Housework Rules
Retrohousewife (my best friend) and I were talking about the blog the other day and she thinks I come across as a little "too good to be true" here (she's always keeping me in line). I think it's because I'm trying to be encouraging and I'm usually a glass half full type of person. But I'm not perfect, my husband isn't perfect, my kids aren't perfect and my house isn't perfect. I'm just your average, everyday mom.
Yes, my house is usually clean, but remember that I don't have little ones around any more. My youngest is 9 and the oldest two have left home. I've also come a LONG way in my housekeeping and organizing skills since they were small. If a friend wanted to visit back then, I needed at least 24 hours notice so I could get everything straightened.
My husband leaves his socks in the floor and the kids slam doors and track mud in the house just like everyone else's kids. They are normal. Yes, there are days when I'm frustrated and want to do nothing but soak in a tub and eat chocolate all afternoon. I'm not one of those moms who gets up at 4:30am, has an hour long Bible study, knits a sweater, makes a gourmet breakfast and scrubs the floors all before 9:00am. I'm lucky if my brain is fully functioning before 9:00am so my sweet husband has taken to bringing me coffee in bed in the mornings to help me wake up. :) I usually have to do my Bible study later in the morning or at night or I'll read the same sentence over and over and have no idea what I just read.
I don't want you to think that I'm one of those annoying people who never have a bad day and always have everything under control. When I'm showing you the great bread I made, I probably didn't get the bathrooms cleaned that day, or if I got lots of organizing or gardening done, we probably ate Hamburger Helper for dinner. I pray that you can be encouraged here without feeling like you have to "measure up".
Great Blog
ReplyDeleteWell, I never thought that you were perfect. I know better, because we're all sinners, and lead normal lives. I appreciate the fact that you try to be encouraging. There's enough in the world to get us down!
ReplyDeleteWe know each other "warts and all" so to speak. Sometimes I read the blog and visions of Bree Vandecamp run through my head. So, I had to tease her a little about it and I thought she should expose some of her "warts" on the blog. So, it looks like she took my advice! :-)I have plenty or "warts" myself, but I don't have a blog. ROFL!
ReplyDeleteRetroHousewife
compared to other Christian housewives..it's so refreshing to see that you're willing to admit things that aren't to good about you..instead of making yourself an idol....
ReplyDeletesuch a wonderful blog....
Giggle...I'm relieved I'm not the only one!
ReplyDeleteWell bless you - what a lovely post. I think that you come across as realistic and happy - a godly woman doing the best she can. Thing is - our real life friends know us really really well!! My best chum doesn't recognise me on my blog!!!!!
ReplyDeletePS & by the way - can't you persuade retrohousewife to blog - she sounds fun! You could be a fun duo!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! And I'm the same as you....normal! Plenty dirty socks, mud and unfinshed chores here too, but that's life! Blogs always seem to point to the nice things in life, but that's what makes them so lovely to read...escapism from our own mess!
ReplyDeleteLove, Tina :)
I don't think of you as perfect, though I know it's easy to just show the good side on our blogs. I mean who really wants a picture of my very dirty bathroom! Okay, now I'm going to go sheepishly clean my bathtub - LOL!!
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that I absolutely love your blog and I have a link to it on my blog-www.wingbeatsandreflections.blogspot.com :) How did you get that vintage background onto your blog?
ReplyDeleteNonesense! I never thought you were perfect, just optimistic! That's the best way to get through life, and who would want to read a blog that is discouraging, anyway? Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteI didn't think you came across as someone who had/has attained perfection in homemaking, I don't think there is such a thing...
ReplyDeleteit is nice though to have real-ness in blogland.
Deby
I have to say, I've never felt that way on my visits here. I think we all tend to share the "best" of ourselves, and if everyone only knew the whole story...LOL...LOL!!
ReplyDeleteYou keep up your good blog, I for one enjoy it very much!☺
This is my first visit (through The Simple Woman) & from what I read, you sound like a very real person, not a fake idealistic homemaker.
ReplyDeleteFrom what you wrote here, you sound like the kind of woman I would like for a friend, who isn't going to mind the clutter on my coffee table & the multiplying tennis rackets at the front door :-)
Hey there! This is my first time visiting your site, and I know it's going to become one of my "dailies." I am obsessed with the whole retro/vintage thing and I SOOO wish I could be one of those 1950's housewives, like June Cleaver. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your sweet comments! You have really made my day!
ReplyDeleteTo those of you that are first time visitors, thanks for stopping by and for leaving a comment. I'll come by and visit your blogs soon. :)
I agree with everyone else, I've never felt you were trying to portray yourself as perfect. Blogs are only snippets of our lives, that's all it really was meant to be. (o:
ReplyDelete"I'm not one of those moms who gets up at 4:30am, has an hour long Bible study, knits a sweater, makes a gourmet breakfast and scrubs the floors all before 9:00am."
ReplyDeleteYou're not?! ROTFL!
I AM one of those annoying morning persons who wakes naturally in a good mood before daylight and hits the ground running. My filing system, however, is in complete disarray.
Confession is good for the soul and keeps us humble.
You don't come across as too good to be true to me. I think as we gain confidence in the Lord as He works wonders in our lives, it's possible that the confidence could be misconstrued.
I enjoy your blog and visit it periodically. I am an almost-45-year-old wife, mom, homemaker, and freelance writer and I love reading the blogs of women who enjoy homemaking.
Leigh
Wait - so if my goal is to be you when I grow up - I won't be POYYYYfect? ;-)
ReplyDeletePshaw. I think you rock... supercool encouraging inspirational and juuuuust imperfect enough to be human - but close enough to give us something to strive for.
Melonie, what a sweet compliment! Thank you so much!
ReplyDelete