Anthea Turner, a forward on Martha-Stewart types, and life on fast-forward

We spent this weekend at a picturesque (and according to Rasha, "posh") villa located on the edge of a mountain (think mists covering a deep, deep valley on one side and an artificial dam lit up by fairy lights across the road) because we ran out of water at our house and the water tanker wouldn't be available until after Friday prayers.
We're also in the process of shifting (at least mentally, we haven't got down to the nitty gritty yet) to another place.
Each day as we zoom off to our respective workplaces I can feel time passing us by.
Just looking at the kids and seeing them growing up (maa shaa Allaah) before our eyes makes it seem as if we're living life on fast-forward...as if moments are passing us by without giving us time to savour / absorb them fully.
Sometimes, I feel like I am literally running out of life.

***

I got this forward and laughed out loud.
House Cleaning Tips for New Mothers or 30 Minutes to a Cleaner House
You're getting company in 30 minutes. Your house is a mess.WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the first session of Housekeeping Tips for New Mothers. If you're a Martha Stewart type of housekeeper, this column is NOT for you. However, for the rest of you, this is your chance to learn 15 Secret Shortcuts to Good Housekeeping that your mother never told you.
SECRET TIP 1: DOOR LOCKS
If a room clearly can't be whipped into shape in 30 days, much less 30 minutes, employ the Locked Door Method of cleaning. Tell anyone who tries to go in the room that you accidentally locked the door and can't find the key. Of course, the locksmith can't possibly come until tomorrow. CAUTION: It is not advisable to use this tip for the bathroom.Time: 2 seconds
SECRET TIP 2: DUCT TAPE
No home should be without an ample supply. Not only is it handy for plumbing repairs, but it's a great way to hem drapes, tablecloths, clothes, just about anything. No muss, no fuss.Time: 2-3 minutes
SECRET TIP 3: OVENS
If you think ovens are just for baking, think again. Ovens represent at least 9 cubic feet of hidden storage space, which means they're a great place to shove dirty dishes, dirty clothes, or just about anything you want to get out of sight when company's coming.Time: 2 minutes
SECRET TIP 4: CLOTHES DRYERS
Like Secret Tip 3, except bigger. CAUTION: Avoid hiding flammable objects here.Time: 2.5 minutes
SECRET TIP 5: WASHING MACHINES & FREEZERSLike Secret Tip 4, except even bigger. Time: 3 minutesSECRET
TIP 6: DUST RUFFLES
No bed should be without one. Devotees of Martha Stewart believe dust ruffles exist to keep dust out from under a bed or to help coordinate the colorful look of a bedroom. The rest of us know a dust ruffle's highest and best use is to hide whatever you've managed to shove under the bed. (Refer to Secret Tips 3, 4, 5.)Time: 4 minutes
SECRET TIP 7: DUSTINGThe 30-Minutes-To-A-Clean-House method says: Never dust under what you can dust around.Time: 3 minutes
SECRET TIP 8: DISHESDon't use them. Use plastic or paper plates and you won't have to.Time: 1 minute
SECRET TIP 9: CLOTHES WASHING (EEWWW)This secret tip is brought to you by an inventive teenager. When this teen's mother went on a housekeeping strike for a month, the teen discovered you can extend the life of your underwear by two ...if you turn it wrong side out and, yes, rerun it. CAUTION: This tip is recommended only for teens and those who don't care if they get in a car wreck.Time: 3 seconds
SECRET TIP 10: IRONINGIf an article of clothing doesn't require a full press and your hair does, a curling iron is the answer. In between curling your hair, use the hot wand to iron minor wrinkles out of your clothes. Yes, it really does work, or so I'm told, by other disciples of the 30-Minutes-To-A-Clean-House philosophy. Time: 5 minutes (including curling your hair)
SECRET TIP 11: VACUUMINGStick to the middle of the room, which is the only place people look. Don't bother vacuuming under furniture. It takes way too long and no one looks there anyway.Time: 5 minutes, entire house; 2 minutes, living room only
SECRET TIP 12: LIGHTINGThe key here is low, low, and lower. It's not only romantic, but bad lighting can hide a multitude of dirt.Time: 10 seconds
SECRET TIP 13: BED MAKING
Get an old-fashioned waterbed. No one can tell if those things are made up or not, saving you, oh, hundreds of seconds over the course of a lifetime.Time: 0
SECRET TIP 14: SHOWERS, TOILETS, AND SINKSForget one and two. Concentrate on three.Time: 1 minute
SECRET TIP 15:If you already knew at least 10 of these tips, don't even think about inviting a Martha Stewart type to your home.
For some reason it reminded me of Anthea Turner's show that I like to watch, if only to reassure myself that I'm not alone.