Housekeeping and Granola Bars

Ok, so unlike my title, the two are not related.  I wanted to cover two topics, but not write two different blog posts.  Although, I might should have done the granola bars with pictures.  I might add those in later.

I try not to gripe too much on this blog because I want to keep it pleasant to read.  Not weighted down by the trials of my quite insignificant life.  But today I broke down and hired a housekeeper to come in twice a month and clean my house.  I have mixed feelings. 

On the one hand, I am so excited to have a clean house.  Not just a clean room or two... the whole freaking house is spotless!  Best yet, I didn't have to do it, oversee it, or even pay for the cleaning supplies!  It smells wonderful which is awesome since my uber sensitive pregnancy nose is on overdrive lately and the house has been my nemisis what with doggie smells and kid smells and husband smells and whatever dinner we have that day (or yesterday and is sitting in the garbage can) smells.  It's such a relief knowing that the house will be cleaned and there's no stress.  When we have company I won't be embarrassed.  And with them coming twice a month I can manage the in between times with light cleaning and organizing.  Something I can do easily, but also isn't such a stress in getting the kids and husband to help maintain.

The con.  I feel inadequate.  I mean, aren't I supposed to be June Cleaver or something?  Cleaning the house spic and span all day, having homemade treats and goodies for the kids when they get home from school, dinner on the table at exactly 6:00 p.m., and somehow looking fabulous with my hair in its place and pearls around my neck.  I'm a stay-at-home mom.  What is my job?  I take care of the kids (mostly), but aren't I supposed to also take care of the house, the food, the yard, the dog, the husband?  Let's face it.  Right now I'm exhausted.  Pregnancy at 35 is taking its toll on me.  Not to mention I'm busy with school, a teaching assistant position, and a research grant I was awarded to do research.  Then there's chasing the almost 4 year old around, keeping her entertained, socialized, and educated.  And the 16 year old is a lot more work than one would think what with running her all over Cary for movies, study groups, track/cross-country, and whatever else.  Let's not forget the emotional issues I address at least on a weekly basis solving relationship dilemas and school problems and general problems with a step-parent.  And if all of this wasn't enough, I try, yes I try, to be at least a decent wife and spend time with the husband- date nights, entertaining friends, work family socials, etc.  Ok.  Maybe when I lay it all out like that I don't feel entirely inadequate.  I'm certainly not lazily not cleaning the house so I can sip mimosas by the pool and read a Harlequin Romance.

Of course, there's also the dilema that Dave is against housekeepers.  His list of reasons is long, but the bottom line is he feels like the teenager could and should help more and he's worried about the money aspect of it.  (Between us, it's $60 which I think is a real steal.)  But sure, that's $120 a month and I don't get a lot of money in my budget.  Something will have to sacrifice.  Sophia and I can't eat out for lunches anymore.  And we'll have to do much, much better at conserving gas to keep our costs low.  But I think it's worth it.  I really do.  I know we're not uber wealthy and maybe I'm trying to keep up with the Jones's that are on a higher income level than we are, but I just can't justify *not* spending this money when there are so many things I can justify.  As for the teenager cleaning... well, she has chores- daily and weekly- and she is responsible.  There's more to responsibility than just cleaning house.  And we are kids for such a short time in our lives.  I'd like to give her the opportunity to be a kid for as long as possible.  Not to mention, I don't want her to look back on her high school years and resent her siblings or me for haivng to do house cleaning and babysitting because her mom was pregnant.  Isn't that fair?  Maybe I'm spoiling her.  I'll feel the same for the younger two.

As of now, I have a housekeeper coming.  And as of now, I'm not going to feel guilty about it.

So, here's the granola bars.  Yeah, you had to read a lot to get to it, but it's here too.  Not to mention, it's another way to save money.  $2 a box for 10 granola bars?  Nah.  These are much cheaper in the long run.  And a great snack.

Homemade Granola Bars

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cups raw sunflower seeds
1 cup sliced almonds (I didn't add these because of nut allergies in the house)
1/2 cups wheat germ
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cups dark brown sugar
2/3 cups unsalted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
6 1/2 oz chopped dried fruit (we used Ocean Spray cherries)
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven 350
toast oats, seeds almonds, wheat germ - 15 minutes
Cook honey through salt ingredients over medium heat until brown
mix toasted ingredients and cooked ingredients
(here's where I had trouble with the chocolate chips so I'm going to tell you what I *think* you should do)
Once you mix everything but the fruit and chips let everything cool.
Set oven temp at 300. 
When it's all cooled mix fruit and chips in and press into pan.  (9x9 inch pan)
Bake at 300 for 25 minutes.
Let cool.  Cut into bars.

I wrapped each bar in saran wrap to keep.  If the chocolate chips melt they're still super yummy, just extra messy so the saran wrap is extra great for using to hold them while you eat and lower your mess.

Enjoy!  And let me know of any perfections you make to this recipe!  :)