Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Happy Housewife or "Retro" Housewife Day


Yes, November the 3rd is a National Holiday called Housewife Day or "Retro" Housewife Day.  There isn't a record of the origin of this holiday.  The purpose is to honor all women who have chosen to stay at home and run their households, even those without children.

As I read about this day I was startled at the fact that I am a housewife and yet I don't use that term to define myself.  I think of a housewife as my mom, June Cleaver, Olivia Walton, Carol Brady (well she did have a full time maid) and never "Desperate Housewives," as the picture of modern day housewives are portrayed on television today.  Then I saw that Housewife Day is also Roseanne Barr's birthday...surely that isn't who the originator of this holiday thought was a housewife.  Were there any positive housewife models portrayed on television during the 80's and 90's?

Oh I did find one, Annie from Seventh Heaven!!  If you remember other good housewives portrayed during the last 30 years please remind me! I think I was too busy raising children to see the shows.

I regress.  This post is to tell you all Happy Housewife Day and if I could wave my fairy wand I would give you a day off from your chores by hiring you a maid, a cook, a chafferer, a counselor, a nurse, a barber, a seamstress, a butler, a teacher, a gardener, a window washer, an interior decorator.....well you get the picture, you can't be replaced.  The going salary to replace a "housewife" runs around $120,000.00 a year!  That sure is a bargain for someone who works 24/7, 365 days out of the year!  You are doing a great job!
Enjoy your day!!! Whistle While You Work!!!
I found out yesterday I am going to be a grandmother for the first time!!!

24 Joining in with more words:

myletterstoemily said...

first of all, congratulations!!!!! as soon as
i had my first baby 26 years ago, i thought
"i am going to love being a grandma!"

and you get to be that special person! i'm
so happy for you.

and thank you for wishing me a happy
housewife day. it's too bad we get such a
bad rap from the media. i LOVE being one.

blessings,
lea

Debbie said...

Oh Janette let me start with a huge CONGRATULATIONS!!! YAY!! You will find grandmahood (I'm sure that is not a word, haha) to be the most blessed of God's gifts. I LOVE being a Grandma. I am soo happy for you.

I have never heard of housewife's day but I think it is wonderful. Your right all the modern day shows of this day are not very flattering. I always think of MA from Little House on the Prairie. How I loved that show. I can remember watching it when I was very first married and modeling myself after her (I kid you not, haha) baking bread from scratch etc. etc. Being a housewife and stay at home mom was just who I was. I love that this is now a holiday...HAPPY HOUSEWIFE'S day to you too. HUGS

Theresa said...

Congratulations Janette!!! Such wonderful news :)
I love the show "Seventh Heaven". I did think of some other housewives on TV, but unfortunately they are always belittling their husbands and complaining.
Thanks for this post. I will be whistling while I work today!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

oh GOOD Janette! Congratulations!! I am thrilled for you and you are going to be the best grandma!!

Your 4, then 5 year old 'uncle' will love his new role too, he'll be so proud.

One more little precious baby to bless your whole family, one more Texan and Longhorn... YAYYYYYYYYYY!!

Stacy@hiswaynotmine said...

Oh Janette...congratulations. I am so happy for you! That will be one lucky grandchild to have such a wise and Godly Grandma.

Love your post. And who knew there was even a national Holiday for us 24/7 homemakers??? :)

Much love,
Stacy

Farm Girl said...

Oh yay!!!!! I am so happy for you! Congratulations! You will be the best grandma you know what I love? That your son is only 4 now and they will be such great friends. Thank you for the house wife blessing. I do love my job! Though I never looked like June Cleaver a day in my life, I never have done house work with heels or pearls. Have a lovely day!

Paula said...

Great post!!!! I don't necessarily like the term "Housewife" because I'm not married to my house. I prefer "Domestic Engineer" or "Happy Housekeeper". Hope your day is full and blessed beyond measure. You rock and I think you're sooo special!! ((hugs)) You're gonna be a wonderful grandmother. I'm a grandmother x 2. My Stepdaughter is the mom of 2 little girls under 3.

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, you have so much to look forward to. It's just the best, love them, spoil them and then give them back. :o)

And, I was so blessed and still am to be a "housewife." There's truly no "higher calling."

Blessings to you!

Susannah said...

I'm so excited about your news Janette!!! You have a fun-filled year of sweetness ahead.

And thanks for the heads up on National Housewife Day... who would have thunk. You have me running all over the internet looking for more info. Enjoy your day of celebration! (Dinner out?)

Blessings, e-Mom

Susannah said...

P.S. I always think of Lucy Ricardo from "I Love Lucy" when I think of a 50s housewife. The most influential Christian homemaker I know from my early days as a Mom is Edith Schaeffer, who wrote "The Hidden Art of Homemaking." She made mothering and homemaking look so rewarding. ღ

Sandy said...

Well, I didn't know there was
even such a day as Happy
Housewife day. I love being
a housewife and consider it
an honor to love and care for
my family.
Congratulations on being a
future grandma! I want so much
to be one, too.
I can't think of any housewives
other than the ones you mentioned
except Donna Reed. She was my
favorite as a girl.

Darlene Schacht said...

Paula referred me to your blog, because she thought I'd like it--and I do. :)

Happy Housewife Day!

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene
Time-Warp Wife

P.S. My birds loved your video, they started chirping in. Ha!

Kaye Swain - SandwichINK for the Sandwich Generation said...

Hi Popped over from MyLettersToEmily and am so glad I did. What a fun day! I was able to stay home and home school my kids for several years. Eventually I did work out of the home for a couple years, then back home depending on needs. Now they're all grown, many homeschooling and at home, and I'm back at home as a Sandwich Generation caregiver and granny nanny, along with writing. There's definitely "no place like home!" !

CONGRATULATIONS! You'll be so blessed with that wee one and be such a blessing as well! Have a blessed week!

Sydney said...

I find it a blessing to be able to stay at home with my children and instruct them according to God's Word. I find it so edifying in spending this precious time with them.

Congratulation on your first grand-baby!!!!
That is awesome news!!!

Anonymous said...

Janette,

As a "late blooming" housewife/homemaker, I was quite unaware that today was Housewife Day, ha! I didn't even know that they had such a day. How did you discover that today was Housewife Day? :)

Also, congratulations to your lovely news! You must be excited! :)

Blessings,

-Lady Rose

Karen said...

Makes me feel special, knowing they have set aside a day for us kind of girls! Congratulations!!!!
I don't have any yet, but I can't imagine how excited I would be.

Deborah Ann said...

Congrats on Grandmahood!

I probably wouldn't win a housewife reward, but I would win a reward for loving a man the bestest way possible. Eat your heart out June Cleaver!

Stephanie said...

Thanks for this post.

CONGRATS, Janette! Details? :-)

Gwen T said...

Congratulations!!! :)

I needed this encouragement today, Janette! As you know, my hubby's in Dallas right now, and everything is a little harder and a little more stressful when Daddy's not around. Somehow his 7 offspring (okay, mine too!) still expect food, clothing and love... :)

Crown of Beauty said...

Wow, congratulations on your first grandchild!

Now that's a real milestone.

And Happy Retro Homemakers Day

I loved your post, and particularly enjoyed the Disney clip of whistle while you work.

Yes I do remember Annie of Seventh Heaven.

Do you remember Little House on the Prairie? The mom there was a super homemaker too.

Love
Lidj

Nana said...

Yay! I'm thrilled about your 'grandmother' news. I absolutely love being 'nana' to Annie, Tyler and Meg. Makes my heart sing.
I kind of like the term, HOMEMAKER, better. No matter what other ways I choose to serve God or how I occupy time (He's given me)....I will ALWAYS be a homemaker. That is my calling and my joy.
Have a great month getting ready for making your holiday home ready for service to the ones you love.

Unknown said...

I just got to read this post this morning and I am so excited for you!!!! You will be a wonderful grandma-I know we haven't ever met but just from reading your blogs and e-mails to me I can tell your loving, sweet heart will make you a super grandma.
When will this be happening.
Loved you quilt post today too. I have a few quilts from Mike's mom and grandma and I love them. They are very special to us.
Love ya-have a happy Friday.
Jill

Barb Winters said...

Yey! Let's celebrate housewives! Good to meet another Stay-at-Home Home Schooling Mom who writes.

A multi-dimensional life said...

This is such an adorable post!
I love the video! I often whistle while I work :)! I join you in honoring all the housewives...and I'm so glad you were spending your time raising children! Now you will carry on your great values to the "next generation"! Congratulations on becoming a first time grandma...although you look much too young! You are blessed!

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