Who’s to
say what a day is to consist of, for a slave? But despite the variety of
options and answers, it is one of the most frequent questions I get asked.
“What DO
you DO all day?”
“Don’t you
get BORED?”
The simple answer is ‘no’.
But I suppose I’d better answer it in
more detail than that – after all, it would be a pretty bad blog post if that
was all it consisted of.
My days vary, depending on when and
where my Master is working. If he’s working away, and I’m not with him, I have
a lot of freedom and I can do things at my own schedule (as long as things get
done!). If he is working from home, I am expected to keep quiet, be attentive
to his needs without being intrusive AND do my daily ‘expectations’. If he is
off, often he’ll relax while I cook/clean for the day, then we’ll go out. Of
course, this is not set in stone and there are days where routine goes straight
out of the window!
One of the main things, I suppose, is
that I enjoy my own company – I dislike people, as a general rule, so I don’t
get ‘lonely.’ I’ve always labelled myself fairly anti-social, which others will
agree with... Give me a book in the corner over being in the spotlight any
day... Sadly I don’t always get that privilege! When left to my own devices,
I’ll read, research topics, recipes, re-read books, and generally snuggle down
with a cup of tea and my own thoughts.
Then there are my pets, my boys – now, I
admit I care for my boys more than I care for people (in general). I spend more
time with them during the day that is probably necessary. They get run twice a
week, and handled daily. They get cleaned out twice a week too... and as those
at the last encampment will agree – they make a heck of a mess, and not just in
their cage!
I cook – from scratch. This year I’m
learning to make jams and preserves (and chutneys as a side thing.. But mainly
jams and preserves) this is something I’m learning about, and practising. I
bake bread and cakes, at LEAST six of seven main meals a week, if we’re not
entertaining clients, are traditionally made and home cooked (none of this ‘buy
a sauce and chuck in Tesco horse meat’!). Being rurally located, we have local
produce all around us – and I make frequent trips to see their shops and farm
stores. Normally every two days (daily in the summer, for fresh salad).
I clean – and not just a ‘quick tidy
up’. I clean daily, normally one room a day. Then, for example – the chrome
taps and oven get cleaned weekly, the wooden furniture gets treated
fortnightly, etc. And the jets in the
bath are enough of a hassle to warrant never wanting them again, but they have
to be done once a week (Masters decision!). The tile floors get scrubbed (by
hand), etc, etc.
I volunteer regularly, in a couple of
different places. Although in fairness this is normally just a few times a
month. Master jokes I also ‘volunteer’ for his business as I do his monthly
accounts and correspond with people re: that.
So, if asked to ‘plan’ a day in the life
of me, I suppose it would be easiest to plan a day when my Master was away. He
can leave any time, depending on his travel time/destination.
I suppose it would consist, roughly, of:
2hrs of cleaning
1hr of cleaning (general: dishes,
washing // other – like treating the furniture)
1hr – Shopping / Daily errands
1hr or more – Crafts / Writing / Reading
1hr or more – Cooking / Baking
1hr or more – Exercise (90mins if it’s a
running day, 120mins if it’s a swimming day)
Roughly an 8hr day, not taking into
account the daily personal routine I
have and the other things I’m either not willing (or allowed) to discuss. So
yes – that just about covers it.
So for all those who complain I can’t ‘possibly
manage’ without getting bored. I guess I can only say that I ‘manage’ because I
am able to think for myself, and have a Master who doesn’t ALLOW me to lounge
around like some vanillas.