MULTITASKING MADNESS

Got up at 6 am on Sunday, a bit later than my usual 5 am on weekdays. My progeny was fast asleep. Had the house , all gizmos and remotes to myself for a change. Decided to enjoy the peace and freedom. Switched on the radio to listen to my favourite classical music program.

Noticed the dust on the music system and cabinet. Mentally kicked myself for not supervising the maid. Went to the kitchen to make tea and realized that milk packets had not been boiled by the maid. Had another bout of self-recrimination. Took out the milk packets from the fridge only to find the kitchen scissors missing. Went to my son’s room to look for them since he often pinches them. His pair has been missing since World War II.

While looking for the scissors, found a whole lot of dirty dishes lying on the bed and study table courtesy late-night snacking and binging by my offspring. Collected and dumped them in the kitchen sink only to find that I had still not boiled milk because kitchen scissors were missing. Again went looking for them when I heard the sound of water running in the bathroom. 

It was the morning freshwater supply. Quickly placed buckets in both bathrooms under the taps. Also went to the balcony to water the plants. Picked up dry clothes from the clothesline and walked back into the living room only to hear the radio blaring some rock music. The morning classical raga program was over.

Tuned the radio to a station playing old film hits and again noticed the dust on the cabinet. Decided to tackle the dust myself and went to the kitchen to fetch a dusting cloth only to be confronted with the milk packets resting peacefully on the kitchen platform. Took a sharp knife to slice open the milk packets, spilled lots of milk. Mopped up the spillage and took the soiled kitchen towels to put them in the washing machine.

The machine was full of dirty clothes and freshwater supply was on, so decided to load the machine. The detergent box was empty so went to fetch a new packet from the cupboard. Looked again for the absconding pair of scissors to cut open, could not find, so decided to use a razor blade.

Went to the bathroom to look for one and found the buckets overflowing so ran around to close the taps feeling guilty about the wasted water. The doorbell rang and it was the milkman. Collected two milk packets and took them to the kitchen. The milk poured out earlier was still un-boiled as I had forgotten to light the gas burner. Measured water into the pan for making a cup of tea as well and lit the burners.

An old favourite Kishore number was playing on the radio. Had just started to hum along and enjoy when again noticed the dust on the cabinet and went to fetch a duster.

On the way saw dirty socks on the floor. Picked them up to put them in the washing machine. Realized that the washing machine had still not been loaded. Went looking for the new packet of detergent which I had left on the bed and cut it open with a razor blade. Nicked finger, dropped the packet and put hand under running water. While doing so got a whiff of something burning.

Rushed to the kitchen. The water for tea was gone. ..evaporated and the milk had boiled over and caked around the burner ring. Big mess. Again.

It was only 7.30 am and the multitasking madness had already begun…