable and accomplished you are, the richer can be your life and that of your family if you're truly a homemaker, not just a housewife."