500 Follower Giveaway Day #1

Today my lovely blog friends marks the first day in four days of giveaways to celebrate Sweet Tea Serendipity's 500 followers!  Today's giveaway was generously donated by Paula at Real Housewife of Singapore.  She has a great post for y'all & a chance to win some goodies at the end!

Howdy! I am Paula the Real Housewife of Singapore. I am thrilled to be guest posting today!

house·wife

noun /ˈhousˌwīf/  
housewives, plural

"A married woman whose main occupation is caring for her family, managing household affairs, and doing housework. "

That's me! I am married, I stay home to raise children, cook, clean, and the like. Once upon a time this was all that was required, AND expected of a woman. The man went out and worked, while the little woman stayed home. It all seemed happy on the surface according to shows like Father Knows Best. However, my house is a bit more...King of Queens -ish...

Below are the rules on how to be the perfect housewife, according to an article published in 1955.

1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time.

This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him, and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work- weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.

4. Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.

6. Things to avoid: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.

7. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.

8. Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

9. Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.

10. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax.

I am not against wanting a happy clean house, and a happy (and clean?) husband...but I laugh as read those. Not because they are out of line or make the women submissive, but because they make the men sound weak, and incapable, and fragile! Apparently the men back then couldn't handle a hair outta place, or an under fluffed pillow without freaking out.

I get this image in my head of Jimmy Stewart (It's a Wonderful Life) stuttering, and stumbling around as he runs his hands through his hair in distress, while he walks around the house and sees dirty dishes, noisy kids, and his wife without lipstick!

I would love to be, but I am not nearly as organized as the housewives of yesteryear with all the dinner planning, and housekeeping... and making sure the children are picture perfect darlings for my dearly beloved...and I almost never wear a ribbon in my hair. As for dinner, I make sure to keep the groceries stocked, and a list of food delivery numbers handy!

Now whether or not you want to act like a 1950's housewife is up to you, I just want to help you look like one! So...I am going to give one lucky reader a fantastic "old fashioned" apron from After Thoughts by Jennee Thompson.

Wouldn't you just be the cutest little housewife on the block, or in your condo, or cul de sac.... um... where ever it is you call home. The polka dots scream 50's, the ruffles are oh so feminine, and it would look oh so cute paired with some black kitten heels, or "HOLY HOTNESS BATMAN" with fishnets and stilettos (hey its your kitchen!) - "to the bedroom Robin!"

Mandatory Entry: 

Follow Sweet Tea Serendipity via GFC & leave a comment stating you've done so

Extra Entries (leave a comment for each):
"Like" Sweet Tea Serendipity on Facebook 
Follow Sweet Tea on Twitter
Follow Real Housewife of Singapore via GFC

"Like" Real Housewife of Singapore on Facebook
Follow Real Housewife on Twitter

Leave a comment telling me what your favorite housewife rule from this post is

Secondary Contest!

What TV show would you compare your family to? Leave a comment with your answer and one of you will be randomly chosen to win a sleep mask from After Thoughts. (You can tell me which design you would like when you win!)

Both giveaways will end at 11:59 p.m. EST on August 21.  Open to U.S. residents only.

Be sure to enter & stop by tomorrow for another great giveaway!